The Dos and Don’ts of Fabulous Summer Work Wear

I’m sure you all have noticed it’s been a little… warm lately. We’re in the midst of a heat wave, and seven plus days of 90° plus weather is enough to make even the most stylish fashionista give up, especially when it comes to dressing for work. Since surrender is not a viable option (no, really), I’ve assembled a list of dos and don’ts for stylish summer work wear.

Elie TahariDo have fun with color. It’s summer! Celebrate by wearing bright colors, which also deflect sun rays better than dark colors.

Don’t show too much skin. I know it’s uncomfortably hot, but there are better ways to stay cool than shedding layers. Stay away from spaghetti strapped or strapless anything, shorts and skirts shorter than a couple of inches above the knee.

Do wear breathable fabrics. Light, breathable fabrics are one of the best ways you can dress for the weather.

Don’t forget about summer trends. Your office doesn’t have to be a no-style zone. Try pairing a sleeveless shift with a chunky belt and peep toe pumps or a floral ruffled top with a pencil skirt and cute wedges. Have fun!

Do pay attention to your summer grooming. It’s impossible to look polished if you’re ungroomed. For instance, you may like to give the shaving a rest during the winter when you aren’t wearing shorts or sleeveless tops, but that time has long passed. The skin-barring styles of summer require shaved legs and underarms. And the toe-barring styles of summer require regular pedicures. Believe me, rough heels trump cute shoes every time. Need some tips on how to whip your dogs into shape? We’ve got you covered.

Don’t rock flip flops. Cute sandals can be totally legit office wear, depending on how casual your work environment is. However, unless you work for a small tech startup, flip flops are probably too casual. Even if you do work in a very casual office, flip flops don’t make for a very polished look. Even if the rest of your outfit is fashionista feature-worthy, flip flops telegraph that you gave up when you got to your ankles. Plus, they’re loud!

Nieman MarcusDo take cues from your boss on how casual is too casual. Some offices require suits and pumps every day, no matter the weather, while others are decidedly more casual. To find out where your office falls on the continuum, take a close look at what your boss wears and follow her lead.

Don't go sans makeup. You don't need to shellac it on, but a little light, summer makeup will go a long way toward giving you a professional, finished look. More on summer makeup here.

Do spend a little time on your hair. Messy ponytails are cute for running errands or going to the beach, but work? Not so much. Even if you're wearing a ponytail, you can easily make it into a cute work hairstyle with a little effort. Add a braid, put a few curls in your ponytail or take some bobby pins and create a bun.

Dating & Mating: A Gathered Man's Guide to Dressing on a First Date

Happy Monday! Today I am hoping that life imitates art because I have had several recent experiences of men showing up to first dates either looking or behaving in an ungathered fashion. Despite their visual offenses, these men had no malicious intent. But nonetheless, they were poorly dressed for the first date. If you're a loyal reader, you know I wrote a post for women on the same subject matter: How to dress on a First Date. Now, the messages men are sending on first dates are totally different than women, but we'll get into all of that in a bit...

Trust us when we say that 'all the single ladies' would prefer if single men use this guide for dressing on a first date. If there's one thing the staff at The Gathered Lady know, it's fashion and what gathered women like. And to our lovely fashionistas reading this, feel free to forward and share the link to every man you know! 

Our top voted look by our readers: Business Professional's Event/Mixer/Happy Hour 

She's wearing any of these!

If you're a professional single in your late 20's, 30's or 40's you may likely have dates after work. This look still holds sex appeal, and can shift from office to happy hour/mixer with the addition of a crisp blazer and your debonair cologne. These dates are mid-range price point for professionals who can afford a round or two of cocktails and/or appetizers or dinner for a cost at or above $80.

Here are some general rules to follow:

1. Don't dress like a slob: That statement seems so obvious, but it's the number one complaint women have. Slobsville doesn't only mean dressing like the local homeless guy. It's also when your look has an apparent lack of effort. It's found in the details.  Women report the following issues as slobville territory:

• wearing hats/baseball/basketball hats (without explicitly attending a sports event)
• tennis shoes (without playing a sport/attending a sporting event/active activity)
• sleeveless shirts and wife-beaters
• graphic T's with offensive and silly slogans
• baggy pants
• poor hygiene
• gym clothes
• flip flops

2. Don't dress too trendy: As a man you want to dress so that you don't lose points. When gathered women dress for a date, we already know you are sexually interested in us and we aim to make you more attracted to us while balancing your level of respect. Women work on a deduction system when judging men -- we start off with a certain value/attraction and then from there deduct value/attraction based on things we observe. We remain interested if you dress appropriately and our attraction is increased by your positive behaviors on the date. However, if you fail to dress well, the chemistry begins to rapidly die even before you display any behaviors. We're talking major setback here, guys. Your best bet is to avoid setting off any triggers for disinterest. Many fads can set off a woman's alarms.

• extra tight skinny jeans- gaydar alarm goes off
• very baggy pants- ghetto alarm
• army camouflage- crazy or trashy alarm
• muscle shirts- jerk/douche/meathead alarm
• sports jerseys- loser/frat boy alarm
• too much jewelry- cheesy/player alarm

 3. Don't forget the essentials:

You can score bonus points and stay in her good graces if you wear the following items provided they are occasion-appropriate for your particular date:

• A watch- Women love watches. It shows that you probably have to be on time for something. And possibly have a job in which you try to be responsible and timely for.
• Casual and dress shoes: It doesn't bode well when grown men only own tennis shoes.
• A casual jacket or blazer: It adds sophistication to almost any outfit and is better than your college sweatshirt.
• Money: Cash is sexy. Don't ever go on a date without your plastic and at least $50 in cash. Yes, $50. It's 2013 and this site is for gathered women. So that price point is reasonable for a good time with a sophisticated top-quality woman.
• Cologne: Women adore men who smell good. You can earn MAJOR sex appeal points here.
• A CLEAN car & car keys: I don't care if you borrowed a set of keys for the evening. It looks better than bus tokens. And if we are riding in your car- stop at the car wash and invest 50 cents in a quick carpet vacuum.

Now that the basic rules are covered. Bring your 'A game' with your gentlemanly behavior, see The Gathered Man's Guide to a First Date and choose your outfit.

Date Option 1: Lunch date, Movie date, Casual Date (Pool, Bowling, Miniature Golf)

She's wearing this! This look is perfect for men dating in their early 20's. These dates are generally cost conscious with price points less than $60. You can opt for dark denim jeans, a button down shirt with short sleeves and casual scent for easy going fun.

Date Option 2: Live music concert, Art walk or Show

She's wearing this!If you picked this type of date, you've already got a strong "Cool" factor going. Be sure to take that edge and rock a little bit of masculine man jewelry like a necklace or a skull and bones money clip. This look balances casual comfort with effort and style just like her edgy and sexy outfit. This date, much like the clothes offer a range in terms of price point ($60-$150).

Date option 3: Park Picnic, Flea Market, Beach, Outdoor Activity

She's wearing this!Here is your opportunity to have a carefree and casual date while still showing your excellent taste and sophistication. A picnic, the beach, or flea market is the ideal time to wear shorts and use that axe or old spice you have lying around. This date's price point is very low (less than $40) and your clothes can reflect the simplicity of the date without setting off the cheapskate alarm (one of the most deadly warning signs to a gathered woman). If you have a messenger bag, this is a great time to pull it out and fill it with picnic snacks, a blanket, or your flea market finds.

Date Option 4: Cocktail event, Fancy Dinner date, Theatre

She's wearing this!5000+ bonus points for you if this your first date. You are certainly taking a very gathered woman out and you're aiming to impress her. This outfit will achieve that. You'll look quite daper with cufflinks and a boss ring. And don't forget the hair pomade to show your superior grooming skills. This date is for a man with comfortable means at a price point of at least $100 and upwards.

 Now that you've got your handy list of options and price ranges, the rest is up to you. Don't forget the gathered man behavior which is the most essential part of the date. Compliment your date, be chivalrous, respectful, and your charming self! Now go get 'em tiger! And ladies- share, share, share this article!

Do you have a first date that doesn't fit into these categories? Need help? Write us at thegatheredlady@gmail.com and we'll help you figure out great styling for a first date. Do you have pictures of your first date outfit that rocks? Email or tag us on facebook, twitter, or instagram @Thegatheredlady and if we like it, we'll share it!

How To Rock...the Neon Fashion Trend

Happy Monday! We hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend. If it was a bust, let us cheer you up with a big dose of fashion inspiration! If you read our hot summer trends for 2013 then you already know that neon is big this season. These spicy colors are an easy way to make bold statements with little effort. Several celebrities like Solange, Kim Kardashian, Kristin Stewart, and Zoe Kravitz have sported the neon trend. One of the easiest and more powerful ways to use neon is in the shoes. All fashionistas know that the shoe can make or break an outfit, so if you wear the right shoe you can set your style on fire. 

In addition to a neon shoe, accessories like purses and necklaces in neon are perfect for pops of color. See the following outfits we put together for style inspiration!

This outfit can be paired with several different styles of shoes to be dressed up or down!

Pairing multiple solid neon colors is sophisticated.

Changing from neon flats to neon heels is a easy way to shift from work to play.
Steal the scene and look like a rock star mixing leather and neon. Do you have pictures rocking the Neon trend in a stylish way? Share your pictures with us on at thegatheredlady@gmail.com or tag us @thegatheredlady on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and if we like it, we'll share it!

How to Rock... Printed Pants

This weekend my sister dragged me downtown for some retail therapy. Somehow, I was the only one to actually spend any money, and among my spoils were two pairs of printed pants. Printed trousers, jeans and shorts are all the rage right now, but they can also be intimidating to wear. Below are some things to keep in mind when creating a fabulous outfit with your fabulous pants.
By Lauren H. Craig

1. Cuts & fabrics. Before you start putting outfits together, you should be mindful of how the cut and fabric of your pants will impact the rest of your look. It’s easy to focus on finding colors that look good together without considering how the cut of the clothes will impact your silhouette. Are they wide-legged or skinnys? Or leggings? Denim or Silk? Cotton or linen? Believe me, this stuff matters. For instance, loose, silk pants look good with structured tops, blazers and jackets, while flowing tops are more easily paired with fitted, ankle-skimming trousers and jeans. Now, these basic rules can definitely be broken, but if you’re looking for a place to start, they are solid principles.

Tommy Hilfiger

2. Solids and color blocking. The easiest way to wear printed pants is by pairing them with solids. A simple denim shirt or white, cotton button up looks great with many different styles and prints. You can also layer your solids by adding a blazer or leather (or denim!) jacket. You can select a top that matches an accent color in your pants or try pairing contrasting colors, such as an orange top with patterned pants dominated by green.

3. Neutrals. If you feel a little unsure about experimenting with color, try soft, subtle neutrals first. There are hundreds of different shades and they can be paired with any pattern. You can also try a toned-down printed pant for a monochromatic look (you can rock this look with color, if you’re feeling feisty).

4. The pantsuit. And I’m not talking about Hillary’s favorite power outfit. These new matching sets feature bold, fresh prints in large geometric and floral designs. Most women will opt to break these pieces up, but worn together, they can make for a striking fashion statement. Make sure the pattern is flattering (small patterns or patterns with too much open background space can make you look larger), and try breaking things up by wearing the blazer open with a white top.

5. Pattern mixing. Wearing your printed pants with printed tops reaches the highest level of fashion difficulty, but there are a couple of different ways to pull this look off. To start, go back to your neutral, monochrome look and swap out that solid top for a neutral top with a print similar to the size and shape of the pattern on your pants (remember, you can treat animal print like it’s a neutral, but be careful about mixing two of them). When you feel comfortable, try pulling off this twist on the monochromatic look with color. Below, Solange shows us what successful print mixing looks like (ignoring, for the moment, that her pants are far too long and she's about to ruin the hem of those gorgeous pants. Get thee to a tailor, immediately!). Notice how she breaks up the patterns with slacks that are mostly black, but feature printed panels.

7 Heavenly Trends... for Summer 2013!

This past Saturday marked the first official day of summer. You know what that means- a new excuse to shop for summer trends! We've compiled a list of hot fashion styles that you'll definitely want to attempt rocking. We've already spotted some of the looks in our Fashion Spreads! Although some of these trends may be on the daring side for the more conservative fashionistas, they all can be incorporated into daily style in a tasteful way to add playful elements to your look. Keep checking back, we'll be breaking down some of these in further details with "How to Rock..." posts. And for you fashionistas who are already wearing these trends, submit your pics to thegatheredlady@gmail or tag us on facebook, twitter, or instagram @TheGatheredLady #getgathered and if we like it, we'll share it! 

1. Graphic Prints

These bold prints take the work out of spicing up outfits. Choose your level of commitment to style-boldness with low-risk simple accessories like purses and tops or take more risks with dresses and pants. Also, graphic print shorts are guaranteed hot-ticket items this summer.

2. Leather

I'm sure you're thinking "Leather?! Ain't nobody got time for that in this heat!!". Don't worry, this trend is reasonable in that it's mainly skirts, shorts, and panels of leather that are being incorporated into clothing. Very temperature friendly. If you're still nervous, may we suggest wearing looser fitting leather, cool and roomy tops, and open toe shoes to make this style most practical. Check out how these ladies from The Gathered Fashion Spread & Nordic Poetry rock it for summer.

3. Neon

Poor Neon colors. Despite there attention seeking presence, they're only welcome in small doses and in trend cycles unlike their relatives Primary and Pastels. But seriously, neon colors can really add an amazing pop of color to your outfit. I opt for neon shoes, thin waist belts, finger nail accents, clutches and necklaces as my top choices to wear neon. I'm especially in love with my neon flats in citron color! Amazing! My neon fashion attempts with flats and belt4. Plastic & Lucite Accessories

Something about Plastic and Lucite that feels futuristic and metropolitan. Which is pretty cool, however this style is one to purchase in small doses. This look has been popping up since Spring, and recently was heavily featured in the Robin Thicke and Pharell music video 'Blurred Lines' by the models. Most women however don't look like 5'10 models with minimal body fat. Medium and fuller figured fashionistas may fare better with accessories rather than the plastic shirts and jackets. I've already purchase some lucite single strap sandals and am plotting when I can appropriately wear them!

5. Braids

Braids have made a serious comeback with celebrities like Beyonce and Amy Adams making them sophisticated and stylish again. Not just a hairstyle, braiding in clothing and accessories fits nicely with the tribal and graphic prints that have been a hit on the runways and in street style. I've been playing with the idea of box braids, but I may settle for braids in my sandals which is just as cool!

6.  American Rugged Charm

We won't go so far as to start singing "I'm proud to be an American", but we will give props to the American flag and this daring fashion trend of incorporating it and what I've deemed "rugged American charm" into outfits. This style can be seen in Native American print work, eagle themed shirts, as well as cut off denim shorts, summer cowboy & ankle boots, motorcycle tees and American flag prints. If part of you has a hard time wearing this fashion because you're worried about the underlying narcissism of American-pride  propaganda, just remember years back when Brazil flag shirts were all the rage. This isn't the first nation's flag theme to become a trend, so you might as well live it up while you have a pass and it won't be associated with any Larry the Cable Guy type fashion! LOL.

7. Nail Art

If you haven't noticed the hugely popular nail art trend, you're either a toddler, in a nursing home, or an alien. Even though you've seen it-- have you tried it? We've picked out what's popular this season, and coincidently it mimics some of the other trends like neon, graphic prints, and American. If you're too conservative to go all 10 fingernails, opt for a spicy pedicure or try the trend of painting your ring fingers a different color or design that the others. I personally love the attention to finger and toenails and have been sporting the cat and oval nails for over a year. I'm dying to try more graphic prints and neon colors, but only on my ring fingers for now!

Happy Monday! See you Wednesday. Now go get gathered with these trends!