The Difference Between Panama and Fedora Hats July 2nd, 2010 By

I love the fact that hats are so in!  It’s the easiest and most chic way to protect your face from the sun, slyly avoid a bad hair day, and accessorize any outfit.  This season try a Panama or fedora hat as your summer accessory.  They are the go-to topper that can take you from the beach to lounging at a club.  Here are some celebs sporting the look this summer:

Stacy Keibler in a fedora while on the beach in Mexico

Hilary Duff in fitted fedora in NYC

A quick look at tradition: 

What makes a true Panama hat?  Panama Hat: (noun) A natural-colored, hand-plaited hat made from leaves of the jipijapa plant of South and Central America.

What characterizes a fedora? Fedora: (noun) A man’s soft, felt hat with the crown creased lengthwise and a somewhat curved brim. Origin: France, after Fédora(1882), a play by Sardou – the hat style was worn by one of the characters. 

Hats today:

In 2010 however, there are a million styles of these hats.  This classic J. Crew Panama Hat is my favorite.  It reminds me of the 1920s and The Great Gatsby. I can only be so grateful that fashion reinvents itself, and this once strictly-menswear hat is now perfectly acceptable atop my little head with my favorite black string bikini.  

 
 

J.Crew Panama Hat

 

But I couldn’t pass up this super-affordable (it’s on sale!) and oh-so-sweet fedora style from American Eagle Outfitters. With a white tee and a pair of cuffed boyfriend jeans, this is perfect for every day.  Will you be sporting one this summer?

Natural Fedora with Ribbon by American Eagle Outfitters

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Get This Look: Blake Lively January 19th, 2010 By

Photo credit: Demis Maryannakis/SplashNewsOnline.com

Photo credit: Demis Maryannakis/SplashNewsOnline.com

If the Gossip you’ve heard is that Blake Lively is a girl who knows her fashion, you can bet the rumors are true!

No doubt the outfit shown here is a pretty fantastic combo of elegant-meets-rocker-girl-glam, but don’t let the leather leggings discourage you; if you sub out the cow pants for cotton, this is a great outfit for day that you can easily take with you to happy hour. If you dress it up with some snazzy, sparkly accessories, I dare say you might be able to sport this look all the way past the dinner hour.

So how do you do like lady Lively? Read on!

Blake’s jacket is by SMYTHE and available at shopbop for $550. If you’re looking for something a little less spendy, you might take a look at these boyfriend blazers, instead:

necessary objects boyfriend blazer

Definitely a "Necessary Object!"

This very similar boyfriend jacket from Necessary Objects retails for $58 at Nordstrom:

Or you might be interested in Banana Republic’s version for $130. It’s a little more streamlined and a tad more grown-up-ish than the jr’s version pictured.

Want to take the plunge into some hot, hot, hot leather leggings? Alice + Olivia makes a pair that makes me swoon. These babies go for $698.

But as luck would have it, Victoria’s Secret has a remarkably adorable pair ON SALE NOW AT BESO for $208.

Viva Victoria's Secret Sales!

Viva Victoria's Secret Sales!


But if leather ain’t your bag, there is plenty you can do with a tried-and-true pair of black cotton leggings, instead. Take this pair from Juicy, for example:

She's got legs and knows how to use them!

She's got Juicy Couture legs and knows how to use them!

Cute, comfy and very, very versatile.

Pair with a lightweight white tee shirt, and  some killer black high heels (boots would work, too!) like either of these:

These Jessica Simpson heels go with almost anything

These Jessica Simpson heels go with almost anything

So will these beautiful black heels...

So do these awesome black Pelle Moda heels...

All you need now is the perfect pewter clutch, like this sleek and simple wristlet from Tianni)…

Shine on!

Shine on! Tianni Metallic Wristlet

…and you have a look everyone will gossip about for ages (in a good way)!

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