Jeans for every body and every occasion

While Sarah has styled for high-end designers, she knows haute couture isn't always appropriate. She loves to find fashionable solutions for everyday life and believes comfortable and chic aren't mutually exclusive.

The Tastemaker Diaries is pleased to welcome guest blogger, Sarah, brought to you by Victoria’s Secret. She’s a professional stylist who will be sharing her favorite picks from the VS PINK fall line.

A great jean is a necessity for every wardrobe. Dressed up, dressed down, just hanging out or going out, putting on the perfect fitting pair of jeans can add to your confidence (and make your butt look even better)!

Even though Victoria’s Secret PINK only launched their denim line in June 2009, they have a range, quality, and style based on years of experience and development! With a style for every body shape and occasion, and great prices, everyday style becomes effortless with these jeans.

Try a pair of comfy, casual, trendy boyfriend jeans for an effortlessly cool look. Victoria’s Secret PINK has done all the work of breaking them in, you just have to wear them!

With the perfect amount of distressing, these flare jeans are great to throw on for an easy, downtown look. These will be your ultimate go-to jeans!

Get the whole scoop »

Posted September 23, 2009 in News

It’s the most wonderful time of the year (for fashion!)

Jackie has champagne tastes on a student budget. That’s why she keeps a close eye on celebrity trends, then scours fast fashion outlets to recreate the look for less.

It happens like clockwork: each winter I haul out my boots and warmest sweaters and begin to sacrifice style bit by bit in favor of the comfortable and the cozy.

Part of my rationalization for not being more creative is because I know I’m going to put a coat over everything I wear. If that’s the case, why bother trying?

Well, I should bother because there are lots of fantastic (and warm) winter style options.

  1. Wear this adorable toggle sweater over a long-sleeved shirt, with skinny jeans, boots and a bright scarf.
  2. Most waterproof and practical winter boots are fairly ugly. However, this cute pair from Target has a tie back so you can tighten the top around your jeans (preventing snow from wetting your socks). They also have a subtle wedge heel, which will glam up your outfit a couple notches.
  3. This newsboy hat has a Blair Waldorf-like bow on the side.
  4. Fingerless gloves are really practical: it’s easier to drive, text and open your chapstick. These have a cool military-inspired look.
  5. Shawl-collar cardigans are chic and so comfortable. They look best with a more fitted look on the bottom (either jeans or a pencil skirt, for instance) and really interesting oversized jewelry.
  6. If you have the moxie to try out a funky, faux-fur hat, by all means, wear one like this!
  7. A traditional holiday sweater like this looks good with more modern pairings. I would try it with dark leggings, flat-soled boots and a great pair of earrings.
  8. I would really like to open these Nine West boots on Christmas morning. I can’t lie: I love them.
  9. Wear a spin on the traditional Ugg boot style with these cuffed sweater boots.
  10. I really like these London Fog boots: they have a little wedge and are fur-lined on the inside.
  11. When it comes to scarves, you can’t go wrong with plaid.

What do you like to wear when the weather turns cold?

Posted December 31, 2008 in Fashion, apparel

Summer style from the stars

Jackie has champagne tastes on a student budget. That’s why she keeps a close eye on celebrity trends, then scours fast fashion outlets to recreate the look for less.

It’s time for another of my “celebrity” style posts, where we break down the looks sported by favorite stars and recreate the look for less than the cost of one Jimmy Choo.

  • This mock-croc purse from F21 echoes the feel of Mrs. Longoria-Parker’s, but at a drastically cheaper price point.
  • For petite women, it’s heels, heels, heels, all the time. Try some sky high platforms like these.
  • Watch out for over-enthusiastic air conditioning in the summer and keep some of your body heat with a cashmere scarf.
  • This melon-colored dress is light, airy and good to wear on this long, humid summer days.

Get the whole scoop »

Posted May 14, 2008 in Fashion, People, apparel

Amazons, rejoice: Terrific trouser/shoe combos for tall women

Jackie has champagne tastes on a student budget. That’s why she keeps a close eye on celebrity trends, then scours fast fashion outlets to recreate the look for less.

Elle Macpherson said this great quote:

“I used to wear heels because I wanted to show people I wasn’t ashamed of being tall. But I don’t wear them any more because you don’t have to wear heels to be beautiful. I can’t even remember the last time I wore heels.”

I was 5′11” by the time I was 15, and ever since then I’ve dodged questions about my basketball playing, volleyball playing or modeling ability (or lack thereof.) To clear things up: I played basketball in junior high, never cared for volleyball and the only time I model is for THF.

Nearly every tall woman has similar problems. Finding pants is impossible. Every knee-length skirt looks mini on you. You may have long legs, but you can’t find pajama bottoms to cover your ankles. Being tall as a woman is simultaneously the best and worst thing in the world. You feel empowered when you walk down the street, but end up in tears in the dressing room because pants just don’t fit.

I harbor such a hatred of changing rooms from all the disappointment of never finding pants that, to this day, I’ll rarely try anything on. I’d rather buy it and take it home and return it, than stand in a barren, too-bright changing room trying to pull pants down on my hips so they fit my 37-inch inseam (35 inches, plus two extra inches to allow for heels).

So, to save you the toil and trouble of searching for pants long enough to fit your legs, I’ve picked out some of my favorite styles in denim and trousers for spring…along with complimentary shoes.

Alloy.com is a tall girl’s fantasy. Pants and jeans come readily in 37” inseams, running all the way down to the petite 32”. Skinny jeans are perfect for tall women, too. They compliment your long legs, and you don’t have to worry as much about length, since skinny jeans look fine hitting you at the ankle, or slightly above, depending on what shoes you want to wear with them. This black pair is super-flattering in cut and wash, since everyone looks good in black pants.

Try skinny jeans with a punchy colored shoe for spring. It will update the look and bring it out of the dark winter doldrums.

Get the whole scoop »

Posted February 4, 2008 in apparel