Fashion with a Cause: The Uniform Project

The Little Black Dress aka LBD can take you along way, just ask Sheena Matheiken.
I was web surfing and came across a great cause using a simple black dress, definitely a staple every stylista and fashionista should have in their closet.

Sheena has pledged to wear the same black Dress for 365 DAYS. She calls this idea The Uniform Project. I know it sounds crazy and impossible but its actually rather dope and very doable.


Fashion with a cause!!!!


Sheena is raising the money for the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to strengthen the education system in the slums of Mumbai. All of the contributions for the Uniform Project will go towards the organization for school uniforms and other school expenses. That is dope!



This is a rare and interesting idea. Sheena states she got the idea from personal experience from having to accessorize her uniforms in school. She says all the kids in her school would add their own spin and twist to represent their on individual styles and personality.

It's not what you wear, but how you wear it!

Through the website monetary donations could be made.

I know its hard to be optimistic about her pulling this project off, but designer, Eliza Starbuck has designed the LBD for it to be worn in so many different ways. The dress can be worn front or back, as a jacket, or an open tunic. The dress was created using a durable breathable cotton great for many different seasons. The accessories Sheena will be wearing are ebay finds, vintage shops, and flea markets. Talk about getting fly on a buck.

The cool thing about this project is, Sheena is inviting any jewelry or fashion designer to donate original pieces or collaborate with her on creating different ensembles. She will then give shout outs and promotions to your website or blog the day she wears your creation. These type of donations can be made thru the website too. If you are designers take advantage of this cause.

Check out some of my favorite styles

The way she works different garments and style her accessories are so dope.

The project started May 1st with this look!

I cant say enough how important accessories and layering your pieces are. It enhances your look and Sheena definitely confirms that!!!

This goes to show if you invest in key essentials you can also style it up differently every time to create a different look. In these hard economic times- that is KEY!

Go over to The Uniform Project website and check out Sheena's daily fits. Try and support the cause.

Until next time

Same place tomorrow

xoxo

Style Reporter

Dope Style: Work Out Style

Hey guys-

It's been some days since my last post, yeah I'm slacking but im back to deliver.

Macy's Live Strong window is the inspiration for this post, along with my boyfriend teasing me and my BFF about not eating healthy. I need to head to the gym, first I need gym clothes. Even breaking a sweat I have to do it in style.

Here are some styling tips for looking good while you are working out; whether you are breaking a sweat on the treadmill, running the track, weight lifting in the gym, taking a dance class, or just heading over to the local yoga center, you can do it in style.

Women's Workout Style Inspiration

Stylistas:
To have a great workout style, color plays a great part. Feminine colors like pink, purple, aqua blue, grass green, white, and black are the best style choices. Black is a great color because it's very slimming and camouflages the sweat.

Great style is having your track pants, jackets, and leggings that fit properly. It's nothing like having a saggy rear walking around the weight room.... no bueno

Having bright accessories can jazz up any outfit. The accessories enhance your style, it shouldn't destroy it. Cool hair ties are essential. Pulling your hair back from your face is important when working out- it tames your locks. Playful water bottles adds an extra hand candy when taking a water break from crunches. A dope bag to house your fabulous clothes is also eye catching. Think of your gym bag as your Louie Speedy... Dope accessory. While you jam on the stair master, having a great ipod case is a great accessory and adds cool style addition to your workout fit.

Ladies sport bras are your best friend, it will tame the girls. I'm a fan of print sport bras- it adds personality. When wearing a print you must balance your fit with a solid.

Having a great pair of sneakers will bring your outfit home. Colorful sneakers will not only add comfort but head turning in the gym.

Shopping Note: Stella McCartney by Adidas have one of the best fashionable athletic assortment. The best thing about the line you can wear for pieces to the gym and on a movie date. With times like these, having alot for your buck is DOPE!

Men's Workout Style Inspiration

Stylistos:
Styling at the gym should be essential for men. This is the place women attend for the "Guns Show"... get it??? lol.
While you are in the gym working your butts off you should do it in style.

Color is and will always be important when discussing style. For great color you should gravitate towards royal blue, bright reds, apple greens, black, grey, and yellow. Color coordinating your fit is essential too. Do not pair your red track pants with a yellow sweatshirt.... Yikes!

Sneakers are very important when working out. The right sneakers can give great support and it will complete your look. My favorite is the Nike Shocks or the Air Max 95'.

Like any other fit, accessories only enhance your look. It's great for a man to add some cool workout accessories like: the LiveStrong rubber band, Nike wrist bands and heads, workout gloves in a great color, ipod arm band, and a really cool water bottle.

Men normally have very simple styles, but a fun track jacket can explode your workout fit. I'm digging the shiny track jackets on men. It adds style and a fashion sense. I'm feeling it!

Shopping Note: Run over to Macy's and check it Live Strong collection. It's pretty dope! I've always loved and appreciated the Adidas store in the village... huge selection.

With the following tips and inspiration you can turn your boring workout gear to fabulous head turning style. Even if you do not work hard in the gym, you can at least look the part!!! :)

until next time

same place tomorrow

xoxo

Style Reporter

Dope Online Find: Nike Air Hoop Structure

Attention Stylistos!!

The other night while flipping through the channels I noticed a cool site my boyfriend was on, he was exploring all the crazy fitted hats, dope t-shirts, and vibrant sneakers . Later I learned he was on Leaders1354 website. A cool Chicago store that houses dope street wear. The site is more directed towards guys, but it had great stuff, from clothes, to sneakers, to art.

There was a pair of kicks that automatically caught my attention and as your style reporter I felt it is my duty to deliver dope finds.

Nike Air Hoop Structure

Meet the Nike Air Hoop Structure. For all you sneaker heads who peeped these along time ago, this is the first time I'm seeing these and I suggest if you are a sneaker head to pick these up. These drop Holiday 2009 so keep an eye out. Every Stylisto needs a great pair of kicks.
Head over to www.leaders1354.com to see more dope street wear.

Let me know what else you find.

Side note: I wonder if Kanye visits whenever he goes back home... Hmmmmm

For all you sneaker heads who know the skinny on dope sneakers before they hit the airwaves- email me, I will post them on the site :)

until next time

xoxo
Style Reporter

Dope Online Find: Burnout Tanks

Hey Stylistas,


I was on Forever 21 website cruising through the accessory section, though I don't buy too much of the garments, the accessories are the best, I came across some dope tanks!

Burnout Pocket Tank

Ever wanted to explore Rihanna's Rock chic look, try out these tanks.

The Burnout Pocket Tanks are giving me a style attack. I'm loving them.
What I love about these tanks are the inspirational messages with the definition. LOVE!

These tanks will take any style from casual boring to Rock & Roll Chic.

Pair your choice of tank with some leather leggings, motorcycle boots, skinny jeans, or Rock & Roll Studded Booties. I'm thinking of spike accessories... Im having a moment! :)

The best thing about it is the price, $11.80. WOOHOO... talk about recession friendly!

I'm thinking about the Imagine, Hope, and Love- they have a Beauty one also.
Run over to forever21.com and get you one.

Which one are you buying?
I'm ordering mine RIGHT NOW! :)

Until next time

Same place Tomorrow

oxoxo

Style Reporter

First Date Style

I love this pic of Bey and Jay(despite Jay's hands in his pants) coupled up going for an after dinner stroll. They look like they are on their first date.

That is the one thing I love about Summer time... the Summer Love. The endless conversations on the phone, numerous dates, smiling from one ear to the next, ditching your friends to hangout with your summer fling, it's all soo much fun.

Before you can experience that summer love, you have to go on that First Date. For some people its a regular night, and for some its dreadful. It's always that number one question that plagues your fashion mind; "What am I going to wear?"

Here are some cool First Date steps you can follow when deciding what to wear for you night out on the town.

First, you want to confirm the plans. Make sure what you plan to wear is appropriate. If you are going miniature golfing you sure don''t want to show up in a Chiffon dress and strappy sandals. hahaha- get my drift??

Second, once you find out the plans, check the weather and always have 2 outfits for a warm night and a cool night. Its nothing like wearing shorts in a monsoon.... Not a good look.

Lastly, you want to make sure you are COMFORTABLE. Ladies if you have a brand new pair of 5 inch heels you are dying to wear, save them for another night. It would be horrible if you had to end the night early because your feet were killing you.

Here are some Styling Tips that will help you when deciding what to wear

Women:

1. On your first date you want to be sexy, but not trashy, comfortable, but not too boring.

When deciding what to wear always go for the following:

Silk shorts, fashion sandal, cut out booties, cropped leather jacket, destroyed skinny denim, printed skirt, black blazer, or a little black dress.

These are all essentials to an amazing first date look. The great thing is, doesn't matter what the plans are you will look appropriate and fabulous.

2. Fresh Face: keeping the make-up to a minimum is important, you are going on a date, not attending a Halloween party. Natural make-up will bring out your beauty.

3. Sweet Smell: Dabbing a little perfume will put the finishing touches to your overall look.

4. Clutch: This is the season of the clutch, toss your classic hobo to the side and grab a cute eye popping clutch.

Men:

1. Tonight you are going to leave the t-shirt and Uptowns at home. You want to substitute your graphic tee with a slim fit button down. Pay attention to detail; whether it's cool buttons, or a different pattern on the cuffs, women notice everything.

2. Leave the sneakers at home and go with a cool shoe. I know this may be a stretch for most guys, but a woman notices your shoes first, if your shoe swag is not on point, your night will be rudely interrupted by the "fake emergency" call from her girlfriend. hahaha (I know it's a bit shallow, but I've heard stories)

3. Cologne: Make sure you dab (not drown your self) on some cologne to add the finishing touches. There is nothing like a man who smells good.

With these few tips you are guaranteed to win some points in the styling department! Even if the date doesn't go pass the first night, at least you will be remembered for your fabulous style!

All this Summer Love talk is reminding me of "Summertime" -by Beyonce ft. Ghostface. I love this Song... ENJOY!

until next time

Same place tomorrow

xoxox

Style Reporter

StyleWalker: White Jeans

Name: Priscilla

Occupation: Forecasts Color

Fav designer: Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs (one of my favs too)

Fav Store: Zara

Fav peice of clothing: Her never worn Cobalt blue off-the shoulder double ruffle top.

Honorable Mention: White Jeans

Fashion Rules: "Tailor Tailor Tailor, Make sure the sh*t fits"

Style: Free-Spirit

What inspires her: COLOR COLOR COLOR

Fashion Diary:

Top: Mexican designer Pineda Covalin- $277.00

Jeans: Madewell- $110.00

Shoes: Canfora

Ring: TJ MAX fine jewelry- $200.00

What caught my attention was Priscilla's Blouse. I loved the silhouette, how it draped off her shoulder and of course the print. After I scanned her ensemble I noticed her white jeans (Must Have for the Summer ladies) and her beautiful jeweled sandals. I had to snap her! After chopping it up with her, I learned that her blouse is actually a Scarf. I was impressed! I also learned her white jeans are from Madewell down in Soho, and EVERY first Thursday of every month, you get 20% off!!! How dope is that? Take advantage of that people. Right when I was about to turn and leave, I noticed her ring... Gorgeous!

Priscilla nails her cool casual Summer Look, definitely Search.Style.Snap worthy!

Are you feeling her style?

until next time...

xoxo

Style Reporter

Men's 5 Must Haves for Summer

Ok fellas, it took me a minute now I'm back with the jumpoff. (hahah)

After two days off, I'm up and running.  Here are the 5 Must Haves for Summer, or what's left of it.  

These 5 dope items will have you noticed, swaggerful; and if styled right... you will definitely have the next man "Jockin' your Fresh".

1.  Denim Jackets

I know some of you are saying, "Chee you are bugging, it's too hot"... Yes, you are right, but with this weather, the weather is cool enough during the day and evening to wear a denim jacket with some shorts paired up with a Tee, I definitely recommend a sleeve roll up.  The denim jacket adds a "Cool" "America Boy" swag to your get up.

2.  Yellow and Teal Watches

We see them everywhere the G-Shocks watches, but for the Summer, the Yellow and Teal colors are the "go-to".  These two colors scream Summer Swag.  Grab a graphic Tee with the same color direction and you are picture perfect.  Side note: I seen some dope Teal and silver blazers floating around that is a sure fit for the summer!! Lock in fellas, I won't steer you wrong.

3.  Mirrored Aviators

If these aviators don't scream SWAG I don't know what does.  These aviators will add the finishing touches to ANY fit, whether you are going suit flow, jeans or t-shirt, you are guarantee to look great!... Like a cop car.... hahah

side bar: I just ordered a pair last night *bbm embarrassed face*

4.  Air Yeezy

First let me just say, I'm tight they don't have these in ladies, tho I'm not a sneaker lover, I would cop a pair.  I know these are high to be "Nikes" but I'm a firm believer in High Low style and some things should be invested in, and these are one of them.  You can go Kanye flow on them and pair these sneaks with a straight leg jean and a solid color tee from American Apparel.  Or you can style it with some shorts, either way you will have people looking south of your ankles!  

5.  khaki pants or cargos

Same as Ladies Must Haves, khaki is a huge color for Summer.  Fellas run out and get your khaki cargos and/or Khaki pants.  Make sure you pay attention to detail on the khaki pants and opt for a cool fit and pocket details.  Try to stay away from the standard GAP khaki pants- you will start to look like a boarding school reject and that is never a good look, save those for work.

Here you have it, the 5 Must Haves that will make oyu the fashion life of the BBQ this Summer. 

Style extra:  Try out your Must Haves by pairing your khaki cargos with a Teal watch, Teal/Silver blazers, denim jacket (rolled up) and crisp white v-neck tee, add the finishing touches and throw on your mirrored aviators... Can you see it??? DOPE!!!!

Run out and get your Must Haves, send me some pics on how you styled them.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

Style Reporter