Dare to Compare

Style - Dare to Compare

Out of all the accoutrements known to womankind, the belt is one of the most-often overlooked. Such a shame, really, since a belt can make or break an outfit. A belt can accentuate an hourglass figure or add some much-needed curves to an otherwise boyish frame. A prime option for both daywear and evening wear, check these two renderings of the long piece of leather, as styled on Twilight's Ashley Greene and celebutante Kim Kardashian. The two stars have very different figures, and it's fitting that they show us two successfully sophisticated ways to style a leather belt.

Last weekend, Twilight's Ashley Greene hosted Super Saturday 13 in a white dress by PureDKNY, cinched with a nude-coloured skinny leather belt. The look is simple and easy-to-achieve: Ashley Greene accessorized her LWD with Marie Todd gold leaf earrings, a Sandy Leong cuff and ring, and she anchored her look with nude-coloured platform sandals and a skinny belt. Greene's figure is slender, but not without muscle. Note how the skinny belt adds shape to her slim frame, without looking like it's too much.

On the other hand, check Keeping Up with the Kardashians Kim Kardashian. No stranger to the Hamptons, the petite "reality" starlet stopped to shop at Super Saturday 13. Her outfit of choice? A va-va-voom cowl-neck off-white blouse and bright coral skirt. She highlighted her hourglass figure by complementing the shirt and skirt with a thick nude-coloured belt and peep-toe pumps. The thick, light-hued belt automatically draws your eyes to Kardashian's waist. A skinny belt would not have the same affect; Kardashian's thick belt acts to accentuate and balance out her curves.

So which do you prefer, and more importantly, do you know which type of belt best suits your body shape? Finding your own personal style and dressing to put your best figure forward is no overnight affair; it can take months — natch that, even years — to develop and decide which looks and which styles of clothing supremely suit your body and personality. That being said, I like to think that celebrities and stars, — even the ones who work with a personal stylist, — go through a similar style evolution whilst searching out and honing their unique look. So whether you decide your figure is best highlighted with a skinny belt or thick belt, remember this: Stay true to yourself and what you feel looks good — that's how you'll amplify your personal best.

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Style - Dare to Compare

I'm sure you've taken notice to — and are maybe even wearing — one of the most bleak beauty trends of this spring and summer: Mushroom-coloured nails. Certainly a constrained contrast to the bold and bright colour/pattern choices in your summer wardrobe, the murky shade is subdued and refreshing.

Celebrities across the globe are manicured in Chanel's Particulière 505 le vernis nail colour (just take a look at the hands of Lily Allen, Cameron Diaz, and Jennifer Lopez), and while it's a blessing if your budget affords you to drop 30 dollars for a bottle, most 20-something working girls prefer to spend less on something so small.

That's why I love the other possibility. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish is an amazing — and affordable — alternative to Chanel le vernis nail colour. Sally Hansen Commander in Chic is a shade of beige-grey that's a close match to Chanel's Particulière 505. And for less than 10 dollars, it's probably more appealing to you and your wallet, too.

And let's be honest: From my own experience, Chanel nail polish doesn't last as long as Sally Hansen. It knicks and chips after one day, (which is great when I'm channeling MK and Ashley Olsen), but really. Those special strengtheners and moisturizers just can't outshine Sally Hansen's signature line.

_{Chanel LE VERNIS Nail Colour in Particulière 505, $23, see Chanel.com}

_{Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish in Commander in Chic, $7.99, Ulta}

Style - Dare to Compare

Erdem Moralioglu's appreciation for prints and colour are demonstrated in each of his designs. His 3D floral prints have been getting noticed especially since he took home the Fashion Fringe award in 2005. Exhibit A? Check his Hoshie printed silk-satin dress. Multicoloured and elegant, Erdem's sleeveless shift dress has a cropped overlay on the bodice which leads into a beautiful waistline (defined without being skintight), a classic round neck (hello, Jackie O!), and just-above-the-knee hemline (perfect for work or play). It's fully lined in silk-satin, and the body of the dress is 100 percent silk.

Not prepared to drop more than 1000 dollars for a dress? While the colour is slightly more vibrant, AK Anne Klein has a comparable floral shift dress available for less than 150 dollars. AK Anne Klein's sleeveless shift dress features bust darts for definition, and a banded waistline (perfect for highlighting your silhouette). The boat neck is chic, and the hemline hits just at the knee (again, a suitable length for work or play). This dress is unlined, but that's acceptable since it's made from Cotton/Lycra® spandex (not thin like silk, but it will still keep you cool in the summer heat).

_{Erdem hoshie printed silk-satin dress, $1215, Net-A-Porter}

_{AK Anne Klein floral shift dress, $148.34 CDN, Nordstrom}

Style - Dare to Compare

Designer Rick Owens is known for his sharp cuts and sculptural designs. Case in point? Check his plunge-back crepe jumpsuit (L). A flowing blend of 67 percent rayon, 33 percent silk, this jumpsuit slips on and is sure to make you stand out. With a wide-leg design, v-neck front and plunging back, this is a great alternative to the classic cocktail dress.

Not willing to drop close to 2000 dollars?

Slip into a convertible jumpsuit by Victoria's Secret (R). While it's not silk - VS's jumpsuit is made from a polyester/spandex jersey blend - it's design is certainly comparable (and then some!) to Owens's creation. What I like about VS's jumpsuit is the fact that you can style it more than 10 different ways! From a v-neck front with plunging back, to one-shouldered with a back braid, this one-piece is über-versatile. It features a wide-leg design, and seemingly endless options. Not only is it an excellent alternative to a dress, it's also budget-friendly!

_{Rick Owens jumpsuit, $1700, Net-A-Porter}

_{Victoria's Secret jumpsuit, $109, VS}