Balenciaga: More than just Bags

Ahhh...the Balenciaga Lariat bag.....one of the most sought out purses in 2005 and surprisingly still going strong. But Balenciaga is more than just bags....

All items by Balenciaga

Designer Focus: Diane Von Fürstenberg

Diane von Fürstenberg (born Diane Simone Michelle Halfin on December 31, 1946 in Brussels, is a fashion designer best known for her hallmark wrap dress. In 1970, with a $30,000 investment, she began designing women's clothes. She is best known for introducing the knitted jersey "wrap dress" in 1973, an example of which, due to its important influence on women's fashion, is in the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Watch as she talks about her iconic wrap dress.....


She is my FAVORITE designer of all time. Chic, tailored, and very wearable are the words I'd use to describe a typical DVF line. I can tell you from personal experience (I have everything from her dresses to blouses to waist trench coats even swimwear), her clothes are AMAZING. She absolutely knows a woman's body. Her wrap dresses are a staple for every closet....that means people....AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE....meaning....GO OUT AN INVEST IN ONE. They are beautiful on every figure....TRUST ME! Her pieces are somewhat affordable (considering most staples can run you a couple $$$). You can find racks of them at premium outlets (Last Call Neiman Marcus, Saks Outlets) and they're also easy to spot at a good sale at Nordstrom. Here are some cute ones from her Spring '09 line.....





Diane von Furstenberg Alondra shirt dress




Diane von Furstenberg Tasha tunic dress





Diane von Furstenberg Diana wrap dress

The Next Red Bottom: Nicholas Kirkwood

I had the darndest time trying to figure out my favorites from Nicholas Kirkwood'S Spring/Summer '09 collection....Here are my top 17 out of 34....SMH...

Could my favorite CL's get a demotion for a pair of one of these hot lil thangs.....I think, YES!

The Dress for Less Número Tres

l to r: Fendi Strappy platform sandals, Topshop Grecian Bead Necklace, Forever 21 Colorblock SS Dress, Forever 21 Large Leaf Hinged Cuff, Monsoon Purple Flag Patch Frame Clutch


Now, there is absolutely no reason for y'all to be looking like "the recession".

White is Right

I was asked the other day if it was cool to wear white before Labor Day. I'd say yes with two conditions: 1. Only wear one white item (excluding a tank/tee) at a time and 2. Don't wear it on rainy days. Needless to say, I've worn white ankles boots in early March with a bad ass leather dress. It's not when you do, but how you do it!

l to r: TopShop Panel Bodycon Mini Skirt, Fendi High Heel Gladiator Shoe Boot, Burberry Prorsum Single-breasted trench coat, Stella McCartney Foldover Patent Clutch, Balmain Jeans, Zagliani Large Python Pleated Handbag

The Dress for Less part Deux.....

l to r: Giuseppe Zanotti Suede leather sandals, Charlotte Russe Filigree Shield Earrings, Charlotte Russe Button Pencil Dress, Carrera Safari Cream Sunglasses, Tory Burch Straw Bruster Clutch, Top Shop Gold Metal Bangle Set

Designer Focus: Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent, known as Yves Saint Laurent, was born August 1st, 1936. He was an Algerian-born French fashion designer who was considered one of the greatest figures in French fashion in the 20th century. In 1985, Caroline Rennolds Milbank wrote, "The most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty-five years, Yves Saint Laurent can be credited with both spurring the couture's rise from its sixties ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable". Yves died in June of '08 but the brand still lives on.



Here's a looksey at the Spring '09 Collection......





Here are some of my YSL favorites to date.....


YSL Tribute Pump
.....The most comfortable pair of 5 1/2" stilettos you'll ever put on!





YSL Tribute Boot
.....On sale now for $599.....a steal!





YSL Cage Boot
.....A true stylista will be able to appreciate these.....not for the faint of heart!

The Dress for Less

I for one, refuse to participate in this whole recession business but for those of you that would like to save a little $$ and still stunt, I'll be featuring "The Dress for Less". Here's todays.....

l to r: Balmain Studded strappy sandals, Rag & Bone Motorcycle Jacket, Wet Seal Glo Print Shift Dress, Forever 21 Pyramid Wide Elastic Belt, Balenciaga sunglasses, Fendi Crossword Patent Clutch


All dresses are priced under 30 bucks.....pretty dern good, eh?!? And btw, the post is called the "DRESS" for less.....I ain't say nothing about the shoes, purse, etc. so get it over it!

Men's Designer Focus: Dsquared2

Dean and Dan Caten were born in 1965 as Dean and Dan Caten. They are the youngest of nine children. In 1991, the brothers moved to Milan, Italy to create their own collections and become fashion designers. They debuted their men's collection in 1994, and in 2003. The brothers are known for designing clothes and staging elaborate fashion shows with "explosive energy and sex appeal." Many of their shows are based on themes such as equestrian England and the fox hunt, homelessness, a men's locker room, the Wild West, and car racing. They are definitely haute to death!



Skip to 2:50 to pass all the theatrics.....



Remember guys, you don't have to take the looks word for word. Take key timeless pieces to vamp up your wardrobe.

Men's Question of the Day.....Skinny Jeans

Today's question comes from Style Skeptic.....

Q: With the recent popularity of Skinny Jeans for Men, how do I pick the right pair? I am about 5’5'' with a Muscular Athletic Build, and I have really muscular behind, in fact, a lot of women jokingly say that I have a “Donk”. Can I wear the Skinny Jean Style without it looking over the top? Do women like to see guys in Skinny Jeans?

Sincerely,

“New Style Skeptic”

Skinny Jeans

A:
Look, I think that the "Skinny Jeans for Men" issue is nothing but a big misunderstanding. For example, if you asked me how many pairs of "Skinny Jeans" I own I'd probably look at you funny and answer "none, but all my jeans fit". Ask me about baggy jeans and you'd get the same answer. Just because a pair of jeans fit doesn't make them "Skinny" and just because they're loose doesn't make them "Baggy". No matter what they label them men should always feel comfortable in their jeans, and more important, be able to get in and out of them quicker than your girlfriend does her own (that's KEY). Picking out the right pair begins with looking at the end of the legs before even trying them on. If you're thinking to yourself "How am I going to get my big feet through those little openings?" DON'T do it, just keep it moving. Keep in mind that the jeans that you're curious about also make your feet look bigger because they don't cover them . Also, if women "jokingly say you have a ......" you probably shouldn't do anything more to draw attention to it. I'll leave you with this....I know quite a few women and the consensus is they like a man whose jeans fit him properly BUT they'd rather NOT see how muscular you are through them.

Jeans that fit

Papa Lemme Upgrade You.....

Here's a new take on an old favorite:

Before.....


After.....







Shout out to twitter.com/shizlansky for the tip!

Men's Fragrances 101

Nothing says confidence like a collection of fine colognes. Your scent is just as important as your attire. Ever talked to someone who dressed really sharp but wreaked of incents and musk? You may not remember what they had on but you do remember the odor from their body. The right or wrong fragrance can change an entire day. So put the Axe body spray down and stop buying oils from the guy on the train. Here are 3 tips to help you along your way. Remember I’m not an expert, I just shop a lot.


1. Treat Your Colognes like the Seasons: You dress warm in the winter months, so wear warm woodsy cologne. Why? It’s harder to smell in the winter months and warm cologne is very inviting. 3 to try......

• Fahrenheit by Christian Dior.....Bio: Lasts 6 to 8 hours. Easily warms up as it wears. Unique scent that’s hard to put down.

• Polo Double Black.....Bio: Classic scent for cold days. Even tone that can be identified by any woman.

• Himalaya by Creed......Bio: Costs about $125 but will set you apart from the pack. Even tone (warm/light), intriguing scent. Ladies adore Creed brand and you will too.

You wear looser clothing in the summer, so wear a cooler lighter fragrance. Why? In the summer months it’s sticky and hot and your sense of smell is better so you want to wear cologne that has a cooling refreshing scent. 3 to try:

• Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Amarni......Bio: Loose, fun has a nice movement throughout the day. Keep this in stock as you will go through it fairly quick.

• Givenchy Pi.....Bio: Very light but turns heads. Be prepared for the statement "What else comes with that Pi?”

• Armani White.....Bio: Difficult to find in stores but worth the hunt. Light, spicy but has a nice coolness. Lasts about 4 hours.

2. Buy What Fits Your Personality, Not What’s Popular: When I look for new smell goods I always say to myself “What would I like to smell if I had a headache?” “What’s something I wouldn’t mind smelling on me or my clothes when I’m feeling sick?” Sounds crazy but it’s true. There’s nothing worse than wearing something that you can’t stand only because it’s “what’s in.”



3. Bundles Are Where It’s At!: Most retailers will put together a gift set of some kind, the spray, shower gel, and after shave baum. These are great buys because the cost is less or the same as the price of a single bottle. Buyer beware! Stay clear of gift sets that have deodorant sticks as they have the tendency to damage your skin. The burning sensation does not mean its working.



Smell you later!

Thanx to guest writer twitter.com/Phileskyline

As you know this week I am abroad traveling the Mediterranean in search of amazing local fashion finds (another reason to go shopping...stay tuned for pictures). Because I'm missing in action, I decided to dedicate the entire week to the opposite sex...L' Homme....funny because I have an uncle name that but for those of you that didn't have to take French in high school it means "The Man".....so let's go!

As Promised.....

Ok Ok...I know it's bad to pre-judge but Ima go ahead and make the assumption that if you're a dude and you're reading "Poppin' Tagz" you're either with or have been with a "Bad Bitch"(with all due respect ladies) and will never go back to that chick whose bra NEVER matched her panties or the one who ONLY got pedicures during the summer (Don't front like you don't know what I'm talking about!!). This brings me to my next thought.....if that girl who was color blind and had hammer toes no longer makes the cut...and now that you're in your mid or late 20's.....shouldn't you step it up a notch to compliment the caliber of women who keep up with Poppin' Tagz (recession willing, of course)? Yeah, right? Good........Exibit A:


Yves Saint Laurent Classic High-Top Sneaker in Patent Leather


Yeah you're right, for the price of one of these, you could've bought 4-5 pairs of Nike Air Force Ones, or 4-5 pairs of Timbs but I personally have a rule against buying or wearing pieces that I was able to buy in abundance when I was 15 years old with my working papers. In "Poppin' Tagz" language that's like copping your girl a Coach or a Dooney & Burke purse in 2009!!!!!! Guaranteed break up.



Ralph Lauren Purple Label Driver Trench Coat


Burberry normally comes to mind when ever trench coats are brought up and rightfully so because they're of great quality but I plan to invest in this one when the recession loosens it's grip. It's about to be April so there are only a few more weeks you can rock this if you do it right.... dress it down with a simple V-neck white tee shirt (that fits!) dress it up with a solid white flat collared dress shirt with a Ralph Lauren Black Label Narrow Black Silk Knit Tie or Peau De Soie Tie. Don't do it at all after April unitl next October.




Levi's Capital E Matchstick Jeans (Dark Worn Wash)


Yeah I said it, Levi's! When I found out about their 'Capital E' line I was surprised cuz I associated Levi's with this old brand with really affordable (which normally means cheap or of poor quality) jeans that I never looked at but trust me on this one. To me these are the illest jeans because I can dress them up or down, absent are all of those extras that I hate on my jeans like rhinestones, glitter, secret pockets and compartments I'll never use, and funny cartoon characters (BBC Ice Cream, True Religion, etc.). When it comes to jeans keep it high quality / low special effects.




Tom Ford Eyewear Jack Resin Wayfarer

I understand that we're in the next millennium and all that but some rules don't have expiration dates. One of those rules is: it is NEVER alright to rock your SUNglasses in doors. This may be a little confusing to some but this means that even if its high noon and the sun is shining, the second you step foot into some sort of shelter they come OFF...... Let alone being the idiot in the club at 2am who lifts his SUNglasses off his nose for a few seconds when its time to pay his bar tab and sign his receipt cuz he can't see. Go figure.




So that's just a taste of a few things I'm feeling. I'd throw some more things up but I'm just a "Guest Blogger" if you will. As for my picks, you can tell that I'm into simple, classic, and timeless pieces. We're all real people and most of us don't have $2,500 to drop on that trench coat you see up there but if I did I swear I'd buy several. I'm just saying do what you can but don't over do it, know your limits and cop timeless shit!

Shout out to guest writer Richardthe1st and yes he is VERY straight and loves a fly Red Bottom Bitch....submit all inquires to poppintagz email! (He's gonna kill me for this!)

Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the Plain!

FashionFemale will be taking her show on the road to Europe today. I know y'all are gonna miss me but don't worry I have some haute posts lined up for next week. Here are a few of my must-haves for travel.

l to r: DVF Luggage, Tendence Round Gulliver Watch, Burberry Packaway Trench, Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses, Tory Burch Reva patent flats

Friday's Fashion Fact.....Christian Louboutin

Here's a little history on Mr. Red Bottoms himself

Now that you know the man click here to understand the shoe

Here is his latest design

Christian Louboutin Trash Shoe

Sick, right? Ladies, I truly believe that you can not call your closet a grown woman's closet (key word "grown") if you do not own at least one pair of these staples. Now that's a FACT!

The Hookerish Housewife

There's a new trend in fashion which entails decent, wholesome (boring) styling coupled with sky-hi platform stilettos (aka. clear heels/hooker shoes). With all the obsession over pole dancing parties and birthday parties at Onyx, it's no wonder that the life of a clear heeled-girled has found it's way to the housewife next door. I, being the Virgo I am, am all about combining the naughty with the nice. Take a look at some of my faves.....



Now do me a favor and .....

Drop And Gimme 50 - Mike Jones feat Hurricane Chris!