This week's Designer Q & A is with Sara Simmonds, Founder and Designer of Sharkah Chakra - the luxury Fairtrade denim company. 1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?  read more »

This week's Designer Q & A is with Kate Eccles, Owner/Designer of Ruby London Denim . 1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing? Most versatile, workable, reliable garment, best investment for money in fashion terms and the key item in a wardrobe that remains fashionable season on season. 2) Last time I counted there were well over 100 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest? RUBY is known for its great fits, quality denim, relablilty and for the tonal knot detail found on ruby back yokes and pockets, as well as key fashionable organic styles. 3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer? Hard to say we go from Lindsay Lohan to Joe Whiley. 4) Where do you get your inspiration from?  read more »

We all have safety nets in our wardrobe. These are items we collect because they are comfy, they are cheap and they often remind us of younger, happier and more fun days (come now, who doesn't get excited when the weather warms up enough for flip flops?). Problem is, many of these wardrobe safety nets are devoid of any style and often end up destroying the personal style we otherwise may possesses on a given day. How do you keep it easy, breezy, yet maintain your personal style? The Flip Flop Alternative Don't get me wrong, I love flip flops as much as the next gal. This weekend when grabbing a pair so I could play in the yard with my dog, I rifled through eight different pairs to find my beloved Reefs. I have stacked ones for longer pants, crocheted ones that are a tad dressier, aqua ones to match my bathing suit, ones that work well in wet conditions, ones that work with certain sun dresses or beach coverups in my closet. The thing is, flip flops are not real shoes. They don't look like real shoes, they don't wear like real shoes (any orthopedist will tell you they are terrible for your feet), they are often dirty, run-down and ruin the line of your silhouette. Flip flops are great for the beach, the pool, the casual cookout in your friend's backyard or putting around your own; but what does a gal grab when heading to the market, to work and other places where flip flops are just not a chic choice?  read more »

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Reader Amber writes:  read more »

Edun Silk Twill Dress $295.00 Available at: saks.com Recently I had the chance to visit the Grammy Style Studio to get a sneak peak at the hottest designers catering to the stars this year . I spotted two designers that were so worthy of a mention that they deserved their own spotlight. First up: Edun. Edun is a brand that I first found out about right here at Stiletto Jungle. I read an article on the Edun ONE t-shirt and how Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, had started a socially conscious clothing line to help fight the extreme poverty in Africa by encouraging others to do business and improve working conditions and build sustainable communities in Africa. This cause hit home for me, and I absolutely wanted to participate in some way. They ended up selling tens of thousands of t-shirts worldwide and the Edun label was born. This was my top priority label when I arrived at the Grammy Style Studio; I couldnt wait to check out their new tees and see what else the company has offered since the ONE t-shirt. Imagine my surprise when Ali Hewson herself was there to explain all the pieces and the Edun mission!  read more »

Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it . How do you wear a blazer with a casual shirt?  Match the informality of your shirt–be it a polo, henley or t-shirt–to your jacket.  Choose a unstructured jacket in a casual cotton instead of your traditional wool.  You could always try the plain t-shirt under the blazer (or layered tees), but you can take the outfit up a notch by layering a fitted polo shirt over a t-shirt.  Bonus points for a brightly colored tee–we love the splash of color this creates at the neckline.  Finish the outfit off with a casual belt (woven, not leather) and a pair of stylish sneakers. Have a great tip about how to wear a blazer with a casual shirt? Share it with us in the comments!

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Keep a scarf stashed in your handbag.  You never know when it’ll come in handy.  Scarves are great for punching up a ho-hum outfit, giving you a bit of extra color, and keeping you warm from overzealous air conditioning.  Often, they do all three. 
How do you wear a scarf (in three easy steps)?  (1) [...]

Reader Caroline asks: Hi Wardrobe Oxygen, I have a large bust (36DD) and am a size 8. I can never find shirts or jackets that look right on me. How does a curvy lady look feminine but not like shes putting the girls out on display? What types of shirts and dresses should I be looking for?  read more »