"Love Your Body, Work Your Body" Style Workshop

Dear Reader,

I have some exciting news!!!!!!!!!!

Amanda Styles You is hosting it's first style workshop in Lawrenceville July 11th at 720 music, clothing boutique and coffee house. Follow me on twitter @amandastylesyou or look us up on Facebook. The event is public. Space is limited. More details to come soon............

Panello of Pittsburgh, more than just another option for Steel City

I discovered Panello, a small but purposeful boutique in what is referred to as "Lower Lawrenceville" at the behest of a great (and stylish) friend. This said friend knew that I was on a quest for an amazing boutique to feed the craving of individual style that I had missed since moving from DC. That's not to say there haven't been amazing options elsewhere. In fact, Pittsburgh next to Baltimore, MD (sorry DC, a lot of your consignment and vintage stores are way over priced with the exception of one said store which is still selfishly a secret of mine) is a haven for fantastic second hand styling. Panello was a joy, a relief, a fantastic surprise all wrapped up in a frenzied hour of trying on items, touching fabric, and stacking bangles. I tried on different pieces and declared this is a boutique everyone needs to know about. The owner, Cara Moody who's first store is better known as the South Side Gem, JUPE was kind enough to have me style clothes from her collection and grant me a short interview. You can find her comprehensive bio here at http://www.jupeboutique.com/aboutus.asp .

Amanda Lewis: What inspired you to travel to Paris to study fashion?

Cara Moody: I had spent the previous summer in Italy and fell in love with Europe,  An opportunity approached me with a study abroad program in Paris which I then decided to complete my fashion design background there.

AL: What was your first treasured fashion piece including clothing or accessories?
CM: hmm.... I have had so many its hard to really remember my first but I would have to say my Yellow racing sweater with red panel insert, high collar with zipper.  I found it in NYC on a trip I went there with my dad when I was 14.  I think I still have that sweater I wore them with thick leggings

AL: How old were you when you first began cultivating your personal style, and would you say you have a defined style?
CM: I would say 7th grade, I think I was the first kid in my school to stop pegging my jeans

AL: Why was it important for you to open an affordable and accessible boutique with great pieces in Pittsburgh? Why not work in NY or Paris or Milan?

CM:    I had a job in Paris after college pattern making  for a small Spanish designer  Irenena Gregory, at that point I had already spent 2 years in Paris and decided to move to NYC where I continued my career in fashion as a Stylist for Sharagano a french company.  I worked there for 2 years and decided to move back to Pittsburgh. NYC  can be overwhelming and draining over time at least it was for me.  Truthfully, I don't think that I would have been able to open stores in any large city without have a million bucks and Pittsburgh is affordable. 7 years ago when I opened Jupe there were only a few boutiques.  I wanted affordable since I was also on a budget.    

AL: With the success of Jupe Boutique, your sister store  in the South-side of Pittsburgh, why open another store, and why Lawrenceville?

CM:    I had a lot of people tell me that they loved my store but never make it to the South-side which is typical Pittsburgh.  I was looking to expand and searching for the right location.  Lawrencville is growing so much and when this space became available the owner of Pavement (another fantastic boutique) contacted me.  As soon as I saw the space it sang to me and it felt just like Jupe.

AL: What is the message you'd like to convey to people outside of Pittsburgh about Pittsburgh fashion?

CM:   Pittsburgh does lack a little in the fashion department but this is a city that is rapidly growing and each neighborhood is unique in its own way 

AL: Do you carry any local designers?

CM:  I carry 2 really, Mike Hickey who makes vintage jewelry and Nami Holderman with Zeto clothing. She used to own APT in the South-side.

Here are the outfits I put together during the Amanda Styles You styling and photo session. Thanks to another awesomely stylish and talented friend of mine, Carrie Thovson for the photo's. I don't know if you can tell, but this was a great time!!!

Ark &co snow leopard blouse $62
FT flare pant $56
Urban expression patent clutch sale $38 

RDI stripe knit $58
level 99 shorts $94
Dolce Vita bone sandal $64 

Zeto floral sundress $136
oval statement necklace $32
Dolce Vita brown suede booties on sale $94

High Low skirt - an undecided mind, or another option?

I recently purchased a High Low black jersey skirt as a casual option for my upcoming cruise, and just to have another piece for what I call my weekend wear. The High Low skirt or dress has in fact been in existence since the 1950's as a Balanciaga design. The High Low silhouette like any other design comes in many variations. I like it for summer because you have the lower hem of a maxi skirt, as well as a higher hem in the front to catch that summer breeze. I also like it because you get to show a little leg, which is always a good thing. For hem control be mindful of the designer or line you purchase from. Stores for younger women may have a much higher hemline than say those targeted to the more mature set.

The skirt I purchased:

Ann Taylor Jersey High Low Hem Skirt - $68

I love this skirt because it is different in terms of the asymmetrical cut being more shallow than many High Low designs you see. Also the material is sooooo comfortable. This skirt is flattering on all body types and comes in three colors. I styled a client with a fuller waist and pear shaped proportions in this skirt and she looked great. You may think this length is not a good one because it cuts you off at the knee. The reason this works is because of the High Low hem. True, the length in the back may be bad, but it's in the back so in fact it provides a little something extra as well as a bit of modesty for the shorter length in the front, which is in fact a very flattering length.

Here is another one that is a bit more dressy but beautiful and again, a very flattering design:

bebe High Low Skirt - $80

This is a much more extreme High Low hem than the first, but I think it's sexy, and fun and it works for a few reasons. The High hem in the front has a little sexy, but it's still low enough to leave something to the imagination. This is great for younger woman, or a mature woman with great legs. Also the back cascades evenly down around the legs with soft pleating, so there is no tail effect. You can still wear a variety of style of shoes with this skirt, but it is not as casual as my purchase so accessorize accordingly

Now this one I'm not a fan of:

Asos Collection Skirt with High Low Hem

 I really don't like how high the hem in the front is. The extreme low back actually make the front seem shorter than the micor-mini it is. In this case there is no modesty. I feel even with the low back you still couldn't sit in this skirt because you'd have to worry too much about the front being exposed. This I believe is what critics mean when they say the High Low hem is for people who couldn't decide if they wanted to wear short or long, or in this case, ankle length or micro-mini. I also think the the extremely narrow design of the back creates a tail like silhouette which.... is a little costumey for my taste and just not cute.

That's the skinny on the High Low. Don't forget to follow us on twitter @amandastylesyou and please leave comments or questions. If there is a style challenge in your life, or a recent design or trend you have questions about, we are here to help.

Full Figured Poolside Beauty

Full Figured Poolside Beauty by amandastylesyou 

I styled this collection with curvy and full figured women in mind. This bathing suit from mod cloth is from their plus size collection which recently launched. It is especially flattering and forgiving because of the ruching and the fact that the material can be adjusted to raised above the hip, or slightly covering the top of the thigh as shown. The sarong is a great piece for any woman going to the beach or sailing on a cruise ship to easily transition from the water to the water side restaurant or  lounge. Ann Taylor has a great updated version of the espadrille which is a nice all around summer shoe. This heel is very high, but the traditional wedge would still look great for those women who need a bit more support. Every lady needs a great hat and sunglasses to guard against the sun. A wide brim helps to add balance. I chose the Felix Rey beach tote with the crab as a nod to my East Coast Chesapeake Bay upbringing. The Modcloth Esther Williams one piece is available in missy size as well. I have tried it on and I will be purchasing for my first cruise this summer.

Don't forget to follow Amanda Styles You on twitter and to check back in for more style tips and ideas.