Pump Up the Volume

photo credit: www.topshop.com

Have fun twirling around town in these high-volume bottoms!

photo credits: www.topshop.com and www.latimes.com

Give your corporate look a boost with knee-length voluminous skirts paired with slim-fitting tops. Michelle Obama looks very classy in a black cardigan over a white top and a full black skirt. For a snazzier look, a stretch cropped blazer would do the trick.

photo credits: www.topshop.com and Reebok

The mini versions are perfect for weekends and nights out, whether you're feeling feminine or sporty. Wear 'em girly with ballet flats, or funky with cool sneakers. Take the cue from Leighton Meester in her Reebok ad!

photo credits: www.shopruche.com and www.topshop.com

One of my favorite childhood memories was wearing little girl dresses and feeling like a princess, which is probably why I love full skirts! Relive those magical days with dresses that have voluminous bottoms--minus the puffed sleeves and Peter Pan collars!

Maximize these skirts to their fullest potential! ;)

The CityLifeStylist

Magnetic Pull

Take a load of this season's trends and timeless mainstays in ensembles where opposites do attract.

photo credits: http://fashion-zealot.blogspot.com, www.shopharmonylane.com, www.barneys.com and www.bloomingdales.com

Flower Power. Try mixing florals and ruffles with tough leather and studs, like Leighton Meester! Oh, and remember the green floral dress and coat, studded black belt and strappy black leather heels that Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) wore in the Sex and the City movie? That's another perfect example of how to work girly and rocker chic pieces in a single outfit.

photo credit: www.shopstyle.com

The Long and Short of It. Pair long tops with short bottoms. Ashley Olsen's long, sharp blazer offsets the length of her mini skirt.

photo credits: www.net-a-porter.com, www.urbanoutfitters.com and www.style.com

Sharp and Ruffled Edges. Here's one more way to combine masculine and feminine elements: simply throw on a vest or a blazer over a frilly frock!

photo credits: www.shopruche.com and www.shopbop.com

Loose/Fit. Don't keep those skinny pants at the back of your closet just yet. They're here to stay, at least for another season! Wear your skinnies with a loose top for the perfect fit.

With the right styling, contrasts can be cool.

The CityLifeStylist

City Slickers

photo credit: MTV

What do the ladies of MTV's The City have in common? Long tresses and sassy style! Here are my top picks from my three fave stylistas on the show--Whitney Port, Olivia Palermo and Erin Lucas.

photo credits: www.amazonaws.com and www.zimbio.com

Whitney and Erin show us how to transform a very basic, casual piece into something dressy. The gals dress up their plain white tank tops with high-waisted skirts and high heels.

photo credits: www.style.com and www.missselfridge.com

She may not be the world's best office mate, but Olivia is definitely one of the best dressed stars on the show. Her sharp blazers add elegance to her outfits.

photo credits: http://media.onsugar.com, www.examiner.com and www.contactmusic.com

Short dresses with feminine cuts and textures are some of Whitney and Erin's wardrobe staples.

photo credits: http://gorgeousonabudget.today.com and www.about.com

Olivia adds some structure to flowy silhouettes, throwing on belted and open vests over cocktail dresses.



No wonder they've got such cool jobs in the fashion industry!

The CityLifeStylist

Zoe Kravitz Rocks the Band

photo credit: www.zimbio.com

Zoe Kravitz sure inherited her dad's rockin' style! I'm especially loving her sweet and spunky headbands, which add spice to her fierce outfits.

photo credits: www.teenvogue.com and www.bossip.com

This beaded headband prettifies Zoe's long, wavy locks and complements her frilly top.

Zoe takes her turban to the streets
photo credits: www.concreteloop.com and http://hippiehippiemilkshake



Zoe with Gina Gershon and Steven Tyler at a Spring 2009 New York Fashion Week Party
photo credit: www.style.com

Zoe's obvious fave is her red turban-style headband, reminiscent of Prada's Spring 2007 collection's signature hair accessory. She wears it with everything from everyday duds to dressier frocks.

photo credits: www.style.com and www.bossip.com

Zoe looks like a modern bohemian goddess in a yellow hippie headband, which adds color to her all-black ensemble.

It's so easy to put on a headband, but it takes a little more effort to choose the right one for every outfit. Zoe Kravitz looks like she throws 'em on so effortlessly!

The CityLifeStylist

Back to Black

Mix this season's hottest colors with classic black swimsuits you won't easily get tired of.

photo credit: http://oldnavy.gap.com

Wrap a sassy sarong around your hips to add a splash of color to a black bikini.

photo credit: www.style.com

These cutout maillots from Hervé Léger by Max Azria (Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear) look so chic! Play up a black one-piece with sheer kaftans in bright, solid colors. Floral kimono cover-ups would also add girlish charm to your sexy swimsuit.

Have a supah stylish summer, y'all!

The CityLifeStylist

Flower Arrangement

photo credit: www.shopruche.com

Floral patterns and details give a fresh, dainty vibe to your summer wardrobe. Take a look at Ruche's dresses and accessories that'll bring out the girly girl in you.

photo credit: www.shopruche.com

Less is more. The subtle rosettes add just enough sweetness to this babydoll dress.

photo credit: www.shopruche.com

Floral hair clips in bright colors add punch to basic ensembles.

photo credit: www.shopruche.com

Floral prints against a solid primary color make this dress look more vibrant.


Let bold blossoms and delicate blooms liven up your closet!

RUCHE DISCOUNT! Get a 10% discount at Ruche until May 1! Just type in "CityLifeStylist" at checkout. :)

The CityLifeStylist

Bang, Bang, Bangles!

photo credit: fashionnoey on www.photobucket.com

The heat is really on--literally--which sort of brings down the motivation to dress up nowadays. Good thing accessories allow us to add oomph to simple summer basics without breaking a sweat. The easiest to slip on this season? Bangles! Stack 'em up a la Whitney Port and jazz up your regular tank top-and-shorts combo in seconds.

photo credit: www.uglybettynews.com

Some bangles can even be worn on more formal occasions. You can take America Ferrera's funky, chunky jewelry anywhere, from dressy events to a casual day out.

photo credit: www.shopkitson.com

I can't get enough of House of Harlow 1960 accessories by Nicole Richie! I already featured an item from her collection in a previous entry but I just couldn't resist writing about her jewelry line again. This plated Aztec bangle is totally rad, and though it's a little off-topic, I'm loving the headpiece and necklace Nicole's wearing!

If we're going to melt in this heat, we might as well do it in style. Grab a bangle or two (or more!) before heading out the door!

The CityLifeStylist