Once upon a time there were identical twin sisters who studied hard and did very well in their high school classes. They loved learning Spanish, challenging themselves in Math and learning about history in Social Studies. But most of all they loved reading great literature like The Great Gatsby in English class!

Well who can blame these fair-haired sisters who were always obsessed with all things glamourous? The Great Gatsby opened up their imaginations to styles and glamour of an era past. The elaborate parties depicted in the book were thrilling to read about and made the young sisters dream of chic outfits they would wear to such parties.

Fast-foward 30 years and here we are watching The Great Gatsby brought to beautiful life on the big screen starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. Now the reviews may have only been mediocre, but no one can deny that the gorgeous styles aren’t to die for! So why not embrace your inner Gatsby-girl and dress like some of the greatest literary characters of all time!!

Sue Wong Feather Flapper Cocktail Dress

Nina Ricci Lace and Fringe Tierred Dress

Fuschia Flapper Dress by edressme

Aidan Mattox drop waist 20′s inspired dress

Asos hairband

Rachel Zoe art deco earrings

THE STYLE DUO in Fit and Flare Milly dresses!

One of the biggest trends in dress styles right now is the Fit and Flare dress. The fit and flare dress hugs the body closely at the bodice and flares out at the waist. The style complements every body type, creating shape for those in need of some curves or hiding large hips for those trying to camouflage a problem area.The fit and flare is flirty, fun and feminine and back in style big time. Some fashion experts argue that this trend never really went away but one thing is definitely for sure. This season the fit and flare dress is more colorful, versatile, and attention grabbing than ever before! We are loving the lace and leather versions, black and white frocks, floral garden party varieties and even neon numbers! No matter what kind you choose, you are definitely choosing the “it” dress! Pair them with high wedges or strappy sandals and you can go from day to night with flair!

As always Neiman Marcus has fabulous options…

Red Valentino Floral-Print Fit and Flare Dress $895

Herve Leger Fit-and-Flare Bandage Dress $1250

Amanda Uprichard Fit and Flare Ponte Dress $175

Diane Von Furstenberg Jeannie Colorblock -Back Leather Dress $795

We loved watching our segment on Dr. Steve WPIX-11 tonight.

But for those who missed it here are some tips on “How to Dress to Hide Your Flaws and Feel Fabulous!”

1. Use color to draw the eyes away from problem areas. For example if you don’t love your hips, thighs or legs, wear a blazer in a bright color so your eyes go to your upper body and not your lower half.

2. Accessorize! Dazzle with chunky jewelry and colorful scarves. And no one will notice your chunky calves!

3. Flabby arms? Embrace the cold-shoulder trend! Dresses and tops with cut out shoulders show a little skin without showing too much arm. It will look flattering and sexy.

4. Invest in a nice, comfortable wedge. Even ladies who cannot wear high heels love the wedge because they feel more balanced and supported. Try ones with an ankle strap. Petite and tall ladies all look great walking in a wedge!

5. Buy clothes that accentuate the positive and camouflage the parts of your body you aren’t as thrilled with. But most of all, remember no one is perfect! And with the right attitude and smile, you can always look AMAZING!

If you are into fashion like both of us but also over the age of (let’s say 35), you may not love going bathing suit shopping. You might be fit and healthy but let’s face it, no one looks the way they did in college or in their 20′s. But that doesn’t mean we have to wear boring swimsuits and mumus either. Last summer we did a great segment on WPIX-11 on how to keep things sexy but age appropriate on the beach. Check out the link below if you haven’t already seen it for some fabulous tips!
We are very excited for Summer 2013 and we want all our friends and clients to feel sexy, confident and appropriate on the beach. So here are some great options to get you pool and beach ready. Bring on the sunshine!

Deep Open Fringe Monokini by Arden B $79.00

Just enough coverage! Melissa Odabash Texas Bikini Set $175 zappos

Sexy one piece by Vix- Jamaica Ring Bandeau One Piece $194.00

Go fun and flirty like Jennifer Aniston did when she rocked this Anna Kosturova crochet coverup dress in the movie “Just Go With It”. Marissa Tennis Dress
$259.00

You will have happy feet this summer with these bright pink neon numbers! So hot! Prada Fluorescent Patent Wedge Thong Sandal $395 at Neiman Marcus

A STYLE DUO SUMMER- Mindy and Paula are wearing strapless Lucky Brand sundresses. Check out this year’s versions at Lucky stores or online.

We, here at The Style Duo, had the wonderful opportunity to have another featured article in The New City Magazine this month. However, this time we were able to put our English degrees from Tufts University to good use and actually write the fashion piece. We absolutely loved writing it but more importantly loved styling the model. We chose our stunning friend/client Sharon to demonstrate how you can go from bland to beautiful with some simple outfit ideas. In the article, we said that we believe less is not more. This summer, more is more, and an easy way to get noticed this fabulous time of year is with color. We suggested easy ways to incorporate color into a wardrobe, whether it is with the clothes or the accessories. We reminded our fashionista readers to be playful and to experiment as they liked. Check out our “Before” and “After” pics and let us know what you think.

Taking it up a notch with bold color and on trend accessories!

THE STYLE DUO!

So a couple of weeks ago, was Sibling Day! And we loved seeing many of our stylish facebook friends post pics of themselves with their sisters and brothers. Some were funny, others were beautiful but all were very touching.

Now those of you who know us well know that we, The Shapiro Sisters, are the best of friends but can fight like only sisters can!! But what we always agree on is our passion for fashion. About one year ago, we looked at each other and said let’s do it. Let’s style the world! So we finished our work at Neiman Marcus (still our fave department store) and began our plans for “The Style Duo”!

We honestly never thought we’d have so much fun styling our friends, appearing on tv shows and just laughing in the dressing rooms with such wonderful people. We love the boutiques we work with, the talented designers we have met along the way and all our stylish clients who inspire us everyday. But most of all we love working together!

So in honor of sibling day, fashion and a little nostalgia here are some photos of the Shapiro Twins throughout the years. Some looks were fashion don’ts like those midriff tops we wore in the early 90′s (although we do have to say our abs weren’t bad!). And some styles were timeless like tube tops and jeans. Let’s hope our most stylish days are still ahead!

Pretty in Pink Gingham!

Stylish Mom with her girls! Disco era!

Prom in the 80′s = Puffy hair, headbands and tons of fun!

Influenced by Brenda, Donna and Kelly on Beverly Hills 90210!

Our signature wrap dresses! Always a “duo”!

It was 1986. Our hair was sprayed high and big. Real BIG! Our eyes were lined in fluorescent blue pencil and our bubble gum pink gowns were right on trend. And yes, it was the night we had waited for and dreamt about for years. It was PROM NIGHT!!!! Of course, it was fun to get picked up by our dapper dates, receive corsages, and ride in a white stretch limo, but seriously, the real excitement for us stemmed from surveying dress after dress of colorful silks and taffetas splashed across the dance floor. We still get a teenage kind of thrill when a young client comes to us in search of the ideal prom dress. While things have definitely changed since 1986, some classic styles are still around with an added modern flair. Here is a list of top trends for Prom 2013.

1. Metallic Gold or Silver short cocktail dresses
2. Ravishing Red floor length gowns
3. Bright white dresses
4. Gowns with long slits
5. Gowns with a hi/low asymmetrical hem
6. Sweetheart necklines-a classic, romantic silhouette that has been around for years. Very flattering!
7. Embellished prints
8. Sequined gowns
9. Bold bright colors! Young celebs on the red carpet were wearing bold yellows, oranges and blues this past award season and prom designers followed suit.
10. Dramatic platform shoes or booties to go with the dresses

Check out these hot numbers by Jovani…

Lady In Red!

Lace and fringe. So 2013!

Sweetheart, short and silver embellishments!

Stand out in bright & bold floral!

Cobalt blue stunner with thigh high slit.

Here at The Style Duo we often talk about steals vs. splurges and keeping things in good balance. Not every item in your ensemble needs to be high end and pricey for you to look like a million bucks. Knowing what to allow yourself to give in to and what you don’t need to indulge on is the trick of the trade in our world. We like to think we have mastered this technique and very often inexpensive clothes that we are wearing are mistaken for highly expensive designer versions. However, one thing we always like to splurge on is our handbag. Yes, there are fabulous knockoffs and replicas out there but it doesn’t feel quite right to us. Instead, we save and budget so we can treat ourselves to the real deal when the new Stella McCartney’s and Chanel’s land on the shelves. Maybe it stems from years ago when our mom brought home her first Louis Vuitton bag. The way it smelled, looked, and felt is still etched in our minds as if it were yesterday. And the thrill we got just watching our mom with her new purse was enough to have her little twin fashionistas eyeing handbags season after season to this very day. And this Spring is no exception. Take a look at this year’s fabulous styles and you too will be hooked!

Givency Nightingale Medium Sanzi Satchel Bag in Royal, $2020 at Bergdorf Goodman

Stella McCartney Baby Bella Faux Python Tote, $1435 at Neiman Marcus

Alexander Wang Diego Bucket Bag in Peroxide, $850 at Bergdorf Goodman

Balenciaga Classic City Bag in Tangerine, $1545 at Neiman Marcus

Gucci Craft Floral Canvas Tote, $950 at Neiman Marcus

Chloe Marcie Horseshoe Medium Hobo, $1695 at Bergdorf Goodman

Burberry Haymarket Check Mini Chain Crossbody Bag, $650 at Neiman Marcus

Valentino Rockstud Shooping Tote Bag, $1895 at Neiman Marcus

Ok, so some of our clients have been telling us that they are having a hard time embracing the color trend this season. Well how can we blame them? It is still freezing outside and Mother Nature seems to be forgetting it is March and technically Spring! We are still going to urge you all to try adding color to your wardrobes, but if for the moment you are more comfortable in neutrals, blacks and grays then why not try colorizing your accessories?

It has never been easier to find gorgeous bags in bold hues, jewel-toned necklaces, pastel shoes and colorful scarves. If you are feeling the March 2013 blahs, just walk into the accessories department of any department store and you will be transported to a sunnier, Springier place. Here are some of our top, hot picks to keep things bright!

Christin Louboutin Pump in canary yellow $845 Bergdorf Goodman

Faux Emerald Earrings $150 at Jennifer Miller

Diane von Furstenberg Fire Flower Hanover Scarf $195, Bergdorf Goodman

Stella McCartney Falabella Faux-Leather Fold-Over Clutch Bag, Amaryllis $875 Bergdorf Goodman

Michael Kors Bib Status Bib Necklace $250 Neiman Marcus

Ippolita lapis Teardrop Earrings $595 Neiman Marcus

Alexis Bittar New Wave Gold Chrysoprase Stacked Ring, $245 Bloomingdales

Gucci Soho lilac leather disco bag $895

We don’t really care that there is still a little bit of snow on the ground. And we know the weatherman is predicting a cold week coming up. But ladies and gents, Spring is less than a week away!! So put away your galoshes (or super high, wedge Tory Burch snow boots) and take out your strappy, springy, sexy shoes! Store your Winter coats, sweaters and fur vests in the back of your closets…it is time for Spring!

Now some of you may not rejoice in Spring cleaning the way we do. We love the look of garbage bags filled with clothes to “store”, “donate” and “throw away”. We always talk to our clients about reinventing themselves through fashion and NOW is the time to do just that. Don’t be afraid to get rid of the clothes you haven’t worn in 5 years. Also be brave this season and try new styles and colors. Buy sleek hangers, add new shelves and make your closet your happy place! But before you take a sledgehammer to your wardrobes; here are some Style Duo tips on what to toss and what to keep.

THE STYLE DUO’S GUIDE TO SPRING 2013

IN

COLOR COLOR COLOR!

skinny, boyfriend and super flare jeans

black and white geometric prints

soft light leather tops, dresses and shorts

heels with ankle straps

jacket and shorts suits for the office

cover-ups worn as dresses

Stella Mcartney faux leather “skin” bags

tribal influences

wearing fancy jumpsuits to events

OUT

Boring neutrals with no pop of color

jeans with studs on the pockets

Safari prints (so 2011!)

leather bustiers

shoes made of pvc plastic

jacket and skirt suits for the office

dresses worn as cover-ups (this makes sense to a true fashionista!)

bags that cost a fortune and make you feel bad for reptiles

gangster influences

wearing the same little black dress you always wear

HAPPY SPRING SHOPPING! XO, THE STYLE DUO