Nina Garcia's The 100

Miz Garcia's book has been on shelves for some time now, and I haven't bought it because I prefer lists in digital, free form, rather than paying $25 for a book that has much of the information I can read in a magazine instead, for less. For the unaware, Nina Garcia is the fashion editor at the fabulous Marie Claire, and she has published a few books about style and fashion. The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own is, in her opinion, a compilation of necessary items. Supposedly, the inclusion of all of these will make for a complete, versatile, stylish closet.

For the record, I don't think all of these items are necessities, nor do I think that they will all fit into everyone's personal style. However, I thought it would be interesting to post the list, and figure out how many I already have. The ones I don't, I'll decide if they are necessary, would be nice to have, or are items I will never own.

Nina Garcia's The 100:

1. A-line Dress. I have three, for different seasons. Definitely essential.
   
2. Animal Print. Leopard round-toe pumps, but that's it. Can look trashy.
   
3. Ankle Bootie. Too trendy and unflattering on legs.
   
4. Aviators. YES. I've gone through many pairs of this wise-ass item.
   
5. Ballet flat. Brown, black, yellow, red, tweed... yes.
   
6. Bangles. A few enamel ones, but haven't worn them lately.
   
7. Belts. Two for dresses and tops. Hardly ever worn on pants.
   
8. Bikini. Yes, but won't be wearing them again until I lose my winter 5lbs.
   
9. Blackberry. Technology is not style. Ask the French.
   
10. Black Opaque Tights. Yes - flattering and chic!
    
11. Blazer. Several. No shoulder pads.
    
12. Boyfriend Cardigan. Yes, a white toggle L.L. Bean cardigan.
    
13. Brooch. Yes, but I haven't worn them for a few years.
    
14. Cable-Knit Sweater. Too too many!!
    
15. Caftan. No. part of me wonders if only J.Lo can pull these off.
    
16. Camel Coat. No, because it doesn't suit my coloring, but looks great on others.
    
17. Cape. Seriously Nina?
    
18. Cashmere Sweater. Can't get enough.
    
19. Charm Bracelet. Pretty, but I don't have one because they annoy me.
    
20. Clutch. Crucial for cocktail wear.
    
21. Cocktail Ring. LOVE!
    
22. Converse. Not since 9th grade. Can be cute on guys.
    
23. Cosmetics Bag. I go through about 4 a year.
    
24. Cowboy Boots. Don't have, but have considered buying. Probably won't.
    
25. Cuff. Elegant and tough, love them.
    
26. Denim Jacket. Nothing goes better with a sundress.
    
27. Diamond Studs. They're a yes, but not in my jewelry box just yet.
    
28. Driving Shoe. I'm counting my Sperry mocs for this one.
    
29. Espadrilles. Don't really care for them. Prefer a wedge.
    
30. Evening Gown. Yes, for the day when a man takes me to the opera.
    
31. Exotic Skin Bag. Beyond leather, not important to me.
    
32. Fishnets. I would wear beige ones in a vintagey way...
    
33. Frye Harness Boot. Yes! Love my Frye boots!
    
34. Fur. No.
    
35. Gentleman's Hat. I don't look good in hats, so no.
    
36. Gloves. Leather, cashmere-lined.
    
37. Havaianas. Vineyard Vines flops are my favorite.
    
38. Hobo Bag. My Sequoia bag from Au Printemps is my favorite ever.
    
39. Hoop Earrings. Yes - silver, small, medium and large.
    
40. Investment Bag. Young, single professional women have other investments to make.
    
41. iPod. Otherwise I wouldn't work out.
    
42. Jeans. In as many styles and colors as you can afford.
    
43. Jewelry Pouches. I use my felt-lined jewelry box instead.
    
44. Khakis. A casual classic.
    
45. Knee Boots. Knee boots and a wool skirt are what one wears in the winter. Period.
    
46. Leather Pants. I'm not Axl Rose, so, no.
    
47. Lingerie. But of course ;-)
    
48. Little Black Dress. Who doesn't?
    
49. Little White Dress. Also key.
    
50. L.L. Bean Tote. Monogrammed, with long handles.
    
51. Luggage. Black and on wheels, in varying sizes.
    
52. Mad Money. Oh come on.
    
53. Men's White Shirt. A classic Oxford is something everyone should own.
    
54. Mary Janes. Not for everyone, but I have a pair.
    
55. Minnetonka Moccasin. My Sperry ones are just fine, thank you.
    
56. Missoni Knit. Never been a fan of Missoni.
    
57. Monogrammed Stationery. Have had it in the past, but not at the moment.
    
58. Motorcycle jacket. Too tough-chick for me.
    
59. Nail Polish. OPI.
    
60. Old Concert T-Shirt. Too tough-chick for me.
    
61. One-Piece Swimsuit. Yes - black can look so chic!
    
62. Pajamas. Tanks and lounge pants.
63. Peacoat. Yep.
    
64. Pearl Necklace. What Connecticut girl doesn't have one?
    
65. Pencil Skirt. Yes, especially in tweed.
    
66. Perfume. Miss Dior Cherie - amour.
    
67. Plain White Tee. They got their hanes on me.
    
68. Polo Shirt. I'm from Connecticut. I probably have 50.
    
69. Pucci. One scarf.
    
70. Pushup Bra. Don't need it with my girls.
    
71. Quality Champagne. Just drank the Moet last weekend!
    
72. Red Lipstick. Yes, but I save it for really glam looks.
    
73. Robe. One flannel, one satin. I'm such a fox ;-)
    
74. Safari Jacket. Yup, I love a good military look.
    
75. Sandals. So many! Heels and flats and colors!
    
76. Sarong. Anyone who's gone to the Caribbean should have one.
    
77. Signet Ring. My college ring.
    
78. Silk Scarf. Several, from Paris.
    
79. Slippers. Yes, but they're not sexy.
    
80. Spanx. Yes, bought them for a wedding last year. Haven't used them again, yet.
    
81. Statement Necklace. Several. My favorite is a big tortoiseshell pendant.
    
82. Stilettos. And how.
    
83. Striped Sailor Shirt. No, because horizontal stripes aren't flattering on anyone.
    
84. Suit. Ah, the interview suit.
    
85. Sunhat. No, but I probably should get one.
86. Trench. Yes!
    
87. Turquoise and Coral Jewelry. Yes, brings out the hippie in me.
    
88. Tuxedo Jacket. Never found a good time to wear it, except New Year's Even.
    
89. Umbrella. Clear, with a wooden handle.
    
90. Underwear. Some practical, some pretty. Know your audience (or lack thereof).
    
91. Valid Passport. Stamped in several places.
    
92. Vans. See #22.
    
93. Vintage. Not so much, except for jewelry and bags. I guess that counts.
    
94. Watch. Silver Seiko with a white face.
    
95. Wayfarers. Not good on my face shape.
    
96. Wellington Boot. Yes, in hunter green. So English.
    
97. Wide-leg Trousers. Yes, in twill, khaki, tweed, wool...
    
98. Wrap Dress. I have 6!
    
99. Yoga Gear. Not everyone does yoga. Cute gym clothes count.
    
100. Zippered Hoodie. Lucky Brand Jeans, circa 1998.

My score: 72 out of 100.

Some of the items on this list are clearly not essential. Some don't even go in the closet. I think if you're scoring a 50 on this list, you're doing just fine. How many do you have?

How to Wear the Maxi Dress

The prettier sister of the caftan, the maxi dress is now being hailed as the must-have trend for this summer. Who knew this artifact of 70s fabulousness would come back?



But to do it well, there are many things to consider when buying one.

Goals of the Maxi:
Look tall
Look thin
Look elegant
Feel comfortable

If you are petite:
Stick with a straighter cut (no prairie flounces)
Always wear heels
Avoid large prints

If you are voluptuous:
Make sure a bra fits under straps
Avoid horizontal stripes
Keep patterns proportional to your body

If your body is lacking in the curves area:
Avoid straight necks - sweetheart emphasizes the girls
Embrace braless-ness with spaghetti straps, or none at all
Use solids to draw attention to your curves

Rules for All Maxi Dresses:
- Keep patterns proportional to your body size.
- Pair with heels at night, wedges or flat sandals during the day.
- Make sure whatever shoes you wear, the dress is the right length. Embrace a tailor if necessary.
- Don't go too short - the dress should almost skim the floor. The zone between "maxi" and "tea length" is called "frumpy."
- Make sure your girls are locked and loaded.
- Beware of color-blocking: light colors highlight, dark colors disguise.
- Complement with jewelry: solid dresses get statement jewelry, fitting to the neckline. Printed dresses should get simple, small pieces. But a big ol' cocktail ring goes with both!
- Keep your purse complementary as well - no clashing patterns. Let the dress be the main statement, and keep your bag small and neutral.
- To dress up a maxi dress for a night out, max out the metallics, especially gold.
- Avoid details that are too Little House on the Prairie - go for laid back elegance.
- A neutral, solid cardigan looks great when the breeze comes off the ocean.


Rachel Pally, $229 at shopbop.com

Alice + Olivia, $396 at Bloomingdale's

C&C California, $195 at shopbop.com



Diane von Furstenburg, $265 at Lord & Taylor

Lucky Brand, $88 at luckyjeans.com

Old Navy, $19.99 in stores and oldnavy.com

Have fun maxin' it out!
Hayley

"Mr. Hall, I was surfing the crimson wave. I had to haul ass to the ladies'."

There is a day or two (or five) in every month where every normal woman on this planet feels less than fabulous. No matter how much fiber and water you take in your system, it seems like the bloat is uncontrollable and out or proportion. This is something I'm unfortunately very familiar with.

I'll include some anti-bloat remedies at the end of this post, but the purpose of this post is to give all of us non-menopausal women ideas for how to hide that extra tummy that sometimes appears when we don't want it to.

Outfit components that hide tummy:

1) A structured jacket
This is something to be worn in every season - corduroy, denim, wool, tweed, cotton, or satin. Sleeve length and color are not nearly as important as fit. The buttons should all button without puckering, the shoulder seam should sit on the edge of the shoulder, and sleeves should reach to the fleshy base of your thumbs. The length of the jacket depends on body type, but look for fits and lengths that give you an hourglass shape. The structure and put-together look of a good jacket is the best combatant to a little tummy.




2) Empire-waisted tops and dresses
Some people still say they make you look pregnant if you're larger than a size 4, but I disagree. Any top or dress that accentuates the smallest part of your torso (below the bust) and doesn't cling below that hem flatters everyone. And they don't need to be huge, blousy tunics to work.




3) Careful layering
Color-strategic layering using structured pieces works wonders. Take a sweater or vest in black, navy, chocolate or dark gray, and layer a lighter Oxford underneath it. The dark color on your torso, especially with a vest or short-sleeved sweater, will balance with your Oxford to create a torso that looks more in proportion with the arms.




4) Open cardigans
Start with a loose, pretty cami in silk, linen or another non-clingy fabric, and add a cardigan. Button if you like, but if it's on the snug size, leaving it open showcases the pretty tank top and will not make you self-conscious as long as the tank is loose, like I said.



Outfit components that don't work:

1) Turtlenecks, crewnecks and boatnecks.
High necklines showcase the midsection, especially if in an unstructured cut or snug fit. Avoid thin fabrics and light colors.



2) A long scarf.
It doesn't work for celebs trying to hide a bun in the oven, and it doesn't work for hiding bloat. The problem: a scarf may cover the front, center torso area when looking dead-on. But bloat invades the 3-dimensional torso, and lest we forget, scarves move often. You're not fooling anyone.



3) Baggy hoodies, sweaters and t-shirts.
Not only do they look sloppy, but clothing that's too large makes you look even bigger.



4) Oxfords solo.
Unless it's a roomier fit, bloating fluctuations can put you in button-pucker zone.



How to avoid bloating in the first place:
1) Water water water water water. It's important on a daily basis, but even more during that time. The more you drink of it, less of it you'll retain. You can also get extra water out of fresh fruits and vegetables.



2) Avoid carbonated beverages like soda and beer. The bubbles just make your tummy jut out more, and they are usually high in sodium, making you retain more water.



3) Don't chew gum, even if it's sugar-free. This makes you swallow small amounts of air that contribute to bloating and gas.



4) Avoid salt. Check labels - stuff that I love usually has a lot of salt, like fat-free Pringles, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, pretzels and soup. Less salt = less sodium = less bloating.


5) Try to be at least a little active. I know the most tempting thing is to lie down with a box of cookies and veg in front of the TV (hell, that's how I spent this evening). But if you do some stretches, take a walk, do some dancing or even just cleaning up the house, you'll feel a lot better. It's hard to get up, but once you do, it feels great. Trust.



Good luck!
Hayley