Party Time: Which Dress Will You Wear?
November 30, 2011
Tis the season… for lots of parties! Whether it is a family get together, celebration with friends, or night out on the town- it is the season to be ready with dresses that will impress the crowds.
Here are some styles that will not only give you a variety, but will also inspire you to have more fun with your party dress planning. We will start with the very “in” style: the caped dress.
Capes are everywhere- from a simple caped sleeve on a blouse to a bold heavy cape on a jacket. You can even add a cape to your favorite dress for a more dramatic character. What I like about this particular dress is that the cape is sheer and lined with ruffles. I adore texture and volume, and this shows that a cape doesn’t have to be traditional. The neutral tones of the dress work well with the shape, too.
When it comes to winter, I think of either neutral, soft shades, or I think of rich colors such as a dark purple, vivid red, dark gray or black. Sometimes the neutral shades are under appreciated. A peach dress with gold jewelry and a fur wrapped collar is a statement of elegance!
DRESS: IAIZO by Seven Princess
Next we have a classic red fitted dress which is perfect for the Christmas party season. It’s fitted with knots of fabric in the front to give it some texture. It makes me think of wrapping presents. The color is a gorgeous red! A girl understands that finding the perfect red is no simple task. I like how this one is vivid with enough depth in the color to give it a natural glow. The texture of the fabric creates subtle shadows that make the red even richer in color.
This is a dress that is sure to get noticed. Wear an elaborate jacket to keep you warm, then reveal the simple beauty of this candy apple dress.
DRESS: Knot front strapless dress from Joanne Kitten, available on yesstyle.com
Here’s another classic- a long black dress. With this much fabric the shape is very important. What I love about this dress is the back! The front is very chic and modest, while the back drops down. It’s elegant with just enough of the sexy factor to keep you feeling gorgeous all night. A strapless sticky bra will keep you comfortable so you can keep your back revealed (just something to consider! If you don’t have one, they’re a small investment and go a long way for both your existing and future wardrobe).
DRESS: Open back maxi dress from SPICY HOLIC, available on yesstyle.com
Finally we look at the very girlie “frills and ruffles” style of dress. This is one of my personal favorites to wear. I like how it is fitted at the top, shows off the waist, then gives you lots of fabric with an uneven hem. It flows, it moves, and it maintains the feminine form beautifully. It’s ruffled- but not over the top. It’s just right!
I decided to go with an ice blue color here, for a snow empress kind of look. This is the dress on its own (I wanted to show it off in it’s natural element), but for the winter season I’ll be adding either a cloak or a soft white fur wrap around the neck. Add some dark jewelry into the neckline- something heavy and jeweled, and you’ll have a completely new look. I think that’s why I’m so fond of dresses like this- feminine, soft toned, and all one color. You can constantly discover new ways to fit it into any season.
I’ve even worn this dress with a black skull necklace, boots, and a black edgy jacket for a more rock and roll kind of look. Neutral dresses really allow your own personality to shine.
This same style dress in a dark purple, burgundy, or emerald color is another thing to consider for the winter season.
DRESS: V neck Ruffle Chiffon Dress from 59 Seconds, available on yesstyle.com
Which style of dress will you be wearing this holiday season? I know I will be wearing all of them!
Fall into Elegance with Attitude
November 16, 2011
When I think of chiffon I think of feminine elegance- the material is so delicate and it moves beautifully. It’s both carefree and fitted the way it naturally falls against the human form. This being said, I like to break the rules and bring some attitude into the scene!
I like the contrast the softness of this chiffon blouse brings to the harshness of these boots. With the weather of the fall this makes a great outfit for the warmer days, and even a great option to wear underneath those giant coats for the colder days. The shoes show off some style, then once you are inside where it is warm, you can take off the coat and reveal your outfit in comfort.
I’ve been finding myself collecting more and more chiffon blouses- some more fitted and some almost oversized. I like playing with neutral shades in the fall, then bringing in the color in time for winter. A splash of a vivid shade goes a long way. I just recently found a bright yellow oversized chiffon blouse I’m currently playing with!
The nice thing about a neutral shade is that you can style it differently for every season. Right now I’m leaning towards matching up blacks and browns for the fall and winter season. But when spring and summer come around, I’m thinking more pastels, whites, creams, and lighter tones to brighten the look up. Layers come in handy here, too.
This particular blouse is from TokyoFashion and is available on yesstyle.com. Being a dress girl I like to challenge myself with different styles. I would challenge you to do the same- break up the routine and let some of the minor style characteristics in your wardrobe shine in the spotlight for a day. For me that means styling different shirts, skirts, shorts, pants, and leggings together. Many times I’ll pick a pair of shoes and then work backwards to create a style for them!
Fall in love with a fashion piece and then build a style of your own around it!
Fall/Winter Must Have: A Cape Jacket
October 13, 2011
This season’s must have accessory is the cape jacket. The traditional structured jacket feels very rigid and expected, whereas the cape brings romance into the scene with it’s carefree shape that falls and hugs your body beautifully.
It also layers very well. Where a full jacket covers your complete outfit, the cape keeps you warm while still allowing your outfit to be seen. Even with the larger capes for the winter you have that added style and romantic feel. But right now for the Fall I’m enjoying this little cape to compliment the crisp, cool air.
Anything that makes me think “romantic” makes me think curls. I love styling my hair in big curls that fall into the changing shape of the fabric I am wearing.
This particular cape is from 59th street and is available at yesstyle.com. I love how the pockets are subtle and add to the overall shape of the cape. The cape is available in other colors, too, but I find myself all too often going for the classic black and wanted to give some contrast to my outfits. Besides, my hair is so dark it can look too heavy with my hair down (black on black). I think khaki works perfectly in this shape, and really makes me think of fall.
My next quest is to find capes in more vivid colors and other jackets with different shapes!
Polka Dot: Classic With A Twist
August 31, 2011
Get The Look:
OrangeBear Dotted Shirt Dress from yesstyle.com
Classic: the pattern, The Twist: it’s sheer.
Here we have a beautiful shirt dress with a feminine design and a classic dotted pattern. Make it sheer and now you have something very interesting to style. I wanted to keep it simple and let the sheer material show hints here and there, but still remain classy.
I decided to go with a black strapless bra and some fitted high waist shorts as the undergarments- they are just darker than the color of the dress so it blends in very nicely while an appropriate amount of skin just ever so slightly peaks through. Continuing with the idea of keeping this look simple and classy with a twist- I kept my make up nude with red lipstick as well as a pair of red shoes for some more color. And because I was feeling inspired, I braided my hair into two very loose french braids. From a distance, things may look familiar but up close everything has a modern and creative twist (however slight it may be).
I like an outfit that brings up a challenge, and anything sheer will do that. Sheer with a pattern takes it to another level. You can always be safe with a classic black slip, but sometimes it is fun to experiment and see where your creativity may lead you. This time I went classic, next time I may not. It makes this one single dress have tons of different looks- looking like a completely new outfit each time depending how far you go with the styling. How many looks will you create and are you up to the challenge?
Must Have Look: The Boyfriend Shirt
August 1, 2011
This is a simple clean look with a powerful statement. It’s carefree but controlled with a subtle sexy feel. It’s “the boyfriend shirt” fitted properly for the female form. I’ve been hunting for the perfect boyfriend shirt for some time now, hoping to wear it as a dress or with some leggings and some heels. Then I found it- the shirt I had been dreaming of! It’s from yeomong on yesstyle.com and is exactly what I have been wanting.
The material is soft and delicate (as well as very comfortable) and falls beautifully against the feminine form. Because it is longer in the back it wears really well with a pair of shorts. Just tuck in the front and let the rest flow- adding more to that sexy flair. It could be worn with leggings, too, but with the heat of the summer still out I found shorts to be the perfect route. Add a pair of classic black heels and you are in business.
Another way to wear this look is with lots of long necklaces and bracelets, then maybe some more grunge styled boots. From Classy to Rock and Roll- there are plenty of ways to make this look your own.
I’m excited. When I find a piece that I really like I tend to buy several and in every color. I know my next purchase will be the same shirt in black- then maybe wear it with either jeans or with beige shorts and beige heels to reverse the look I have here. It’s my new favorite look!
Sleeve Inspired
July 24, 2011
Get The Look:
Layered-Hem Fringed Tunic from Othermix available on yesstyle.com
My latest obsession is all about sleeves. Whether it is pure volume, interesting textures, abstract designs, or even off to one side- it is an instant attention grabber and gives a new shape to your style.
Take for instance these sleeves from Othermix available on yesstyle.com. They are fabulous with fringe and balanced out with sheer fabric so that the arms are still visible. This gives you volume but also reveals the feminine shape. With sleeves this big, you want to make sure you don’t turn into a block of fabric- make sure there is still an elegant form. When it comes to sleeves- think about the movement the fabric will make as you walk, the silhouettes you are creating, and the overall shape that compliments to your natural body.
Make things interesting and get creative with different forms. They don’t have to be big to be interesting, sometimes something as subtle as a winged corner, like a horn, on the shoulder can give you an edgy and daring look. Here are some styles I have my eye on for inspiration. All of these looks are from Othermix and are available on yesstyle.com. I adore their sense of style and creativity, as well as their use of color. With designs like these it is easy to look like an instant fashion icon.
Click Here to view more from Othermix!
Color Inspired: Purple
July 1, 2011
TOKYOFASHION Strapless Tulle-Panel Floral Dress from yesstyle.com
Or maybe I should say Violette? Let me explain- the summer weather has been making me crave a “refreshing” factor in my drinks as well as in my fashion. I want a soft beautiful color with simple flowing fabrics. I want a drink that has crisp, delicate flavors, and cools away the heat of the day. I want a dress, much like my drink! (Okay, maybe except for the fabric part!) One of my summer cocktails has been a Violette Fizz, which I believe is a perfect match for this dress. I’m a fan of edible flowers as well as crème de violette (rose water and orange blossom water, too- but that’s another post entirely). Finding a match of these inspirations in both my dress as well as my cocktail is a beautiful dream come true.
Inspirations that match the drink and dress: a soft purple color and a floral design.
VIOLETTE FIZZ
1 ½ oz gin
½ oz crème de violette
1 oz lemon juice
½ tsp sugar
shake over ice and strain into a Collins or Fizz glass
top with soda and garnish with a flower
I think my new obsession has become colored tulle, especially when it comes to softer tones of purple, yellow, seafoam, and even magenta. The texture of the fabric looks beautiful in these colors. It also makes you stand out.
I think this dress is stunning on its own, so I avoided any accessories that would distract from the dress. To take the look from dainty to having a little more attitude, I wore a bright red lipstick to make the look “pop”. Floral patterns make me want to curl my hair for that extra bounce as I walk. I think curls or waves look beautiful against a floral design.
Flowers in my dress and in my drink? Absolutely! I’m feeling inspired and ready to relax in style.
Rosettes + Chiffon: Beauty!
May 27, 2011
THE LOOK:
OOPSLADY Sleeveless Rosette Accent Chiffon Dress from yesstyle.com
I’m obsessed with lace, chiffon, tulle, ruffles, anything sheer, and now- rosettes! Not just any rosettes… no one wants to look like they got covered in party invitation decor, but rosettes that make up an elegant accent to a design. I like rosettes that are created in a subtle fashion that compliments an outfit and takes it to another level. Subtly can be bold. That’s what I am after here. Soft delicate textures that make a strong, feminine statement.
In this dress, I have a mix of many of my favorite things! It is ruffled at the ends, a chiffon material, sheer on top, and has brilliantly placed ruffles. It is delicate and fierce all in one. The length is short, but it also has volume. Honestly, I’m thinking of wearing another skirt underneath this dress to really embellish the volume.
It is sleeveless and sheer on top, and because of the short length the volume can be out there. Your showing your limbs and thus your figure. I like the contrast. It is all about playing with silhouettes and keeping the look as a whole in balance.
Just look how the fabric falls naturally. It is elegant and takes the little black dress to a higher level. Definitely wear your hair up in a dress like this, otherwise you lose the detail of the back. If you have long dark hair like me, then you may feel like the volume on top gets a little heavy with the volume of the dress itself (dark on dark all melts together, and we want to look elegant, not… well, not the alternative!). I think a natural wavy styled hair could work if you want to wear it down, so long as the hair moves and the texture is different. But why not show the dress off? Play with an up do, twist your hair into rosettes even! Keep it fun and interesting.
Something else that appeals to me about this dress is that it slightly resembles lingerie. There’s something great about that feeling, like you are breaking the rules and wearing a nightgown out in public – and looking fabulous doing it.
Normally, I would wear a simple black heel, but I couldn’t resist showing these shoes off and sharing them with you! They are from KVOLL and are actually a simple black heel with an accessory.This means you can wear it simple, or dress it up with some attitude. The studs are like a bracelet for your ankles and since they are not attached to the shoe, you can wear it with any of the existing shoes in your collection. Those are some serious options. Yeah, that really rocks!
I’ve been very fond of KVOLL‘s shoes, they are so different and the inexpensive price tag allows for more to play with at home. I like to have shoes in every color (I’m trying!) and they make that possible for me. Some colors aren’t practicable for daily wear, but when they are inexpensive and incredibly cute it doesn’t matter. And I love saying “yes” to more shoes!
In fact.. I just found a pair that will match this dress perfectly! I’m so excited. I ordered them in black to match my dress.. but the pink ones are pretty tempting, too! I’ll share the photos once they arrive, but in the meantime you can get a sneak peak of them for yourself here: KVOLL Chiffon Pedal Platform Sandals.
Roses, Darling!
May 2, 2011
Every girl needs a dress that can be tossed on without a care in the world, and then be able to walk out looking and feeling beautiful. A dress that is chic without trying, darling without being “cutsie”, and has that soft and feminine feel without looking too sexy.
For me, this is that dress. It is a short sleeve applique dress from EYESCREAM on yesstyle.com. I love how carefree and darling it is. The design makes me think of rose petals without being obvious. The rest of the dress is a simple black fabric which falls just right, it hugs you in the right ways as you walks and even has a couple of pockets to say “causal chic”. This is effortlessly elegant.
Casual can still be pretty! Dresses like this are the perfect balance of casual and chic. The petal design gives you a fashion edge that those around you will wish they had, too.
