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Mary Tyler Moore Inspired Fashion

Since I've been watching back-to-back episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I've been feeling the vintage inspiration everywhere I look. If you crave fun color and pattern, then the '70s are a fantastic decade from which to pull your inspiration. Craving '70s style? Here are some modern solutions.

 

Red and Orange Tones: Bright colors are an easy way to work bold '70s style into your wardrobe, from bright pops of color on your most elegant tunic to a silk scarf. Toss any bright color on with fun denim and a pair of gladiator sandals for a great MTM-inspired look.

Where to Find: Get your bright tops on a discount from Victoria's Secret and ModCloth.

Maxi Dresses: Maxis are an excellent buy if you happen to have heavy calves or larger ankles, and they haven't been out of style altogether since the '70s. Patterned dresses look best when they are in a medium-size print, because that flatters nearly every body type.

Where to Find: Pick up a maxi dress from a clearance or sale section on a site like JCPenney or GAP.

Wide-Legged Denim: Grab a pair of wide-legged denim to pair with anything-- scoop-neck tank tops, t-shirts, and mock-neck tops. Platform shoes and wedges add tones of height with these trousers, but be sure that your feet stay visible when combined with chunky shoes. Jute or cork soles are up to you!

Where to Find: Get your wide-legged denim at Old Navy, where prices are right, and the fit is, too.

Cool Sweatshirts: Why do we just have sleek hoodies to hang around in? Instead of zipping on a boring sweatshirt, why not go retro and pull on a classic one that features a crew neck and an fun logo on it? It's your chance to dress down like your pals in the '70s would have!

Where to Find: Head on over to eBay to get the real deal.

Exploring Ibex

It is so cold here right now, and I am scrambling for cozy goods to beat the chill. Brrrr! I recently found out about Ibex, and they have some great pieces that look like they will last for ages. Warm and toasty clothes are great when it's winter, but stylish ones sure are nicer to have around! Thank goodness I don't need to compromise-- now let me take you on a tour of some of my fave Ibex looks.

Balance Seamless: These pieces are great for laying under heavyweight items, because they are light and made for cool-weather wear. The Balance Boy Shorts are probably my favorite pair of underwear offered by Ibex, but those cross-strapped sports bras are absolutely gorgeous, too! They look like something a ballerina would wear.

Organic Cotton and Wool Pants: Organic clothing can be hard to come by, especially when you are trying to balance stylish needs with the realities of the season. My favorite pair of pants from Ibex are definitely the Izzi Pants, which are made from New Zealand Merino Wool, and are pepped up with a touch of Lycra and nylon. According to the company, they call it "stretch wool," and it's easy to see why when you slip it on.

Layering Tights: If you live somewhere really, really cold, then you are probably used to wearing tights or leggings underneath your jeans. Ibex has some very lightweight items that will definitely work underneath your trousers when the cold is out of control. These items will also work well for exercisers who like to layer tights underneath exercise pants.

Cute Hats: Hats are a problem for many of us. We love them, but they can look extremely awkward over our hair, not match at all with our ensembles of choice, and simply have a more "homespun" look than we're used to rocking in the city. Try their Rosie Cap, which features an oversized flower on one side, and plenty of eye-catching topstitching.

Overcoats: Let's not forget the importance of a great overcoat! Ibex's claim to fame is their unique use of a special wool, and you can easily see why people rave about what they have to offer. The pieces have a clean look that we love, paired with an exceptionally long-lasting wool that looks newer, longer.

Do you need to shop for more cold-weather gear in this cold snap?

Plus Fashion Blogs That Rock

Looking for plus-size fashion blogs for cool inspiration? A recent article on The Daily Beast highlighted some excellent plus fashion blogs to check out, and I thought that I would highlight them if you have been looking for some plus women to look up to and use as inspiration. Check these out and see what you like!

Manolo for the Big Girl

While some styles of Manolo for the Big Girl are featured for e-commerce purposes only, the tone is witty, bright, and funny, and the bloggers have gotten plenty of notoriety in the plus world. They also happen to love pricey shoes, which I also love! Have a page through some great picks and be sure to read the comments on the blog--it's a very fiesty community. I love Manolo for the Big Girl, and I think you will, too!

Young, Fat, and Fabulous

This blog is run by a stylish plus woman dedicated to the 14+--she digs up all sorts of goodies from a variety of cool brands and labels in a just-launched phase. She's also been on network TV talking about plus styles and how to get that wardrobe together, as well as the plight of the “Fatshionista.”

Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes

Lots of current-time plus styles get highlighted in this fun and fashon-forward blog, which basically all of us 12+ should read! It recently covered Beth Ditto's Evans launch, Skorch's return to the plus-size magazine world, and plenty of other goodies.

Sakina in the City (French but Fun)

This blog might be in French, but it's fun to read and creative, too. If you'd like to have a peek at European plus-size fashion (sigh, it's also tres chic), perhaps this is the right blog to visit. . . ASAP! I especially like Sakina's use of high-waisted skirts and frilly blouses without making them look twee or awkward—brava, my plus-size friend across the pond!

Musings of a Fatshionista

Very plus-size friendly fashion picks make me drool... arg! If you want to read a blog that's a little bit like the plus equivalent of a Cinde-Nast blog, this is the place to be. I enjoy flipping through all the scanned mag articles from various sources, as well as the fun high-fashion layouts of plus fashion that really make me feel like part of the fashion bunch (instead of an outsider).

Peruvian Connection Spells Easy Comfort

It's so rewarding to branch out from your usual shopping locations. I'm a regular at places like J. Crew, Old Navy, Bluefly, and The Gap, but places like C & C California and today's feature, Peruvian Connection, are such a treat. Soft pima cotton is sublime, because it drapes beautifully, and it complements lots of different body types. If you're curvy, these featured pieces cling in all the right places, and if you're on the slimmer side, draped bits can add a little extra something to your frame.

Get ready for some of the most figure-flattering pieces of the season!

(Rosewater Skirt)

A skirt with a wider silhouette can be worn to make your shape look great-- and in plenty of different ways, too. Have a Small Waist and Slim Hips? Make your waist look extra-slim in a skirt with extra volume. If you have narrow hips, you can add womanly balance with extra fabric around that area. This Peruvian Connection skirt can be pre-ordered right now, and styled with wrap tops or tees.

Best Paired With: Soft t-shirt, peasant blouses, cool peasant shirts, t-back racer tanks, and scoop-neck blouses.

(Berkeley Pima Cowl Neck)

Looking for a Way to Dress Yourself Up? Are you heading back into the job force after a hiatus? Do you need to feel good about yourself after relocating to the city? Simply looking for a pick-me-up? I highly recommend a dress like this, with a sophisticated edge than can be paired with a wide variety of accessories. I'm going to shop for patent belts from Nordstrom to match with mine. What about you?

Best Paired With: Amazing boots, slouchy bags, and attitude!

(Pima Cotton Plum Slip)

Not a work piece, but certain something sumptuous when you need to relax. Sexy Comfort is Key: Everyone gets tired of primping every once in a while. Even if you're the classic "high-maintenance" type, you'll find that these pieces cut down on your primp time without forcing you to sacrifice on style. Think about it this way-- now you have more time for your hair!

Best Paired With: Slouchy warm socks at home, a beautiful hat, flawless makeup, or a little set of slipper-socks.

(Pima Cotton Robe)

Gorgeous styling-- isn't this pic to die for? Home Basics Look Hot: Just like the pic above, this pajama set is a nice choice for a stylish woman who needs a little lounging updates. Sitting on the couch in these beautiful styles make looking good at home a lot more worthwhile, because it's just so easy.

Best Paired With: A good book.

(Kaya Cropped Pants)

These cropped pants offer an unusual design for less. Need a Designer-Inspired Look? Get one for less! This pair of cropped pants have a stunning button placket that runs along the bottom hem to add plenty of interest to any ensemble.

Best Paired With: Leather pants, a vest or waistcoat if you're daring, or a tunic tank top if you prefer to be on the save side.

(Garland Pima Tee)

Pick up basics at Peruvian Connection, too! From sleepwear to interesting work designs, I have a feeling that you'll feel more comfortable in these items.

Best Paired With: Jeans or yoga pants, eco-friendly slip-on shoes, or a wrap blouse on top.

Favorite Fashion Blogs and Resources

Looking for some cool new reading to pick up ideas, suggestions, and awesome styles that you'd never be able to find anywhere else? Or are you looking to make fashion more personal, more "real" by finding out about someone's real life in the biz? These are all options when you read my very favorite fashion blogs, which mix it up in detailed and personal accounts for plenty of fashion tidbits.

Read on, bookmark away, and definitely tell me what you think about each and every one (or at least one that caught your eye).

Miss Shoo



Miss Shoo's blog focuses on plenty, mixing in both professional advice and neat labels suggestions from a worldwide perspective. Miss Shoo, as I understand, is a real-life shoes/handbags designer, although I have yet to track down any of her pieces and would sure like to. (Any hints?) In addition, Miss Shoo tavels to Brazil for business, family, and fun, and reports back on her vacations, along with European buying/scouting trips and even little L.A. jaunts.

Fashion Lovers Will Like: Colorful pics, brand features, fun interviews with designers, personal fashion-related stories, and a fantastic layout to gaze at.

Coutorture



Coutorture is every fashion maven's destination for "quick consumables." I'd saythat they're a little more on teh avant-garde side, with some wild photo shoots that are a little grittier than your usual spread, and lots of updated editorials every day. You can also use this blog as a jumping-off point for lots of blog-linkage and exploration. You can also check out the Editor in Chief's personal blog, which discusses the process behind some of the major Coutorture projects and can really add a lot of interest to your site of destination.

Fashion Lovers Will Like: Wild photoshoots, up-to-the-minute collections, and a feisty Editor.

Closet Therapy



Closet Therapy... where do I begin? This was one of the first fashion-related blogs I got totally (and I do mean totally) hooked to. It's so easy to get involved with this ex-Jane blogger and her life, because I really think she's a passionate shopper who knows her stuff. What's more important is the fact that she's just like us! Really! She has a job (not ridiculously glam, either. No styling to the stars, etc. like you find on many other sites...), she's engaged, and she lives to hit up Barney's. What a great, lightweight blog in which to get lost!

Fashion Lovers Will Like: Lots of purses, plenty of beauty tips from eyelash extensions to hair straightening, and cool tips on life.

Miss Couturable



Miss Couturable is a cute blog written by a teen cheerleader. Yes, cheerleader. Okay, her posts about her Ivy League/Seven Sisters college hunt aren't exactly my preferred reading, but I do like to check out what styles are most popular for the super-young (think the SAT age). It's all fashion internships and floppy bows, and even if you don't believe me, you'll be addicted, too.

Fashion Lovers Will Like: Fashion innocence and rousing commentary on topics like the "elite" and on the class system.

FashionTribes



FashionTribes is just where I go when I need some condensed fashion info on trends and the like. This site has a nice, condensed vibe that's quite perfect for hardcore fashion research types. If you're a budding fashion blogger, this is also an opportunity for you to check out how to a professional site with plenty of room for creativity.

Fashion Lovers Will Like: Lots of designer details, a fun layout, and a professional finish.

La Coquette



Elisabeth Fourmont is a Fashion Blogger/Editor who describes her experiences behind-the-scenes during Parisian fashion events, photoshoots, and editorial escapades. Access fun videos in this personal blog of friends and family, while reading about Elisabeth's experiences as a globe trotter who spends her winters editing in Chicago.

Fashion Lovers Will Like: Lots of French details, a glam job description, and lots of personal details that make author Elisabeth a very likable, fun girl to read about.

Meieli Sawyer Detoni