Style

Basic Training

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I am a fan of statement pieces. A hot red shoe that steals the scene, warms my heart. BUT there are certain key basics that are great to have in your closet to showcase these items and bring everything in your wardrobe together (group hug).

Here are my top 10 basics.  What are yours?

1. BOOT CUT JEAN. These go with everything and are flattering to most shapes.  They are a base for many casual outfits however if you get a dark wash you can dress them up too.  My pick: The Bailey Boot Cut Jean in shadow from HeightGoddess.com. $129. Inseams 36"-40". Sizes 27-35.

2. CLASSIC DRESS SHIRT. You can wear this on it's own, under a cardigan or vest or blazer.  There are endless ways to wear this white crispy shirt.  It never goes out of style and pays for itself ten times over.  My pick: Wrinkle Resistant Shirt in white from Long Elegant Legs. $49. Sizes S-XXL.

3. COAT. You can't be chilly during fall and winter so a timeless coat is an investment that you need to make.  The purchase can make a dent in your pocket however if you pick a coat with great construction and a neutral color, you can throw it on with everything and stay warm season after season. My pick: Textured Coat in gray Melange from Banana Republic. $225. Sizes S-XL.

4. BLACK DRESS PANT. Think about all of the times you have needed a great pair of dress pants. Yes, about a million.  My pick: The Perfect Trouser Pant from Gap. $59.95. Sizes 00-15. 33"-37" inseams.

5&6. PUMP & FLAT.  I love shoes and don't think you could ever have too many but in the least you should have a black pump and a neutral, fun flat.  They both will be used in excess. My picks: (PUMP) Vince Camuto Korsi Pump from Nordstrom. $118.95. Sizes 4-12 in M and W width. (FLAT) Tess by Barefoot Tess Madrid Flat From All Black in taupe. $149. Sizes 11-15.

7. BASIC BLAZER. Throw this on with a light jean and scarf for a day out with friends or put on a pencil skirt and classic dress shirt with a chunky necklace.  You can wear a basic blazer with anything and everything.  Your closet must have this. My pick: The New Mara One Button Blazer in Navy from Long Legs. $165. 27.5" sleeves.  Sizes XS-XL.

8. PENCIL SKIRT. Speaking of pencil skirts, having one in a dark color is essential.  Pencil skirts slim you down and make your booty look good.  Not to mention they polish off any outfit.  What is there not to love? My pick: The Carlton Stripe Pencil Skirt form LOFT. $69.50. Sizes 0-18.

9. SWEATER DRESS. I don't care what anyone says.  There is nothing better then a one piece outfit.  Picture those rainy days when all you want to do is stay under the covers and BAM, instant, cute outfit.  My pick: Merino Wool Cowl Neck Sweater Dress in violet from Ann Taylor. $138. Sizes XS-XL.

10. SKINNY JEAN. No matter what color you covet just make sure you have a pair of skinnies. They are seasonless and slimming.  Need I say more?  My pick: The Farringdon Skinny from Long Tall Sally.  HURRY!  These are a HOT item, going fast! $79. Sizes 4-16. 35" inseam.

Walk the Line

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The idea that stripes make you wide has been thrown out the window this season. Striped apparel is everywhere complete with clean lines (pun intended) and figure flattering construction.

One thing you can't do, is wear too much of the trend. Too many stripes = an outfit that will confuse people and more then likely cause dizziness.

My favorite way to wear the trend is in a nice, clean, simple shirt. Check out these tall options below (I threw in a cute dress too). My personal fav is the tunic from Lanky Bird. Basically, anything I can wear with leggings and boots is winning right now.

Which one would you wear?

Top to bottom (left to right):

STRIPED SHORT SLEEVE SWEATER DRESS at Loft.com ($89.50, sizes XS-XL)

BOATNECK ELBOW-PATCH PULLOVER at BananaRepublic.com ($59.50, sizes XS-XL)

BUTTON SHOULDER STRIPE SWEATER at LongTallSally.com ($69, sizes XS and XL)

MINERVA TUNIC at LankyBird.com ($220, Hurry...HOT ITEM...Only size 10 left!)

SUPERSOFT STRIPED CREWNECK T at Gap.com ($22.95, Sizes S-XL)

TALL STRIPE BRETON SWEAT at TopShop.com ($42, sizes 8-16)

TALL KNITTED STRIPE SLASH NECK TOP at TopShop.com ($67, sizes 8-16)

WOMEN'S CREW NECK SWEATERS at OldNavy.com ($34.94, sizes S-XXL)

That's Not Tight

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The other day I had an event and wanted to wear some lace tights with a little black dress and some platform pumps.  It was last minute so I went to a local store and looked through their selection.  I found a pair that said it fit up to 6'4"!  I was pumped.  Even though I am 6'6" I thought "they are tights...they stretch." Yea...not so much.

So I paid $10 bucks and went on my way.  I got home, put them on and to my horror, the crotch landed mid thigh and the top of my cheeks were fully exposed. Not tight.  On top of that, the lace print was so distorted from attempting to stretch over my long legs that it looked I had a million runs in my panty hose. Again, not tight.

There was no way that I was wearing them.  I would of had to waddle like a duck just to keep them up.  Imagine, my 6'6" frame (6'11" in heels) waddling down the street stopping every 2 seconds to pull those bad boys up.  Not happening and certainly not tight.

I am sure you have had a similar experience so I thought I would post my favorite tights, you can share yours and we can all help each other out.  We can't let each other waddle!

 LONG TALL SALLY LONGER LENGTH TIGHTS at Longtallsally.com. Comes in medium, large and extra large. They have opaque, cable jacquard and Denier. They also have longer length knee highs. HUE TIGHTS at Hue.com. The size charts say that they only go up to 6' however I have been wearing these for years. They fit great and last forever! I am a big fan. LEVANTE TIGHTS at MyTights.com. I personally have never tried these but have 3 friends from 6' to 6'2" who swear by them. DONNA KARAN HOSIERY at www.DonnaKaran.com. They have tall tights. They don't work for me however a bunch of my firends up to 6'1" love them. GEORGE TIGHTS at Walmart.com. I had a run in my tights once and had to make a quick Walmart run to pick up a new pair. I got the George tights. They fit wonderfully and I have used them many times. They have more options in the actual store then they do online.

Long Tall Sally San Francisco Pop-Up Shop

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Long Tall Sally has been in tall fashion for over 30 years. They have shops in the UK, Canada and 2 in the US. You don't have an LTS shop near you? No worries. Long Tall Sally has these amazing pop-up shops!
Recently I went to the one in San Francisco. Check out the vid to see what it's all about!
 
Side note. The LTS outfit you see me in is A-MA-ZING! It fits like a glove and I love, love, LOVE IT!  Check it out:

What I'm wearing (left to right): THE PORTOBELLO HIGH RISE SKINNY JEAN ($85, sizes 6-18, 36" inseam), STRIPE DOUBLE BREASTED JERSEY BLAZER ($115, sizes 6-18) and THE STRETCH COTTON CAMI ($22, sizes extra small to extra large).  

INTRODUCING T SWAG

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