I hate to admit, but I’m a big fan of Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb on The Today Show. That back-and-forth banter! Hoda’s eye-rolling when KLG’s not looking! Their constant drinking. Really, they’re my heroes.

Anyway, they brought out beauty editor Bobbi Brown today who gave a really great tip on how to lengthen dresses that are too short. Oftentimes, we find dresses that are really adorable but are about three inches too short and simply scandalous when trying to sit, especially if you’re tall. Bobbi’s tip? Add a half-slip to peek out from under the dress. This simple idea that hearkens back to what our mothers and grandmothers wore makes formerly unwearable dresses versatile and unique.

Take this Lavender Sachet dress from Lulus: it’s flowy, feminine and only 32 inches from shoulder to hem.

Add this 17 inch flounce slip from Farr West and you’ve got a little more length and a little more style.

Or for a lacy touch, try the 18 inch half slip with lace.

Mix and match slips for different looks. And of course, this idea only works on flowy loose-fitting dresses. So give your too-short dresses the slip and transform them into something sweet and wearable!

Fall is just around the corner, and when the leaves fall, the fashion changes from summer flirty to fall chic. No need to overhaul your closet, though. From over-the-knee boots to velvet leggings and updated cargos, adding a few key pieces to your fall wardrobe is all you need to punch it up!

TREND: VELVET

Velvet comes around every so often, but nothing looks fresher than touches of velvet on jackets or updated velvet leggings peeking out from under a tunic and boots.

MARC by Marc Jacobs Fitted Oxford Jacket

This fitted oxford jacket from MARC by Marc Jacobs has velvet accents at the collar, waist and wrists–upping the sophistication level sky-high! Available at Neiman Marcus.

Velvet leggings present a new take on the tight pants that have dominated the pants market for the past few years. Wear with over-the-knee boots, a longer tunic and motorcycle-inspired jacket.

Bop Basics Velvet Leggings

These Bop Basic velvet leggings have a rich sheen and long length, perfect for fall! Available at Shopbop.com.

TREND: OVER THE KNEE BOOTS

When over the knee boots exploded on the the fashion scene last fall, some women worried that the look would be a little too “Maid Marian at the Renaissance Fair.” Luckily, their surprising versatility has spurred their comeback this fall! The key is to keep the rest of the outfit low-key and to keep the heels on the lower side, otherwise professional women will look like a different kind of “professional” if you know what we mean.

Steve Madden Overrpas Over the Knee Boot

The sleek suede and low heel of the Steve Madden Overrpass boot is perfect for pairing with dark skinny jeans and an oversized patchwork sweater. Available at Nordstrom.

Modern Vintage Carina Over the Knee Buckle Boot

These Modern Vintage Carina boots come with edgy buckle detailing and mid-heel height. Available at Singer22.com.

TREND: SKINNY CARGO PANTS

Cargo pants are no longer the bastion of comfort-loving soccer moms. Updated with a skinny silhouette and hardware details, fall’s cargo pants pair perfectly with gladiators or tucked into ankle boots. Military inspiration never looked so fashionable!

J BRAND Houlihan Zip Cargo Pants

These J BRAND Houlihan zip cargo pants have achieved cult-like status due to a flattering ankle length, zipper detailing and the perfect amount of stretch. Available at Revolveclothing.com.

Perfume inspired by the book (and movie) Eat Pray Love? Thanks to Fresh, Elizabeth Gilbert’s travels of self-discovery through Italy, India and Bali now each have their own scent.

According to Fresh’s website, Eat smells like ” Italy’s most addictive desserts and sensual wines,” Pray smells like “India’s serene sunsets, fresh soil, and traces of incense and spices that permeate warm winds,” and Love smells like “percolating pheromones, sun-caressed skin, and salty kisses . . . combined with the lush aromas of Bali’s exotic landscape.”

I think the idea of a movie inspiring a line of perfumes is a bit cheesy, but the perfumes themselves sound yummy! I think I’ll try the salty kisses of Love and find my inner peace through percolating pheromones.

These ingenious cuff bracelets from Steven Shein say what’s on your mind without your having to actually speak. A sleek cuff design with a flat surface that reads nuggets of wisdom such as:

“WTF Who’s paying for these drinks?”

“Dude you’re going to need way more money.”

“Seriously when are you going to grow up?”

[via High Snobette]

The low-end clothing market was transformed forever when game changer Forever 21 arrived on the scene, leading to a glut of cheap stores selling throwaway clothes. But I was still a  little surprised when I saw shirts on sale at Charlotte Russe for $2.99! I mean, my coffee costs at least $3 in the morning (or closer to $4 when I’m feeling spendy).

Mind you, they aren’t anything fancy, but sleek basics that mimic the relaxed styles of James Perse, LNA and (dare I say) T by Alexander Wang.

Let’s compare, shall we?

This is the Charlotte Russe pocket tee:

And this is the James Perse relaxed v-neck tee for $50:

Here’s the Charlotte Russe ribbed cotton v-neck tank:

And LNA’s u-tank for $64:

Check out Charlotte Russe’s oversized pocket racerback tank (this is a splurge at $4.99):

And T by Alexander Wang’s mini pocket tank, priced at $74:

I’m not saying these shirts are exactly alike. I know that the James Perse tees feel like clouds settling on your skin and that there are differences in fabric. However, the disparity in price cannot be ignored. I for one, would rather stock up on the cheapies and splurge once in a long while on the luxury tees when they’re on sale.

Miami Swim Fashion Week ends today, and while nothing was truly groundbreaking, some of the looks blurred the line between swimwear and lingerie (expected) and swimwear and burka (unexpected). Five days of designers using one square foot of material (or less) manifested in countless options for your next pool party.

Check out the looks that caught our eye!

Beach Bunny showed looks that go straight from the pool to the boudoir or S&M club, no extra accessorizing required.

Cia. Maritima showed a suit that may or may  not be appropriate for the middle east. (I say not.)

I wish I could comment on this blue bikini by Crystal Jin, but the model’s tattoo is too distracting!

Just say no to denim invading swimsuits, like in this Dolores Cortes boyshort two-piece! (Weren’t jeggings bad enough?)

But say YES to these gorgeous on trend tribal-inspired looks from Mara Hoffman! Perfect for global beach-hopping.

This suit from Red Carter is multi-purpose: it covers up (sort of) AND it’s perfect for catching fish off of your billionaire boyfriend’s yacht.

The wedge has reigned as the king of spring and summer shoes for the last half-decade or so, but when time came for me to get a new pair, I felt strangely ill–kind of like when watching too many episodes of Jersey-themed “reality” shows.  Luckily, clogs have reasserted their place among shoes as as a legitimate alternative to wedges or high-heeled sandals ever since they showed up at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show last year. Thanks, Karl! This doesn’t mean you have to emulate Karl Lagerfeld’s version or traditional Dutch clogs, though. Everyone from Jeffrey Campbell to Lanvin has jumped on the clog bandwagon with versions that run that gamut from more traditional close-toe clogs to open-toe sleeker versions.

Here are our picks for the cutest clogs of the season.

DV Dolce Vita “Jezebal” clog combines a cute peeptoe with a stacked heel and oodles of style:

Photo: Bloomingdales.com

The Charli platform clog from Jeffrey Campbell more closely emulates the Chanel S/S  2010 clogs and features a convertible strap that can be worn along the front or as a slingback. Wear with pushed down socks and a floral dress.

Photo: Freepeople.com

Sam Edelman’s Flair clog marries the standard clog silhouette with rough-and-tumble burnished chain accents.

Photo: Piperlime.com

When fall rolls around, these clog booties from Opening Ceremony combine style and comfort perfectly.

Photo: Shopbop.com

Very pretty womenswear and accessories only $10-$50.

I Love Binetti Sample Sale (www.ilovebinetti.com) Start Date: Thursday 7/15/10 End Date: Friday 7/16/10

Location: 501 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2001 (btwn 41st & 42nd Street)

Time: 10am-6pm

Phone Number: 212-682-0419

Payment: Cash, Visa, Amex, Discovery, Mastercard

Alexander McQueen’s iconic skulls adorn the coolest aviator sunglasses I’ve seen in a long time. Sleek, silver aviators with graduated grey lenses and mini black smiling skulls belong on your face.

Available at Net-a-Porter.com.

Marc Jacobs explains the inspiration behind the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010/11 ad campaign that’s splashed all over fashion mags. Photographed by Steven Meisel and featuring beauties Natalia Vodianova, Karen Elson and Christy Turlington, the spirit of Louis Vuitton as a powerhouse fashion entity dedicated to luxury and finery shines through.

Mara Hoffman is the queen of easy sexy dresses in exquisite and exotic prints. Her Spring 2010 collection features quite of few of these easy-to-wear dresses that are perfect for dinner in South Beach, dancing on the sand in Ibiza or exploring the Greek islands. Bonus? Some of them can even double as beach cover ups.