Something about high summer makes me think of LayCool. Their urban-glam aesthetic just lends itself to parties under the sun, running on into steamy nights, when you want to be casual but not bland. Fashion has moved on a bit from 2009 and there is no doubt the stylish ladies of LayCool would have adjusted their looks appropriately. I'm thinking they'd have gravitated to a vibe similar to Hailee Steinfeld's recent turn in Julien MacDonald on the daily. Given that we don't have a multitude of newly devised tv and 'shoot looks to inspire us, as in their glory days, what's a fierce girl with an ever-LayCool heart to do? Metamorphosize that storied past forward into the right now, of course!
The Famous and Flawless set of 'shoots were some of my favorite LayCool looks, nailing their style sensibilities perfectly. This one, with its tank-and-shorts combo, is made for summertime. It adds glam to a basic white tank and black cut-off denim pairing by going with a sequined version on top. If you're recreating this, there's no need to be tied to the color choices: pretty much any shade of sequins will work just as well. For fitted pieces, try the LayCool full tuck; go with a front or side half-tuck if your tank is boxier. The ladies styled this look with the leather OTK boots that were fashion's craze at the time. Right now, I can't help but think they would have embraced the athleisure trend and ditched the boots for a totally fab pair of high-top sneakers. Since they are LayCool, they'd have gone with these Guiseppe Zanotti's, but those of us not willing to spend a month's earnings on one pair of shoes can 100% do this look with any streamlined pair of black sneakers. Tone down the lashings of glam by swapping the studded belt for simple leather in white or black. As an alternative to sequins, consider a metallic tank - Michelle and Layla would def give that their stamp of approval! If a cleaner palette is more your thing, consider a tank or tee with a metallic or sequined embellishment, rather than full-on shine. As with the above and below, keep the palette simple (no floral prints, no dots), stay with tanks or tees (no cami's). Racerbacks allowed. Eschew feminine embellishments (no ruffles, please). Add a bandeau under sheer, drapey pieces for coverage and an au courant vibe. Consider skipping the starkness of the black denim and going with blue of any hue. Feel free to up the fierce with a studded belt, or keep it coolly chic with plain leather. LayCool would likely have left us drooling by completing the look with something likely these insanely fantasmic DSquared sandal booties. If you happen to own a pair of insanely fantasmic sandal booties, feel free to unleash killage accordingly. Alternatively, play up the tougher side of this look by finishing it with urban or Western-inspired hardware-embellished chunky-heeled booties. Still too much glam? No prob. Keep it simple, keep it black. Tank (studs and other touches of metal or crystal = allowed, but 100% unembellished is also completely workable). Add skinny denim. Lend some pizzazz with a statement belt: be-crystalled, be-studded, be-sequined. A charmeuse satin or sequined scarf at the waist works too. Finish with a spark via silver strappy sandals. LayCool's choice would be something like these Gianvito Rossi Portofino heels with the haute-couture feel of their super-high ankle strap setting, but nearly anything shiny and strappy (except flip flops! :)) will work nicely. Happy warm-weather-holiday styling, Fancies!
0 Comments
How about a little Americana inspiration from an Aussie today? :) I loved the super clean, minimalist vibe of this look from Emma when I saw it. While she took the white and blue combo into straight-up sporty territory with a cropped hoodie and sneakers, it immediately occurred to me that it would make a great base for a Fourth of July look. The sweatshirt might be a tad steamy for the Fourth -even with the included ventilation of the cropped silhouette :) - so I re-imagined the styling with less toasty pieces. The starting formula is about as classic as it gets: blue jeans, white shirt (are you humming a Lana del Rey song yet? Sorry ;)). Almost any iteration of blue denim will do nicely here: shorts, cropped, full-length, distressed, non-distressed. I would lean toward the classic summer-y vibe of medium-to-light blue washes, but darker ones will work in a pinch. It's a similar theme with the white top. Consider an au courant feminine blouse with a touch of ruffle, embroidery, lace, eyelet, etc. Go with an iconic white tee in any silhouette from slim to slouchy. Do a version of the scalding hot off-the-shoulder top. It's all a go, so pick your passion! With a classic combination like this, one way to spark it and make it feel fresh is to finish it off with unexpected accessories. (Doing said accessories in a scalding shade of red doesn't hurt either ;)).Whatever direction your top leans in, choose shoes and/or baubles that act as a foil. Contrast the formality of the femme blouse with easy and casual mules. Add polish and elevation to the tee with block-heeled pumps or strappy red heeled sandals. Tie a rolled, small square scarf at your neck and turn the ends to your back to approximate a choker. Use sneakers and a baseball cap as a sporty counterpoint to the flirty drama off the off-shoulder piece. I hope this inspires you to tweak a classic for your Fourth of July picnics, fetes and various whatnots. Happy fashioning!
One tricky aspect of wearing the super-casual throw-and-go looks that tend to define a significant portion of summer dressing is that they need a pinch of je ne se quoi, elan, an exclamation point, something that anchors the look firmly in the "style" category, rather than the "something I just threw on" file. The lack thereof was what my praise got hung up on with this warm-weather look from Lana, so I've re-imagined a trio of iterations of this straightforward combo with a pinch more intentional panache. The canvas for the look is pretty clear: tee+shorts. So, basically, it's a check your drawers/closet/armoire kind of thing. Go with a cropped tee if you're feeling it, a boxy version with a feminine detail - like this flutter-sleeved piece - or a simple, curve-kissing knit. Cut-off denim, a la Lana, works on the bottom, but you can also make a more polished statement via chinos or a specifically summery fabric (think seersucker, linen, gingham). Non-shorts-friendly environment? No problem! Full-length denim or chinos lend themselves to these looks quite nicely. Classic color stories like all black or all white are perpetually fab, but also consider au courant shades of blush (the newest neutral! ;)), nude and olive in your mix. Once you have your canvas chosen, it's all about the spark. With such a simple background, you can be a little extra daring! Do you love the toughness of camo or wild-at-heart leopard but shy away from wearing it ordinarily? Go for it here, via a belt or bag (or even sneakers ;)). Always wanted to try pairing red and pink? Add a touch to blush - the risky color combo will be tempered by earth-toned or denim shorts. Other edgy color choices include lemon, canteloupe, and kelly. Try some 80's-tinged candy-hued combos with bright turquoise or lavender. Alternatively, toughen the girly pink up with some studs. Black monochrome lends itself to just about anything (camo = yep, leopard = yep, red=yep, studs=yep). Then again, how about getting some mileage out of one of the myriad of scarves you've collected over the years and only occasionally manage to wear? Knot it at your waist (or do a big, bold couture-esque bow :)). Alternatively, I love the idea of tying it at your neck, but turning the knot to the back. You get the look of a choker in front, but floaty streamers trailing behind you (the effect is particularly dramatic with lengthy oblong scarves or oversize squares). Complete the laidback vibe of the look with coordinating sneakers. (Classic or casual flats - think espadrilles or ballets - are also 100% acceptable). Happy styling, loves!
I loved Maria's quirky interpretation of the track pant craze the instant I saw it! She didn't try to make it excessively sporty, but went for a laidback-femme or sweet cool-girl vibe by pairing it with lace. It's a nice twist on a silhouette that can channel everything from jock to grunge to 'it girl". If you're aching to give this a try, there a couple of key points to keep in mind. First, regarding the pants themselves: look for either a loose, but tailored pair (think of a suiting pant style, but way more laidback) or a tapered silhouette. Both lend themselves to breezy chic quite readily. Avoid the ultra-baggy silhouettes at all costs. They're impossible to style unless you actually are Rihanna. Cuffed or non-cuffed both work, so - up to you! Also segue far around velour. Stay with streamlined satin-y or matte smooth fabrics. Knit versions will work, but only if they're of the polished variety. Hem length is important: a hint of slouch at the top of your foot = yes. Leaving no footprints because you're walking on your pant legs = no. Second, regarding your top: the squared-out silhouette with a shorter length that echoes the spirit of Maria's choice is what's crucial. You want something that hits close to the pants' waist because... WAIST! It's important. You need one here. These pants can be tricky to elevate and you are only one lengthy broken-in hoodie away from "I'm still so hungover". You don't want that; don't do that to you. You can play with a boxy crop top, a blouse-style piece, even an open-knit sweater over a tank, as long as it has the requisite wider+shorter shape. Finish the look a la Rosie Huntington-Whitely with ankle strap sandals, or inject some fierceness with a kitten heel. Or play the athleisure vibe to the hilt and conclude the styling with a coordinating sneaker. And what if: "uumm Brie - I don't have any track pants!"? You....don't....have...*faints*. Just kidding. NBD. Give this styling a try with straight, drawstring cargo pants (fish them out of your nearest 90's clothing refuge, be that your Mom's drawer, the back of your closet, aunt's attic or vintage store.). The drawstring is important on non-actual track pants to give that chill vibe. Alternatively, ditch said vibe and go with polished trousers of the suiting ilk. There'll be a pair somewhere that has the slightly slouchy or tapered silhouette you need. Promise. Excavate a little :). Bonus points if they're in a fabric with a sheen (double bonus points for tuxedo or similar stripes at the side), but any material with sufficient drape will work. Because you've done polished on the bottom, you can now do the whole carefree/broken-in/easy-breezy vibe on top. Try a baseball tee, or your favorite worn-but-not-forgotten solid standby. Skip over form-fitting and reach for drape-y. Forget the whole "cropped" thing; longer is fine. Add a half-tuck of some sort: frontal, side-al. Or be all daring and do a full tuck ;). Get your sporty on via accessories: sneakers and a baseball cap. Happy styling, loves!
And speaking of Maria ;) ...Trust her to create a super-fun look that embraces athleisure and still gets sequins involved! PS I love it! And fortunately there's no need to kick the glitter habit :) It translates just as nicely to sporty aesthetics as to luxe and glam-grunge ones. Maria - with her typical bold fashion genius- went for a silver Rolling Stones-logo'd tee. If you're in for that, rock it! If that much flair sends you running to hide under the bed (oh hey there! :)), play it the way I would: with practical black. (Not that anything sequined is ever reeeeaaalllly practical. That's why we own said sequined somethings. Duh.). It's a tad less sassy, but it's also more versatile :). To create the sport vibe, you're looking for a tee or a tank. Avoid narrow-strapped cami-style pieces. Racerback is 100% in, if ya got it! If you don't yet have an all-over sequined piece, choose something with sequin embellishment (metallic, in full or in part, is a totally allowable option as well). Pair with your fave leggings (def consider a track-striped version!) and coordinating sneakers. Top with a lightweight bomber for casual cool. Alternatively, ditch the bomber for a classic neutral tee (ok, hot pink works too ;)). Layer your dark sequined tank over the top for an urban 80's-meets-now vibe. Feel free to enhance that with black denim (distressing = do-able) instead of leggings. Still sneakers on the bottom for that whole sporty sitch.(But you don't actually have to sprint anywhere if you don't want to. I do recommend dancing though :)) Happy styling, loves!
This look from Brandi is a flawless example of tempering the sweetness of a look without making it dark. The warm, light neutral counteracts the sugary vibe of the pastel pink flawlessly.( As an aside, you could use a light gray here to do something similar, with a slightly cooler color story. To recreate the look, start with your favorite cardi. Brandi used a round/jewel neck, which has a very polished, classic feel, but a v-neck will work nicely as well. Any sweet hue will work: sky blue, mint, pale banana, lilac - so pick your passion! If you wouldn't be caught anywhere, any time, for any reason in pastels, consider doing this outfit with ivory. The second element is a coordinating skirt. Matchy-matchy is 100% allowed here (really :)), but you can use a solid, similar hue (slightly lighter/slightly darker) of the same shade, a soft print or a simple pattern (polka dots, stripes) as well. Since Brandi wore this look in early spring, she topped it with a textured faux fur jacket, which looks amazing..but might be a tad toasty for 90 degree days. To make it warm-weather friendly, consider a trench coat, laidback blazer (think collarless or band collared silhouettes), or a twill jacket. Don't fear pieces with statement details like asymmetrical panels, ruffles or hardware details that add interest and drama . Alternatively, a classic suiting blazer in a slightly cropped length will give a chic, schoolgirl vibe to the styling. While Brandi went with a colored topper, a neutral shade is practical, accessible and conveys the theme equally well. I love the femme-tough vibe of Brandi's boots, but this styling also lends itself to culminations involving pointy pumps and flats.
Mandy did this wide-leg look back in late winter, so I've metamorphosized it for warmer weather - who need s a fur vest at 90 degrees, right? Although, maybe in an air conditioned office...:). Anyway, let's pretend the AC hasn't been cranked up to sub-zero Refrigerate-The-Humans temps and you want to dress in one or two layers instead of seventeen. The wide-leg trend is staying strong in fashion and it's definitely worth trying - also waaay more comfortable than skinny jeans :). The flowy wide-leg is a dramatic silhouette that can be either balanced, or accentuated, depending on your preference. Look for a pair that's tailored, with a higher or tapered-in waist (even if you're going to cover it). The right design assists the way this piece works and a cut that goes straight up from the hip can have a tendency to come off blocky. For a crisp polished interpretation, top this statement pant with a minimalist button-down blouse. Tuck it in and play up the waist with a black leather belt and pointy pumps. The look plays off the iconic color scheme and understated sophistication of the elements. For a chic, artsy vibe, skip the whole waist-focus and top the pants with an un-tucked cami. Almost any style that's not exceptionally casual will work (avoid un-embellished knits and form-fitting pieces). A simple silk variation, a floral print, a solid metallic, a ruffled/embroidered/crochet or lace-detailed piece. This whole outfit is about fluidity and movement, so you'll need to ground it a bit via your shoes. Reach for a structured chunky-heeled sandal with a 70's vibe or an of-the-moment pointy flat. For non-professional events, you can stop right there, but for offices and other less-casual environments, add a topper. Go haute couture with a sleeveless trench, modern boho with a linen duster, or quirky with a free-spirited kimono. Or, you can play up the waist with a look that's picking up steam as we speak: the wide belt/corset waist. This super-easy variation turns on your chosen belt, so play around with backdrops that accentuate it: dark neutrals for a bright or pale color, light ones for black or dark brown. Grab your favorite un-embellished, refined tee (no baseball tees, or ribbed-collar types; you're looking for something more finished). Tuck it out over your wide-leg pants. Add belt of choice. Finish with coordinating shoes - a colored on-trend mule/slide, a classy pointy pump, a structured neutral sandal. And boom! Done. (PS You can 100% add the belt over a peplum top). Oooooooor :), you can push the envelope a bit more and wear an actual corset or bustier over your top instead of a belt. How amazing is that look?! Happy styling, Fancies!
|
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
Categories
All
Photos used for criticism and comment under US Copyright Act Section 107.
|