Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com Casual Chic posts

Crushing on Cate Blanchett chic in menswear

Cate Blanchett chic in menswear inspired garb while recently out and about had us crushing on her relaxed take on masculine elegance. Would you don a similar look? I'll Have what She's Having: Menswear style totally stolen from the boys. Here's what we think of her attempt at menswear made chic and why you should give it a go! >>You'll Have What She's Having: Casual Chic Done Right! To many, this could very well be a very challenging look to pull off without looking like you have just about given up. But, leave it to Cate Blanchett to work a minimal yet relaxed winter ready gray wool suit with a ladylike bag and oh-so-cute cut-out Robert Clergerie loafers. And that's where it all comes together;

Oh, my! Sneakers shown with dress clothes at couture... that's Chanel haute couture, and not Juicy! The women's comfort sneaker trend is going strong as just witnessed at the latest Paris couture shows, but do you know how to look chic in comfort shoes and put together? (Rather than the opposite which can be kinda schleppy, to say the least) Look from the Spring-Summer Haute Couture collection photographed by Karl Lagerfeld. via Chanel-News It's official, wearing a sneaker in style should no longer be left to the street stars as even Karl Lagerfeld sent a parade of models out clad in comfortable shoes at the recent Chanel Couture show. Now the ball is in your court when it comes to passing up

Dress Up an everyday jacket, and you too can be red carpet ready in one of your favorite go-to toppers Holiday party season is quickly coming upon us & we might not want to buy a one off outfit. Why not take a spin on something that you can style infinite ways? Let's take inspiration from what these A+ fashion starts wore to the 'Mademoiselle C' premiere recently, both singer Ciara and fashion titan Carine Roitfeld donned their own takes on dressing up what could be considered an everyday jacket. >>DISCOVER: Age-Appropriate leather jackets and how to shop & wear one As you can see, both opted top their head-to-toe black outfits with jackets that are casual enough to be

Fugly to some, chic + cool for the rest! The Birkenstock comfort ugly shoe trend is one Spring 2014 runway highlight to take advantage of this season & the next It's all a matter of how you put together this runaround trend. Call it a rerun, but for the moment we're calling it a homerun where comfort is key. And if you were around the first time, we can only imagine your collective gasp at the thought of the Birkenstock sandal, that quintessential 90's era shoe going high fashion. But it's true, they're back, and most importantly maybe not a bad option after years of skyhigh heels dominating the runways. Looking for French Chic style tips? Right this way with

I'll Have What She's Having: Cozy and casual chic plaid that's the perfect way to dress up jeans Sometimes dressing up is really a spin on what could be dressing down. Truth be told, I love plaid. Especially red plaid. Always have. My vintage Geoffrey Beene red plaid coat may come out of retirement soon. For me, plaid runs the gambit from my collection of cowgirl chic western shirts to classic American sportswear iterations, like my Geoffrey Beene vintage red plaid coat, pictured left, that I may just pull out and wear again. Aside from its classic heritage, plaid is VERY much on trend this season. What it does best is dress up your jeans in a snap. Just look at the

French Chic white shirts I'll Have What She's Having: A classic French Chic white shirt that's just a touch special I'd like to think of this as a palette cleanse from all the too-too of Fashion Week. Something so simple, so easy, that you may even have in your closet. I just love the simplicity of her look. The rolled sleeves, crimson lips, undone hair, and THOSE pants! So effortlessly chic. You can dress IT up, wear it to tone down something very bold, make it girly yet chic, or wear it with tuxedo flourish to a modern pantsuit. But, don't think that this kind of off-handed style is NOT strategic. The effortlessness of this very laid back classic style

Verena Kerth attends Herlitz during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014

I'll Have What She's Having: Not too hot, not too cold summer boots + how to wear booties off-season I know, I know. It's getting to that time where you want to wear something new but you're still settled in the final days of summer (can you believe how fast it flew by?) and not quite up to investing in more warm weather clothing. Surely, it's still too sunny to think fall. So what to wear? Summer boots, the kind that can transition to fall have your name written all over it! Low heel ankle booties have been on the radar for a few seasons (thank you Isabel Marant & all those Parisian girls), and don't seem to be losing

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Level 99 Janice Ultra Skinny jeans

I'll Have What She's Having: Shazam, I have it already! Everyday style inspiration by way of Sarah Jessica Parker, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba and Katherine Heigel You gotta love the headline, "Celebrities in jeans looking normal" because rather than oohing and ahhing about a fantasy gown or talking about their bodily (im)perfections, let's look at what celebrities wear when they are just being normal. Duhhh, it looks a lot like us. >> MORE: Jeans See, it takes some tzuj to get all aspirational and starlike. During the day, while running errands, having Mommy time, or simply working from home, these "big" names look pretty dang normal. Doesn't that make you feel better? SJP in Level 99 Twisted Seam Tomboys in Crater

Dear Sharon: It's time for me to address what it takes to create a wardrobe of business fashion for a back to work mom. After being away from the concrete jungle for 6 years, it's time to go back to the office on a part-time basis. The thing is that my wardrobe is looking a bit dated and close to a size smaller although I am hoping to get back to my original weight. I want to start to rebuild my wardrobe slowly, as I'm not sure if I will stay in an office environment or opt for consulting work later. What's a good strategy to build an appropriate wardrobe of business fashion for a back to work mom? (J.D. via Fashion Advice)

I'll Have What She's Having: An updated sweatshirt in super chic fabrications but just as comfy as the real thing Don't you want some Casual Chic with a touch of glam? Get the look by way of the updated sweatshirt… With erratic seasonal temperatures across the country getting dressed for the weather outside can be a challenge. Opting to stay casual and polished is a fashion point that many would rather simply ignore than strive for simple chic. Listen up, there's a style solution to dreary sorta casual days that spans a good chunk of temperature finickiness. The Updated Sweatshirt as seen on and around the catwalks as one of the top New York Fashion Week trends for fall 2013 goes a step

Nagore Aramburu with daughter Ane in Madrid;

I totally get where this reader is coming from as I remember this dressing predicament from when my son was little. What's a stay-at-home mom to wear can be frustrating, if not a bit sticky. Let's help her out with some stylist tips.... they work to for a solo-entrepreneur who works from home with a virtual staff. Dear Sharon: I am a stay-at-home mom and I never know what to put on. Most days I exercise and go to the store or run errands. On the days I don't leave the house I just put on T-shirts and yoga pants. When I go shopping for clothes I never know what to buy. Can you help? I just don't want to look so dumpy all the

Alicia Keys arrives on a flight at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport with her son Egypt in Paris, France.

I'll Have What She's Having: A voluminous scarf and a menswear hat to effortlessly glam up the most basic outfit. It REALLY is that easy. Getting out of the house sometimes, can be an effort in itself. Particularly, on those down low, kick back (ha!), whirlwind of errands and mommydom days. Or maybe, just a work at home, no one sees me until, crap, I have to go out and look good kind of day. Now what? Oh yeah, for many of us this kind of day is far more realistic than a pair of stilettos and a slinky sheath. On the dressier side, it's almost by route, You pull a perfectly fitting dress off a hanger, add some gorgeous shoes. Off you

I'll Have What She's Having: Black leather pants that look so right Yesterday, we talked about the ageless chic of a black leather motorcycle jacket, and today it's time to talk about your lower half. >>MORE: Leather Style There's an off-handedness that Italians have. They could be wearing the most extravagant item -- think a healthy dose of gold, a swath of fur, ornate embellishments, or in this case, black leather pants-- and throw it together in a manner that's effortless and molto elegante, and even casual in their own way. Never garish. Always fun. >>RELATED: When in Rome Black leather pants are one of the hottest trends this season, and we all know how tricky they can be. Let's look at

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Crushing on Cate Blanchett chic in menswear

Sneak ahead with the comfort sneaker shoe trend now at couture too

Dress Up an everyday jacket, from the must-have motorcycle to a basic blazer

The Ugly Shoe Guide: The comfort shoe trend is going strong! Check out the Birkenstock influence at Celine and more

Do you want the perfect way to dress up jeans? Try classic plaid!

Le Classic White Shirt: C’est French chic street style that you can wear from Paris Fashion Week

How to wear booties + what summer boots to transition to fall

Celebrities in jeans looking normal- no big woot, just as it is

Three Ways to Double Duty Your Style- Business fashion for a back to work mom

Try This Casual Chic Tip: An Updated Sweatshirt as you transition your wardrobe

What’s a stay-at-home mom to wear & not look dumpy?

Scarf This Up: Mommy Chic Wrap & Spiffy Bowler a la Alicia Keys

Leather Weather: Black (leather pants) + White = Italian Style

Female Entrepreneurs: Helping You & Your Business Get Out There!