AR Stylists

Monday, April 8, 2013

AR Stylists On Prom Season 2013

It is probably the one event that every girl looks forward to in high school. You spend weeks, even months in some cases, getting all the details down. And then there's the most important part of the event, the dress. Yes, we are talking about prom!

I have such fond memories of getting ready for prom. Getting my nails and hair done, making sure I had that perfect tan, and, of course, choosing which dress I was going to wear. Styles may have changed since I have been in high school, but the sentiment remains the same.

Alexis before Junior Prom

You can't help but notice all of the beautiful and youthful dresses if you have taken a trip recently to the department stores. I find it difficult to walk by without grabbing a few of them and running to the fitting rooms! So, in lieu of making an embarassment of myself in the junior section of the stores, Amanda and I have decided to post our top picks for Prom 2013!

But first, let's take a stroll down memory lane...

Senior Prom

Senior Prom with the Girls! Amanda is in the center!

Junior Prom with the Girls!

I am actually very happy to see dresses in all lengths in the stores now. I also love that individualization is very well embraced so that you can really go with your own style. I'm amazed at how many different dresses there are to choose from in all different price points, whereas when we were in school, it seemed as though you were limited with where you could shop, and everything was so expensive. My senior prom dress was purchased at JC Penney, and it is still in my closet, complete with the safety pin holding my strap up, as it decided to break part way through the night! It was on sale for $80, and I thought it was a steal. Now, there's the beautiful Pearl by Georgina Chapman of Marchesa line at JC Penney, and the styles are so cute AND affordable! I wish that was an option when I was 18!

I'm sure you're anxious to see what we would choose to wear now if we were 18 again... so... without any further interruption... drum roll please... Amanda and I would like to present our top picks in 3 different price points, shown below:

Now, I realize that things are different in 2013, but for our blog readers that are still in high school and will be attending their Junior or Senior proms this year, we can still offer up some great advice for optimum prom enjoyment! The best advice we can both give is:

- stick with whatever price point you or your parents (or whomever is footing the bill) set. It doesn't take a lot of money to look good.

- remember that accessories can make or break an outfit. If you are wearing a more simple, plain dress, then go with lots of accessories! If your dress is really a statement on its own, then less is more.

- keep safety pins in your purse, you will thank me later! And, on that note, if you're not wearing a bra, then consider getting nipple petals- you'll avoid an embarrassing moment like mine!

- Have fun! This is a night that you'll remember for a long time, if not the rest of your life. Live in the moment. :)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Sunshine.

Sunshine. by arstylists featuring orla kiely dress

Orla kiely dress
$435 - orlakiely.com

A Wear printed blazer
$68 - awear.com

Jessica Simpson platform sandals
heels.com

Fendi handbag
$2,605 - brownsfashion.com

Crystal jewelry
modewalk.com

Norma kamali sunglasses
shoplesnouvelles.com

Monday, April 1, 2013

Jennifer Lopez Collection at Kohls

The Jennifer Lopez Collection at Kohls has been hit or miss for me. I have bought some dresses from the Jlo line in the past that I have really liked. And then, there are things that I have seen that are not really my taste (like neon green trouser shorts). That being said, after trying on a lot of the Jlo pieces that I liked, I was liking this line a whole lot more. The Lauren Conrad Collection is cute, pretty, girly (and cut for small/more petite sized women). The Jlo line (lets say most pieces) is a bit more sophisticated, cool, and overall looks more expensive. Also, the Jlo Collection runs large (my size 6 body was fitting into size 2s and 4s), and the clothes are generally flattering to a curvier type of figure. My plan is to buy some of the pieces later on when they are on sale/clearance (Kohls has fabulous clearance racks)

I liked the pants here, which were a snakeskin print (all black). The top was cool and flowy. And of course I liked the open jacket, because I love most jackets.

I love love these linen pants with a soft elastic waistband, they are just so comfortable, casual, and perfect for warm summer days. The jersey top was cute, and had a lot of draping going on. Really, it was too low cut for what I would be comfortable wearing, but I think it would be a great top for a curvy body type.

I wear maxi dresses a lot in the summer. Scratch that, I wear dresses almost all the time in the summer, and my favorite style is a maxi. So effortlessly chic. This size small was a little too big everywhere though...

I like the look of these jaquard capri pants, but not the feel. I can't imagine wearing (comfortably) a tight fitting polyester capri pant on a really hot summer day (although, I suppose they would work for spring). The top was cute and lacey with a light turquoise backing. This whole ensemble was ok.

I know, I am crazy, but I love this short caftan dress! It is so summery, ready for a beach/pool party, tropical,.... wonderfulness! I'll buy this at the end of summer when it is on super clearance along with my jumpsuit from the Pearl line at JCP.

I can't say that I loved this print, but when I put on this kimono-like dress, well, it has grown on me. The dress itself is very flattering. I may have to buy this for summer.

Love this fitted sheath dress! Love! It's pretty much timeless.

Same dress, with a jacket. This would have been a nice Easter look.

I really like this gold embellished boucle jacket. The wide leg cream pants were nice, but were too short if I wanted to wear with heels.

This was my least favorite of what I tried on from the Jlo line. It just felt cheap, or like it belonged in the juniors department. It looks more like something that would have come from the Lauren Conrad Line. I didn't totally hate it, just not for me.

And there you have it. A nice spring collection from the Jennifer Lopez Collection (I'm looking forward to the sales)!

Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohls

I have liked some of the Lauren Conrad pieces that I have seen at Kohls, and have tried some on in the past. I hadn't bought anything previously because the clothing always seemed to fit all wrong all over. But, I decided to give it another go, and the pieces did seem to fit better than previous seasons. That being said, this line does run a bit on the small and petite side. I average a size 6, and while most of the separate pieces fit ok, the size 6 dresses just fit, really I would have to go up to an 8 to be comfortable. Overall, I liked the line, but there wasn't anything that I had to have...today.

The coral colored denim capri pant was actually very comfortable-it had just the right amount of stretch. The chiffon-like top was cute and comfortable too.

Again, these denim capri pants are really comfortable and flattering. I instantly loved this shirt, with lace on top and satin-like material on the bottom.

This dress is really cute, and one that I may buy when it goes on sale.

This is the same dress from the back------->

Another cute dress, and with pockets!

These floral jaquard jeans were super cute, but had a little too much stretchiness for my taste. I really like this jacket, it is nice soft material.

This dress was cute, and it fit the best...because it was a size 8, haha.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

J Crew, the Outlet Version.

It was a sunny Friday, Good Friday, to be exact. I agreed to take my 15 year old cousin to the Niagara Factory Outlets in Niagara Falls, NY, to spend some of her birthday money. While walking through the sea of millions of people that were also at the mall, we passed by J Crew. I am constantly drawn to their crisp shirts, classic lines, and bright, preppy colors. So, I dragged my 15 year old cousin into the store so I could get my fix.

I was so thrilled when I found out that the entire store was 50% off. My eyes started wandering and my hands started grabbing hangers. I got everything in a size 12, which is the largest size the store carries, and went to the dressing room.

I first put on the soft, tailored button down chambray shirt with the eyelet bright pink pencil skirt, and, being busty, the shirt puckered. The skirt fit perfectly, though, but was not very forgiving if I were to eat lunch. The shirt is originally $62.50 and skirt $85.

I then put on the Kelly green "matchstick jeans", which were my size, actually slightly larger than I normally wear, and was not too thrilled. They didn't even go over my thighs. You need to be a matchstick to wear them. I also put on a yellow cotton sundress which wouldn't even zip up my back, also a size 12. I then put on my last item, an elastic waisted shirtdress, with buttons on the top half. I loved the vibrant color and feel of the dress, especially if you put a blazer over it or long cardigan it can be office appropriate. I then noticed where my eyes went- to the pucker of the buttons in the chest area. I'm starting to see a trend here... The dress is on clearance for $44.97.

Overall, the items are adorable, but not made for girls with curves. J Crew should at least realize that as a girl that is a size 12 has different needs than a girl that is a size 2. Or the 00 that I saw so much of. I propose that slight changes should be made to the larger sizes so that they are more flattering. I realize that this is ready to wear, but eliminating buttons or putting more buttons on isn't too much to ask. J Crew is not made for girls with curves, which is disappointing being that the majority of the female population is made with curves. I am not plus size, but I am also not a size 2. I am a normal girl, and finding clothing in the stores I love is not easy. But I just have to repeat my mantra, it's not me, it's the clothes.

I have been seeing a trend lately with button down shirts puckering and being ill fitting. I will be going on a shopping trip to a few stores to find button down shirts that work for girls with larger busts. I hope to be successful and cannot wait to share the results with you! Happy Easter!