MCLV Style: Casual Fashion
Stripes are the perfect Spring and Summer daytime look – They go with everything and are easy to spice up to make a nighttime look. Here I paired a basic striped top with cuffed, slim-fitting jeans, and animal print accessories to make it a bit more interesting.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Jeans – J Brand, Top – H&M, Bag – Zara, Necklace – Asos & Heels – ShoeMint}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
Despite normally being a dress girl I’ve been living in these jeans on weekends lately – So comfortable and so flattering. They look great with heels as well as flats, and I really like the dark wash which hasn’t faded at all.
What’s your favorite brand of jeans? Why are they your favorite?
MCLV Style: Ballerina
While I’m not a huge proponent of mid-week nighttime outings, every once in a while an event comes up that begs for a later-than-normal curfew and is easily worth the groggy next day at work.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Gown – Badgley Mischka via Rent The Runway, Spike Embellished Heels – The Limited, Jewelry – Sasha Maks Vintage & Clutch – Diane Von Furstenburg}
{You can view this outfit on Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
The San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala was one such event. I adore the ballet AND dressing up – So it promised to be an amazing evening. Add gold sequins and stunning vintage jewelry and believe me when I say that you’re got yourself a night to remember!
Do you like to get dressed up? Does a formal evening sound like fun to you or does even the mention of a gown stress you out?
What’s Your Fashion Statement?
One of my favorite fashion & fashion blogging-related communities to be a part of is The Girls Inspired Group – It’s supportive, fun, and brings you in contact with so many talented bloggers and their fabulous sites. There seriously aren’t enough hours in the day for me to check out as many lovely blogs as I’d like to!
In addition to introducing all of us blogger to one another, the group is also inspiring us with fun spotlight topics for us to write posts about. This week’s topic is a great one so I felt like I needed to participate – GIG Spotlight #2 Fashion Tag: What’s Your Fashion Statement?
So here goes… I would describe my personal style as classic with a twist – I love basic black & chic, timeless pieces – But with a fun, eye-catching twist like the addition of statement jewelry or an on-trend accessory.
{Examples of my ever-evolving style – Caped Crusader, Lady of the Night & Striped Leopard}
My closets are filled to the brim with basics like perfect Little Black Dresses, trench coats, quality striped & polka-dotted pieces, chic blouses, classic pumps, great fitting jeans, season-less bags…
{See Real Girls Need Real Closets, Real Girls Need Real Closets – Accessories Edition, and Closet Organization for suggestions & recommendations for what basics you can try out!}
But I also do a seasonal refresher every few months in order to add new accessories, pieces in fun, on-trend colors & prints, and maybe collect a new bag. Or two. 🙂 This process definitely involves a trip to Zara & some online shopping at my favorite go-to stores.
{Some recent acquisitions that have made their way into my closet via the Paragon Outlets in Livermore, Zara, Forever 21, BCBG, Neiman Marcus & Bloomingdale’s}
So tell me, what’s YOUR fashion statement?
Join me and follow my daily life, and the fun I have cooking, shopping, styling for events, and enjoying San Francisco on these platforms:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moicontrelavie
- Twitter: @moicontrelavie
- Instagram: @moicontrelavie
- Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mclv/
MCLV Style: Striped Leopard
Mixing and matching patterned pieces can be such a creative exercise – Deciding what pieces go together, which prints would look good with which patterns, and putting the finishing touches on a look without going too over-the-top.
That’s my idea of a good time! 🙂
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Striped Midi Skirt – Aqua via Bloomingdale’s, Faux Fur & Leather Jacket – Ellen Tracy via Saks, Leopard Print Peep-Toe Booties – BCBGMaxAzria, Crocodile Tote – Furla, Bracelet – H&M, and Rings – Tiffany’s & JewelMint}
{You can view this outfit on Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
These peep-toe leopard print booties are a new acquisition. I was thrilled to discover that the Paragon Outlets in Livermore are not only close enough for a day-trip, they also feature outlets for Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys NY.
It’s heaven in other words, so stay tuned for more of my fabulous finds from this great girls trip to Paragon!
What are you favorite prints or patterns to mix?
MCLV Style: Embellish Me
Fun accessories and embellished pieces are a great way to take a basic look to a new level. So next time you’re putting together a nighttime look be creative and layer on the extras!
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Pleated Leather Skirt – The Limited, Embellished Top – Zara, Oxblood Knit Tights – DKNY via Bloomingdales, Spike Embellished Heels – The Limited, Black Patent Clutch – MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom, Ring – BCBG Max Azria & Bracelet – Forever 21}
{You can view this outfit on Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
This outfit could have just been black skirt + black top but with the addition of brightly colored tights, an embellished collar, fun jewelry, and spiked heels it’s a more one-of-a-kind look. But I did discover that the downside of this too-cute pleated faux leather skirt from The Limited is that it wrinkles sooooo easily. And quickly. Thus the absence of straight-on shots!
What’s your favorite fun extra this Winter or the piece you’re most excited to try out?
Closet Organization
Is there a more intimidating or thankless project than cleaning out your closet? I have to confess that I usually have it on my To Do list for weeks before I get up the courage and fortitude to tackle the project. Don’t get me wrong, I adore a well-organized closet and am somewhat OCD about keeping it clean day-to-day {bf chuckles}, but a full-on cleaning can be intimidating.
I’ve found that approaching the project with a three-fold plan of attack is what works for me. That and spending days hours on Pinterest drooling over beautifully organized closets to get me in the mood… ❤
- Love It or Leave It – First you need to go through every single piece in your closet and decide whether you want to keep it. Tears optional.
- Share The Love – Once I’ve created a pile of pieces that need a new home I set up a Closet Party with some friends and after that any remaining items will be donated to the Goodwill.
- Live The Dream – Finally, when your closet is filled only with the pieces you’ll be holding onto, it’s time to sort, organize, rearrange, and plan for the future.
Need more details? Read on…
Love It or Leave It:
I become somewhat attached to inanimate objects so after years of carrying clothes that still have the tags on them from one apartment to another, I have had to set rules for myself. If I haven’t worn it in the last year – It has to go. End of discussion.
You may have a home with more storage space or larger closets and be able to keep more clothing and accessories, it’ll be dependent on what you have available to you and how much of a “clothes horse” you are. In general, if you can’t remember the last time you wore something, you probably don’t need to hold onto it. If your shoes are falling apart, you can probably let them go. If a piece has needed hemming or tailoring for as long as you can remember and you still haven’t taken it in, you guessed it, you should probably put it in the “out” pile.
Share The Love:
My favorite thing to do once I’ve created a pile of things that I’m not going to keep is to plan a closet party – I invite some friends over for cocktails or champagne and free reign of my closets. It’s been a tradition for a few years now and I love to include new friends, it’s a fun bonding event. And what’s left over after the closet party gets dropped off at the donations center of Goodwill.
Living The Dream:
Now that you know what you’re working with you can figure out how best to approach the cleaning of your closet. I like to tackle the reorganizing process in three steps:
- First I rearrange by type & color {i.e. pants with pants, solids from black to white, then prints}
- The second step is to consider the season and organize your closet so that the clothes & accessories that you’re wearing now are most readily available. This can mean deploying under-bed organizing trays or boxes to be stacked on shelves out of reach in your closet if need be.
- Finally, after all of that work, I like to take stock of what I have and how it’s arranged and implement some changes to make getting dressed run more smoothly – Like adding accessories holders, changing hangers, or separating work clothes from play.
{All photos from MCLV’s Closet Porn… Board on Pinterest}
You can find some other tips and suggestions in Sincerely Jules’s Details or Cupcakes & Cashmere’s Closet Clean-Up or her Operation Organization: Closet Edition.
So tell me, how often do you overhaul your closet(s)? Do you have a specific process whenever you get started on this project?
MCLV Style: Lazy Stripes
Sometimes what a girl needs is layers. And lots of them. This was a look that I threw together for a CrossFit competition a few weeks ago – The keys for that kind of day are :(1) Comfortable, (2) Easy to move in, and (3) Warm! The third ended up being especially important as the venue had a huge open door and it started raining when we first got there!
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Striped Sweater Tunic – H&M, Leggings – Forever 21, Cropped Blazer – Banana Republic, Studded Ankle Boots – C Label via Piperlime, Patent Satchel – Express, Skull Pendant – Asos, and Bracelets – H&M, Asos & JewelMint}
{You can view this outfit on Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
I have a confession to make. This blazer is one of the oldest {non-heirloom} pieces in my closet. My mother bought it for me SEVEN years ago when she took me on a shopping trip to equip me for interviewing and starting my first post-collegiate job. When people say “classic” or “investment piece” this, my friends, is what they’re referring to!
Do you have any classic, it’ll-always-be-in-style pieces in your wardrobe? What’s your favorite investment piece that you’ve bought over the years?
MCLV Style: Pleats & Studs
I had been eyeing this pleated, faux leather, studded skirt for a while – It’s not really my typical style, but I’ve seen a handful of bloggers wearing it and was absolutely in love. So I finally headed to Zara to take the plunge right before my birthday and it was love at first sight!
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Pleated Leather Skirt – Zara, Striped Pocket Tee – Zara, Crossbody Bag – Le Sak, Ankle Booties – Rebecca Minkoff via Shopbop.com & Jewelry – JewelMint, H&M & Asos}
{You can view this outfit on both Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
Once I got this skirt home I had so many ideas running through my head that I couldn’t decide how I wanted to style it. I love both of the looks below – which are quite different style wise – and I wasn’t sure how to make this skirt “me.” I finally settled on pairing it with my favorite suede booties and a basic striped tee which helped dress it down a bit. I’ll definitely be brining it back for another MCLV Style appearance though so stay tuned for a different vibe the next time!
{Inspiration – Late Afternoon & Fashion Vibe}
Do you like Liz from Late Afternoon’s pairing of this skirt with golden booties & bright prints or Zina of Fashion Vibe’s all-black rock n’ roll ensemble best?
Looks of the Week: Pants Edition
This Looks of the Week post is going to be all about PANTS. As you’re stocking up your wardrobe for Fall you’re going to be seeing lots of pants in stores – Every variety you can imagine, from faux leather and brilliantly colored brocades to plaids, stripes, and collegiate tweeds. So before you find yourself standing in front of racks and racks of pants feeling overwhelmed, why not spend some quality time getting inspired by how other fashionable ladies are wearing theirs this season?
Embellished or studded pants are a fun style for weekends. You can go full-on rock n’ roll or you can keep things polished with a trench and classic white button down like in this shot. The look is chic and timeless, but still has an edge.
Holiday sweaters don’t have to be tacky – They can just as easily be the kind of cute pieces that you look forward to wearing all year! This oversized reindeer sweater paired with black leggings and cute flat booties is the perfect look for the holiday season. Festive but oh-so-cute.
If you’re brave enough for a bold animal print than this is the look for you. Take a tip from Lysana, she keeps the look from being over-the-top with minimal chunky gold accessories, a basic black sweater, and cute flat boots.
If you’re thinking about what styles of pants are work-appropriate this shot is a great example of how to make a slim pair of pants fit that bill. Her killer styling keeps the look fun, but still formal enough for a business casual office. The over-the-shoulder bag and similarly colored knee-high boots are the perfect accessories while the chic tweed blazer from H&M tops the look off perfectly.
Plaid shirts aren’t just for trips to the cabin anymore, with seriously cute versions available now you can pair one with virtually any bottoms for a chic, stylish weekend look. This look is spiced up all the more with lacy Dolce & Gabbana ankle boots and a killer Proenza Schouler handbag.
They may say “No White After Labor Day” but this amazing white-pants look will change your mind in a heartbeat. The mixture of prints, colors, and textures makes this look fun and interesting – Chambray polka dot blouse, leopard print heels, a red knit sweater, and white denim all come together to make the perfect look.
{Click on the images above to be taken to the original source}
Are you inspired to try a new pair of pants now that you’ve gotten a chance to check out these fun looks? What is the first style, fabric, or silhouette pant that you’d like to try for Fall 2012?
Links You’ll Love
Health & Fitness:
Packing lunch during the week is a great option to save money and make sure that you’re getting a healthy, nutritious meal mid-day to keep you going. I like to do some work in the kitchen during the weekends to prepare for the week {Sunday Prep}, you can also get some killer tips from Choosing Raw – Monday’s Lunchbox.
Thinking about jumping on the treadmill or elliptical for some cardio and neglecting the machines and weight racks are you gym? Think again! I’m a huge advocate of not only changing up your gym routine on a regular basis but of foregoing machine cardio for walking and weight training. If you don’t believe m just read this piece from Natalie Jill Fitness: Only WEIGHT and INTENSITY Will Change Your Body – You HAVE to lift HEAVY if You Want to Lean Out and Change Your Body!
Fitting in a workout is a MUST during the hectic holiday season – It reduces stress, gives you some much-needed alone time, produces endorphins, and keeps you healthy & fit so you can enjoy the holiday festivities with your friends and family. Regardless of whether you have an hour or 15 minutes available, or if you even have time to make it to the gym – Make time!
- HallowLEAN Hill Workout from The Fitnessista
- Total Body Tabata Home Workout from Blonde Ponytail
- Easy Interval Plank Workout from Purely Twins
Fashion:
I love the old Hollywood, film noir feel of killer black & white photographs. The subjects somehow always manage to appear chic and timeless, regardless of the year, the pose, the style of their clothes… I just can’t get enough and neither can A Fashion Friend – It’s Better In Black & White.
Have you ever been tempted to run off to Paris so that you can live a fashionable, glamorous life? If the answer is yes, you probably shouldn’t click on these links because you will most likely run off to Paris to live a fashionable, glamorous life.
As you may know – I adore stripes – Whether they’re the traditional nautical variety for Spring or demure pinstripes for the office. So why not take this fabulous print into the Fall season as well? Harper’s Bazaar definitely agrees – Shop the Street Style Look: Summer’s Stripes for Fall.
Are you a jeans girl? There are so many varieties this day in age there are almost endless choices when you head into a store and start to peruse their denim department. 70’s flare, wide-leg, cropped, skinny, cut-off, distressed, boyfriend, boot cut… Check out Love Me Jeans for some serious denim inspiration and worship – What’s your favorite pair?
We’ve all had the rule “No White After Labor Day” repeated ad nauseam over the years, but is this a rule for our grandmothers and not for our generation? Well The Man Repeller is making quite the argument against this rule with her fabulous photographs from Nolita – Accent In White.
MCLV Style: New York City
New York City BABY!
As I’m sure you picked up, I was beyond excited for this trip – Seeing my best friend, attending IFBCON, and getting the chance to spend some quality time in NYC, a city that I’ve been having a love affaire with for years now.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Embellished Striped Top – Zara, Zipper Detail Shorts – Zara, Ankle Strap Heels – Fendi, Oversized Crocodile Clutch – Express, Silver Art Deco Bracelet – JewelMint, Silver Bow Bracelet – Forever 21, Silver Chainlink Watch – Vintage & Ring – Tiffany’s}
{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu}
Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view
When I was packing for my trip to New York I found myself in a quandary – it was going to be extremely hot and humid but I’m a fairly formal dresser. Luckily for my internal body temperature this was the first Summer that I’ve worn shorts since Junior High, so I packed a few pairs for the trip. But how to style them? Shorts & a tank might be an appropriate bathing suit coverup, but for walking down the streets of New York City? Definitely not!
So with that in mind I paired my exposed zipper shorts from Zara with a striped tee with a rhinestone embellished collar, tons of chunky silver jewelry, ankle strap heels, and an oversized envelope clutch. I was comfortable temperature-wise, but still felt stylish enough to strut my stuff all over Manhattan! 🙂
Interesting in more fashion from my September trip to New York City? Check out these previous posts:
Did you have fun wearing shorts over the Summer? What’s your favorite style of shorts to wear when the weather heats up?
New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part I
Every season I’m at a loss as to how I should approach the fashion show reviews. There are so many that I don’t know where to start, how many I should try to review, or how to justify which shows I choose over others. It’s oddly stressful considering I’m sitting in front of my laptop in San Francisco and NOT running around the cobblestone streets of New York City in stilettos with a 50 lbs handbag.
So this season I have come up with a plan of attack. I’m going to publish four separate pieces for New York Fashion Week:
- The NYFW Institutions – i.e. Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg & Carolina Herrera
- The more reasonably priced or secondary designer lines – i.e. J.Crew, MARC by Marc Jacobs & Alice+Olivia
- New up & coming brands that I’m just discovering or which are new to the tents – i.e. Z Spole by Zac Posen, Thakoon Addition & Victoria by Victoria Beckham
- And finally the street style & front row fashion of the NYFW attendees
So without further ado – Welcome to the fabulous runway fashion of the New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear shows:
BCBG Max Azria:
This collection was an interesting juxtaposition of hard against soft. The dresses all had a harness-like construction on the bodice, evoking a tough, bad-girl vibe that contrasted with the softer colors and flowing silhouettes.
Black, white, grey, and coral were the colors de jour and all the looks were paired with a wide ankle strap adorned heel in black or white. The fitted, midi and maxi-length skirts were equipped with high slits in the thin, wispy floral, lace, and paisley prints, making them utterly perfect for hot summer nights.
Peter Som:
This sweet collection was filled with great prints, bright colors and pastels, florals, flowy silhouettes and just a touch of lace. It was structured and well put together, but relaxed and fun – New York City girl meets boho chic.
The prints were chic and I loved the cropped pants – of course – and the hippie vibe throughout. I don’t think that I can say it any better than The Man Repeller: “Peter Som is punk rock tea party infused with tigers and ponies.”
Derek Lam:
I heard the phrase “sporty luxury” to describe Derek Lam and couldn’t get it out of my head – That’s the perfect description for this master of chic sportswear and exquisite tailoring. These clothes were modern and chic, I can easily picture them on streets all over the world.
Interesting fabrics and textures, bold prints, and slouchy silhouettes were the hallmarks here. Knee-length skirts and sheath dresses in brightly colored leather, all-over geometric prints, separates, and the retro-inspired midriff baring tops that were all over the runways in New York all made an appearance.
Calvin Klein:
The collection that Francisco Costa presented may have been primarily black and white but it was a far cry from boring. And a far cry from the slinky pastel numbers favored by Hollywood starlets on the red carpet last season.
These looks were sleek, body conscious, and strikingly sexy with dramatic cuts and a variety of reach-out-and-touch-them fabrics and textures including lace, satin, mesh, and leather. No florals or pastels for the Calvin Klein girl this coming Spring, she’ll be breaking out killer heels and wowing everyone with her confidence and daring.
Ralph Lauren:
The Ralph Lauren show was a combination of make-believe and reality. There were costume-like pieces inspired by Spain and Latin America – fringe, matador jackets, and ponchos – and there were chic, wearable pieces that I’m sure we’ll be seeing soon on the red carpets and sidewalks of Hollywood.
I absolutely loved the flowing, ruffle-adorned maxi dresses and skirts in stripes and bright florals, as well as the vaguely Parisian looking prim A-line skirts paired with fitted jackets, and the double-breasted, oversized suits with dramatic shoulders.
Ole!
Thakoon:
If I had to pick a single word to describe the Spring 2013 collection presented by Thakoon it would be beautiful. The cuts & silhouettes were flattering, the fabric & textures were interesting, and the prints & details were nothing short of divine.
From pretty, colorful, whimsical prints for daytime outings to daring but still utterly chic lace, eyelet, and sheer fabrics for nighttime.
A collection like this one really illustrates the difference between a designer like Thakoon and one like Lee McQueen – While I’d call them both artists the wearability of a collection like this one is unparalleled. I wait with bated breathe for the McQueen shows and gasp at the artistry and showmanship, but I can picture every single piece of this collection in my wardrobe, not something most of us mere mortals can say about McQueen.
Diane Von Furstenberg:
Who knew being a techie could be so darn stylish? DVF went geek chic this season and sent her girls down the runway in brilliant colors, prints, and flowing caftans paired with the brand new Google Glasses.
Glasses aside this collection had a classic DVF feel – Great 70’s styles & prints, flowing silhouettes that would be right at home in Saint Tropez or Marrakech, and eye-catching accessories like oversized earrings, brightly colored sunglasses, and matchy-matchy handbags. The whole collection had a delicious retro vibe that made me nostalgic for the heyday of Miss Diane herself.
Victoria Beckham:
I always look forward to the Victoria Beckham show, I adore her personal style and that chic, timeless style always shows up in her collections. And while I love – and would die to own – all of her sexy, second skin sheath dresses, I was thrilled by the amount of separates and slightly less body conscious pieces that she sent down the runway for Spring.
Everything was still sleek and sexy, with little color or prints per her usual aesthetic, but somewhat more relatable for the non-Hollywood set. I especially liked the A-line skirts and high-necklines, and the black, white, and the brilliant orange color scheme suited the austerity of the designs.
Well done!
Tommy Hilfiger:
Stripes! Stripes! Stripes! But we’re not talking about your basic, boring stripes for Spring, these are chic, retro stripes adorning flowing suits, maxi dresses, and separates in red, white, and navy.
The devil was in the details of this collection – The drama of a double-breasted, oversized suit jacket, delicate chevron prints, bright piping on a two-toned blazer, contrasting denim on denim pockets, thick weave cable knit sweaters, gold rope detailing, and flowy silk shirt-dresses. You’ve got to admit, nothing says All-American quite like Tommy Hilfiger.
Jason Wu:
Jason Wu may be best know for dressing Michelle Obama, but when a runway show starts with Carolyn Murphy strutting her stuff in a black leather mini dress you know the collection is heading in a different direction than usual.
While the primarily black & white collection was filled with leather & lace, his red lipped models also wore some killer separates and pieces with exquisite tailoring. But even the prim looks amped up the sexiness with mesh, sheer panels, studs and animal prints.
Donna Karan:
City girl Donna Karan presented an unusually soft and sweet collection pulling inspiration from the ballet which gave the pieces ethereal undertones that were further emphasized by the pale color palette.
The soft, gauzy looking fabrics, flattering drapping, sweater-sets, and pastel satins were sugary sweet and picture perfect for good-girl actresses like Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Greene, or Nicole Kidman. Among the draping and flowing fabrics were two numbers that caught my eye though – A sharp white sheath dress with a matching cropped jacket and a sexy sheer panelled navy gown perfect for a siren like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley during her next red carpet appearance.
Zac Posen:
Calling all supermodels!
The Zac Posen show was the place to be when the audience was surprised by Naomi Campbell, Angela Lindvall, Karolina Kurkova, and Coco Rocha all hitting the catwalk in his gorgeous, retro-inspired designs.
The dresses were phenomenal – From floral fifties inspired day dresses with sweetheart necklines to second-skin suits with his trademark dramatic bodice cuts, to sleek gowns in satins, florals, and chiffons. I could picture the likes of Eva Mendes and Emma Stone wearing the chic, but prim daydresses, and I guarantee that the rest of these gowns will be all over the red carpets come awards season.
Marc Jacobs:
There’s a reason that no one could stop talking about the Marc Jacobs show – It was amazing. Fabulously retro and evocative of the stylish Warhol girls of the 60’s, without appearing costumy or over the top, the kind of clothes you can really picture yourself wearing.
Loads of stripes – from thick to thin & horizontal to vertical – interesting lengths, cute separates, matching handbags, low-heeled shoes, and chic outerwear. I loved the long jackets with the high collars, the tiny shifts that us non-supermodels would need to wear slim trousers under, and the adorable pointy toed kitten heels.
Michael Kors:
Another show that emphasized stripes and had a Mod feeling to it was Michael Kors, which was brightly colored, bold, and very sporty. While it may not have been innovative, this collection showed piece after piece of very wearable clothing – For both men and women.
Stripes, colorblocking, contrasting collars, flats, wide low-slung belts, matching suits, tank & shift dresses, and separates all made lovely appearances. I may not be able to live without the green tunic & matching shorts set, it’s one of my favorite looks so far from the NYFW collections.
The menswear was fabulous – Full of color, great silhouettes, and classics styles. The men also got the stripes treatment and he showed great suits, white boat shoes, separates in the form of slacks, shorts & sweaters, and killer outerwear.
Carolina Herrera:
This light airy collection was filled with pale hues – from peach and aqua to olive-green and daffodil yellow – All perfectly ready for Spring. There were shorts, midi length skirts, trench coats, maxi dresses, gowns, and some sweet separates.
As gorgeous as CH’s gowns always are, the separates and short coats were what really caught my eye. They were chic and well-tailored, but more approachable than her collections have been in the past. The wide strap heeled sandals worn by all came in every color imaginable and thin belts cinched all of the waists. And interestingly enough, not a piece of jewelry could be seen!
Oscar de la Renta:
What I love about ODLR is his consistency – Each show will inevitably cater to a handful of crowds, from high-powered businesswomen & ladies who lunch to the fashionable young things & “It” girls that compose the celebutant set.
The splashes of colors in this collection were shocking yellow, pink, and teal – An interesting choice that worked surprisingly well. The collection was vibrant and fun with lots of beautiful textures and fabrics, and a great separates that I can imagine a few fashionistas in. Personally I’d be first in line for the thin striped dress paired with the black & white plaid coat and the sequin encrusted retro tunic & slim cropped pants – Tres chic!
Jill Stuart:
I’m always excited for a collection that pulls from Kim Basinger’s Veronica Lake look-a-like character in LA Confidential as it’s inspiration – The old school, golden age of Hollywood was such an extravagant and glamorous period fashion-wise.
You could really see that in the boudoir-feeling of the silks and slinky satins, and in the sequins, lame, and metallic brocades. While this wasn’t a “real woman” collection, there were beautiful dresses, gowns, and a few separates that will cater perfectly to a certain set.
Alexander Wang:
Wow.
Cut outs, netting, mesh, beading, lucite, sheer fabrics, leather, and garments that glowed in the dark when the lights went down. Cool club kids of the world unite! The pieces were minimalist and simultaneously dramatic and eye-catching, a feat few designers can manage.
Architectural and structured, but still fun and irreverent, all of the looks were paired seamlessly with strappy sandal-boot hybrids in black, white, or clear lucite. Definitely not looks for the average woman to wear walking down the street, but something that the cool girls that love Wang dearly can wear for a night out on the town.
{Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie, The Sartorialist, & Tom & Lorenzo}
Previous NYFW Collections: New York Fashion Week Fall 2012, Pre-Fall 2012 Part I, Part II, Part III, and NYFW Spring 2012 Round-Up.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: The Man Repeller – NYFW Day I, The Sartorialist – Boy by Band of Outsiders, Tom & Lorenzo’s Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013 Collection, Late Afternoon’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Diary, or check out IFB’s Spring 2013 Pinterest Board.
What’s your favorite collection that I’ve reviewed so far? If you could go to New York City for Fashion Week what would the number one show on your list to see in person be?
Looks of the Week
Welcome back to another Looks of the Week Monday! I hope that everyone had a great weekend and is wringing every drop of Summer fun out of these August days as they can. Let’s start our week out right with some fabulous fashionistas showing off everything from statement jewelry to mixing prints to bright colors.
Enjoy!
Nothing says Summer as effortlessly or stylishly as a white dress. And while this drapping, asymmetrical white dress is stunning it’s Kristina’s accessories that make this look stand out so well. The studded red Zara shoulder bag and killer gold spiked collar from H&M are both incredibly striking & eye-catching, they really bring this look to a whole other level.
This is a low-key but striking and sassy combination that should really motivate you to spice things up before walking out the door. Colorblocking is a great way to make a look really POP.
A sweater can be tough for men to make work for them, but this is a great example of how to put together a clean-cut, stylish look using one. Navy pants + white button down + a sweater with a flattering pattern and cut. Bonus for the killer accessories – Retro shades, white watch strap, and fabulous bag.
Love love love! This is a fabulous look from head to toe. The Versace for H&M studded top pairs beautifully with this nude, pleated leather skirt. And to top it all off, I couldn’t have picked a better clutch or more fabulous booties to add to this outfit.
This is an interesting and really eye-catching look despite the fact that there’s not a lot of color. The sequined stripes are great and I love that she chose a looser, more relaxed top to mix with the dramatic midi-length skirt. Well done!
The art of wearing lady pants is something every woman really should master. Finding the right cut and silhouette to suit your figure can take years of trial and error. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, you’ll enjoy this shot of the perfect pink pants. And those are definitely three words I never thought I’d write. 🙂
High-Low hemlines aren’t always my favorite style but I couldn’t take my eyes off of this look. The colors, the prints, and the textures are so eye-catching and deliciously Summery that I couldn’t tear myself away from the screen. Nothing short of fabulous!
Neutrals don’t have to be boring as this look proves. Stunning Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel shows us how to put together a relaxed, but fashionable Summertime look with this nude pleated mini, a basic white t-shirt, and cute braided sandals.
Why not make your shopping trip or errand run a bit more fun with some bold color or printed separates? This basic shorts & tank look is fun and stylish with the addition of a killer handbag, flattering green shorts, and animal print flats.
This makes me miss Fall SO MUCH. I love a great coat and this corset belted olive-green military coat is killer. Her accessorizing – bowler hat & high boots – make it even more eye-catching and cold weather-appropriate.
Chic! I love a great Summer dress and this is a phenomenal color on her. And after finding a great color & style, she personalized it and made it more “her” with the tooled leather Rebecca Minkoff bag and fabulous 3.1 Phillip Lim gladiator sandals.
And just in case you missed the fabulousness that was the Team Supermodel walk during last night’s Closing Ceremonies in London, here are some pictures and great commentary to console you – Team Supermodel Strikes Gold In London!
{Click on images above to visit the original source}
Which picture is your favorite of the shots above? Does seeing fun new looks put together by stylish people motivate and inspire you to mix things up when you’re planning your own outfits?
Looks of the Week
Let’s start out this week’s Looks of the Week post with a fun Style Stalker piece from WhoWhatWear on Erika Bearman, otherwise known as The Oscar PR Girl. She’s an Oscar de la Renta insider and one of the premier voices in the online fashion community, with killer style, as you can see below.
Tres chic, non?
Very nearly speechless. That coat is PHENOMENAL. And on top of that she paired it with an adorable green handbag and killer blue velvet sandals. Absolute perfection!
So. Cute.
I love everything here – The chic but fun & girly gingham dress, the tan trench, the gorgeous Celine handbag, and the classic gold jewelry.
This tropical print wrap skirt from Zara is fabulous, and I love that she paired it with a simple white tee to keep the look low-key and perfect for Summer.
I love the way that Anna dello Russo styled this chic little Moschino dress – The bangles are gorgeous and those ankle strap nude & gold pumps are pretty darn cute.
If this adorable white mod-inspired dress looks familiar it’s because I featured Alexa Chung in the same piece a few weeks ago – Looks of the Week. Which look do you prefer, Alexa’s red carpet glam take or Anna’s more casual summertime style?
I’m not sure if I can pick just one – I love Alexa’s flamingo clutch ADR’s jewelry is the perfect finishing touch…
I love that the black skirt, wide-brimmed hat, and buckle-adorned boots give this look some edge and a fun, rock n’ roll vibe, keeping the floral button down from turning it in to a sweet, romantic look.
This is such an amazing combination of pieces that only an expert like Be Frassy could put together, I love how it all comes together to create a fun, sassy look.
Cute cute cute. This sleeveless white blouse looks clean and crisp despite the NYC heat, this is definitely a great way to keep cool this Summer.
And why not finish up this Looks of the Week post with a couple of my favorite looks from Comic-Con this past weekend? Don’t mind if I do…
Can you picture anything more adorably perfect for Comic-Con than this 3.1 Phillip Lim top? Cute, funky, and fun. She looks fabulous and appropriate.
It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to dress up as a kick @$$ superhero girl for Comic-Con. Must have? Skin-tight leather pants!
Boondock Saints is one of my all-time favorite movies and since I’ve had a massive crush on Norman Reedus since college I just HAD to include his sexy Comic-Con look here. Swoon.
I absolutely adored this look, the fun colors and youthful silhouette make it a great superhero-esque outfit.
What’s your favorite look here? Are you still living in warm weather clothes?
Click on images above to visit the original source.
Stars & Stripes
Whether you’re in the mood to celebrate America’s Independence Day or just the fact that you’re (hopefully) getting a day off, here are some fun, festive ideas, photos, and links to get you in the mood – From too cute for words patriotic pieces to creative recipes that are as pretty as they are delicious
Looks of the Week – Workwear Edition
I thought that I’d take our usual Monday Looks of the Week post and specialize it just a bit this week. Rather than including just the street style looks that catch my fancy, this week is going to be all about fashionable looks that you can try out at the office. They’ll run the gamut from power suits for you corporate ladies out there to great separates, and inspiration for working pants and pencil skirts into your work wardrobe.
Frequently my sartorial excitement is focused on my weekend and evening looks – those are the ones that I plan in advance and day-dream about. Unfortunately that can mean that on workday mornings I just throw on a black dress and pumps without giving my choice much thought, even though I’ll be wearing them for 12+ hours.
Sound familiar?
My goal with this post is to inject a little enthusiasm and inspiration into our how we dress for work. Why not add some spice to the pieces and outfits that you end up spending most of your day in?
The Pencil Skirt:
This is SUCH a versatile piece, a building block for an unlimited number of outfits and styles. You can try a retro silhouette, put together a traditional suit look, or spice things up with a printed or brightly colored version for a more fun spin.
Whatever you’re in the mood for!
Think stripes or prints wont work for the office? Think again. A subtle pattern can go a long way.
Don’t be afraid of color! This is a great example of a stylish look that’s fashionable and fun, but still office-appropriate.
The Wrap Dress:
A basic wrap dress is one of my favorites for the office. You can go with basic black, a fun color, or even a print like the one I donned below from Banana Republic during the Mission: Put Together 2012 challenge.
Printed Wrap Dress: Banana Republic, Shoes: Zara & Jewelry: JewelMint, Banana Republic, Forever 21 & Juicy Couture
The Slacks:
When you’re mixing separates like slacks, a button down, and a blazer, you have more freedom to be creative than with a suit or a dress. So take some chances and make the most of it by includes bold hues, mixing colors, or even adding prints & patterns.
Tired of basic slacks? Why not roll the cuffs? Or add a contrasting blazer? Or both? 🙂
This is a gorgeous, colorful look. No need to stick to boring black this Summer, why not draw inspiration from this look and try out some fun colors?
Wide leg trousers can be chic chic chic – Just see how The Glamourai spices hers up!
The Suit:
Luckily the suit has come a long way from its initial inception, we’re no longer constrained to a boring, basic black pants and jacket blazer combination like we were in the past. These days there are an endless number of choices out there and all sorts of different colors, cuts, patterns, fabrics, and silhouettes to choose from.
Head-to-toe color is a great way to stand out. This chic emerald-green suit is phenomenal and I love that she accessorized with white rather than black.
You don’t have to match your suit jacket to your pants, so why not wear slacks with a shell and pair the look with a contrasting coat?
If you need some more workwear ideas check out The Everygirl’s Transcend The Office Dress Code With IFB, Harper’s Bazaar’s Fabulous at Every Age: Workwear Refresh, or my Workin’ That Tee or What NOT To Wear To Work.
Does this inspire you to try something that’s new for you, or add some color, prints, and fresh silhouettes to your everyday work outfits? Did this post give you some fun ideas for how to update your wardrobe?
Mission: Put Together 2012 – Week II
I’m here today to give you a Week II breakdown for Definitely RA‘s 2012 fashion challenge – Mission: Put Together (similar to Freckles In Aprils’ 10 Day Style Challenge from earlier in the year) – my initial post on Week I post was published on May 15th. Clearly I’ve had a hectic Spring, but I’m glad that I’m finally sharing these fun pictures.
Ready for some color?
Week #2 was about one thing – Prints Prints Prints! I went from a solid black girl to mixing patterned pieces like a pro, the very reason that I wanted to take on this challenge in the first place.
Summer Stripes:
I feel like I should preference this by saying that this is the first time I’ve worn shorts since JUNIOR HIGH.
Striped Top: Zara, Royal Blue Shorts: Zara, Sandals: Vintage, Black Bag: Chanel, Sunglasses: Christian Dior, & Jewelry: JewelMint
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.
I traded in my vintage sandals for MaddenGirl heels to grab a glass of wine outside at a cafe.
That’s right. Junior High.
And of course I paired these too-cute bright blue Zara shorts with fun zipper details with a basic striped T-shirt. We all know how much I love stripes!
Polka Dots:
Polka Dot Blouse: Zara, Pleated Chiffon Mini Skirt: Zara, Black Blazer: Aqua, Clutch: Chanel, & Nude Heels: BCBGeneration
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.
I was totally mad for this outfit! Every once in a while I put something together that makes me just plain excited to go outside. And this is an example of that. I was bouncing around like a sugar-crazed little kid while Sean and I were waiting to meet my parents for dinner that night. I couldn’t even wait until after dinner to take pictures, we ran across the street from the restaurant after placing our orders to take these shots.
People were definitely stopping to stare at us while we were taking these pictures in Washington Square Park. I think trying to figure out who I was and why I was posing for photographs on a bike path…
Graffiti Girl:
When I saw this dress I knew it had to be mine.
Geometric Print Dress: Mango, T-Strap Heels: Zara, and Handbag: Zara
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.
I have a bad habit of wearing dresses that aren’t ideal for my body type. For example, I absolutely adore 6o’s mod-inspired styles and shift dresses, which are better suited for someone with a boyish figure – a la Twiggy.
Flower Child:
What do you wear when it’s gorgeous out on a lazy Sunday morning? Go hippie of course! And since I wanted to stay true to the challenge, I made sure to pick a fun floral printed dress to run errands in.
While I adore this print, what really made this dress stand out to me was the crocheted strip around the middle. Such a fun, unique detail.
Floral Dress: Vintage, Sunglasses: D&G, Cross-Body Bag: BCBGeneration & Floral Cuff: Vintage
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.
Print On Print:
Who would have ever guessed that me, the girl who wore nothing but solid black for years, would be involved in something as crazy as pattern mixing?
I love this dress and I’ve worn it a few times this season, but it was really fun to try to pick out a great patterned bag to pair with it this time, something that I wouldn’t necessary choose during a random wearing.
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer via Bloomingdale’s, Sandals: Vintage, Striped Tote: Forever 21, Charm bracelet: Juicy Couture, Flower Ring: Forever 21, & Turquoise Ring: Asos
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.
Color. Prints. Mixing patterned pieces. This was a big week for me, I definitely stretched my sartorial muscles. I’m sure that you also noticed that these are all weekend after-hours looks. I included a number of work outfits in Week I and wanted to try to incorporate more street style type looks this week.
Do you like the idea of a fashion challenge that forces you to make new and interesting fashion choices? Are you getting inspired to try out some fun new looks for Summer?
Summary Saturday
I’m going to take a page out of the fabulous Fashion On Top‘s book blog and make today’s post a summary of what’s happened over the last week on the blog and the other various social media outlets that I post on.
New Blog Posts:
- MCLV Style: Pleats & Peplums
- 2013 Resort Collections
- Sasha Maks Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
- Looks of the Week
- Links You’ll Love
- Chanel’s Little Black Jacket
- May Round-Up
Are you subscribed to the blog and receiving an email when a new post is published? If not, click the SUBSCRIBE ME button on the right hand side of the screen.
Instagram:
Food – While I don’t photograph all of my food or even all of the new recipes that I try, sometimes a meal is just too tasty or too fun to pass up a photo-op. Here are a couple shots that passed the test this week.
SERIOUS munching over here! #Shakti #indianfood #vegan #glutenfree
Snacking. #rawrevolution #synergy #healthysnacks
#cantstopeating #vegan #glutenfree
Fashion – When I can remember I’ll snap a picture of my accessories, handbag, or even my outfit for the day. Most of my Instagram updates are my jewelry though, since its the easiest to capture solo.
Wearing a new dress always makes my day! #sanfrancisco @Zara
Hello lover! @ninewest #fashion #sanfrancisco
Time to switch wallets! @CHANEL @Longchamp_US @HenriBendel #Fendi #Goyard @veneta_bottega
Misc – What I’m best at capturing are all of the random things that happen throughout the day. The frustrations that everyone can relate to as well as the little “I love my life” moments. From outing in San Francisco & weekends away to shopping adventures & meals out on the town to my crazy cats & amazing friends, family, and boyfriend.
“@project_zen SO glad that I moved a block from this spa!!! #massage #spoilingmyself
I ❤ crazy busy days & To Do lists! #stayorganized #busyday #ilovemylife
You can follow me on instagram @moicontrelavie.
- Love this – I say yes to manners!!! Ladies First—Still Relevant or Hopelessly Outdated?
-
Absolutely MAD for the Jason Wu Resort 2013 collection. Don’t think I can live without this! Jason Wu Resort 2013 Look
- Wise words to start the day. “Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” – Edna Woolman
- Do you love lingerie? Me too! The Art of Lingerie
- BCBG Summer Sale – My go-to for work dresses and great accessories. Check it out!
- Man Repeller, Rebecca Minkoff & Hilary Rhoda – I’ve officially lost track of how many times I’ve watched this! Call Us, Maybe?
- Check out my Asos Fashion Finder look! Parks & Recreation – You can shop the pieces on Asos.com
- Sex vs Sensuality. Men vs Women. Check out supermodel Anja Rubik for 25 Magazine (Formerly Viva) Anja Rubik: Lets Talk About Sex
- Need more Cannes? Watch the Cannes Film Festival edition of Garance Dore’s Pardon My French or read The French Riviera – The 2012 Cannes Film Festival
- “Life is short…buy the shoes.” Words of wisdom
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!
MCLV Style: Pleats & Peplums
Happy – it’s almost the end of the week – Thursday! To celebrate I’d like to share some of my recent looks so that I can show how hard I’m working to meet my June fashion goals.
I have to confess, one of my favorite parts about having a stand-up desk at work is that I can wear pleated skirts to the office without having to worry about the pleats getting squished by sitting on them all day!
It’s the little things in life. 🙂
Skirt – Vince Camuto from Bloomingdale’s, Wide-strap tank – Zara, Cardigan – H&M, Mary Jane’s – Merona from Target, Rings – JewelMint, Vintage & Juicy Couture, and Watch – Vintage
You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu or shop similar pieces on ASOS Style Finder or by clicking the hyperlinks in the outfit breakdown above.
When I saw this skirt I knew that it was going to be mine, I loved both the stripes and the pleats. It’s also a fun length, almost like a cheerleader skirt (which I’ve never worn.,I swear). This whole look was inspired by the brightly colored, stripe-filled Jason Wu for Target Collection. And my love of stripes, of course.
I also recently made my first peplum attempt of the season. I’ve seen so many cute variations of this trend lately – from simple peplum tops to fun & wild peplum dresses – and I wanted to give it a try as well.
Liz from Late Afternoon has a fabulous and one-of-a-kind style, she frequently appears in my Looks of the Week posts, and I took her peplum outfit above as the inspiration for the look that I put together below.
Floral Dress – Vintage from Belle Cose, Peplum top – Zara, Patent (faux) Leather Oxford Booties – Wild Diva, Necklace – Express, Rings – JewelMint, Vintage & Juicy Couture, and Bracelets – JewelMint & Forever 21
In these photos is doesn’t appear that my body type is ideal for the peplum trend, but I decided that it was just the silhouette of the dress I’d chosen to wear under the peplum top. Besides, as far as I’m concerned the highlight of this look is the jewelry anyway. The finger-length floral ring is a recent acquisition from JewelMint and I’m madly madly in love.
Peplum Attempt Take II
Peplum Top – Zara, Pencil Skirt – Zara, Black & White Jacket – Zara, Round Toe Pumps – Very Volatile, Tweed Handbag – Kate Spade, Necklace – Asos, and Rings & Bracelets – JewelMint, Vintage, Forever 21 & BCBG
You can HYPE these looks on Lookbook.nu or shop similar pieces on ASOS Style Finder or by clicking the hyperlinks in the outfit breakdown above.
“I’m a Zara girl, in a Zara world…” I was definitely singing Barbie Girl in my head all morning. 🙂 The pencil skirt did a much better job of complementing the volume of the peplum top than the floral dress that I chose the first day. I’m glad that I gave this another try and didn’t give up after the first attempt was a disappointment!
What do you guys think? Are you willing to try interesting new trends each season? Or do you prefer to stick to your tried-and-true personal style?
A special thank you to my friend Liz for her help with these pictures, I’m an awful subject because I’m so uncomfortable in front of the camera, and I appreciate her never-ending patience with me!
Sasha Maks Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
You had me at vintage jewelry…
Amirite?
I’ve mentioned The Factory in the past, I attended an opening last spring where I purchased one of my all time favorite coats, and I also joined them to celebrated the April Howard Capsule Collection this past December.
The setting is great – an airy, brick-walled loft space in SOMA, and this past Thursday it was once again crammed to the rafters with beautiful clothes. And swoon worthy jewelry.
{Oh, there were people there too. I think. I was busy.}
A special trunk show featuring Sasha Maks Vintage jewelry and all designs featured June 24th in Dior: A Life in Pictures. Shop the unique vintage costume jewelry collection that includes the best of 20th century designs by Dior, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Lanvin and a myriad of unsigned statement pieces.
Unfortunately I had been unable to attend the June 24th Christian Dior exhibit so this was a great chance to catch up on a few of the designs that I missed out on earlier. Beautiful clothing, vintage magazines and photographs, and a phenomenal layout.
I walked down to SOMA to photograph the event and browse the trunk show. And what does a girl wear to a trunk show?
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Striped Pocket Sweater – Everyly via the seriously adorable North Beach boutique Annabella’s, Pleated Black Mini – Zara & Studded Peep-Toe Booties – Vince Camuto}
{Black & white + vintage jewelry, of course!}
After admiring the eye-candy and taking pictures, I dove head-first into the gorgeous collection of jewelry. I tried on Chanel charm bracelets, costume jewelry earrings, animal cuffs, giant enamel pendants… And then I was lucky enough to stumble upon a phenomenal tassel adorned lariat necklace designed by Jean Vendome.
It was love at first sight!
I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin so I threw together an outfit on Friday so that I would have an excuse to wear it immediately. I wanted something simple so that the drama of the necklace would be the central part of the look.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Maxi Dress – BCBGeneration, Nude Sandals – Vintage, Wrap Ring – JewelMint, Gold Wrap Bracelet – Forever 21 & Necklace – Vendome}
You can even check out my new necklace in this Elle Girl Japan editorial below.
Do you like to wear vintage jewelry? What’s your favorite vintage piece that you’ve collected over the years?
Looks of the Week
Happy Monday! How was everyone’s weekend?
Let’s get this week started on a fashionable note with some great outfits that I’ve tracked down, and I’ll start with my absolute favorite look that I discovered.
How ridiculously cute is this???
I love the striped skirt (obviously) and I’ve been wearing my own polka dotted blouse to death so this gives me some great inspiration and ideas. Love it!
I love stripes, I love chain link necklaces, I love day clutches, and I love fun blouses. There’s basically nothing I don’t love about this look.
One piece can totally make a look and this is a fabulous example. This goal is absolutely to DIE for!
How cute is this dress? I love the pleats and the top half, how gorgeous the color looks on her, and the dainty little gold necklace.
Proof that neutrals are anything but boring! This is a great, casual look. Not only is she making that hat look GOOD, but those ankle boots are killer.
Fabulous colors. Amazing styling. And the most perfect accessories possible. Just what we’ve all come to expect from Liz. I adore this look, from her ombre top to her GORGEOUS Atwood-clad feet.
Doesn’t this look just make you want to go play in your closet? It’s such a fun, original combination of pieces and fabrics and prints. It makes me want to try something one-of-a-kind too!
Not sure about vests boys? This is a great example of how to pull one off and look really put together in the process.
Summer chic at it’s finest. Crisp white, some splashes of color, and a some skin!
What a fun, sassy look. I love the 70’s inspired jumpsuit – Too cute.
Do these pictures motivate you to be more creative with your fashion choices?
Red Carpetness
While I’m dying to start posting the gorgeous looks from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet events, I’m going to try to hold off until the festival comes to an end to make sure that I don’t miss anything. It’s for your own good, I promise! But in the meantime, here are some red carpet looks from off the French Riviera that worth taking a quick look at.
2012 Billboard Music Awards:
The music industry loves its red carpets and the stars usually provide us with some wild and daring looks worth commenting on. Lil’ Kim ring any bells? Surprisingly enough, this year the red carpet looked more like the Oscars with the majority of the looks composed of suits, tuxedos, and floor length gowns with tons of borrowed jewels.
Drama Drama Drama! Does this seem like a Carrie Bradshaw dress to anyone else? It’s dramatic and over the top, but where else would a girl wear dreamy, poofy Oscar de la Renta unless it’s on the red carpet?
Want to see the original? Arizona Muse was a vision during the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear runway show in New York City in this dress last seaon. The headband and jewel-encrusted booties are much different from how Carrie styled her version of the dress. Do you prefer the red carpet or the runway version of this gown?
Phenomenal! I love this Elie Saab gown, it’s a flattering and eye-catching color and the bodice keeps it from being too simplistic of a style.
It’s certainly a “Katy Perry dress.” A little bit bubble gum and a little bit prom-y, but can you imagine anyone else in this dress?
These gorgeous striped wonders are the Christian Louboutin ‘Armadillo Bride’ Leather Pumps. I want them. The end.
Fine, these beautiful shoes were worn by Miley Cyrus, but to be honest they were the best part of her outfit. By a long shot.
Jean Paul Gaultier jacket & Jacqui Aiche jewelry
The Wanted was a sight for sore eyes and their looks covered a lot of fashionable ground – Skinny ties, wide ties, three-piece suits, shiny fabric, matte fabric, three button suits, one button suits, bow ties… Well done boys, well done.
Disney Media Networks’ International Upfront Presentation:
Fine, the carpet is purple, but the concept is the same! 🙂 Cocktail-length dresses rather than floor-length gowns were all the rage at this event, which is always a fun twist. Those of us outside the entertainment and fashion industries probably have fewer occasions in our lives to wear gowns so seeing cocktail dresses can provide us with more inspiration for our personal styles!
The back of this Naeem Khan frock is stunning. I really love interesting backs on dresses, I think it adds a little something extra.
While all of these ladies look stunning, I especially love Kerry Washington’s red Michael Kors dress. With all of the skin and plunging necklines and daring hemlines on the red carpet these days, it’s nice to see a beautiful woman in a classic silhouette like this.
The CW Network’s New York 2012 Upfront in NYC:
Yes, this is sort of ridiculous and virtually no one could pull this off… But that being said, she looks pretty amazing. It’s risky and she was fearless enough to give it a try, so I say brava!
This is a pretty striking look for a floral maxi. The color and fit are quite flattering on her and the loose updo is perfect. I think that perhaps a clutch would have been a better choice than this over-the-shoulder bag, what do you think?
“Snow White and the Huntsman” Photocall in Berlin:
Separates are rare on the red carpet because there’s more room for error, but there are no errors here! This Alexander Wang skirt and Rag & Bone top are great together, she looks chic and fashionable. And those shoes are great!
This 10 Crosby Derek Lam dress is a fabulous choice here and chain link belt makes it edgy and gives it a unique twist. Now if only she didn’t look so miserable…
I hope that whet your appetites for the upcoming Cannes posts!
Blazing For Spring
In addition to my stripe obsession for Spring 2012, I’m also really feeling the bright blazer trend for this season (Spring 2012 Trends: What You Should Wear). There are some great versions out there, that I’ve seen in stores, in the pages of magazines, on blogs, walking down the street. From patterned and striped blazers perfect for updating a monochromatic look to denim or seersucker perfect for staying cool, there are more choices than even I can stock my closet with!
Brights:
A bright blazer can take an outfit from basic to anything but, so check out these women in their colored blazers and follow their lead – From classic navy to one-of-a-kind bright and bold colors.
Elisa embraces not only the floral trend for Spring, but takes her look to the next level by pairing her Dries Van Noten dress with a navy boyfriend blazer. J’aime!
Atlantic-Pacific is a vision in red, white, & blue. This is such a great, well put together look. The stripes look great with the red blazer and the bag brings everything together perfectly.
Not only is this a fun, flattering pink, the rolled sleeves are too cute – I love the visible striped cuffs.
This look is simple, but terribly chic. Basic maxi dress, blue boyfriend blazer, and one hell of a statement necklace. Add a personal touch or two, like rolling your sleeves up, and you’re good to go!
Prints & Patterns:
Feeling feisty? Why not pair a not-so-basic blazer with your outfit to spice things up sartorially? Bold patterns and prints are a great way to make your blazer unique this Spring and Summer.
Mad for plaid? This look is anything but boring with a plaid blazer being paired with denim cut-off shorts and a patterned pussy bow blouse.
I love polka dots and Liu Wen shows us just how to wear a fun, bold blazer in a low-key manner. She keeps the rest of her outfit basic and lets the blazer take center stage.
Such a cute, fresh look for Spring. Why not add a little floral to your life like Jules?
Stripes are a great way to go, and they can be amped up in a variety of different ways. Miss Knowles shows us just how to make a blazer nightlife appropriate in Gucci Gucci Gucci.
Summer Loving:
Not quite sure how to work a blazer into your warm-weather outfits? Check out how these ladies make a blazer work for them – paired with shorts, slim pants, and minis to keep you cool.
Kate King pairs her short-shorts with a navy single-button blazer for a great Summer look.
What says summer better than splashes of bright colors? Skip the little sun dress and try bright skinnies and a fun colored blazer!
A chic little blazer over a mini dress is the perfect way to deal with a breezy day. Or you can roll up the sleeves & pair with sandals on a warm day!
A brightly colored floral blazer with a sundress is a great way to stay and look cool!
White Hot:
If brights and stand-out prints aren’t your style, why not go for sleek 70’s elegance and glamour? Channel Bianca Jaggar, Halston, and Yves Saint Laurent in white blazers.
This white boyfriend blazer with the rolled sleeves is a little bit Miami Vice and a little bit Diane Keaton, and works quite well with her slouchy rolled pants and paisley blouse.
A white blazer (or white suit) is SUCH a statement look. Modern. Sharp. Smart. Fashionable.
This black, white, and red combo really makes her white blazer pop. This is a great example of a look that could easily go from day to night, just switch up the accessories and keep that white blazer on!
A white blazer doesn’t have to be boring, Be Frassy spices up her look with a neon top, statement jewelry, and fun platform sandals.
So what do you think? Are you ready to spice up your blazer collection and try something new and exciting for Spring/Summer 2012?
If You Like Stripes & You Know It Clap Your Hands – Clap Clap
As this Spring has progressed I’ve found myself pining over and adding more and more outfits containing striped pieces to my Looks of the Week posts.
I have to make a confession, I love stripes. Love.
Without a doubt, stripes are my favorite pattern. They’re my go-to when basic black is out of the question. I love adding a striped piece or two to an outfit to make it standout or to make it more distinctly me. And luckily, they’re always “in” during this season.
Whether you go nautical, classic, or dramatic and eye-catching, work some stripes into your wardrobe this Spring and Summer.
Dresses & Skirts:
Wearing a striped dress or skirt gives you a great starting place for your outfit, from there you can pile on layers of solids or even other stripes. You can make your look all black & white, you can add some color, you can keep it traditional and demure. The sky is the limit.
I really like how this dress mixes directionally different black & white stripes, it gives the dress an interesting and eye-catching quality that basic stripes wouldn’t have. I also love that she paired a cargo pocket Anorak with a chic work-style dress. It’s a great juxtaposition.
A flowy maxi dress is a relaxed but chic way to stay cool. This particular dress is especially cute since it incorporates the trends of brights and pleats for Spring.
A striped maxi skirt is a great option and I like the business style double-breasted blazer and the white Oxfords she paired with this, it’s a unique one-of-a-kind look.
A knit dress is perfect for warmer weather, as are the flats, sunnies & day clutch she added to her look. Cute & comfortable, what more could a girl ask for?
Jackets & Coats:
I really love striped outerwear, for both men and women. It’s a stylish way to top off an outfit and give it that great final touch, or you could even wear a fabulous striped coat as a dress!
Amazing! I love love love this coat. If you click on source below you can see some other looks that Atlantic-Pacific put together using this gorgeous J.Crew coat. This is the perfect standout piece, everyone should have a great statement coat like this in their repertoire.
This is a great striped jacket & shorts suit, absolutely to die for. And I love that she paired the black & white stripes with red & white polka dot platforms. Great finishing touch!
Truth be told, when I saw this Tinley Road blazer I immediately went online and ordered one for myself. 🙂 Enough said.
I seriously can’t get over these coats, they’re all so cute, so chic. I want one of each please!
Basics:
Adding a single striped piece to your look – for example a basic sweater or a pair of pants – is another great option. For those of you who are pattern-phobic wearing a single striped tank under your jacket or a cute pair of striped short-shorts with your T is going to be easier than wearing stripes head-to-toe. It gives you a chance to ease into it gradually.
This is the perfect type of blouse for summer, the fabric is lightweight and the fit is relaxed. You could easily pair this with shorts, jeans, or even a mini skirt, and stay cool all Summer long.
Seriously chic! I loved these pants from the moment that I saw them. They’re eye-catching and dramatic, but the look is still somehow relaxed and laid-back.
I also raved about Taylor Tomasi-Hill’s personal style here, during Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012.
Such a great, chic look. A basic striped sweated styled with great accessories that make the look anything but basic. The Glamourai doesn’t let the fact that she’s wearing stripes keep her from experimenting with other fabrics, textures, and prints.
This is a great look if you’re more of a tomboy than a girlie-girl. Its well put together and fashionable, without being over the top. You could easily switch out her mini satchel for a messenger bag or cross-body bag too, which would make it even more laid-back.
Brights:
In the mood for something colorful this season? Brightly colored stripes are a great way to add a splash to your outfits. Whether it’s a sweater or a scarf or a bag, fun striped pieces are a good way to make a look wholly your own.
Not only is she rocking that striped sweater like no body’s business, she’s right on trend with her bright red cropped pants. Too cute!
This adorable striped top showcases the versatility of stripes. Stripes & florals? No problem!
You can see more great looks from Miss Jones here, I raved about her fresh new style a few months ago when she was making the red carpet rounds.
I like that she didn’t try to match her jacket to her stripes here – The contrasting colors are bold and fun.
You can even pull stripes in with your accessories – A pice like this amazing neon necklace will add a much-needed shot of color to your looks for Spring.
DIY Neon Tassel NecklaceSource
And if you’re in the City by the Bay with me you’ll probably get a kick out of this piece from Refinery 29 on stripy San Francisco blogger fashion!
6 Girls, 1 Look: S.F.’s Blogger Babes Show Us How To Rock Stripes!
So tell me the truth, are you ready to rock some stripes?
Moi Contre La Vie 