Clinton Kelly's Do's and Don'ts for Spring 2013 at Macy's #SpringStyles

You've all heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child" haven't you?  Well this week, when preparing for Macy's Spring Styles Fashion Show, featuring Clinton Kelly, I certainly experienced something similar to it.

I had planned to attend this fashion show with sponsorship by the Everywhere Society at the Macy's in the Westfarms Mall, right outside of Hartford, CT. However, when the date of the show was released to us, it was only a few days away...and on a weekend that I had planned to visit family in upstate New York. I did reach out to some potential guest bloggers, but it seemed like everyone was busy this weekend! Sad face.

So, of course, I turned for support to the place I knew best, the Connecticut Blogging Community.
One member of our wonderful community, mentioned that a colleague from work was a BIG FAN of Clinton Kelly's and would love to take my seat, and would be happy to take pictures and recap the event for my readers!

So folks, you see, while it takes a village to raise a child, it sometimes takes a community to write a blog!

Many, many thanks Beverly and friends, for this review of Clinton Kelly's Do's and Don't for Macy's Spring Styles 2013! #SpringStyles

#SpringStyles
copyrighted photo used with permission

Beverly Wanza-Jones is a guest blogger for the Home Place blog. Beverly is a blogger whose passion includes jazz and fashion

To a rapturous crowd of 400 fans of fashion, Clinton Kelly of TLC's "What Not To Wear" and author of the book "Oh No She Didn't" walked on to the stage at Macy's in the Westfarms Mall and gave us all a lesson on what TO wear! 

copyrighted photo used with permission

Clinton has a personality that electrifies a room while engaging us in a personal, warm conversation about how our clothes make a statement about ourselves. When Clinton's on stage, he gives candid, often funny advice in a kind way, the way only a best friend would. I'd say Clinton Kelly is everyone's best fashion friend! Below he critiques a member of the audience with his trademark wit and inspiration.

The fashion segment of the show opened with this great look of 'mix and match' separates with bold statement jewelry.

Alfani Jacket, Calvin Klein Tweet Pencil Skirt
copyrighted photo used with permission

Sometimes it's all about the shoes.  Look how wonderfully these coordinate with this suit. The taupe handbag acts as a great neutral and accents the spring colors.

Calvin Klein Suit Separates
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Here's a great way to mix patterns. Note the Aztec print that is popular this season, and the boldly patterned cropped pants. Patterned pants are also a fun trend for spring 2013.

Aztec inspired top
Cropped print pants
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Maxi dresses continue to be on trend this season.  Here's a boldly patterned tribal print highlighted by a cute little cropped jean jacket.

Casual daytme look with sandals and cropped jacket
copyrighted photo used with permission

One of the highlights of the show were these adorable "short-shorts" worn with a high low striped top and a great pop of color in this peach cropped jacket. 

copyrighted photo used with permission

There were so many spectacular outfits that came down the runway it's hard to choose a favorite! 

The fashions covered work attire, weekend, date night, party perfect and, the aforementioned season's “must-have - crop denim jacket”.

In the closing, Clinton shared with us a positive message. He advised us all not to compare ourselves to models in advertisements who might have been photo-shopped or who had many things about them that are fake. We should be confident in our options of what we choose to wear. The event ended with the thunderous applause of an appreciative crowd!

Macy's did an amazing job hosting this event and the fashions were FABULOUS! The tag line of the event was "Only One Star [the Macy's Star] brings you coast to coast" ...but I give this event 5 out of 5 stars! 

Thank you Macy's! 

Thank you Bonnie for the opportunity to guest blog for you on Home Place! 

And now it's time for shopping!

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Home Place Disclaimer: I am a member of the Everywhere Society. All contributors were provided with compensation for this post about Macy's Clinton Kelly event. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are those of our own.

Macy's Million Dollar Makeover Fall Fashion Event with Clinton Kelly

The Providence Place Mall in Providence, Rhode Island was the last stop on the tour for Macy's Million Dollar Makeover and Fall Fashion Event 2012 featuring the dynamic Clinton Kelly, of TLC's What Not to Wear and ABC's afternoon talk show The Chew.

Photo Credit: Macy's Clinton Kelly Million Dollar Makeover

Never sure of the traffic on CT's I-95, we left early to arrive in time to fit in a little shopping (yay!) beforehand and good seats for the Macy's Fall Fashion Event.

As soon as we arrived we were escorted up to the fashion show area by none other than Macy's Providence Place store manager. Talk about personal service!  As usual, Macy's had created a full scale fall fashion runway experience for all attendees!

Look at this set and amazing backdrop - and SWAG BAGS!  

And I'm so glad we arrived early!  Gena Casciano, the Director of National Events and Marketing at Macy's later advised that there were nearly 500 people in attendance!

I took the time before the fashion show to seek out the advice of fashion savvy sales associate Valeria, and told her I was looking for a fitted blazer / jacket to go with an INC black lace top I had already spotted on my way in.

The area featured clothes from INC, Jones New York, Guess, Kensie, and more, more, more!  While I kept straying to my "safe" tones of grey, taupe and black, I loved everything that Valeria showed me, and she kept saying to me, "Bonnie, you need a pop of color". And she was right!  I loved, loved, loved, this INC bright green jacket she picked out for me...and decided to purchase and wear it right then and there!

Here's me and the fabulous sales associate Valeria!  She's so tiny she makes me look tall!

Inc International Concepts Jacket Ruffle Trim Ponte Knit
Color: Willow Bough

Don't ever hesitate to ask a sales associate for help.  They know what looks good on different body types and are always happy to assist!  Valeria also helped me select a gorgeous taupe faux leather jacket by Alfani, that is so flattering I never want to take it off!

And what's more my purchase qualified me for an autographed copy of Clinton Kelly's Oh No, She Didn't. The bad news?  No pictures were allowed at the autograph session!  Boo-Hoo.  But I got to meet him and he loved my green jacket!  Woo Hoo!

We still had some time so we wandered down to the Estee Lauder cosmetics area where Macy's Fall Fashion Runway Model Kathryn was getting prepped for the show.

Kathryn is a professional plus size model and it's wonderful to see that Macy's fashion events always represent women of ALL sizes, shapes, ages, and color in their fashion events.

Having a cosmetologist help you with make-up choices is also a good idea that every woman should treat themselves to!  Don't ever be afraid to ask for help!  I love trying new products and these ladies are magicians when it comes to makeup!

Well, enough about me...let's move on to the event!

Clinton Kelly came out and did what Clinton Kelly does best!  Give fashion tips and advice that works!

My three favorites tips?

(1) Dress age appropriately, (2) mix a trend with a basic, and (3) don't hate your body!  

He also selected a few women from the audience and critiqued them with the great sense of humor and quick wit he is known for,  that is always kind-spirited because you know he really cares that ALL women be the best they can be!

Left to Right, Clinton Kelly says:

• Just because you're a granny that bakes cookies doesn't mean you have to always dress like one!
• Beware of colors you wear that might wash you out.  
• Buy a bra that lifts those "girls" up! You'll get an instant waist and look 20 lbs lighter!
• Tunics don't camouflage your bum - they accent it! Wear something that stops mid-hip to show the cute little cut out of your butt.  No matter your size!

For the fall fashion season Macy's concentrated on four fall fashion areas that most of us need to dress for this season: Weekend, Work, Night, and Holiday.

Weekend:

Mustard blouse with embellished collar by Bar III, Olive tweed blazer with cable knit sleeves by Kensie, Cranberry corduroy pant by Style & Co, Cognac lace up boot by Steve Madden

Teal print blouse by Charter Club, Boiled wool ruffle sweater by Charter Club, Charcoal fine gauge corduroy  pant by Charter Club, Blue pony hair pump by INC, Chrome satchel by Steve Madden 

Teal tiered tank by Alfani , Stripe sweater by Charter Club, Grey straight leg tummy control denim by Style & Co, Slate suede bootie by Alfani , Caramel leather satchel by Calvin Klein 

Citron lace blouse by Alfani , Black military jacket by INC, Indigo skinny jean by Guess, Black double zipper boot by Tahari , Black perforated lace tote by BCBG 

Chambray button down by Ralph Lauren, Tweed blazer by Tommy Hilfiger, Black pleated a-line skirt by Tommy Hilfiger, Two tone riding boot by Vince Camuto  

Rust geometric print dress by Bar III, Faux shearling moto vest by Bar III, Chocolate suede cowboy boot by Franco Sarto 

And look!  Once again, Macy's clearly marked all the clothes that were featured in the show for shoppers to easily find after the show!  Here's the dress above - all ready for you to take home! Or buy it online here: Bar III Rust Print Dress.

Now let's move on to some great looks for...

 Work:

 Navy and white polka dot top by Tommy Hilfiger , Navy check knit blazer   Tommy Hilfiger , Creme corduroy pant by Jones New York, Leopard print kitten heel by Anne Klein , Tomato tote by Calvin Klein

 Sapphire silk blouse by INC, Black and white tweed jeweled trim jacket by INC, Black pencil skirt by Calvin Klein, Nude and black ankle strap shoe by Marc Fisher , Grey handbag by Nine West

  

 Cobalt and black hourglass sheath dress by Calvin Klein , Black leather drape jacket by INC, Electric blue fish scale pump by Calvin Klein , Python print satchel by Rachel Roy

  

Cream burnout velvet tie blouse by Studio M, tinsel tweed crop jacket by INC, Black trouser by Anne Klein, Quartz sueded pump by BCBG, Chocolate iridescent handbag by BCBG 

Red drape blouse by Anne Klein , Black cinched waist blazer by Sunny Leigh, Herringbone pencil skirt by Alfani , Black suede bootie by Carlos Santana, Bordeaux bowling bag by Michael Kors     

Boucle & marble print sheath by Rachel Roy , Black sueded crop blazer by INC, Black and gold pony pump by Truth or Dare by Madonna

Looking for something for that special date? Try something from the collection of...

Night

And finally, let's look at some great items available for the...

 Holidays!

 Black matte sequin one- shoulder dress by Jessica Simpson, Black t-strap platform with jewel embellishment  by BCBG , Gold beaded clutch by La Regale

 Sapphire drape dress with shoulder embellishment by Alex Evenings, Smoke metallic peep toe by Marc Fisher,  Peacock feather beaded clutch by Nina

Red satin sheath with ruffle by Jones New York, Gold shimmer slingback by Guess, Hard case clutch by Style & Co

 Teal with black lace overlay dress by Adrianna Papell, Black faux fur jacket by Ellen Tracy, Black lace-up bootie by BCBG, Teal satin clutch by Sasha

Metallic shimmer quartz dress by Ralph Lauren, Rosette peep toe by Caparros , Gold washed clutch by Ralph Lauren

Rose gold lace dress by Kensie , Black suede wedge by Nine West, Black satin petal clutch by Sondra Roberts  

And what was in the Macy's Swag Bag?

A mini-manicure set, some great information about upcoming sales, a Macy's sparkle cosmetic holder, and a free eyeliner pencil by Estee Lauder!  And the extra large swag bag was just perfect to tote all my purchases and new book back in! Thank you Macy's!

And some things I learned during my visit that I didn't know before?  Many Macy's have an in-house tailor that can make things FIT right!  Macy's offers a personal shopper experience.  And has visitor services, and much, much, more!  Learn all about Macy's special services here: Macy's Services

And I also got to meet up with some local bloggers!

L-R Stephanie, me, Wendy, Ally, Julie. Not pictured Natasha

Click on their names to read their recap of this fab fall fashion event! 

Looking for a Macy's Event near you?  click here: Find Macy's Events

or Follow Macy's Events on Twitter: @macysevents

Disclosure: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about Clinton Kelly and Macy's Fall Fashion. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

More pictures available on: Home Place Macy's Fall Fashion with Clinton Kelly