In this installment of Your Stylist, I am taking a brief hiatus from talking trends to address a few of the super-adorable dress, accessory and decorative options out there for the bride-to-be.

Let's start at the top. It might seem like a last-minute detail, but a cake topper can really make a wedding cake come to life and, most important, make a tower of flour and fondant totally personal. Paper sculptor and artist extraordinaire Gwen Barba creates the most amazing little cake toppers totally from paper. The figures are made from acid-free paper and contain every last detail of a wedding dress, veil and tuxedo. She'll even include glasses, dress embellishments and sculptures of your dog(s) if you so desire.

When the Champagne and cake are gone, you can still display this modern take on a cake topper (Concarta -- www.concarta.blogspot.com).

Jennifer Behr makes some of the most beautiful and original hair accessories happening today, and her bridal collection is no exception. There are dramatic headpieces and veils made of feathers and lace for the bride who likes something just a little over the top and vintage-inspired headbands and clips for the woman who wants a touch of sparkle somewhere in her hair. A whimsical headpiece is also an easy way to add some character to a simple dress and create an unforgettable look.

And finally, when I first heard about the bridal line BHLDN (under the Urban Outfitters and Anthropolgie   umbrella), all I could picture were short, reworked vintage dresses that would only fit a teenager and maybe some bridesmaid dresses made from cream-colored flannel. But boy, was I wrong. The line is not only well-priced, it's also modern and romantic. The gowns are vintage-inspired and unexpected, and they come in nontraditional colors, such as light gray and a graphic poppy-and-white floral print, as well as more traditional tones. The accessories look more like heirlooms. There are salmon pink sling-backs with a dainty bow at the toe and a simple netted veil with tiny white bows. Prices range from $80 to $4,000.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos from top: Paper sculpted wedding-cake toppers from Concarta. Credit: Concarta. Jennifer Behr Dorothee veil, $675. Credit: Jennifer Behr. Wedding gowns from BHLDN, from left, Pleated Fantasy, $3,600; Tiered Tulip, $2,400; Ribboned Silk, $1,600. Credit: BHLDN

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column

In this installment of Your Stylist we address the leather shorts trend for spring. Yes, it may sound like an oxymoron, but a bunch of brands and designers are making them for the warmer weather months. They’re a fresh and interesting take on the traditional shorts silhouette and as light, or lighter than denim, just not as good with water, so think twice about wearing them to the pool or beach. 

But for the everyday or even nighttime events, leather shorts can add edge to sporty or even feminine basics. I love how Phillip Lim styled the bright blue laser cut leather shorts in his spring 2011 line with a preppy tan sweater and chunky platform wedges. G Star is making a pair in a bone-colored leather, which pairs easily with denim or even just a casual gray T-shirt tucked in.

For an edgier nighttime look, Alexander Wang is making a pair of black leather shorts that have an interesting pleat detail on the front as well as a slanted hem that is flattering on the leg. Wear these with a bare leg and a chunky black or bold-colored sandal and a classic, fitted tux shirt tucked neatly into the waist band for a sexy and summery take on a tux.

Robert Rodriguez is making a very practical pair of relaxed fitting leather shorts in a rich chocolate brown. These can be dressed up or down, but look best paired with rugged basics like a chambray button down and a chic pair of wood soled sandals.

Don’t dismiss leather shorts for spring and summer just because the material seems like it would be too heavy for warm weather. Leather shorts are as versatile as denim shorts but look more polished and transition easier from day to night. Just make sure the weather doesn’t call for rain when you plan to wear them out.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Top from left, leather shorts on the 3.1 Phillip Lim spring 2011 runway/3.1 Phillip Lim; right, leather shorts on the G Star spring 2001 runway/G Star

Right, Alexander Wang black leather shorts, $550, at www.shopbop.com/Shopbop

Left, Robert Rodriguez brown leather shorts, $425,at www.shopbop.bom/Shopbop

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column:

For this installment of Your Stylist, I’ve called in reinforcements in the form of celebrity hair stylist Charles Dujic, to break down the basic steps of nailing the perfect ponytail. Dujic coifs the hair of Olivia Wilde, Sharon Stone, Cheryl Hines,  Kaley Cuoco and Jennifer Morrison, to name a few, and offers us his easy tips for doing your own ponytail, sans arm fatigue.  

OK, so maybe you’re thinking, “ponytails? Who can’t whip their hair up into a ponytail?” Well, lots of people, that’s who -- including yours truly. They can be especially challenging when it comes to the clean, sleek and modern version we’ve been seeing on celebrities all over the award show red carpets.

Everyone from Hailee Steinfeld to Amy Adams has been sporting a swept-back hair style that leaves their face as the main attraction and that keeps the possibility of flyaway hairs sticking to lip gloss at a minimum. The no-fuss ponytail has also hit the fall 2011 runways in New York -– the hair at the recent BCBG show was totally slicked into a severe part and pulled back into a medium height ponytail.

This sleek style works whether you’re wearing an evening gown (in fact, it’s a nice juxtaposition to an embellished or somewhat complicated gown a la Marchesa maribou or Chanel sequins) or during the everyday, with cropped white jeans, a cashmere sweater and some ballet flats.

Here are Dujic's top tips for getting an easy and effortless-looking ponytail:

1.    The blow dry and finish: Get the texture of your hair the way you want it before you start your ponytail. So, whether you’re going for a sleek look or a more textured wavy look, prep the hair first by blow-drying it with a round brush for volume, or flat ironing it for super straight, or even using a curling iron on your hair if you want a wavy textured overall effect.

2.    Product use: We all know that hair products are essential in getting your hair to behave. If you are going for the Barbie-style ponytail then you will want to add some type of volumizer at the roots of your hair. I like the Fekkai full volume foam to add lift at the roots. I work it into the root area of damp hair and then blow-dry the hair with the head flipped over.

After it’s about 90% dry I take sections on top and on the sides of the head and smooth out with a  round brush, blowing in an upward direction to keep the lift at the roots. Then finish blowing out the rest of the hair in the same manner for smoothness. For a sleek ponytail I might add a little Moroccan oil to damp hair before blow-drying. This will calm down any flyaways and frizzies and give a great sheen to the hair. After blow-drying, I then add a little bit of spray to the hair for style retention. I prefer Bumble and Bumble spray de mode for this. I then flat iron section by section to give the hair that super-polished slick look. End result, a very modern interpretation of the ponytail.

3.    Technique: Putting the ponytail in place is next. You should have elastics in the tone of your hair color on hand and ready, I prefer the kind that are like bungee cords –- they have a little metal hook on each end. You should also have a few matching mini bobby pins and hairpins, and a good cushion brush like a Mason Pearson brush to get a smooth, sleek finish. If doing the sleek tighter ponytail, put a very small amount of serum or Moroccan oil on your hands and rub them together so it almost disappears.

Then gather your hair as you are brushing it in to the ponytail just below the crown. Make sure that your head is tilted upward and not downward, with your chin slightly raised. This will prevent that sag of hair below the elastic. Once gathered, take the hair elastic and wrap snugly around the ponytail as close to the head as possible. This is where I like the bungee style elastics because the hooks on the ends allow you to wrap around very close to the base without disturbing the hair in the ponytail. It also allows you to get the most secure fastening. Once this is done you can take a small strand of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic band to create a polished finish. Take a tiny bobby pin and push the end of that strand under the base of the elastic and finish with a tad of hairspray.  If you find that the top of your head has a little lump after you are finished you can take the tail of a comb and insert it just in front of the lump and glide it back towards the base of the ponytail. Most of the time this will fix any slight irregularities that you may have in the smoothness on top.

And finally, Dujic notes two style tips when it comes to this hairstyle:

"The most modern placement of a ponytail is just below the crown in the center of the head. And a low ponytail is a very classic look, and a high ponytail usually reads very young."

Who knew a ponytail could say so much?

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: top left - Piper Perabo/Danny Moloshok - Reuters, Right - Hailee Steinfeld/Lucy Nicholson - Reuters, Left - Amy Adams/Frazer Harrison - Getty

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column:

What nail polish colors are there for brides these days? I’m not thrilled by the ho-hum soft pinks and boring French manicures and I don’t want to be too matchy with my bridesmaids (who are wearing rich eggplant purple). My friend suggested fire engine red, which intrigues me but might not go with the purples. Is there something else that might be daring but still classy? -- KR, Los Angeles 

I am a traditionalist when it comes to weddings and always imagine pinky-nude shades like Mademoiselle and Ballet Slippers to be on a beautiful bride’s fingers, but I'm a little old-fashioned and boring when it comes down to it. And now you’ve got me thinking that it could be very chic to have somewhat of a statement nail as an accent to your wedding dress –- after all, with the amazing shades and techniques in nail color now, nails really are just another accessory like your earrings or purse.

Having said that, it is your wedding day and you probably don’t want some crazy palm tree and sunset nail art to eclipse your elegant dress.

Based on the eggplant-colored bridesmaid dresses you describe, a shade of light purple/lavender would be pretty and definitely out of the bridal nail “norm.” I love Demure Vixen (an iridescent cocoa mauve) from Essie and Metro Chic from Sephora by OPI which is a taupe-y purple. These are on the trendy side, following the fad in purple-ish/gray nail color and if you’re OK with wearing something more “of-the-moment” than classic, these shades are perfect, plus they’ll complement your bridesmaid’s dresses.

You could also go dramatic and dark as your friend suggested, but if you do, I’d say go dark and deep, rather than bright. I am guessing purple is a complementary color in your wedding, so stick with cool shades rather than hot and bright reds.

Chanel Paradoxal is an amazing shade that blends purple, silver and gray into a sort of swirly finish. It’s got texture and sparkle going on and could look really gorgeous. Or you could go way dark with a shade like Lincoln Park after Dark from OPI, Velvet Voyeur from Essie or Branwen’s Feather from Butter London. Both are a purple-ish black and definitely add some intense color to your overall look. But also think about those shots your photographer will take of you and your husband’s newly ringed fingers. Will you be OK looking back in 50 years at purple-black nails? I think anything goes and it’s your big day, it’s just something to think about.

Abandoning the purple altogether, gold would also look really amazing as well as complement the purple tones. The rich metallic hue is classic, while still being a bit edgy and unexpected. YSL La Laque in #139 Gold is a  gorgeous warm gold that is opaque enough that it covers the entire nail with solid color but not in an in-your-face kind of way. For a more intense gold, try Dior Nail Lacquer in Timeless Gold. This polish is a tarnished version with an amazingly shiny finish that will have your nails looking like little gold bricks.

My advice is, go for the gold. Shimmery gold nails will look timeless, beautiful and unexpected as well as complement your wedding colors, which is so much more modern and chic than trying to rigidly match them.

And of course, congratulations.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: top left, YSL La Laque in Gold/YSL,$20 at www.yslbeautyus.com; right, Essie Demure Vixen/Essie, $8 at www.essie.com; Sephora by OPI Metro Chic/Sephora, $9 at www.sephora.com; left, Chanel Paradoxal/Chanel, $25 at www.chanel.com; Essie Velvet Voyuer/Essie, $8 at www.essie.com; bottom right, Dior Nail Laquer in Timeless Gold/Dior, $21 at Saks Fifth Avenue; Deborah Lippmann nail polish in Nefertiti/Deborah Lippmann, $16 at www.deborahlippmann.com.

Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist post

In this installment of Your Stylist, we address spring's hottest shape in sunglasses -– the circle. Reminiscent of John Lennon's signature specs, round frames have been popping up from various brands and on more than a few celebrities over the last year, but this season it's the frame du jour.   

In February, Ray-Ban is launching the exact style Lennon used to wear ($145). These are obviously the most authentic in style and shape and would work for anyone who consistently rocks a classic Ray-Ban aviator but wants to switch things up for spring. Chanel is also making a gold metal pair ($290), but they're not so perfectly round. They’re a cross between an aviator and a round shape, with gorgeous amber colored lenses that will look so chic through summer. And if less flashy is more your speed, Persol has a matte silver pair with tortoise arms ($205) that are a little more on the masculine side, but would work for a woman as well.

For a not so literal interpretation of the trend, I love the oversized black acetate round frames from Proenza Schouler ($310), and so do a slew of young celebs, especially the pint sized Mary-Kate Olsen who is almost always wearing a pair of round frames to suit her haute hippie look. Persol also has a cute pair in a tortoise frame ($235) that are a little more classic and preppy than the Proenza Schouler version, and the speckled color adds an interesting detail to any look.

And because Lady Gaga has also been a huge fan of round sunglasses, there are sure to be more and more exaggerated styles out there as we roll into summer. For something a tiny bit over the top but still totally wearable, zebra-striped round glasses from Ralph Lauren Collection ($250) are sure to turn a few heads.

Round sunglasses, more than any other shape of shades, have an immediate impact on your look and can take a    totally simple outfit into the 1960s or Ozzie Osbourne territory. So tread lightly. A quirky tortoise shell pair with rounded lenses or something in an oversized acetate can look fresh and on trend, while metal frames with colored lenses (see Olsen in one of her more literal looks) look more like the groupie who got left behind.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

Upper photo: Mary-Kate Olsen. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Lower photos, from top: Ray-Ban sunglasses, $145 at Sunglass Hut (Credit: Ray-Ban); Chanel, $290 at Sunglass Hut (Chanel); Proenza Schouler, $310 at Barneys New York (Barneys New York); Persol, $235 at Ilori Boutiques (Persol); Ralph Lauren Collection, $250 at www.ralphlauren.com (Ralph Lauren)

Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist post.

In this installment of Your Stylist, we address another trend in denim besides the '70s-style flare. Cropped, 1950s-length pants, à la gamine Audrey Hepburn, are as big a trend as bell bottoms this season, and they're chic and feminine.

Brands such as Current Elliott, MiH Jeans, J Brand and James Jeans are making obviously cropped-length pants that look great with a demure ballet flat or a low kitten heel.

Current Elliott is making a style called the Pony Boy crop that is unmistakably above the ankle. The length looks so great with a nautical striped top, slouchy T-shirt or even a short-sleeved girlie blouse.

J Brand is making a style called the Gigi with a kicky flare at the bottom that feels fun and quirky.

MiH Jeans has the Paris jean, which looks fresh in white, especially with a soft-colored blouse and a cute pair of flats; they'd look great on vacation with a colorful top and pair of flat sandals in brown or metallic leather.

Because this length of pant can cut off the silhouette, play with proportions. Someone who is 6 feet tall can get away with showing a good amount of ankle. A shorter woman needs to think about extending the fabric -- without losing the cropped style. And remember not to wear this kind of pant like a legging even though it’s slim and tailored. Tops and jackets should hit at the top of the hip, not cover the hips and behind. You might even want to try pairing cropped pants with a body suit or tucking in your top to really play up the super-feminine and polished appeal. 

So this spring, if the '70s aren’t a decade you feel like repeating, and flared legs aren’t your bag, think about a more form-fitting, tailored look and try on a pair of cropped, above-the-ankle-length pants for that confident and pixie-like feel reminiscent of Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Jackie O.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos, from top: Audrey Hepburn from "Star Style," by Patty Fox. Credit: Angel City Press. Twiggy crop jean, $136 at American Rag from James Jeans. Pony Boy cropped jean from Current Elliott, $208 at Stacey Todd, Studio City.  "Gigi" cropped jean from J Brand $163 at Bloomingdales. "Billie" cropped jean, $150 at Boca from James Jeans. "Paris" cropped jeans, $187 at www.mih-jeans.com, from MiH Jeans.

Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist post.

Unless you’re following the Gwyneth Paltrow dressing plan of "the more leg the better,"  spring’s big trend in long, almost-floor-grazing skirts might just appeal to you.

True, it’s yet another trend that could drown those of us under 5-feet-5,  and so far every long skirt I’ve seen worn has been on a runway model (Michael Kors did the long, lithe casual version, while at Jil Sander it was more crisp and polished) on whom the skirt drapes and pools so elegantly and perfectly I want to cry. But by taking into consideration your proportions and pairing the skirt with the right top and shoes, you can certainly carry it off without looking like you were attacked and rolled up in a bolt of discount fabric.

I love the everyday casual look of wearing one of these skirts with a white T-shirt or white men’s button down, tucked in, maybe with the sleeves slightly scrunched up. Ballet flats, simple flat sandals or even a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors looks adorable peeking out from the hem. If you don’t want to tuck in your shirt, then leave it loose and hanging out, but think about winding a thin leather belt around your midsection to define the waist and create some shape, especially if you’re on the shorter side.

If you’re going for a dressier look and want to wear heels, make sure the skirt isn’t long to the floor, but rather more of a tea length (in the front) at least, like the beautiful smoky gray version from Club Monaco. The way long skirts were presented at the Jil Sander spring 2011 show is also a perfect example of how to take the look into nighttime. The skirts here were more structured and came in a palette of happy, vivid colors. A crisp white T-shirt tucked in and the right statement accessories make for a modern, chic and unexpected evening look. 

On the other end of the spectrum, long skirts can certainly bring out your inner grunge girl, by pairing a neutral-colored skirt in a gray or black with flat lace-up boots, a slouchy shirt and a draped tissue-thin scarf.

The length of these skirts may seem a bit daunting to try and wear, but because the colors, fabrics and silhouette are so simple and elegant, think of pairing more casual and minimal pieces with them, so you’re not engulfed in fabric. And hey, long may be a new concept for us for spring (especially in L.A, save for the cotton jersey maxi dresses so many women love) but they sure beat booty shorts.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Top photos: Left, a look from Michael Kors' spring 2011 runway show (credit: Yannis Vlamos); right, a look from the Jil Sander spring 2011 runway show (credit: Monica Feudi).

Upper left photo: Club Monaco "Joan" skirt in gray, $149 at Club Monaco stores. Credit: Club Monaco

Upper right: Club Monaco "Hellas" skirt in white, $395 at Club Monaco stores. Credit: Club Monaco

Lower left: Top Shop long, polka-dot skirt, $60 at www.topshop.com

Lower right: J. Crew sequin skirt from spring 2011. Credit: J. Crew

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column.

In this installment of Your Stylist, we address the '70s trend for spring. Now granted, the decade is showing up in all forms, from Marc Jacobs' trippy “Taxi Driver” baby dolls to Derek Lam’s minimal styling with crisp white shirts and neutral-colored platform sandals.

But this being Los Angeles, where denim is part of a daily uniform, plenty of people are bound to put down their skinnies (for a season anyway) and pull on a pair of flare-leg jeans that hint at the bell bottoms of the '70s, but not quite so severe.

Flare leg (and a few bell-bottom styles) will be out in abundance once spring merchandise starts landing in stores, and although the trend may be enticing, remember not to pile on macrame and a big floppy hat with these jeans, or the whole look will be too costume-y.

For a more subtle approach to the flare leg, the Roxley Flare ($179) and the Bentley Wide Leg ($211) from Paige have a wide leg that also looks sleek and clean like a trouser jean. Getting flare leg jeans in a lighter, sun-faded wash (which is also a huge trend in spring denim) will stay true to the 1970s appeal, as well as look more casual. A deeper, darker wash (like the Roxley shown in Pure wash) will lend itself to a tux jacket, tailored blazer or dressier blouse for evening or an important meeting.

For a fun, weekend jean that’s still got some flare, a lighter shade looks best. Try the Drama jean in the Forever Blue wash from Mother ($220) or the Sugar Hi Rise from Rich & Skinny ($206) for that sun-bleached wash that just screams for a leisurely bike ride along the beach. Both these styles have a high rise that come up all the way to the waist, creating that long shapely silhouette to the body. Although they are authentic in style, they could possibly be a bit uncomfortable at the midsection to anyone who is used to a lower rise.

The most extreme styles out there fall into the bell-bottom category. The Farrah jean from Decades Denim ($130) is a soft and comfy style, with an even wash that works day or night, with flats or a platform sandal. If you want a slightly exaggerated bell, 7 for all Mankind’s bell bottom ($178) and the Angie jean from Citizens of Humanity ($228) have that true, triangular-shaped leg opening that juts out from a fitted thigh and knee area for a more dramatic take on the '70s denim trend.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos, from top: Derek Lam's spring-summer 2011 runway. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson & Peter Stigter.

Left, Paige Bentley jeans, $211, and Roxley Flare, $179, at Paige, Robertson Boulevard. Credit: Paige.

Left, Rich & Skinny Hi Rise jeans, $206, at Nordstrom. Credit: Rich & Skinny. Mother Drama jeans, $220, at Curve. Credit: Mother.

From left, 7 for All Mankind Bell Bottom jeans, $178, at 7 for All Mankind, Robertson Boulevard. Credit: 7 for All Mankind. Decades Denim Farrah jeans, $130, at decadesdenim.com. Credit: Decades Denim. Citizens of Humanity Angie jeans, $228, at Curve. Credit: Citizens of Humanity.

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column

Hi my name is Jackie and I just moved to LA and I am looking for a hair stylist who cuts short hair well. Might you have anyone to recommend? Thank you Jackie Rexford, Los Angeles

 
Short hair is certainly having a moment right now, due in no small part to all of the spritely celebrities shearing their locks right off. The most successful cuts belong to Emma Watson, Ashlee Simpson and Michelle Williams, all of whom effortlessly sport the gamine crop.

Pixie cuts have been especially refreshing to see in Hollywood, since long, fried extensions are generally the go-to accessory for pop stars and actresses. It seems as though a lot of people want to start fresh, go back to basics and show off their natural beauty and well, their incredible bone structure.

Stylist Adam Campbell at the Prive Salon has been inundated with clients bringing in pictures of Emma Watson and Carrie Mulligan as inspiration. And although the style can be severe and specific to a certain face shape, Campbell assures us that there are plenty of variations on a pixie cut to fit everybody.

“Someone may not get the exact Emma Watson cut, because they should have a cut that’s tailored to them depending on their face shape,” says Campbell. “Maybe I’ll leave some fringe in the front or some layers. There are ways of cutting the hair short while still accentuating the positive.”

While short hair is quite a commitment and maintaining it will land you in a stylist’s chair more often for clean ups (Campbell recommends every 4-6 weeks), having a good stylist and good cut will make grow-out easier to manage and let the cut possibly morph into a bob or a-line shape, which Campbell notes are flattering styles on most people.

Adam Campbell at Prive Salon -– cuts are $185. 7373 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 90036.  (323) 931-5559.

If you love Ashlee Simpson’s platinum pixie cut with the long front and shorter back, go see Andy Lecompte at his West Hollywood salon. The stylist (who also coifs Madonna and a slew of major celebrities) gave Simpson her more sophisticated 'do and colorist Steven Tapp took her hair to that glistening blond.

Andy Lecompte and Steven Tapp at the Andy Lecompte Salon –- cuts by Lecompte are $500 and highlights range from $200 to $500. 616 N Almont Drive, West Hollywood  90069. (310) 273-4100

Hair stylist Joey Carerra at the Warren Tricomi salon also specializes in short hair cuts and has been getting requests from his clients to cut their hair just like Emma Watson and Halle Berry. While short hair may seem more wash-and-go than long locks, Carerra warns that short hair doesn’t necessarily mean less maintenance. “Shorter hair doesn't always mean no maintenance, so make sure you fully understand what it will take to keep up the look before you commit,” he says. Carerra recommends going through a full consultation with your stylist, because hair texture has a lot to do with the outcome. And consider coloring your hair in a shade that complements and accentuates the cut.

Joey Carerra at the Warren  Tricomi salon -– cuts are $156. 8327 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90069.  (323) 651-4545

For an edgier, more directional short style, Doug Peyton at Hairroin Salon in Hollywood gives Rock 'N' Roll cuts to people who like a more fashion-forward crop that doesn't follow trends, but sets them.

Doug Peyton at Hairroin Salon -- cuts are $85. 1553 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, 90028.  (323) 467-0392

Molly Scargall and Josh Kaplan, who own Goo Salon, have been doing a lot of short hair cuts lately, more along the lines of Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby. “Ever since Emma Watson cut her hair, people have wanted to go even shorter and more daring,” says Kaplan. He recommends coloring a short hair cut with a solid shade, rather than getting too many highlights, which he says can look like polka dots on the head. “A few highlights in the front are OK, but doing them all over can tend to take away from the style of a short hair cut.”

Molly Scargall and Josh Kaplan at Goo Salon -– cuts are $75. 459 1/2 N. Fairfax Ave.,  Los Angeles, 90036. (323) 653-1299

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: (Top) Emma Watson.  Credit: Dylan Martinez / Reuters. (Right) Ashlee Simpson. Credit: Frederick M Brown / Getty Images. (Left) Michelle Williams.  Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty. (Bottom) Halle Berry. Credit: Peter Kramer / File photo

Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist post.

In this installment of “Your Stylist,” we address the down-to-earth footwear from the spring 2011 runways. It wasn’t the over-the-top heels or statement shoes that caught my eye. Quite the opposite, actually. It was the easy, casual and subtle appeal of all the flats and sandals styled with cocktail dresses; long, loose pants and cute day dresses that looked fresh and most appealing.

There was hardly a high heel at the Lanvin show, where ankle-strap sandals were worn with form-fitting dresses. The sandals took some formality out of the dresses and showed not only the versatility of each piece but also designer Alber Elbaz’s vision for a woman dressing for day to night. 

Michael Kors also sent many of his models (including the men, in mandals) down the runway wearing a small platform sole clog or completely flat sandals that looked great with a lot of the pants, as well as with knee-length skirts and A-line dresses.

And at Bottega Veneta, chunky but sleek toe-ring sandals were paired with leather pants and floaty, floor-length dresses for a look that was both confident and casual.

While flats are an obvious choice when it comes to comfort, some of us (especially my fellow 5-foot-5-and-under friends) are addicted to the height a heel can give us. But if there was ever a season to experiment with the versatility of flats, spring is it. Try ditching the chunky wood wedges and tie on a pair of super '70s-looking shoes like this lace-up suede-and-leather sandal/shoe hybrid from Tod’s. They are great for daytime, worn with a little white dress or a white men’s-style button-down tucked into a denim skirt.

Since you won’t be gaining height when wearing flats, make sure that your skirt or shorts hit at a flattering place on your leg. Nude or light-brown sandals will keep the leg looking elongated and will also work with most ensembles. And when trying to wear flats with long and loose trousers, it’s OK for the hem of the pants to slouch a little near the foot. The look, after all, is easy and effortless.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Top left, a look from the Lanvin spring/summer 2011 runway show. Top right, a sample from the Michael Kors show. Credit: Yannis Vlamos / gorunway.com

Middle: Bottega Veneta calf sandal in nero (shown at the spring/summer 2011 runway show), $590 at Bottega Veneta, Beverly Hills. Credit: Bottega Veneta

Bottom: Tod's suede and leather lace-up sandal, $565 at Tod's, Beverly Hills. Credit: Tod's

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column.

 
In this installment of Your Stylist we take a look at the growing popularity of fingerless gloves. Not just because it’s cold outside, but because tweeting and texting is a way of life for most people and their overworked fingers need love too. If you're planning on gifting someone an iPad or anything with touchscreen technology or well, a key pad, fingerless gloves might be a nice thing to bundle in. 

Having numb and frigid fingers never seems to stop people from texting on their Blackberrys or tapping the screen of their iPhone. But as the cold weather lingers, it might be smart to get an accessory that does double duty by keeping your hands warm while still allowing you to text, type, take photos with a digital camera or film things with your Flip Cam.

Fingerless gloves are nothing new (hello, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and David Bowie). They were a style staple of rebellious '80s pop stars and have come back on the hands of Taylor Momsen, Rihanna and tons of teens and twentysomethings for whom texting, tweeting and typing is a full-time job no matter what the climate.

And while fingerless gloves have always been easy to find (a pair of scissors will always do the trick if a full-fingered pair becomes too much) it seems that more and more companies are making fun styles of fingerless gloves to suit the rapidly growing tech-savvy culture.

A brand called Twitten creates mittens that promise to never let the bite of winter hit your skin, whether you’re surfing the net on your iPad or holding hands with a loved one. They make mittens with a little hood that folds back to free your fingers. They also make a mitten that accommodates a couple who want to remain holding hands, but need to stay warm while doing so. Two mittens are essentially connected at the middle and hollow throughout, so the bare hands can meet (which is great if you’re that cold, and that committed to holding someone’s hand).

Etre Touchy gloves are really geared to those who need their fingers free. They make gloves with the tip of the index finger and thumb missing, so swiping the screen of your favorite touch screen gadget doesn’t get cumbersome.

Stripes and color seem to be a big trend among the fingerless gloves out there currently. Gloves are a perfect way to add a pop of color or pattern to an outfit, especially if you tend to stick to black, gray and denim. Also, if you’re wearing a 3/4- sleeve jacket or shirt and still feel a little chilly, gloves are a great layering piece and add that hint of late '90s grunge to your ensemble.

Some adorable styles are this black-and-white marbled knit pair from Club Monaco ($59) as well as a very sexy (yes, sexy) pair of bright red, knit gloves with hook and eye closures on top from Rag & Bone ($144). They’re a gorgeous color and would look tough and stylish peeking out from the cuff of a leather motorcycle jacket.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Top photo: Etre Touchy gloves ($31.70) from Etretouchy.com. Credit: Etre Touchy

Second photo: Club Monaco Tia Donegal gloves ($59) from Shopbop.com. Credit: Shopbop

Third photo: Twitten mittens ($36) from Thetwitten.com. Credit: Twitten

Right: Rag and Bone gloves ($144) from Shopbop.com. Credit: Shopbop

Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column

Dear Melissa,
I am a 40+ woman who can't wear contact lenses and doesn't want to get Lasik surgery. I wear smaller earrings than I'd like, never wear a hair ornament that's visible from the front, and generally just never feel really dressed up when I still have to wear my glasses. (Which I've worn since age 7.)
It looks like the celebs who have to wear glasses are not concealing them, just wearing the boldest, thickest frames out there. But I'd also bet that they don't wear them all evening long, just when they have to read something. Please advise. Thanks very much. FS, Los Angeles

You’re right. You won’t catch many celebrities sporting non-tinted eyewear on the red carpet. For one, clear eyeglass lenses catch the glare of all the paparazzi bulbs flashing in their face and two, what’s the point of wearing eyewear that shows your eyes? It’s like celebrity rule No. 1 to hide behind giant sunglasses!

They may slip them on to read a Teleprompter or while scoping out the crowd to see who’s seated next to whom, but for the most part, eyeglasses are almost nonexistent at red carpet events. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

As long as you’re not going to be facing a million little flashing bulbs when you step out to go somewhere fancy, wearing eyeglasses with a more dressed up look is totally possible. Take a look at how Diane Lane did it at the Artists for Peace & Justice event. She wore a simple, nude sheath dress and a pair of barely there, clear frame eyeglasses that kept in line with her minimal look. She looked chic, modern and understated and seemed to wear her specs on and off the red carpet.

If you’re wearing a simple outfit with clean lines, in earth tones like Lane, this minimal look in eyewear is best. Prada makes a pair of glasses that are almost frameless, except for a thin gold top and simple black arms ($315). Tiffany & Co’s beige frames have a skin tone quality that will blend in to the rest of you and not compete with your other accessories ($220)

Keeping your specs really understated so they hopefully go unnoticed is one way to work this. But as you  mentioned, you can also go for bold and really make a statement with your eyewear. 

A lot of celebrities such as Justine Timberlake, Jay Z and Katy Perry have worn their thick, black eyeglass frames onto the red carpet or out for a formal event. Perry went for a very retro cat eye shape, with rhinestones speckled at each corner. While the pop star looked the part of a very glamorous '50s housewife, wearing such a dated shape can look costume-y when trying to pair them with something more formal, as well as overshadow the rest of your outfit and other accessories. Choose something bold, but a bit less intense. This pair from Dolce & Gabbana ($375), has a statement-making shape and color, plus a smattering of rhinestones on the temples. These look much more "Mad Men" than Dame Edna and I’m guessing you would agree with me, that that’s a good thing.

Color is obviously a great way to make a statement with your eyewear, but it can also be limiting to how you can wear them. If you’re wearing a gown, I’d stay away from funky frames in a bright color, but if you’re wearing a chic gray or black suit, heels and a few pieces of great jewelry, colorful frames can really set off the whole look. L.A. Eyeworks makes some really fun pairs like the “Bent” in white, “Bing” in Big Pink and “Drago” in Red Rose Split. They’re slightly eccentric, but memorable and definitely stylish.

Just because you wear eyeglasses doesn’t mean you must forgo jewelry or settle with feeling un-dressed up. Glasses, like any other accessory, can work to shape your overall look -- be that formal or casual. Just pick the right pair that goes with your face shape and taste and maybe invest in a dressy pair to wear to nice events or just whenever you feel the need to look a little more glamorous.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Top, Diane Lane at the Artists for Peace and Justice event/Charley Gallay, Getty; right, Prada, $260, at Lenscrafters/Prada;  left, Dolce & Gabbana, $375, at Lenscrafters/Dolce & Gabbana; right, Tiffany & Co., $220, at Lenscfraters/Tiffany & Co.; left, L.A Eyeworks "Drago" in red rose split at L.A Eyeworks/L.A.Eyeworks