What to wear now - neklace

The statement necklace -- a fashion term to describe a bold-looking necklace of all styles -- is a great trend women of all ages and lifestyles can indulge in.

This two-tier stone necklace from New York & Co. (Buy Direct) in solid colors like blue, green and yellow is a perfect accent for fall's earthier palettes.

Little Black Dresses for Every Body Type By Cynthia Nellis, About.com

Eliza J Halter Dress
Nordstrom.com

The easiest way to balance a bottom-heavy figure is to choose a little black dress that skims over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts, like this Eliza J dress, (Buy Direct) disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette -- which accents a trim upper body -- is very flattering for bottom-heavy figures.

Long Hair

Long, loose hair seen on the BCBG runway.
Cynthia Nellis

Long, flowing hair is a great match for strapless formal dresses because it brings so much attention to the face and upper body.

Long hair also adds a youthful twist to formal wear (unlike a stiff updo) so it's a great way to look updated and modern.

Here's how to wear long hair with a formal dress:

* Keep the volume under control with products designed to add texture and shine: structured curls (the kind you get with old-fashioned hot rollers) are out. Instead, opt for long loose waves or silky, stick-straight hair.
* Long, sexy hair becomes the accessory, so go easy on other jewelry around the face. Earrings -- which need to be oversized diamond studs or chandelier earrings to be seen with long hair -- are all you need. Skip the necklace.
* Take daytime hair into the night with a beautiful hair ornament or a look that is partially pulled up or back away from the face.

For fashion’s sake, the Olsens will serve you booze

We hope you’ve cleared some room on the credit cards because tonight is Fashion’s Night Out, for which countless stores will be open till 11:00pm to offer discounts, cocktails, celeb run-ins and best of all – goody bags. This is the perfect time to schedule a night on the town with your girlfriends – you can drink, shop and even scold Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen for being out past her bedtime.

Apart from the multitude of new products and limited-edition collections, you can also get some free (my favorite word) expert advice. For example, TODAY Style editor Bobbie Thomas will help customers find that perfect fit at DSW Union Square in New York – a great opportunity for the working woman who wants to invest in a few fantastic cost-per-wear shoes and bags… and gab with Bobbie. The store will also be giving away a free pair of shoes every half-hour and indulging one lucky lady in Carrie Bradshaw’s ultimate fantasy: a winning prize of one year’s worth of shoes. Not a shoe gal? Then check out these other great events:

New York

Get your celeb fix at Bergdorf Goodman, where the Olsen twins will be bartending, designers Cynthia Rowley and Peter Som will be competing in a cook-off judged by Padma Lakshmi and Donna Karan and Emmy Rossum will host a game of Fashion Rules.

Need some high-heel lessons? Head to H&M (515 Broadway), where Miss J Alexander of “America’s Next Top Model” will offer personal runway lessons before you strike a “fierce” pose for a shot that will be displayed on a Meatpacking District billboard.

If you’re into ambience, pile on the scarves and gold jewelry for a gypsy caravan-themed fete at Moschino (401 West 14th Street). Shop and gab while fortune-tellers and tarot card readers predict your fashion future (I see studded bags… and shoulder pads).

“Gossip Girl” watchers can see “Little J” Taylor Momsen rock it out with her band The Pretty Reckless at the Teen Vogue block party (Perry Street between Bleecker and West 4th).

Boutique lovers might want to stop by INTERMIX SoHo (98 Prince Street), where sister designers Savannah and Sienna Miller of Twenty8Twelve will sign FNO specialty shirts and host an “Art Battle” in which artists draw on mannequins for the judging audience.

Charlize Theron will sign copies of Vogue’s obese September issue at Dior (21 East 57th), while makeup artists will transform guests before they sit down for exclusive portrait sittings.

L.A.

Grill rocker/designer Pete Wentz on his eyeliner technique as he showcases his Clandestine Industries brand at Ron Herman at Fred Segal Melrose (8100 Melrose Ave). Then let Paige Geller of Paige Premium Denim lead you through a course on how to “destroy” your jeans.

Nationwide

Neiman Marcus stores will be open late, offering makeovers and sharing treats (like chocolate mousse desserts in Chicago or cocktails in Atlanta). Check your local Neiman Marcus.

For more events, giveaways and special promotions, visit Fashion’s Night Out. If you live in an area that isn’t hosting a FNO event, then DIY: Invite some pals over, open up some bottles of wine and throw a swap party. You don’t need to spend money to enjoy the historic evening – just have fun and get something stylish that’s “new” to you.

NY Fashion Week kicks off heavy on star power

The fashion industry put on its most glamorous face as it opened New York Fashion Week on Thursday, presenting a star-studded overture to reluctant recessionistas. The Olsen twins, Victoria Beckham, Justin Timberlake and Anna Wintour all made appearances.

Fashion & beauty ideas for the season


Welcome to New York Fashion Week


NEW YORK - The fashion industry wants to invite you to New York Fashion Week — sort of.

An enormous tent is up in Midtown for the kickoff on Thursday, fashion flags line the streets and designer Cynthia Rowley is going to share your ride in the back of a taxi via video.

Celebrities, designers and industry glitterati will mingle with shoppers at stores all over New York for the first-ever Fashion's Night Out (Vogue's Anna Wintour will be at a Queens Macy's!) Baby Phat will broadcast its runway show live in Times Square.

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