Style vs. Fashion

Are you a fashion guru, a fashion victim, or somewhere in between? 

If you are of the former (guru) and understand your style there will be a sense of timelessness in what you wear and how you present yourself. If you’re merely keeping up with the current trends then you’re running the chance of selecting unflattering looks for yourself. One of the key ways to “understand” your style is, knowing your body type and coloring then focusing on what works best for you.  

Even though something may be the hottest trend of the season, it just may not be right for you. For instance, if you’re blessed with a long, thin waist but bigger hips and legs then skinny jeans and leggings might not be your best trend. But more fitted tops and flared pant bottoms will be fabulous for you. On the other hand if you’re blessed with long thin legs but have a tummy then clingy tops are not going to be your best thing. You would be better off with skinny jeans and leggings along with A-line tops that stand away from your body and will show a little shape. Sadly a fashion victim will wear trends even if they’re not right for the body. Same thing goes for color. If it’s not the right color for you please stay away.  

On the positive side, the foundation of true style is understated simplicity and yet a pitfall here is Plain Jane. There needs to be just enough going on but not too much. One of the trends this year that embraces my previous sentiment is a monochromatic palette. The simplicity of all one color is truly chic. As an aside, just to be clear, when we are speaking of a monochromatic palette, this can also encompass tone on tone, which allows you to use varying shades of the same color to create that monochromatic look.  

I’ve included some samples that are truly exemplary in their simplicity. When things are this simple and understated make sure you follow through with the appropriate accessories. Possibilities include fabulous boots, shoes or pumps, belts, a perfect structured handbag, pearls, luxurious scarf, and this year, even hats.

Understated simplicity carried off well can be a real challenge but the results will be worth all the effort you put into it. Keep in mind that there is a fine line between too much and too little. Hope these examples help, and happy hunting!

P.S. This is totally unrelated to fashion but I just got back from the most fabulous vacation ever and wanted to share my find with you. It is a treasure in the form of a boutique hotel called the Pink Sands, located on Harbor Island in the Bahamas. This hotel is lovely simplicity on one of the most glorious beaches I have ever seen.  

The rooms are a delight, the service exceptional, warm and friendly. This in combination of the island makes for a truly perfect travel experience. In addition to the charm of the hotel, (and it is so charming) would be that of the island. With quaint buildings that often date back 300 years the island draws you in with its charm. Devine restaurants… and it is quiet. Numbers or celebrities keep homes and boats here. But everyone keeps a low profile. If you do a great deal of travel, you are aware of the reputation of virtuoso properties. The Pink Sands has recently become one.  

The hotel by the way, is located on a beach that bares its name and is the softest grain sand I’ve ever felt (and I’m a beach aficionado). The turquoise water is so bright and clear one feels it has to be food coloring. I cant say enough about the hotel so I’m including the link for their website so you can see everything for yourself. Again if you love beaches, turquoise water, relaxation, and delicious charm then this is your spot. www.pinksandsresort.com

Dress to the Nines: Fall 2010 Trends & Must Haves

Fall is on its way once again, and aren’t we all thinking past the sales to the gorgeous things that will be arriving.  An important fact to keep in mind, this season as with last— there is nothing to be found at high-end retailers in bulk. So if there is something you find and just cannot live with out I encourage you to jump on it.

As an example, several weeks ago I was in search of the short distressed motorcycle boot Donna Karan is showing this season on behalf of a client, and had a specific date for which I needed it. I called the Donna Karan boutique hoping to acquire them and sadly, for my client, they had not yet arrived. I called back one week later needing something else and at that time I enquired about the boots again. Not only had they arrived but also they only had two pair left. So, a word to the wise, if something possesses you, jump on it!

Now onto dressing to the nines! Here are the nine must haves for the season…

• OLIVE: “They” say green but I’m leaning toward this timeless color that can be mixed with so much.
• CAMEL: focus on the camel coat… Here is a timeless piece that if bought well you will end up having forever. I recommend a notch collar at mid-calf length and you have a true treasure that will last for years.
• BIKER BOOTS: Distressed black or brown- I’d prefer black. Jimmy Choo and Donna Karan both are fabulous. Hitting low on your calf these boots are great for tuck-ins with leggings or skinny jeans. What a great new twist on the boot!
• PEARLS: Here is something that will take a great deal of research. What to look for: a very Chanel-esque, 12 mm., that is at least a 77in. strand. Definitely a fabulous addition to your timeless wardrobe.*   
• THE STRUCTURED BAG: This classic style bag is back and of course the ultimate is the Birkin. If that is not your budget or beyond your patience (because there generally is a long waiting list if you want the best colors) there are several look alike bags by designers like Max Mara.
• FUR: You will be seeing fur on everything from hats, to trim, to jackets and coats. What a delicious indulgence!
• LEOPARD: Once more on the hit list. Best use: accents in handbags and shoes. 
• DRAPE TAILORED BLOUSE: Channel you inner Katherine Hepburn. A perfect feminine addition… great skirts, pants and jeans; it can be worn for business dress or casual.**
• MONOCHROMATIC: You can never miss with this; it is chic, simple and a tremendous “wow factor.” Camel, grey, black and winter white will be showstoppers this season.

There are so many new dimensions along with timelessness this Fall. Happy hunting!

*If you would like a great price, feel free to call our office. We have a wonderful source.
**Vince has a great one if you want to take a look.

For photo credits and to view these items online, click the links that follow:
Biker Boots/Jimmy Choo • Structured Bag / Max Mara • Camel Coat / Max Mara
Drape Tailored Blouse / Revolve Clothing

Your Best Skin is Here to Stay: 2010—Indefinitely

At last, a product to truly halt the aging process... and you can mix it with any products you're currently using.

A subject I have not yet addressed that is near and dear to all of us, or a subject of concern, is SKIN CARE.

I truly believe there is only one skincare line on the market containing real results, and that is RéVive®.

My love affair with this line began when I first started working with Neiman Marcus. I have been so passionate about RéVive® that I have been fully committed to its use since learning about it. During my tenure with Neiman's, I made it a personal goal to educate everyone I could on this revolutionary product and I will tell you that every single one of my clients used RéVive®.

When we're young our skin renews itself every two weeks; this is what enables it to be tight and wrinkle free. As we age, our skin (eventually) only renews itself every 12 weeks—hence, wrinkles. RéVive® enables the regeneration of your skin, thus slowing the aging process.

How does RéVive® work? It is formulated with a patented ingredient that enables skin to regenerate itself resulting in natural exfoliation thereby preventing wrinkles. 

While I was working at Neiman's I met a client who, at the time, was 28. After preaching to her my rock solid passion for RéVive®, she decided to try it out. She is now turning 40, is wrinkle-free and is dedicated to the line.

"We're dealing with aging at the molecular
level now, not just the skin's surface"

~Dr. Brown

 Now granted, sun exposure and genes play a role in the aging effect but I am telling you that the product works! In my expert opinion, everything else is pure and simple hype without a scientific basis to back up the hype.

RéVive® followers have one important man to thank for their glowing skin—founder, Dr. Gregory Bays Brown. In fact, it was Dr. Brown's discovery of a molecule called the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) that allows for accelerated skin cell regeneration that led him to win a Nobel Prize in 1986. To this day, the skin bank in Memphis, Tennessee still uses his scientific methods to grow skin in petri dishes for burn victims.

There is so much to tell that I whole-heartedly encourage you to visit ReViveSkinCare.com to find all the juicy information you can. It will blow your mind! RéVive® is the beginning of the future of plastic surgery. Heed my advice—get the products and find endless youth with your skin!

Chic Summer Swimwear — 2010

For all intents and purposes summer has arrived. If you're not already hitting the pools and/or beach—you will be shortly!

We have already discussed some of my favorites— white, denim and khaki—to look fabulous for the season, and swim just adds another dimension to completing the look.

This year's gauzy tunic top is a great double for a swimsuit cover-up (the classic sarong worn with a white racer-back tank is always a winner) and all those inexpensive and adorable flip flops "out there" are great. Check out Kors flat, patent flip flop (the style, called Winnie, comes in a variety colors and is $98). Keeping in mind that tasteful and finished looking is a good thing…these flip flops will take you from the pool to dressy casual.


Kors also has some very well priced “could go to the beach attire” including an adorable pair of silk khaki pull on harem pants for $99.50 that will take you lots of places. If you have a Michael Kors boutique near you, check it out.

In terms of swimsuits—a sensitive subject for most women—select one (or more) suit that is flattering to you regardless of what the ideal is. It is vital that you know how to choose one that is actually flattering for your specific figure. For example, if you have a tummy don’t ignore it... choose either an adorable one piece, a tankini or one of the 40s inspired two piece suits that come to (or almost to) the waist. And don’t let the miracle suit scare you. After all, it’s all in the delivery and you can look chic if you put it together well. My point here is that if you want to hide your tummy, the miracle suit with the right accessories and cover-up could be fabulous choice. Pair it with the Kors flat flip flop, a sarong and a little fun jewelry and, well, you could wow the crowd!

If you tend to carry weight in your thighs and hips, look at suits that are cut higher on the leg to give the illusion of length. Additionally, wearing a swimsuit with a deep "v" will help as well as it will lengthen and thin. Deep v one piece suits and tankinis with a higher cut leg go great with (if you dare) a string bikini that has a full covered bottom. Do not get a suit with a skimpy back side.

But alas, I am digress. I hadn’t intended to go into that much detail but I wanted to make sure that I made my point. We are are all beautiful and the way to maximize our unique beauty is to shine the light on our assets. Focus on what looks good on you—not what works for someone else.

A great source of bargains on swimwear is the Victoria’s Secret catalog, where you can definitely get a lot of bang for your buck. The catalog features a wide variety of adorable styles.

On a not so bargain-worthy note are a number of designers who feature fabulous, chic one and two piece swimsuits. When selecting, think understated simplicity as it creates an aura of sophistication that, regardless of shape or size, will catapult you far ahead of the vast majority you will see at the pool or beach.

"We are are all beautiful and the way to maximize our unique beauty is to shine the light on our assets."

Designers whose swimwear I am loving this season are:

• Herve Leger
• Jean Paul Gautier
• Michael Kors
• Oscar de la Renta
• Spanx
• Missoni
• Thomas Maier

If money isn’t an issue Hermes has the most fabulous beach towels, sarongs and beach bags. Mai oui! They are magnificent and I highly recommend them.

If you're watching your wallet, try Kors for their bags—and even Target has been known to have darling beach accessories.

Being outside is good for us all and enjoying the season is key to life of balance. As women we are usually pretty hard on ourselves and the very subject of swimwear can really push our buttons. Be kind to yourself and also do yourself a favor by finding the perfect suit for your body. This summer start a new pattern by enhancing your best self.  Remember vitamin D is good for you.

Have fun!

Khaki—A Spring 2010 "Must Have!"

Of all the trends this season, I think this is my favorite—khaki. Khaki spans all classifications of fashion and combined with white is beautifully clean and fresh. 

Khaki is truly one of the "must haves" of this season. 

Let’s look at the casual side of khaki for the moment. All of the treasures pictured in this blog entry are compliments one of my favorite labels—Vince. Lucky for us, Vince just opened a boutique in Highland Park Village (Dallas). Their clothing is all so yummy we wanted to buy all that we saw... and you will too! If you're not in the Dallas area, visit Vince online {www.vince.com} to find a boutique near you. 

This season their cuffed short (not too short, not too long) could be a basic for almost everyone’s summer wardrobe.  It is beyond flattering and the fabrication is intriguing. 

Other favorites include:

•        Cuffed crop pant
•        White racer-back tank (they are available in several colors)
•        Linen boyfriend sweater
•        Crop linen sweater
•        Lightweight skinny khaki jean (available in white as well)
•        Boyfriend linen button-front shirt

These are just a few of the truly useful, practical and oh-so-adorable pieces to be found in the store. All of them are available in our top trend, khaki... and I’d count olive in too!

"The thing about khakis (and neutrals in general) is that they are timeless…" 

The thing about khakis (and neutrals in general) is that they are timeless and, I swear, combined with white creates an eye-popping chic-ness that gives even the most casual of outfits that finished, I-just-stepped-out-of-a-magazine look. Khaki is chic and practical, works anywhere and is a great staple for your wardrobe. 

Looking great every day makes us all feel confident and more prepared for life—Vince can help! With every visit I find a multitude of yummy "must-haves." 

Make Vince your next stop; I guarantee a good time.


To view more photos of Vince's fabulous line, visit The Bobbi Schwartz Group on Facebook and click on the "Khaki—A Spring 2010 'Must Have'" photo album.

Spring Style Trend - Focus on Denim!

The weather is changing so we are now really getting into what to wear for the season. One of this season’s biggest trends in denim, and how much fun for those of us who love to live in our jeans!! 

Denim is everywhere—here are some of my favorite finds.

JEANS

• Big Star jeans – skinny and flare in BP at Nordstrom for a great price.
• Current Elliott – a great look, and as jeans are such a personal fit issue it is a good thing that there are lots to choose from in your favorite label.

JACKETS

• Vince has a cute one, as do several other labels—but I always recommend that my clients acquire a designer label. These jackets come and go with no style variation, so it would be a keeper!!

VESTS

• True Religion has a fabulous one; how adorable over a white tee?!?

BAGS

• Louis Vuitton has a “Sun Collection” that would be marvelous for this summer. (Sunrise, Sunshine, and Sunburst—my FAVORITE is Sunburst GM—in the Monogram Denim Collection.)  

SHIRTS

• Ralph Lauren – timeless!!

SKIRTS

• Zara for lots of looks in many shapes.
• Dolce & Gabbana – definitely “check-out” worthy!

DRESSES

• 7 for All Mankind – adorable!!

SHORTS

• Literally EVERYBODY has these in varying lengths, cuffed and not cuffed, distressed, white, etc. My preference are the cuffed, worn look, that are a smidge longer.  If you are 25 or under, then the shorter ones are too precious to pass up!! You name it!!

Denim is your friend. Wear it in good health and every chance you get!!

Trends for Spring

A brand new year has begun, along with it a fabulous new spring season.  This spring brings timelessness through practicality…and how fun to find beautiful chic with a practical bent.

That said, here's a list of this season’s top must haves:

• White – In true Bobbi fashion this tops my list, so make it be your ultimate inclusion.
• Denim is your 'man'! Everything from jackets, vests, dresses, jeans, and bags – it is an everyday staple.
• Khaki is utilitarian. You will have it forever!
• Nudes – The height of chic.
• Prints – From accessories to dresses in lots of feminine looks.
• Icy shades – As the temperatures rise, cool down through color.
• Ruffles and Lace – Minimally used these add a nice twist to your wardrobe.

This is the perfect year to focus in on those few special pieces that will combine well with your current wardrobe and provide that updated chic look you love. Call for an appointment to locate those perfect additions.

Warmest Regards,

 Bobbi