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:
MCLV Style: Vacation Maxi
Did you enjoy the first post from the new Styling 101 series that I posted on Tuesday? It was a lot of fun to style and photograph so I hope it got you in the mood for some yacht-chic gear for America’s Cup!
With this week – and Summer – on the verge of being over I thought today would be a good day for some sun worshipping fashion. So welcome to another MCLV Style post where we will be discussing vacations. Primarily because I refuse to let go of Summer.
{Peacock Print Maxi Dress – Victoria’s Secret, Gold Sandals – Forever 21, Sunglasses – Vintage, Clutch – BCBGeneration, Gold Leaf Necklace – Vintage, Bangles – Vintage, H&M & Zara}
{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Fashion Finder, or click the hyperlinks above to shop comparable pieces and visit store websites}
Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view
I wish that these shots had been taken on a tropical island somewhere with waves crashing nearby and umbrella drinks chilling just out of reach instead of in my “backyard.” I use sarcastic quote marks because I live in San Francisco. Land of small kitchens and no grass. Le sigh. Clearly someone is in desperate need of a vacation, and luckily for this someone, I’m heading to New York City this weekend for the much anticipated IFBCON.
What do you like to wear when you’re on vacation? Obviously it depends on the destination, but nothing says tropical vacation to me more than a maxi, what about you?
Jewelry Essentials – Pieces Every Woman Should Own
In my Real Girls Need Real Closets and Real Girls Need Real Closets – Accessories Edition I discussed the pieces that are worth putting money into in order to build a complete wardrobe. Today I’d like to focus on what jewelry should make it into your collection in this guest post for Sasha Maks Vintage.
Over the years you’ll invest in new accessories, update your collection, and pick up great pieces on your travels, of both the new and vintage variety. Truth be told, putting together the perfect jewelry collection isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s a long process and while your personal style may evolve over time, the basics of what you should acquire will remain relatively static. With that in mind, here are some tips and suggestions to keep in mind while you’re shopping!
Statement Necklace:
Having a dramatic and eye-catching piece at your neck is a Must. Something that’s versatile and can work as the central focus for your look at a number of events – From casual to dressy to office appropriate.
{Monet Enamel Fan Necklace 1970s – $225}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Nonoo – Letticia Floral Shorts, Jaeger Sleeveless Silk Blouse, Suuna Black Arabella Ladies Sunglasses & COGGLES EXCLUSIVE Lorelei Black & Blue Shoes}
Summer Casual – Inspiration for this look: Olivia Palermo’s fabulous floral shorts look from Verona, Italy photographed in July of 2012. A statement necklace can be the focal point of a basic or monochromatic look, or just another fabulous piece in a fun, vibrant outfit like this one.
Cuff Bracelet:
A cuff or wide bracelet allows you to throw on a single piece of jewelry and call it a day. This acts as an understated but dramatic piece that can complete a look without a lot of effort.
{Silver-tone Wide Ridged Cuff 1970s – $135}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Fluoro Stripe Double Breasted Knit Coat by M Missoni, Black Peep Toe Booties, Diva clutch plain black leather from Boticca, Suuna Black Arabella Ladies Sunglasses, Mixed Chain Collar Necklace & ‘Betty’ thin leather dress}
Punk Princess – Inspiration for this look: Punk and edgy are two ways to go with a thick silver bracelet, so take inspiration from Brooklyn Blonde and try something new & exciting by pairing unexpected pieces. Unique styling, like these peep-toe booties and the sleeveless trench, make a look fresh and unique and 100% you.
Evening Earrings:
Whether you’re wearing a simple suit and attending a work function or a fun Little Black Dress for a cocktail party, you need a pair of killer earrings to punctuate your look.
{Trifari Beaded Ball Drop Earrings 1960s – $165}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Leiby Wide Leg Jumpsuit With Belt, Fatale Natural Shoes, ASOS HARLOT Stiletto Leather Sandals, Lipsy Playsuit With Scallop Edge Hem & Blue, Jade, Noir & Sand Jersey & Silk Jumpsuit}
Retro Luxe – Inspiration for this look: The beautiful & fashionable Liz Cherkasova from Late Afternoon’s fun Summertime look. Depending on the size, style, and color, dangling earrings can easily go from day to-night, the key is to pick the right outfit to complement them.
Cocktail Ring:
A one-of-a-kind cocktail ring is an absolute must have. You need a piece that is fun and flashy, that makes you feel glamorous and acts as a great conversation starter.
{Rhinestone Cocktail-Party Ring 1960s – $95}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Emerald Sarong Knot Cocktail Dress by Halston Heritage & ASOS HYLA Strappy Heeled Sandals}
Cocktail Fabulous – Inspiration for this look: Katie Holmes’s September 2012 cover for C Magazine, photographed by Matt Jones. A fun ring is very versatile, it’ll work equally well for girls night out, after work drinks, or a cocktail party.
Personality Piece(s):
Whatever your style, whatever your taste, you should have a stand out piece of jewelry in your collection that is 100% YOU. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be s a fabulous pair of drop earrings, or a handful of stunning bracelets for stacking, or a simple pearl necklace that you inherited from your mother.
{Left: Christian Dior Faux Coral Demi-Parure 1970s – $1250, Top Right: Snake Bangle 1970s – $135 & Bottom Right: Faux Jade Cocktail Ring 1960s – $135}
Me? I’m obsessed with classic gold vintage pieces and animal jewelry like the pieces above. They suit my classic style and act as great finishing touches for my outfits.
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Left Outfit: Cream Asymmetrical Tie Blouse by DKNY, Black Leather Exposed Zip Skirt by McQ Alexander McQueen & Reiss Lotta BUCKLE SHOE BOOTS, and Right Outfit: White Poppy Blouse by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Black Full Flippy Skirt by Halston Heritage & Red Bow Front Patent Pointed Court by Moschino Cheap & Chic}
Black & White Stunner – Inspiration for the look: Donna Karan Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear & Temperley London Pre-Fall 2012. Perfect for a work party or a formal evening, the cut, silhouette, and lengths can be adjusted to suit the appropriateness of a given outing.
All jewelry from Sasha Maks Vintage – Original post on the Sasha Maks Vintage Blog
Summary Saturday
For this Summary Saturday I want to share some of my Instagrams from the past week or two with you all. Everything from jewelry and clothes to snacks and vegan recipes – Enjoy!
- Instagram – You can follow me on Instagram @moicontrelavie
- Twitter – You can follow me on Twitter @moicontrelavie
- Pinterest – You can follow my Pinterest boards here
- Facebook– You can LIKE my Facebook page here
- Lookbook – You can see my Lookbook looks here, you can FAN me to get an email update when I post a new look, or you can HYPE my looks if you like them!
Have a great weekend!
Looks of the Week
Raise your hand if you hate the Monday after a short week… Me! Me! {Picture me jumping up & down} Well, there’s nothing like some fabulous Summer fashion to help you cope with a rough day. So here’s a little something to help you take the edge off.
Yes, this is a sundress, but it’s so much more. The darker, moodier florals and the blue platforms take it from basic to fabulous. Well done.
Such a sweet, retro-inspired Summer look. Love the lacy white top & shorts, but the white sunglasses & bow-topped headband stole the show in my opinion.
Can you picture a cuter travel outfit? Chic and put together, but not overly fussy. Love the black & white, killer bag & accessories, and that hat is adorable!
Killer!
So cute! Chic and perfect for summer. Wouldn’t change a thing!
This dress reminds me of the Kate Moss for Mango tuxedo dress that I bought earlier this year.
Fabulous. Head to toe fabulous. Love the colors and the cut & silhouettes of the separates.
These boots are fabulous but I especially love them paired with this patterned sweated and scarf. Great layering.
While I’m definitely a sucker for a Peter Pan collar, I have to admit that the overall sweet retro feel to this look is what really got my attention. Those shorts are too cute!
Check out some fabulous Do It Yourself projects here for a too cute Leather Peter Pan Collar Necklace DIY that you can easily do if you’re feeling crafty this weekend.
This look has a little edge, and after all of the maxi dresses, sundresses, and pleated skirts I’ve been seeing all Summer, this type of look is really appealing. Killer accessories!
This is just the type of look that I like to throw together during the day on weekends, casual but a chic combination of great pieces – love the coat – and accessories. J’adore those shoes!
How was everyone’s weekend? Did you relax after a hectic 4th of July week or continue the celebrating and make it a long holiday weekend?
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?
The Little Black Dress
“You can never be over – or underdressed in a Little Black Dress.” – Karl Lagerfeld
As far as I’m concerned, truer words have never been spoken. When Coco Chanel invented the Little Black Dress (aka LBD) in the 1920’s she had no idea what she was opening the fashion world up to. And with that brilliant idea the color of mourning was transformed into the chicest color of them all and the cocktail dress became the epitome of style and elegance.
In the years since its origination the LBD has come in many guises – formal, informal, short, midi, strapless, long sleeves, cotton, velvet, silk, lace, satin…
Evening-Appropriate:
The original LBD was intended for an evening out on the town and that tradition definitely lives on in this day in age.
Short, sassy, chic.
Perfection! It's fun and sexy and one-of-a-kind. What more could you ask for in a cocktail dress?
Kristin's look is everything you want from a LBD - Fun and eye-catching. The fabric makes it unusual and catches your attention when she walks by and her accessories perfectly add that needed zing to the look. Also, the tights make it warm enough to wear year-around.
This is the perfect example of showing some skin in a LBD but keeping the look chic rather than tacky. She looks sexy as hell, but classy and tasteful.
And of course, we’ve got to discuss the 2012 red carpet It Girl who wore LBDs almost exclusively for her Girl With The Dragon Tattoo appearances and premieres…
If you want to up the drama for evening try cut outs, lace, or panels of sheer fabric. They give the illusion of showing more skin than you really are and give a dress a unique and one-of-a-kind feel. I love that despite the modernity of this Prabal Gurung dress, she still looks like Audrey Hepburn!
The quickest & easiest way to make a dress evening-ready is to add jewelry and killer heels! Just keep them in your day bag and pull then out when cocktail hour arrives.
Work-Appropriate:
Wearing a LBD for work is all about length and appropriateness. You’ll want to stick with a drama-free dress, something sleek and approaching knee-length would be ideal.
A slinky sheath dress is the ultimate LBD for the office. The clean lines and chic silhouette are perfect for work and depending on the neckline and sleeves all you may need is a blazer to be meeting-ready.
Obviously Cara's boots aren't the perfect office shoes, but this is a really cute dress that could easily fit into a business-casual office with the addition of tights and a pair of basic pumps in either black or a fun color.
A wrap or criss-cross front dress is a great option for the office. Depending on the formality of your dress code you may need to add a blazer, cardigan, or closed-toe shoes to this beautiful Bottega Veneta dress.
A LBD with sleeves is an easy choice if you're heading into work, virtually any hemline below mini skirt level will balance out with sleeves. And a dramatic shoulder like this gorgeous velvet Nina Ricci dress will make it stand out all the more!
And the best part of wearing a LBD to work? Take off your blazer or tights and switch up your shoes and you’re ready for a night out on the town!
Day-Appropriate:
Wearing a LBD during the day is a breeze, it’s all about picking one that suits your plans since they come in all shapes, sizes, and styles these days. Brunch, sight-seeing in a new city, traveling – You can easily add a little class to these activities with the perfect frock, dressed up or down.
You'll stand out in a crowd in a dress like this one! This type of dress could easily go from day to-night and she did a great job of keeping things casual by adding low-key accessories. Great platform t-straps and I like her decision to add the faux fur and leather jacket to stay warm. And that purse! 🙂
You can easily add a boho feel to your LBD with a cardigan or duster and layers and layers of funky jewelry. These boots are a great, unexpected way to finish this look off.
Adding brightly colored or patterned tights to a LBD is a great way to spice it up and make your look wholly original. I love love love the little white Peter Pan Collar on this Asos dress, it's definitely something I would wear with ballet flats!
Such a cute dress! The oversized pockets show you how little details can set a LBD apart from other dresses. And those shoes! Too cute - A fun, interesting alternative to ballet flats.
In my Real Girls Need Real Closets post I discussed the basics that a well-rounded wardrobe should contain – including the LBD. Similarly you can check out My Ten Essential Closet Pieces from Wendy’s Lookbook.
So what do you think? Are you ready to try adding a Little Black Dress to another part of your life?
Have a great weekend, I’ll be back from sunny Sea Ranch on Sunday with some great vacation clothes shots! If you’re interested in real-time updates, photos, and reading links that I’m loving, follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
Looks of the Week
Let’s go ahead and get this week off to a good start with some inspirational photos of cute clothes, great outfits, and stellar accessorizing. Motivation, if you will, for a week full of new and exciting looks for the rest of us.
Layering at its finest. The grey tuxedo blazer over the dark hued tunic was an inspired choice, not to mention the boots and bag are absolutely stunning!
A basic H&M shift is anything but basic when Sincerely Jules gets ahold of it. She spices the look up with army green ankle boots, stacked chunky bracelets and a coral Banana Republic cross-body bag. Well done!
How do you like the “ombre” hair? It’s becoming quite the trend these days and Sincerely Jules (brunette) and Late Afternoon (blonde) are two of my favorite examples of how best to pull this look off while sticking to the colors & styles that suit you best.
Despite being relatively simplistic this look comes across as chic and very well put together. How does she do it? She pairs great basics together and puts the emphasis on gorgeous accessories.
Oh course I love the polka dot pants here, but what really drew my eye was the sheer blouse/statement necklace/blazer combo. It's a really fun, interesting way to mix those pieces.
Getting deja vu? Poppy Delevingne wore these same Topshop polka dot trousers during London Fashion Week last month. Who do you think put together a better look using these adorable pants?
Such a gorgeous, well styled look. I love the red and black combo and the brightly colored pleated skirt. Dramatic but still Springy.
A printed dress can be incredibly cute & fun if it's done right. This Eiffel Tower mini is perfection when paired with a royal blue velvet blazer, grey booties & a hat. I love the visible grey socks!
I like the printed, ladylike blouse paired with the slightly flared school-girl skirt. It's youthful and a little bit flirty, but modest.
Modelinia has caught on that Miss Miranda Kerr’s street style is something we all want to emulate – Shop 7 of Miranda Kerr’s Effortless Street Style Looks!
Could Coco look any more amazing? She's got the 70's look nailed with her printed silk dress, over-the-knee boots, and black fedora. I absolutely love her coat - the faux fur collar & double-breasted buttons are too cute.
I love the simplicity of this look. Layering black is something that I do frequently so its nice to see an example of it done well. The shirt tucked in is a great final touch.
Which look was your favorite?
Yes, the following are not outfits, but I just HAD to share these mouth-watering photos with you all. If these don’t improve your Monday, nothing can.
J’Adore!!!
10 Day Style Challenge
In an effort to shake things up style-wise I decided to participate in Freckles in April‘s 10 Day Challenge, which started on Monday, January 23. I don’t know about you, but I have favorite pieces in my closet and tried-and-true looks that I throw together on a regular basis. Perhaps too frequently… While it’s great to have some go-to looks to save you time in the mornings, sometimes that can mean a style rut or even – gasp – forgetting about great pieces that are smashed in the back of your closet.
The 10 Day Challenge: Winter Edition consisted of Miss Kayla providing a daily prompt for inspiration and the participants using said prompts to choose their look for the following day. Since the majority of my day is spent in the office and I don’t always change before running errands or going out after work, I wanted to include some work looks as well as more casual attire over the course of the 10 days. I’m going to share the looks with you two at a time so that I don’t overwhelm you with pictures of me for the next two weeks.
You’re welcome!
My friend Liz was kind enough to act as photographer over the course of the 10 day period and she’s doing a great job despite my complete and utter hatred of having my picture taken. Hopefully this challenge will be the beginning of me sharing more of my daily fashion looks!
Day 1 : Layer It
I’m starting you off easy! But the biggest perk of doing a winter challenge is that we can wear layers. Layers add depth and complexity to an outfit as well as warmth. It’s a great way to work in pattern or texture and there are a million different ways you can go about it.
What I love about layering is that it gives you a chance to give an outfit depth. As amazing as a fabulous dress or a great suit can look, layers allow you more creativity and a chance to make a look wholly your own.
I wanted my layers look to be colorful and fun so that it got me out of my all black phase, warm enough to survive the day and professional looking so that it would be appropriate for a Monday at the office.
Dress: BCBG, Coat: Zara, Purse: Zara, Gloves: H&M, Tights: Kate Spade, Pumps: Very Volatile, Pashmina: from market in Manila & Sunglasses: Christian Dior
Day 2 : Monochrome
There is just something about a monochromatic outfit that feels so wonderfully organized and clean to me. Last time I went safe with blue..we’ll see if I can be a little bolder this time!
I agree with Kayla’s comment above, the first word that I would use to describe most monochromatic looks would be “clean.” And who better to take as my inspiration than the King of Clean himself – Michael Kors?
I’m not going to lie, it took ever fiber of self-control that I have not to wear all black for my monochromatic look. Its safe. Its slimming. Oh, and I have any entire closet full of it… But, it’s also my go-to and the point of this little exercise is to mix things up.
Dress: Banana, Purse: BCBG, Jewelry - Vintage, JewelMint & Tiffany's, Booties: BCBG & Coat: H&M
I was surprised by how well the various shades of grey worked together – the tights and booties ended up complimenting the dress even better than I’d hoped. No, I’ll never be Zoe, but I can emulate her style! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?
Stay tuned for the next eight looks of the challenge, including some separates and street clothes…
Fashion Inspiration
Fashion isn’t just about what you wear, what goes on your body. It’s truly an expression of yourself that extends far beyond your clothes.
“Fashion is everything. Art, music, furniture design, graphic design, hair, makeup, architecture, the way cars look – all those things go together to make a moment in time.” – Tom Ford
And just as fashion isn’t limited to the cloth that we wrap ourselves in, inspiration can also be found in many forms.
I began clipping pictures from magazines as a pre-adolescent, not so much fashion photos, just pictures that caught my eye, things that I found eye-catching or memorable or mesmerizing.
As I became interested in fashion however, my clipping habits became more focused. And while I don’t confine myself to photographs of clothing and accessories, I’ve found that my love of fashion gives this activity more direction and purpose. I’ve found that even without context, pictures can serve a creative function.
They excite. They encourage. They inspire.
The beauty and artistry captured by a photographer can be moving, regardless of the medium. Advertisements, promotional materials, editorials, art, home decor…
I’ve found that by keeping these images available to myself I can stay out of a fashion rut. They provide new ideas and inspiration, get my creative juices flowing, and motivate me to grow and evolved. I highly recommend creating and maintaining a Look Book, a collection of images that make you smile, that invigorate you, that make you push your boundaries.
Whether it’s a physical book filled with clippings like mine are, or Boards on Pinterest, this is a great creative and inspirational outlet. Keeping pictures of looks that you like, styles that call to you, photos that take your breath away, can all be great tools to keep your approach to fashion fresh and interesting.
What’s your favorite way to get inspired?
Moi Contre La Vie 