Style: WET Locks

So what if the "wet" hair look is somewhat unkempt, the style if effortless chic, laid-back, and sexy. The high shine wet look is iconic of what summer is meant to represent laze a fair days, and broken ACU's. My love affair with summer is and always will be a 90's inspired flirtation with grunge. In my mind summer is the International Date Line Hotel, in Tonga. The hotel built in another lifetime is slowly slipping into a state of disrepair. Summer is the state of disrepair where days are endless and nights forgotten. Summer is hot, humid, and wet. Why not embrace summer with the wet hair look seen on the runways. 

The look is ridiculously easy to replicate, even with out being a total grease ball. To get look apply gently rub a dime sized amount of coconut oil or argon oil on your hands and work into the hair.

 For a NYC version apply the oil close to your part and gently work the oil mid way down your hair. 

For a sporty version, apply the oil to the scalp and pull your hair up into a high bun or pony tail. 

   

For a morning after or I spent the night on the beach look apply the oil to the ends of your hair. You may want to double up product for this look. 

Style: maxi-evolution

From our humble prehistoric ancestry, men and women have evolved to the sophisticated and politically correct beings that we are. Our capacity to rationalizes on a pc level is the rabbit in the race against the turtle, genetic evolution.

(Bill Blass)

From our hunting and gathering days; men and women have evolved to see differently. Women; tend to gravitate to color. Presumably from our need to find colored berries and root vegetable. As women, what we notice first about a style, decoration, or look is the color. We tend to like neutral colors with a pop of color. Like a nude face, with a bold lip.

 In contrast, men from their days of hunting, see movement before color. In order to hunt efficiently, men needed to be able to instinctually  react to muscle twitches. Many sports psychologist believe that the male ability to see movement in action is the reason why male professional sports play at a higher level.

(Calvin Klein Spring 2012) 

When it comes to fashion, men are attracted to how fabric hangs and moves on the body. Think: Oscar De La Renta, Jason Wu, Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein. Male designers, design with movement in mind. Clothing that flows effortlessly on and around the body is elegant, sexy, and beautiful.

(Mulberry Spring 2012)

Mix in some flow to your wardrobe with flowing skirts, blouses and dresses. The maxi look is dominating summer fashion. To keep the maxi look fresh, stick to rental pastel colors like nude, and mint; or bold on trend prints.

Personal Steeze, A lesson in style

Yves Saint Laurent said: "Fashions fade, style in eternal." 

Fashions evolve, evaporate, and morph into do's and don'ts. Style is confidence, and a representation of individuality. The savvy and stezzy woman is always refined; and she never labors exasperated on the fad trends. Style is effortless, and simply chic. True personal style is a mix of past and present, textures, and levels. Personal style, is an art, it follows the structure of fine art as it is made to perform and accentuate the masterpiece of the individual. 

To master style there are a few tricks of the craft:

First, Know they body:

Regardless of your height and or shape, the most stylish women both petite and plus dress complementary to their shape. Where what you love, and emphasize your best features. I am 5'4, and do love the maxi dress/skirt look. But because I am short, the maxi skirt can wash me out if I do not create the illusion of a high waist. 

Invest in classics:

I have a quality over quantity mantra. I love investing in statement pieces and enjoy the quality of well made garments.  I don't shop credit  card loaded and ready at Forever 21. Instead I like to window shop and dig for gems. Fill your closet with an Audrey Hepburn inspired mantra: classics first; pencil skirts, cigarette pants, billowy blouses, and functional blazers. Shoes should complement. 

Embrace Vintage:

Vintage finds are the secret to commanding attention and grace. Most vintage is one of a kind, which assures that you will most likely be the only one wearing that gorgeous sweater you found at veda lux or gypsy market. If you are new to vintage start by excavating your mom or grandmas closet, ( I found a fab vintage Gucci purse in my Grandmas closet).

Dress for comfort:

Love what you wear, feel good it what you wear. A dress or suit can be stunning in theory; however if it does not fit with your psyche the look won't work, and the outfit won't be comfortable. The art of personal style is dressing according to your personality, and choosing looks that are wearable and comfortable. 

For accessory, fast fashion stores do offer cheap chic that works well for a party/event. If you see a cheep look you want to experiment with try the knock-off, or do it yourself. It you love it, then invest in the real goods. Mix designers, and brands. Don't be an advertisement for one designer, advertise the craft of your style. 

Hair Love, Hair Wraps

My ex-boyfriend had a pretty impressive head of hair. It was long and just a little bit greasy, and worked with whatever facial hair he was to lazy to shave. Mixed in with his long hair was one dread, just a loan dread. I used to make fun of it, but always secretly loved it. I like long hair on guys, and am a fan of the hidden dread. A lot of guys I know, right now are adopting the single dread movement. Its cool, and looks good on them. But as girly-girl with appreciation for the trend how can we feminize the look?

My friend Jen, is that girl who for some reason always manages to be ahead of the trends. She's not dishing out mad cash for the fashionist approved kudos; no, she simply has a wicked eye and the confidence to pull of an edgier look while still making it pretty. Jen, was the first person I knew to have feathers in her hair, back in 2010. She rocked feathers, before many hairstylist even knew about the feather fashion revolution. I would never tell Jen this, but I definitely get a lot of my style inspirations from her.

So, now that feathers have been kinda played, and the dirty hippy look is totally lovable, Jen has fashioned her self a hair wrap (like you to get at summer camp). I love it! and I want one. Jen is pretty creative, she used an old clip in extension to create the look; which gives the girly dread equivalent wearer the option of not ruining our hair to achieve a look. The Clip-in hair wrap looks great, and requires no commitment.