Makes Me Feel All Warm & Cuddly

I recently found out that FreeFashionAdvice has been recognized on a list of the "Top 101 Fashion Blogs."  Not only was I surprised, but when I checked out the list I am right up there with some of my favorites like Who What Wear and Go Fug Yourself. The best part about looking through this list is some of the names of the blogs, these are a few of my favorites:

Spork Fashion - from what I can tell has nothing to do with cutlery.

Lipstick is My Crack - text heavy blog, but hands down best name.

Chic Inspector - this might be my new job title - fabulous!

To see the full list, go here. This site also features tons of great info on fashion design schools, if you're interested.

Unsolicited Advice

When it comes to fashion, sometimes people need a little unsolicited advice.

Take for example, this outfit from a recent Saturday night at a very packed Shadyside bar.  White leggings are a big fat "no-no", ladies. The are not flattering, even when paired with a zebra print top that clings to your widest part and balloons around your middle... sounds so appealing when you put it that way, huh?  

I have no idea what this girl was thinking, but I shouldn't judge. Maybe she doesn't own a mirror, or has no electricity at home. She might be wearing this on a dare... it's hard to say.

Oh, and I almost forgot the white wedge flip flops... do I need to tell you why they are wrong? Don't get me wrong, they could be borderline acceptable in summer with pants, but it was in the 30's that night.  My number 1 fashion don't is dressing in something completely inappropriate, and white flip flops when it is cold enough to snow... thats just wrong.

Liv, Annie, Bella, Sammi

These four young girls were an absolute fashion DO!  First of all they all were having a blast shopping together (being happy is a huge key to looking great), and then of course all their outfits rocked.

Liv, Annie, and Sammi all went for flared out mini-dresses is eye-catching patterns. Mix in some vintage looking belts, bags, and sunglasses and you have perfectly age-appropriate and trendy looks.

Bella (2nd from right) also worked out another trend, the boyfriend jean. She made these baggy and holey of-the-moment jeans work by pairing them with a bright yellow shoe and extra long zebra print tank. The cross body bag goes perfectly with the relaxed vibe of the pants. A handbag would have been too ladylike with this.

Tori

So, I might be biased in my reasons for loving Tori's outfit last Saturday - we do share the same name and had on matching hand-me-down bracelets - but there are some great points about her shorts and tank outfit.

Most importantly, there is no bra strap exposure or show-thru with her white tank. I am always seeing cute outfits on cute girls, then see a bright green bra being worn with a strapless blue dress (yes, someone was wearing that the other night. I had to control myself not to say something!).  Another great thing about this outfit is the simple top put with the bright geometric floral patterned shorts. If you have one heavily patterned item on, it is usually best to keep everything else simple.

Capped off with white rimmed Ray Bans - too cute!

Fashion Don't

This was some of the worst footwear I saw all weekend. Sorry I didn't get a better picture (well not really, I can't bear to look at them anymore). But why would someone do this to their poor shoes, what did they ever do to you?

The backs are folded down, the laces are half undone, and her feet are falling out! They look like they were found in the garbage, and I think they should be put back there!

Bobbie

I nominate Bobbie for "best dressed" on Friday.  With a foundation of dark skinny jeans and a white tank, she added a classic wear-anywhere blazer, black patent pumps, a statement bag, and pearls (OK, the pearls happen to be Chanel which are fab, but you could do this look with almost any long pearl or chain necklace).  Slightly disheveled hair and natural makeup relax the look overall.

Some people asked me how many accessories you can wear at once (on Saturday I had on dangly earrings, a long necklace and 2 bracelets), and Bobbie is a great example of how to do the right mix of jewelry - big gold watch on one wrist, big gold cuff on the other, and her pearls.  Like in many other aspects of design, working in threes and fives is usually best.

Ian

Ian just bought these pants at Banana Republic and came up to us asking what he could wear them with for a wedding he is going to soon. He has a navy blazer at home, a gray or navy tie, and a white or blue shirt. After some debating, we all settled on the white shirt and navy tie - with this combo brown shoes and belt are the way to go.

For special occasions (or just life in general) always make sure that your clothes are pressed and clean and your shoes aren't scuffed up.

Martha

We loved Martha's fresh take on the plaid shirt trend (so much better than the black with pink buffalo plaids we saw on some fashion don'ts!).  She bought her scarf on a recent trip to Scotland where she pointed out that everything is at least a year ahead of Pittsburgh.  I would have to agree that we are behind on the times, but that gives us all the opportunity to create the trends here.

The brown sandals give her a summer look, but this outfit could easily go into fall with boots.

Is someone trying to tell me something?

This was the fortune I got with my Chinese food today... Best fortune ever!  How ironic that this is what I got the day I'm mouthing off to everyone. It didn't stop me though.

Fashion Don't

These purple Ed Hardy Uggs (ew, I don't even like saying it!) were by far the worst thing on the street today. Thank goodness nobody was wearing them or I probably would have ripped them off their feet. 

Somethings end up on the sale rack for a reason people - do not buy these!

Brian

Another friend of ours, Brian, stopped by to hang out and give some of his own advice. He showed up dressed to impress in super hot new Nikes that had silver swooshes that matched the silver stripes in his belt.

Paul

Our friend Paul stopped by - looking great as usual. Scored some pants at the sale.

 

Anonymous

This guy came up to us to offer his own fashion advice --- which turned out to be more philosophical advice. Great message though, and completely one that Katherine and I tried to spread all day. Individual style and expressing who you are and what is important to you is always a better statement than having the latest "it" bag (next year it will look so 2009 anyhow!)

In the meantime, loved this guy's hat, sunglasses and boots!

Sarah

The big advice we had for Sarah that you can't see in this photo is about her nail polish. It was all chipped off!  When your nail polish starts coming off, just remove all of it. Chipped off polish makes your nails and fingers look shorter and your whole appearance a little sloppier.

Otherwise, great use of a skinny jean!

Gene

Gene was one of my first "customers" on Friday.  He wanted some tips on how to dress casually and what you can and can't wear with polo shirts and cargo shorts.

Polo shirts are generally a casual look, but can be worn with almost any pants. A khaki pant with a belt and the shirt tucked in will give you a more presentable look.  For cargo shorts, I think you can wear pretty much any casual top (while its trendy right now for girls to wearbaggy jeans with blazers, this is not a good look for guys.) If you are wearing something tailored on top, like a blazer, wear something that fits just as well on the bottom. This can be jeans, as long as they fit well and aren't too destroyed looking.

By the way, I loved Gene's haircut!

Another Guest Fashionista

Looks like we will have triple the fashion power this weekend with the addition of one of my favorite Pittsburgh Fashionistas, Katherine Harrell. 

Katherine has been designing her own line of handbags, K. Lianna, since college and is always creating new and fabulous accessories every time I see her! She is also active in the local non-profit world, showing that helping make our community a better place is a definite fashion do!

Katherine will be at the Free Fashion Advice table tomorrow (Friday) from about 11:30-1:30.

Double the Fashion Know-How

If you still aren't convinced that one Pittsburgh Fashionista can help your style, how about two? 

On Saturday from around 2:30-4:30, guest advisor Sarah Sudar of the Looking Sharp blog will be offering up her two-cents at the Free Fashion Advice table.

Sarah started her style blog about a year and a half ago, inspired by a horrific fashion faux pas she witnessed on the bus (don't get me started on that!). Ever since then she has been writing about Pittsburgh, our style scene, and must have fashion items.

Don't miss your chance to hear our fashion commentary this weekend - see you there!

Free Fashion Advice Debut

Tori Mistick will be in on Walnut Street in Shadyside this Friday July 31st and Saturday August 1st giving out free fashion advice. This will be the debut of Tori's recession-friendly wardrobe consulting, scheduled to coincide with the Shadyside Sidewalk Sale.

Come with all your burning sartorial questions, and Tori will gladly lend her style expertise. 

Not sure if those capris really work for you? They probably don't.  Wondering what shoes will go with that fabulous skirt you just got at Choices for 75% off? Try a platform to balance out the volume.

Look for Tori at her "Free Fashion Advice" table on Walnut Street near the corner of Bellefonte Street, Friday and Saturday from 10am - 5:30pm.