Satin must be all of the designers’ favorite fabric to work with. It feels fantastic and looks fabulous. The drape compliments any shape and falls delicately on every form. I must admit that I have tried to make my own satin design back in my fashion student days and it left me with frustration and lots of broken thread. It is a lovely looking fabric but to work with it is a pain. Perhaps that is why the collections like BCBG and  Ralph Lauren are worth being checked out. These designers dont mind the strenious work, they know quality is not easy to achieve. Right up there with silk, satin one of the most luxurious textiles. The status of this fabric is what has lured in celebrities like Rihanna and Hayden Panettiere and has become a go-to material for red carpet gowns…

Back in the 1980’s professional women donned more bow ties than a nerdy mad scientist in a wacked out zombie movie.  And don’t even get me started on the shoulder pads back then.  Did 80’s gals really think people would believe their upper backs rivaled those of the Dallas Cowboys?

So were the days of women trying to find corporate equality through men’s fashion.  As if trying NOT to look feminine would guarantee a promotion.  That’s not to say that women still don’t have a long way to go in business, however, the answer is not hiding your curves.

Some of the biggest moguls in the world today are women (hello, Oprah).  And if they choose to wear menswear inspired clothing, they certainly don’t feel the need to lean toward the Donald Trump look, so why should you?  For example, cooking powerhouse Rachel Ray has a litany menswear inspired blouses with attached ties that look absolutely fabulous on her.  Also, she’s the queen of men’s cut vests and pinstriped pants.  And no one would dare mistake that media darling for a man.

But it doesn’t stop at pants.  Menswear is creeping into the rest of a girl’s closet on everything from dresses to skirts to tailored jackets.  What’s more feminine, for example, than a curve hugging dress in a masculine plaid print?  It looks professional without hiding your gender.

So if you want to dress in 1980’s guy drag, save it for a Halloween party. Smart women today know how to use menswear inspired clothing to look more feminine than ever. And in the end, isn’t it more satisfying to get ahead being exactly who you are?

How lovely that now we can throw on our boyfriend’s clothes and not be judged for it. From boyfriend jeans to men’s blazers the masculine style has been in the mainstream of all trends . Finally, wearing comfortable and tailored pieces is easier than ever. Don’t like all the frills and bows? A nice fitted jacket can be just as sexy and feminine if you know how to accessorize.

Many celebs have jumped on the menswear wagon which gives us great inspiration to follow the trend. Check out some tabloids for ideas and go for it- rate your boyfriend’s closet. Kate Moss is doing it, so why not you?

I went salsa dancing at a club the other evening and was thrilled that I had my 365hangers photoshoot beforehand, because my hair was curled and ready for a night out. It’s always fun to see what others are wearing to the club. I usually stick with something simple that I can move in, preferably dark colors. A smart pair of Capri pants and a cute top along with my dancing heels is my norm.

On this particular evening, there was a bit of a faux paux if you ask me. I witnessed a female dancer wearing a tutu! If it had been a Halloween party, I wouldn’t have looked twice. But there was no occasion for this mishap. Did I mention that she was wearing a corset too? Yes, she was. It seemed impractical and most likely uncomfortable for her and her partner who was most likely running into the tutu as she spun around the dance floor.

My favorite outfit of the evening was a simple royal blue dress that cut off a few inches above the knee. It was a loose fit below the waist and fitted in the bust. The neckline was fitting for this girl’s figure and there were short-capped sleeves. The dress was pulled together high at the waist with a thick black belt and funky black earrings to tie it all in. It was a classic example of how to pull together a simple and comfortable outfit for dancing the night away.

There’s no better way to spend a Friday night than with friends. After a week of catering to your demanding career, it’s nice to get out with people who really do understand your love of Lego® post modern art and Siberian gourmet cooking (or whatever your quirky interests may be).

My friends are part of my posse, which is different than a fan club in that our admiration for each other is mutual. And as such, I certainly don’t want to embarrass my posse by being seen in public with them looking like a refugee from a strip mall where the draw store is Big Lots.

So if you’re going for Friday night face time with your friends, show them how much you care by looking your best. True, you want to be comfortable (after all, you just spent a week in those binding business clothes) but even so don’t be afraid to let your hair and your stomach down.

Friday night is all about having fun, being free, and eating like a supermodel on maternity leave. So your attire needs to loosely drape down your body, but not be so tent-like people are asking you, “So when’s the baby due?” (In which case you promptly slap them.) Throw on an unstructured, colorful dress (with a noticeable, yet comfortable side cut) and then say hello to the entree menu of your favorite Italian restaurant. If you prefer pants, wear them loose under a long, flowing blouse with lots of geometric detail to hide that piece of tiramisu you plan on having for dessert.

So come on, have fun with your friends on a Friday night! Who else is going to let you enjoy a meal you’ve been waiting all week to eat (except maybe that gorgeous, unbelted dress).

Many trends are hard to follow-and keep up with. After all we can’t go shopping every week (well, the lucky ones can), when a new must have shows up in stores. But there are a few styles that just keep showing up, which gives us confidence that it is not just a fad. One of those trends are ruffles. Sure, one season they might be big and dramatic the next just a subtle accent, but they seem to find their way back to our hearts and closets every year. This season designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Givenchy are showing off their best draping skills.

Actress Eva Langoria Parker and supermodel Chanel love accenting their small frames with ruffles. It’s important to choose an outfit that has ruffles on a body part that you are perhaps trying to camouflage, not one that already stands out- in order to maintain balance. If this kind of style reminds you of peasant days, and you would prefer not to look like one- don’t stress. There are other ways to incorporate the trend, like wearing a ruffled scarf loosely around your neck…

You can find awesome deals and get creative with ruffles since they have come and gone and can be easily found on sale or vintage shops. Don’t be afraid to improvise and mix and match. Most importantly, don’t rush to Goodwill when you think the trend has died down—it will most likely return in a couple of seasons, like many of them do. Bell Bottom jeans still in your closet? 70’s then late 90’s.. maybe its on the horizon for 2012?

Don’t be shy, share your favorite comebacks…

I’m proud to say… I’m a huge Britney Spears fan! I went to see her Circus Tour concert at the Honda Center back in April, and a friend of mine got me free tickets to go see her show again last week at the Staple Center. There’s nothing like a Britney Spears Concert. It’s a high energy performance with set changes, aerialists, amazing dancers, martial artists, awesome musicians, contortionists, hula hoop-ers, gymnasts, and fabulous costumes.

As I walked into the restroom, I realized that I was surrounded by girls all dolled up in their cute mini dresses with sequins, make-up and hair done as if they were going out to the club. The far majority of these beautiful girls had great taste in fashion. These girls knew their body types and dressed in the most flattering way possible. There’s always a few fashion fau-paux in the crowd along with the crazy costumes emulating Britney. It was evident that everyone was dressed and ready for a night of entertainment and fun!

I was excited to see that there were all new costumes for the show, although I feel like the new costumes “played it safe”. When the tour first opened, the costumes were very unique and even tacky, but they held to the tradition of vaudeville and circus through the centuries. I’ll admit there were a couple of costumes in the beginning that should have been thrown out, but they really made a strong statement and added to the illusion of the whole performance. This time around, the costumes lost their edge. Any pop artist can get away with a corset, diamond mini dress, or rhinestone bra and fishnets. All of the costumes looked great, but seemed a little too simple in comparison to the original costumes.

The biggest costume let down was at the opening of the show. Britney is lowered from the ceiling, standing in a big diamond hoop like a ring-leader in a circus. She wore a short diamond dress that reflected light throughout the entire stadium. It was a beautiful dress, but not nearly as prominent of a statement as her previous costume. Originally, she came down wearing a red jacket with gold shoulder pads, tassels, and buttons down the front like a traditional ring-leader of a circus. It was an exciting and powerful statement that got the audience hooked into the circus world the moment the show started. I wish everyone there last week could have seen that.

Behind the scenes video of photo shot for 365hangers.com

Chances are you’re one of the millions of us who has to shower up and look professional everyday. Although this sounds glamorous right out of college, after a while it can get monotonous – kind of like having to figure out what to make (or where to go) for dinner every night. By Thursday your work outfit becomes the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese or Outback Steak House of your closet.

But just like finding a great new recipe or restaurant can suddenly make dinner fun again, so can spicing up your midweek wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to add a little glee to your business clothes, even if you work in a conservative industry like banking or Wall Street (in which case, just consider yourself lucky you still have a job). Subtle curve hugging dresses with accents like belts or geometric patterns add flare without making you look like a clueless teenybopper at a corporate job fair.

Similarly, a pencil skirt with pizzazz (like vertical ruffles or pocket stitching) can perk up your day even if your office is so low key you occasionally have to stand on your desk and belt out a couple of verses of “Hello Dolly” just so you don’t go crazy (BTW, don’t do that unless you plan on quitting anyway).

So if you’re bored by Thursday, make work fun by adding some spunk to your wardrobe. Just like your health depends on what you eat, your mood depends up what you wear. It’s up to you not to feel like meat and potatoes everyday.

Fuchsia  has been on many runways this season and its the up and coming color for spring. I must say- its the perfect color to lift our spirits after a crappy economic year. It’s energy and vibrance wakes up our souls. Hayden Panetierre, Ashley Simpson and Ali Landry are all fans of this hue so no wonder the color has been nicknamed Hollywood Cerise.

Its not just the purple. Its oranges, yellow and sweet reds. There are all here to cheer us up and make us stand out in what sometimes feel like a grey world.  Ok, so I am an earth tone kind of gal, but I must admit this color palette just might be growing on me. What’s your favorite color to wear to lift up your spirits?..Each shade reminds us of a season, a specific time in our lives. Color association has not only been studied greatly but has been one of the key factors determining the fate of many trends..

I went to a film-related business luncheon the other day and almost chunked up my rubbery chicken cacciatore and overcooked carrots when I saw what the guest speaker was wearing. I won’t name names (because I want to continue working in this industry) but she was young and should’ve known better than to wear a matronly suit that even Barbara Bush would’ve passed on back in the day. (BTW, the pearls did not help.) Good lord, honey, you’re in the entertainment industry! Your worst offense is appearing dull and boring.

When you want to make your presence known, whether it’s as a guest speaker or as a guest at a cocktail party, be anything but dull. Granted, you have to consider the industry you work in, but come on! Even attorneys (insert your favorite lawyer joke here) know that a little fashion pizzazz can get people to pay attention.

I’m not saying you need to go over the top. Simply wearing a pair of well-fitted dark slacks is a great start. From there you can add either a trendy jacket (for more practical events) or slip on a flowing chiffon blouse (for get-togethers with your more arty types). Make a statement by selecting pieces with interesting embellishments like gathers, textures and even a little bit of sequined dazzle.

And please, don’t be afraid to add some color. Bright tops are always showstoppers, but also a dark or even black chemise adds dramatic effect, especially when paired with a statement necklace.

Regardless of how you choose to avoid dullness, remember this: Change it up often. As Oscar Wilde once said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” You want to make sure he’s not talking about you at your next event.

Lets not forget that Fashion is an artistic expression. Its not always about the latest trends, the flashiest garments. Fashion has become a significant part of pop culture but it is first and foremost an art. It’s an artistic way to express yourself and show the world your true colors (and your favorite shades and hues). Many designers today can tell you what inspired them to become an artist. It was never the money or the desire to dress Lindsay Lohan. It was to produce silhouettes that will also inspire others. Designer Nanatte Lapore opened up her studio in the early 1990’s and opened its doors to all sorts of artists.  Poets and painters all gathered to encourage and motive each other to create. Today, she has stores world wide and even though celebrities like Eva Langoria Parker and Taylor Swift are fans of her creations, she hasn’t lost her passion for expressionism and freedom to be an artist.

What inspires you most? I can say nature is one of my biggest inspirations—it allows me to relax and put things in perspective. You don’t paint you say? There are many art forms- not all art is color on canvas. Whatever your passion is don’t forget to let our your creative spirit and let it run wild…

So let’s assume you get invited to a hot ticket event, but the invitation says casual attire. Casual attire? What the heck is that? Do I wear a dress or pants? Heels or flats? Should my hair be French twisted in a classy updo or down and dirty like a prom queen on a bender? And what if I’m accidentally too dressy? Will the biker chick who inevitably shows up at every fundraiser in studded overalls and a vintage Led Zeppelin T-shirt upstage me with her “Hey, is this casual enough for ya?” fashion statement?

“Casual” is one of those terms like “spicy.” There are so many levels of interpretation, a girl could go crazy just trying to look like she didn’t try too hard.

However, if you replace casual attire with casual chic, you’ll never go wrong.

Casual chic looks fashionably informal when you’re around casually dressed folks, but also appears neat and polished when you’re in fancy surroundings. The trick is to combine both relaxed and conventional styles without looking like you’re clueless.

For example, a great casual chic look is to mix an elegant blouse with dressy shorts. The shorts say “picnic,” but the blouse says “cocktail party,” and the reality is you’re ready for both. Similarly, small prints or solid jewel tones on a fitted dress give you the duality you need navigate any event. And lets not forget about pants. A long, belted top over slender slacks can be dressed up or down with the right jewelry.

So the next time you’re invited to a soiree where the host is too wimpy to suggest the proper attire, go for casual chic. Then if the party’s a bust you can always go for beers and you won’t be overdressed!

Fall means we are back to our fabulous earth tones and my favorite theme of all- Safari. The way nature inspires style is what gives this look such a fabulous wild side.  Dana Buchman is a fan if this theme and has incorporated it into many of her collections. Branching out under Liz Clairborne corporation, the Dana Buchman brand is now sold exclusively at Kohl’s, which gives it a friendly price tag and convenient environment.

Kohl’s is just one of the main stream stores that has decided to partner up with amazing designers and make it more accessible to the public. Target also has taken on designers like  Anya Hindmarch and Sigerson Morrison. But where shall we draw the line when it comes to scoring cheap fashions? Sure, Target offers good deals but they also have  Steve Madden Knock offs, which one would argue is unethical for the true fashionista.  I must be the first one to admit that I am a frequent shopper at Forever21, which is filled with fast fashion and copies of all the latest catwalk trends. Well, I defend myself ( as I often must, once my F21 label is exposed), that until I can afford a $15,00 jacket, I will have to push my morals aside and Forever21 version will just have to do… What’s your smart comeback? Perhaps if we share each others secrets it will make it easier to sport that hot Safari jacket this fall, even if the label is not Gucci..

After a particularly fun filled weekend it can be hard to come back to work on Monday and get into the swing of things – so why not just ease into your week? There’s no sense in exposing yourself to culture shock. I mean after all, the commute alone could easily give you an anxiety attack after two relaxing days of “spa-ing” it with your gal pals or living out your biggest romantic fantasy with your favorite boy toy.  (Or both in one weekend, if you’re really organized.)

In any case, after an exotic weekend take a day to re-acclimate yourself into the professional world by putting on something that combines business with pleasure.

For example a simple dark skirt and white blouse will always cut it with the higher-ups, however, if you want to ease into your Monday you definitely don’t want to look like you just walked off the front page of The Wall Street Journal.  Instead, make your look playful by wearing something like a pencil skirt with cargo pockets, topped off with a chemise that bucks tradition.  An untailored, loose-fitting blouse is a fashionable, yet subtle way to say, yes I hauled my tired behind into work today, but my heart is still riding bareback with my lover upstate in the country.  (We’re talking about horseback riding here, after all this is a family show.)

But you get the idea.  If you want to make your Monday not ordinary, then start by wearing something extraordinary.  Use your wardrobe as a way to take a little bit of your weekend to work with you to wake you up and combat those Monday morning blahs.  Because in the long run, it’s way cheaper than hitting Starbucks six times before lunch.