I resisted clogs last fall, especially when Elizabeth & James came out with some $400 version that I just simply thought was overpriced. But now that everyone is making a clog and they’re available in all different colors, materials and with various embellishments, I am so going to get a pair to rock this Fall. You should, too.

My tip for wearing clogs is to make your outfit about the shoes. DON’T wear long pants that cover up your clogs. You will only end up annoyed as your pant leg inevitably finds itself continually caught beneath your heel and stuck in your shoe. DO wear clogs with cropped skinny pants, cropped boyfriend jeans, skirts, dresses and one-piece suits, such as jumpers and rompers.

Below are my favorite clogs, all of which are under $200. I also made some fashion layouts featuring outfits that show you how to wear your clogs. I highly advise you not to spend a ton of money on your clogs. They may last through Fall 2011, but after that, I’m pretty sure they’ll go away for another five years or so. But, do consider purchasing a pair of clogs with embellishments, such as studs or tassels. A clog with details has so much more character than one that is simple in design. In fact, I find simple clogs to be quite boring. If you’re going to sport a clog, go for bold.

Ralph Lauren Shayla Clog, $98.

Coach Rana Clog, $188.

Kohl’s Dana Buchman Moravia High Heel, $69.99.

Cropped Pants by Max Studio
Earrings by Dogeared

Sleeveless Tops by Oscar De La Renta
Shoulder Bags by Forever 21

Cocktail Dresses by Diane von Furstenberg
Mules & Clogs by NYLA

A look I’m loving right now is an all nude (beige) outfit with just a dash of spots — leopard spots, that is! Think: one single leopard print belt, or one leopard print bangle or cuff, or a simple pair of leopard print shoes. Practice restraint for a look that says, “Grrr!”

Shorts by American Eagle
Pumps by Marc by Marc Jacobs

Zac Posen for Target Tie Dye Tank Dress; Hair Fascinator by Inspired by Claire Jane; Betsey Johnson socks; Shoes by Faryl Robin.

I’m loving tie dye. The current look is so sophisticated yet artsy. I remember the tie dye of the 70s, and there was nothing sophisticated about the look back then. But now… I adore it, especially when it’s in the form of a dress.

Because tie dye is a trend that will probably only last this season, I limited myself to one tie dye dress. I got my tie dye in the form of the Zac Posen for Target tie dye dress, and I am extremely happy with this purchase. But if you have yet to get your tie dye on, here are some options for you. And I selected more than dresses, so you have options. Happy shopping!

Tie Dye Cami

Bejeweled Totally Tie Dye Maxi Cami Dress

Siwy Denim Hannah Slim Cropped in Tie-Dye

NW Jeans, Tally Tie Dye Tank

Bluelife Tie Dye Cut Up Pocket Tee in Turquoise

T-Bags Tie Dye Shorts

C & C California Horizon Tie-Dye Dress

The military trend applies to men, too. This particular jacket says haute Italian Army Guy to me. Ciao, bello!

James Army Jacket from Alley Collection, $200.
Available at Moxsie

It’s one of the hottest beauty trends right now – a semi-permanent sparkling, tinsel hair accessory that adds dimension and glimmer to your style. Beyonce wore it to the Grammy’s and April Fried is the creator of the original product to set this trend – PopTinsel.

While April travels the country promoting PopTinsel and teaching hair stylists how to apply the product to their clients’ hair, she’s based out of Las Vegas. So I have easy access to her and her shimmering product, which comes in all kinds of stunning colors. We met for coffee and April shared with me her experience and style tips.

April’s family has a long history in the beauty industry, beginning with her grandfather. She joked that she has hair dye in her blood and stated her first beauty job was taking inventory at the age of four. It’s this kind of connection to beauty and style that has driven April throughout her entrepreneurial career and inspired her to create her company.

The future holds many beauty-related opportunities for April, but her focus right now is on PopTinsel, which she is successfully promoting among celebrities, including Melissa Rivers, Tiffany “New York” Pollard and Bridget Marquardt. In fact, April has just returned from promoting PopTinsel in the gift suites of the Oscars. “I like to say that I’m spreading PopTinsel all over tinsel town,” she said.

Melissa Rivers with PopTinsel in her hair.

For those who worry that PopTinsel is too bold a look for them, April recommends the more subtle types use PopTinsel from her monochromatic collection. For example, brunettes can incorporate brown or black tinsel into their raven tresses while those with all gray can use silver tinsel to create a sweet, peek-a-boo effect. “I’m not trying to make anyone look like a Christmas tree,” said April. And when you tire of the look, just remove the tinsel. As April told me, “It’s easy in, easy out.”

Is your stylist offering you PopTinsel yet? If not, introduce your stylist to April. Her goal is to educate stylists across the world on PopTinsel and the proper way for application. “I’m helping independent stylists one strand at a time,” quipped April. There are currently over 1000 stylists across the U.S. beautifying their clients with PopTinsel. Make sure your stylist is one of them.

Here I am wearing red PopTinsel.

WIN POPTINSEL with the HAI-COOL CONTEST!

Now you can have your very own set of PopTinsel. Win the PopTinsel Celebrity Six-Pack, a special set of PopTinsel colors that April provides to her celebrity clients, when you submit the winning PopTinsel Hai-Cool.

All you have to do is submit your coolest PopTinsel traditional style haiku via the comment selection below or @ reply me on Twitter (Twitter.com/lollieshopping), making sure you use the PopTinsel name at least one.

One entry per person, per email address or per Twitter account. If you leave your Hai-Cool via comments below, you must set up a profile at OnSugar so I can contact you if you win. Contact information will be kept private and never sold or used for any other purposes than to contact the winner.

Judging will be conducted by April Fried and me (Lollie Shopping). Submitted haikus must the original work of the entrant. Deadline to enter is midnight Pacific time, April 31, 2010. Contest is open to entrants of the contiguous United States only. Good luck!

Complimentary samples received for this blog post.