by Renae Virata

Usually, we pick out what to wear to please ourselves and (admit it!) others.  But today is one of those days where what you wear makes a statement.  In support of National Wear Red Day from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to bring awareness of heart disease, we have some red looks that are sure to look great and support a great cause.Mango dress, $59.99; Mango jacket, $179.99; Mango convertible purse, $34.99; Mango platforms, $109.99.

Fergie Beatnik platform heels, $89.99.

ModCloth Heart tee, $27.99 (and perfect for some Valentine’s Day cheer)

Photo | Sports Then and Now

Are you ready for some football?!  It’s that time of year, once again, to gather ’round the tube with your favorite sports fans to watch the Giants versus the Pats.  But even if your team isn’t battling it out on the field, you can still look your best wherever you watch the game.

Tips for Super Bowl Style

• Don’t be afraid to rock a team jersey like the guys.  These days they make fabulously slim-fitting, ladies jerseys.  Try Touch by Alyssa Milano or go to NFL.com and shop their selection of Pats and Giants gear.

Touch by Alyssa Milano Patriots slim-fitting tee, $29.99

• Maybe you don’t want to spend money on an actual team look but want to let everyone know who you’re backing?  Sport their colors!  Tru Colors, started by two Southern sorority girls where football is BIG, has a great line of team color-based silhouettes that you can wear anytime.

Tru Colors apparel, Stafford dress in Giants colors, $78

Outfit Ideas

• Leggings/skinny jeans, jersey (if it covers your you-know-what), casual boots, flats, wedges
• Simple dress in team color, scarf in other team color, tights, boots
• Jeans, jersey, chic street sneakers
• Thick denim shorts, team tee, long-sleeve tee underneath, casual boots if it’s cold, wedges if it’s warmer with no tights

The holidays are over, but it’s still winter, right?  If you are lucky enough to squeeze in a couple more good ski trips in through March, then good for you!  I got some great insight from John Gates over at the fabulous European-based ski-wear boutique Jet Set for trends and tips on what to wear in the ever-popular snow sport destination, Aspen, Colorado. Thanks for the great advice, John!

Photo | Marie Claire

by Sinta Jimenez

Dressing for Thanksgiving is one of those occasions where one has to think realistically as a major consideration for stuffing, mashed potato and turkey related bloat must be made! There’s nothing that makes an outfit looks worse than discomfort, and I am never comfortable when I can’t eat what I want or if something feels too tight. Thankfully most clothing during the holiday season isn’t revealing and definitely meant to be cozy. I love traditional classics, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but there are always ways to bring fashion inspiration to tried and true coordinates.

Sinta’s Top Tips

• Thanksgiving isn’t Christmas, so don’t pull out the fancy tartans, bright whites and hunter greens yet.
• Do think of autumn colors as a way to say goodbye to Autumn — warm purples, amber, gold, orange.
• November can be downright frigid in some parts of the country so definitely stay warm – another reason why if you haven’t invested in some good cashmere for a warm but semi-formal option yet, go on and do so this year. Silk is light and breathable for the summer but also warm as a layer beneath a knit for the colder months, so again, if you haven’t invested in a silk blouse yet do so now!
• Low waist skirts, loose or drop waist dresses are perfect to give you the extra comfy room after dinner
• Lots of people go home for Thanksgiving and it’s a time of reunion. If you’ll be going out the same night as dinner with old high school buddies think forward for what would double as a going-out coordinate.

If your family and friends are doing it ultra-casual, try pairing a super low-key shirt such as a plaid flannel with a comfy satin skirt, opaque tights and low-heeled booties.

Click to shop: Esprit plaid shirt, $59.50; Mango satin skirt, $49.90; G by Guess booties, $69.99

For a more proper dinner go for a high quality cashmere sweater and a silk or brushed wool skirt for a cozy, comfy but chic ensemble. Or try a drop waist dress worn under a long knit duster. Dress up with traditional baubles like pearls and diamonds but layer your necklaces and bracelets heavily for a modern sensibility.

Click to shop: Pure Collection 100% cashmere sweater, $198; Esprit wool skirt, $79.50; Modcloth heels, $133.99.

Going out on Thanksgiving with old friends calls for a bit of dress-to-impress but also comfort for a long evening of catching up. Your favorite jeans may be a little tight after feasting so again consider wearing a skirt or dress. Try a sexy leopard print dress to add some fun to the inevitable of wearing tights and a heavy coat.

Click to shop: Minnie Rose leopard print dress, $187

Think of creative contrasts for your old favorite holiday pieces. Many people have certain items they re-use year after year. By thinking of adding a different texture to your coordinate or how to incorporate current trends to your own wardrobe, you’ll definitely come up with something new and exciting for Thanksgiving!

• J.Crew for cashmere and updates to your traditional holiday pieces
• NetAPorter for that necessary touch of couture
• Shopbop for a trendy piece

About Sinta

Sinta Jimenez’s previous incarnations: rolling stone, financial analyst, law student, herbal specialist, waitress, model, wild child, ballet dancer, student, surfer, world traveller. Current incarnation: mother, lotus amidst fierce flames. From birth to death: artist, writer, poet. A lifelong student of the arts, she received her Masters in Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design in 2010. Born in Manila,  she was raised and lives in DC. Check out her fabulous blog Hail to the Chic. Photo taken in Los Angeles.

Read Sinta’s posts.

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

by Renae Virata

Phoenix is a hot place to visit and a hot place to be.  So if you plan to make a trip out to the appropriately nicknamed “Valley of the Sun” from June to mid-September, check out these tips to stay cool.

The desert is a major influence on how people dress, from the extreme heat to a proclivity towards enjoying the outdoors when possible.  So like most cities in the Southwest, Phoenix’s style culture leans more towards the casual end of the dress scale. It’s also a reflection of the typical Phoenician’s informal yet friendly attitude.

Although trends are not missed by the most up-to-date fashionistas, it’s really accessories that distinguish the Phoenician’s outfit.  From hats to statement jewelry to funky footwear, simple silhouettes and minimal layers are dressed up with a touch of something special here and there.  Nothing looks better in the bright sunlight of a Phoenix day than the brightest of colors.  A look around any venue will show off an array of hot pinks, bright yellows – even neutral outfits stood out with pops of color from bright bags, belts or earrings.

The big trends this summer?  Denim cut-offs with blousy tops paired up with lace-up or cowboy boots. Hair accessories are extremely popular as well – hairbands with all sorts of adornments (flowers and bows, especially) and very light straw fedora hats, for example.

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What should you wear for your trip to Phoenix? Fill out our My Stylist form to find out!

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What to Wear

• Light, airy silk blouses in bright colors or patterns to layer over a thin tank or cotton bra-let.
• Not your thing?  Try a 100% cotton woven henley or button-down with a fresher tab collar with either short or 3/4 sleeves.
• If you can and you love ‘em, just pack a bunch of dresses!  You can’t go wrong with a simple slip of a dress and sandals.  A simple tank dress to layer under a blouse or wear alone, a flirty floral mini, even a cotton or silk-blend romper will keep you cool and make it easy to pack.  Don’t forget to accessorize with hats, belts and/or even a super light scarf.
• Bring a pair of funky shorts.  High-waisted, cuffed, banded on the bottom, in voile or with special adornments like ruffles or a tie-waist, they’ll automatically up the fashion ante of your outfit, keeping your look interesting but helping you dress simply.
• The versatile mini in a solid color and a simple A-line, skimming silhouette.  Dress it up or down, wear it with a boxy tee and tank, then use as a cover-up at the pool.

Perfect for just hanging out or shopping in Old Scottsdale.

Click here to shop the entire look created by the My Stylist application on WeareverTheWeather.com: Zhenzi Cardigan $60.16, Delia’s maxi dress $49.50, Old Navy sandals $19.50, OR by orYANY metallic hobo $295.

Grabbing lunch? Stay cool outside in a fedora and super light pieces.

Click here to shop the entire look created by the My Stylist application on WeareverTheWeather.com: D&T by David & Young fedora $26, ApartStyle blouse $89, Hali silk shorts $228, Steve Madden platforms $89.95.

Dress up a casual cotton dress for a cool night on the town.

Click here to shop the entire look created by the My Stylist application on WeareverTheWeather.com: Ruby Belle dress $81.73, Spiegel metallic platform heels $59, Lodis crossbody $128.

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

Fear not, though! With all this mention of heat, you can quickly find relief under the cool spray of the commonplace misting systems and full-blast ACs across the city. Keep in mind, too, what you will be doing while in Phoenix.  Hiking up Camelback or horseback riding in Cave Creek will require a very specific wardrobe.  If you plan to travel to Flagstaff, make sure you bring a light jacket.  Even in the summer, average highs reach about 82 degrees F (28 degrees C) while the lows can be in the forties (single digits in Celsius!).

Source | Climate-Zone.com

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Don’t leave for your trip without Access America Travel Insurance. From travel delay coverage to missed connection coverage, they’ve got you covered!

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by Renae Virata

I was fortunate to find Ellie at the Indianapolis International Airport when I landed at midnight from Phoenix.  For such a late night, she was super cute in her totally together travel get-up. What makes Ellie’s look work is her artful way of putting things together and accessorizing.  The easy cotton shorts in a stand-out olive color, cuffed ankle boots, summer fedora and pendant necklace totally work with her rolled-up denim button-down. It was no surprise that Ellie works at the fashion-forward Broad Ripple boutique Niche owned by the equally stylish Erica.

Shorts and boots of all heights and styles have taken center stage this season despite the heat.  From the dry heat of Phoenix to the humidity of Indy, the preferred footwear for the stylish traveler this summer is a cool pair of boots to wear with a variety of shorts.

by Renae Virata

It’s hard to dress light for the hot Phoenix weather while dressing comfortably for a flight, too, but these two Travelistas made it happen.

Sarah, on her way from Minneapolis, donned a super light and super cute bright floral romper and espadrilles.  Extra “cool” points for the fabulous open back.  Her belt added just the right extra to “tie” it all together.

White jeans are back this summer but to do it light, try a thin, striated pair like Donna’s.  The texture in her jeans in addition to the open-weave cardi and adorable animal-print kitten-heeled slides add just the right amount of detail to make this simple outfit more put together and chic. (If you are ever in Boise, Idaho, be sure to visit Donna at her yoga studio Sumits Yoga.)

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

by Sinta Jimenez

I describe Hawaii as surfer style meets Asian pop. Given the diverse background in Hawaii where many of the locals are hapa (meaning mixed) of various ethnic Asian groups, White (haole), and Native Hawaiian one cannot avoid or help but appreciate the beautiful combination of these cultures pervasive in all things from food to fashion.

What to Wear and Pack | Style Inspirations | Weather | Shopping

Hawaiian surf culture is definitively the mother of surf and water sports of all kinds, which are pervasively popular amongst locals. During a recent trip to Hawaii, I went swimming at one beach and encountered many locals waving hello to each other, the morning swim clearly a shared community ritual. I was most fascinated by what appeared to be ancient Asians, older in the face but incredibly youthful and healthy in their tattooed bodies.  Mainland honeymooners come for the romantic sunsets, surfers come in drove, and Japanese tourists with their characteristic idiosyncratic are the foreign influences. Despite seemingly opposing backgrounds everyone in Hawaii seems perfectly happy to get down Hawaiian-style in breezy dresses, tank tops, flowers behind the ear, kukui nut leis, and surfer brands.

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What should you wear for your trip to Hawaii? Fill out our My Stylist form to find out!

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Dress for the weather, dress for the adventure! In Hawaii whether your adventure is laying on the beach, going for a hike, suring, deep sea fishing, sailboat-ing dress is certainly dictated by function, not just form. Even the extremely fashion-conscious will feel awkward in heels and unnecessary layers. When I was there, I wanted a wardrobe of a million shirts by Hawaiian surf brands Local Motion and Blue Hawaiian Surf!

Top tips:

• Practical: Flip flops; tank tops; a breezy white dress or two for a couple days into your vacation to show off your tan(!); leave-in conditioner for those planning to spend lots of time in the water, keeping those tresses healthy.
• Fashion staples: A flower behind your ear, a kukui nut or shell lei, a great tan.
• Trends: I have been to Hawaii over the span of a decade and have not seen a single trend or great change in fashion over those years.  It’s always a t-shirt and shorts place and always will be!

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Casual outfit: Flip flops, tank top, a hoodie for when the sunsets, a flower behind your ear and a lei

Click on an item to shop this look: Hessnatur organic hoodie, $75; Apartstyle.com tank, $49; OneTeaspoon boyfriend denim cut-off shorts, $88.89; Old Navy thong sandals, $10.50; Ana Accessories flower hairclip, $9.99.

Dressier outfit: A flower behind your ear, a lei, a breezy maxi dress in floral patterns or white

Click on an item to shop this look: T by Alexander Wang dress, $155; Miz Mooz platform sandals, $109.99; Capelli straw bag, $42.

Nightlife: Wear whatever you want or feels right but no need to really pull all the stops especially those of you used to doing that in Los Angeles or New York. A sexy, tight tank top dress and dressier jewels is more than enough!

Click on the item to shop this look: Diane von Furstenberg tank dress, $225.

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Sinta is wearing a kimono cardigan, incorporating the Japanese influence with a casual coordinate of a tank and cutoffs is perfect for a day around the island!

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While in Hawaii make sure you check out a lot of the only locally available goods and brands. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts, Maui Kookwees Cookies, and a Local Motion shirt are a must!

• Ala Moana Mall for a huge selection of couture and local brands
• Blue Surf Hawaii
• T&C Surf Designs
• Local Motion
• Hilo Hattie for Hawaiian souvenir essentials
• Shirokiya for Japanese goods and clothing. I bought my daughter an adorable traditional summer kimono (yukata) here and traditional hairpins!

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Don’t leave for your trip without Access America Travel Insurance. From travel delay coverage to missed connection coverage, they’ve got you covered!

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About Sinta

Sinta Jimenez’s previous incarnations: rolling stone, financial analyst, law student, herbal specialist, waitress, model, wild child, ballet dancer, student, surfer, world traveller.  Current incarnation: mother, lotus amidst fierce flames.  From birth to death: artist, writer, poet.  A lifelong student of the arts, she received her Masters in Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design in 2010. Born in Manila, raised in DC, she currently lives in Los Angeles.  Check out her fabulous blog Hail to the Chic.

Photo | TreeHugger

by Yasemin Krause

What is so unique about San Francisco is the different ‘districts’ (what us locals call the different neighborhoods of SF), ranging from SOMA (South of Market), Marina, Pacific Heights, Haight,  the Mission, Financial District, Noe Valley and more. Within these districts, each has its own distinctive fashion. 

What to Wear and Pack | Weather | Resources | Shopping

It’s really hard to describe San Francisco’s fashion as a whole, which led me to take a snapshot of some of the fashion styles within a few different districts.  Each of the districts actually becomes defined by the different styles. What I love about SF and its fashion is that people blend trendy with creativity and their own unique style, making the fashion scene here very diverse.

Here I took at look at fashion in these three districts (and will showcase a few other districts in a future post): SOMA, Financial District and Marina.

SOMA, also known as South of Market, is a diverse district of warehouses, brick buildings and lofts, nightclubs, art spaces, furniture and art showrooms and tech companies.  It’s a young professional demographic, and you can find tech/start-up chic hipsters sipping their coffee with their iPad every morning in ‘South Park’, a small park in SOMA with a lot of urban character.

The Financial District, also known as “FiDi,” serves as San Francisco’s main central business district. If you’re traveling to SF for business, you will most likely have meetings in this area or at least stay here as it’s very central to a number of company headquarters. A cluster of high-rise buildings mark the area which is near North Beach, Union Square (read: shopping!), and Embarcadero.  While SF tends to be more casual in nature (compared to areas of New York City, for example), this is the one district of SF where a majority of men will be in suits and women in business attire.

The Marina is a very picturesque district adjacent to the municipal boat marina and borders Fort Mason, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Marina Green. The Marina is “famous” for its demographic of twenty-something to thirty-something young urban professionals and is an affluent neighborhood.  The fashion in this district is more trendy – you’ll see many Louis Vuittons take the streets.

As a denizen of this great city for more than five years, here are my top tips:

• Always have a scarf – it is true that we wear scarves 320 days out of the year here.
• Wear flats – you will walk a lot in SF.
• Layers, layers, layers.
• Cross-body bag. Ultra practical for SF in a city full of iPhones, travel junkies, and more.
• A black blazer. What I love about SF is that it’s a very ‘casual chic’ city meaning that your black blazer is a perfect balance for work and a SF happy hour.

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What should you wear for your trip to San Francisco? Fill out our My Stylist form to find out!

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Here’s a look at what fashion trends bring style culture to each unique district:

SOMA – Casual chic meets hipster

Click on an item above to shop this look: PiperLime jacket, Piperlime blouse, Hudson jeans, Banana Republic scarf, Boutique 9 shoes, JPK Paris tote, Jewellahry earrings.

Financial District – Dressy work chic

Click on an item above to shop this look: Burberry trench, French Connection blouse, French Connection pants, Banana Republic flats, Brahmin bag, Michael Kors watch

Marina – Trendy chic

Click on an item to shop it: PiperLime cardigan, Banana Republic leggings, Steve Madden boots, Longchamp tote, Nordstrom bracelet

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San Francisco weather can only be described as mild and steady each season.  The summer, for example, maintains an average high of 70 degrees F from June to October and an average low of 53 degrees F.  Come fall, though, temps drop from October to April from a high in the low 60s to a low in the low 40s.  You can be sure, though, that regardless of season, you will need to do some smart and artful layering.  Though the annual weather patterns are steady, each day can bring a fluctuation in temperature that will have you grabbing for your scarf in the morning and seeking shade by the afternoon.

Rain is rare during the summer, making San Fran a great place to visit.  The rest of the year sees 3 – 4 inches monthly for a total of only 63 rainy days annually.

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• SF Indie Fashion
• The SF Style

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• Jeremys Department Store
• Ambiance

About Yasemin
Yasemin Krause is a public relations consultant and fashion lover. She lives in San Francisco and spent some time living and studying in Florence, Italy. You can find her style and coverage of local SF fashion events on her blog Art of Moda, which incorporates her love of art and creativity with fashion. Also stay updated on the latest styles in SF and abroad on Twitter @artofmoda.

Urban Outfitters. Click to shop.

by Blazhia Monge

‘Tis the season for bright colors! Spring: a time of broad ideas, re-growth and renewal. In the fashion world, spring is the height of multi-colored trends and a time to pull out those bright colored tunics, floral prints and denim. The “in” colors this season are soft pinks, mellow greens, reds, pales blues and outspoken orange colored tops. These colors make trends like the romper and knit dresses fresh.

The beauty of bright colors are that they can be worn in any city or state – no one is immune to the infectiously happy looks and colors this spring.   But since the West Coast is known for its sunny disposition, spring’s new colors thrive here and look fabulous in the bright sunlight. California is known for its mild (read: perfect), 70-degree weather and crisp, cool winds. Try wearing print knit dresses in orange, red floral prints or pale blue. Sleek tank tops in turquoise, peach, or green look splendid with hem shorts or that cute mini skirt you’ve been dying to wear all season. If short skirts aren’t your cup of tea, try cuffed blend shorts or denim with a soft, light-colored tunic.

Check out Urban Outfitters for a great array of California looks in bright colors from their summer collection.

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What else should you wear for your trip to Los Angeles? Fill out our My Stylist form to find out!

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Ed. Note (Renae Virata):  I just discovered in person a fabulous shade that is perfect with a bright California-inspired wardrobe – a spicy shade of coral called Cajun Shrimp!  Check it out!

More Style Tips

• Since it’s a daring color, wear orange with cool white and blue accessories to even things out
• Small purses or clutches make your load light for spring
• Bracelet cuffs highlight sleeveless dresses and tops
• Sheer top, cute and air flowing

Sources: http://amsglossary.allenpress.com, AMS glossary. 30 March 2010. Web 27 April. 2011

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Don’t leave for your trip without Access America Travel Insurance. From travel delay coverage to missed connection coverage, they’ve got you covered!

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About Blazhia

Blazhia Monge is a 22-year old English and creative writing major at CSULA who is fashion-frenzied and has an eye for color and style.