Hey Everyone!
So I’m at home, chillin in the ATL with the fam…I had an early flight this morning (8am), so couldn’t prepare anything for today. Thankfully one of my new interns Alisha, (yup that’s right, there are more), contributed a post today about two of her favorite hometown boutiques, Lux and Shoe-nami. We’re trying to take The Fashion Bomb national and international; this is the first Boutique Spotlight that isn’t in Brooklyn or Atlanta! If you also have cool hometown boutiques that are a must visit, e-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com.
Now on to Alisha’s post…Enjoy!
**************************************************************************
Hey girls and guys ,

New intern Alisha here, hailing from Tennessee!
Thanks to Claire, I’m going to attempt to blog on one of favorite things: finding new boutiques. Every city has at least one shop that its natives just can’t live without. You don’t always have to be in New York or L.A. to find the hotness!
My first pick: LUX Style (906 S. Cooper St.Memphis, TN 38104)…

…Tucked away in the ecletic and trendy Cooper-Young area in Memphis, Tennessee is a true gem, LUX Style. Opened in 2004 by Tadd Feazell, LUX brings true women’s and men’s fashion to Memphis via Brands like Diesel, Andrew Christian and Double Zero. Any given weekend, you can catch hip fashionistas shopping for the hottest shoes, apparel and jewelry while a DJ spins right there on the sidewalk. Check out LUX’s new online store at www.luxmemphis.com or visit them on Myspace at www.myspace.com/luxmemphis
A few of Lux’s hot items:
Alluring Jewelry
Men’s Shirt, Romme Homme, $89
Dress, Nelli, $169
Boot, N.Y.L.A., $178
Cute!
My next Boutique Pick:
Shoe-Nami (3412 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38111)…
…When you want to find the cutest, yet inexpensive shoes and accessories to accent your ensemble, definitely hit up Shoe-Nami. Though the flagship store is in New Orleans, Memphis received its own piece of the Crescent City after Hurricane Katrina. Even after being nestled in a popular shopping area for nearly two years, many still don’t know about it. From wedges, to platforms, flats, boots, flip flops and pumps, Shoe-Nami has it all. The best thing about the store is the shoes are color-coordinated. What more could a fashionista want?
A few Fashion Bomb worthy choices:
Red Patent Leather Wedge, Gen.E.Ration, $34
Red Patent Leather Clutch, Karma, $44
Brown Faux Croc Clutch, Galian, $40 (Blue, $44)
If you’re ever in Tennessee, make sure to stop on by!

*****************************************************************
Great Job, Alisha!
These interns are life savers….
Hopefully I’ll have time for some mail bombs tomorrow.
Until then…
Smootches!

“I’m convinced that we black women possess a special, indestructible strength that allows us to not only get down but to get up, to get through and to get over.”–Janet Jackson, Soul Train Awards, 2004

Hey Guys!
Thanks for all your great comments yesterday. A change will come…hopefully. But does anyone else think it’s really disturbing that there are so many incidents of noose hangings around the country? Are we sliding backwards? Scary.
Anyway today, I decided to revert back to my normal, lighter fare: a weekly Style File, this time around on icon, actress, and musician…

…Janet Jackson!
Homegirl has been setting trends for decades, and her style has only gotten more refined with time. Let’s check out her some of her more recent representations:
For red carpet events, she favors dresses in solid colors like slimming blacks…
…ravishing red…
…alluring burgundy satin…
…or demure brown…
…all in flattering v-neck or strapless cuts with long skirts accented by stilettos or boots.
For more casual settings, menswear inspired outfits are the rule rather than the exception for Janet, who sports dresses with tie accents…
…dresses with collared and cuffed elements….
…riding boots….
…newsboy caps…
…and even fedoras and jackets…
…with mile high spiked heels.
Hot.
Want to cop her burgundy dress game?
Try this $420 Nicole Miller V-Neck Stretch Satin Sheath…
…or get the same idea for a lower price with this $158 Donna Rico Stretch Satin Sheath Dress…
…from nordstrom.com.
Want to achieve a menswear inspired look?
Just rock a fedora like this $29 Gold Metallic number….
Tops like this $44 Sweater with Attached Collar….
…or even a pair of hot, wide, leg pants like these $88 Ponte Button Trousers….
…You’ll be in control:)
Smootches!
PS I’m gonna be traveling tomorrow (going home to the A for the wknd), so I’ll try my best to update (or get one of the ‘terns to contribute)! If not, I’m sure you’ll understand…
PSS A few throwback viddy’s, just for fun.

Pleasure Principal

Control

If (You know you know the dance to this…)

That’s the Way Love Goes

All for You
This woman is fierce! Over forty and flawless.

“Designers aren’t thinking about the world or diversity of their consumer base. I think it’s lazy…We have a broad audience we’re selling too, but to not address that on a runway is old-fashioned, and we’re in the business of making fashion.”–Tracy Reese.

Hey, hey!
So as you know, last night I attended Part Deux of the “Blacks in Fashion” Forum.
I made my way over to the New York Public Library at 6:30…and the room eventually became quite crowded…

…with fashionistas and fashionistos.
A few luminaries came out.
Vera Wang surprisingly made an appearance….
…(those are horrible pictures, I know, but she didn’t stick around long enough afterwards for me to formally ask for a picture)…
A very vocal Iman was in the front row…
…and tons of others (including a few Fashion Bomb Readers!) filled the seats.
The talk got underway, with designer Tracy Reese, Stylist Lori Goldstein, casting agent James Scully, and model agent David Ralph on the panel….
…Bethann Hardison moderated.
If you remember the first meeting, I’d say that similar issues were addressed: how editors believe black covers don’t sell; designers don’t request ethnic models; black models compete against each other (hear that Tyra and Naomi!); agents don’t feel they need more than one black girl; and how image makers don’t have an eye or recognize black beauty.

Though the discussion started off reiterating a lot of the same issues, it eventually seemed to go a step further by addressing the large role magazine editors play in filling editorial pages with diversity, and how that affects the runway. If you remember the article from jezebel.com, you’d recall that a whopping 7 out of the 9 major fashion magazines totally lacked black models in their editorial pages for the month of October. Sad.

Instead of crying ‘Racism’ a la Vivienne Westwood, Wendell Brown, a senior fashion editor of color at Esquire magazine made a great observation: he knows from experience that sometimes editors at these magazines just don’t think of including a person of color until someone in the room mentions it. Meaning these editors aren’t discriminatory per se, just unaware. Seems they just need someone on staff to gently remind them.
Interesting….
The talk went on for a good two hours, and eventually photographer Marc Baptiste asked the big question: “What’s the Solution?”

Bethann stated that her goal was simply to get people talking: to get bloggers buzzing, major newspapers writing (thanks Kenya Hunt and Guy Trebay) and to make the world at large aware of this very serious problem.
Mission accomplished! Take a look at the front page of your local metro newspaper…
Hopefully the dialogue won’t end here.
Afterwards I went down and chit chatted with a few of fashion’s finest.
Yaya from ANTM fame showed her support…
As did Harriette Cole, Creative Director of Ebony magazine….
…Beverly Smith, the former Fashion Editor at large for Vibe magazine, and current judge on BET J’s My Model is better than Your Model came through….
…and brought a couple Fashion Bomb readers with her!
And I of course had to snap a few pictures! I caught up with Michaela Angela Davis (founding Fashion Director of Vibe Magazine, former Fashion Director and Editor in Chief of Honey Magazine)…
Robin Givhan (Pulitzer prize winning Fashion Editor for the Washington Post)….
Tracy Reese (super duper dope Fashion Designer)
and Bethann herself!
Yay!
I told them all about the Fashion Bomb. Hopefully they’ll be tuning in today!
Smootches!
Fashion News and What Nots:
*Speaking of designers of color, Kimora’s KLS line is popping up on every red carpet.
Here, Anna Kournikova and Mya rock the same KLS dress.

Who looked more FAB (FAshion Bomb)?
*USA Today reports that several US Cities are balking over baggy pants. Guys still wear those?
*YBF reports that Rihanna….

and J. Lo…

…both nabbed November covers. It’s a start!

Hey, hey!
So I was on the train the other day, and noticed this lovely young dreaded lady…

…I thought she had a very chic look, so I had to snap a picture. I liked how she mixed casual fall accessories–a newsboy cap, bright scarf, boots, and blazer–with a hot Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag.
Smart Style, care of the 3 train.
Smootches!
Fashion News and What Nots

*Check out Guy Trebay’s latest article on the lack of ethnic models in fashion. An excerpt, “Although black women in the United States spend more than $20 billion on apparel each year, according to estimates by TargetMarketNews.com, it was hard to discern an awareness of this fact on the part of designers showing in New York, where black faces were more absent from runways than they have been in years…”

* FINALLY, the website www.jezebel.com talks about the role that magazine editors have in this whole shebang. An excerpt, “You know what would be really political? If women’s magazine editors debated the diversity of black beauty not just in the conference rooms of white-shoe law firms but in their pages.” I asked a prominent black editor about the lack of blacks in editorial roles at the last talk and she dismissed me as being ‘off topic.’ Really?
Look at this:
Black Models In Fashion Editorial, October 2007:
Marie Claire: 1, starring solo in a 6-page fashion editorial
W: 1, appearing on 1 page of a 20-page fashion editorial
Vogue: 0
Harper’s Bazaar: 0
Glamour: 0
Cosmopolitan: 0
Allure: 0
Lucky: 0
Elle: 0
I subscribe to…a lot of those…

*Whoa, whoa, did you hear about this?!? Apparently a Glamour staffer said that Afro’s and Dreadlocks were office ‘no-no’s’. “The Glamour staffer allegedly told the room that she thought it was ‘shocking’ that people still think it’s ‘appropriate’ to wear those hairstyles at the office.’ Woooow. Thankfully, Glamour’s EIC, Cindi Lieve, has responded. The response is great, but makes me wonder about these mag editors…

* I know you’re going to the talk on Blacks in Fashion tonight at 7pm! Haven’t purchased your $15 ticket? Click here. See ya there…and if not you know I’ll give you the blow by blow tomorrow:) Update: It’s sold out

Happy Friday!
You know what time it is…

….let’s work.
First up readers Liyah and Giselle from Trinidad and Tobago fell in love with Rihanna’s look from a recent shopping trip…

Giselle says, “I saw this picture of Rihanna and I fell in love with her choice of clothing –the simplicity and ‘chic-ness’ rub me the right way. Can you make suggestions for this look?”
I must admit, Rihanna does look fly! This style shouldn’t be hard to achieve.
Start with a deep v neck sweater dress like these….

Left to right: IRO Bird Intarsia Sweater Dress, $132, shopbop.com
Zzara V Neck Knit Dress, $55, www.yesstylecom.
Or these…

Left to Right: 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent Knit Tunic Mini Dress, $230, www.net-a-porter.com; Benny B Dress, $398, www.searlenyc.com.
Layer on some necklaces:

Left to Right: Juicy Couture ‘Juicy Hearts’ Layered Necklaces, $95, www.nordstrom.com; Layered Snake Necklace, $34, www.urbanout.com; Nola Singer Triple Strand Necklace, $322, www.lisakline.com.
And tie on a pair of gladiator flats. They’re a bit out of season, so I found these Tyler by Richard Tyler Willing Sandals…

….for only $27 at www.piperlime.com!
Next, we have a boy reader! We have a boy reader! Dontal from ATL says, “The holiday season is approaching very fast and I can’t wait to see my family for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I live in Atlanta now and my family lives in Chicago and I know I’ll need a sweater for my return home. Could you PLEASE help me find the sweater that David Beckham has on?”
The terns and I searched, and ultimately found that Mr. Posh is wearing this Yves Saint Laurent sweater…
…from the Spring 2006 collection.
I assume it’s no longer available in stores, so I found a few options for you.
This Chunky Zip Sweater by Brunelo Cucinelli has the same effect and a similar light color….
…but at $1,585, the sweater is in a word, ridiculous!
This $375 Vince Chunky Intarsia Cardigan is a bit more affordable, and I think it captures the essence of the Beckham sweater…
…if you don’t mind the color difference, it could work.
This Diesel sweater could also work….
…and is a wee bit more affordable at $290.
Good luck braving that Chicago weather!
Next up reader Latrice says, “Can you tell me where I can get the boots Kelis is wearing…”
“…or a pair similar?”
Hey Latrice! They’re a bit hard to see, but I think you’re going for a gray patent or gray leather boot. Try these on for size:

Left to Right: Juicy Couture Ezra Tall Boot, $450, www.neimanmarcus.com; Without a Cause Cross Strap Boot, $80, www.urbanout.com; Bottega Veneta Patent Knee Boot, $990, www.barneys.com.
Next up, Britney Spears doesn’t quite fit with the Fashion Bomb, which is why I paused when reader Lindsay wrote, “I so need this dress in my life…”
“…can you tell me who makes it?”
Ok, ok, I figured that Ms. Spears is going through it right now with her babies, mama, and life drama, so I’d show her a little love. I found a very ‘Britney-esque’ dress…
….and surprisingly (or not) this sheer matte jersery number is a very affordable $64 at Rampage.com.
Next, reader Jennifer wrote me an e-mail, subject “Big girl’s need skinny jeans too!” She says, “I really need to find some skinny jeans in a size 16, and I’m a college student so sadly money is an issue (LOL)! But I have seen in the past that you look out for us big girls so please pretty please let me know if you find anything!!“
Of course!
These Calvin Klein Skinny Stretch Jeans…
…are $79.50 at www.nordstrom.com.
These Gap skinny jeans…
…come in several washes and go up to a size 20. They’re only $59.50 at www.gap.com.
And Elita also found that these Levis Skinny Jeans come in a size 16….
…and they’re also an affordable $58 at www.levis.com.
Lastly, reader Sonia wrote in saying “So I have fallen head over heels with none other than a pair of Christian Louboutin’s…the Mesh Mary Jane!”…

“…Have you seen any shoe that is similar in look and less threatening to my wallet? I have been calculating how to get this shoe…it’s not adding up!“
You have great taste, Sonia! That shoe is fierce, but I agree, at $820, the price is a bit exorbitant. While you can’t find such exquisite craftmanship at a lower price point, intern Elita did find a few options for you that’ll give you a Mary Jane feel:

Left to Right: Steven Vyxen Mary Janes, $123, www.zappos.com; Manolo Blahnik Satin Mary Jane, $545, www.neimanmarcus.com; Charles by Charles David Brava Peep Toe Mary Jane, $135, www.endless.com.
If anything those can hold you over while you save for the real deal.
There were a ton more Mail Bombs that I have answers for, but I just couldn’t find time to write ’em up! Stay tuned next week…if I haven’t answered yet, know that the interns and I are working on it!
Have great weekends…
Smootches!
PS In NYC? Cool reader Neah passed along this coupon for 25% off Tracy Reese’s hot ready to wear items…

Click and Print
…it all goes down at her flagship store, 641 Hudson Street. I’m feeling brokish, but I may go to just peruse…we’ll see how that goes…
PSS Check out my new ‘topics’ section in my left hand sidebar! Now you can find anything you want–Style Files, Real Style, or Cool Online Finds–just by clicking on the topic. Now all my plus sized posts are one click away…

Hey hey!
So last night, my buddy Malcolm and I…

…went to In Touch’s 5th Year Anniversary at cool NY night spot Tenjune. That’s me (of course) on the right wearing a Mimi Turner top from Pieces Boutique in Brooklyn. Malcolm is sporting a hot navy blue military style jacket by indie designer Matt Levine.
The crowd was packed beyond capacity….
…and a good number of celebs were hangin’ in VIP.
Janet Jackson was in the house with her boo Jermaine Dupri…
Both looked fall ready, Jermaine in a multicolored sweatshirt, and Janet in a velvet belted trench and scarf (worn over a wife beater and jeans).
Mr. Lova Lova Shaggy also made an appearnance…
…loungin hard in a leather jacket, t-shirt, and dark jeans.
America’s Next Top Model reps Nigel Barker…
and Caridee…
…lit up the red carpet. I’m kinda feeling the color in Caridee’s dress. And peep her shoes! They seemed to be patent leather white spectator shoes. Work it!
The highlight of the night, of course, was a performance by Kanye West. I got a few personal pics…
He was so close, it was like he was rapping directly to me!
…I fell in love with his Louis Vuitton baseball jacket, sweater, and dress pants. And the glasses were a nice touch.
Swizz Beatz also came on towards the end to bless the mic…
…he was sporting a Gucci baseball jacket. I smell a trend…
It was fun, but you’re probably asking: What does this have to do with fashion, Claire?
Nothing! It’s just my way of explaining why I don’t have a post today! But I’ll bring it back tenfold tomorrow with tons of mail bombs:)
In the meantime, check the following hot blogs for your fashion fix:
*Sylvia over at I Like her Style finds a catwalk copy of Kerry Washington’s shoes.
*Naki at Style Chile gives the blow by blow of an event at one of my FAVE shoe boutiques, Te Casan.
*The B-Life discusses African American hairstyles for the workplace (I cosign)!
*Strictly Fabulous discusses political T’s. Hmm, what a novel idea…
*Hip Candy contemplates sporty Manolo’s.
*The hot girls over at Style Ammo take a look at Fashion Diva June Ambrose.
*And Robin Givhan, from Paris, considers: Where’s the Woman?
Smootches!
PS Venus Williams blogs from Tokyo…and she’s pretty funny! An excerpt:

Tonight I went to the player party, which was fun. I may have let myself down a little bit, because I immediately rushed to the french fries. I just went right to them. I don’t really eat much, so fries count as a carbohydrate! Boiled or fried, the only thing that matters is that I’m eating. I eat to live, not live to eat. And they were so nice and salty. Okay I did have other things like fish and whatever else I had on my plate – but those fries would have gotten cold if I didn’t take them – and even as they got us to do this thing where we hit a barrel with saki in it, all I could think of was the fries getting cold. I know I made the right decision.
Read more here.

“Don’t be fooled by the rocks that I got/I’m just I’m just Jenny from the block/Used to have a little now I have a lot/No matter where I go I know where I came from…”–Jennifer Lopez, “Jenny from the Block.”

Hey, Hey!
So today’s Style File shines a spotlight on actress, singer, and Puerto Rican spitfire…

…Jennifer Lopez.
Pregnant or not, this former Fly Girl has had the style game on lock for a long time.
Let take a look:
When J. Lo goes glam, she amps it up all the way in floor length gowns in skin flattering champagne or gold…

…at times opting for a more traditional white or black.
…always with minimalist accessories like small clutches and dainty necklaces.
No stranger to shorter frocks, you’ll catch J. Lo flaunting her well toned shoulders and legs in thigh skimming dresses in eye catching red tones…

Cool Greens…

Grays….

Or shimmery black…
…worn with stilettos or boots.
Madame Mark Anthony is also a fan of menswear inspired ‘fits, donning pants on occasion in wide leg styles…
…paired with flirty tops, jackets, or vests.
She’s also a fan of rocking signature headpieces…

…and can work the snuff out of a pair of over the knee black boots…

Hot.
Need J. Lo’s her headgear game? Try the following:

Left to Right:Felt Flower Hat, $16.80, www.forever21.com; Cloche Fedora, $220, www.activeendeavors.com; Logo Riding Hat, $34, www.armaniexchange.com.
Love her cocktail dresses? The following show stoppers should work:

Left to Right: Lilly Pulitzer Belinda Rosette Dress, $328, www.bloomingdales.com; DaNang Green Cotton Dress, $92, www.fashionchateau.com; Double Knit Halter Dress with Leather Trim, $149, www.bebe.com.
Just need a few signature J.Lo accessories? You can’t go wrong with black shoes!

Left to Right: Christian Louboutin Thigh High Boot, $1,790, www.barneys.com; Jeffrey Campbell Burbs Studded Heels, $100, www.shopintuition.com; BCBGirls Buffy Shoes, $110, www.piperlime.com;
Smootches!
PS Don’t forget about part two of the ‘Blacks in Fashion’ discussion going down October 15th at 7pm! Tickets are on sale for only $15. Click here to purchase. I’ll be there!
PSS Oh, and according to Perez Hilton and US Weekly…

..our lady of the day is indeed pregnant. Felicidades!

Hey hey!
So a lot of recent events caused red carpets to roll, and it seems the urban gliterrati decided to bring back the metallic trend for fall. Let’s take a look…
Sweet singer Tweet makes a statement…

… in a thigh length shimmery sequined frock paired with boots.
And actress Denise Boutte…

…recently channeled Tina Turner in a hot gold sequined cocktail.
Gorgeous acress Kerry Washinton opted for silver…
… but went for a more demure v-neck wrap dress and matching metallic sandals.
While Eva the Diva…

..stunted in an almost plastic looking strapless with sky high shoes.
Songstress Chrisette Michelle…
…went all brassy in a cute yet conservative dress.
And uber designer Tracy Reese…

…offered just a punch of silver in her jacket and t-strapped shoes.
Want the look? I of course have a few suggestions.
For full on metal, go with a dress….
Left to Right: Strapless Metallic Dress, $148, www.bananarepublic.com; Aqua Paneled Sequin Tunic, $194, www.bloomingdales.com; Nicole Miller Sequined Dress, $294, www.neimanmarcus.com; Tadashi Cold Shoulder Dress, $350, www.bloomingdales.com.
Too much metallic fever? Go a little softer with a jacket….
Left to Right: Alvin Valley Metallic Cropped Jacket, $269, www.neimanmarcus.com; Brocade Cropped Jacket, $148, www.ardenb.com; Kensie Gold Foil Metallic Jacket, $88, www.nordstrom.com.
Or keep it really simple (and more affordable) in your day to day with metallic accessories…

Left to Right:
BCBGirls Tate Bootie, $128.95, www.nordstrom.com; Big Buddha Uptown Bag, $85, www.ebags.com; Whiting + Davis Sleek Shoulder Bag, $75,www.nordstrom.com; Michael by Michael Kors Francesca Ballet Flat, $109, www.bloomingdales.com.
Smootches!
PS Part two of the ‘Blacks in Fashion’ discussion goes down October 15th at 7pm! Tickets are on sale for only $15. Click here to purchase. I’ll be there!

*Is it hot out there? The Telegraph in the UK reports that climate changes are creating a ‘fashion disaster.’
*A German pub maintains that Racism Clouds Paris Fashion Shows. The Daily Mail in London thinks so too.
*The latest from Cathy Horyn of the New York Times and Robin Givhan.

Happy Monday!
So I was on my way to the gym the other day, and couldn’t help noticing these ladies…

…aside from looking lost and speaking little to no English, these ladies had an amazing fashion sense, and I had to snap a picture.
I loved how they mixed luxury elements (peep the Chanel and Fendi bags) with trendy opaque tights, shorts dresses, and even boots. They were working their skinny jeans, ruffles, and jackets.
Now I hope they figured out where they were going….
Smootches!

It’s Friday! You know what time it is….

Let’s get started.
First up reader Natasha says, “I love Beyonce’s outfit in this picture…”
…“can you tell me how to get her look for a reasonable price?”
Sure! First, pair a sequined striped tank like these….

Left to Right: INC International Concepts® Mitered-Stripe Sequin Tunic Tank,$69, www.macys.com; CO-OP Barneys New York Sequin Tank $75, www.barneys.com.
With a pair of slim black pants…

Left to Right: Erin Skinny Pant, $79, www.guess.com;
Mint Shimmer Skinny Pant, $82.50, Pink Mascara
Knit Skinny Pant, $48, www.rampage.com
Add a cropped black jacket….

Left to Right:Alvin Valley black stretch double breasted cropped jacket, $261, www.bluefly.com; See by Chloe Cropped Wool Jacket, $246, www.net-a-porter.com.
Throw on a necklace like this Multi-Strand Black Bead and Gold Sliders Necklace…

…for $60 at www.anntaylor.com.
And add a bag, like this Filmore small satchel…

…for $138 at www.bananarepublic.com.
In terms of the boots, it’s been widely reported that Beyonce’s rockin DSquared. They’re unavailable, but you can get the same look with these Miu Miu Leather Wood Platform Boots…

…for $332.50 at www.net-a-porter.com.
Beyonce’s getting lots of love this week! Reader Shomika wanted to know where she could get Beyonce’s shoes….

…and how much she’d have to pay!
They’re most likely Cavalli’s or Zanotti’s (Beyonce’s faves), but the ‘terns and I couldn’t find an exact match. For a few cheaper options, we found these $179 Dark Patent Leather Speidel Sandals by Stuart Weitzman came close…

Too much? Try these $90 Jessica Simpson Presley T-Straps…

Or these $90 Guess Odina Sandals…

Good luck!
Next up reader Simone says, “I am really into the look of these long leather gloves I found on Nordstroms website for $148 for the winter…”

“..however I really am on a budget and don’t like to spend too much on accessories…would you look for a cheaper version? Preferrably in a hot color like purple, green, or maybe yellow? Something hot that will pop when paired with a black peacoat. Thanks!”
Hey Simone! Interesting Choice! I found that this line, Portolano, makes nothing but long gloves in interesting colors using leather, cashmere, or cotton. Check it:

Top Row: Portolano Magenta Long Leather Gloves, $78; Portolano Tan Long Leather Gloves, $78; Portolano Gray Long Leather Gloves, $78.
Bottom Row: Portolano Emerald Cashmere Elbow Length Gloves, $39; Portolano Red Long Leather Gloves, $78; Portolano Navy Cashmere Elbow Length Gloves, $39.
Luckily, they’re all under $100! Get ’em at www.bluefly.com.
Lastly reader Ashley asks, “I am going to Morehouse College’s homecoming this year with my boyfriend…

“…and I have no idea what to wear during the big tailgate that he has been talking about. My school (an Ivy) doesn’t have any comparable event. I know that I have to wear something practical, since I will be standing outside under a tent for a long time, but I am sure that everyone will still be dressed to the nines. Do you have any suggestions?”
Hey! Lucky you, one of my homies also went to Morehouse, and lent his expertise to your mail bomb. He says, “She should definitely be fresh…The women at our homecoming events know how to do it up without really doing it up. I would steer clear of blouses, dresses, or skirts! I’d probably go with really nice [skinny] jeans, a fly pair of heels (the highlight of the outfit), a rather plain tank top like top (layered with two different colors if possible), and a fly set of oversized shades (worn up for entire event, as an accessory only).”
He’s a little fashionisto himself, isn’t he??
First step, I’d say start with a cute, sexy yet sporty top in Morehouse or neutral colors (they’re the same as my school’s, I believe)….

Top Row: Long Sleeve Henley, $29, www.victoriassecret.com; Lacoste Long Sleeve Pique Polo, $82, www.nordstrom.com.
Bottom Row: Silk Cashmere Long Sleeve Sweater, $45, www.maxstudio.com; Leo & Sage Charcoal jersey wrap long sleeve shirt, $45, www.bluefly.com.
Next, pop on a pair of skinny jeans in a dark wash…

Left to right: Citizens of Humanity Avedon Stovepipe Jeans, $158; 7 for all Mankind Roxanne Jeans in Dark, $189, CoutureCandy
Get your oversized sunglasses going….

Left to Right: Gucci Black horsebit shield sunglasses, $186, www.bluefly.com; Christian Dior Glossy Sunglasses, $300, www.madisonlosangeles.com; Marc Jacobs Red Plastic Oversize Shades, $103, www.bluefly.com.
And the piece de resistance: the heels.
I personally would never wear heels to a tailgate, but Morehouse seems to do it a bit different. Go ahead and get yourself a fly pair of pumps with a reasonable heel (but bring your flip flops just in case!)…

Click to enlarge
Left to Right: Dolce Vita Allure Snake Pump in Natural Snake, $125, www.pinkmascara.com; 3 Pointer Pumps, $195, www.kennethcole.com; Christian Louboutin Graffitti Pumps, $675, www.barneys.com (love these shoes!); Cole Haan Black patent leather ‘Charlize Air’ pumps, $165, www.bluefly.com; Nine West Gabber Pump, $84, Zappos.com
You’re all set with a sporty yet sexy look!
Now get to shopping:)
Smootches!
PS For all my voluptuous readers, Monif C has offered a coupone code exclusively to Fashion Bomb readers! Enter FBOMB15 for 15 percent off their new collection of hot dresses, tops, and skirts. The offer expires November 30th.