2013-06-19T05:58:53-04:00 Carolyn Desrosiers http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=carolyn-desrosiers Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Carolyn Desrosiers Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3188259 2013-05-01T12:25:29-04:00 2013-05-01T12:25:31-04:00

Carolyn Desrosiers http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carolyn-desrosiers/
Garden Wedding



Lace cut-out back dress by MSGM

Think wearing a red dress to a wedding has been done before? Sure, you can casually leave the room if "Lady in Red" starts to play, but otherwise, wearing a red dress for a cocktail style garden wedding is as classic as classic gets. This lace cut-out back dress by MSGM is understated and elegant. A simple pair of single sole pumps are quite possibly the only accessory needed.

Chapel-to-Reception Weddings



Strapless stretch-jersey mini dress by Catherine Malandrino

Going with a classic cocktail dress for chapel-to-reception type weddings is your best bet. With these weddings, you usually need to find a place to pass the time in between the wedding and the reception so it's best to choose a dress that's stylish and comfortable. This strapless dress by Catherine Malandrino is made of a stretch-jersey material which is lightweight and won't wrinkle easily after sitting in it all day.

Cocktail Wedding



Sequin wrap-effect dress by Burberry London


Generally, I wouldn't recommend wearing sequins to a wedding but this dress would be perfect for an evening cocktail wedding. This type of wedding is becoming much more common these days which means that you are okay to wear an evening dress to the ceremony. Generally though, unless the ceremony is later than 7 p.m .followed immediately by the cocktail party and reception, sequins shouldn't be an option. Sure, this Burberry dress may be a little out of reach price-wise, but it's spectacular.

Some additional tips for wedding guest attire:

1. More is more when it comes to coverage. Be mindful of the length on your dress - avoid mini-skirts. Be sure to bring along a nice tailored cropped jacket if you're going with a strapless dress.


2. Follow the dress code if there is one. If the invitation says to wear all white, or all blue, or all polka dots, do it because it will make the bride happy. If the invitation says 'black tie optional' then cocktail attire is ok so long as it errs on the side of formal. It's the couple's day and if they want you to wear all white with purple stripes, then that's what we'll do.


3. Mind your toes! You've done it, I've done it. But try to avoid bringing flip flops for the dance floor. Instead, tuck away a pair of those Dr. Scholl's roll-up flats into your clutch for dancing into the wee hours of the evening.


4. Do not wear a white dress. Or ivory or cream for that matter, under any circumstances.

Ultimately, be sure to find something that expresses your personality, makes you feel great and is something that you will wear again. After all, you're not a bridesmaid so you might as well get multiple events out of the dress.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2856794 2013-03-14T07:34:08-04:00 2013-05-14T05:12:01-04:00

Carolyn Desrosiers http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carolyn-desrosiers/ Dexter, then Homeland, with a few others in between. While these shows are entertaining, I found that something was missing. Each of these shows have strong female leads, albeit each with their own flaws, but where was the fashion? Where was the smart and capable leading lady with her own stellar style?

And then, I started watching House of Cards. That's when my longing for a strong female lead with a great wardrobe was not only answered, but exceeded by the inimitable, Claire Underwood. In her, I found a female lead whose fashion sense actually enhanced her character, and let me tell you, the woman knocks it out of the park with corporate style.

It helps that Robin Wright, the actress who plays Claire Underwood, is impeccable in her own right. Her svelte figure feeds into Claire's commanding presence in her power suit-dresses. Claire's corporate fashion style is a clear winner. In a time where office attire is becoming increasingly relaxed, it's refreshing, and somewhat evocative, to see a female character work a sexy, yet elegant, corporate look with style. Here are five ways that you can get Claire's style:




1. A simple, form-fitting sheath dress

Claire frequently wears form-fitting sheath dresses that allow her to transition from the office to her husband's official political events with ease. Her taste for minimalism is appealing as she accessorizes with interesting necklines, rather than jewellery. Of course, running around from power meetings to her husband's award ceremonies means that Claire relies on a sturdy pair of black pumps. I'm convinced that we, as the viewer, are meant to see the red sole on the bottoms of her heels as she casually flicks them off in countless episodes. The devil may wear Prada, but Claire wears Louboutins.

How to get Claire's look: A solid black pump may not be avant garde to the fashion world, but it is a style necessity for Claire. Find an sheath dress with an interesting feature, like an asymmetric neckline, similar to the one that Claire wore in the episode where they return to Frank's alma mater.




2. A crisp button-down shirt

Claire gives a nod to menswear in a couple of episodes by wearing a crisp button-down shirt. An essential aspect of any corporate vixen's closet, her button-down shirt is fitted and tailored to fit her form. When Claire goes for the menswear look, she really goes for it with a complementary pair of dark frames, that only she is able to pass off as corporate chic, as opposed to trendy.

How to get Claire's look: Choose button-down shirts that are fitted to your body and are not boxy. Balance them out with a classic corporate style piece -- the pencil skirt. A solid pair of dark-rimmed glasses complete the look.




3. A tailored coat

No one wears a coat like Claire. The woman could put on a windbreaker and still look incredibly important and stylish. She would never. Rather, the coats that she opts for throughout the series are simple, classic pieces ranging from a dark trench coat to a camel wool coat. In each case, they both look like they have been tailored to suit her, and quite frankly, they look expensive.

How to get Claire's look: When it comes to proper, scene-stealing coats, you need not choose interesting styles or different colours. Claire demonstrates that classic shapes and styles are best so long as they are fitted immaculately to the body. Coats are items that are well worth the investment because it shows.

4. A bodycon cocktail dress

House of Cards has me believing that every wife of a politician has an arsenal of cocktail dresses at the ready. In Claire's closet, you find simple strapless dresses in her characteristic form-fitting and neutral-colour style. That's not to say that her dresses are boring, when in fact, she knocked it out of the park in the episode where she just so happens to wear this to the same event that her incredibly handsome photographer ex-lover is also attending. That, my friends, is how 'effortless' is done in Claire's world.

How to get Claire's look: It's really hard to get Claire's look when she looks so impossibly chic in this dress. But, for cocktail events, we can work from three simple rules: choose a style that shows off your most flattering features (which for Claire is her strong shoulders and defined collarbone), that hits you at an appropriate length for the event that you are attending, and most importantly, that you feel extremely confident in.




5. An 'I Mean Business' Bag

I have probably never wanted a bag more than after watching Claire so easily throw her dome shaped 'Muse' bag by Yves Saint Laurent on her desk at the office or slam it down on the coffee table at home. Being so casual with a designer bag means that it is easily replaceable for her, while others of us might treat it to its own chair at restaurants. Besides this apparent display of affluence, the bag with its heavy hardware and jet black leather shows us that Claire means business and makes me want it even more.

How to get Claire's look: There's no easy way around this one other than to get a banging bag. One that works for your style, except, please treat it with care.

After admiring Claire's wardrobe for an entire season, I've realized that a great deal of Claire's corporate style comes down to her attitude. She is incredibly confident in herself and she wears clothes that reflect this. She knows the colours, fits, shapes, and cuts that work for her and she nails them each and every time. If only the rest of us can be so consistent. Until then, grabbing a button-down shirt and some dark rimmed glasses is a pretty good place to start.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2682064 2013-02-15T12:57:43-05:00 2013-04-17T05:12:01-04:00

Carolyn Desrosiers http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carolyn-desrosiers/
There's something that this Oscar Class of 2013 can take from the award show veterans that have, and continue to, grace the red carpet before them. Notably, Jessica Lange, Glenn Close, and Helen Mirren are red carpet wonders that have worked their best features at the recent Golden Globe Awards, and at numerous award shows over the years. Aside from the fact that this talented set of actors seem to defy aging, they also play up their best features, know the styles that suit them, and work the red carpet like pros. Anne, Jessica, and Jennifer, take note: here are three simple style lessons from the red carpet pros.


Photo Credit: Jmendel.com


1. Play Up Your Best Feature Like Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange leads the way in effortless allure. No side boob or Angelina Jolie leg needed. Instead, Ms. Lange knows that her best features are her defined collarbone, pert shoulders and elongated neck. It's no wonder that she opted for off-the-shoulder gowns at both the 2013 Golden Globes and the 2013 SAG Awards. Whether you're attending an award show or not, choosing a dress that shows off your best features has a big effect on how confident you feel in what you're wearing.


Photo Credit: Getty Images


2. Work Your Curves on the Red Carpet Like Helen Mirren

Not one to shy away from a form fitting dress Helen Mirren is known for showing off her enviable curves on the red carpet. On top of that, she has fun and coyly smiles for the photogs as she makes her way into the theatre. What we can learn from Ms. Mirren is to choose gowns that accentuate your form, but are also easy to move in. What good is a dress that shows off your curves if you can't properly walk in it? There's nothing worse than seeing an actress struggling to make it up a tiny set of stairs for their pre-show interview with Ryan Seacrest. Instead, let's work the body that our mama gave us in a dress that's tight, but not so much so that we can't breathe.



Photo Credit: John Shearer/Invision/AP

3. Wear Your Best Colour with Confidence Like Glenn Close

Glenn Close always looks like she has the best complexion in the business on the red carpet. This may be because she naturally has great skin but it also helps that she consistently chooses colours that work for her skin tone. Often choosing jewel-toned gowns, Glenn donned a warm emerald gown for last year's Oscars and most recently, she wore a deep sapphire gown at the Golden Globes, both by Zac Posen. These colours not only work best for her skin, but they also go great with her hair. Our Oscar leading ladies of 2013 should take their colour cues from Ms. Close and choose a gown in a shade that complements, rather than competes with, their look.

Finally, so much of looking good on the red carpet comes down to how you pose for the photographers. Our red carpet veterans have relaxed poses and even appear to have fun on the red carpet. So, Anne, Jessica and Jennifer, on Oscar night let's try to stand up straight, relax the tight grip you've got around your Swarovski encrusted box clutch, and smile a little...with teeth. I eagerly await February 24 in the hopes that you will take style cues from those before you. After all, who doesn't want to look like Jessica Lange?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2558127 2013-01-28T12:43:01-05:00 2013-03-30T05:12:01-04:00

Carolyn Desrosiers http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carolyn-desrosiers/
I suffer from sticker shock anxiety just like the next wardrobe investor, I just prefer to be shocked and amazed by the incredible discount that I've found rather than shocked and disappointed by the actual retail price. I believe that with persistence, and a little bit of effort, you can pretty much get the designer item that you covet for less. From one designer sale shopper to another, here are my tried and true tips for getting that highly covetable investment piece for your wardrobe, for less.

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Shop often

Stores like Winners and Marshalls carry discounted items from department stores and get new, yet selective, inventory every day. So when that perfect designer dud comes in, you need to be there to snatch it up. If the price point is still too high for your budget, make regular trips to the location to see if it has been discounted even further.

To get the best deals, visit your favourite department store's discount location, like Holt Renfrew Last Call or Nordstrom Rack. These locations carry the items that didn't sell in the regular department store and they are often a great place to find staple pieces, like a quality blazer or a little black dress, for less. For an even bigger discount, learn where the clearance rack is located in the store and make sure that when an item you want lands in this section, that you purchase it or somebody else will.

Go online

Often you can find the same clothing that you found in store, for less online. The challenge for any shopper will be to walk away from the item that you tried on in store. You won't get the same instant gratification from in-store shopping but if you do your research and monitor the prices online, you will likely find the item at a lower price.

Online shopping requires just as much effort as shopping in person for the designer piece that you want. When you find an item that you love, whether in store or online, do a quick Google search to find out the prices that other retailers are offering for that same item. Don't just stop at the Google search because sale prices are often not reflected on the item until it is viewed on the retailer's website.

Do the math

Math may not be my strong point but I appreciate what it can tell me regarding the size of the discount that I am getting and the average cost that I will pay for the item per wear. I'll admit it, I appreciate sales more when the discount is large, as I'm sure most of you do as well. Have a general sense of what discount percentage that you are looking for and use this as a baseline for the price that you are willing to pay for your item.

Price-per-wear apps can aid in your decision to purchase an investment piece for your wardrobe. They calculate the cost of an item against how many times you think you will wear it over a certain period of time. An item that costs $500, that you will wear two times each month for a period of five years will cost you approximately $4.20/wear. Those patent leather Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane Pumps seem like a better investment at $4 per wear over the course of five years. Of course, you can do this on a calculator, but the apps easily do it for you.

Remember, building a closet full of investment pieces doesn't happen overnight, so be patient and don't blow your budget on items that are out of reach just because they are on sale. With a little effort and some savvy shopping, these tips will help you to get over your sticker shock and get on your way to stocking up your closet with classic and quality investment pieces.

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