What is the first impression your style gives people? Does it represent who you want to be? In just seven seconds people have a firm grasp on who they think we are, Sass N Style will help you make that impression a stylish one. Buy what you need. Use what you have.
You should know by now (if you are an avid reader), that most things I buy have a story behind them. Why should this dress be any different? Almost 5 years ago, while living in Chicago, I wandered into my favorite second hand store (think Goodwill here), and found this fabulous creation. It was old, it was wrinkled, it was amazing. My eye was instantly drawn too it's Missoni-esque style. The fit was slightly off and it was a floor length gown, hardly wearable, but for 5 bucks it was mine. I seriously only paid $5. The truth is that other people would have seen grandma's old, beat up dress where as I saw lots and lots of MOD possibility. After purchasing my new, amazing dress, I (almost) immediately went to the cleaners. After hosing down my frock, I took it to the best tailor in town. An awesome $5 purchase deserves all of the tailoring it needs. It STILL would not, could not, ever be as much as a brand new shiny cocktail dress. Plus, no one will have a copy of it and you have a fab story to tell when you wear it. So, after cleaning it, taking it in, chopping off the bottom to a proper cocktail length, it sat in my closet for over 4 years. This is truly not my style, but I just could not find a place to wear this amazing party dress. I am usually only this dressed up for weddings and most of those take place in the warmer months. This dress was clearly made for "getting down" when there was a chill in the air. The material is thick and the silver screams for snow flakes. So it took me getting invited to judge a "Condom Couture" fashion show in October to bring this baby out! She was so happy for the world to see her. You know that if I was going to show off my $5 "Missoni" dress from a Goodwill style store, I was going to go all the way. Why style things boring when you can style things fabulous?!? I really went with the mod feeling of the dress and pulled out all of the 60's stops. You never want to feel like you are wearing a costume, but why not use what the dress is giving you? This dress was giving me retro fabulous. I went completely vintage and pulled out my silver clutch that also cost me no more than $10. Ladies and gentleman, here we have a $15 look prior to shoes and jewelry. Who is a recession proof fashionista now? I slathered on dark sparlky silver nail polish, the color of the moment, and 2 of my favorite vintage-esque rings. All in all, I was a sparkly silver masterpiece! My black patent leather round toe wedges completed the look. They were feminine with a bit of sex appeal. They sealed the deal on the cute, sassy 60's feel I was going for. Of course styling does not end with the ensemble, so my make-up and hair had to be done up right! Complete with a cat-eye and a teased out pony tail with side-swept bangs, I had achieved my MOD goal. Next time you are going to a special gala, don't be afraid of going the distance. A look is about the whole package, not just the dress. Put the effort into creating a head to toe style and you will certainly have a memorable (if not stylish) evening!
Last week I was lucky enough to be asked to judge a charity event fashion show that featured some very talented, young designers. There was only one small catch.... Each Columbus College of Art and Design student was asked to create a couture ensemble using 800 condoms. Think Project Runway meets, well, lots and lots of condoms! This idea could only come out of the creative minds of Planned Parenthood. Needless to say, I stepped up to the plate and took on this very interesting task. As you all know I love fashion, but the chance to see it combined with sex was almost too much for me! I had a stage, a microphone and the opportunity to say whatever I wanted! This was not the type of thing a gal like me passes up. I got to use my fashion knowledge for good and combine it with my undying need to be a stand-up comedian. It is hard not to be at least a little bit funny when you look at the world through "dirty" eyes and are offered an opportunity like this. Rachel Kaplan was the night's big winner, thanks to me and my two fellow judges. She was awarded a grand prize of $1000 big ones. I just fell in love immediately with her completely wearable creation. The fit was perfection, each separate piece could easily be sold in any department store and the overall styling was fantastic. All three judges agreed overwhelmingly that this truly was a great ensemble from all frontiers. Not to mention that her model Ashley Curl look totally fierce in it. It always helps when your model works out:) The leggings were the most inventive and creative part of the look. Rachel sewed together material to create a basic legging and then started adding condoms. She cut off the tip of each condom so it looked like a square and then the rubber glue came out. This all sounds very sexual, but I swear we are talking about making leggings right now. She individually rubber glued the sqaure condoms to the leggings to give it an almost deconstructed look. Genius. The top was also completely fabulous. You must click on the image to see all of the fantasticness (new word) up close. The A-symmetric line was super trendy and at the same time, high fashion. As Rachel let the audience know, she examined Jill Stuart's line to find inspiration. Somehow she managed to make a condom shirt not tacky. Move over Jill Stuart, Rachel has a line of condom couture pieces that are going to knock your line out of the park.... The second place winner was created by Michele Watson. F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S. It was not over the top, it was not crazy, it was just great. The intricate details that went into this simple and sexy black cocktail dress were amazing. I don't think my brain has ever contemplated using condoms in the many different ways that Michele used them. The front of the dress alone had condoms rolled, twisted and turned, all creating a completely different texture. A surprise that only made me love this LBD even more, was that the back was made of yellow condoms. Good coming in and even better going out. Love it. Third place went to Shirley Weng. I fell in love with the inspiration of her dress, 80's prom night. Talk about a dress that not only looks good, but your friends will thank you for wearing it as well. Safe sex and style apparantly do go hand in hand. Shirley was the only participant to use the condoms as rosettes on the dress. It was like a condom flower, she was in full bloom:) The combination of tough sex appeal through the strectched black condoms, mixed with the pretty pink flowers is almost like egging on your parents. "Hey Mom. I am a budding young female who is like an innocent flower, but you better watch out because come prom night my flowers are going to begin to wilt...." Ok, maybe I am looking into it a bit too much, but I like my storyline for this dress.... Overall the designs were pretty incredible and definitely put a smile on my face. Any evening that can combine an open bar with fashion and condoms is bound to be a good night. Thanks so much Planned Parenthood for letting me be a part of it!
I have never tried to hide the fact that my true goal in life is to spread fashion goodness across this great and vast universe. My Sass N Style episodes are certainly a good start, but I am looking for the grand television vehicle to bring me to the masses. Doesn't everyone deserve a little Amy Salinger in their lives? A little funny fashion knowledge to get them through their otherwise monochromatic day? Not that there is anything wrong with monochromatic, but we all need a little flashy every now and then! People have joked with me my whole life that I was born with a spotlight on me.... Unfortunately, sometimes I am the only one who sees it:) Well fashionably challenged people of the world, I invite you to watch my one woman show! Last Friday I spent the entire day filming a teaser for a new show called, "One Hour Photo". Pretty much it is a makeover on crack. Here is the concept: 2 stylists are pitted against each other in a "mall makeover" that must get done in only one hour. Are they serious? Apparently so:) Each of us ambush an unlikely candidate for a quickie pick-me-up look that will have them looking and feeling fabulous. We have one hour to pick out an amazing ensemble, get them into hair and make-up and take a few snappy and sassy photos of their new looks. It is then up to the mall audience to decide, after looking at the before and after photos of each participant, who has the better transformation. And voila, one of the people is crowned with a prize and I or my fellow stylist receive bragging rights for our "quickie" talents. So what do you think of my participants makeover? It is obviously hard to make this lovely lady look bad, since she is hot, but I still think I did a good job getting her "date ready". Alright, truthfully because this is a teaser and we are pitching the show, not actually ambushing anyone, this is an actress. Her name is Kiki and she was a great sport. We made her up to be a mother of 3 who has no time for herself and doesn't feel comfortable with her post-mother body. She hides behind her clothing and never takes any time for herself. Post Amy, Kiki was ready for a night on the town with her hubby to show the world that she still has a sexy, curvy and womanly body! I even made sure to bring out her "cougar side" with the animal print pencil skirt. She is classy and still says Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! The oversized necklace was a great statement piece that made her look trendy and still age appropriate. I had the hairdresser sweep her hair back to show off her fab cheek bones and keep the look extremely sophisticated. Too bad we forgot to take her before picture so she had to take it all off and go back to doubty mom for the shot on the left! Oops. My stylist counterpart, Kathy, had the lovely job of making over a model. I always love people who look good no matter how much you try to make them look bad! Unfortunately I don't have a before shot of the "college student who doesn't care" look, but I do have this fabulous "night on the town" ensemble created by Kathy. Fun, funky and completely age appropriate. I really wish I had a full body shot because the shoes were to die for. Guess you will just have to imagine her silver booty black lace tie up's by Moschino. So pretty! So that was my big day of filming! I do enjoy those days where other people can see the spotlight.... I will let you know how it goes and if networks are fighting over the show! Keep the Sass N Style word out there and be a part of speading Amy Salinger's funny fashion knowledge to the universe!!!!!!!
I absolutely love working with pregnant women. They are going thourgh a crazy, body changing period and getting dressed (never mind actually looking cute) seems borderline painful. Being able to give them back their fashionable confidence is definitely a favorite part of my job. My first pregnant client ever was lucky enough to go through it on television. That is obviously a joke. Imagine having to handle your body continually evolving for 9 months, and then most likely another year past that, and having to do it all on camera. You know the term, "the camera adds 10 pounds"? Think how frightening that statement would be when combined with your first pregnancy. Lucky for her I am a fabulous stylist and I love a good challenge! Ladies, it is really all about making sure that no matter what month of pregnancy you are in, you still show that you have a body. Much like I promote wearing silhouette conscious clothing when you are a curvier woman, this is very similar. Once you put on a garbage bag of a dress, you look even BIGGER than you are. Stop with the frumpy, slouchy clothing when you are pregnant! In fact, my biggest pet peeve for lovely pregnant women is when they try and shop in the "regular" sized section until their 7th month. You are pregnant, not fat, wear clothing that is made for your new, curvy body. The maternity section is designed to fit this new body of yours, therefore it is going to fit you properly. What a fabulous concept! This particular dress is a great example of a silhouette that will truly work on almost every pregnant woman at any month. It clearly shows that you have a womanly figure by being fitted around the arms and bust. An empire waist, when it cinches just under the bust, is a fantastic choice for any stage of pregnancy. It allows for movement and comfort around your stomach while remaining fitted on the upper half of your body. Also, this particular neckline is great to not over-accentuate a growing bust line. It does not drape over your boobs drawing attention to them, but rather draws the eye upward to the neck. Of course the fact that it is a jersey material is only more enticing being that it will feel like you are in a nightgown! Comfort and style DO go hand in hand. Photo courtesy of showhype.com Long sleeve babydoll maternity dress $29.98
The draped neckline is such a dilemma. I know, there are bigger problems going on in the world, but for lots of people ( several of my fashion followers), this is a BIG problem. Here are the issues: 1. It never hangs just right. 2. It is completely annoying when it doesn't hang right and keeps moving. 3. Often times it is difficult to style because your neckline is open, but the draping is overwhelming. Worry no longer, I will save you from your draped neckline nightmares. You see this dress and you want to wear it, but your "nightmares" keep crawling up on you and almost keep you from pulling out your credit card. If anything should scare you, it should be the satin fabric that will stick to every nook and cranny and most definitely wrinkle as soon as you sit down. Don't let the drape be your fearful factor! Answer number 1: Buy a draped shirt that has some sort of small weight in the front. It will actually keep the drape in the correct place and will keep you from fidgeting with it so much. So I guess that answers number 2 as well! A draped shirt will fall out, fall in and basically keep moving as you keep moving. By putting a small weight inside the seam at the center of the drape, the designer is allowing it to now be an effortless silhouette. This is the only time you will ever thank anyone for "adding weight" to you. And now for answer number 3, the most important! How do you style this damn thing? Well, it is pretty simple. NO NECKLACES. Consider the drape your necklace. It is all the detail and attention that this little neckline needs. You do not need to overdo it. If anything, add a great pair of earrings to the look and keep all of the focus at the top. I would also pull your hair back, just like this model is doing, to accentuate the neckline even more. Of course if your hair is short, all the easier! The other choice is to keep the earring super simple, think studs, and adds lots and lots of fun bracelets OR a huge costume ring. You are separating the attention enough that nothing is competing with anything. So do not fear the draped neckline any longer. You can pull this off. The only NO, NO is that if you have a super ample bust, this ain't for you. You little weight is going to get lost in your lots of bust. Sorry super curvy gals!!! Photo courtesy of velita.com/collections/dresses
Oh how I love a good awards show. The good, the bad and the ugly.... It is a stylist's time to shine and a star's time to suck it in. All of this equals out to a good time for the viewer. This year the Emmy's were pretty as usual. I feel like because it is so early in the awards season (January is when it really gets going!), that most celebs stay safe. This year was no different. Basic silhouettes with straight forward colors allow very few of them to end up on the worst dressed list. But then there are the few that take a bit of a risk and pray that it pays off. This year's risk takers: Blake Lively and January Jones. And as far as this stylist is concerned, their respective risks definitely paid off. I LOVE Blake Lively's look. It is sexy (amazing boobs anyone?), it is sleek, it is the color of the moment and it is different. Her hair borders on alien invasion, but somehow it really does work with this look. I think the sleek front mixed with the messy braided pony tail are a slam dunk. Paired with an amazing silhouette of a dress that simply fits her body like a glove, Blake Lively looks the best she ever has. Gold star. And then there is January Jones. Space age meets Hollywood glamor has never looked so good. Who knew that these two genres would make such a glorious team? The hard edge of the beading combined with the structured hip were an amazing compliment to her flowing train. With such a strong top half, it was important to pair it with a more feminine bottom half. She brought the feminine feeling up through her soft hair and make-up reminding us that she is a classy lady with a touch of retro funk. She created a classically Mad Men look with a 2009 twist. You also receive a gold star January Jones.
Word must be getting around town that I am the hostess with the mostess. Only 2 days after my lovely gig over at Rebecca and Drew for Fashion's Night Out, I was off to Bloomingdale's in the Short Hills, New Jersey mall. My presence was requested to host an event for their brand, Aqua. It was a rockin' 80's party with a DJ and "photographers" (quotation marks are reserved for those people that actually attended the event). Unfortunately, many of the girls buying the clothing were not even born in the 80's. Oy, my wrinkles are hurting right now. The day was simple, easy and super fun. Basically, in 80's terminology, it was rad. I had an entire department of clothing at my disposal and models to dress... Oh yea, and I was allowed to wear anything I wanted throughout the day. Can you say outfit change much? Aqua has apparently gone 80's crazy because there was leggings galore, sequin coming out my ears and the hemlines seemed to be reaching shirt lengths. Oh how I love the 80's!!! The great part about the line is that there were women shopping in the department that ranged in age anywhere from 14 to 65. Love it. As I continually noted throughout the day, trends can be worn by mostly anyone, from any background, it is a matter of how many pieces you decide to pile on. Teeny boppers have the option to completely rock it out, while the more mature crowd should really only reach for one piece. I myself, being 30 and a stylist, have the chance to push the envelope a bit while still choosing a more sophisticated version of this 80's tornado of style. Having 2 lovely young models to dress, ages 16 and 18, I got to live out my crazy 80's fantasy over and over again. They had about 5 outfit changes and all of them were created out of my very leather and fluorescent mind. Have I mentioned I love that overdone era? It certainly didn't hurt that I was dressing girls that were 5'9 and thin.... It always seems to make outfit creations look better... I guess that is why they have the jobs they do. Damn the young, skinny, tall, hot girls! Again, my wrinkles are hurting. So most of me is really excited that the lovely decade from 20 years past is back again. The only time my head really hurts is when I see overdone, ice wash, ripped, skinny, high-waisted jeans lurking around the store. Otherwise, if done correctly, the 80's can seriously be fun and seriously vamp up your look. Loud materials, fun colors and shiny anything never really did hurt a gal. Add some studding to your life and accept that you love the 80's too! Bloomingdale's Aqua Line: Check it out!!!
You should know by now (if you are an avid reader), that most things I buy have a story behind them. Why should this dress be any different? Almost 5 years ago, while living in Chicago, I wandered into my favorite second hand store (think Goodwill here), and found this fabulous creation. It was old, it was wrinkled, it was amazing. My eye was instantly drawn too it's Missoni-esque style. The fit was slightly off and it was a floor length gown, hardly wearable, but for 5 bucks it was mine. I seriously only paid $5. The truth is that other people would have seen grandma's old, beat up dress where as I saw lots and lots of MOD possibility.
You know that if I was going to show off my $5 "Missoni" dress from a Goodwill style store, I was going to go all the way. Why style things boring when you can style things fabulous?!? I really went with the mod feeling of the dress and pulled out all of the 60's stops. You never want to feel like you are wearing a costume, but why not use what the dress is giving you? This dress was giving me retro fabulous. I went completely vintage and pulled out my silver clutch that also cost me no more than $10. Ladies and gentleman, here we have a $15 look prior to shoes and jewelry. Who is a recession proof fashionista now? I slathered on dark sparlky silver nail polish, the color of the moment, and 2 of my favorite vintage-esque rings. All in all, I was a sparkly silver masterpiece!
My black patent leather round toe wedges completed the look. They were feminine with a bit of sex appeal. They sealed the deal on the cute, sassy 60's feel I was going for. Of course styling does not end with the ensemble, so my make-up and hair had to be done up right! Complete with a cat-eye and a teased out pony tail with side-swept bangs, I had achieved my MOD goal.
