Holiday Party Looks

The holidays are upon us and with them come the myriad of parties and social events we have all come to love and hate. I don't know about you but I get tired of eggnog after awhile and nothing is more daunting than dressing for the holidays. Clothes for this time of year can often be equal part hideous and atrocious spanning the range from those god-awful Christmas theme sweaters to all manner of candy cane inspired accessories. Unless you're a member of The White Stripes pepperminty clothes just aren't a good look this time of year. So how does one manage to look festive without resembling an ornament? What do you wear to the holiday party or just to sip cocoa with friends? Here are two looks and a some tips to get you through this season of parties and presents.

Look 1: Sooo Luxurious!


Left to right: Maggie London Silk Dress, Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch, Jimmy Choo sandals, Chanel Rouge Allure, Natasha Collins Garnet Earrings, Jil Sander stole, Dior Joaillerie ring


If there ever was a time to go all out glam this would be it. Weather be damned! Take out those strappy sandals, grab your evening bag and blind them with bling because its your time to shine. This outfit is all about glamour, its perfect to wear to that chic cocktail party or formal holiday gathering. Take one classic red cocktail dress, a really timeless piece guaranteed to have every eye on you, Bottega Veneta's (how much to I love Bottega right now) knot clutch, an astonishing piece of woven handiwork and golden sandals and you have an outfit fit for the red carpet. Add in the ruby earrings, the ulimate Dior diamond ring and a fuzzy stole and you're all set for classic glamour. And what better time to look and feel like a star than Christmas.



Look 2: Sweater Dressing


Caslon Cardigan, Tory Burch Reva Flats, Bobbi Brown Lipgloss, Frank Gehry for Tiffany Bracelet, Goldhawk camisole, Marc Jacobs Stam Bag, Giles & Brother Coin Necklace

Not every occasion calls for little red dresses and diamonds, sometimes all you need is a cozy sweater and some jeans. There is the temptation to slink around in tracksuits and trainers during our off days but cozy doesn't have to look frumpy. A knit sweater, like this one from Carlson, paired with jeans and a flirty camisole looks cool and chic without being overdone. Add a chunky golden necklace, a unique bracelet and metallic flats (I love the Tory Burch Reva's as they are quite comfortable) for that extra holiday sparkle.

Holiday Keys

- Don't Overdose On Tinsel: Metallics are best left to accessories and of course on the tree.

- Step away from the Christmas themed stuff: No one on earth looks good in a sweater emblazoned with a giant snowman on it. No one.

- Wear Color and Loads of It: Give all black a rest, now is the perfect time to wear those amazing reds, rich greens and winter whites. Make sure to pair them with warm nuetrals like chocolate brown and gold for contrast.

- Treat Yourself: Nothing looks or feels better than a cashmere sweater, a golden necklace or a diamond ring and if there ever was a time to indulge... Wear your very best and if you want something extravagant put it on your wishlist. You never know who wants to splurge on you.

- Have Fun: When you feel good you look good. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

What goodies are on everyone's holiday wishlist? I know I want that Dior ring. Though I'll probably end up with a lump of coal :D

Woman In Full: Keely Shaye Smith

Every so often were going to focus in on beautiful woman in the public eye who isn't the cookie cutter Hollywood size 0 but is gorgeous, intelligent and doing her thing. Today were going to look at Keely Shaye Smith, the beautiful wife of actor Pierce Brosnan. Keely was featured this year as part of Vogue's "Shape Issue." In spite of the fact that Vogue is the worlds premiere fashion magazine its "Shape Issue" is usually a complete waste of paper. It should, in honesty be called "Issues with Shape."

That said, every once and awhile Vogue showcases an individual who is stylish, unique and outside the realm of their usual comfort zone. This year that person was Keely.



What I like about Keely's style is that its very classic. She has a look and she sticks to it, there's something very regal about the clothes she picks. There is a clear old-Hollywood influence. She reminds me of the golden age pinups like Rita Hayworth and Jane Russell. She is always dressed to the nines and favors classic labels like Valentino and De La Renta who focus on cut and shape as opposed to the latest trends. Add to this the fact that she knows how to accentuate the positive and isn't afraid of a daring neckline either.

Keely's Tips:

• "I never hide in baggy clothing."
• Sometimes it seems like bras are made to thrust your breasts outward. Its too much in your face, and a camisole helps tone it down a bit."
• "Fit is key, and oftentimes all it takes is a simple remedy to get it right. For example, if a jacket is pulling in the bust, I might just move the button an inch."
• "You don't have to look a mess just because you're at the beach. A pair of Jackie O. sunglasses and a ponytail will always look beautiful."
• "You can't have too many strands of pearls."
• "I probably have more handbags than I can admit."

A Few of Keely's Favorite Things



Full Vogue Feature

Even Kaiser himself has nothing but love for Keely and he hates everyone.



Can we please talk about the look on Karl's face in that picture.

Apropos of nothing while typing up this post I couldn't help but think of how cool it would be for James Bond to have a love interest with some curvature. Eva Green is pretty but she's quite the waif. Then again I don't know if Daniel Craig could handle it :)

Fashion vs. Society

Very interesting OP-ED piece by India Knight on the never-ending model debate in the Times this morning. Knight takes the stance that people need to stop blaming fashion and start looking at themselves and society with regards to the continuing cycle of eating disorders and body hatred. Its a well written piece with alot to say.

"Why has this happened? The reason that’s churned out most often concerns the fashion industry and the alleged conspiracy between gay men and loony stylists to impose their distorted, misogynistic view of female beauty on the rest of us. Ergo, fashion people make you anorexic; ergo, Vogue makes you ill. That’s an incredibly simplistic take. But if fashion isn’t to blame, who is?

Well we are. The fashion industry hasn’t changed; we have. It is a fact of life that models have always been a) thin and b) young. The difference is that, until recently, people understood that models were working women doing a job, that they made sacrifices, most obviously when it came to not eating very much, and were richly rewarded for it. Nobody in their right mind wanted to be these women: they admired them in the pages of a glossy magazine and admired the clothes they wore, and then forgot about them and got on with their lives. Models occupied the same rarefied stratosphere as movie stars. Women used to be able to separate real life from airbrushed fantasy. We can’t any more".

I think this is is a unique perspective on a controversial subject. Fashion has always celebrated thinness and youth but only in the past decade has there been a societal uproar over it. While I do feel the aesthetic has gotten leaner over the years I think that some of the focus has to be put on society as a whole. I know that I've been guilty of ignoring reality when I look at the lean shape of a Gemma Ward or Lily Donaldson. It is easy to forget that their bodies are genetic anomalies and that 6ft tall, 100lbs is not an attainable look for most.

"Blaming the fashion industry for what is a societal problem is demonstrably not working. We need to look a little more closely at ourselves and ask how we’ve become so insecure as to believe in starvation as an indicator of beauty, and how we seem to have entirely lost touch with the idea that people’s interiors are more important than what’s on the outside."

I'm intrigued to know how others feel on this debate, does fashion just reflect societies wants? Or is there something deeper there within the industry.

Full London Times Article

And apologies for my extended hiatus. TFFF will now be updated bi-weekly with new content, new contributors and new editorials!

Elena Miro S/S 07

Can we talk about this collection!! I literally love just about everything; the flirty summer dresses, the sexy patent booties, the hair, the styling, the girls. Everything! All these outfits are so beautiful and wearable! Not to mention very "now" the black palate paired with hot pink is particularly gorgeous. These clothes have just the right amount of edge. There is a nice mix of perfect for the office and perfect for the club. I'd love to see any of these outfits paired with ultra now black tights and a chic YSL bag. And how hot would that white jacket look with a pair of jeans and heels! Elena Miro needs to hurry up and open a US location.




View the whole collection at The Fashion Spot. Special thanks to Brian for making this all possible!

Karl Is At It Again...

I wonder how he felt before he went on his "must wear Hedi Slimane" wonder diet?

PARIS : German designer Karl Lagerfeld this week shrugged off concerns about the fashion industry's obsession with ultra-thin models, noting countries such as France rather had problems with a rise in overweight people.

Madrid last month sparked a controversy when it banned excessively thin models from its catwalks after accusations their appearance may cause eating disorders in young women. But the runways in Paris this week have been filled by girls with child-like figures and stick-thin legs.

"We don't see anorexic (girls). The girls are skinny. They have skinny bones," Lagerfeld told reporters after his show, which saw models parade out in tiny short dresses, barely covering their almost non-existent behinds.

Asked whether the fashion industry was to blame for eating disorders of many young girls who were starving themselves, the designer said: "No, that is something to sell papers."

The pony-tailed Lagerfeld, who has himself drastically shed weight, is presenting clothes for his Karl Lagerfeld label in Paris, as well as for fashion house Chanel.

The multi-tasking fashion icon edits books and shoots fashion photographs for glossy magazines, and also created a one-off collection for Swedish retailer H&M.

Lagerfeld said the rise in the number of overweight people in many countries was a problem.


"In a country like France, with 18% of girls in the (northern region of) Pas de Calais being too fat - I think they needed more treatment than the zero-point-I-don't-know percent of the too skinny ones," he said.

It was not clear which numbers Lagerfeld was referring to. A recent survey showed almost a third of French people were overweight and 12.4% were obese, while around 5% were underweight.

Models presenting the Karl Lagerfeld collection paraded out in tight uniform style shirts, featuring tie-like lapels, others presented long floating transparent dresses with ruffles, wearing tights with large flowers on their thin legs.

Lagerfeld's comments came after other designers shrugged off fashion's responsibility for the hype to be skinny.

Designer Giorgio Armani has blamed stylists and the media for the fashion industry's obsession with ultra-thin women.

Burberry's designer Christopher Bailey said he was very thin but was able to eat like a horse, noting people had to be conscious and sensible about the issue and use common sense.

Elegant Layering

Layering is the look for right now and its not just for the amazons who wore it down the runways. Anyone can wear this look with flair because haven't we always layered? From throwing a sweater over a blouse on a cold day to the Bohemian look of two summers ago, layering has always been a part of fashion. But how is this look different from what we've done in the past? For starters the current look is a lot less fussy. Its not about wearing six different bracelets or looking like a hobo, gypsy or Mary-Kate Olsen for that matter. Its about playing with volume, proportion and color in a sleek modern way. But how does a girl take this off the runway and into reality?


Layered Looks from Marni's F/W 2006 Runway

Layering Keys
- Chunky wool sweaters, knits will always be in style
- Muted Color Schemes
- Capelets & Capes, in elegant tweeds
- Silk Blouses, for a feminine touch
- Scarves, treat yourself to one from a luxurious house like Hermes or Chanel

Layering Hints

- Keep it simple. The layered look works best when you stick to solid colors and classic textures like silks and tweeds. Mixing patterns and prints can result in an overdone, clashing look. If you absolutely must wear a pattern chose an understated print.

- Embrace neutrals. Layering makes basic colors like black, white, grey and beige interesting again. Use brighter colors as accents to an overall neutral look.

- Say no to monochrome. Often times people think sticking with one color makes them look leaner but monochromatic layering can result in a shapeless look. The best way to emphasize your figure is to use contrasting colors. If you're wearing all dark colors use a light colored belt (as seen on the Marni runway) to draw attention to the waist. If you're wearing light colors mix in a little black underneath via tights or leggings to show off your legs.

- Remember proportion. If you are wearing falls wide leg trousers or bubble skirts wear something a bit form fitting on top. Likewise if you go for a skinnier jean or pencil skirt use volume on the top. Its easy to get lost under yards of fabric with layering so remember to keep things in balance.

- Get creative. Layering is fun because it allows experimentation, try an unexpected combination for a look thats all yours. Long sleeve blouses beneath short sleeved sweaters and knee length dresses over denim are attractive options.

- Accessorize. Its tempting to overdo it with layered accessories going for the more is more look but since this trend is going for a quirkier feel keep the accessories minimal but original. A beautiful scarf or abstract necklace is perfect for the new layering. Don't be afraid to try this seasons dramatic long gloves either as they're quite glamorous.

TFFF Look



Clockwise: Wool Coat - H&M, Cashmere Sweater Dress - Stella McCartney, Wooden Necklace - Marni, Platform Heels - Biba, Distressed Leather Bag - Lanvin

This is a layered look I put together that's simple and practical. First we have the great short sleeved wool coat, a look that we'll be seeing everywhere this fall. Its a fresh take on the everyday black coat we've all got in our closets and works well with layering as it allows us to see the outfit beneath. Next we have a grey sweater dress, an incredibly practical item that can be worn with anything from jeans to tights to leggings or just by itself. Its great to have pieces you can wear in different ways as it creates more options for layering. I've accessorized this outfit with one of Marni's great wooden necklaces, a pair of amazing platforms from Biba and the Lanvin Hero bag. I chose each piece for its uniqueness, its important when doing this look to use pieces that stand out from the crowd. This look is all about individuality and creativity.

TFFF Editorials: Its Not Easy Being In Between

Every so often Too Fat for Fashion will feature plus fashion centric editorials from our talented contributors. This week Sonya K takes on the unique perils of inbetweenie shopping.


Its Not Easy Being In Between
By Sonya K

“I tried on a pair of shorts like yours the other day”

“Oh yay! Bermudas! Did you get them?”

“Oh, god no. I would have had to go up to a size 12, and I just couldn’t do that.”

“Err … right then.”

This conversation took place between me and my friend a little while ago, back when Bermuda shorts were making a comeback and every woman and their dog had purchased a pair. The friend in question is normally an Australian size 8-10. I am an Australian 14-16. I am mostly happy at the size I am, but that conversation made me feel like a massive heffalump. It shouldn’t have, she didn’t mean any harm to me with that statement. I, of course intellectually knew that, but getting that message through to my emotions and feelings was another thing all together.

It got me thinking though. How is it that a skinny girl, is made to feel ‘fat’, simply because of a number on the label? Why is that that I, not by any means skinny, but not quite fat have so much trouble fitting into clothes? Shopping should be an enjoyable experience, full of spent money and perhaps the occasional bout of skipping (depending on the caffeine consumed). Instead, it usually consists of tears, frustration, and rage akin to the Incredible She-Hulk. Whilst green is my colour, I want to be able to change this problem.

I am definitely not belittling the truly plus sized women out there. I’ve watched what my mother and other friends have had to go through, and I can understand how extremely frustrating it can be - trying to shop for cute/sexy/nice clothes, and despairing when the clothes are mumu-esque, bedazzled, expensive, or all three. But it can be equally as frustrating shopping for clothes when you’re my size. An ‘inbetweenie’ is what some people call it. This basically means that I am too small for the plus sized stores and too big for the ‘trendy’ stores. It’s not even that I want to particularly dress in these ‘trendy’ clothes, but it would be nice to enter a cheap little shop, and be able to buy a cute top for a party, without spending an exorbitant amount of money.

Don’t even get me started on the sizing difference between stores. I can be a 12 at one, and barely fitting into an 18 in another. The other issue that is annoying is the fact that stores don’t cater to body shape. They assume that the bigger you are, the bigger your boobs butt and hips are, when a fair amount of the time, this isn’t the case. Stores should start designing to body shapes, not sizes! The worst offenders of the sizing/shape difference for me are jeans and pants. No wonder I hate shopping for them, and when I find a pair I like, that actually look good, I always buy a couple. But then those couple inevitably stretch out, loose shape, and make me look like I have major saggy bum issues.

So, what to do? How do we get around this often frustrating, tear inducing experience? Well, in a number of ways. The first of which is to shop. Oh hey, one of my favourite things to do in the world, next to sleeping and drowning myself in perfume.

Secondly, set aside an entire day to actually get a thorough look in every store. And I mean every store. Scour that baby like it’s going out of style, and then do it once more for good measure.

Thirdly, get outside your shopping comfort zone. We all end up getting stuck in a rut, shopping where we know we will find something. But, it can get boring. Therefore, that store that you would never dare/deign to enter might end up containing a virtual treasure trove of undiscovered lovelies.

Fourthly, bring along an honest friend. Whilst I prefer shopping by myself, sometimes a friend is needed for a second opinion, other than the sales assistant who may just want to be selling you those clothes.

Lastly, the only way to effect change is to make it happen. If you’re not happy with the way clothes are cut, or sizing in store, try to do something about it. Start writing to the companies, stating your problem effectively and calmly. I plan to follow my own advice by starting to do just this.

This is a small list of things that could be done in order to enrich your shopping experience. There are many, many more ways that this can happen. I would really like to hear about some other tips and advice that you guys have to make shopping become the money wasting, caffeine-induced skipping experience that should be enjoyed by all.

New York Fashion Week S/S 07

New York Fashion Week has just ended and it was glorious. NYC week kicks off a string of Fashion Weeks around the world and showcases the best in new fashions. As a New Yorker I'm incredibly biased but I think NYC Fashion Week is the best save for Paris. You can't top Paris. Now you may be thinking "Boo! Fashion Week is just for bored socialites and rail thin models. Nothing shown on the runways is for me so why bother." But that couldn't be further from the truth. The clothes shown by designers during these weeks are what we'll be wearing come Spring. Whether they're the actual pieces from the runway or the inspired creations at our H&M's, Zaras, Targets or wherever else were shopping. True they are shown on the most lithe models on earth but fashion is for everyone who can appreciate the beauty of a fine stitch or an artful seam.

These are a few of my favorites from the past week.


1. Benhaz Sarafpour

Don't you just love that gold sequin dress! I want it so bad! I can see this looking amazing over a pair of leggings as well or tossed over skinny jeans. The pattern on the black and white dress is to die for and I love the drape on the white coat its a bit cape-esque. Such a great use of volume. That blue sheath is going to be a best seller, its just a classic shape with an incredible color and I think women are always going to gravitate towards that. This may just be Benhaz's best collection to date.



2. Zac Posen

This is all very Tom Ford for Gucci in my opinion (aren't we all just waiting for F/W 07 and Tom's return) but that's probably why I enjoyed it all so much. I love how that black dress hugs every single curve. So alluring, I can already see that being a hit on the red carpet. The suit is very YSL Le Smoking as well, always a good thing. I also think these designs flaunt curves and are sexy in a time when most of fashion is about volume and hiding the body. I could easily imagine any of these outfits on a voluptuous figure.



3. Temperley

I love Alice Temperley. Every piece in this collection is so laid back and breazy. Even the gown seems casual. I love the idea of a wide belt over a dress to create an hourglass shape. I also love the cropped leather jacket. The detailing is just gorgeous. I like that military influenced styles are heading into spring. And aren't those fedoras great. The whole hat/dress combination is very chic Parisian, reminds me of Lou Doillon. It just shows you how much accessories can alter an outfit.



4. Erin Fetherston

Another laid back collection of clothes you could wear in any situation. I love the shorts, they're so structured and the material is so nice you could wear them to work. I love the combination of trouser pants and a rather dainty gauze-like top. Its just modernizes things. And the white dress is just something out of a fairytale. I love that the jumper doesn't have a bib or an empire waist, fuller bodies can get lost in that. The sash around the mid section really defines the waist.



5. Derek Lam
Everything Derek Lam does is so effortless and practical. Nothing is overdone or contrived and that's what I love about his designs. That royal blue gown is classic Grecian goddess but he's done it in such a fresh and simply manner that it feels new. This is in part to the great styling on this show. Note how unadorned the models are. Keep it simple with the makeup and the jewelry and you come to the forefront. I also like the use of dark colors paired with white for spring. Spring clothes are always just a little too pink and frou frou for my tastes so this is a nice alternative.



6. Jenni Kayne
I was estatic when I heard Jenni Kayne would be showing in NY this year as opposed to L.A. and she did not disappoint. I love how these clothes flow over the body and look at the color! Yellow is a shade alot of people shy away from but when its done right its showstopping. I consider yellow (like red) to be a color that goes surprisingly well with alot of other colors. Try yellow with navy or grey and its amazing. I also love the blue dress with the maroon sash, another great color combination and look at how it flows, flowy dresses are such a trend this season.



7. J. Mendel

J. Mendel appeals to my inner socialite. These are party frocks for ladies who lunch and gowns for women who go to galas but in the best possible way. There's something so sophistocated about their entire oeuvre. The first grey dress is one my dream pieces, its so ethereal and perfect. I'm also in love with the ruffled cocktail dress on Lily Donaldson.



8. Y & Kei

You're never going to see an ugly Y & Kei dress. Period. Everything they do is feminine and alluring. I love the color scheme on this collection. You cannot go wrong with nuetrals but I love the subtle sheen on all of these pieces. Many of the looks were almost monochromatic but because of the texture of the fabrics they never became boring. Look at the sparkle on that black dress, it doesn't scream sequins but its got just enough to create interest. Its nice to see metallics carrying over from the last season. That silver cocktail dress is just to die for.



9. Marc Jacobs | VIDEO
Marc Jacobs is so in tune with the future its almost scary. He's not designing for this season anymore, he's designing for 10 seasons from now. There is something very futuristic about this collection but I see loads of influences a little bit of Yohji, a little bit of Chanel via Lagerfeld and some Rei Kawakubo for good measure. I love the metallics and their colors. Everything is so vivid. I'm also enjoying the softer approach to layering. I do feel these clothes will look totally different on hangers in the stores everything is styled so well its going to be interesting to see the pieces individually. Right now I'm in love with the ruffled Chanel-esque jacket, not to mention that metallic bomber jacket. Not for the faint of heart.



10. Peter Som
Peter Som makes the kind of clothes you want to wear all day every day. Look at the pattern on the second dress. Its perfect for all year, not just spring. I also like how they've used the darker shade of the pattern beneath the solid bell shaped coat. Great way to layer without making things look bulky. The blue gown is just heartstopping. I love how it moves and flows, I can see that looking astounding on anyone regardless of size. That yellow shirtdress could also be incredible with jeans. I like how his clothes can be dressed up or dressed down depending on who wears them.



Those were just a few of my favorites from the past week. What did you enjoy? Any designers whose work I've overlooked? Let me know! I look forward to the London / Paris / Milan shows.