Stylish with Substance

1. Yourself Express your personality.
2. Stylist Gurus like Stacy London. Learn to choose what LOOKS BEST on YOU.

... (Yourself, yourself, yourself, yourself, yourself)

8. Your BF. Or maybe just when you two are alone, if he's not a sexist dolt.

... (No one, no one, no one, no one - who cares anyway if you don't?)

57. Trends.
58. Magazines.
59. What every one else is doing.

...

10001. What people with the opposite of your body are doing. (See #2.)

=> Photo of Stacy London from her Twitter account.

Read the news updates here (Indiana paper) and here (pink news).

This leads me to ponder a possible great discussion on gender preferences in formal or even cocktail attire and sometimes switching roles all or in part - whatever the sexual preference. Can this be cool for straight chicks, too?

I found a tuxedo-inspired light blue number when looking for a wedding-guest cocktail dress, and fell in love with the concept, and went on to plan and start making even further-tux-inspred accessories. They're really fun and cute, I'm loving it.

But of course, my look includes a dress, a purse, jewelry, and this comfortable-shoe gal is even wearing heels - I'm altering heels with very girly bows (and to hopefully be a lot more comfy!).

Would you be into more masculine looks for chicks or even yourself? Is it just cool for lesbians, or does anything go today?

Back to the story, my thoughts on when tuxedos (or any non-gowns) were banned in this school for the female students:

1. This was entirely an anti-gay decision. It was not a dress code matter only. Not only are the people who were involved in the code homophobic but they aren't comfortable with any gender crossing or neutrality because it reminds them of their phobia object.

2. The fear is ridiculous and this perfectly pleasant attire, or most clothing, doesn't hurt anyone. Even Christians who try to deny homosexuality in people or themselves, should they deny their alternative personal/individual style?!

Ella's all about individual style! These educators (the ones who decided on the original ban) are totally unfabulista/os!

Apparently, Diamonds are Paris Hilton's new Best Friend Forever.

But they appear to be just another frienemy, not doing her any justice.

Post this to your *don't board* and remember: keep it classy & less flashy.

And don't have multiple birthday parties a year (which number one is this?).

The socialite even manages to downgrade her Fendi baguette by association. Le Sigh.

*Updated to add a poll*

Here is Gisele Bundchen on the cover of Italian Elle (the magazine, no relation to moi) holding this shoe that reads, ever so amusingly to me; "This is not a shoe."

Aha! I saw it and thought, It was I, Ella who was the one who said "sneakers are not shoes" in my rules (and again). It was even (almost) famously quoted in a blog in a blurb about my wit. *grin*

But what is this about, really? I should not fail to investigate a perhaps different meaning. Is it a phone? (Held to the model's ear.) Or is it a shoe with some other, err, positive message?

The latter is true. This sneaker is a Converse, and it's actually a part of Product Red (the AIDs fighting charity). Le Sigh, it's positive. The other side reads, "it's a mania" ... which sound so damned rock & roll and protest, but actually is "just" the artist's last name. Gee, that's as bad as me claiming it's about my fashion rules. OK it's different, I know - but Mania, you are no Louis Vuitton (although I wouldn't be surprised they invite you to collaborate).

Look, you could claim it's a dead horse race (mis-heard lyric) for all I care - at least we agree---it's not a shoe!

(Via Popoholic)

Beyond the post... your voice:

[poll id="17"]

This double-color cardigan by Marc by Marc Jacobs is pretty cute, but my eye can't decide whether or not this halvsie effect is slimming or widening, and I don't believe there's been a set rule on this matter either.

What do you think?

n

Please leave more detailed comments, too!

You know the problem well, you can't block it from your mind. The low-long-hemmed unbuttoned jacket swinging away from the widest point of ample thighs/hips... Hilary Clinton and her "pantsuits" (more on that ridiculousness later)...

But it never happened, she never got a lifelong-style makeover from the gurus at What Not to Wear. What a picture, the secret footage, exactly like what I described above, the Clinton puns (there must be puns, I say) and... the bra fitting.

And now it's over. Not only might Hilary's political career be over, but she now has no hope of dressing her womanly body as it should. First legitimate female candidate for president of the United States?? Come on, she's not that female. (Her lack of humanity she increasingly displayed not withstanding, itself.)

What NOT to Wear: Old-Lady Pants Suits

What TO Wear: A nice pin-striped menswear suit. Hem cut at the actual hips (think where a baby rests against a woman's side, on occasion).

;-)

Clinton - forget flag pins, try on the stripes!

Wherever you live, the trench coat is so seasonal, now or soon. If you want the best in style and class, Burberry's a no-brainer. I love their subtler Metallic Trench Coat with black on metallic black jacquard check. Something this chic doesn't come cheap, though, at $995.

There's some serious worse news though, because it seems all of the rich northern hemisphere has spoken on this coat. I say if you've got some credit, and are the lone size 10, you must make this your fall season charge.

There's more cuteness for Autumn from Burberry, too. If the British range is out of yours, don't worry, practically any trench is flattering, just don't squeeze or swim in a wrong size.