I have another exciting styling request to share with you today! Venessa emailed me with a predicament of sorts: she purchased the Bent Stripes Assymetric Skirt (on sale now!), but wants some ideas for styling it, other than with a tucked in loose white top, nude wedges, and a gold statement necklace. Oh, and this outfit is not for just any old day – it will be worn to a wedding in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo!
I’ll start by saying I think Venessa picked theperfect starting point for this type of occassion…the skirt is festive, yet not completely in-your-face-look-at-me, and the assymetric cut of it really is stunning. I imagine walking in it looks magnificent!
Although Venessa called her styling ideas “kind of boooring,” I don’t think she had a bad idea at all! Yes, it may seem simple, but that may just be the beauty of it! Understated simplicity is definitely sometimes for the best – maybe even more so at a wedding. In fact, I will not be going as ”out-there” with these stylings of the skirt, say, as I might if I was styling the skirt purely for everyday wear.
Shall we get started?
Let’s talk color first. The skirt is primarily yellow and navy blue, with a white background of sorts behind the print. On the color wheel, yellow and blue are almost complementary, meaning they really do intensify each other. That is most certainly why the skirt feels bright and vivid, not to mention fresh, with the addition of the white.
Pairing the skirt with whites will maintain the freshness and will really put the focus on the skirt. The same goes for dark blues. Brighter blues would be a great option; they add some pizzazz yet don’t feel too out there (in the context of wedding, remember), considering that they’re just a shade of the blue on the skirt. Some light-medium purples could also work, as could some tones of orange. Honestly, most colors could work; it is just a matter of picking the right shade and what you feel comfortable with.
In terms of the silhouette of a potential top, I recommend generally picking something a little more tailored, something a little closer to the body. This type of silhouette will definitely create the most pleasing proportions. If you want something with more volume, generally going sleeveless will be key. I’m also going to recommend that you tuck the top in.
Tuck in this sky blue top and then accessorize with cleanly-cut, modern pieces. The shoes, and multiple jewelry pieces in tones of silver and gold keeps the look visually interesting from head-to-toe.
I’m loving the pattern play in this look; even though I cautioned to stick with more simplicity for a wedding, this print is subtle enough, but most importantly, the top being a tank means there is not an overwhelming visual sensory between the skirt and tucked in top. I kept the rest of the accessories pretty minimal too – these strappy sandals are delicate enough yet still graphic, and the bracelet is just that as well. Throw on a jean jacket, and this is a great look for day-to-day too! Bonus!
Kris Nations Sedona Bar Necklace (via Designs by Stephene) – $80
This beautifully purple hued top will look unexpected yet lovely tucked into the skirt. A delightfully simple necklace and nude heels finish off the look.
No, your eyes did not deceive you – this look uses the same top as the previous styling! Note, however, that by using more of statement necklace with the surprising addition of pink, the look has a different feel.
That wraps up this request! I hope Venessa has gotten some helpful ideas. I’m sure she’ll have a blast in whatever she ends up wearing with the skirt to the wedding!
I thought today we’d take a look at one dress, styled three different ways – a work appropriate version, a fun errand-running version, and a night-on-the-town version. What dress are we using, you ask? This gorgeous one:
Wearing this, you’ll be sure to stick out of the ho-hum boring work outfits you’re probably surrounded with! All of the pieces have a conservative look, but the way they’re paired together really spices them up!
While maintaining polish, a little bit of funkiness is brought in with the addition of the loafers. A retro feel is definitely given off, but in a modern, city-fabulous way.
The thing that really makes this look work is its balance of new and old, modern and traditional. The style of the dress is classic, but the color pumps it up. The shoes play up on its refined feel. The fun clutch and sleek ring, on the other hand, further enhance the modern feel. The complete look is a winner!
And, just for fun, one more bonus night-on-the-town look (using the same shoes as the previous look)!
I love the rich colors in this outfit – the deep green of the clutch and the dark navy blue of the heels – mixed with the more vibrant green dress. All of this makes for a more classic look, but it definitely still feels modern and fresh.
Which look is your favorite? Would you wear this dress?
This stunning dress is anything but the average LBD, and it acts as the perfect base for the outfit. The bracelet softens up the look a bit, while still maintaining a somewhat edgy feel. The clutch adds a nice little extra something, as does the sculptural feel of the shoes.
The cobalt blue necklace pairs fantastically with this striking black and gray dress. The entire look feels a bit retro, but is also loaded with elegance!
Which of these two looks would you rather wear to a Project Runway premiere party?! Or, if Project Runway just isn’t your thing, which would you rather wear out on the town? I’d love to hear!
Having seen the styling request I completed for Brittany, Christine emailed me in search of some ideas for the same dress (Gull Wing Dress), but a different color. But Christine isn’t just looking for everyday suggestions – no, she is planning on wearing this gorgeous dress to a wedding on a farm in just a week! She also, however, did ask for some other ideas…how to style it for warm weather and cool weather, formal occasions, and more casual settings.
Naturally, I was quite excited for the task!
Let’s start by having a quick look at our trusty color wheel!
The dress is primarily purple. It definitely is more of a pink-y purple than a blue-purple, so I’m going to say it’s around the number 14-15 on this particular color wheel. As you can see, green is opposite – somewhere in between a kelly green and a forest green. This means that if you choose to pair the dress with green, the purple color will be intensified, as will the green. If, on the other hand, you want a less harsh contrast, consider pinks. Blues are next to purple on the color wheel, but I think they will be harder to pull off with this particular shade of purple. Yellows are going to be tricky too – the right shade could work, but otherwise, it could end up looking pretty bad. Oranges, as well, will be finicky. The right shade will be stunning, but the wrong shade will be plain wrong. I think your best bet is to not pair too, too bright of colors with the dress, as the dress itself has a certain intensity to itself already. The less electrifying colors will also make for a very soothing color palette – almost sunset like!
In terms of jewelry: With the beautiful neckline of the dress, you probably won’t want a huge statement necklace. For the most part, allow the delicateness of the dress to shine through! Bracelets and rings are great ways to add interest without taking away from the dress.
For weddings, I tend to think that simple usually works best. Personally, I don’t see weddings as the time to try out a brand new trend – I think a certain element of classicism is beautiful. Obviously, I think there are exceptions, and it’s fine if you disagree with me – I’m just stating my opinion!
I’ll start out by modifying some of the stylings from the post using the black/pink version of the dress. Throughout, I’ll add some completely new ideas as well.
Instead of the original blue-green accents I paired with the other version of the dress, this time I went for accents of gold, silver, and a bit of pink. This is a girly look great for a wedding!
Keeping the same cardi, but switching up the shoes and accessories, I’ve made this a more casual, cooler weather appropriate look. The gray tights and boots really pick up nicely on the gray in the dress. If you wanted, you could do brown boots instead (and keep the gray tights).
With minimal adjustments from the other post, I’ve made this a great summer look! For those hot, hot summer days, you could do without the blouse completely. On the other hand, for those cooler days, you could do something like this:
Leave this cardi open, which will allow the blouse to show, as well as the dress. This will be great layering! If the weather is cool, but not ready for this sort of warmth, you could of course omit the tights or omit the tights and boots (replacing with different shoes).
Instead of using the sash from the dress, use this belt around the cardi (leave the cardi open). You’ll be able to see the ruffles of the dress and get a cinched in waist – a win, win situation! You could most definitely add tights to this look too, if need be.
Sometimes simple is the way to go…this would be lovely for a wedding – understated but put together. If it got too warm, you could always remove the cardi! Oh! And the flats are great for dancing! Come winter, you could add tights to the look for an everyday ensemble.
Remember the yellow pullover look from the other post? Well, this is my take on it with this color version of the dress. The shade of green in the bag is just a perfect complement to the purple and gray of the dress – just gorgeous!
For cooler weather, you could switch out those shoes for these shoes and add tights:
By replacing the sash with this sparkly little belt, you instantly dress it up. The shoes and ring finish off this simple, yet more fancy, look. The best part of not covering up the top of this dress is that you allow the pretty back to show!
This is a great versatile outfit with some edge, perfect for everything from a night on the town, to a wedding, to even some chic cooler weather errand-running.
This look has some great texture going on, with the lace, woven-like shoes, stone earrings, and silk dress. You could most definitely wear heels with this instead, but for a farm wedding, flats might seem more desirable – they feel a bit more casual and relaxed, as does a farm setting.
The color blue acts as a great accent in this look that is on the more casual side. You could, however, definitely alter it to make it more or less dressy!
Let’s talk hair now, shall we? If you choose to wear the dress simply, you might feel like your overall look still needs some oomph. Well, hair accessories are the perfect way to do so (and they can also be rather cost efficient!). Simple headbands or hair pins would be gorgoues…maybe something like this?
Now, let’s talk belts. Here is another one I’ve selected that could work beautifully with the dress (in place of the sash, or in place of the sash and over a cardi or jacket):
…But don’t let store selection limit you! A great DIY idea would be to buy some wide ribbon and attach a pin or brouch to it…you could have the ribbon tie in the back (with the pin/brouch to the side in the front, possibly?) or the front…your choice! Another idea would be to simply attach a pin/brouch to the dress’s sash! (In terms of places to find pins/brouches, you might want to try J. Crew…or really anywhere!)
Now, I’ll jump into some other items I think could work with the dress:
This would most definitely need a belt – again, you could use the dress’s sash or a belt of your choosing. The perfect cardi for a more casual look (although it could be dressed up some!).
On this week’s mid-week pick-me-up, I told you about a blog I just discovered, M Loves M. Well, today, we’re going to look at one of Mara’s recent outfits, and how to recreate it using all Anthro. Ready?
There are a few main things I love about the look: 1) it feels casual, but still very sophisticated and classic, 2) all of the pieces on their own are very simple, 3) the combination of gold and silver, and 4) the pop of color with her lipstick and heels.
Using all of that as guidance, I created this look:
A simple denim jacket serves this sweet dress well. The added necklace, belt, and bracelet help to add some sophistication, as do the sunglasses. The heels are a different color than our inspiration, but they’re still a bold hue and because of their nod to loafers, maintain a classic feel that is pertinent to the look. The end result is a beautiful casual look, perfect for the weekend!
On that note, I ask: what are you doing this weekend? Anything fun? Relaxing? Errands? Travel?
Guess what?! I’ve got another Anthro sighting for you!
As I started to look through Max Wagner’s most recent post of pictures from a photoshoot of a couple that was shot in New York City, I thought, man, this woman has got some style! Her hair cut was bold, as was her outfit – a hot pink top with an almost turquoise in color wide leg pant. I immediately started to wonder if by chance this woman worked in the fashion world. I mean, she has style! Although I don’t know the answer to that question, I did find something else out. You see, I got to the part of the post with some close-up shots…and that’s when I saw it! This woman must like Anthro, because her necklace is the Figure-Eight Necklace (only $48)! So not only does this woman have style, but she appears to like Anthro too! How cool!
I hope you’ll go to the post to not only check out the Anthro necklace this woman is sporting, but also to appreciate the rest of her outfit, not to mention the gorgeous photography! (The best picture of the necklace is the 5th from the bottom…although you can start from the top and I’m sure you’ll recognize it when you get to it!)
As the base for your outfit, start out with this great dress. Add on a necklace, bracelet, and some pretty flats – great for walking, croquet, and/or lots of mingling, but still stylish. The great thing about the look as a whole is that it combines old and new – old as in nostalgia – i.e. tie-dye-esque top of dress – and new as in an unusual color play – instead of red, white, and blue, which can be predictable, blue, silver/gold, and pink is used. This new color scheme gives an ode to the holiday but is much more sophisticated – and original - than the typical Fourth of July color palette. (Note: I’m not saying red, white, and blue can’t be done beautifully – they can!!! – instead, I’m saying a general statement. I don’t mean to offend anyone!)
One last [important] thought: thank goodness for the freedom the United States offers us, and all of the opportunities that come with it. Let’s not forget that, especially when we’re having a crummy day in the future!
Enjoy your day!….By the way, what are your plans?! I’d love to hear what this day has in store for you – even if you have the biggest plans or the smallest plans!
Happy Saturday, Lovelies! Even though it is the Fourth of July weekend, I still plan on posting every day…so if you’re not busy celebrating/running errands/relaxing, I hope you’ll stop by here!
When I was putting together the Get the Look styling after Anh’s look, I had to browse Anthro’s sunglasses collection. I sometimes look at the sunglasses currently available at Anthro, but not too often, as I’d rather spend my money on clothes at Anthro. Well, I might be reconsidering that because I found some gorgeous frames! Who knows if they would even look good on my face, but I’m intrigued!
While I’m not positive I could see these fitting in with my style completely (I’m sure I could find some outfits to work though!), I love these. The price though? *faints*
Now these are the shades that have stuck out in my mind most since browsing last. They’re so different from any other sunglasses I’ve seen before, and, again, they feel vintage while still being modern. Love, love, love! I would most definitely give these a try if it weren’t for their price!
Do you guys check Anthro’s sunglasses selection often? Which of these shades do you like? How about any others I may have missed from Anthro? Spill the beans!
I’m all for combining my love of fashion (my first love) and my love of baking (my second love). Therefore, I thought I’d do an inspired styling based on those Nutella Cheesecake Layer Bars (which I’ll from here on out refer to as NCLB for conciseness’ sake). After all, I find these bars to be quite inspiring…1) they’re graphic with their three differently colored layers, 2) they’re luxurious, 3) I love their sophisticated color palate of cream and shades of brown.
There is no doubt this look is not lacking in the sophistication or elegance department! All of the pieces, separately and together, seem polished. When put together though, they still feel effortless and not at all stuffy. The look gives off an aire of luxury and indulgence too though, which is found very much in the NCLB.
While I did take some liberties by changing up the color palette of the styling from the NCLB (I added black which the NCLB did not have), I still feel the ensembles evokes a similar feeling to the bars.
Now if only I could wear this look while chowing down on the bars…
It’s styling request time! Brittany contacted me in regards to the Gull Wing Dress (in the black/white polka dot with pink color scheme), now on sale.
Tell me this isn’t a lovely dress. I dare you to. See? No one could say it…it’s just so sweet. The thing I love about it is how it definitely has a retro, girly flair, but it’s not overdone either – it’s far from costume territory. The buttons on the front, the back of the dress…ahhhhh, just perfect!
In particular, Brittany requested I give some advice about styling this dress for summer, using colors other than the obvious black and pink, pulled right from the dress. There absolutely is nothing wrong with using black and/or pink, but I’m guessing Brittany is looking for something a little more adventurous – a little more unexpected. Sounds great to me!
Obviously, then, we should cover color first. Black, the primary color of the dress, is a neutral. Looking at that color alone, therefore, you could pair any color with the dress. The same can be said when you take into account the white polka dots. However, the addition of pink throws that flexibility off just a bit. Don’t get me wrong – I love the pink. In fact, it helps to make the dress so beautiful. The point is, however, the pink accents on the dress must be taken into account when pairing colors with it.
How about we take a look at the ever-handy-dandy color wheel?
The pink of the dress falls in with the more orange-y pinks on the wheel – it’s probably around the 9 or 10 on the color wheel pictured above. If you look directly opposite this, you’ll see the blue-greens. One of the first color pairings that actually popped into my head was a minty-green-like color. Because these two colors would be opposites on the wheel, this makes them complementary colors. In other words, the two colors will be intensified when together. (This color pairing reminds me of this color scheme, in a way.)
For an analogous pairing (that is, colors next to each other on the wheel), consider a light purple. This will create a soft, feminine effect. It will be more soothing than using a complementary color.
To be clear though, using complementary vs. analogous pairings is not a choose either/or, not both situation, if you know what I mean. Both can be done well (separately and together); it largely depends on the feeling and/or mood you want to be conveyed through the outfit.
I’m also liking the idea of pairing creams/whites and grays, in addition to blues, greens, purples, and other pinks with the dress. In general, I would stay away from the oranges – because the pink of the dress does have some orange hues in it, it could end up looking like you thought you were matching the color of the dress but just got it wrong – and that’s not how you want to look! Yellows could be risky for a couple of reasons – 1) black and yellow can read very bumblebee and, 2) it could look very chaotic. For that reason, if still like the idea of yellow, I’d suggest softer yellows…almost pastel-like.
This is an all out girly-girl look which fully embraces the vintage feel of the dress as well. The pairing of the light blue (almost blue-green) is gorgeous…it doesn’t overpower the dress, but rather complements it. As is, this look is the perfect day ensemble.
Come nighttime, however, switch out the bag and be left with this look:
Just by switching out the bag for this clutch, you add a slightly different, slightly more funky, slightly more bold, slightly more fun, slightly just different, but much more nighttime feel to the look. Gorgeous!
This is a fun, effortless take on a casual look with the dress! Put on the knotted blouse over the dress, which still allows for the pink detailing on the front of the dress to be seen. Pair some lovely purple sandals and a funky bag, as well as a more polished cuff, and the look is complete. If the tote isn’t quite your thing, a leather bag would also be fabulous!
Yes! I did it – I covered up the top of the dress completely with a pullover! While this may seem like a tragedy, it’s actually a trade-off. Yes, the top of the dress is gorgeous. But by covering it up, like I have done in the styling, I have made the dress all the more versatile by converting it into a skirt! Think of it that way…a skirt! Anyway, loosely belt this pullover (you may want to scrunch up the sleeves) slightly below the natural waist. The yellow may seem bright – and it is a bit brighter than I might normally advise with the black – but with the purposeful addition of brown in the belt, shoes, bag, and ring, it feels just right and not one bit bumblebee-like. The other thing I’m particularly loving about this look is the subtle pattern play between the polka dots of the “skirt” and the stripes of the bag. The shoes help to further pull out the quirky side of the look with their more vintage flair.
I love replacing the sash of the dress with this belt – I think this belt was made for the dress with its hints of pinks, but gorgeous contrast of light green which brings out and complements the pink of the dress. The sandals, tote, and simple bracelet keep the look clean and fresh. This is the perfect casual look!
Starting with the same base as the previous styling – the dress and belt – I’ve now made this work for the more dressy occasions on your calendar, such as work. The darker green of the shoes is a nice place off of the green of the belt, and the bag just picks up on that color even more. The bracelets nicely polish off the look!
This is a great take on combining silver and gold with the dress (two metals people often feel scared to use together). Wear this slouchy jacket over the dress (sash removed), and then add on a belt around the waist of the jacket that helps nip in the waist. The necklace and shoes help finish off the look.
Alternatively, you could do without the belt pictured and instead tie the sash of the dress around the jacket.
Notice how by adding a leather jacket, you completely change the feel of the dress – suddenly, it’s a lot more edgy feeling.
And this is how you successfully pair the dress with oranges/reds. Because the pink color of the dress, as mentioned earlier, has an orange hue to it, you want to make it clear that you are intentionally pairing red/orange with it…the danger is it looking like you thought your orange accent was a match to the pink in the dress, when in reality it’s not. To avoid this blunder, bring in the red/orange in multiple places in the look – as I’ve done above, I’ve brought in red in the shoes and necklace. This way, it looks like an intentional pairing, and the look works!
This is a great night look for the dress with, again, a more edgy feel. The silver accents of the shoes and ring help make the look feel more dressed up, while the lime clutch adds pizzazz.
Utilizing the same leather jacket as the previous two looks, I’ve transformed the usage of it into a complete daytime-ready look. The pairing of sneakers with the dress is a quirky detail, as is this recycled, graphic tote. The necklace helps add a bit of polish. This look requires some confidence…if worn with a lack of confidence, it could easily look like a huge fashion mess!
I know Brittany, in her request, asked specifically for stylings using colors other than black and pink. However, I decided to still show this ensemble because I think it’s a unique take with the black and pink.
Staying very simplistic with the styling is also not a bad direction to go in, as I’ve done with this look. A sweet heart necklace, purple shoes, and bag is all the look needs here! Sometimes less is more!
That wraps up the complete stylings…but I still have a few more things to discuss!
To make the polka dots on polka dots look work with the dress, consider a large, yet simple in color/shape necklace. This way, the focus goes more towards the necklace.
Yes, polka dots again! Because you can leave this unbuttoned though and its merely a layering piece (not the top to a “skirt”), I think it’s easier to pull off than the previous top.
Belting over this jacket, similarly to what I did in the look with the ivory blazer (look 7), this could be the perfect girly accompaniment to the dress!
I also urge looking at more belts…throwing on a belt can be a quick way to give a different feel to the look. The same goes for necklaces.
And that officially wraps up this request.
I sincerely hope Brittany has gotten some ideas she can use, and I wish her all the luck in her stylings!
I also would love to hear your input…which styling was your favorite?
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