Today’s Outfit Idea: The Sexy, Sassy, Trusty, Toasty Turtleneck

All right, all you ladies who push your style aside because you’re too dang busy just trying to get your kids or your partner or yourself out the door in the morning – the Fastionista is here to ease your style fear.

Some women love ’em, some women hate ’em, but I for one simply cannot get through an autumn without my beloved turtlenecks. Of course there are some days when only a V-neck will do, or when a turtleneck just feels too tight (like on bill-paying day), but today, happily, is one of those days when a turtleneck fits perfectly. So here’s what’s in my closet today:

· Dark Brown Ribbed Turtleneck: The turtleneck I’m going with today is not quite a sweater, but is made with a heavier cotton than the norm, and it’s ribbed to add surface area (ergo, warmth). It’s also got a bit of a looser fit, so what I’m going to do to make this turtleneck super trendy is do my own color blocking. And I do this by adding a…

· Cerulean Blue Under Top: I’ll wear this long-sleeved tee under my turtleneck, and push the turtleneck sleeves (but not the tee’s sleeves) up to my elbows. The tee is also long enough to show under the bottom hem of my turtleneck, so I’m getting a color block effect at the arms and hips. Plus the extra layer will give me an extra bit of warmth.

· Light Brown Mini Skirt: An A-line skirt would work just as well with this outfit, but I’m in the mood for a mini. This particular one has gold button detailing, and the color complements the blue and darker brown I’ve got going on up top.

· Accessories: For another burst of color, I’ll drape a blue and green–patterned scarf around my neck (since the turtleneck has me pretty well covered in the warmth department, I’m going with a lightweight scarf). I’ll pop a red cuff watch on over the blue tee covering my wrist, and finish with a headband embellished with a small feather that’s got blue and red running through it.

· Purse: You know those wonderful days when you don’t have much to carry with you and you can stun the world by carrying a teeny little clutch? Well, sadly, today does not happen to be one of those days for The Fastionista. I need a “my entire life can come with me today” bag, so I’m going with a slouchy red shoulder bag that I think I can fit a car in should the need arise.

· SHOES!: Blue suede shoes would go great with this outfit, and give me a nifty excuse to start singing some Elvis, but since I don’t have a pair I’ll have to go with green suede booties instead (note to self: pull shopping list out of humungo shoulder bag and add “blue suede shoes” to it).

Voila! There you have it: great fashion fast. And you, gorgeous lady, are ready to take on the world, Fastionista Style!

Pantyhose can be a pain, most women can attest to that. But for a lot of women they’re a necessary evil. If you want to give your legs a little color without dealing with smelly, staining self-tanners, or if you want a little extra warmth, or if you just want to achieve a particular style, you’re going to have to deal with them at some point. To look your best in ’hose, remember a few tips: 1) Snags and sags must go. Nothing looks worse than when a leg is supposed to look silky…but it’s got snags in it. And after a washing or two ’hose can start to lose their elasticity, and get saggy as the day wears on. So replace them often. 2) Never wear a reinforced toe with open-toed shoes. The magic of ’hose is undone if anyone can see a seam running across your pretty pedicure. 3) The best way to wear pantyhose is to not wear them at all. If you can get away with it (in warm weather, with shorts, etc.) go au naturel. These days that’s the best look of them all.