Fashionably Fabulous: Rihanna

In this photo of Rihanna leaving dinner at a restaurant, she wears a nude colored cowl neck mini-dress. She adds emerald colored satin round toe wedges with a jade corked heel, and completes the look with a chain link strapped purse. Rihanna is definitely fashionably fabulous and ready for fall in this picture!

Image Courtesy of Essence.com

Fashion World Updates: The Future of Baby Phat

Yesterday the news broke on twitter that as of September 1st, Kimora Lee Simmons will be leaving Baby Phat fashions. What does this mean for the future of Baby Phat? Surely with a change in management the clothing lines under the Kellwood Company's management will have some updates. Perhaps this means that the fashion line will take a turn. Since the urban wear audience that Baby Phat targets is starting to adopt more sartorial styles, perhaps the powers at be will make sure that the Baby Phat clothing line does the same. But, then again, maybe not. Since many high end designers such as Christian Louboutin, Balenciaga and Gucci are incorporating the stylistic qualities that are characteristic of urban wear into their most recent collections. So, perhaps Russell and Kimora were actually ahead of their time when they started their street wear dynasties? Only time will tell.

Fashionably Fabulous: Keri Hilson

Keri Hilson has stepped up her fashion game since she first came on the scene three years ago. In recent appearances for the action flick, Takers, Ms. Hilson is really showing off her matured style.

In a performance with T.I., Keri wore a double breasted tan python coat dress. The satin cuffs and cinched waist of the dress add a feminine flair to the menswear inspired piece. Her choice to pair the dress with black leggings and large cocktail jewelry help to complete this look.

Keri Hilson wears another menswear inspired piece at the Hollywood Takers premier. She wears a black tuxedo jacket with a suede corset belt. She adds a casual feminine touch to this ensemble with tan colored swiss dotted shorts and this season's nude platform pump.

Images Courtesy of Essence.com

A Good inVESTment: Fall's "It" Piece

Vests are this falls answer to the summer blazer. They can be paired with just about anything from dresses to jeans to leggings and sweaters. They are perfect transition pieces and they add spice to any outfit, making them a good investment for the upcoming season. Here are a few of the coolest vests that I've seen for this season:

Sequined Halston vest from Saks Fifth Avenue

This Rogue Studded Vest from Forever 21 is perfect for a lunch date.

This Tuxedo inspired vest also from Forever 21 straddles the line between dressy and casual.

This grey tweed tieback vest from Gap is very chic and perfect for the office.

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Contrasting Shoes

I was looking through the latest "Star Gazing" pictures on Essence's website, and I came across this picture of Kanye going to Rihanna's concert. The first thing that I noticed were how his shoes contrasted with suit. Women have been successfully adopting this trend for many seasons, but this is one of the first times that I've noticed a man correctly incorporating the not so matchy shoe trend. But, why am I surprised? Kanye is one of the most stylish men. If I were a man, I'd take a note from Kanye and make sure that my shoes didn't match my attire :)

Image Courtesy of Essence.com

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Jeans

Jeans are an essential in any wardrobe. Not many other items have the ability to be dressed up or down as well as good old denim. Many people may think that only women's jeans can have style and flair, but I'm here to tell you otherwise. Here are a few of my favorite menswear jeans from this season.

These straight leg jeans by Seven for all Mankind are a great wardrobe addition. The iron grey color and fit make them acceptable for casual Fridays and after parties this fall.

Images Courtesy of Saks.com

I'm not a fan of the skinny jean on men, but for those guys that want to venture out and try this trend, look at these light wash destroyed Diesel Thanaz jeans. The leg on these jeans isn't too narrow, and that's what I like about them.

Images Courtesy of saks.com

With a blazer, dress shirt and belt, these Dolce and Gabbana dark wash jeans are perfect for a concert date night!

Images Courtesy of saks.com

Classics: Never Underestimate the Power in the Black Pump

Black Pumps are an essential in a woman's wardrobe. They can be worn in the height of summer with a flirty dress, in the dead of winter with a tweed skirt suit or out on the town with a pair of jeans.

Here are a compilation of my favorite classic black pumps from this season:

The suede and studded York Platform Pump by Sam Edelman. This pump is perfect for going out and can be paired with skinny jeans or black tights, a flirty skirt and blazer.

This Jessica Simpson patent pump is a great investment. It easily transitions from the office.

This VANELi "Philys" Peep-Toe Oxford incorporates this season's jazz inspired trend with the classic black pump.