Trend Alert: Studded Accessories

"I've seen this before!" was the first phrase that came to mind when thinking of the trends for this F/W 2008 fashion season. If you were born after, lets say...1985, it's likely to all seem new to you - but for the rest of us, we're kicking ourselves in the butts when we think of the last car load of clothes we donated to Goodwill!

Over the next few days we'll spend some time looking at some of the hottest forcasted trends for the next 6 months!

Remember the studded leather bracelets from way back when? Yeah..well, whodathunk the style would make a comeback? Thanks to our favorite fictional trendsetter fashionista, Carrie Bradshaw, who made Manolo Blahnik a household name - the studded accessories are back in full force!



The Carrie Belt retailed for upwards of $120 earlier this summer, and according to the Patricia Field website, is currently sold out!

Here we have Emma Stone rocking another style of the studded belt:




Nicky Hilton and her purple studded bag:



And the Burberry Studded Platform shoe:



Enjoy the rest of your day ladies! Get-studded!

Shop online: Trendy|Stylish|Affordable - Oh So Chic Boutique

Trend Alert: Dip dye/Tie dye & The Maxi Dress

Dip-dye maxi dresses = What you get when you combine two of the hottest trends of the summer!

If you have an aversion to throw-back fashion, this summer season has been the pits for you! We've revisited retro/mod prints, full june cleaver-esque skirts on dresses, rompers and tie dye/dip dye!

Honestly, I didn't really appreciate the multi-colored prints until I got older. I hated being forced to make tie-dye tshirts as a kid, I rarely - if ever, wore 'em. But it's funny how things change as we get older! (lol)

How cute is Jessica Alba in her dip-dye maxi?



The Diabless Ombre Print Maxi available at Asos for $378







Pink Pixie dip-dye maxi dress available at Oh So Chic for just $61




Shop online: Oh So Chic Boutique | Affordable, Trendy, Chic

Trend Alert: Hair Edition - Inverted Bob

Two words for the inverted bob trend: LOVE.IT! It's layered, it's styled, it's angled, and it's got body - absolutely fabulous!

I've always been daring when it comes to changing my hairstyles. I have a facial shape that goes perfectly with just about any cut. From short pixie cuts, to long extensions, blackberry red to superman blue - I probably changed styles twice a year.

A couple years ago I decided to lay off the permanent dyes, throw away the scissors -and let my hair grow long & healthy. I resisted the urge for about 1.5 yrs. Then Victoria and Rihanna started rocking the most fierce (in my opinion at least) hairstyles of the year.




So one Thursday evening during the Spring I finally said "Screw it....I'm getting my hair cut". About 3 hours later I walked into the house minus about 5 inches of hair! My SO gave me the iciest look ever! To say he wasn't very excited with my new look would be an understatement. "It's just hair", I told him -"it'll grow back."

Three months later and it's starting to grow back. I'm caught in that "in between" stage of growing out a hair cut. It's growing out in the same shape as the cut, but anyone who has ever tried to overcome layers knows how much good that is.

I saw this picture of Tichina Arnold at this weekends Essence Music Festival and fell in LUST with the dark hair color. My own color is a dusty brown. Kinda "blah", nothing special really. After seeing Tichina's color, I am >>this<< close to going back to jet-black. I'll keep you all posted on what I decide.

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We have several new arrivals coming in over the next few days. Here's the first - Sunset Tea Party Dress, affordably priced tea-length dress at just $49. Available in bright orange, limited quantities and will not be re-stocked once it's sold out!



Shop online today: www.OhSoChicBoutique.com - Affordable Womens Boutique

Trend Alert: The Romper

The jury is still out on this summers trend, a twist on the old school jumper, the stylish and chic romper ! I'd go as far as saying it has polarized bloggers more than HRC vs. BHO split the democratic party in this years primary season! Yup!!

To some it's a painful reminder of that youthful period in their lives when they had absolutely no control over their wardrobe (lol) to others - it's a grown up twist on an young person classic. We've seen them everywhere - from Beyonce, to Rhianna, to Nicole Richie - but just because the stars are wearing them, doesn't mean we have to love them, right?






Personally, I'm still very much torn. Though by all accounts, my body type would be considered slender, I have extremely long legs to be 5'4, and wear a DD cup! So a romper that is fun and playful on someone else, will be sex kitten on me. So to that extent, I have to be EXTREMELY careful.

Generally, I'm an advocate of the fact that beauty comes in all shapes & sizes. However, with the romper trend - I have to stand firm, just because they make it in your size - doesnt mean you should wear it. And that applies whether you're a size 8 or 18. The key to successfully pulling off the romper look is to be honest with yourself about your body style & shape.

* Bootymeat: Please take the size of your rear into consideration before purchasing or wearing a romper. As bootylicious as Beyonce may be, note how her romper set provides extra coverage to her hind parts.

* Waistline: If your romper has a gathered or cinched waist, take the proper precautions to ensuring that your middle is cinched as well. You all know that I am a firm believer in Spanx & other body shaping undergarments. Don't be afraid to wear one.

* Length: It's no longer a romper once it hits your knees! And on the flip side, you're veering into the territory of panties if we see camel toe and too much thigh!

We'll be adding this leopard print romper to Oh So Chic later on this week. It's very daring, and honestly - not my normal style. But I figure one of two things, I'll look really hot - or just wear it as a swimsuit cover up!!






Shop Online: Oh So Chic Boutique - Affordable Destination for Womens Fashion

Trend Alert: High-Waist Shorts

We've seen the both the high waist skirts and pants both make their comeback. Though clearly, some are hating the trend? Why? Well, because high-waisted anything tends to accentuate the parts of our body that most women have the toughest time "controlling" !

However I'm here to tell you that you din't need to be waifishly thin, or Beyonce-curvy to pull off a well put together high-waist look! A few things to keep in mind when purchasing/wearing the look

* Fit is CRUCIAL!: There is nothing more tacky that bulging buttons. Even the most fabulous diva sometimes battles with a case of bloating or extra belly. This is why I personally believe in the power of the Spanx! If you are a woman over the age of 21 years old, you should own several quality body shaping & firming undergarments. In my most humble opinion of course!

* Whats up top?: In the case of the high-waist, what you wear on top is equally important to what you're wearing on the bottom. Keep the tops sleek and fitted. A cute tank, or fitted top that can be tucked in? Perfect!

Here are a couple affordable options to pull of a high-waist shorts look:


Blue Cotton/denim high waist shorts: $33

Yellow and white high waist shorts: $33