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!
MCLV Style
Welcome back to another MCLV personal style post, I hope you enjoy these shots of some of my daily looks and of the place where the magic happens – cue the dramatic, swelling music…
I’m not going to lie, this walk in closet – along with two hall closets – was about 75% of the reason that I picked this apartment. A girl’s gotta be able to spread out. Purses need their air.
Dress: Zara, Pumps: Franco Sarto & Jewelry: Vintage
Sometimes polka dots are really the only option! 🙂 I love this mini to death, it’s fun and flirty, but the long-sleeves make it appropriate enough to wear all day long. Perfect for errands and lounging after work!
Shirt: Zara, Jeans: Juicy, Jewelry: JewelMint & Rachel Roy and Shoes: Asos.com
Clearly I love stripes just as much as I love my polka dots. Definitely couldn’t pick between the two. Sophie’s choice!
And those shoes… I was trying to find the perfect shoes to wear to an upcoming wedding and since the bride-to-be is one of the coolest chicks ever and the wedding is going to be a ridiculously good time, I thought something fun like polka dots would be perfectly appropriate. Then they arrived and I KNEW, I just knew. They were destined for this wedding. Destined I tell you.
So now I’m just breaking them in. Promise.
Dress: Zara, Shoes: Very Volatile, Tights: DKNY, and Belt: BCBG
Typical work look for me, a dress in a flattering silhouette paired with pumps,and accessories. It’s the shoes, belts, headbands, scarves, and jewelry that’s the fun part for me – I like playing with the extras and adding them to my classic basics.
Dress: Vintage, Coat: Unknown (bought it in Rome years ago) & Shoes: BCBG
Chanel pendant, Manila pearls, JewelMint, Tiffany’s & Express
I frequently tend towards solid colors, but some days I really crave color. And patterns. This look is a double whammy – A colorful, floral patterned vintage dress with a traditional looking black & white plaid coat.
Dress: Banana Republic & Shoes: Franco Sarto
Pendant: JewelMint, Leaf necklace: Vintage & Ring: Rachel Roy
I love wrap dresses – from H&M to Zara to Diane Von Furstenberg. I have a couple of these faux wrap dresses from Banana Republic in different colors and patterns. They’re comfortable, flattering, and perfect to throw on during a hectic morning when you don’t have time to put mix and match separates.
Along with my personal style snaps I wanted to share with you a new obsession that is just too juicy not to spill – Emm Kuo accessories. These handbags are just divine, I adore the classic, structured styles and the versatile but unique and one-of-a-kind colors, fabrics, and patterns. From dramatic shoulder bags to the perfect day bag to envelope clutches for every possible occasion – they’ve got you covered.
Enjoy the bag porn!
You’re welcome!
Interested in my personal rules on business wear? Check out What NOT To Wear To Work.
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…
Moi Contre La Vie 