So what are you going to be on Halloween?

Nakia Jackson of  Sharon Hill is a Halloween Consultant for Goodwill Stores in MacDade Plaza.

For children Halloween is a time to be a princess or a pirate. If you had really clever parents, you might be a tabletop. But for most of us we settled for those store bought costumes. You know the ones made of fake satin and plastic masks with exaggerated faces.As adults getting that invite on Facebook for the Halloween event of the year has us feeling anxious. What are we going to be? We want to look good, be clever, make a statement and be comfortable. We don't want to spend lots of money.
So one of the best ways to do this is to go to local thrift shops in the area. Goodwill has lots of clothes to choose from and Halloween consultants to help you out.
"You can put anything together here and we have consultants to help you.  Halloween is our Christmas. It's a fun time of year.  Whatever you need to buy is here," said Maria Rankin, store manager at the store in MacDade Plaza.
Rankin has some neat ideas to make your costume an adventure.
From Fairy to Snookie to Frankenstein to Dexter; here are her ideas and how to make them happen.
Rosie the Riveter

Blue denim shirt, polka dot hair scarf and rolled up jeans
Geisha Silk robe, black flats, black wig, chopsticks for hair, parasol, white foundation, black eyeliner and red lipstick.
Voodoo DollTan dress, black tights, red shoes, sew a large red heart on chest, use wire and yellow foam balls to make pins.
Mime
Black pants, black and white striped pants, bowler hat, suspenders and a pair of white gloves.
Rosemary Woodhouse in Rosemary's Baby
Blue nightgown, blond short wig, long kitchen Knife and walk around the party saying no it can't be.FrankensteinBlack suit, green foundation and neck bolts.
Snookie from Jersey Shore
Short black dress, big teased wig, black high heels and big jewelry.
Macgruber.
Flannel shirt, sunglasses, jeans and khaki vest.
Coraline
Yellow raincoat, yellow rain boots, blue tights, brown messenger bag and blue wig.
Daybreakers
Think the Blood Cafe Girls, 50's inspired hair, white jacket and white shirt, fangs. carry a coffee cup with red paint or dye in it.
Luca Libre WrestlersA singlet( wrestling outfit), make a cardboard champion belt and a mask.

Whether you choose to be Spooky or Snookie remember fashion is spinning these ideas and making them your own. That's how  to keep Styling in Delco..... Happy Halloween.

Flowing silhouettes on the catwalk at Native Gypsy show

Silhouettes of every shape walked along the catwalk  at the SA VA fashion show last week at 18th and Samson Streets. The show was part of Design Philadelphia where designers  from all walks of life get a chance to show off their wares.   The  fashion show, SA VA Native Gypsy was hosted by Sarah Van Aken,  designer and entrepreneur of SA VA, a boutique at 1700 Samson Street. Van Aken has a keen eye for form, color and texture. Her    designs reflected this as models walked across the catwalk in flowing long sweaters, pencil jeans and leggings  accented by boots and suede boot covers

 The classic line sheath dresses  shown  were accented by fingerless gloves of lace, lace stockings and  boots to the knee. Some had a vintage feel adding different materials  and colors to mix up the classic long. 

Red is Van Aken's signature color and shows up throughout the show in leggings, scarves  and dresses.    Nothing too over the top.

 Any woman could find something to like here and carry it off without being anorexic.

Van Aken  has a philosophy that extends beyond frivolous fashion She believes in effortless style, self-expression and quality. Fashion should be fun, carefree and sensual. Her beliefs shine through her designs are made for the real woman who wants to live life to the fullest.

  Her business philosophy is about being locally made, globally inspired, socially conscious and community based. Van Aken is dedicated to helping others and has created community partnerships with People Emergency Center and The Career Wardrobe (more on that in the next blog).

So what is Van Aken's recipe for a great fashion look.

Two parts sensuality, one part street smart, one part ease and drape one part tailoring and fit, one part daring, evocative details, one part mysterious, a pinch of trend and vintage and a dash of bohemian and drama.  It sounds like a recipe to follow.  Here is her website so you can check out her styles and see for yourself at http://www.savafashion.com/.  Putting Van Aken's ingredients into your wardrobe, you'll  be Styling in Delco. 

 

Hey Mama what bed did you crawl out of?

Okay fashion lovers here are some things to beware of .......If you remember stretch pants, you must remember how they led to a bit of frumpiness........Big big shirts....Big Big sweatshirts over skinny pants that hid nothing. I don't know about you but I know I increased a bit in size as I was able to stretch the limits. So remember if you are going to wear the leggings wear a stylish top caressing your hips with leather  booties to keep the lines flowing. 

Leggings are not about stretching the limits or finding the biggest top you own to cover your flaws. Work on the flaws, accent the good and remember you never know who you'll meet as you walk out the door.

What if you spy a celebrity like Brad Pitt in Walmart......a stretch......but what if you do and you want to look good enought to take that phone picture with Brad, right. So think about it.
I was stuck in Walmarts parking lot and a few things bothered me. Here are some observations.  Men's sweatshirts are for men! 

No excuses there are so many feminine and cute women's sports fashion. Phillies fans and Eagles fans can make the most of the selections on your hometeams web. Check them out.http://www.fansedge.com. Pick your team.  

Don't wear pajamas when you shop.

Its okay when you are sixteen and you are walking home from a sleepover but lets be real..flannel pajamas warm and cuddley at home don't belong on the streets of Delco. 

Leave the sliders at home!

One other thing I would like to see banned would be those slide in shoes that males and females wear with abandonment... you know the ones with the sports emblem.......no support....make your feet look ugly.

Instead  go for cute flip flops or a sandals or  pink work boots

     Fashion is about  breaking rules not looking like you crawled out of bed after a really bad night   of  partying  ...Keep Styling in Delco.

Sports Photos courtsey of Fansedge.com

Pink workboots can be found at B&S Shoes in Drexeline Shopping Center.     

Back to School with Flare

Are you ready for Fall? Step into the season in ballet flats. Pointy-toe heels compliment a fitted sheath or a pencil skirt. Bright suede shoes in bright colors like greens, reds, purples and blues will brighten up the seasons colors of tan, black and gray.

Denim jackets in black and blue are all the rage. Matched up with khakis, dress pants or feminine skirts. Denim is big and colored denim is bigger this season. Still a medium or dark wash makes you look leaner than a light one.

 Dress your jeans up with a white shirt and a jacket and you have a professional look going on. Glitz it up with a dazzling sequin jacket and your ready to party. Skinny jeans, flared jeans and boyfriend jeans, (remember baggy not saggy) you can make them your own.  

Here are some tips for fitting jeans. When trying on jeans keep them on for  five minutes to see if they fit snugly or too too tight. Jeans stretch on you.Touch your toes and sit down. Bring two sizes of each pair you want to try on.  Sizing varies according to different brands. If you are petite chose close fit ankle-length cuts. It will exend the line of your legs.

Jeans are so popular that they have become part of the legging family, beyond  skinny jeans.  Leggings or jeggings(a jean legging) which is the must have item this season can be layered with a vest, a print blouse or a long sweater.Top it with pearls and you have made your own fashion statement this season.

Plaid woven shirts are in too. Plaids are all the rage. Wear a tank top underneath over shorts and you are ready to stay cool during Indian Summer. It's been a really hot summer so there are still some ice cream days left. You can still wear your shorts and be Styling in Delco even in the Fall.

Elegant at the Emmys

Photo credit CBS News Gallery
Tina Fey who was nominated at the Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and for Outstanding Comedy Series, 30 Rock. Fey looked stunning at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday. Kudos to the Upper Darby native wearing the elegant gown with a slight train topped with lace. Though she did not win an Emmy, her style was a win in every way.
Fey was voted one of People's 50 Most Beautiful people in the world. But if anything besides beauty this woman has brains. Fey, a graduate of Upper Darby and University of Virgina started out at Second City in Chicago and went on to become head writer at Saturday Nigh Live. She became the first female head writer.
On the 25th anniversary show of Saturday Night Live, she hosted Weekend Update with Jimmy Fallon. She went on to create 30 Rock and portrays, the head writer for the comedy series. In 2004 she co-starred and wrote Mean Girls. Fey has won seven Emmys, three Golden Globes, four Screen Actors Guild Awards and four Writers Guild of America Awards. One of her Emmys was for her portrayal of Sarah Palin.
So what did you think of the Emmys and the fashion? Who looked great, who didn't?

Why a Fashion Blog?

So the truth is I love fashion but I'm vertically challenged. Short is the operative work here, petite if you are kind. Being vertically challenged with curves I've found it hard to pull off looking like Heidi Klum who basically looks good in a brown paper bag. So you are probably asking what do I know about about fashion. It's what I notice in the movies and in the real screen of life. You maybe figuring out the plot I'm looking at the clothes.
I have actually decided on what television shows to watch based on how well-dressed the main characters are. I love Ghost Whisper, not only because its interesting but because I love the clothes that Jennifer Love Hewitt wears on it. I am not so crazy about the clothes that Patricia Arquette wears on Medium. I love clothes but a clothes horse I am not. I love Vogue Magazine, and Glamour especially the Dos and Don'ts. One of my favorite shows is What Not To Wear. Yes I could watch a marathon of those episodes featuring Stacy London and Clinton Kelly tearing through closets and trashing those out-dated clothes from the sixties, then transforming those of little style into fashion divas.
So what is Styling in Delco all about? We are going to feature styling tips from office wear to biker chic from experts in Delco boutiques. From acessories to Wedding Gowns we will let you know what's in and where to go for the look in Delco. We are on the lookout for local designers with their take on what is in and out. What's the latest trends for back to school, we will let you know here. Ask questions will find the experts with answers to your fashion dilemma.