We’re dipping back to Nikki and Brie’s Fall 2018 Cosmopolitan ‘shoot to snag a little inspiration from a color combo that’s been strengthening in the fashion world over the last few months: red and pink! There’s nothing subtle about this blazing pairing, but there’s plenty of fun :). Nikki’s cropped, lace-up sweatshirt gives this look a sporty twist. While she added leather pants for a super-fierce look, the same vibe can be achieved with colored denim, chinos or suiting pants. Give a nod to athleisure by topping them with a tank top, raglan-sleeved sweater or full-on sweatshirt ( I especially love the contrast of a casual sweatshirt with more formal suiting pants!). If temps are still chilly in your neck of the woods/plains/mountains/bodies of water, top the look with a bomber jacket or blazer. Keep the look fierce by completing it with pointy-toe heels and add gold hoop earrings a la Nikki. I’ve kept the color story front and center by staying with a single two-tone pallet, but softening the vibrant statement of this combo by adding a neutral heel and jacket is totally allowed. Black is your obvi bff, but don’t forget about gray shades, that provide gentler contrast, or beige and khaki hues that echo the warmth of the red and pink.
Fashion’s initial forays into this pairing centered on orange-reds with blue-pinks, but orange-pinks and coral tones can be employed as well! Pair them with center-tone, classic reds (think strawberry and apple shades) or burgundies. Adding a on-trend mule gives a simple dress a 70’s nod, while a block-heeled slide gives it a nostalgic-meets-now 90’s twist. Bold gold earrings of any geometric shape provide the perfect exclamation point to the look. I spent a ton of time last summer loving the pairing of basic tees with more formal skirts – it became and remains a trademark combo in my wardrobe! That idea lends itself flawlessly to a strong color story, like this one: top a streamlined pencil skirt with a minimalist tee to echo Nikki’s sporty-meets-trendy vibe. Finish the look with of-the-moment sneakers to cement the athletic statement. Alternatively, you can never go wrong with a classic ballet flat. Choose a pointy toe for a clean, crisp look or a rubber-soled pair that ties in with the laidback feel of the tee. Happy styling, loves! When you think you have it tough, life almost always manages to get tougher…and mine has. I love you all for sticking with me! I’ll be doing the best I can with content in the days ahead and I promise to try to get some Wrestlemania coverage up for you. With gratitude, Brie
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We first saw Charlotte wear this gorgeous floral dress back in June of last year , when she styled it with flat thong sandals. It was a blast seeing her work with flats, which we don't see from many Divas (ok,. ok, Lady Superstars :)), outside of sneakers. It was a wonderful way to dress this garden-y piece down. I love that she re-used it...and I love even more that she re-styled it. And especially HOW she re-styled it. The flats were great; these heeled combat boots are FIERCE - a totally fabulous way to temper the delicacy of the design and silhouette. Recreate this concept with your favorite floral dress: long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless, it's all good! No floral dress? No problem. Lace, eyelet and embroidered pieces all work - all you need here is a dress that shades to the sweet side (feel free to do this with a maxi skirt and a matching blouse, as well!). Then add boots as a counterpoint. Give the look a festival vibe with flat pairs, especially in earthy brown or beige shades. Add practical-but-fun stars stud earrings to complete the look, or ramp up the bohemian connotation with beaded or tasselled earrings to complete the look. (Flower crowns 100% acceptable as well :)) Weather still a bit nippy for sleeveless pieces? Np - toss an on-trend blue denim jacket on top. Alternatively, go for a harder edge in your look by completing it with combat, lace-up or moto style boots in black (hardware is a yes!). Because the harsher shade can take over a look when set against a light floral, make sure to echo it elsewhere to carry the color through the look - especially if there's no black in the dress' fabric. Statement earrings or stacked slim rings will work fabulously, as will a waist belt - both narrow and wide pieces do the trick, so pick your passion. Chilly mornings and evenings? See above re: topping the look with a classic denim jacket - they're just the right weight for transitional weather. Happy styling, loves!
I apologize for the dearth of posts lately. And no, I haven’t forgotten all the Wrestlemania fashion – including the Hall Of Fame Fashion Review! The event is so huge that it requires hours of dedicated time, which I haven’t been able to scare up lately; often, I’m sitting down to start work here to 11:30 or midnight and that curtails my time frame since I do need some sleep :). Ordinarily I’d be regaling you with Inspiration Boards, but with the sale and unceremonious killing off of Polyvore, which I used for collages, I’ve also had to research and test new alternatives. I’ve finally found a workable one, which is allowing me to bring you today’s IB, and I have at least one more still to do test runs with. April was quite a month :p. And so, to fashion!
Maryse styled this fun look for her maternity-wear, but it translates equally well even if you don’t have a baby on board :). She started with a minimalist black canvas and added a pop to the look by accessorizing it with two different, but coordinating vibrant prints on a cropped jacket and a chain-handled embroidered bag. The look works because the wild effervescence of the prints is grounded and anchored by the dark background. Almost any piece or set can form the backdrop of this look. If you’re craving a dress, do that. If you’re all about pants, go there instead. Skirts are a yes as well. Pick your passion – as long as it’s dark! All black is the go-to, but black with navy (i.e dark wash jeans or a navy skirt) or deep charcoal will work nicely too…just don’t get all crazy and start adding heather gray or beige to the mix :). With the edgy accessories, the styling will get busy in a hurry and overcooked isn’t a good look for anyone - person or vegetable! Once you’ve got the basic canvas selected, you can get jazzy. Grab a floral or embroidered bomber, floral scarf, printed or jacquard blazer or cardigan to toss over the top. Then add a second pattern. The one crucial aspect of selecting pattern #2 is that the colors have to be similar (not the same, similar :)) to pattern #1. Two florals with predominantly blush and burgundy tones work fabulously! So do rainbows (or pieces with enough shades in them to echo a rainbow). Feel free to mix prints and embroidered pieces. You don’t even need to stick with complex patterns: go for the simple geometry of stripes or dots, add a shot of gingham or a pop of paisley – anything goes, as long as the colors are predominantly close between the two patterned elements. Note: if your shoes are not one of your patterned pieces, take a cue from Maryse and complete the look with a black pair or another understated color or texture. One of my favorite aspects of this look is the way you can vary its intensity through your pattern choices: pairing a pinstriped blazer with dotted heels will be much subtler than combining an embroidered bomber and a rainbow sequin-striped bag, so you can be histrionic or not and still have fun. I hope this inspires you to combine patterned accessories sometime soon :). Happy styling, loves; it’s so good to be Inspiration Boarding again! The (faux ;)) fur coat (or it’s fuzzy variant, the Teddy coat) has always had a place in fall/winter fashion and this year, the look has taken on new importance as a way to convey laidback luxe. We’ve seen everything from classic neutrals to crazy colors, all topping the most chill of looks. Carmella gave the trend a try in two different ways. First up was a black monochrome look which used her knee-length coat over a simple black tee and velvet leggings. I love the play on texture here, but I’m finding the all-black a little monotonous, so I imagined jazzing it up a smidge by using an olive turtleneck instead of the tee. (Burgundy, scarlet, beige and gray would all work as well). The slim fit is key – you’re looking for a contrasting silhouette to the boxy, oversized coat. To re-create the textural contrast, add velvet leggings like ‘Mella, or reach for leather (she’d totally approve). If you’re not feeling (or possessed of) either of those, distressed skinny denim will work too ;). Add OTK boots and swap Carmella’s skull cap for an on-trend newsboy hat…or skip the hat altogether and just go for a sleek low pony. If you’re craving a sporty variation on this look, do tapered sweats on the bottom and black sneakers. Tie the formality of the coat into the look by adding a few delicate touches of gold jewelry: a bar necklace, a selection of band rings, slim hoop earrings. No Teddy coat? No problem – top either look with a chunky, long cardigan instead.
After raving over Naomi's recent photoshoot in this dress, I realized it would make a super-cute look to re-create for heading back to school (or back to work ;)..or both!). The basic part of the look is as easy as it gets: grab your nearest little black dress. If it has a special detail, like the sheer panel in Naomi's piece, fabulous. If not, nbd - it will work just as well as a backdrop anyway. It's the accessories and additions that make this styling special; this is where you get to inject all the personality. First item for consideration: baubles! Naomi accessorized her look with that insanely adorable pom pom ring a pair of golden cuff bracelets. If you have a furry ring, totally go for it - this is about being quirky and playful! Alternatively, reach for a statement ring that's not too formal, a flower in a gorgeous color, a crystal animal, anything that's not super-traditional and that you happen to love. Or, skip the ring entirely and go with a playful pair of statement earrings in a saturated shade. For bracelets, you can definitely capture the spirit of this look with just one - try a bright leather cuff or a neon bangle in one o Naomi's signature shades: lime, sherbet orange, hot pink or aqua.. Any colorful piece that's laidback and funky will work nicely. (Hint: if you don't have a bright bangle, wrap a bright belt, necklace or small scarf around your wrist instead). Next order of business: shoes! Naomi went with strappy, gold heels which elevated the outfit. Echo that concept in a more casual way with metallic sneakers or simple flats -think breezy loafers or chic pointed ballets. If you're off to school, finish this off with a whimsical backpack that riffs on the spirit of Naomi's "Vroom" clutch. If your back is firmly parked in the un-whimsical lot, you can whims it up by safety-pinning on faux flowers, adding brooches or attaching bag charms to the zippers. For a more professional variation, go with a classic black bag and let your jewelry do the talking. Oh...and your nails! We must not forget the nails! Naomi added an extra shot of color via her sunflower yellow nails that was abso maje. Pick your fave bright shade (metallic and glitter 100% allowed!) and paint away. It may seem like a lot of color, but with the black dress as the look's centerpiece and focal point, all the little touches of color come off joyous and spunky, so be fearless! Note: fearless nail shades completely encouraged for school ensembles as well. Happy styling!
If you've been craving the palette-cleansing effect of an all (or mostly all) white ensemble, now's the time! Draw some inspiration from Cathy's look and start with a simple piece: a sheath dress with a cutout, a breezy denim mini dress, or a ruffled knit frock. White monochrome combos like a tee and flared jeans or a feminine blouse and pencil skirt are 100% workable starting points as well. The key to a super-clean, blank canvas look like this is the accessories. Theprimary trend for this summer is white everything, including shoes and bags, which keeps the styling really brisk and refreshing. If you're going that route, make sure to add visual interest to the look with a contrasting texture - think eyelet or lace espadrilles with denim, or a sheer/semi-sheer blouse (and suitable underlayer ;)) with knit track pants. Add a pure white bag, or bring in tiny hints of soft color by choosing one with embroidery or appliqué. This one happens to be Fendi, but if dropping nearly three grand on a bag isn't something you feel like doing (I mean, geez, why not? ;)), get a plain white one and add your own flowers by pinning on silk flower heads (most will pop right off the step, but wire cutters work too). It'll look just as fab and it'll be the colors and styles you choose. (Hint: flatter flowers, like sunflowers, dahlias, anemones and zinnias will translate most easily. Stay away from rose *buds*. Fully open roses can work, though - the less upwardly poofy and more open, the better.
As fall approaches, adding touches of black to the predominantly white outfit has become a stronger trend. Consider incorporating a piece which includes black in the design (black shoulder ties or neck bows, for example), or add a black belt or bag and shoes. No need to get crazy with the complements - just one or two pieces are all you need to create the iconic contrast. Alternatively, bring more colors to the look by choosing two coordinating hues and doing an accessory in each. I love the idea of using one pastel and one stronger shade: blush with bright aqua, powder blue with azalea, butter with grape, mint with cobalt. The softer color recedes somewhat compared to the bolder one, so the overall effect is softer, but very summer-ready. Work with a bag and shoes, shoes and jewels, a scarf and bracelet, a belt and a hat -pretty much any two accessories are all you need to create the vibe. Tie is all together with a multicolored third piece if that appeals to you ...or don't! The look works either way, so pick your passion :) Happy styling! How do you make the sophisticated venom of an editorial work for actual life? These are the kind of style perplexities that occupy the fashionista in my brain. Barbie's incredible python-printed wrap dress with its charmeuse accents is an incredible mix of color and pattern with a rippling undercurrent of luxury and danger. Barbie plays against the purple-tinged black shades of the print with her flame lipstick, giving the whole look a hypnotic easy sophistication. It's a complex, intense concept to translate from page and screen to the real world. The trick is to smudge certain elements, while retaining the punch. If you're the brilliant and stylish owner of a python wrap dress, this would be the time to dig it out :). Add red heels and lips - and maybe a black satin sash :) - and you're good to go. But, if not, well...there's more than one way to skin a snake (metaphorical comment - no snakes were harmed by this phrasing. Promise!). Color swapping opens up a lot more options: try a red dress of any simple iteration. You're looking for a plain-canvas type of piece which relies on its vibrant color for effect. A wrap piece will do, as will an unembellished sheath or A-line. Avoid frills (ruffles, lace, etc). The more edited the silhouette, the more powerful a backdrop it will be for the coup de grace: your snake-print heels. The black and white combo makes a big statement and serves as a bold, fresh twist on standard black, white or nude. No snake-print pumps? Try a snake belt, or snake-printed scarf as a sash or choker. Finish with edgy black sandal booties. None of the above? Recreate the vibe with another black-and-white pattern, like chic stripes, racy zebra, dramatic harlequin checks - almost any daring and/or strident black-and-white pattern will do. Or, go with a warmer but equally fierce variation using leopard accessories. Alternatively, choose a black, charcoal or white dress based on the above-outlined principles. Red lip. Red sash or belt, printed shoes (or vice versa!). Super-sleek hair please: pin-straight and face-framing, slicked back, chignon. This is also a flawless spot to play with a smoky eye or deep plum nails (or both! ;)). I hope this inspires you to inject a bit of venom into one of your upcoming looks :) Happy fashioning !
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Welcome to the place where wrestling & fashion join hands. Inspiration. Reviews. Musings. Retros. FASHION. Covering and craving gear to gowns since 2011. May the Fierce be with you! ;) Peace & Glitter!
AuthorBrie: shoe-lover :) fashion-lover and generally glamorous semi-dork Archives
July 2019
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Photos used for criticism and comment under US Copyright Act Section 107.
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