All Wrapped Up: The Ankle Boot
February 26, 2010
I adore it when fabric wraps you up: the style, the illusion of movement, and texture are beautiful. This is something we see commonly in clothes, but what about shoes?
A shoe’s silhouette can be playful but no matter how daring it wishes to become, it must maintain a certain appeal. No one wants bulky ankles or blocks on their feet, we want a feminine line to be displayed. Bold and playful designs walk a fine line to maintain femininity with attitude. Often we speak about classic lines made modern by adding volume. With this pair of shoes, that is just what comes to mind.
The heel is thin and gives a nice reveal of the arch, but then up top you have a wide ankle. This style is always an interesting one to me as you want to be sure not to shorten the appearance of your legs or ankles. What I like here is the wrapped texture which gives you layers and depth bringing the design of the shoe together. This way, the wide ankle is not too alarming nor is it the focus, the fabric flows together.
With a little knot in the back you have some nice elegant lines along with a bit of attitude. It reminds me of an updo you would do to your hair, everything being swept nicely into a chignon.
These wrapped up boots are from 59 SECONDS and can be found on yesstyle.com. Though the black pair are no longer available, the same shoe in cream currently is and will be great for spring’s soft tones. (Oh, and they are only $33.60 at the time of this writing, making them a steal. Style doesn’t have to cost a fortune.)
When I first got them I didn’t know what to think. Again, the wide ankle had me wondering. But after a few moments of wearing them they have instantly become a favorite of mine. Ever have that happen to you?
I kept going back to them online while looking for new shoe styles, and when I saw the price I had to go for it. The wrapped textured look is something I will continue keeping an eye out for.
Lines and texture, what are you looking for in your shoes? You just might start finding yourself all wrapped up and loving it.
Click Here To Check Out More Great Deals On Shoes From 59 Seconds.
All About The Tulle Look
February 23, 2010
Tulle anybody? I am all about this look. This is a style purely focusing on the fabric; it moves, has natural layers which shift from smooth to ruffled, and is sheer with texture.
Very feminine in appearance alone, when this fabric is worn on its own in a manner like this tulle dress/skirt from FOXCiTY you can really see it take over. A belt will add a cinched waist to this look and give it a new feel, but honestly I like the fabric left alone to move on its own free will. It is gorgeous.
As usual, when something has an option to be worn as a dress or a skirt I tend to lean to the dress side of things first. I plan on wearing the item as a skirt hear in the near future (I even have a top picked out for it and everything) but for right now a dress it is!
Just look at how those layers from the slip underneath emphasize the tulle on top. It is sheer feminine beauty of a fabric!
On the top you can see some hints of ruffles which gives the tulle some extra layered movement. This design adds volume and texture while remaining very elegant and simple.
And because it is so feminine and dainty, I thought I would mix things up a bit and add some grunge factor with these boots from LA FRESHA.
A pair of dainty heels would make this dress ready for a nice party in an instant. But the rocker style boots give it more of an elegant, casual, and edgy factor that works well for regular things throughout the day. With the cool weather, add a coat and you have an elegant look with some attitude.
If you want to see more shoe styles from LA FRESHA you can click here to view them. I’m a fan of their style as well as comfort. They have some great heels to dress up any look.
I’m really liking the mix right now. With something so simple it truly is a classic. The black dress is all about form and how you chose to wear it. Whether it is fitted or voluminous it is a style of its own in how you decide to wear it.
Something like this could be worn differently and look like a completely different outfit each time. From a loose dress, to a long dainty skirt, to a dress with a fitted waist when accompanied by a belt. Enter in layers and accessories and your playing power increases even more. Not to mention the shoe factor.
Tulle is a lovely fabric with lots of opportunities. Are you all about the tulle look?
The Mystery Match
February 21, 2010
Ever have a couple items from the same designer and only later realize they really are from the same collection? As in matching exactly and you didn’t even realize it until the day you wore them together at a much later date from purchase.
Don’t laugh, I’ve had it happen to me in the past with accessories but never before like this with clothes. Usually if something unexpectedly matches it is in color or fabric, but never like this with a print. Some time ago during Jonathan Saunders designer collection for TARGET I had picked up a jacket, top, and a few dresses. The line was so classic with clean elegant lines and a dominant black classic theme. It didn’t occur to me that some of these selections matched more than just in color.
The connecting piece is the jacket. It is black, structured, and has a unique texture that feels like a scuba diver’s suit. The collar has sharp lines that give the jacket a bold sense of style. Somehow, I completely ignored the lining inside. It’s decor that is unseen when worn after all.
Anyway, the dress that apparently matches this jacket perfectly, is a sleeveless dress with a print design down the center and a drop waste with a pleated skirt. I had worn it during the warmer months and had saved the jacket for later. This is most likely why I never made the connection.
So time goes by and I started wearing longsleeve shirts and tights underneath my summer dresses to expand my wardrobe during the unexpected lengthening winter season. I am sure it was only a matter of time until these two items were worn together!
PS: A little note about Jonathan Saunders:
“Scottish born designer Jonathan Saunders puts a nontraditional spin on the modern, constructed silhouette. He brings eye-popping color, a meticulous attention to construction and a playful sense of style to everyday sophistication. Saunders creates a look for GO International that’s distinctly effortless and brilliantly avant-garde.”
I would really like to see more from him. So far out of all the designer collections done for TARGET, his and RODARTE are on my top list.
You can see more of the dress from when I wore it in the late summer here: Click here to view the post.
Black Quilted Elegance
February 15, 2010
There is nothing like the beauty of a classic black quilted bag. I’ll admit I go weak in the knees for an elegantly styled quilted bag, most anything quilted like leather furniture for that matter, and when it is done right the results are gorgeous. My latest bag is a classic design in a perfect size.
Not overpowering big, not obnoxiously small: it is just perfect and carries all my needed items without changing the design. If you have ever tried loading up a bag and found it sunk or frustrating to carry with the weight unbalanced, then you know what I mean. It is a nice solid shape that is elegant and simple.
The details are subtle marks of gold, from a clean and simple designed clasp to the chain woven in leather that keeps the bag together. Usually when I see the sides open as they are here, it is a concern of mine. But fortunately that is only in design; functionality comes in with an unseen zipper keeping all your contents closed. Love it.
This particular design is from STYLEKELLY of yesstyle.com. Ever since it arrived it quickly became my daily bag as it matches with anything and makes all outfits look fabulous. I will still switch on occasion when I want a colorful bag or something a bit more out of the ordinary to change things up, but when time is an issue I don’t have to worry about it. This one works lovely every time. Now that I know I like this designer’s style I am going to start looking into more bags. You know how it is, you can never have too many… well, fill in the blank, lol.
At the very least you can never go wrong with too many of the classics; they are timeless, glamorous, elegant, and beautiful!
Want the bag?
This specific one is gone from STYLEKELLY, but another identical bag is available through YES STYLE right now. If it is not, visit and search for “quilted” under bags and find some more inspiration! I know I am.
Things That Go Nom In The Night
February 12, 2010
There’s nothing like a late night treat, especially when you feel like going out with friends and want something comforting, yet entertaining at the same time. For me, one of those place’s is Genji’s!
It is a Japanese dive bar that opens only for the evening, from about seven until two in the morning, and serves a healthy appetite of fun food, drinks, and enjoyable karaoke. It’s what you want in karaoke- truly! The outdated stock footage playing on screen and the mic being handed from one table to another; it’s fabulous. It is a place that just simply must be experienced, bringing people closer together and making an otherwise normal evening now an occasion.
From Kim chi egg rolls to yakiniku (grilled meat with a heavenly dose of garlic) and so on, it’s just a great place to enjoy life. The whole grilled squid is delicious, and takes bar food to a really comforting level. No, it isn’t fancy but it doesn’t need to be. Which is what makes this one of my late night treats of things that go nom int he night!
Cocktails and food are inexpensive and the hospitality is very welcoming. You might find yourself making new friends or singing a tune and enjoying it all.
What are some of your unexpected gem places? Perhaps even a guilty pleasure?
The Suit Jacket’s Daring Edgy Factor
February 5, 2010
We all know and love the classic suit jacket, with its fitted structure, collar, and buttons. But sometimes we want a more edgy look: something daring, bold, and exciting. Enter in the leggings!
Traditionally a suit-type jacket is worn with matching trousers or a pencil skirt and collared white blouse underneath. It is a classic look. But when you want more of an edgy factor, that same business style garment suddenly opens many more opportunities. This is also a great way to expand your style from the pieces you already have existing in your closet.
Take for instance what I have done here with my gray double-breasted long jacket from BLACK QUEEN and leggings from Peplum, both of which I found on YESSTYLE.com (check out more of their leggings here).
Just a simple classic jacket, great for any occasion paired with some edgy leggings for a daring look.
Rethink your wardrobe and see what creative mixes you can find. And think of your future fashion finds: what new item would reinvent nearly your entire closet, or maybe just some of your favorites? Leggings go a long way from pairing up with dresses, vests, t shirts, and jackets. They also make your shoes look like something new as well.
A traditional styled jacket is great for those classic looks on the formal side, worn with a pair of skinny jeans on the casual side, or worn here with some bold leggings for the edgy side. Remember, a new item doesn’t mean just a new outfit- it means many new possibilities for all of your existing outfits! Expand your style in volumes.
