I saw this incredible jacket from Chanel's pre-Fall 2017 and it was insta-love. I can't believe how incredibly beautiful this piece is! Naturally, I wanted to give it, and the whole vibe that surrounds it, a try. Small prob: I don't own it. And am unlikely to in the near future. So, I had to improvise which, fortunately, I'm pretty decent at. There are several elements that go into creating the effect of this piece, all of them very closely linked to what I consider the classic Chanel aesthetic. First, there is texture. In this case, it's done with the bouclé fabric Chanel made iconic. But it doesn't have to be - all you really need is a textural contrast. It's currently too warm for bouclé -which is a fall fabric - where I live, so I went with an ivory denim jacket instead. Big leap, I know, but stick with me. In order to echo the magnificent floral details, I added a crocheted tank underneath. The flowers don't have the same dimension as the Chanel piece, but in this case, it's not material; I just wanted to suggest the art-garden idea. A faux floral brooch or floral appliqué blouse could give a similar effect - and that's the crux of the exercise: an homage, a riff, an echo, a personalized metamorphosis. Where the bouclé has a strong, tactile presence, here that feeling comes from the interplay between smooth denim and softer, more dimensional knit. Once the weather turns cooler, this could be swapped to a neutral, but un-embellished, bouclé piece (supply your own glamour. See below) or a light-colored tweed with a more feminine blouse/tank/came/sweater layered below. On the runway, the jacket was shown with an ivory skirt, but I chose to go with more practical black slim jeans. They maintain the iconic vibe, but also fit with this more laidback re-imagining. (Nearly any classic neutral would work nicely). To echo the metallic flower centers and pearl embroidery, I layered doubled-up necklaces: opera-length faux pearls, vintage gold chains and - because I'm me :) - a touch of crystal via a station necklace. An alternative idea I love is to use a similar mix, but include a floral statement necklace to evoke the jacket's applique. May have to try that one next time around ;). Chanel was famous for adding a subtle tough edge to her femininity, a bit of tomboy aesthetic, so I completed the look with studded sandals: dainty, but with a touch of attitude. It felt very Chanel, without being Chanel. And totally fun!
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I have been on a massive broken-in, classic tee kick lately - they're so comfortable! And I've been having a blast figuring out how to make them less casual so I can wear them to work. Yeah, I could take the easy way out and wear a more polished version, but going with the ultra-casual ones is more fun and more of a styling challenge ;). One accessory (or rather accessories :)), I've been playing with is a statement necklace...or two! They make a surprisingly major upgrade to a tee's vibe. It seems so simple, but the attitude adjustment is so real! My theory is that it's because they camouflage the wide ribbing that gives the neckline it's more laidback feel. The key with this pairing is to make sure the necklace or combo are of a more formal iteration - think gemstone crystals, opulent floral pieces, ropes of pearls...or all of the above ;). The tee-jewel combo is a perfect example of two pieces with completely contrasting vibes creating that flawless, dramatic tension due to their very opposite-ness (not sure if that's actually a word, but whatever). My first foray into the look was with summer in mind. I paired a ruffled rose-hued skirt with a cobalt blue tee and two gemstone collars, layered so that the lower one was slightly longer than the top one. I wasn't fussy about colors and metals - one was a mix of blue and teal stones with silver and the other combined clear stones with gold. The mixed metals were a subtle nod to the casual-meets-polished theme. I finished the look off with coordinating, but not matching, blue espadrilles. Since we're past Labor Day now, I would probably swap the espy's for blue or denim sandals. I riffed on the look later with the same tee combined with black denim and a black, zippered cotton blazer, which made the vibe less femme, more moto and more transitional. In keeping with that concept, I completed the look with black leather sandal-booties.
I also had an idea to mix necklaces done in different materials for more of a modern-candy feel, so I used the rose pink skirt with a black tee, but then tried switching out the clear crystal collar for one with chartreuse opaque stones. I reinforced the concept with a floral ring with lemon non-transparent stone petals. The shots of bright color were super fun and the bolder, less glittery finish lent a slightly 80's pop shading to the look, but since only the accessories made the statement, it didn't feel too silly or disjointed... or like Cyndi Lauper got loose and moonlighted as my stylist for a day ;). The black leather sandal-booties were my shoe go-to's. I hope this inspires you to try playing around with your basic tees and some jewels sometime soon. Happy styling, loves! With the recent introduction of Hanes x Karla, I got thinking about that most humble and hardworking of fashion items: the t-shirt - and how to incorporate it in daily fashion! Once relegated to being underwear for men, the style history of the t-shirt has been influenced by gents from Clark Gable (who once went tee-free. Coincidentally, the undershirt factories in America had to shut down the next day and Clark's influence as a style-setter has been blamed ever since) to James Dean, who made the garment iconic with his inimitable 50's cool. Luckily for us, the t-shirt has expanded its fashion territory and now can be worn by pretty much everyone and with pretty much everything. Hanes is an iconic purveyor and their product quality has maintained its high standards over time. Early last year, I updated my collection with a bunch of yummy colors in the classic not-overly-refined ribbed-trim style (the Beefy). I'm a fan of the fabric weight, which is thick enough to not be overly see-through even in lighter hues (like yellow :D). Note: I did not try a white as I am a stain magnet and have basically tapped out on the whole attempt to wear white tees. The colors have held up wonderfully through multiple soaks and washings and the fabric gets even softer the more its worn. And how exactly might it be worn?
Tees are so casual that they work really well as the laidback piece of a casual-formal mix. I love the idea of pairing one with high-waisted wide-leg pants - it's a modern take on the classic style. The bold statement and ultra-chic vibe of the pants is softened by the chill vibes from the tee. I went with on-trend stripes here, but nearly any variation of the wide-leg (from standard neutral twill to pink silk) will work. A super-casual rendition of the look can be done with a denim version of the silhouette. To keep the casual-formal dynamic, finish with low-heeled mules or wedge espadrilles. Or, bring the nonchalance via sneakers. I love adding a touch of contrasting color to a neutral pairing, like this powder pink with the navy. Add an oversize watch with a pink band, or a bangle to echoe the hue, carrying it through the look. The interplay between simplicity and complexity is another fun avenue to explore. Consider pairing the pared-down tee with an intricate lace pencil skirt or floral-embellished A-line. Other possibilities include floral prints or pleated metallic pieces. Don't shy away from unusual and expressive color combinations, either! The bright teal really gives the look a pop, as would lilac, bright rose or lemon. Choose neutral accessories, or mix-without-matching by adding more colors (e.g. a powder blue bag or light aqua ring here) in the same family. The obvious partner for the iconic t-shirt is the equally iconic blue jean. Go for a cropped (or roll your own ;)) skinny silhouette and add panache by styling with strong contrasting accessories and beauty looks: deep magenta sandals and bag, or an orange statement ring and lip shade. Heels help elevate the relaxed tee-jeans combo - don't be afraid to push the envelope with satin or be-jeweled versions. (Note: flats in those two genres will be fancy enough to work similarly). For warm temps, and relaxed occasions, the tee works fabulously with shorts. Well, duh, right? :) Since the combination is so ubiquitous, add a spark to the look by including an unexpected twist: finish it off with ankle booties (split-shaft versions like the Jeffrey Campbell Cromwell (as modeled by Summer) are having a moment, but any pair will do. Think more 'practical', 'broken-in' and 'urban' than fierce. Stay with mid-low heels or flats. Add color and visual interest with an embroidered or intricately laser-cut belt (studs work too ;)), printed scarf, ribbon or tassel at your waist. I hope this inspires you to let the world see your Hanes sometime soon ;) Happy styling! I love the idea of mixing without matching. It can be a little trickier than close or exact matches, but the complexity makes it modern. And it's way more practical! Imagine having to exact-match every color in your wardrobe. Ugh. I was wearing essentially the first pairing here the other day, and it gave me the idea to expand on the topic a bit more.
One of the easiest ways to make the mixy kind of pairing work is to put together similar shades in different intensities. This lilac top is much softer than the tanzanite pumps, but they are both to the blue side of the purple spectrum, so they coordinate nicely. Light aqua with teal, powder blue with cobalt and blush with coral will all work similarly. The key is in the similarity of hue. Aqua is a blue-green; hence the pairing with teal, as opposed to ,say, kelly green, which has more yellow in it. I gravitate toward doing the lighter color for my outfit and the darker shade for my shoes, but going with the lighter shade on the bottom is 100% acceptable, as is bringing in the color play with other accessories (belts, bags, scarves) or jewelry. Another way to mix without matching is to connect different shades with colors that bridge the difference. The easiest way to do this is with colors in the same family (all blues, for example). This second look starts with a carnation pink top and peach-nude shoes. The shoes are a warm, neutral orange, while the top is a cool pink - i.e., there is a blue tone in the red it was derived from. To bridge the difference between them requires a color that's warmer (more brown or orange in it) than the carnation shade, but cooler than the shoes. The rose-nude tone of the bag works perfectly. For a little more fun, the coral-orange tone of the sunnies acts like a brighter pop of the shoe shade, carrying that hue upwards through the look (a lip shade in this hue would do the trick nicely as well). With green shades, you might blend lime, celery and mint. Lime is a yellow-green, mint is a blue-green and celery acts as the bridge color. If you don't want to try a verdigris lip shade ;), add a bit more color via your nail hue. PS One of the best ways to get a sense of how colors work is to mix paints :). Happy mixing, loves! I did some blathering during the winter about how much I love and adore Icebreakers base layers and I mentioned that their Sprite sports bra was the next thing on my wish list. So, I wished, I shopped, I acquired and I've been testing three of these babies all summer for weights, tumbling and outdoor chores. Results? This bra = YAAAASSSS. What do I love? Practical things first: the bra is a smidge tight to put on, but once on, it supports the girls beautifully...even during tumbling ;). (Note: I am an A cup, so support happens pretty easily. If you're a larger cup size, check out the Rush bra instead, which is designed for higher impact activity and offers greater support). This bra washes super easily - soak it for a few minutes in a mild soap and water, rinse out and lay flat to dry (no sun needed: shade..or under the bed on a towel (not that I do that ;))...also works). Boom. Done. The fabric gets even softer as you wash it. One of my favorite things about this bra is that even when I sweat in it, I don't get cold! You know that disgusting clammy feeling you get when you start to cool down after sweating because your clothes are wet? Not in this bra! It dries quickly on the body too! Great color selection is another plus: a couple of neutrals and some fun colors. The bra is unlined, but features inner "pockets" which would easily hold foam inserts if you want to be sure of no show through (steal some from an old bikini ;)). Alternatively, you can use the pocket to hold Kleenex or other small, items (if you don't care about weirdly-placed lumps, chapstick, a credit card or an inhaler would fit. One reviewer mentioned keys - I think one would be fine...a whole set might be..ouch..but, still, it's a nice option!). Bottom line: if you're looking for a mad practical, comfortable workhorse sports bra, this is definitely one to collect!
Sooooo....where I live, it gets pretty dang chilly for about half the year. Consequently, you may have noticed that I blather a LOT about staying warm. At least for six months :) And I have a secret to doing this which I am now going to share with you. It's called Icebreaker and if they ever proposed, I would give it serious consideration. They make many, many different layers of clothing. My personal fav is their base layers because they are ..well.. smart(ly designed), charming, good looking and never let a girl down ;). All the layers are made of either 100% merino wool, or merino-wool+spandex. Before you hear "wool" and head for the hills, hear me out: it is not itchy. Not even a tad. It's also machine washable (on cool and then line dry). Are you getting excited yet? I LOVE that it's a natural fabric and I'm not putting weird hi-tech plastic-derivative junk next to my skin. I LOVE even more that it's really, truly warm, even in the "lightweight" fabric. (They also carry feather- and ultralight- weight garments for you wonderful polar bear-types who never get cold ;)) The 200-weight is the one I use primarily. It's delightfully thin so I can pop it under my flannel shirt/sweater/blazer/whatever. You want to wear a silk blouse in the winter? Can do. Layer one of these underneath. One of those trendy open-mesh sweaters not cutting it for toastiness? Icebreaker to the rescue! You want to know what else I love? Scoopnecks! And v-necks! Halle-freakin'-lullah! Literally every company I know that makes warm layers cuts the necklines practically up to your eyeballs so the whole world can see what lies beneath. Icebreaker has ever-so-intelligently designed a nice selection of items with scoopnecks, v-necks and sweetheart necklines so they hide under your other clothes. What you're wearing is between you and your mirror. Bless them :). (PS I usually buy long-sleeved pieces and cuff the sleeves to bracelet length so they totally and utterly disappear under everything). They also make henleys, leggings and a whole host of other layers, including sports bras, which are the next item on my wishlist. They offer free shipping if you spend $50 and..wait for it...right now, they are having their semi-annual sale. Think of it like Victoria's Secret...but waaaayyyy more comfortable than that cute, lacy thong. Check them out here.
One of my ultra-favorite things to do in fashion is to mix elements with varying levels of formality: a chunky sweater with a silk skirt, a biker jacket with lace or flannel with a blazer. Over the winter, I practically live in flannel-gone-dressy. It has a variety of benefits: 1) it's warm! A girl just can't be fabulous when she's freezing her keister off, ya know? :) 2) the color stories! I've only seen a very few mono-color flannels (Madewell was carrying a couple of shades this year in their Sunday shirt). Mostly, there's a massive variety of plaids to choose from, so I always end up wanting to try one of each - like tapas, but with clothes :). It's so much fun to riff off some of the barely-represented shades, highlight a contrast color, or let the flannel itself be the color against neutral canvas. 3) It's so easy to dress it up. The nappy texture of flannel immediately gives it a more laidback feel, but all that's needed to elevate it is a great blazer. Almost any fabric works: wool, corduroy, velvet, silk (if you're brave enough :)). I prefer fitted to boxy, as I want to enhance the feminine feel of flannel's workshirt vibe. Denim of any variety creates the bridge between the dressy and casual elements: slim, flared, boot - take your pick. Finish it off with something fierce (bright or metallic pointy-toe pumps, studded heels), something femme (think floral, lace or scalloped), or something refined (oxford flats, loafers, knee boots). If, as I often do, you feel the need for a little extra glam, this is the place for a crystal statement necklace, a pearl torsade, or a pocket square (tied at the neck or tucked in a pocket - I encourage you to show the boys how it's done ;)) Hope you have some fun with this during your next cold weather spell, Fiercettes! #FabFlannel
*Image of model from jcrew.com Nov 2015 I love scarves..and I definitely have waaaaay too many of them! So, instead of giving them away, I keep looking for ways to wear them more often. Belting them in place is a fabulous option and one of my staple winter looks. Putting a belt around the outside is practical because it keeps the scarf in place so it's not flapping about or falling off and, at the same time, looks incredibly chic! Plus, you get to wear a cozy scarf over your outfit, which makes it WARM ...always a consideration on sub-25 degree days :). Finally, it makes an interesting variation on the traditional knotted-at-the neck styling. I have a number of brightly colored cashmere wraps that I use for this - it's amazing how toasty a layer of cashmere keeps you! And, it's a great way to bring dramatic color into a winter wardrobe. You can do a very simple version by throwing your scarf over one shoulder and belting it, as shown in the first and third pictures. If you have a wide rectangle or large square scarf, you can even leave it more open and let the fabric drape over you shoulder. A mid-width (1", +/- a half inch) belt works perfectly to complete this styling. Or, you can drape the scarf around your neck and belt it in the middle. I prefer a wider, statement belt for this look - in the 2-3.5" range- but I've used as narrow as 1.5" as well. I especially like pairing this look with OTK boots, as it has the rough feel of wearing a mini dress...but a LOT cozier! ;) Happy Scarf-Belting!
Photos from fabulousmuses.net, shopbop.com and wendyslookbook.com Sooo, I muse about fashion kind of a lot. And one thing I wanted to be able to do here on Diva-Fierce was share some of those musings with you. Having just relieved myself of one of my holiday-present-gift-cards via the purchase of a new (totally, completely, critically necessary!) pair of shoes in a lovely apple red, it occurred to me how often I pair colored shoes with a neutral outfit. It's such a chic, but oh so easy, look. Neutrals are a simple, carefree fashion device...I've got 'em, you've got 'em. They mix, they blend, they complement each other. But sometimes, they just need a pop. And that's where the colored shoes come in. Not only is it a great excuse to buy all different colors of fantasmic shoes, it's a great way to wear colors you adore but which you don't want near your face. Plus, it's always just enough color, never too much. I'm the kind of stylish girl who can't handle just one, single contrast color. You can't believe how often I've tried...literally, talked to myself in front of a mirror trying to convince myself that I DON'T need that second bit of color. Never works. Myself will not cave; I MUST have two. :). As statement rings are easily my fav piece of jewelry, I tend to add a statement ring in a similar (not necessarily matching) color to my shoes. I'll use red with burgundy, sky blue with royal, or a multi-tone ring that goes with a number of shades. This makes myself content :) and I can stop frightening my mirror with the Gollum-like dialogue. If you're a bracelet or necklace girl, you can easily use those instead of rings. Scarves def get it done here as well. I hope you give this look a try (again) sometime :) Happy styling!
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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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