Hi everyone- I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for Christmas. Make your list and check it twice!  Thank you so much for all the kind compliments on Leann Rimes in the green circle dress.

It has been so cold in the last few days in Dallas! We are all trying to stay warm. Do you remember this Alexander Wang sweater that I wore in a previous post with the vintage Chanel skirt? The look was much dressier. Here I’m wearing the sweater again but this time I styled it more casually by putting it on with a t-shirt and skinny jeans. I love to keep my closet full of items that I’m able to wear again and again and to mix and match with different things I already own. There is no point in spending money on garments that you only can wear once.

The advice that I give to all my clients is when adding something new to your closet, always make sure you can style it 4 or 5 different ways by switching out the accessories. I always recommend items that can function well during the day and transition into a night outfit as well. That way you will wear it more than one time.
Here is my example of how I styled the Alexander Wang sweater when I added it to my closet.
Look 1: pair it back with a pencil skirt
Look 2: wear casually with skinny jeans and t-shirts
Look 3: mix silhouettes and pair with wide legged jeans and t-shirts
Look 3: mix textures and wear with high-waisted silk pants
Look 4: create a whimsical look and wear over a flowing dress
Look 5: add a little sex appeal and wear with an A-line leather skirt.

When you have trouble making a decision about whether or not you should buy an item, make a list in your mind or write it down. Put the item on hold so that you know you can always can come back and buy it. Then, when the pressure is off, look into your closet. Is the item compatible?

Wearing: Alexander Wang sweater, Elizabeth & James t’s, Citizen of Humanity jeans, Fallon necklace, Fendi booties, Chanel sunnies and Chanel 2.55 bag

Have a great day everyone!!xoxo NINI

Investing in Fashion: What is your priority?

We all shop according to our budget and lifestyle. There are some shoppers who only invest in accessories and buy inexpensive clothes. There are some who only invest in expensive clothes and don’t care much about accessories. Still others buy ‘throw-away’ basics and spend the balance of their budget on buying and maintaining vintage clothing and accessories. But each type of shopper has priorities and knows what they want to invest money in. There is a balance for everything. We just need to know what’s worth investing in and what’s not. Although often this is based on your own style and wardrobe choices, I believe that there are some items we should all invest in.

Sometimes, saving money to buy an expensive item seems excessive but buying less items that cost more money each rather than buying more, cheaper items will save you a TON of money and space in the future. Our world is changing very quickly and although ‘fast fashion’ makes a large assortment of products available to the consumer at at lower price points, this can often be a trap that forces us to spend more money! Be careful about buying many items for cheap because you don’t know how long they will last and what the cut or quality is like. A less expensive piece can often shift or even come apart at the seams over time and although you didn’t spend much on the item, that money is still wasted. Instead of buying 4 different styles of dresses, save that money and buy yourself one nice dress that is guaranteed to fit well, to make you feel sexy and last several years.

Here are the top three items that I believe are worthy of investment and that will last you a lifetime if you take proper care of them.

1. A classic sheath dress that you can wear on any occasion – to a friends wedding, to a dinner date at your favorite restaurant or to meet up with friends for lunch. This item can be dressed up for formal occasions or dressed down for less formal ones. The accessories (sunglasses, jewelry, scarf, shoes and bag) change the look and other items (jackets, fur stoles, tights or leggings, sweaters or cardigans, etc.) can be added or removed to completely transform the outfit.

2. A classic pair of pumps. Look for a pair that has a significant heel but also has a visible or hidden platform. This way, you can use the shoes for all occasions: the heel makes any outfit pop and the platform will provide comfort so that you can wear the shoes anytime, anywhere. The pumps can be styled with jeans or worn with your favorite dress for a head turning outfit. In my opinion, a pair of shoes that can take any outfit from everyday chic to evening sparkle is something worth investing in!

3. A nice bag that can turn into a clutch. You want something that you wear during the day with jeans and T’s but still be able to dress up for evening outfits. I’ve written about this before but the main suggestion I have about buying a bag (new or vintage) is to make sure that the style and hardware is a good match for your other accessories. If your bags work with your shoe collection and your jewelry, you’ll be able to create more outfit options by rearranging what you already own.

What is your opinion? What items do you own that you consider as great investments?

Wearing: vintage Azzedine Alaia dress, Christian Louboutin Lady Daf, Hermes scarf, Chanel bag

 

 

American country pop singer, Leann Rimes, wore NINI green circle dress to attend the Trevor Project gala last night and she looks absolutely amazing!

PS: I did not style her look, credit to her stylist.

Every woman needs a good “throw-it-on-and-go black dress” that they can use any time of the day. We’re all always reaching for something that would work for running errands, as a cover up after a yoga class, to meet up w/ a girlfriend for lunch or for picking up your kids up from school.

I’m wearing my Comme des Garcons Mickey dress that I absolutely love. It’s perfect for running around town to meet up with my clients but transitions seamlessly to a casual dinner. I love dresses that are easy to put on and go.

Here are my suggestions for what to look for when you are out shopping for a good little black dress:
1. Look for something that drapes well and feels effortless. The main point is that you don’t have to mess with it too much. It needs to be perfect from the second you put it on.  Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang, Rick Owens and The Row all have a wonderful selection.
2. Look for something stretchy that hangs nicely on the body and doesn’t hug any areas that you aren’t comfortable with. Stay away from things that are too tight on the body because you might not always be able to wear them.
3. Look for a medium weight fabric. Sometimes the perfect little black dress is wool and can feel a little too warm. A medium weight fabric eliminates having to worry about what to wear inside.
4. Look for something that reflects your personal style, something you can wear with flats for the day and can be dressed up for evenings by switching out the accessories.
Hope everyone is doing well and thank you so much for reading my blog! xoxo NINI

“Yummy Yummy Cat, I want that cat!!”

And this is our dog, her name is Minie

Wearing: Comme des Garcons dress, Charlotte Olympia kitty cat wedges, Chanel sunnies, H & M hat, and vintage earrings

What a great response we have from the green circle dress!! Thanks everyone again from the bottom of my heart for your love and support.

Another great way to spice up your sweaters to make them more fun and interesting is to pair them with pants that have a fun pattern. The pant can be cut however you like best: they can be skinny leg or wide leg pants and still look great. Just know the proportions that make you feel best and find the pair of pants that look best on you.

I’m wearing a pair of wide legged silk pants from Dries Van Noten. Because the pants have such a loud print and are wide legged, I wanted to keep the top more fitted to keep the silhouette in balance. You don’t want to have loose pants and a loose sweater because that will make you appear shorter: choose one or the other.

This is what I wore to meet up with a friend for lunch. I spent the rest of the day running errands and enjoying the nice chilly weather in Dallas. I was focused on feeling comfortable & chic at the same time. I believe that it’s important for women to look good and feel good in what they’re wearing all the time. It doesn’t matter where or what your destination is. It can be picking up groceries or going to the doctor.  Looking put together will always help you feel confident. Take a second out of your busy schedule and give yourself a little extra time for some personal pampering; to put on your make-up and get dressed in the morning, go get your nails done, do a home facial. It’s really important for us woman for take care of ourselves, especially during this busy and hectic holiday season time!

Wearing: Celine blue cashmere sweater, Dries Van Noten Pants, Chanel bag, Melody Ehsani earrings

Happy Sunday everyone!! xoxo NINI

Since the the black & white circle dress got such a great response and was sold out super fast, I am offering it in another color as promised. Thank you so much to everyone for your love and support. It means the world to me. I couldn’t appreciate it more.

I have decided to offer the dress in a fun, new color so I created it in emerald green. This color makes such a big statement! Not only is it the perfect show stopper for the holiday season, but the color also looks amazing on almost every skin tone. Whether you plan to attend a holiday party at your friend’s house or a wedding in New York or the Cayman Islands, this is your dress. Just put on some fabulous jade or diamond earrings, add your favorite heels and you are set to go.

We are currently taking pre-orders. Please send your inquires to Nini@ninistyle.com.  I’m so thankful to have such a supportive group of lovable family, friends, and readers. I’m also extremely grateful to have such a wonderful team that helps me execute my vision and bring it to life. They are all the best, kindest people! I’m blessed! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! xoxo Nini Nguyen

Wearing: NINI emerald green circle dress $595, Christian Louboutin Lady Daf, Chanel 2.55, vintage Chanel earrings and Melody Ehsani ring, Nars lipstick Schiap