Styling Advice
Develop Your Own Style
Fashionista/stylist mom of 3: Yaya West, provides practical easy-to-follow styling advice.
SHORT SUMMER DRESSES
I wanted to brighten up your day and keep you colorfully connected with my selected pieces for this week. We’re heading out of the winter months which means it’s time to inject your wardrobe with you favorite colors. I enjoy summer dresses, short and long, because you can wear them with plat forms or flat sandals. Depending on your personal style, you can choose a solid or floral print dress. Along with your summer dress you can pair a bright shoe, necklace or pair of earrings that coordinate. If you have long legs you will be ultra cute in a pair of gladiator sandals, and if you have shorter legs you can elongate them by wearing a high platform heel with your short dress. Most likely your neckline will be bare which gives you the opportunity to be playful with your accessories. With your skin being exposed to the sun, don’t forget to wear sunscreen to protect from harmful rays!
RANDOM REQUEST: The quickest way to ruin your hotness is to have busted feet! Ladies, when wearing open toed shoes, please please please get a pedicure!
DENIM DELIGHT
Hey Presto Readers! Even though it’s snowed twice this month in Atlanta, a warmer season is approaching which I am so ready for. I have so much fun with denim because it comes in a variety styles including clothes and accessories. Bags, sandals, boots, skirts, tops, pants, headbands, and belts are some of my favorite items made from this fabric. You will look hot in white, light or navy blue, black or stone wash jeans. Relax in a casual look with a cute pair of flats or dress up your denim with a sexy set of heels. The key to creating the best look for yourself is choosing the proper size, be sure to wear jeans that are neither too tight or too loose for your body. No matter your size, you are sure to find the perfect fit with a little searching. For me, the appeal of denim is its incredible comfort and the fact that it never goes out of style. My personal fav from my featured looks are the jean tube dress and the stone wash top…YUMMY!
RANDOM MEMORY: In 7th grade I had a pair of ripped jeans that had different color ribbons woven throughout the pant legs.
URBAN CHIC: PATTERNS & STRIPES
This probably goes against everything you’ve been taught but patterns and stripes can go together. (if done properly) I really love leggings with patterns and designs on them but you must be careful not to make yourself look like a mess when you try this look. For my readers with an artistic side, this is perfect!
Pair printed leggings with a horizontally striped dress or tunic. Since your leggings have a lot going on, you won’t wanna have too much going on at the top. When wearing leggings always make sure your top covers your bum, and you can rock heels or boots. To set it off, add a boyfriend blazer. Fashion is not always about matching, it’s more important that you coordinate.
Any of you who try my tips please register with PRESTOPINK (don’t worry, it’s free) and post pics, I would love to see them!
RANDOM MEMORY: I WORE TIGHTS BACK WHEN IT WASN’T POPULAR
MY LITTLE SECRET: WEARING TIGHTS UNDER JEANS CAN MAKE YOUR BUM APPEAR MORE FIRM…BUT THAT’S JUST BETWEEN ME & YOU!
SASSY SPRING & SUMMER VOL.2
Spring and summer of this new decade is all about showing some leg. Hot pants/boy shorts, mini’s, jumpers and long skirts with ultra high splits are all the rave. This look if definitely for my bold beauties. To boost your style, pair with over-the-knee socks and ankle booties. You can even layer socks over tights.
So as I sit here eating my Pringles and cheese dip I’m thinking it’s not such a good idea if I wanna fit into any of these outfits…heehee.
MY LITTLE SECRET: MY BUTT IS TOO BIG TO WEAR HOT PANTS!
THE INFAMOUS LITTLE BLACK DRESS
All hail the little LBD! When all else fails, you can always count on her to have your back, if only everyone else in your life was as dependable! Styles come and go but this timeless piece lasts forever and you should have a few hanging in your closet AT ALL TIMES. During the winter, you can add a waist length leather jacket or blazer and leggings to keep yourself warm. In the summer, you can go bare. (Bare arms and legs that is) There are so many variations of the LBD to choose from, you are sure to find one that is flattering to your shape and size. It is impossible to go wrong with the black-on-black look (which is totally in this season) or for the ladies that want to say “POW” when you enter the room without opening your mouth, strap on a brightly colored shoe with matching hand bag.
RANDOM INFO: I own a pair of the black and white oxford heels that are featured.
MY LITTLE SECRET: Whenever I cannot decide what to wear after rummaging through my closet for 2 hours, I wear my little black dress by Marciano…EVERYTIME!!!
SASSY SPRING & SUMMER 2010-Vol. 1
Ok so this is my first blog in 2010 and before you know it, spring will be upon us. I have so many looks to share with you I decided to break it up into 3 volumes. My inspiration for these looks came straight from the runways of some of my favorite designers like Fendi, D&G, Versace, and Felipe Oliveira Baptista. I am very aware that not all of us can afford to shop from the racks of those stores so until I hit the Lottery, I depend on online sites like PRESTOPINK to help me find similar styles.
For those of you who like to play it safe, volume 1 is for you. We saw a preview of the boyfriend blazer in ‘09 and it’s here to stay, at least for now, and it is a key piece to include in your wardrobe. I adore this blazer because it adds volumes to your outfit and can be paired with jeans, skirts, or shorts for a cool relaxed look.
RANDOM MEMORY: Years ago my mother bought me a brown pin striped Burberry men’s suite. At the time I was upset that she would purchase something from the men’s department for me so I had the pants altered to fit and rolled up the jacket sleeves. That was my very own boyfriend blazer creation!
MY LITTLE SECRET: I’m in LOVE with the leopard bag I have featured…Will you marry me??
Holiday Fab: Super Sexy Strapless Dress
With New Year’s Eve fastly approaching, I decided to give you some ideas on what’s hot no matter what event you attend. This season is all about sparkles and sequence whether it’s shoes, leggings, or your dress. Be careful to not wear too much sequins at the same time, or you will end up looking like a disco ball.
No matter your size, shoulder-baring dresses are sure to turn heads. A nice clutch and a killer pair of heels will totally set off your look. Pairing a black or silver dress with a vibrant shoe, or vice versa, also makes this look work. I think a bit of my inner shoe monster came out when I saw so many stunning stilettos and I couldn’t wait to share them with you! Forget the chocolate, indulge in some fancy foot wear!
Winter Chic
Ripped jeans are so in this season! For jeans with large tears you can add a cute pair of colored or printed leggings underneath. With this look I love both the ankle bootie and the Steve Madden above the knee Xenon boot. A must-have this winter is a trendy trench or pea coat ladies! You can’t go wrong with this simple, yet classic look that is definitely an eye catcher. And remember skinny jeans, skinny jeans, skinny jeans!!!
