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.
Dreaming Of Silver Links
January 31, 2010
There is something dreamy about a bunch of silver strands and links elegantly combined, especially when it comes to necklaces. My normal accomplishment of such a look is by cleverly combining necklaces of various lentgths together, making sure the end result is elegant and bold but never a mess. Every now and then you find a piece that on it’s own accomplishes the look beautifully. This piece from Truffles Co. is just on case!
The combination of links and strands with a decorated piece bringing the links together, gently hanging down at an angle depending on how it is worn, works beautifully.
The miss match of link sizes with collected strands and a decorative piece with beads makes for a unique and fashionable look. Worn alone is fantastic, but it also gives you the opportunity to mix another piece into this already elaborate setup. The entire piece is designed quite long, in fact it is long enough to be worn as a belt (it is not unusual for me to find link styled belts and wear them as a necklace, lol).
The way I like to wear this style is by having half of the necklace show in the front, and have the other half decorate the back. This works great with dresses or tops that scoop in the front and the back. It can really dress up the look.
I like to wear it where half of each design is showing for a different kind of look. You could certainly wear it where each uniformed style shows from one view- one in the front and one in the back, keeping the decoration resting on the shoulder. But I like the dynamic of the mix.
Another possibility I am playing with is mixing it up as a choker or or very elaborate bracelet. With the length and change of styles there are many opportunities to explore.
I love playing around with shapes and textures, especially when they are in the same color scheme. Elaborate earrings are another fun area you see the trend in, most commonly with chandelier type earrings. I like earrings that are unique and miss matched; having the same theme so you can tell they belong together. When earrings resemble each other but have different lengths, I think that, too, is a fun style with a lot of opportunities. Take for instance this set that also plays into the links feel. This find is another item from Truffles Co. available on yesstyle.com.
Anyone can miss match a pair of earrings, but getting them to feel like a part of the same set is where it gets interesting. They either have to have been designed that way or play as a part of a theme. They have to look like they belong.
This piece from yesstyle.com does that well. You have all the same elements presented only slightly different, giving it a very unique and bold look. I love it. And it has the links and strands that I have been craving in my fashion.
What fashion cravings have you been having?
Lace Takes A Walk On The Wild Side
January 8, 2010
Lace can be such a delicate and dainty material that gives you a feminine attitude in your style. But then there’s the other side of lace’s personality: the wild one!
With a pair of patterned stirrups tights like the ones pictured above, the word that comes to mind is FIERCE. There is an animal print quality in this pattern that when combined with the texture of lace is absolutely stunning. There’s nothing dainty about this lace, it’s all about the bold killer style approach.
This particular pair is from designer MELISSA found on YESSTYLE.com and is the perfect element for creating a daring look. This is style that stands out from far away, absolutely lovely.
I’ve been getting into leggings and tights more than ever before since I’ve discovered so many interesting and unique styles. I think it is great how a strong design on the legs makes your existing shoe and dress collection take a whole new dimension. Everything is new again, and always exciting.
If you are looking for more creative styles to expand your closet with, do a search for “leggings” within YESSTYLE’s site and I think you will find some fun ideas and inspirations. A walk on the wild side never felt so fabulous!
Rodarte + Target: Lace In Love
January 7, 2010
The ever so lovely and fabulous designs of RODARTE have made an appearance as TARGET’s latest designer collection, and I think this one has been the best so far. The designs created for this collection truly feel as though they are a part of the main collection, looking rich and elegant.
Delicate fabrics with lots of beautiful texture in brilliant colors look as though they could melt in your arms, some being bright and bold and others being soft and light. The mixtures of lace, sheer designs, and ribbons galore create a feminine look truly worthy of the runway.
I was fortunate enough to find two looks available in my size. One of which I will share with you here now, and the other as soon as it warms up enough for me to enjoy wearing it (but I’ll give you a sneak peak at the end of this post).
This is a beautiful and classic black dress from RODARTE for TARGET:
Look at that beautiful lace on such a classic feminine design. The bow adds shine and brings the collar together in a very pretty manner. This dress is perfect. I love it!
I don’t know if the pictures show it enough, but the skirt portion of the dress has a great amount of volume that just subtly flairs out adding more texture and a more pronounced silhouette.
I’ve wanted to wear the dress out since I left the store, but where to go in such a beautiful design? I like to make my own occasions, so I decided I would get all dressed up for… dun dun dun, an afternoon out with burgers, coffee, and cigars! Ha ha ha, I love dressing up for the simple occasions in life. Somehow a burger is much more fun when you’re wearing RODARTE. It was a nom nom combination.
If you haven’t hit your local TARGET yet, I would highly recommend going soon if it isn’t already too late. These designer collections disappear quickly, and once they are gone that’s it.
Oh, and here is a super sneak peak of my other find! I’ll just give you the color and texture of it for now 
I ♥ Lace: A Fashion Obsession, Part II
December 27, 2009
The beauty of lace is that there are so many ways to wear it: from accessories like hair decorations, gloves, purses and scarves to dresses and tights making an outfit truly stand out.
In my last lace obsessed post I was playing with the idea of lace tights to add more texture and style to your fashion. With the winter trend of thigh high boots, patten tights fit just right in creating a bold and sexy style.
Black is classic and elegant and works lovely with winter’s charm. Later on in the spring nude and white lace may add a soft but playful factor for us to look forward to. But back to the season at hand and how we can have fun with our style.
I have been experimenting with lace quite a lot lately- and not just how it can redesign shoes. Take for instance using lace as a layer and foundation for your existing wardrobe. A long sleeve laced top goes a long way when worn under the right dress or tank top. It is the perfect selection for updating your entire wardrobe, giving old pieces a new feel in an instant. If you want to take lace even further then consider a piece such as this lucky find: A Lace Trim Jumpsuit from TIAN MU.
What I like about this selection is that not only is it one-of-a-kind, it is also all once piece. Well, one piece save for the black tube top underneath. If you have a unique tank top you can play with the lines of the design even more. But this once piece with the casual shorts and lace collar, front, and sleeves creates a simple look that is not to be ignored.
Because it is a single piece it leaves plenty of room for accessories- from vests to belts to playful jewelry pieces. I like the outfit on its own honestly, but I also look forward to reinventing the look over and over again. I’ve been thinking of playing with belts, skinny to “wow” factor big, and different undergarments first. Maybe even a colorful long sleeve top underneath to add a new flair. There’s plenty of ideas available and this very unique outfit will have a different feel each time I wear it because of all these options.
TIAN MU has lots of other great styles which have caught my eye, many of them playing with lace in different ways, too. From baby doll dresses to leggings, there’s lots of great ideas and inspirations to be found.
Click Here to view more from Tian Mu and find some fashion inspirations (or obsessions!) of your own.
Floral Dreams Of A Fashion Wonderland
December 20, 2009
I love the soft, delicate, and feminine charm of a floral theme especially when it comes to fashion. I think accessories have a lot of room for creativity and playfulness here. I know the first time I saw the incredibly gorgeous floral rings from Dior that this would be a theme I would keep close to.
Anything that resembles the thoughts of Wonderland holds a special place in my heart and within my style. Take for instance here with this beautiful bracelet from a boutique shop called “Nonno.”
A pearl, crystals, gold, pink shades, and a dainty chain all come together here for a lovely look. And the lady bug is bonus feature. Floral designs within the accessory world is not an uncommon theme. Though it may be winter now, spring is soon to follow with many new welcoming designs.
After a winter of many dark, rich, and decadent colors the softer pastel shades are soon to return. And with them, the many joys of spring as well.
Designs and inspirations are everywhere. And accessories are becoming more and more creative! I cannot wait to see what the new year brings. But for now, I’ll be enjoying the pieces I already have, the ones I have just recently been given (such as the ring above given to me by an amazing friend), and the floral designs of shoes, dresses, lace, and even household decor.
Yes, floral designs are everywhere. Even in our earrings as seen below, a favorite of mine from a set I found on YESSTYLE.com. They always have great styles and inspiring ideas for your wardrobe there. You can see more of these earrings, including the other mismatched piece to the set, which really makes me think of Alice In Wonderland here:
You’ll also find more inspirations of the floral fashion theme in the post listed above. It is a favorite of mine since there are so many ways to reinvent and style such looks. And the feel alone always brings a smile to my face.
Style Obsession: Boots, Lace, and Bows
December 12, 2009
My latest obsession with boots, lace, and bows comes from my interest (and now inspiration) in thigh high boots. Buckles, lace, ribbon, lace, and leather- I’m all in for it! I love a stylish dream come to life.
For instance, look at the boots at the beginning of this entry. A wow-factor up and beyond; I love it. These boots are from FOXCiTY and are available on yesstyle.com. Unfortunately for me they are no longer available in my size, but this may be a turn of luck for you if you want a pair for yourself: view the FOXCiTY boot details here.
And so lately I’ve been exploring other options for my thigh high boot needs, such as a pair of stylish leggings paired with a unique strappy boot like I did here. But right now my latest obsession is with lace. Everywhere, anyway I can wear it. I’ll show you more examples soon of what I mean by everywhere, right now I can show you the one I’ve been wearing the most: lace tights.
I adore what tights do for an outfit, not to mention the shoes. With a great pattern like this, an outfit takes on a whole new feel. Something that thigh high boots bring to style is texture, and with lace you get that in an instant.
These tights in particular have a nice floral pattern that I think mixes in nicely, keeping it feminine but definitely very bold.
From the lace of a pair of boots, the ribbon wrapping them, to the many options of lace- I am enjoying this fashion season!
And this is only a preview into the lace obsession- details are on the way
A Snowy White Fashion Look
December 5, 2009
With the crisp winter air now all around, I’ve been inspired to create a look that is soft, feminine, and a beautiful snowy white. After looking through my closet and making a couple of welcoming discoveries, I came up with just the right combination.
I first began by placing my hair in an elegant updo. I have many wraps within my wardrobe and knew I would be wearing one to protect my neck from the cold. Right now it is cool enough to be refreshing, and not the harsh bitter coolness that may come in the next day.
With my hair up I knew I wanted to wear a certain dress. This is a dress that was an unepected find. It was displayed at a window of a shop I had never seen while on the road traveling. The shop’s name I cannot recall, it just so happens to be one of those fate finding dresses for me. The material is a soft white and reminds me of a baby blanket, which is perfect for the cool temperatures.
With a white vintage fur wrapped around my neck, this soft blanket of a dress draped on I felt like a snow white princess of winter. I love the bright clean look of this brilliant white color, and all the mixes of textures involved.
Having a solid color all throughout on an outfit, and then multiple textures involved makes an outfit pop like nothing else. I love this style. Shape, volume, and texture when all in the same color is a beautiful fashion playground. Perhaps my absolute favorite one at that.
What is your favorite style to play with?
How Do You Wear Your Stripes?
November 3, 2009
Stripes can be tricky to wear as they can make a very bold statement. They can also very quickly go overboard! It is important to keep your colors and patterns in balance so that they compliment your overall look rather than make you look like the battlefield.
This is a cute dress from dodostyle that has a connected striped long sleeved top. It is all one complete piece- and well thought out at that. The sleeves have a slight bell shape at the end with some extra length to really add a nice balancing contrast. Horizontal stripes can make things appear wider, so the extra length goes a long way here to keep that from occurring. Same is true of the volume at the end, that shape adds a very pleasing contrast.
The shoes in this case are a subtle touch to balance out the top with the bottom. I normally don’t think of these straps as stripes, but when put into perspective with a piece like this, it works together very nicely.
The solid color of the black looks beautiful and whimsical against the vivid stripes. The shape of the black portion of this dress is very clean and simple with feminine lines. The bottom bubbles out in the same manner of the sleeves, making them look like they belong. It adds another dynamic into the volume- from fitted to bubbled, in a very complimentary style.
And did I mention cozy? I love sleeves that are longer than me, something about them makes me feel like a child all cuddled up. All of my dresses from Dodostyle are cozy like that. Not necessarily from the sleeves, but from the material. They all have very nice fits and make me feel like I’m wrapped in a blanket. Also, their styles are incredibly adorable! Yet another beauty from YES STYLE, every item I have ordered from them demands attention anywhere I go. It is how I wear my style, and in this piece, my stripes.
How do you wear your stripes?
Where’s Your Playsuit? Noir Fashion Fun
October 29, 2009
I know what you’re thinking… a playsuit- really? Not my normal thing but something about this piece made me want to have it. It looks comfortable as can be, but still has that element of style that calls to me. And once I had it on, I knew it was meant to be. I love it.
With the cool weather creeping in, shorts are not going to cut it. But since I want to wear my new piece, I find a way to make it work. Tights are just the thing here, and they add a nice new pattern and feel to complete the look. What was once just a playful cute look as a new edge to it. Pattern tights with a simple solid outfit really make it “pop.”
These tights are a pair I found at Target some time ago, and have always been interesting to mix with outfits. They can be busy if anything else is competing, but something about the form of the playsuit works just lovely with them. I’ll wear a black solid shaped jacket as I go out and the chill picks up, but right now it’s sunny with that cool air that needs just a little extra.
The black playsuit is a find from YES STYLE. I think the bow design on the top is just darling, and not over the top. Just right and adds a nice shape to it all. Very feminine and very cute.
I love outfits like these- they are ready to go in an instant and you look fabulous without any effort what so ever. It just carries it for you. A little volume with texture, a solid and elegant color, and a touch of playfulness with the unique design. Definitely pretty and fabulous. mwah.
Accessory Love: A Perfect Match!
October 19, 2009
Don’t you love it when you unexpectedly come across an accessory that matches one of your own, in color and in texture? It can be a rare treat, but one that will last a long time within your fashion wardrobe.
Just the other day, yet again at Target, before heading to the checkout I decided to take a glimpse into their bags and scarfs. I wasn’t really expecting to purchase anything, but then there it was, this bag. Shimmering just subtly in the light, and in the exact same style as my Michael Kors shoes which I love so dearly.
I didn’t have to question it, just accepted that it was meant to be. Even more so when you consider the price- only ten dollars, ha. What a treat!
Now, the shoes had a much higher price on them, but that is part of the beauty of this find. It makes for a rich combination- style is determined by personal style and not by price. There is no one and only, but what makes you happy and what you feel confident wearing. Sometimes it is a treat to spurge on a luxury items, other times they find us at a bargain. It doesn’t matter- they are all fabulous finds.
When something matches this well, I like to play it carefully. Normally I’ll let these two items be the only things that match in my outfit, keeping the rest very simple. I think the matching stands out more without being overpowering. You want to compliment it. But every now and then I’ll get in a mood to go all out.
When I go all out- I’m looking for consistancy in color (kind of like all black) and keeping the focus on the shape and silhouette. Matching takes some strategy to get the look to work just right. And I think I’ll be having some serious fun with these two accessories together.
Black On Black Fashion Glamor
October 12, 2009
Black- the classic fashion color for an elegant look. It is complimenting and offers multiple style options- even with the same garments given to a number of people. Each person will wear it differently and give it a new feel. So with winter giving me another chance to play, I decided to go with the black on black layering technique.
Since it is cool, layers are required (especially with my clothes, lol). A long sleeve black shirt and black tights make the foundation- from those two form fitting items, I am able to play with shape and color if I so choose to. Since I am going with black on black, shape is what counts here.
I have this floppy, cozy, sweater-like dress that was just begging to be worn. But with it’s short length and short sleeves, it requires company if it wants to actually be warm. Perfect- just the ingredient I was looking for. Now for some fun with the accessories:
When it is cool outside, I love wearing my bracelets over my long sleeves. Something about it makes them pop, especially when it is silver on black. But even the black on black stands out, the shine from the gems are a subtle and elegant touch. And with a ring to match- beautiful!
Now, because I didn’t want to be completely in black and lost in the shadows… I wanted something to really just pop. What stands out against black more than white, and with yesterday’s theme still fresh in my mind, I knew just the shoes to do it.
I’ve posted about these shoes before, and yet almost had forgotten I had them! Ack, I know.. but they are brand new to me again since finding them, lol. You can see more photos of the shoes from my previous post here: click to view the shoes
Black on black glamor- I’m going to say it’s a fabulous do ;D
