Remember the Sex and the City episode, when Samantha finds out that her less then average size date shops at the young men’s department at Bloomingdales. Lets be honest, that might be a bit of a mood killer. But is it a double standard? I have a confession to make. I do it. I shop at Gap Kids. I’ve even been known to buy a gap kids shoe. Mock if you must, but before you do, you should know that a girls 4.5 is somehow equivalent to a Women’s 5 ½. My closet is proof. Not only can you save A LOT of money by acting on this little style secret, but there is actually really CUTE style to be found in the girls department, in some cases, cuter then what the older crowd has to offer.

Case in point: Target. I’ve spent many an hour in the girls dept at Target; their pants fit be better then some designer clothes, and their dresses are adorable, if I can find the biggest size. I recently found this amazing dress in the Gwen Stefani for Mini Harujuku collection. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was the Alexander Mcqueen I had recently seen on Rihanna, so I scrambled for the XL, and in my shopping bag it went. I wore it to a 30^th birthday party last weekend with black skinny jeans and chunky boots. Everyone loved it, and I got a million compliments. Others might take that opportunity to plead the 5^th, and say thank you, but I proudly admitted my place of purchase. Perhaps because I’m not the tallest girl in the group, it became acceptable, and maybe charming. Or maybe some style just bridges the gap between girl and woman. Either way, I’m thankful for it.

Gwen Stefani Mini Harajuku for Target tartan dress w/ skinny jeans, red patent belt, Dolce Vita chunky boots

Target.com

When guys are commissioned to wear formal attire, instantly the idea of a black formal look usually comes to mind. Allow me to suggest a touch of red velvet. Since the Middle Ages, velvet blazers and coats have been associated with luxury because of its soft finish of weaved silk. As spotted on the men’s autumn/winter 2012 runways, literal black-tie does not have to be the final answer. Here are a few options to recreate your formal look to match a vibrant personality, and be a great interpreter of style!

Dolce & Gabbana fall 2012

Moschino fall 2012

Alexander McQueen fall 2012

For Vogue’s December issue, native South African actress and Oscar Winner Charlize Theron is found soaked head to toe. The best part of the feature? Our journalist, Jason Gay, describes how Theron, an ex-model turned actress’ is “so unpretentious and easygoing, it gets to the point where you almost forget she’s Charlize Theron, until she ries from her restaurant chair in her light-brown sweater and Rag & Bone jeans and reveals what her producing partner, Beth Kono, describes as a “freaking five-foot-ten genetic mutation.’” Clad in designer fare (Alexander McQueen, Marchesa, Christopher Kane, Salvatore Ferragamo), it’s a relief to read how relatable the so-called “A-List” can be. The best part of the spread, other than Annie Leibovitz’s stunning photography work? Charlize sending a mixtape to her interviewer filled with a chock full of mood changers. With Oscar buzz surrounding her work in Diablo Cody’s (‘Juno’, ‘The United States of Tara’) upcoming film ‘Young Adult’ and an icy turn as Kristen Stewart’s rival in ‘Snow White & The Huntsman’, Charlize has never looked better and neither has her career.

“Like Charlize Theron, it surprises. It’s not what you’d expect. But it’s a lot of fun.” – Jason Gay for Vogue

Charlize Theron’s Featured Mixtape Artists:

1. Bon Iver
2. Deer Tick
3. Fatboy Slim
4. Mos Def
5. Pink Floyd
6. Rolling Stones
7. Dr. Dre
8. Nicki Minaj
9. Ludacris