Of  all the different types of footwear, sneakers have had the most revolutionary journey and are arguably the most versatile. What began as a shoe with the sole purpose of sports courts are now perfectly acceptable to wear to work. Some even don sneakers at weddings. During the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about many inventions, one being vulcanized rubber. Thus, the rubber-soled shoe was born. These shoes, called plimsolls in England, were used for recreational activities and faired particularly well on tennis courts. Hence, the Americanized title “tennis shoes ..read more

Think about vests, and various personas come to mind: the gun-slinging cowboy, the Harley Davidson rider, the shirtless rockstar, the avid outdoorsman, a sharp-dressed businessman or your great aunt at Christmas. Vests are iconic, and such a statement piece does not stem from humble beginnings. The first noted and notable vest wearer was King Charles II of England in the 17th century.  What we now know as the vest was then referred to as the waistcoat. Royalty wore vests as a sign of status. Upper-crust folks liked them because when buttoned, they gave the appearance of broader ..read more

Spring is for all things pastel, pinstripes and floral. After months of cooler colors and temperatures, we shed our sweaters for the lighter and brighter. Treat yourself and boost your mood with a trip to local boutiques to revive your wardrobe. Narcissus » Tory Burch Swim Cover-up embodies the easy breezy motto of spring. The transitional look has a timeless sundress silhouette that can easily go from poolside to brunch. Tory Burch’s best-seller Miller Sandal is a perfect complement to the beachy dress. The ever-popular sandal is now available with a softer, more cushioned footbed, great for ..read more

He has an FSU women’s basketball warmup suit from the 1980s, a T-shirt commemorating the Seminoles’ first football victory over the Florida Gators, a ’60s letterman jacket from the FSU track and field team and a V-neck, quarter-sleeve sweater so old that it predates Sammy the Seminole. Doug Ramos is a memorabilia guy, for sure, but he resists the notion that he might be a citizen of style. “I would never consider myself a fashion expert or a student of fashion,” Ramos said. “I like old things, and I like cool things. Starting a business has definitely changed my view of my personal wardrobe ..read more

Pale skin and jet-black hair against a cherry red dress. A man’s auburn beard peeking over the collar of a forest green coat. Black skin in a burnt orange top. A blonde, tanned by summer rays, in a pastel pink dress. Visualizing these complementary images is easy, and there’s a reason for that. How we process color is more than meets the eye. As the retina intakes color, our brain internalizes what we associate with the color. Since the existence of humankind, red has caught the eye. It requests that our brain pay attention and be alert. Blue often lulls us into a state of comfort and trust ..read more

I distinctly remember when my love affair with leather began. The summer before sixth grade, I became obsessed with the movie Grease. Sandy’s transformation from sweet sock hop gal to bombshell babe decked out in head-to-toe leather transfixed me. She was the epitome of cool, daring to make a masculine look decidedly feminine with fire engine lips and high heels to match. Reading Hunter S. Thompson’s Hell’s Angels, watching Sons of Anarchy and ingesting any form of media with the “bad boy” archetype, I noted all had a uniform in common — leather.  While a Harley Davidson doesn’t have to ..read more

From baggy jeans and tube tops to Doc Martens and bucket hats, the fashion fads of my childhood are back in full force. None, though, have I been happier to greet like an old friend than the miniskirt.  The pinnacle of style worn by all my idols — Jennifer Aniston in Friends, Britney Spears, Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and the cast of Mean Girls — minis are back in tweed, leather, fringe and more. They are, as fashion should be, flirty, fun, versatile and just a bit daring. And, while renowned for showing some leg, minis are ..read more

In Tallahassee, spring is a thing. Vibrant blooms are a sight to behold, unless of course you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer. Events aplenty tempt us from winter haunts or extended social isolation. What, then, is best to wear to a spring soiree? For the purpose of envisioning a multitude of spring gatherings, call to mind the garden party — an affair where you be dressed up or down but always in bright colors, whimsical prints and dramatic fabrics. As a time of revival and reawakening, spring is the ideal time to enliven your wardrobe. Monochrome pieces retreat to the depths of your closet f ..read more

Tinsel tantalizes, gleaming ornaments glint, sequins shine and colored confetti calls for celebration. The holiday months naturally encourage a boldness, a bit of pizzazz and pop to close out the year. With holiday parties bringing together family, friends and coworkers, it seems we are always attempting to outshine our Christmas trees with the dazzling jewelry we select to wear. Those who stick to simple studs and a rotation of the same necklaces most of the calendar year select their best and brightest from the back of the jewelry box during the holidays. While your candy-cane earrings are a ..read more