Dresses do double time-Marc Jacobs-Gilt.com

Gilt.com is single handedly going to ruin retail. At this sample sale price i would spring for one of these 2 Marc Jacobs dresses myself. $168. Great price-tons of flexibility=Style strategy.

Styling in today's times means looking for pieces that have optimum flexibility. A dress is never just a dress.

Always dressing for the smallest points of your body can actually look dated.. Check out LIsa Rinna, at 45, no one can deny the body she possesses.

If LR became a client of mine. Oh boy! She would smoke that much harder. A quiet attitude -far sexier. Never be afraid of losing your shape by layering.

Style tip- The first MJ dress- an ivory faille short sleeve double breasted square neck is much more than one note as you see photographed.

Open this dress up- Let it hang as a spring coat. Place the belt straps in the pockets instead of hanging. Pair over tanks and t-shirts-tons of jewelry draping. One of the most versatile items you can buy this season.

Wear over denim, trousers, short skirts, long skirts, short sleeve tops, long sleeve tops. You cannot miss or mess up with this piece.

Once you have gotten maximum wear from either dress, say bye bye-Ebay. Bet you make your entire sample sale investment back.

Double style tip- The second silk Marc Jacobs dress with shantung bodice will work really well on top of cropped pants perhaps with slits- ballet flats- gladiator style sandals.

Also pair with wide leg denim. The voluminous round neck collar creates a suiting effect without the jacket.

Color blocking-very architectural and the empire waist and a-line hem offers flexibility to the endth degree.

Are you dizzy yet? Buy what you like, make it work for your life.

Your budget needs to stretch as far as possible, make sure your options do too.

www.gilt.com

-Barbra Horowitz

Style strategies you can invest in-Giambatista Valli-Gilt.com

The NY Times just published an article that really got me riled. On a trek with 3 fashion stylists to find chic pieces for women over 40. This article is written with such ageist generalities. But that's a whole nother post.

As the article goes on to say-while the days of $20,000 Hermes bags are slowing down, a metallic leaf Marc Jacobs patterned coat for $2100 is a good buy. I'm sorry a silk dress for $1400? This freelance writer couldn't be living this large. No way!

A stylist worth their hourly rate should be choosing designer pieces at a resale/sale price-point. Who can't pick from the best collections at retail.

This article skues to the less than one percent reading the NY Times. Sure celebs who borrow from collections for press- and socialites who are able to ridiculously afford retail. If this isn't you- please read on.

Giambattista Valli is on sample sale, you know the new term for retail. GV's colorblocked strapless dress with grosgrain trim, single shoulder and empire waistline. Add unfinished hems and frayed edges. Need I say more?

Pair GV's architectural sculpted dress with a short cropped Marni or boyfriend blazer. Effortlessly navigate your day from the boardroom to cocktails.

Ohm- my mantra-If it isn't on sale, it isn't on you. This label has resale value. Wear it for the season- Sell it next.

Style tip-It's important to have just enough HI to go with your LO but please- spend it on sale-Sell it after. Clothing is no longer an investment how you buy it and when you sell it is.

Buy to Wear-Wear to Sell. Words to live by.

www.gilt.com

-Barbra Horowitz

Eye on the prize-Marc Jacobs at Hautelook.com

Check out little miss checkout! Silver lenses and silver mirroring. This frame is back to the future and your future frame is here right now.

These MJ peeps originally cost $550.00. R U kidding me!! I pity the person that paid full price. Thank g-d you know me cuz today the same frame will set you back $200 or so.

MJ does make a nice frame even if he's not designing it. You know that right? Designers license out their names to the big sunglass makers.

If you're an MJ nut then this frames for you. Otherwise look for his knock-off sister, She's out there and probably at Forever 21. The Queen of the knock-off, a very deserved title.

Style tip- Some of the frames Hautelook's showing are kind of" been there done that" That's ok. BUT you aren't reading to be OK!

You're forward, fresh and right on trends OR smart enough to read my blog. Either way, Good Girl!

Style Tip- Lucite will be trending for another season for sure. A new frame is all it takes to revive last summer's sun dress Remember you can wear them everyday and really push your ROI. Just don't lose em!

Double style tip- Once a client said to me "Barbra, I get it. If I have the right sunglasses and handbag than I can still be a slob.' How true it is.

Make sure two items of your shlep scream this season.

www.hautelook.com

-Barbra Horowitz

Sample Sale picks Monday 1/5

Oh Marc Jacobs, coveted by all, why I am not so sure. I mean, MJ is fantastic at taking from the past. Since I am a flea market aficionado it is easy to see MJ's influences for far far less at the flea. I get it, not everyone wants to scour for deals or wear someone else's shoes. So, I post today for all the MJ fans, while you are simply purchasing exact replicas from the past, you love it, so I am writing about it. I have to admit, MJ does a nice job of reinterpreting his shoe collection. I think this Mary Jane high pump is lovely. NYE may be over, but never be afraid to add a little shimmer into your everyday clothing. As we have seen for the past several season's, shimmer and glimmer are perfectly appropriate for day time as long as you don't over do it. I love this shoe for its texture and ombre coloring.

Style tip-The Mary Jane can be tough to wear with dresses unless you have model like gams. For the rest of us mere mortals, consider wearing as a pant shoe. The thick heel is fantastic for your wide legged trousers, but don't discount the rock n roll ballet effect for your skinny's as well.

www.gilt.com

Sample Sale picks Monday 1/5

As you get to know my taste, you will see running themes that I like to talk about. One of them is skin tone shoes. There is nothing more slimming for your ankle and your legs as a skin tone shoe. It offers your legs a longer, more seamless appearance. This Marc Jacobs open toe high mule is a great choice especially with the lower than 3' heel height. Most of my clients cringe at high heels but finding a heel lower than 3 inches that look like the MJ listed above, not so easy. With the mule step in and the strap crossing across your foot higher up to the ankle versus lower is very flattering on most everyone. It is tricky with straps as they can cut the foot but the mule effect in the back is really essential for that seamless, longer look on your legs.

Style Tip-This is a great trouser or denim shoe. If you are wearing with a dress and you do not feel your legs are your best asset, then make sure the dress is fuller on the bottom versus a column or wrap dress. If your legs are your favorite part of your body, then you can't go wrong with this shoe in any style of dress that you wear. Boo hoo, I swear I am coming back with legs of death in the next life.

www.gilt.com