This week's episode is on how to create an outfit featuring mixed patterns! Yes, I know it can be a bit intimidating at the thought of it, but it's actually super easy to do, if you use the four tips I mention in the video!
Music in Inro:
BY: Lino Rise
TITLE: Fremantle
SOURCE: free-intro-music.com
Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0
Photo Credit: Image of Cara Delevingne for DVF was taken by Getty Images
BLAZER: H&M// TUNIC: Marshalls// JEGGINGS: Express// BOOTS: Michael Kors (Marshalls)// PURSE: Louis Vuitoon Tivoli GM
(In the scroll bar, the pants are showing up white, but they have the teal color, too!)
Hello Ladies,
Today's look is a very seasonal color pairing, in that I selected colors that are found perfectly blended in nature during this time of year. I say nature is the best place to derive our inspiration, since everything that encompasses it compliments each other as though they were intricately placed and seasoned at the same exact time. So if they look perfect in the sky and around us, why wouldn't they look perfect on us?!
What I love about this color combination is that it can be used both in the summer and fall. They're perfect in the summer because teal is a color reflective of the gorgeous sea waters and the brown and gold accents are seen in trees, sand, and rocks around the shore. In fall, the browns are seen in the trees and leaves that are changing and the teal can be used to represent the leaves that don't change at all.
TIPS FOR WEARING THIS LOOK FOR YOUR FRAME
There are quite a few things that you can play around with, with an outfit like this. First, if you so choose, you can remove the blazer. This will create a lengthening effect to the upper half of the body, extending from the calf area (since we have boots) up to the face. In this case, we'd be using the monochrome technique to visual extend the length of the torso, perfect for those of you who may have a naturally shorter torso and longer legs! The reason why the torso would be the area that is mainly enhanced is because we're working with boots that are practically at the knee and are in a noticeably different color, which creates contrast:
The second option would be if you have a long torso, you may want to do what I did and that's wear a blazer over your top, to further enhance the sections of your body visually. You may also want to opt for boots that are not as high as the one's I'm wearing, since this cuts off some visual inches from the legs; in this case, ankle boots may be best:
Third, if you are fairly proportional in that one area of your body is not longer than the other, you can remove the blazer and just have the boots as the piece that breaks up the monochrome a bit. However, if you are petite and wish to appear visually taller overall, I'd suggest that you maintain the monochrome on top and bottom, don't add a different color blazer, and opt for ankle boots instead, since they cut off less of the leg visually:
TIPS FOR WEARING THIS LOOK FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE
Now, this look is perfect as is for all my pear, rectangular, and hourglass shaped ladies, despite the printed bottoms. The reason is because we're wearing a cowl neck, which balances out any attention that is being placed on the bottom half of our bodies, as a result of the print. A cowl neck adds visual dimension to the bust, making it appear larger, an instant fix for those of us with smaller busts and larger hips! This look is suitable for my rectangular shapes because our upper and lower portions are being distinguished and broken up into sections, due to the addition of the brown blazer and boots. This is ideal for the rectangular shape because she would otherwise appear straight up and down, lacking any curve or shape. The only thing I would alter for my apple shapes is the neckline of the top. Cowl necks are not the best choice for this shape, since those who fall into this category naturally have larger busts, wider chests, backs, and midsections, regardless of size; the use of a cowl neck would only exaggerate this making one appear even larger. Instead, opt for a v-neck, since they visually narrow the trunk of the body, because the neckline moves downward instead of across. Other than the that, this too would be a great look for all my apple shapes:
TIPS FOR WEARING THIS LOOK FOR SKIN TONE
When it comes to skin tone, caramel, cognac, or camel colors, which I'm wearing on top and bottom, tend to compliment those with warm or neutral skin tones best. If you fall into those skin tone categories and wish to recreate this look and don't have the colors mentioned, a terracotta or burnt orange would work just as well! For all my cool skin tones, I'd suggest a chocolate brown, since your natural undertones are deep (blue), so deep and rich colors look amazing on you!
Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you found the post helpful!
Today's look is inspired by the urban streets of New York, in which I've grown up, The Bronx. I've mentioned to you before how fellow New Yorkers can generally tell which borough a person's from based on his or her accent. While it's all a New York accent, each borough has a more or less exaggerated version and I believe it's a bit true when it comes to style and vibes. I've created outfits in the past that have been inspired by the streets of Brooklyn, which tend to feature more earthy tones and an overall vintage vibe, which I now refer to as "Brooklyny," lol! The Bronx borough has more of a sportswear and menswear inspired running theme, demonstrated by the New York Yankee fitteds you'll see all throughout the streets, the latest Jordan's on feets, and if not that...Timberland boots! It's very common to see matching couples walking the streets and riding the trains in this borough. You'll see matching Jordan's and Timberland boots and while I used to do this as teenager, I sometimes felt as though I was loosing my femininity within the style. I'm sure that there are those of you out there that may feel the same and want to dress in an urban manner, whether you're from NY or Detroit, or from anywhere for that matter! The way to pull off an urban look, yet maintain that feminine flow is to accessorize in a way that reads street chic.
Street chic is simply maintaining the inspiration you have from your area, while adding some hints of glamour. These Timberland inspired booties do just that, as do sneaker wedges. They have that menswear inspired vibe with that perfect touch of glam, which I love! Many men inspired shoes for the ladies now come in heel options (such as loafers), not to say that if you wear the flat version you won't look or appear womanly, not true, you've seen me rock the flat versions, too! This is an option for all those lover of heels that want the menswear vibe blended ;)
Now, if you're loving this look, regardless of where you live, which doesn't matter because style and fashion is present within us as much as around us, then below are options that I've created for your body shape, so you can achieve the same vibe. This outfit would be perfect for school, since the heel is chunky, making it more comfortable and easy to walk in! The pear shape version is the one I'm wearing and I have links to similar pieces above, if you're interested in shopping the post.
APPLE SHAPE
RECTANGULAR SHAPE
HOURGLASS SHAPE
Thanks for stopping by and I hope the post inspired you!
This week's video is on selecting the best size of printed tops for your body shape! Have you ever tried on a printed blouse only to leave the store empty handed because it didn't look good on you? Chances are that you selected the wrong size that didn't necessarily flatter your body shape. I always stress the importance of identifying your body shape and working towards styling it correctly. We need to know and understand that not every piece of clothing, included printed pieces, work best on us. However, that does not mean that prints don't or will never look good on you! Watch this video to learn what you should look for when selecting a printed top the next time you go shopping!
Video Photo Credit: CollageVintage.com
Music in Inro:
BY: Lino Rise
TITLE: Fremantle
SOURCE: free-intro-music.com
Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0
VEST: Marshalls// TURTLE NECK: Marshalls// JEANS: 7 for all Mankind (Marshalls)// NECKLACE: c/o Anitanja// PURSE: Louis Vuitton Tivoli GM// SHOES: Nine West
Hello loves,
Last night I decided to wear a very 60s inspired outfit for date night. I've mentioned to you before how the 60s and 70s are the eras in fashion that I personally identify with the most. I think it has a lot to do with the youth and boldness that encompasses the styles of those decades that I admire. In this case, the outfit I chose best represents the 70s overall. During this time there were a lot of vests, fur, and bell bottom jeans worn, amongst many other distinctive trends that I can go on and on about. Let's break down the entire look and discuss why it would work for you!
I chose to wear a black turtle neck paired with a beige faux fur vest because I felt that the black pulled out the darker browns and black within the vest, which kept me warm and cozy much of the night, since the temp did drop, I do feel the soft nudges of winter! I decided to wear a pair of flared jeans, which I believe are flattering for those who have curvaceous hips, such as my fellow pear and hourglass shapes, which I think this outfit would look great on. When worn with heels, flared jeans can help balance out the width of the hips by mimicking them below, creating a long and lean effect overall. It's when we choose to skip the heels that I feel we can end up appearing a bit stubby in the legs and the hips can appear much wider.
In addition, this pairing would also look exceptional on all my apple and rectangular shapes as well. The reason is because we have a nice flow of balance all throughout the outfit. The black turtle neck (if you are paler, I suggest wearing navy instead, it's less harsh against the skin. In your case, you never want to wear colors that are closest to your face in an extremely dark color, it'll wash you out and bring out darker tones in your face, making you appear unlively and unhealthy, we don't want that!) helps visually slim larger arms, the bust, and midsection. Even though we have a vest that offers texture and dimension, which can in most cases make my apple and inverted triangle shaped ladies appear larger in the bust (it creates this effect for the pear and rectangular shapes), we have the addition of the waist belt, which helps visually slim the upper body overall. I will suggest that if you are an apple shape you place the belt right where your rib cage is instead of where your natural waist is (under you rib cage), this is most flattering for you. The flared jeans will add some volume and visual weight to the slender legs of the apple, inverted triangle, and rectangular shapes, thus visually balancing out the entire frame.
I hope you enjoyed the post and that it inspired you in creating a similar pairing. In this case, the exact look I created would work for all the shapes mentioned above. If you have any additional questions, leave them in the comments' section and I will be sure to respond with my best suggestion(s)!
