MCLV Style File: Flower Power
Welcome to another Style File post – Our last outfit breakdown was a killer patterned black & white dress that Poppy Delevingne wore to Berlin Fashion Week and this time we’re going to check out a bright, fun outfit that’s a great way to transition to colder weather now that Fall 2012 is upon us.
Throwing a floral blazer over a skirt & top combo is a great idea, it takes this from a basic Summer look to an eye-catching, colder-weather appropriate outfit that can easily be adapted to suit your style and the pieces that you have available in your closet.
The extras for this look are especially great – The long, layered necklaces, chunky bracelets, and oversized gold mens watch are lovely but that handbag is what really stole my heart.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Lc Lauren Conrad Floral Blazer – $50 (sale) @ Kohl’s, ASOS Premium Floral Print Blazer – $55 @ Asos.com & Tall Co-ord Floral Blazer – $130 @ TopShop}
The key to this look is the floral blazer, finding one that suits your coloring and shape may take some time, but it’ll be worth it since this is such a great piece for Fall.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Rachel Roy Quilted Wrap Skirt – $175 @ Zappos.com, Vince Camuto V-Neck Wrap Dress – $100 @ Shop The Shoe Box & BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Ruffle Flounce Draped Skirt – $60 @ 6pm}
You could try a sweet blue wrap skirt for this look or you could opt for a cobalt dress and achieve a similar silhouette. It’s the bright colors and eye-catching accessories that make this look work so you don’t need to stress about copying it piece-for-piece.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Marmen Cross Necklace – $250 @ Urban Outfitters, House of Harlow Diamond Cross Necklace – $60 @ Designs By Stephene & Multi Row Cross Necklace – $20 @ Asos.com}
Whether you’re a fan of delicate necklaces or chunky, gold jewelry or silver, wearing a single chain or layering multiple pieces – There’s something fun in this style to suit your personal taste!
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Vince Camuto Gold Boyfriend Watch – $175 @ Dillard’s, Gold and White Links Boyfriend Watch – $55 @ Asos.com & Merona Silver Tone Extra Large Boyfriend Watch – $20 @ Target}
A boyfriend watch is a funky alternative to a cuff or bangle, it adds a masculine touch without taking your look straight to made-for-the-boys territory. Gold or silver, embellished or plain, there are tons of options out there.
Curious how I would interpret this look using pieces that I have in my wardrobe? Tuesday’s MCLV Style: Factory Girl post was actually inspired by this look from Lovely Pepa!
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Floral Blazer – Pim + Larkin from Piperlime, Pleated Black Mini – Zara (one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe, true story), Ankle Booties – Rebecca Minkoff from Shopbop.com, Floral Top – Anthropologie, and Jewelry – All from Sasha Maks Vintage}
As you can see, you can mix this look up, change colors, and adjust the jewelry to create something fresh and unique, a look that is all yours!
You can also check out past MCLV Style File looks below:
Looks of the Week
After a relaxing t-shirt & shorts weekend I was looking forward to a fun, fashionable Looks of the Week post to get me back in the fashion mind-set for this week. So enjoy some of the great looks I found and get inspired!
Chic Chic Chic!
I love how from a distance this outfit looks low-key, but the individual pieces are all really beautiful and unique. The animal print ankle strap heels, gorgeous lace shorts (DIY!!!), and two-tone envelope clutch are all the perfect touches.
This is a great combination of pieces. The floral peplum top is really cute & summery, those cropped black pants are totally classic, and I love both the strappy glitter sandals and the Kelly green clutch. Well done!
Summery florals have been all the rage lately and this is a fun, fresh take on that trend. The minty green slim pants and neon yellow heels make the look interesting and keep it from being sugary-sweet.
This is such a classic, fashionable menswear look. Cuffed jeans paired with a plaid shirt is a great, traditional style, and those lace-up boots are totally covetible.
Light & breezy at it’s finest! This bubble-silhouette white midi skirt is a great focal point for this look, while the ankle strap platforms, yellow quilted iPad case, and retro sunglasses add the perfect about of individuality and quirk.
Nothing says “Summer” to me quite like a printed, flowing maxi dress. This color and silhouette couldn’t look better on her, which is the key when finding the right dress. I also like that she chose neutral hued, low-key accessories rather than picking up one of the brighter colors in the dress.
This is such a relax, French look. From the vintage bicycle to the printed pants to the chic blouse with a Peter Pan collar, this is a completely unique photo. Makes me want to rent bikes and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge for a picnic in the Marin Headlands! 🙂
Summer style is really an art. With hot weather making you want to wear nothing but shorts & tanks, coming up with a stylish outfit can be a challenge. White cropped pants are a great alternative to shorts and these bright, sunny extras are the perfect way to keep things interesting.
This is a great look from head-to-toe. Slim cropped pants, a sheer ankle length cover up, and a rouched blazer, all paired with a Balenciaga motorcycle bag and a killer silver collar. Model street style at its finest!
{Click on images above to visit the original source}
Do you wear different styles of clothing during the week than you do on the weekends? Is your vacation style more relaxed than your day-to-day personal style?
Looks of the Week
Welcome back to another Summer edition of MCLV’s Looks of the Week. This week’s top looks come from around the globe – From New York City to Spain to Paris to Russia.
And let’s start this out with a fabulous girl of summer!
Girl of the moment Miranda Kerr has done a fabulous job street style wise over the last year or so, putting together killer look after look. Great bags, great shoes, great sunglasses – great looks!
Love this! The colors in this look and the gold accents are fabulous, it’s really chic and well put together. I love the zebra top but it’s really that day clutch that caught my attention, tres chic!
Feeling the Zebra love after seeing this look? Check out this too cute sleeveless zebra tank or swoon-worthy nude clutch like Lovely Pepa’s!
Mixing prints is an art, but it takes a master to mix animal prints – And we all know that models are the mix n’ match masters!
I’m not even sure I can narrow down what I love most about this look… The colors are great, I love the colorblocking, those heels are killer, and that gold rope necklace is phenomenal.
The first thing I thought after seeing this look was, I need a skirt just like that one!
This is a fabulous shade of blue and I love the top, but it was the chunky chain link necklace with crosses, pearls, beads, and chains that first caught my attention. J’Adore!
Need. That. Necklace.
Color color color! Leave it a chic Italian to find the best ways to pump up the drama for in a Summertime look with brights and colorblocking.
I think that a fun patchwork dress is a must have for Summer!
I know that I featured a similar floral wrap skirt two weeks ago on Miss Ashley Madekwe, but it’s such a perfect, low-key, but stylish Summer staple, I just couldn’t help myself when I saw this one!
Whether you prefer mini or maxi, a tropical print skirt is a great addition to any Summer wardrobe.
This is a great look overall, but I have to confess that what I love most are the details and individual pieces. That ornate antique gold collar is phenomenal, the open-backed sweater is a great twist on a traditional top, and I love anyone who can rock sequins during the day – that clutch is killer!
Why not take a tip from this shot and find yourself a fun, unique top that can be paired with all your fun Summer prints and patterns?
So. Cute. I adore the pussybow polka dot blouse and while the shorts keep it casual, the heels are beyond fabulous.
My first instinct after seeing this fabulous look was to snag myself a similar blouse, you can’t have enough polka dots in your closet, trust me!
Such a great, casual but ultra fashionable look for sightseeing. That hat is fabulous all on its own, but I really do like the oversized sweater paired with that phenomenal necklace.
This collar necklace is killer and really helps make this look come together!
This is perfection, from top to bottom – As always from Miss Wendy. The top is chic and minimalist, while the pants add texture and print, and those accessories? Swoon!
I love the fun, retro vibe of this look. The tassel loafers and pleated floral skirt are a perfect combination and the oversized tan messenger bag is a great, vintage finishing touch.
Why not add a pair of cute loafers to your flats collection?
{Click on images above to visit the original source}
What’s your favorite look of the above? Is there a specific trend, or two, that you haven’t been able to stop wearing all Summer long?
Accessories of the Week
Let’s spice things up today and rather than our usual Looks of the Week post, let’s try out something a little different. Here are some gorgeous shots of jewelry, bags, hats, shoes, and other glorious accessories to lust after.
Rock n’ roll goddess! This is such a ‘reach out & touch it’ texture fest – The crocheted top, the studded leather collar, and that phenomenal silver & gold necklace.
This safety-pin bag is pretty much the cutest thing I’ve seen lately. It’s an adorable piece to add to a basic black & white outfit like The Glamourai so expertly did.
Wow. She’s taking the splash of color trend to a whole new level – Can you imagine anything more mouth-watering than that gorgeous cherry red Celine bag? Want!
How adorable are there H&M earrings from Style Scrapbook? They’d be great at night or even during the day!
Alexander Wang. Nuff said!
A great pair of flats are a must have. What’s your perfect pair? I love ones like this DVF pair that have a little something special to make them unique.
I love classic and I love feminine, but I also love dramatic and avant garde. How fabulous is this ring?
This cuff is to DIE for. Leave it to Hermes!
Colorful. Fun. Irreverent. All words I like to use to describe accessories!
LOVE. Want it all.
These are so cute! A great neutral sandal that you can wear with virtually anything.
Holy high fashion Batman! Not only do I adore her black & gold jewelry, I’ve been dreaming of this Givenchy handbag for MONTHS. This is actually the gift that I’m planning to get myself for the big 3-0! 🙂
Doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, everyone loves arm candy!
A nude heel doesn’t have to be boring. Finding a great pair of pumps with interesting and one-of-a-kind detailing is the way to go!
Tres chic! Not sure about mixing gold & silver jewelry? Wendy makes it work.
Just stunning. I absolutely adore David Yurman, and the campaigns, and these are three fabulous examples of his chic, fun, timeless jewelry.
Audrey from Be Frassy always has killer accessories and these are no exception. I adore the classic black mixed with chic punk-inspired spikes.
If you’re not sure what basics you should have check out FabSugar’s Jewelry Every Woman Should Own – The 10 Pieces of Jewelry You’ll Need in Life and MCLV’s Real Women Need Real Closets & Real Women Need Real Closets – Accessories Edition.
Click on images above to visit the original source.
How fabulous are these pieces? I want them ALL. What are your favorite accessories above?
MCLV Style: Workin’ That Tee
Last year I published a post called What NOT To Wear To Work where I discussed, among other things, whether or not a T-shirt could be considered appropriate office attire. Ultimately my conclusion was that while casual graphic and burn-out tees were out of the question unless you work in fashion-forward industries like fashion, music, or film, there were appropriate possibilities out there if you looked hard enough and styled them properly.
To make this type of look work you just need to keep the pieces clean and simple, and go for a thick, well-made shirt in an appropriate cut, color, and silhouette for the occasion.
In this case I went with a royal purple Zara Basics t-shirt with cap-sleeves paired with a basic black pencil skirt, round-toed pumps, and a vintage-inspired gold belt.
Tee – Zara Basics, Pencil Skirt – Zara, Pumps – Franco Sarto, Bracelets – JewelMint, Vintage, & Forever 21, Rings – Vintage, Multi-Strand Gold Necklace – Express, and Retro Gold Belt – BCBG
You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Style Finder, or click the hyperlinks above for some comparable pieces that you can buy.
And believe me, I’m not the only one who enjoys a good tee. Mixing high and low, like adding a basic shirt into a work or night out look, is an art form practiced by many.
A loosely fitted highlighter colored t-shirt can keep a slouchy black suit from being boring or too business-like.
Old-school denim overalls are perfect for a hot summer day and a little white tee is the perfect finishing touch.
If you’re going to work a layering look nothing beats a basic t-shirt. It’s the perfect building block!
You can even roll up the sleeves of your basic t-shirt to give it a more unique and one-of-a-kind feeling.
What better than a basic white tee to pair with denim cut-offs and a vintage style leopard print coat for a walk on the streets of New York City.
Even high-end designers like Oscar de la Renta can’t help but enjoy a good striped tee.
Are you creative when it comes to building new and fun looks using your favorite tees? What do you think about wearing a T-shirt to work – ya or nay?
Rain Rain Go Away…
Depending on where you are, you may also be suffering from Spring-itis like I am. This is a condition caused by falling in love with brights, little white dresses, and fun patterns for Spring but being unable to wear them because it WONT STOP RAINING.
I love San Francisco but right now I’m ready for Spring and this city is standing squarely in my way.
So what are the fashion-obsessed to do? Put together some chic but warm and comfy outfits to brave the elements in while we dream about sundresses and shorts of course.
Keeping Covered:
Keeping your head – and belongings – dry in a rainstorm is always priority number one, regardless of whether you’re a fan of hoods and hats or giant, sidewalk-blocking umbrellas.
Hoods up in New York! No reason to let the bad weather get you down, keep things light in pale colors.
Not in the mood for gloomy, dark layers? Try lighter mixing neutrals as you pile on layers to stay warm. Even better? Add a hat!
This model makes a beanie look oh-so-chic. It's all about proportions, her sleek army-green anorak is the perfect choice, while a giant puffy coat would have given the look an overall disheveled feeling.
And if you're just dashing from one place to another, don't worry about matching, just grab a cute hooded coat and throw it on. You don't have to have your outfit 100% coordinated with your outerwear.
I love the retro feel of this type of hat - fun but structured.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for keeping yourself dry. You don’t need to keep your look completely in line from head-to-toe, have some fun with it and mix things up. Dead set on wearing a LBD to cocktails Saturday night? Do it! Grab a chic little cropped jacket and a brightly colored umbrella and show everyone how its done!
Layers are key:
A single layer is never enough when there’s wind blowing, fog so thick you can’t see outside your window, or rain pounding on your head. Wrapping yourself in layers is the best way to stay warm while you’re outside but not die from the heat once you step inside – It gives you the convenience of being able to adjust to various temperatures, a much more pleasant way to spend your day!
Still determined to wear a dress despite the weather? (Ya, me too) Just add on! Tights, blazer, pashmina... Keep going till you're warm!
If you're in a colder climate you may even need to add more layers to stay warm - Take a cue from this gentleman, decked out in head-to-toe Rick Owens. He's ready for anything!
Tights and vests are both small, convenient ways to add a little something between you and the weather. They wont add bulk or give you tons to carry if you take them off, great for one of those days when you're not 100% sure how the weather will turn out.
If you're layering in warmer temperatures you can still wear gorgeous outerwear, you just get to have more fun with what you're layering it over! Take 9 to 5 Chic as an example and pair cute sandals and shorts with a beautiful cape.
A cute oversized coat and a scarf are a great way to finish off a look. You don't have to worry about matching them to your outfit because they're not visible when you're running around outside. Basically you get to pick two outfits! 🙂
There are an unlimited number of ways to layer an outfit and this is a great way to express yourself and tap into your creative impulses. You can add a chic coat, cape, blazer, slicker, or poncho, wear fun tights, scarves & pashminas, gloves, wear a shirt under a dress, pair a sweater with a dress… The choices go on and on.
Boots Boots Boots:
My regulars have probably picked up on this already, but for you MCLV newbies I might as well just confess now – I love me some boots. I talked about the importance of having a couple of pairs of good boots in your closet in my Real Girls Need Real Closets post, recommended some gorgeous Coachella-appropriate boots in my Hippie 2012 Breakdown, I snapped shots of myself in over-the-knee boots in yesterday’s A Week In MCLV Fashion, and even suggested all different types for traveling in my Reader Request: The Chilly Tourist.
Needless to say, being able to stomp around in boots is one of the only redeeming side affects of the rain right now…
If you have lots of walking planned for you day and want to wear flat boots, there are still tons of options. High, low, classic, punky... Can you ever really go wrong with rock n' roll motorcycle boots?
If you want to keep your boots short but give them a bit of a heel (so that you can - say - keep your pants hem out of puddles) this is a great option. Fun and cute, but totally functional.
What I love about this look is her utter nonchalance. Rain or shine, she knows she looks chic as hell and she's ready for anything. Well done!
A pair of riding boots like Gwen's are a great option, they're chic, keep your lower leg warm and dry, and go with almost anything - skirts, dresses, pants... Very versatile!
These Zara boots are really cute, they have a zipper on the inside but faux laces up the front are adorable. The neutral color makes them work really well with Spring and Summer looks, as much as with colder-weather outfits.
A great pair of boots can absolutely make an outfit and during these rainy, miserable days, looking like a million bucks can really improve your outlook! 🙂
If you’re still in the mood for more check out Modelinia’s Splash into April in Style or Refinery 29’s Chic Rain Gear For Chicago’s April Showers.
What’s your stay warm style during this rainy Spring weather?
10 Day Style Challenge – Part III
This is the third installment of the 10 Day Challenge: Winter Edition hosted by the lovely Kayla of Freckles in April. This is such a great idea because it really forces you to get out of your comfort zone, give up your go-to outfits, and try something truly new. I urge you to give it a try if you’re interested in spicing up your fashion routine – Join us!
Would you like to see what you’ve missed from this challenge so far? Check out Part I and Part II.
Day 5: Pattern Mixing
Our other repeat from the last challenge. I chose this one specifically because it was difficult for people. BUT the thing I read most from that day was, “This was hard but I love my outfit!” And that is what I am going for here. So tomorrow I want you to mix up some patterns and love it.
I’m not going to lie. When I read this prompt I freaked out a little. I’m a solids girl. Yes, I have patterned pieces and I mix them in on occasion, but mixing all patterns? Ek! Luckily I found some amazing inspiration.
AND OnTheRacks had impeccable timing and published a post filled with gorgeous photographs from an editorial that was just bursting with patterns and prints and gave me even more inspiration.
Dress - Vintage, Shirt - Zara, Booties & Belt - BCBG, Clutch - Forever 21, Jewelry - Vintage & Tiffany's and Christian Dior Sunglasses
Day 6: Decade or Region
I’m sure we all have a decade that speaks our sartorial language and over the past few years we’ve seen a huge interest in vintage fashion. Victory rolls, wide legged jeans, neon…all places we’ve bravely gone before but don’t mind revisiting. My inspiration pictures start in the 20s but you can go as far back as you want for inspiration (know how to update a fig leaf? I would love to see that).
You guys know how much I love 60’s fashion and channeling the likes of Twiggy but I wanted to do something a little bit different for this prompt. With Mad Men being all the rage last year and Banana Republic even launching a capsule collection based on the show’s fashion, I thought I might give the late 50’s a go.
I adored both the Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Ready-To-Wear collection and Michael Kors’s 2008 Ready-To-Wear show (in fact, I inherited a khaki Escada suit from my mother that I want to have tailored in the style of the latter) so I used them as my inspiration for today’s look.
Skirt, Blouse, Bag & Jacket - Zara, Faux Fur Scarf - BCBGeneration, Sunglasses - Christian Dior, Kitten Heels (sorry Hayley) - Steve Madden, Jewelry - Vintage and Gloves - H
Moi Contre La Vie 