Fashion resolutions

Getting tired of hearing about New Year’s resolutions? Instead of getting annoyed with this longstanding tradition, why not join in on all the fun? If you address areas of your life that are fun and interesting to you, resolutions can be the perfect way to improve your life in a painless way. Resolutions don’t have to be about restricting yourself or stopping certain things you enjoy that others might consider vices—they can just be about improving your quality of life, based on your standards. So instead of opting to cut down visits to your favorite fashion clothing store, swap them for some fun ones that won’t be hard to stick to. 

1.    Wear more color. Okay, black is slimming, we all get that. For many women, it’s their go-to color for special events—some even wear black dresses for their mother of the bride roles. If you’re not ready for a bright colorful ensemble or dress, then simply add some pops of color with a statement necklace, handbag or shoes.

2.    Give up those shoes when their time is up. Even though you still love those worn out Jimmy Choos, if their time is up, then let them go. Have a memorial service for them if you need to, but don’t waste the space and certainly don’t wear them if their peak is long past. Hit your favorite fashion clothing store and get a new pair—out with the old, in with the new!

3.    Get a go-to designer dress that sets you apart. Invest in that timeless dress that you can always count on to make you stand out in a crowd. Choose something well-made in the silhouette that is most flattering to your body, and with stunning designer construction. Alberto Makali offers gorgeous selections every season that are impossible to go wrong with.

4.    Get inspiration. Find ways to keep it fresh. Be open to new ways of wearing classic styles and experiment with different looks. Whether you’re searching for gowns for special events, dresses for the mother of the bride, or casual ensembles that transition to night, be willing to mix things up and try new things.

Trend forecast for 2013

2013 is here! With it comes the promise of transformation and new styles—and hopefully, we’ll see less and less of the neon trend that was ubiquitous at almost every fashion clothing store in 2012. We’ve hit up some of the biggest stylists in the industry to find out which trends they think we’ll see in coming months. Here’s what they’re predicting:

TREND #1:  Lots of lace

Lace made a comeback this winter and was everywhere on the runways at Spring 2013 Fashion Week. There’s a return to femininity and delicate, dainty details on everything from skirts and dresses to pants, blazers and jackets. It’s an easy trend for women in the South Bay to integrate into their designer clothing collections— top a lace blouse with a structured blazer to offset the frill or pop on some lace tights for a quick take on the trend.

TREND #2:  Graphic prints

60s-inspired graphic prints including the checkerboard and stripes will be huge this spring. Think Twiggy-style graphics and mod takes on Coco’s favorite stripes. These prints will be present in every trendy fashion clothing store in silhouettes ranging from mini-dresses, skirts and blouses to gowns and suits. Be careful not to go overboard—incorporate this look with one piece here and another there.  

TREND #3:  Ruffles
Ruffles are a great way for women in the South Bay to add a little flirtatious detail to their designer clothing collections. A blouse or skirt with ruffles is the perfect way to blend a bit of romance into your look. Keep it to one piece per ensemble with ruffle detail to avoid a look that’s too girly or overwhelming.

Taking your look from day to night

It’s the busiest time of year and if you’re like most of us, you’ve got the seemingly never ending to-do list and a calendar that’s jam packed, leaving little time to get ready for all the festivities the holidays bring. This means that many of us will have to transition our outfits from day to night with as little effort as possible. If you’ve got an amazing closet filled with clothing from every South Bay fashion boutique, then that should be no problem. However, if you aren’t used to transforming a daytime ensemble to a nighttime party ensemble, then we have some tips from the stylists at our favorite fashion clothing store to help you master this helpful talent.

Switching to party mode can be loads of fun—and easy if you have the ultimate of all staples: the Little Black Dress (LBD). It’s literally the easiest workday outfit to transform. All you need to do is add a piece of statement jewelry, an elegant pair of heels, some red lipstick and an amazing capelet, jacket or coat and your metamorphosis is complete. If your wardrobe of South Bay designer clothing does not include a fantastic LBD, then getting one should probably top your to-do list (our favorite fashion clothing store has an awesome selection)!

Another extremely versatile piece is the timeless pencil skirt, which everyone should have at least one of in their collection of South Bay designer clothing. Take it from day to night like this—wear a button down shirt during the day and switch it out for a festive silk or metallic blouse, switch to pumps and don some sparkly jewelry or hair accessories.  

The next time you’re shopping for clothing at your favorite South Bay fashion boutique, look for versatile pieces that will make this type of transformation a piece of cake.

Dressing for holiday parties and special events

It’s one of the most social times of year, and with so many things on our mind, from finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones to planning holiday meals, you hardly have time to visit even one fashion clothing store to find that perfect dress. If you’ve got an endless stream of cocktail parties, office gatherings, holiday dinners or even a wedding on the horizon, you’re going to need more than your go-to little black dress.

If you invest in a few stylish holiday pieces, you’ll be looking as wonderful as this time of year is touted to be. For the woman who has her daughter’s wedding coming up, start shopping now for Mother of the bride dresses, and you’ll most likely find several options that will be perfect for that upscale Christmas event or New Year’s Eve party as well.

While Redondo Beach clothing styles tend to be laid back, during the holidays, even the most casual woman steps it up in accordance of her social calendar.  If you’re having trouble deciding which look will be more appropriate for each event, look at where it’s being held to determine the most appropriate ensemble. For example, a house party gives you license to be a little more daring than if you were to go to a stuffy restaurant. Choose something fashion forward, with some of the sparkly embellishments and metallic sheen that is so popular this season at every fashion clothing store.

Keep in mind that shoes and accessories can dress an outfit both up and down. If you are double booked in the afternoon and evening, you can wear your favorite little black dress during the afternoon shindig, and then dress it up with a statement necklace or a sequins wrap for evening. If you plan to attend a very high end New Year’s Eve affair that calls for a special occasion dress like no other and you want something that is timeless and that can be worn again, you may even want to search the bridal sections of stores, among the bridesmaids and even Mother of the Bride dresses.  

If you’re attending a casual daytime gathering, you may want to choose something in the Redondo Beach clothing style with a touch of festiveness, such as leggings with some leather accents or a metallic top.

Christmas gifts from a fashion clothing store

When it comes to gifting your friends and loved ones, the gift of fashion is always a safe bet. Whether you’re browsing a fashion clothing store for gifts for street wear stylistas, vintage aficionados, South Bay designer clothing fan or the man who has everything, you can never go wrong with a thoughtful gift that’s aligned with their own personal style.  

Let’s start with the easier recipients—the males in your life. Every man can always use another shirt, no matter what size their closet is or what they do for a living. For the GQ man, try a stylish dress shirt from Robert Graham. For the Redondo Beach man who focuses less on clothing, you may want to choose a more casual shirt from Haupt. Or opt for a pair of sleek shoes by Donald J. Pliner or a fine leather belt by Torino.

For the girl who likes to make a statement, hit up a fashion clothing store that also carries purses. Rebecca Minkoff, LAMB and Donald Pliner all make some gorgeous clutches, satchels, cross bodies and shoulder bags in colors, looks and materials that are to die for. Olga Berg is another great designer choice, with lots of the leopard print and mesh textures that are so in style this season.

For the stylish executive in your life, laptop cases are another ideal gift. Classic Bombata bags from Italy come in gorgeous, vibrant hues that work for both men and women alike. With vinyl and silicon handles, these cases are packed with pockets and folders to store documents and cables.

For the South Bay designer clothing maven, consider a versatile piece from the Michael Kors collection or a crisp, hand-tailored Finley Shirt.  Redondo Beach women live an active lifestyle, and their clothing often reflects that. For that diehard workout fanatic in your life, an item from the Anatomie collection will make the perfect gift. Their entire line is comprised of feminine silhouettes in luxe modals that will take her from the gym to the Polo Lounge.