Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com what to wear posts

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

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

Pierre Hardy Mixed metallic leather-patterned suede ankle boots

Can this reader pull off mixing metallics all in one outfit? Dear Sharon: O.K, I have a question about metallics. There is this fairly new gold/silver color I love. I have purses, I have sweaters, I have shoes, I have tops with it stitched in etc. I know there is a "double denim" rule but I am not sure about metallics. For example, one day I wore metallic shoes an embellished top and a sweater, they all matched, but it occurred to me it might be an overkill. What is your opinion doubling down on metallics? (L.T. via Fashion Advice) >> READ: How about some Holiday Dress Tips? That's a toughy. First off, there is no real rule about mixing metallics, or piling them on. It is more

Stylist Advice- Decisions, decisions about what shoe color to wear. How can this reader add pizzazz to a neutral holiday dress… I am wearing a mocha dress with sequins at Christmas and wondering what color of shoes I should get? Please help!!! (A.W. via Fashion Advice) >> READ: Perfect Party ShoesStandout sequins in muted shades of nude are very of the moment this holiday season. They are a sultry take on subtle and can be styled two ways for maximum holiday style.When it comes to what color shoes to wear with dressy neutrals...Stay on the more demure or safer side by keeping the look tonal and sophisticated with shoes in same shade. Make it exciting by adding texture and detail for interest. What you want to

If a black tie optional event is mostly business men, can this reader dare to bare with a backless dress? Dear Sharon: I would sincerely appreciate your input on an issue I am having with a business black tie optional event. I am attending a "black tie optional" awards ceremony anddinner for a builders' association in Western NY (near Canada). My completely platonic date is my boss. The builders' association is pretty male dominated, but I'm sure most will bring their wives/girlfriends to this particular event. I have this gorgeous vintage Ann Taylor black suede dress that comes to just above the knee, has bracelet-length sleeves, and is backless almost to the waist but a little higher. I am dying to wear it! Would that be

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

Kate Moss, Isabelle Hupert, Sarah Jessica Parker in black leather jackets

I'll Have What She's Having: A modern & global spin on a classic black leather jacket as an age-appropriate celebrity favorite Baby, it's leather weather! Not too hot, not too cold (yet) and just right for some hard core downtown motorcycle style done right, may it be city, casual, or dressy. From London, New York, to Cannes, we've got Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Isabelle Huppert sporting a black leather jacket in three ageless ways that will surely suit YOUR wardrobe. >>MORE: Leather Style When it comes to rocking it out whist still being both age-appropriate and ageless, please note that these ladies are in their LATE 30s, 40s, and 50s. Style doesn't have an expiration date when it looks right. Kate Moss in

Dear Sharon: I am overweight. Sometimes I wear blouses open with turtlenecks underneath. Can you wear a scarf with the open blouse and turtleneck? (C.M. via Fashion Advice) I'm not sure that I love the way you start out your question by announcing that you are overweight. Regardless of your size, we ALL need to make the most of what we've got which should come from a place of confidence and pride with our unique self. That said, what's with ALL the layers? When it comes to plus size layering, or layering clothing for any size, with rare exception, it is key to create a longer visual line with your clothing to look leaner, less bulky, and polished. The emphasis for

Vivid Colors Add Punch & Spunk To An Otherwise Neutral Palette Ok, here's some shopping advice, it's time to brighten up TV producers are surely rejoicing. The one-two color punch for resort is a bold mash-up of TV-friendly colors, so vivid and brilliant, that you may just want to adjust your settings... on your everyday wardrobe, that is. These clear and crisp colors are NOT unfriendly on your skin tone as last season's neons, but rich, intense, and crisp in a sophisticated and grown-up way. >> RELATED: Color Chic. How To Add Color To Your Life- Home, Fashion, and Beauty Tips The BEST part of this color trend is that it's not reserved to a specific shade that dates itself (think of

Tahari Belted Portrait Collar Fit & Flare Dress

Dear Sharon: I'm wearing this holiday red shiny Tahari dress with an open portrait neckline to my husband's company Christmas party. I am wondering what shoes and jewelry to wear with it. Thanks! (H.E. via Fashion Advice) I've spent some time pondering if I should sugarcoat this or not, and I need to be both truthful to you and to my professional style aesthetics. I have to be honest here, I don't love the dress. It's a bit matronly in that it has that strange styling combination of simultaneously being both fussy and conservative with not much excitement in the cut-- it most definitely needs some styling work to tzuj it up! FYI: With the right styling, fab accessorizing, and a few nips & tucks,

Expert stylist's advice, our weekly installment of style & lifestyle questions from YOU for us to contemplate is back, first-up comes a query on flared pants that everyone could learn a thing or two from From Suzanne- Are flared and/or belled pants still fashionable to wear? With Miuccia Prada's Fall takes on the bookish, print filled charm of the haute 70's and fashion's latest fixation on reworking the perfect pant in every shape imaginable, it was only a matter of time for us to see the return of the flared pant. No longer will flared pants conjure up gawky teen baby sitters and suburban mall rats with these simple tips... >> READ: How to Look Pulled Together That's because

From the Spring 2013 runways, the sleeveless blazer is back on trend... The sleeveless blazer returned as one of the top runway trends you'll want to covet. In fact who can resist when you consider how versatile they are come the transitional weather we've been facing as of late. So, here's so the 411 on how to have next season, right from your closet. With the Spring 2013 shows bowing in Paris comes a look at top trends for next season to get you on track today. >> NEED AN ARM BOOST? READ: Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy After seeing all kinds of vivid suiting options on the runways over the past few seasons from full-on print to embellished

Just as London Fashion Week comes to an end comes one affordable collaboration from J.W Anderson for Topshop, so you can nab unique runway worthy pieces right now! Ever since coming on the London scene, we've become quite the fans of Anderson's signature takes on subverting preppy and sportif minded pieces with treatments that produce looks that uniquely stand on their own. >>REVISIT: Highlights from New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 And with that never before-seen enchantment he evokes along with the insurmountable of lust-worthy, truly original and well realized collections he and his peers showed for S/S 2013, something attainable sounds all the sweeter. Quirky and offbeat elements and prints make up for a bulk of the options as simple

Looking for a chic ladylike look to salute Labor Day weekend and one of the last weekends of summer with while making a transitional statement in style? Go ahead, make the season's last hoorah a call for glamour, have fun with it! We suggest taking inspiration from actress Guei Lun-Mei who in Jil Sander Fall 2012 at the Taipei Film Festival Awards exuded a retro elegance that was alluring, unexpectedly modern yet sublime. While on-trend to boot. >>MORE: Stylist Advice and Figure Out What to Wear And with the end of summer beginning to approach, think about spoiling yourself this upcoming holiday weekend with a dress that is celebratory of the ladylike mandate for the season ahead. One that's certain to have many admirer's while

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

Stylist Advice- Is there a rule about mixing metallics?

Add some ZING! What color shoes to wear with dressy neutrals for holiday chic

Stylist Advice- What to wear to a black tie optional event with the boss? Try an evening wrap!

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

Leather Weather: A Black Leather Jacket At Any Age To Suit Your Every Mood!

Stylist Advice- Plus Size Layering, Define A Focal Point

Vivid Color Trends: If It’s Bright, It’s Right for Resort

Stylist Advice- How to jazz up a conservative red holiday dress

Stylist Advice: Are Flared Pants in Style?

Wear It Now: The Sleeveless Blazer Is A Runway Trend To Steal – Spring 2013 Highlights

Runway Now: Get The London Look from J.W Anderson for Topshop

Stylist Advice- What To Wear For A Ladylike Labor Day Weekend Look

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