Recently several clients and friends have asked me how to deal with dressing in the summer with the vastly varying temperatures either going from: -Arctic office conditions to sweltering desert heat outside or -Starting the day off at a cool 65°F in the morning with the mercury rising to 95°F in the afternoon. While we’ve all heard that layering is crucial especially in Colorado, it can often be a bit of a nebulous concept that usually brings winter sports to mind versus dressing for an office day, out and about seeing clients, or even keeping up with the kids. In this post I’ll give you a few ideas for layering in the office. In my next post, we’ll talk about layering for business casual and casual environments. If your office is extremely frigid due to air conditioning that just won’t quit, (why they can’t get a handle on this in 2010 I’ll never know,) start each day with either a camisole or tank top. These aren’t your weekend/work out pieces, because depending on how insanely hot it is outside you may be stripping down to this layer at some point. (Keeping this in mind, always be conscious of your bra straps.) Next add a cotton or (Read more...)

I have been touting white all season now, and I absolutely love the "Little White Dress." On the right is the picture of mine--I've had it four years and have worn it several times. Just like a little black dress, one can truly do almost anything with a white dress. I did silver and crystal with it in this picture, but for my High School Reunion this weekend, I am pairing it with gold leather platform sandals and gold jewelry. I'm off to find a handbag. Gold might seem the natural choice, but that is just a bit too "matchy matchy" for  me. I'm thinking of a bright patent clutch. Just like a little black dress, this white one can be dressed up, down or somewhere in between. It can be worn with metallics or brights. (I could definitely do red patent platforms!) And it can be worn to almost any summer soiree---except a wedding!

I just returned from Chicago late last week after a week’s vacation. And yes, I can affirm--it’s hot there! I knew I’d be doing a lot of shopping, so I took along some casual dresses. I know this might sound dressy for vacation, but truly my dresses were the coolest items I wore. I’ve said it before, skirts and dresses are far cooler than pants. (I was baffled by women wearing jeans and maxi dresses!) Other pluses for these cotton knit sundresses: - They don’t wrinkle. I wore one of mine the last day of the trip and it didn’t need ironing. -They can be casual with thongs or dressed up in a pinch with a heel and jewelry.

Okay, it’s 2010. There’s just one thing I want to know. Why, with all of our technology, can’t the shoe industry make a really cute walking shoe? I’m getting ready for a trip to Chicago for shopping and sight-seeing later this week. Just last week I realized I haven’t made any improvements in my walking shoe wardrobe since I battled with it for Europe 2 years ago. To add insult to injury, not only do I need something for lots of walking, but I am also battling tendinitis in my ankle, so that cuts out certain styles as well. So I headed out to Dardanos on Colorado Blvd. Two of my clients have had great luck there-why not me, right? I was truly amazed at the number of  shoes they had, but equally amazed at how many ugly shoes they carry. I understand that for some, the comfort shoe, i.e. Birkenstocks, Danskos, etc, is a look-their style. I’m perfectly fine with that, but that isn’t everyone's style. Again, it seems as though we have the technology! I also don’t understand why these comfort brands make such unfashionable colors? I thought found a shoe that was great, but when the salesman brought (Read more...)

Even when the heat is oppressive like today, it’s still important to your image to accessorize. I personally find that necklaces, especially statement pieces can be hot in the warmer months, (although mostly on really hot days when I'm out and about a lot.) Rather than foregoing jewelry altogether, why not go for an earring-bracelet combination. Stacks of thin bangles and other light weight bracelets are perfect when the mercury rises. For “off-work” times, leaving your neck bare with an open/low cut or strapless top or dress can be an almost surprising look, leaving you refreshed and cool! If you feel absolutely naked without a necklace, look to your lighter weight chains and pendants. Consider combining them for a little more of a statement being careful not to make the end effect heavy looking or hot. Another option is to wear longer necklaces on the outside of your blouses instead of against your skin. The earrings and bracelet pictured are from Rhoda Designs. Rhoda is a local jewelry designer, and whether you're looking for earrings, bracelets or that special statement necklace, Rhoda’s are absolutely amaaaazing!! (Be sure to tell her Dana Lynch sent you!)

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I got an e-mail the other day from Anthropologie and even after going to the web site haven’t been able to delete it. I absolutely love this look!  With this next statement, you'll think I'm crazy, but I could never wear the sweater (wrong green-wrong pattern-too bulky,) and I’m not crazy about plaid. What I like is the color combination, black/white/green. (I typically wear more of a lime or apple green over the grass green.) It’s a classic color combo and can be worn year round; And it’s perfectly professional (business casual) to boot!

The skirt? While I don’t love plaid, I again like the color combo—on the bottom. We so often see prints on the upper body-more difficult for us inverted triangles, (bigger on top than on bottom.) The other aspect of the whole look that I love is that it’s a touch retro. We’re going to be seeing a lot more skirt silhouettes for fall. This skirt is a cross between an A-Line and a Full

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Although I usually limit my blog to wardrobe topics, I have to share my favorite product with you! Jergens Natural Glow is an amazing way to "get a tan" without exposing your skin to harmful rays. It's a combination moisturizer and self tanner. It's light and works gradually, so if you're not applying it evenly you can correct it more easily than with  normal self tanners. My skin tone is medium, and I naturally tan quickly, so I use the Firming formula for Medium to Tan skin tones. While cellulite isn't a big concern for me, I have noticed that the "firming," seems to work, and my cellulite is virtually invisible. Another plus of the product is that it helps hide spider veins--important if you're skipping nylons with skirts. Also, the bottles says it takes a week to work, but I get pretty good color in about three days. Lastly, Natural Glow doesn't have that overpowering "self tanner smell!" (You know what I'm talking about if you've ever used self tanner!) I don't notice a scent at all, but my husband thinks it smells like Chicken in a Biscuit (crackers)??

More than any other Sex and the City character, Miranda’s style has evolved the most. In Sex and the City 2, Miranda, the no-nonsense lawyer and mother of the group is on vacation and at last able to let her hair down and loosen up from her suits. Although Miranda is still “the one who wears suits,” they’re beautiful suits and jackets with the gorgeous shoes the show is known for. In addition to suits, she wears elegant, work appropriate dresses in both silk and more substantial fabrics. As for Miranda’s off-work and vacation clothing, she has branched out into bold tribal and ethnic prints in opulent fabrics. (Look for more of this fabric trend in the fall!) Edgy dresses in silk jersey are also star players in her wardrobe. And Miranda’s accessories are earthy, fun and a little bit funky. Color is absolutely key to Miranda’s style. With her fabulous red hair and green eyes, she is always certain to wear autumnal colors as well as red, royal blue, and black. While most women I meet love how daring Carrie is with her style, I have to admit, Miranda is inching up on Carries heels…Louboutin heels that is!

Whimsical, quirky, fun, one-of-a-kind, fashion forward, and flamboyant…all words to describe Carrie Bradshaw’s style. I mean who else would wear a teal feather sticking straight up out of her bridal veil?  Oh, and I should add that she’s all of the above tied up with a bow. Carrie always has a soft feminine quality to her style. (If you’re a Sex and the City fan, you’ll recognize Carrie and the gang's style. If not, click here and you'll be easily caught up.) Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, exudes personal style that is enviable but also a little over the top for most of us in the real world. Perhaps her head-to-toe looks won’t work for you, but don’t let that stop Carrie from inspiring you! For example, for a special occasion, you might pair the (pictured) vintage inspired, bustier dress with a heavy, studded, leather belt. It might be tempting to pair the dress with demure black pumps, but Carrie would yawn at that combo. Instead try black studded stilettos or at the least a chunkier, sky-high style. Either shoe style would fit the feel of the ensemble with the heavy black belt without being too matchy-matchy. Perhaps (Read more...)

We love our jeans. Whether you wear jeans for work, weekend or going out on the town, the following tips are sure to help you find a fabulous fit and love your jeans (and the way you look in them!)

• For the apple shaped woman (slim legs with weight in tummy and chest,) look for a higher rise with straight legs or wide legs, such as trouser jeans.
• For the triangle figure type: look for a contoured waist to prevent gaping. Straight legs or boot cut jeans with a dark wash are best.
• For the rectangular body type: lots of details such as fading on the thighs and whiskering will help give you curves. Low rise straight legs or skinny legs are best for you.
• For the hourglass body type: Flared legs or boot cut jeans are best. See Triangular for more tips.
• For the inverted triangle body type, wide legs or boot cut jeans will give you more volume on your bottom half. Add curves with fading and whiskering.

No matter what, be sure to check yourself in a 3 way  mirror when trying on jeans. As Clinton Kelly from What Not to Wear, said when he was in town, "the only reason to wear (Read more...)