Partly because it's summer partly because of my perpetual time crunch, I fall into a uniform of sorts during the warm weather: midi or maxi skirts of various ilks paired with a basic casual tee knotted at my waist. I vary it with different textures (crisp poplin, flowy satin, earthy denim, whisper-light tulle), different color combos (I make it a point to try out eclectic, fun pairings and to avoid black as much as possible, unless I'm especially in the mood for it!) and various jewels. When you go the "uniform" route, its subtle variations that keep the aesthetic feeling fresh. My latest fascination has been mixing glam baubles with boho ones. It's unexpected, almost a little disjointed, but it works perfectly with the high-low vibe of a semi-formal skirt and super-casual tee. A sparkle-heavy collar gets just the right amount of muting when paired with an earthy stone pendant. A crystal statement piece gets a rebellious, free-spirited kick from a simple knotted cord or tassel piece. Delicate, personally meaningful short necklaces turn softly quixotic when matched with glittering station chains. Long, outfit-making pendants get an offbeat, nature-tinged spin when combined with a fabric choker or a shell set on a satin cord. Complete the look with casual heels that reiterate the high-low balance: of-the-moment mules, classic espadrilles or cork sandals. I hope this inspires you to mix baubles of divergent genres in one of your looks sometime soon! Happy styling, loves!
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I’m a fan of color most of the time. It’s a great way to spice up a look and it’s a happy-maker if there ever was one :). If you steer away from a lot of color due to concern about saccharine overload, one of the simplest remedies is pairing it with solid, grounding, sophisticated black. It’s easy, it’s functional, you have it in your wardrobe already and you don’t need a Masters in color theory to figure out what to combine. Make black the focal point of the look with an LBD, coordinating skirt and top or summer suit and add accents in a color that makes your fashion-heart sing. I’ve been loving the lavender shades that are finally showing up again; it’s been a lost color for a few years and I’ll never know why – it’s so gorgeous and summery! And it brings a lightness to black that makes a playful variation from chic red or true-but-oft-tried neutrals. If a matching belt and shoes is beyond your wardrobe’s current abilities, carry the color with a bag, baubletry or a scarf instead.
You can push the envelope a little further by eschewing matchy-matchy and going for a same-color-family pairing: soft carnation pink with bright rose, pastel peach with intense orange, pale banana with vibrant lemon, whispery baby blue with deep cobalt. This is a perfect spot for a cord-hung pendant, beaded jewelry or other accent pieces that aren’t all about the metallic. Black makes such a strong tonal anchor that it allows you to jump off the diving board even further: try mixing two bright shades with it! A simple-with-a-twist tee paired with black denim, cargo or suitpants makes for a relaxed but pulled together look…and the vibe gets super summer-ready with a double color-pop! I love the sunshiney connotation of orange and yellow it just lights up a room! (And your mood :)) Consider other fun two-fers as well: hot pink and aqua, lilac and mint, sky blue and peach, banana and coral. Get a little crazy – with stalwart black hues backing you, you can hardly go wrong! How candy can ya go? :) I hope this inspires you to try out some candy shades soon! Happy styling :) Fashion is back to that 80s technique of layering element upon element in looks – not just colored leather, colored snake leather. Not just bright tees, bright embroidered tees. Nothing simple. I find too much of that in a look can get overwhelming unless you have a very sure and confident sense of how to balance it all, so my take on this trend is to layer colors and blend them in thoughtful ways. This look was centered around the multi-sequin colorway of the Hazel pump by Sam Edelman (which I am still obsessing over. Read my obsession kick-off here. I could easily add three or four more pairs to my already-too-large collection of them! Yanyway…). I love my shine, but you can start with any shoe you own that has multiple colors in it: floral prints, embroidered pairs, multi-hued snake pairs. Take stock of the colors that jump out at you or that you want to highlight. Cobalt, coral and yellow were the shades I chose here, but I could definitely have swapped out on of those for teal, mint or emerald. Blue denim echoes the cobalt shade, while a classic pullover carries the coral. Those two form the main effect of the look. A navy jacket reinforces the blue tones (a brighter blue would have worked perfectly as well). The citrus yellow necklace nods softly to the pretty yellow flash that comes out in the shoe when the light hits it just right. I particularly love how the iridescent finish on the crystals gives a similar effect to the sequins. Earrings and boldy-colored bangles would make flawless alternatives should you not have a necklace in a shade that moves you. Or eschew jewels altogether and add that harmonizing last splash of color with a belt or a solid-toned scarf. Multi-colored scarves are also your bff’s if you want give this a try but are sans multi-colored shoes. ID the shades in the print you want to draw on for your outift and work from there. Noteworthy: you don’t need the colors to match prescisely; they just need to be in the same family. Lighter, brighter or deeper, darker versions of the color (navy or denim blue for cobalt, coral for blush) will do the trick. I hope this inspires you to build a look around a multitude of colors sometime soon :) Happy styling!
I’m so behind on my fav fashion blogs lately, ugh! But I was trying to catch up a little at Sea of Shoes and Jane was describing in a recent post how she has scrolls through runway shows for inspiration and it made me smile because I’ve been doing the same. In her case, it’s vintage Prada via their website archives, in my case, it’s recent Chanel and Fendi via the Vogue website. One look that caught my eye in Chanel’s Spring 2019 Ready To Wear line was #66, a pairing of a crisp white button-down with a sequin skirt. We often see glam tempered for day with denim and similar casual fabrics, but using polished, preppy chic as a sharper counterpoint to the shine got my imagination firing! Instead of dressing the glam down, why not soften the party vibe with proper, classic chic? It’s such a fun twist on convention! The formula is simple: black sequin pencil skirt (A-line works too!) + white button-down. Add black leather ankle boots and, for chilly days, top with a cropped jacket (a la the runway look) or oversize blazer (for a true-to-the-collection 80’s nod). Keep everything else simple: a statement ring or earrings, a sleek pony or plain up-do, a dash of color at your lips and done! Don’t have a sequin skirt or not ready for that much glitter? Try a satin skirt instead – and pleated pieces work just as well as pencil and A-lines. Highlight the sophistication angle with slingback pumps. Alternatively, reverse the formula and do the shine on top: a relaxed sequin/shimmery tee or tank pairs perfectly with a minimalist skirt. Think swishy poplin, classic suiting pieces or polished, weighty knits more than fluttery voiles and whisper-light fabrics. Pair with of-the-moment mules to ground the look. I love the boldness of this statement when done in black and white, but other neutrals work fabulously too: gray, navy, beige, khaki, olive. Happy styling! :)
With fashion month just ending (all I want to know is where the blink does the time go?! Slow..dooown, Universe, blast you!) , I wanted to squeeze in one last look from Winter before we’re inundated with all the newness that is Spring/Summer ’19 :). Designers are still drawing inspiration from the 70s and the dark florals of the past few seasons took on an Americana nuance, creating an intriguing dark-bohemian vibe. The cornerstone of the look is a saturated print. Florals are perfect for creating this vibe, but paisleys will do nicely as well. Top a flowy dress with a faux fur jacket (a classic denim jacket is a perfect alternative that ups the Western feel) and finish the look with chunky-heeled ankle boots. I’ve pulled the lighter tones out of the print here to give this look a lighter, looking-toward-spring aesthetic, but if you’re still feeling wintry, consider working with your print’s deeper tones instead. For this piece, I’d be thinking a black denim jacket and burgundy suede ankle boots, or a gray corduroy blazer and black booties. If you’re starting with a skirt, pair it with a 70s-leaning simple, slim turtleneck in a neutral shade. Add a suede blazer (velvet or of-the-moment corduroy works too!) and low, studded booties (Western style boots totally encouraged!). I often gravitate to cool blacks and grays with warm, rich red-tone prints like this one, but here I chose to enhance the vintage vibe by adding equally warm tan and caramel tones. If you’re a fan of golden, vintage yellows, definitely consider working those into this color story as well. If your print comes in blouse form, pair it with denim (straight cuts work, just-back-on-fashion’s-radar bootcut works, flares work. Skip the skinnies if you’re going for authentic 70s. If you’re craving a modern twist on the 70s, skinnies are 100% allowed :)). Lean toward blue denim to help create the Americana vibe. Top the look with a maxi cardigan or a drapey duster - bias toward easy, soft fabrics like knits, chenille or velvet over stiffer woven cottons with a trench-coat feel. Again, finish with low or chunky-heeled ankle booties (if you’ve gone with the skinny jean option above, tuck them in to your boots, all others: tuck out :)). Play up the decade reference by drawing on the warmest, most saturated hues in your print: burgundy and oxblood, dusty olive and deep leaf greens, burnt or rich orange tones, golden yellows, tan, chocolate. PS if you are feisty enough to have floral print pants in your closet, swapping them in for the denim and going with a solid shirt (bonus points for silk!) is a flawless take as well. Happy styling, loves!
Taking a moment to remember the great Karl Lagerfeld today. It took me awhile to warm up to his work and see the genius and creativity in his offerings..but I got there :) Through the last few years, I came to really appreciate his sharp takes, as well as his constant innovation -whether grandiose or subtle. He kept Chanel ever-interesting, along with spinning numerous other projects - he was indefatigable! His thoughts on the energy of creativity and how it should always be fresh are among my favorite ideas on the subject, both important, wise and something he clearly practiced. Be free, Karl! <3
One of the growing trends I find most intriguing is the Futuristic look, seen at Chanel, Balenciaga and several other designers. In its purest, most brazen form, the look consists of a silver monochrome outfit paired with white or transparent footwear, but if that sounds like a little too much for your daily life (To ponder: on how many occasions is it appropriate to look like a walking disco ball? :)) futurism incorporates many other elements as well that can be combined to nod to the trend in a more accessible way. Iridescent and shiny finishes, neons and clean, powerful silhouettes all create the vibe in a less ostentatious way. If you jumped on the pleated satin skirt trend from last fall, that’s a great place to start. Pair the piece with a gray, black or neon turtleneck and complete the look with white or black leather booties. (Bonus points if you go for patent leather! :)). Pro tip: if your closet contains a pair of refined shiny rain boots (like these), this is a great place to extract a little double duty from them. Add a bracelet or earrings in a modern material, like resin or plastic. Leather-look leggings (don’t forget about pieces with faux leather accents, or black+sheer pieced pairs)or leather pencil skirts are another great starting point. Add a tee or sweater in a neon tone (alternatively, consider a piece in neutral sequins or silver metallic) and top with a strong-shouldered boxy blazer. If boxy blazers aren’t your jam, try an 80’s-referencing cropped jacket. Bonus points for pieces with slim shoulder pads or shoulder details (bias toward architecturally-inspired themes, more than frills or ruffles). In addition to blazers, moto-styled pieces are a natural fit. Avoid softer fabrics like faux fur or velvet. Think sharp, sleek, tailored. Leather/faux leather is an immediate yaas here, but refined cotton pieces and black denim can work, as can streamlined bombers. Complete the look with metallic pumps. Silver is the most obvious choice, but colored metallic work here, too, as well as black or silver sequined pairs. Add jewelry with straightforward, geometric shapes in black, white or silver. Alternatively, take advantage of shine being a hallmark of the futuristic look and start with a black or silver sequined tee. Pair it with slim denim, cropped suiting pants or, depending on your destination, leggings (yes for a girls’ luncheon, no for work). Give the outfit a practical astronaut vibe by finishing it with black work boots or combat boots. (Refined white boots are also 100% acceptable, as are iridescent or silver metallic sneakers). Add statement earrings or a ring in a bright, neon shade and boom – done! What could be simpler? :) I hope this inspires you to reference the future in your fashion sometime soon! Happy styling :)
With the 80’s making their way back firmly to the front of fashion, we’ve seen the return of maximalism as a style theme. Too much of everything is suddenly a good thing :). The concept can be a bit daunting. Color, pattern, sparkle, metallic – how’s a gal to blend it all? -because the success of maximalism really is all about the blend. I find it easiest to restrict my palette to a single color. It helps reduce the potential for getting overwhelmed and it helps to unite the look. That core of cohesiveness makes maximalism much more accessible – you don’t have to fear looking like you got mauled by Las Vegas :). Blue is a great shade to start because…blue jeans! But you can build your look around any solid color bottom that strikes your fancy. Next up: patterned shirt in a coordinating color. With the current chill in the air, I love flannel plaids, but stripes, dots, florals and checks all work. Top your look with a piece in the same color family. A bright blazer is usually my go-to, but a longline cardigan or duster will do nicely. Don’t worry if you’ve chosen a neutral like gray or beige as your single color – we’ll make it max in a minute ;). Accessories are the last crucial piece when giving maximalism a go and the rule generally is the more, the bigger, the brighter, the better! I like to use texture and material to help communicate the max vibe because it allows you to throw a neutral tone into the mix without diluting the maximalist vibes. Top your look with a metallic or jeweled belt, a coordinating statement necklace (yes, you can go for the earrings too! :) And/or a ring in the same color family. Complete the styling with fun footwear. Basic black leather is right out. Colored satin, coordinating patterns (hello leopard if you used beige :) and don’t forget about all-the-rage snake), embroidery or bedazzlement, glitter: it’s aaaaaallll on the table, so get crazy :). The fun side of maximalism is seeing how far you can get to the edge without sliding over into hot mess territory. This is the time to push the boundaries! - anchored by that over-arching color theme :). Happy maxing out, loves! (Isn’t it nice to max out something other than your credit card? :) Reason #268595 to love maximalsm!)
I really wanted to do a Trend Blast post last fall, but since I am about twenty years behind in life, it didn’t happen. Since at this point, Fashion Month is only a couple weeks away, I decided to use the ideas in a different way. During the time leading up to Fashion Month, I’ll be doing a series of Favorite Things – Inspiration Boards based on the trends so we can all spend the last weeks of F/W 18-19 as trendingly (is that even a word? I think I just made a new word…again *eyerolls at self*) as possible :). Often times, this can be a really blah, bland time in fashion, with the holidays over and spring having not yet arrived, so I’m hoping this will help combat that!
First up is one of my favorites: the multi-hued or rainbow trend. I know it sounds like a grade school, fluffy, Kermit-the-Frog kind of thing, but don’t relegate it to the play room just yet. It can look amazing if it’s handled just right. The key is to temper the myriad of bright colors with a heavy dose of a single neutral. My current fave is classic black. It works especially well for winter as it keeps the look from feeling too spring-hued. Alternatives include dark gray and navy, which will work similarly. If your closet looks anything like mine, I’m betting the neutral is the easy part :). There are gobs of multi-hued pieces out and about right now, in everything from stripes to dots to sequins, so def feel free to pick one up (or a bunch …who said that? :)…#ThatFriend). The fun part of this trend is that unless they’re really complex and edgy (looking at you, Gucci) or done in very nostalgic colors (think muted 70s tones or neon 80s shades) most of the pieces will have staying power because they go with everything and they’re obvious outfit-defining statement pieces, which lets them transcend era. Scoop up a rainbow-striped skirt, add a black turtleneck and pointy ankle boots and abracadabra, you’re done! But what if you don’t want to wait to pick up something new and you need to wear rainbows right now? The beauty of the multi-colored trend is that it isn’t restricted to full rainbows…any piece with three different hues in it will create the idea. And it isn’t just restricted to prints and patterns. Got sequined pumps that reflect in a triad of colors? Break those out and pair them with a chunky, oversized sweater and skinny jeans. Got a sweater with multicolored embellishments, a multi-striped tee, an embroidered blouse? Employ them! Pair with black, cropped denim or ponte pants and finish with a black ankle bootie. How about scarves or baubles with more than one tone? They’ll do nicely as well. Pair them with any black monochrome look for a trendy twist. PS Baubles are especially versatile and useful to explore this trend: if you have several pieces with only two shades each, don’t forget about using both – stacking bracelets, layering rings (even a selection of single-stone pieces will work in both cases). I hope this inspires you to try the rainbow trend sometime soon! Happy styling, loves! One of my favorite things about autumn fashion is that jewel tones feel right again! After a summer of bright hues and crisp neutrals, I love stepping back into the lush vibe of deep, saturated colors. They’re perfect for everything from lending interest to a work look to spicing up a holiday party. I’ve played with them so often that I’ve come to the point where I enjoy pushing the envelope beyond the familiar, though welcome, burgundies and plums. One of my recent successful experiments is the combination of deep blue-teal and amber. Blue and yellow are always amazing together and this exotic pairing is no different. !). While cerulean shades often show up as a counterpoint to yellows, this green-blue offers a fun twist that feels richer and more surprising. (Hint: saffron, marigold and honey shades work well with this teal shade too). Try it with a sweater and buttondown, paired with beige chinos, corduroys or even medium-wash blue denim (I always consider it a neutral anyway! :)). Complete the look with a pair of knee or OTK boots in any shade of brown that has a golden or red-gold tone: chestnut, caramel, oak, tan,bittersweet. Add a selection of pendant necklaces for a touch of shine (turquoise or golden-stone pieces that tie the look together more closely are 100% doable a well :)).
Pink has been the rage in fashion for the last few seasons, but it tends to be one of my “forgotten” jewel tones. That needs to stop…yesterday! :) Pair almost any shade of it from rose quartz to magenta with bright cobalt for an of-the moment combination. Stay on-trend by including a chunky sweater or plated A-line skirt (bonus points if you combine the two! ;)). Finish with simple pointy pumps or mules in a neutral tone (don’t forget about my fave: metallic gold! – the warmth looks stunning against the cool blue and cheery pink) or bolster the luxe autumn vibe with a complementary jewel tone like eggplant, grape or violet. Complete the look with coordinating crystal or floral statement earrings. Orange has been back on fashion’s radar lately and it’s another often-overlooked jewel tone that’s perfect for fall with its vibrancy and energy. Pair it with contrasting indigo or violet for a sophisticated take on the warm-cool pairing. Add coordinating statement earrings and a laidback neutral ankle boot. PS Clean, bright oranges also look amazing with cobalt and similar bright blues, while earthier tones work with any shade of brown, olive, mustard and eggplant so consider giving those a go as well!). I hope this inspires you to play with combining jewel tones sometime soon – experimentation is the spice of fashion life! Happy color-explorations :) |
AuthorBrie (Hi!) More re: me under About. I'm the moving spirit behind this little life-meets-fashion fairy tale world, the home of my non-wrestling-related style musings and loves. Archives
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