While sparkle is a way to glam your gams, print will get you to the other extreme. Try this for a more urban look but beware—prints, especially when worn tight as with leggings, tends to create the illusion of more fullness. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to look bigger than I am. Okay, okay, there are some exceptions. For example, I do own a muted leopard legging which I find acceptable because of its dark colors. Light or bright colors are more difficult to pull off. If you’re bent on the idea of a printed bottom, opt for dark over light and small over large. Larger prints, you guessed it, make you look larger! I say don’t run the risk but if you insist, try a tie-dye which has at most two neutral colors (grey and white, blue and white, etc.). Tell us what you think and don’t forget to visit our sister property The Leggings.com

Numero uno: “They’re okay so long as your shirt covers you butt…otherwise it’s ghetto.” -Amy

Ah yes, we are all acutely aware of the controversy associated with the length of the shirt you choose to pair with your bottom huggers. I’m not too sure about “ghetto” but one thing’s for sure: it’s not the best look.

On to the next…“They’re horrible…especially the cheap ones that leave nothing to the imagination.” -Deirdre

Hmmm, maybe this is in reference to white leggings? I’m thinking if you’re leaning towards white and tight, you might as well forego pants altogether. Ya know, seeing how you can pretty much see directly through them! Don’t disappoint Deirdre, people…just. say. no.

“They are a disdain to fashion and usually make girls look like oompa loompas.” -Daniel

A little harsh? Maybe…The last time I checked, oompa loompas are orange but I think what dear Daniel means to say is they make girls look squat.

“The fact that Lindsay Lohan now has her own designer line of leggings should make a girl think twice before making the mistake of purchasing a pair…” -Dierdre

Poor L. Lohan just can’t win. We hear that Big Red is a cool half mil in debt, so maybe we should throw her a bone and buy a pair of her shredded leggings. Ya know, show some goodwill.

It seems as though the consensus is leggings are a no-go . Time to weigh in…I say green light ahead! No matter how others weigh in, I’m an advocate. Just be sure you know the basics. Avoid: prints, white (and any color other than clack), and anything too tight or too short up top. Consider yourself now passed in Leggings 101.   We’ve just launched a new Legging & Jegging Online Store that we think you’ll just love.

I just bought the sweetest little black, purple, and green ruffled umbrella which I’m actually really excited about. While a matching raincoat and galoshes would be ideal, bright blossoms aren’t only useful for shielding us from precipitation. I know we usually talk closet but these patterns are great for your home too! Lamp shades, upholstered dining and living chairs, and bed sheets are all items you can find decked out with the things April showers bring lots of. You must know by now I’m a fan of Target but if you’re a fan of tv you already know its new Liberty of London line carries floral everything from home décor to lawn and garden supplies.

Closet? Floral bottoms are really big this season. This means shorts and slacks but dresses are a little played out (sorry!). If you ARE going to do a dress, make sure it’s in a different way. This means pair it with a bright tight or some hardware for contrast. Blouses are good too so keep your eyes peeled next time you go shopping!

Some fun facts about Mr. Jacobs’ fragrances: Lola is speculated to be inspired by Madonna’s daughter Lourdes while a Miss Daisy Lowe is the face Marc by Marc Jacobs. Muse much or just a coinkidink?  Sorry, nothing worthy of mention for Klein and Wang.  This foursome might be what you ought to take home from department store counters but what about those creations yet to be introduced? Titillating 2010 debuts include:

• Fergie – The Black Eyed Peas star is set to launch her little bottle in conjunction with Avon come November. No news on what Miss Fergie Ferg will name her line. Any guesses?  I’m betting on Delicious by Fergalicous!
• Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum – “Violet with an urban, metallic edge,” this fragrance, although not being released until Feb, was recently listed on eBay! If you just can’t wait for its official debut, check it out. The Bay has everything.
• Heat by Beyonce – The voluptuous singer named her fragrance as such “because she loves everything red and gold”. Tagline: “Catch the fever.” Check it out at Readytocatchthefever.com
• Burberry Sport for men – Get ready guys, coming in February this newest addition to Burberry’s sport line features top notes like ginger, grapefruit and wheat with a base of cedar and musk. Yum.
• Burberry Sport for women – Au voir to the staple Burberry plaid design and bonjour to a new red and black design showcasing mandarin and sea salt opening notes. I like mandarins…and sea salt for that matter. But together? Interesting…
• Bvlgari Blv Eau d’Ete – Hmmm not sure I know how to pronounce this one but it opens with blue and mint sensations. Sounds like a piece of Winterfresh gum to me!

If your honey didn’t have anything pretty-smelling under the tree, here’s what you can hold out for in the New Year. Me? I know for a fact I like the smell of Daisy but Lola’s bottle is so much more tempting! As always…classy, sassy, and fabulous.

I write to you with renewed motivation. I just watched Rachael Zoe AGAIN on Tivo (Paris Fashion Week episode) and thus am experiencing a fashion “high” of sorts. It had just enough Chanel and Louis Vuitton to keep my mind reeling all night! As I try to get a grip, I’d like to share some valuable observations I have noted in this coming spring’s collections. If you’re one for copious notes, get your pen and paper ready. Here’s what you need to know and your closets need to have to keep you mega-chic during this blossoming season.

Androgyny- Okay, okay, we know this isn’t exactly a news flash, but it’s not the straw fedora- and-suspenders-look we’ve all come to know and love. Rather, it’s more about the blazer. Over-sized, rolled cuffs complimented with some black skinnies and a pair of converse is all you need for your weekend, day look (oh, you can also amp-up your style with some eighties-inspired shades, Taylor-style, and some serious hardware around your neck line. Dunzo!)

Neutrals…and Red!-This classic palate is the new wave but be sure to leave your floral and abstract prints on their hangers because this spring, solids are all the rage. Mr. Calvin Klein, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Badgley Mischka, Chanel, and Bottega Veneta are just a few to follow suit. Apparently many designers attribute their rather drab color theme to the downturn of the economy. I say pish posh. Fashion is supposed to be fun!!!

Linebacker- I thought we’d never see the day people, but should-pads are back! As always, fashion is all about the extremes. It’s either an exposed shoulder or HUGE shoulder. Jill Stuart, Walter, and Givenchy are just a few to incorporate this eighties’ throwback, which leads me to my next point…If anyone has watched ‘The City,’ you’ve seen Miss Port sporting some red dress, huge shoulder catastrophe (sorry, Whit, you’ve had better days). If you’re going to try this look out, do so with caution.

Hope this helps you with your next shopping bender!

Spring/Summer 2009 marked the United States launch of Gretchen, the innovative European handbag and leather collection quickly gaining international popularity. For designer Anne Hofmann, leatherwork is over a century old family tradition and Gretchen, launched in 2006, a subsequent step.

Stylistically influenced by the modernist Bauhaus movement, Gretchen handbags, gloves and belts are a unique blend of artistic design and sensible utility. Using simple geometric shapes in hues of natural, black, cognac, violets, and greens, Gretchen incorporates complementary elements of weaving, piping and quilting into soft luxurious leathers. Each piece is meticulously crafted for superior form and function.

Standout pieces include the effortless “Opera” hobo bags; the lavender half-moon-shaped clutch in quilted napa leather; the “Actress” bag, a large square tote with patent leather paneling and fingerless motorcycle gloves in purple with green stitching and buckle detail. The collection retails from $150-$630.

Gretchen Launched in the United States for Spring/Summer 09 with a Cutting-edge Collection of Bauhaus-Inspired Handbags and Fine Leather Goods

Spring/Summer 2009 marked the United States launch of Gretchen, the innovative European handbag and leather collection quickly gaining international popularity. For designer Anne Hofmann, leatherwork is over a century old family tradition and Gretchen, launched in 2006, a subsequent step.

There is something reliable about a shoe. When you first try it on, it’s either a fit or not, but you are spared the indignity of those three way mirrors that dramatize the lasting evidence of your dietary indiscretions. You walk away with a true companion that, even on your “fat days,” with the right attitude and a little strut, can make you feel sexy. Though some women remain faithful to the long lines that stilettos lend to their legs, others are overjoyed by the recent craze of the wedge and ballerina flats, which now allow us to be both stylish and admittedly more comfortable. Whether it’s for the perfect business attire, a day of shopping, or a night out on the town, selecting the perfect shoe is all about expressing yourself and finding what makes you feel your best, transcending a mere accessory into something far greater. Here are some of our favorite shoes for the Journey of Life.

Make sure to visit our website devoted just to women and their shoes – Italian Shoes for Women

Try on a pair of your typical department store jeans ($30-80 price range). Then sit down. How they look and feel while sitting may be completely different. Now, try on a pair of designer jeans. You get what you pay for. The cheaper jeans will feel like burlap in comparison. They’re painful when you squat/sit down digging into your waist and back of the knees. Designer’s new styles blend fabrics with a small percentage of stretch. The mix of soft material and stretch allows the jeans to move with you and contour to your body. Some words of warning, once you go designer, there’s no going back.

Quality vs. Quantity

Higher-priced jeans are generally more expensive because the fabric is finer, sturdier and made outside the U.S. Unlike regular jeans, after a whole day of wear they don’t sag, making you look like you’re wearing a diaper. The fabric has a tighter weave, making it softer and with intricate sewing on the seams making them last longer and hold shape better. Fans agree that the soft denim gives them a luxurious feel.

Realize you’re paying for a look.

To create this look, tone washing, chemical washing, sandblasting, rivets, baking, whiskering are done piece by piece by hand. That labor time makes up most of the difference between today’s high-priced jeans. Some fashion mavens seek out trademark details and limited edition jeans. Eventually these pieces turn into collector’s items. Mass marketed jeans are produced in bulk. Those distressed, worn-in looks are usually spray painted on. Yet having these options is beneficial. Once you find one the perfect jeans can buy it in several washes to add dimension to your wardrobe.

Status factor attached to brands is another enticer. For fashionistas upscale jeans offer the perfect fit and are the latest ‘must-have.’ For women today, jeans can make or break an outfit. To this generation jeans have become a closet staple. To us jeans are as important as that little black dress. Jeans have become a closet staple. Today jeans cross into over into many areas in our life. Jeans can be dressed up, dressed down. People wear jeans shopping to restaurants, and even to the office.

Dress-up womens jeans are clean and sleek with a dark wash. Again, replicating the classic black pant. This style should be mid rise/high rise free of rips or fading. No matter your body type, these jeans should be simple and stylish. Pair these classic jeans with heels and tailored top and presto! Evening ready.

Daytime jeans are more casual. Some may have rips, fading, and embellishments or are cropped. Best of all, they can be worn every day of the week. Many women don’t know that a few strategically placed fading, rips and tears can take off years.

Remember, your perfect jeans exist. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try on another pair. When you go out and buy jeans you’re on a mission. The average person tries on fifteen pairs of jeans before finding the golden pair. After trying on so many and feeling defeated it’s rewarding to find that perfect pair. At that moment, you don’t care about price. Your perfect jeans are out there, but be prepared to work for it.

Do the fashion math. Discount Womens Designer Jeans Cost Per Wear Ratio

Ok, mathletes feast your eyes on this equation. On average you’ll wear that pair of jeans 10 times in a month. Compare that to the $700 you just coughed up for a decent suit that you’ll wear maybe three times. With that ‘investment’ you didn’t even bat an eye. So, why own five dingy pairs when you can afford one perfect fitting jean that accentuates what ya mama gave ya? Savvy Fashionistas KNOW: Spend a lot of dough on the items you’ll wear a lot. It’s an investment. And penny-pinch on trends that’ll be tired in six months.

Bottom line, life is too short to dress frumpy. Invest. To shop for designer jeans for women online click here