Our favourite international diva returns today with over 55 new fashion jewellery designs to mix with your fall wardrobe. Watch Ivana live at 11PM, 3PM & 7PM EST and keep an eye out for many Anniversary Specials, like these:

Ivana Couture Gold Plate Crystal Accent Paris Charm Bracelet
Anniversary Price: $76.48 

Ivana Couture Platinum Plate Blue & Clear Crystal Ring 
Anniversary Price: $94.47

Ivana Couture 3 Strand Crystal & Bead Necklace & Earrings
Anniversary Price: $89.67

Our Fashion Web Editor has collected all our newest, hottest & desirable fall accessories in one location for your shopping pleasure. From rich chocolate leathers, to sizzling animal print, you’ll find all the must-have pieces to complete your look.

 It’s so hard to pick my favourites (I especially love shopping at this time of year). But these pieces are definitely catching my eye:

Charmed by Turquoise Comfort Bracelet

Purpura Leopard Print Suede Shopping Bag with Trim

Sterling Silver Cornelian Coins & Champagne Freshwater Pearl Necklace

The weather has finally started to change in New York and there’s no time like fall to buy a new handbag! We’re excited about all of the new fashions, we want to update our looks and - more than ever - we want to do it in a cost effective way. And nothing does it better than adding a stylish, affordable and fabulous new Maxx New York handbag to your fall wardrobe. It’s the perfect way to instantly bring you into the new season!

This fall we’re seeing textured patent along with beautiful jewel tone colors and I couldn’t be more excited about all of the great bags we have for you this visit. Here’s what we have in store for our show today:

Key Fabrics:
Croco Embossed Patent
Suede
Quilted Drillac/Coated Twill

Key Shapes:
Bowlers
Domes
Hobos
Satchels

Key Colours:
Eggplant
Cranberry
Chocolate

Speaking of colour… when I think about fall, my clothes usually consist of darker more somber colors and I think a handbags is the perfect way to inject some much needed color and vibrancy into your outfit. So going into the next season, be daring and go for bold, rich colors to brighten up those dreary, gray winter days!!!

Would love to hear about what you love in a handbag!

Lilliana Vazquez
Style Coordiantor
MAXX NEW YORK

Ironically, this was the most difficult of all shapes for me to dress. You’d think that at 5ft 2″ I’d know all about this one but sometimes it’s most difficult to be objective about your own body! Many people assume that the biggest challenge for the petite is length - constant hemming is required. And indeed, a friendly tailor is a must-have.

Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. You see, petites have different proportion all over. The distance between the waist and crotch of a pant is smaller and the distance between shoulder and waist of a fitted jacket is smaller too. Petite clothes are not just shorter versions of regularly clothes; they’re tailored all over to fit a diminutive frame.

The worst thing a petite can do is wear clothes or patterns that overwhelm her body. Also, colour-blocking, which works so well for the tall figure, can make petites appear smaller. Instead, head-to-toe co-ordination will lengthen and streamline your silhouette.

For evening, take a cue from diminutive starlets like Natalie Portman and Audrey Tatou and go for shimmer and sparkle. This will also trick the eye into making you appear taller. And finally, heels are always a good way to actually add inches to your frame.

Read my other What to Wear blog posts

Nothing can add a fresh look to a tried-and-true outfit like a new handbag. And that couldn’t be more true than for the upcoming fall season. Colours are going to shift from the bright blues and yellows that were so perfect for summer to more luxurious, rich shades of Bordeaux and eggplant. Patent will continue strong, through the fall and will be mixed with more exotic textures such as croco- and python-embossing as well as nylon, quilting and suede.

In my ideal world, every woman would have an entire wardrobe of handbags! No fall wardrobe is complete without three basic styles:

Everyday staple bag - for some, this is the basic black or brown bag that goes everywhere. For others, it’s a microfibre bag that can stand up to your everyday demands.

Classic bag - no wardrobe is complete without a classic leather or suede bag that never goes out of style.

Fashion-forward bag - try to step out of your comfort zone with a fashion-forward design that offers you stand-out style. This bag will be perfect for those days you need a pick-me-up, nights on the town and those special occasions when you want to stand out from the crowd.

Check out our full assortment of Maxx New York styles, including hot new designs for fall.

Cherie Christmas
Maxx New York

Sure, the weather will be getting cooler, the days shorter, and the amount of times you can sit out on a patio are numbered … but a change in season also means a change in wardrobe. And that’s something to look forward to. I met up with some of our lovely TV Hosts and asked them what they are most excited about when it comes to Fall fashions & shopping.

Orlena Cain
Some of my must haves for fall and winter are turtlenecks. Not only are they very comfortable, but they can be updating with accessories and dressed up or dressed down. Nice and smooth or rib-knit are the good choices for me. I like slimmer hugging fit, which only encourages me to watch the holiday season pudge…lol! My next favourite item for fall is a fitted shift dress that is a change from the floatier pieces of this past summer. My body type is on the curvy side and I spend alot of time in the gym and remaining active, so I like to wear a dress that shows off my hard efforts. Ah fall, colourful leaves falling to the ground, rich and earthy tones every wear, makes me smile.

 
Susan Yull
Fall is my favorite season. I love wearing big, oversized sweaters. Pullover sweaters, hoodie sweaters, cardigans and more. Usually with my jeans and a pair of boots. There is something so cozy about being cuddled up in a toasty sweater on a cool day or a chilly night.

Denise Wade
I just love the change in season to be able to wear my new fall clothes. I have to say staple for fall would be black leather knee hight boots. I love the look with a knee length dress/ skirt.

Renee Torrington
I love my jeans and a great cozy sweater or crisp blouse. I always have to have my boots on with the jeans. Black or blue doesn’t matter what colour jeans but they do have to have some stretch in them. Now that I have lost some weight I can’t wait to do some updated shopping. Although unlike my teenage years I
refuse to lie down and do them up with a coat hanger. Now they have to fit comfortably.

Carol Fysh
I LOVE boots! Cowboy boots, above the knee boots, riding boots, suede purple flat boots, ankle boots. I can’t wait to wear a couple of new pair that I have treated myself to…but I equally love my older boots….a good leather boot gets better as the years go by!

What’s your go-to for Fall?  What trend are you most looking forward to embracing? Click on the Comments link below and share, share, share!

The first instinct of many full-figured women is to cover up. Unfortunately, this is the worst thing you can do if you’re curvaceous. Not to say that you should show an inordinate amount of skin. But, you should not be afraid of fabrics that hug your torso or ensembles that show a modest amount of skin.

For inspiration, look to Queen Latifah, America’s next top model contestant Toccara Jones and of course, screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe. While it’s true that it can be hard to find fashion role models in Hollywood, there are many women out there rocking a full figure and there’s no reason you should not be one of them.

Okay, let’s look at the downside of the full-figure. Very often you have a good shape, even a classic hourglass figure. But sometimes, weight can accumulate in one zone, like the tummy, bum or saddlebags. If this is the case, check out the pear or apple-shaped posts and adapt that advice to your figure.

In general, the following are your best friends: A-line skirts (fitted at the waist, but skimming away from the body), empire waisted tops (which show off your boobs, create a waist but conceal your tummy). Wrap dresses, or dresses with ruching literally create optical illusions: you’ll look slimmer and your bumps will be disguised by the fabric folds.

Finally, we all know the value of dark colour, but don’t feel limited to black. Colour-blocking is a technique you should experiment with, finding those hues that really bring out your eyes and smile. Whenever I imagine Queen Latifah I think of her huge smile and sparkling eyes, and this is because she’s always styled in the best clothes for her complexion and impeccably made up.

Heels will give you height and posture that takes you to the next level (choose a wedge heel if you can’t handle a stiletto). And above all, strut your stuff, smile widely and be bold and bodacious!

(Dress shown by Mesmerize, top by PK Maks)

Read my other What to Wear blog posts

A couple of days ago, a reporter asked an exchange student from China what she would miss the most after she left Canada. Her answer was, “the Canadian sky.” It seemed a very simple answer but it was a totally inspiring one. I must admit that I’ve never appreciated the sky above us because I guess I’ve taken it for granted….

At Soprano Handbags, nothing is taken for granted. After all these years of manufacturing experience, we still insist on inspecting every piece of leather, every zipper, every single buckle and every grommet. All possible measures are taken to ensure that only the best product is offered to you.

On Aug. 13th, we will be bringing you an exciting Today’s Showstopper, a choice of 2 fabulous 100% top grain leather bags with a matching leather bonus accessory in fall’s newest colour shades. The value is, once again, quite unbelievable. Also, watch for brand new styles featuring top grain glazed leather and quilted leather, in styles that you will never want to miss!

Would love to hear what you think about the new fall collection. Please click on the Comment link below and share your thoughts!

Happy shopping,

Sylvia Kwok

Remember the 80’s? The fashion rules back then were very black-and-white: There was one skirt length, one jacket length and black was always the new black. It made dressing easy in many respects. But it also meant that everybody looked the same (like Joan Collins) and explains why it is so easy to parody the look of that decade.

Nowadays, the choices are broader. There are many different looks in every season. Designers have abandoned the myth that we all need to reinvent our wardrobe every season. Instead, they know most of us add a handful of items and maybe replace a few tired staples.

We’re also a lot more body conscious these days. It doesn’t matter how hot the skinny pant is, if it doesn’t look good on you, you shouldn’t wear it. Now, there are stylish options every season for each body type. But while this increases choice, it can also cause more confusion. So, first things first. Let’s take a look at the new trends for this Fall. Then, look out for future posts explaining what to wear for your body shape!

(Blouse above by Alice Blue Fashions)

Ladylike chic

After a few seasons of baby-doll and cocoon silhouettes, the waist makes a return. Okay, okay, we all loved those flowing pleated tops and tees. But, no matter what your size, women look best when they show off their curves. So, don’t be frightened of the waist

Think of Hollywood sirens from Grace Kelly to Sophia Loren. A cinched in waist creates that delicious hourglass figure that shows off a woman’s best assets. Remember, the thinnest part of your entire body is the area just under your bust, so if you’re looking to slim down, look for an empire waist and an A-line skirt that will skim your body.

As part of this retro look, invest in some cute cardigans or twinsets. Cardigans are great not only for their versatility and warmth, but for their fitted shape. To updated the look, think about wearing your belt outside your cardigan. Bye bye babydoll, hello sexy librarian chic!

(Dress above by ABS, shoes by Bos & Co)

Masculine tailoring

Some of us just aren’t skirt gals. If you like wearing the pants, take a lead from one of Hollywood’s most fashion-forward leading ladies, Katherine Hepburn. She took men’s tailoring to a whole new place, making it sexy but in an easy, relaxed way.

If this is a look you love, finding the right pants for your body shape in all-important. Take inspiration from men’s suiting materials, but look for a cut that is still feminine, fitted on the derriere and flattening on the tummy. Above all, avoid a tapered leg, which will make you look heavier around the middle. Instead, opt for a boot-cut or wide leg. Finally, if you wear heels, the hem of the pant should hit the bottom of your heel.

Because this look is inspired by a man’s wardrobe, use accessories to make it more feminine and to put your own stamp on it. I love chunky jewelry with this style, just one or two pieces. A little sparkle goes a long, long way!

(Trousers above by Kim & Co, boots by Bos & Co)

The Bling

Speaking of accessories, they’re an easy way to freshen your look. Look for affordable, dramatic pieces that you won’t feel bad about splurging on. Those fun pieces are the best way of incorporating more daring and bold trends into your wardrobe and looking cutting edge without being a fashion victim.

Bracelets are going to be huge this Fall and the scale is big and bold. But accessories are an individual thing. Two women wearing a basic black suit can look dramatically different depending on how they accessorize, so go for pieces you love and that are completely “you”!

(Bracelet above by Italian Gold Couture, necklace by Joan Rivers Classic Collection)

Autumnal hues

I don’t know about you, but by the end of summer I’m dying to get back into darker shades. Wearing brights all summer is fun and flirty, but there’s nothing quite as sumptuous and rich as those Fall colours.

With colour, the most important thing is to wear a colour that suits your complexion close to your face. If a particular shade washes you out, wear it on your bottom half or save it for your accessories.

This season’s hot colours are those harvest colours we all associate with Fall - plums and harvest gold in particular. These work well with most skin tones and play beautifully off neutral blacks, browns and beiges.

Fall is my favourite dressing season. I love layering all those soft, tactile fabrics. It’s not so cold yet that you have to get practical for cold weather dressing. And, being the shopaholic I am, I get excited seeing all the new colours and styles.

That said, we all have challenges when it comes to wardrobe, so don’t forget to look out for those body-shape posts!

(Jacket above by Alice Blue Fashions, purse by Soprano)