Dessert & Style Du Jour

The Agency is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its first Wilmington fashion preview on Feb. 28. The Dessert & Style Du Jour will be held at the Hot Pink Cake Stand (114 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC) and will feature garments from area boutiques and retailers.

At this event, there will be free "DeVa" cupcakes and the first 20 attendees will receive a complimentary glass of wine. There will be door prizes, swag bags and more! So be sure to check back at The Style Report for updates!

Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. You can buy yours by clicking the link below!



Hope to see you there!

First Lady Style

It's always wonderful to see history unfold in front of our eyes, especially when it's the second inauguration for the first black president of the United States of America. Millions of viewers tuned in to watch President Barack Obama's inauguration. And regardless of political preferences, there was no doubt that fashion enthusiasts would have plenty to say about First Lady Michelle Obama's outfit choice.

Her swearing-in ensemble was a beautiful one designed by Reed Krakoff. The blue dress was a variation of what we've seen on the First Lady before. An A-line dressed paired with a bolero or cardigan is not a new concept for Mrs. Obama's wardrobe.

Larry Downing-Pool/Getty Images

However, what I found to be stunning was her outerwear designed by Thom Browne. The coat-and-dress pairing in the navy, jacquard print was inspired by a men's necktie, which should be no surprise given Browne's background in menswear. Plus, it complimented the president's necktie of choice, which was blue (at the last inauguration, he wore red).

The pop of color with the J. Crew gloves was a beautiful way to top off the ensemble. And did I mention my love for the bangs! Her look was fresh and modern take on a very classic silhouette, which is totally befitting for the occasion. 

What did you think of the First Lady's ensemble? 

Belk Spring Fashion Preview

Arlene Goldstein, the Belk vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction, chatted with local fashion bloggers, stylists and journalists at the Belk Fashion Preview in Raleigh.

I had the opportunity to attend the Belk Fashion Preview in Raleigh this week, and was very excited to see what was around the corner for spring. The silhouettes aren't drastically different from what we've seen in the past, but the color combos will be fresh and new.

Black and white combinations are a great way to start the season. Arlene Goldestein, the Belk vice president of fashion direction and trend merchandising, considers the pairing a palette cleanser from the dark hues of the fall.  I definitely agree. There's something modern about this combination. 

Mixing pale pastels with dark colors is also a hot concept this season. 

Multiple patterns in one outfit is an ongoing trend that will have an ubiquitous presence this spring. For tips on how to collage your patterns, check out my post on Power Prints. 

And check out a few more of the trends! 

Lace will be one of the most dominant textiles for the spring. You'll see it in all sorts of hues. And white will be a huge color this season, too. Not just white dresses, but white shoes, accessories and more!

Statement jewelry is a must-have, especially with necklaces. And don't forget your prints!

So what are you looking forward to wearing this spring?

Springing Ahead To Spring

For the next few days, the weather will be warm and sunny in Wilmington. It'll be so warm that you may confuse the dead of winter with the early days of spring. So why not take this time to revel in what's to come for the next season?

The Pantone Fashion Color Report, released last fall, revealed a palette filled with muted pastels and exuberant brights. Now that it's 70 degrees outside, I can actually imagine wearing these beautiful colors!

Basking in today's pleasant sunniness has me thinking of warm color combos, such as  Linen, Poppy Red and Nectarine - colors that are sure to be strong power players in the local retail market. 

What spring colors are you looking forward to wearing?

Scandal Style: The Olivia Pope Look

Every woman loves the simple, yet confident style of "Scandal's" Olivia Pope. She's strong, brazen and effortlessly chic in every outfit she's seen in. It's not hard to pull off an Pope-inspired ensemble on your own, just stick to your basics:

The Suit Jacket: Many of Pope's blazers have a special detailing in the silhouette that give her that extra oomph. Whether its a stand collar or a flattering peplum, she knows how to make a statement with her jackets.

The Tailored Trouser: Not too tight, not too lose. Most of Pope's trousers have a straight leg to skim over her slim figure. If you're a bit curvier than Pope, aim for a wide leg pant to achieve a similar look.

The Sassy Sheath: On occasion, you'll see the Fixer wearing a dress, and when you do, it'll be a flattering sheath paired with a stunning overcoat.

*Style Tip* Look for these basics in muted neutrals and pastels.

Scandal Style: The Olivia Pope Look by jdagency featuring talbots

Ann Taylor sheath dress
anntaylor.com

Talbot
talbots.com

Checkered jacket
thelimited.com

Low rise pants
express.com

The Right Dress For the Nontraditional Bride

It's officially wedding season, and this is when the Agency receives tons of calls from brides wanting to know how to choose the right wedding dress. The process is different for every woman, but is particularly challenging for the nontraditional bride.

If you're looking for an alternative wedding gown that demonstrates your interest in fashion or showcases your personality, you'll definitely want to listen to these tips!

Alternative Bridal Dresses -- powered by ehow

Scandal Style: The Pope Jacket

You can exude the sophistication and charisma of "Scandal's" Olivia Pope by sporting a trench coat. Pope is often seen wearing the one shown below or some variation of it in a muted neutral. Pick up a coat of your own locally at one of the stores below, and be sure to wear it at the Scandal Premiere Party on Jan. 10!

Scandal Style: The Pope Jacket by jdagency featuring ann taylor

Ann taylor
anntaylor.com

Banana Republic trench coat
bananarepublic.gap.com

Coat
express.com