Frugal and Fabulous Holiday Style

The company Christmas parties are over, but the neighborhood party is this weekend; and don’t forget the family gatherings on the way. Does the thought of pulling your little black dress out of the closet one more time make you feel like a Grinch? Making your current wardrobe into a holiday-worthy look is easy as 1-2-3.

1. Bags, Belts, Bangles, and Beads

Accessorizing is Number Uno in the budget friendly style book! Take that little black dress that you are dreading and add a couple strands of pearls, a Pashmina scarf, and a hot red handbag and you’ve got the holiday look and spirit. Belts are also a must have accessory this season. You can anchor a puffy faux fur vest to your tiny waist, plus the leather look compliments the rocker-chic style that is huge this season. Bangles are not only inexpensive and fabulous this holiday season, but they jingle as well! If you haven’t already, please add a set of bangles to your jewelry drawer. They are multi-seasonal and probably one of the most inexpensive pieces to add to your wardrobe.

2. Embellished Tops

Whether its pearls, rhinestones, embroidery, or beading, embellished tops are a huge trend this season and an inexpensive style to wear. Why? Because most of these tops are gorgeous just as they are; without jewelry! Many have great eye-catching detail around the neck, wrists, or waist that added accessorizing would take away from. If the top only has detail at the neck though, still add a great cuff bracelet, bangles, or ring to keep eyes interested and the outfit looking complete. Also, search through your summer or fall looks to see if you could pair an embellished tank with a long sleeve shirt underneath for more savings.

3. All About Fabric

What makes a “Going Out” tank top different than one you would clean the bathroom in? Fabric! Picking a holiday top or bottom in a fabric that is hot for the season will look both luxurious and stylish. Sequin will put anyone in a fun, festive mood this season. Try pairing a new sequin top with a pair of skinny jeans and boots already in your closet. Lace has the best of both worlds. It is super sexy, plus has an expensive look without breaking the bank. If you’re worried about going too sexy for the neighborhood party, try an empire waist dress with lace on the top and a chiffon fabric on the bottom. Silk and velvet are also hot fabrics for the season. If you’re petite, wear a darker color of velvet since the fabric is likely to be thicker.

If you’ve already spent most of your holiday budget on your loved ones (or eggnog), adding at least one of these style pieces to your winter wardrobe will contribute to a continuing holiday spirit without breaking the bank.

Keep it trendy, fabulous, and classic!

~Amelia’s Boutique

Remember, post a comment about this blog on here or Facebook by December 26th to receive 10% off one item in store!

Sources:

Linda Ann Nickerson: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2370442/8_great_ways_to_accessorize_a_holiday_pg2.html?cat=69

Paula Darnell: http://petite.about.com/od/fallwinter20102011/tp/Holiday-Fashion-Trends.htm

Our First Blog!

Amelia’s first opened her doors eight years ago in Atchison, Kansas. To expand our space, and provide more daily shopping opportunities, we then opened Amelia’s South at 133rd and State Line Road in November of 2006.  To complete our Amelia’s growth we opened our doors, north of downtown Kansas City, at the Village of BriarCliff, in December of 2007. July 2010 Amelia’s Avignon opened her doors for the West side of the city, easy to shop wherever you are. Visit us at any of our locations, and we’ll strive to personalize your experience, provide a wide selection of styles, and offer our customers the best available pricing.

To continue our growth and provide our loyal customers with the best possible service, we are starting a new blog! Each week this blog will give insight to the latest tips and trends for the current season and give options for all body types and fashion styles. Please feel free to comment on the blog! By posting a comment on the blog or our Facebook wall you will receive 10% off one item in the store for the current week!

The Perfect Shoe for You…?

It’s that time of year again. Although most of us would love to spend a few more months running around in flip flops or barefoot, it’s time to start thinking about fall and winter footwear. Are you needing everyday boots and flats, or looking for the perfect pair of pumps for your holiday dress? Nothing can make or break an outfit like choice of footwear. You may have found the most perfect, one-shoulder, black sequin dress that makes you look 10 pounds thinner for New Years Eve, but if you have short legs, what shoe is going keep heads turning towards you into 2011? Follow these few simple rules, and you are sure to have a footwear wardrobe that is both stylish and flattering.

Short and Tiny:

Qualifying would be 5’7” or under and Small or Medium sized. With being petite, you don’t have to worry so much about looking thinner, but taller, taller, taller. For those who like to wear pumps, this is good news. Nearly anything with in heel, wedge, or platform is acceptable. The catch? You don’t want anything strapped around your ankle. Keeping a smooth line down the leg through top of the foot will give the effect of height. For those who prefer a more comfortable option, flats are acceptable as long as they are worn with a skirt or dress that falls above the knee. For boots, stick with a sleek design in a heel or wedge. Having vertical accents as opposed to horizontal will also keep the eyes moving in the right direction. Many flat boots are now being made with a “built in” wedge, so the comfort is there without having to wear a heel all the time. Avoid slouchy or thick looking boots. Yes, this includes “boots with da’ fur”.

Short and Voluptuous:

Qualifying would again be 5’7” or under and Large or bigger sized. Same rules apply for the short portion. Heels are the best option! Being a bit larger though, you may want to draw the eye downward with embellishments or prints on your heels. Pick boots that fall just below the knee. Picking mid-calf boots cuts you off at the thickest part of the calf, making you look shorter and wider. Also, picking a boot with an angled cuff instead of straight across gives a more flattering look on a wide leg. If you are going to wear a short “bootie” heel, try wearing a pair of leggings in the same color. This will diminish the line at the ankle and keep a smooth line from the toe up the leg.

Tall and Tiny:

Indeed, a ballet flat is a great option this season for someone who is over 5’7” and thin, but it is not the only option. Tall girls can wear heals too! Short, fat, tall, thin does not matter when it comes to wearing heels; they are flattering on everyone. Try to avoid heels that are platforms or chunky because they will overpower your small ankles. Picking a pair of stretchy boots is the best option. They will form to the calf, making it appearing curvier. Avoid big boots that create space between the boot and the leg. More than an inch of space will only exaggerate your small calves.

 

Tall and Athletic:

There are many options in shoes this season for girls who have an athletic build, but still want to add a feminine touch to their wardrobe. Go for a pair with a slim heel for femininity, rather than a chunky one. You can wear a wedge as long as it’s two or three inches to elongate the leg. Although you may be tall, avoid ballet flats because they will add weight to your calves. Again, pick a boot that falls just below the knee to avoid the thickest part of the leg. A slouchy pair of boots is a good option if you can’t fit them all the way up the calf; the slouch disguises flaws in the boot being too small.

 

So remember these few simple suggestions ladies, and your outfit will shine this Fall and Winter season. A few trends to keeps in mind for footwear this year: Embellishments are huge! It’s all about studs, chains, rhinestones, or ruffles. Patterns and textural highlights such as lace or embossed looks are super fun and cute too!

Keep it trendy, fabulous, and classic!

~Amelia’s Boutique

Please post comments and print out page by December 5, 2010 to receive 10% off one item in store!

Sources:

Jane Kim: http://www.beautyriot.com/fashion/best-shoes-body-type-a7241

Yolanda Wikie: http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/shoes-accessories/shoes/best-boots-leg-shape-00000000044642/index.html