This morning I got up early to beat the heat and go strawberry picking (and sugar snap pea picking!). This is a long-standing summer tradition for me – no fruit in the summer can be compared to fresh strawberries. Strangely enough, lately I haven’t even been drawn to strawberries…but fresh strawberries?! Of course! I already made some fresh strawberry shortcake that was positively delicious! Would any of you like the recipe for the shortcakes I used (they were yummy, looked great, and were easy to whip up quickly)? If so, leave a comment and I’ll be sure to do a post with the recipe!
Anyway, inspired by my strawberry picking, I created a styling. The starting point was really these shorts I found. Take a look:
While pairing a white shirt with these shorts may seem safe or even predictable, I think it makes for a very fresh look and color combination. Loosely tuck in only the front of the shirt so as to showcase the design of the shorts, but leave the back untucked for a relaxed vibe. Pairing this necklace helps make the look feel more together, while the shoes help to keep the look casual. Wearing this, you’re ready for a Sunday afternoon adventure – whether that means relaxing outside, watching TV, bike riding, running errands, seeing a movie, going shopping (to Anthro?!) or anything else!
What are you guys doing this afternoon? Have any of you gone strawberry picking?
Today is not only exciting for the fact that it’s Friday (any fun weekend plans, anyone?!), but I also have a styling request to share with you! Hooray! (Yes, I really do love styling request…can you tell?! )
Jennifer emailed me the other day in search of some styling ideas for the Bosky Lace Skirt ($118). She recently bought it for herself with a Mother’s Day gift card – and that was a great purchase, in my opinion! So far, she’s worn it with a navy t-shirt, but is now looking for some other ideas.
One of my favorite things about this skirt is that in fact it’s a classic in its shape and lace material. However, the green adds a punch to it, creating an even more interesting piece. There are also several ways to go about styling it – all out feminine, more edgy, etc. I’ll try to showcase a variety of these ways in my stylings!
When I first saw the skirt, it reminded me of a styling I had done in the past with a different lace skirt. While the two skirts do have their differences, I think it’s worth looking at how the styling I did a while back could be used as inspiration for a styling with the skirt on today’s agenda. Here’s that styling, with the different skirt (originally seen in this post):
Imagine taking that top and pairing it with our skirt. I wouldn’t pair the necklace with the skirt though, just because it could easily become too much green. The thing I love about the above styling is how it mixes casual with more formal…lace is traditionally a more fancy material, while the sweatshirt-esque material of the top dresses it down. Anyway, here is a version of that styling with our skirt:
See?! Isn’t it absolutely lovely? I sure think so!
Even though I really like this look, if the sweatshirt-esque look isn’t your thing and/or you want a more summer weather appropriate version, you could try this top instead:
Now that I covered the new version of that original styling, I think I should backtrack just a bit. For instance, let’s talk color. The skirt is a lovely kelly green. Jennifer mentioned how she’s paired navy blue with it, which I think is a perfect complement. Other color ideas would be any neutral (whites, grays, blacks, browns), as well as a different shade of green. A shade of hot pink would be daring, but it could in fact work quite well. The same could be said of orange too, but it does take some skill to not come across as color blind, of course! Yellow is the one color I would be the most cautious of…you don’t want to look like a Green Bay Packer, after all! Red is also quite dangerous…one shade in the wrong direction and you’re right out of Christmas! Basically though, I think most colors could in fact work with the skirt…it’s just a matter of picking the right shade and/or keeping it elegant and chic.
Tuck this patterned, navy top into the skirt, and then put the belt around the skirt. The belt helps add a bit of visual separation between the patterns of the top and the lace of the skirt. To help keep the look fresh and not too busy, finish off with the bangle and wedges.
I love the shade of brown in this top, which I envision loosely tucking into the skirt. The sandals and ring add just enough to complete this weekend ready, casual look. Some of the beauty of it is just how effortless it is!
Did you know that this top, in its navy shade, would also look great with the skirt?! Take a look:
The sandals I have pictured above would work with the above pairing, but so would these other lovely shoes:
Along with working with the navy top, these shoes would also add an unexpected shade of color to the styling above with the brown version of the top (instead of the sandals I have pictured).
Sequin Garland Heels - $318 (if these are too expensive/not your taste, a nice substitue would be these)
While Anthro calls this top orange, I think of it more as a pinky-coral. Imagine wearing the top so it drapes over the skirt, and then belting around the top at the natural waist (doesn’t the belt add a nice sense of quirk?!). The necklace and shoes polish off the look. With the top, alternatively you could tuck it in. It’s up to you!
I also love the idea of pairing the skirt with a graphic tee. This, once again, would be a nice play on informal/formal. Either of these could be utterly fabulous!:
This is a bold look! You have two options: 1) tuck the shirt in and belt around the meeting of the top and skirt or, 2) don’t tuck the shirt in and belt around the natural waist, atop the shirt. Keeping the accessories to a minimum, with clean lines helps to finish off either lovely version!
This would be the perfect pairing with the skirt for a girly look…go all out girly with the accessories too! And don’t you love the scoopneck in the back?!
Throwing this on over a base layer of a simple tank would be the perfect in-a-rush-but-need-to-look-polished-solution with the skirt!
Fly Me Away Anorak (pictured here in taupe, but would also work in navy) – $128
Obviously you’d need a shirt under this – you could go with a printed piece are just a simple tee – but I love it paired with the skirt because it adds some edge to the skirt.
That concludes this request! Hopefully Jennifer has gotten some ideas for the fantastic skirt!
While I’m on vacation, I’m running a series of posts based on fantasy outfits for an exclusively Anthro outfitted vacation! To read more about this, click here! And please, even though I won’t be able to respond immediately, feel free to leave comments! Thanks, and enjoy!
Vacation is undoubtedly a time you can let your fashion thrive. However, I would be lying if I didn’t say that many people let themselves go in the fashion department a little bit on vacation. I mean, I’m sure you’ve witnessed some pretty bad clothing on your own vacations. So today, can you promise me from now on you’ll always try your best to put some effort into how you look on vacation? I’m not asking you to spend hours putting outfits together, but I’m just asking for you to add a bit more pretty to the world!
This shirt could easily go wrong. It’s kitchy. Kitchy isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if styled incorrectly, it can turn ugly. Even tucked into this lovely skirt, as I have it in the styling, it could go wrong. You see, it could make for a very matronly, old, tired look. However, by pairing these modern, chunky wedges with it, you add some life and youth. The necklace adds another modern, yet still quirky aspect. The complete look is very individualistic, and not at all taken in the wrong direction, as it could have been! It just goes to show you that styling really can make or break a piece!
This is such an adorable suit…vintage, quirky, cute, yet still youthful! Gorgeous!
Do you recall a fashion disaster you’ve witnessed while on vacation (or, heck, in your everyday life!)? Want to share?!
P.S. Eeeek! Today’s the Royal Wedding!!!! You bet I’m disappointed I’ll be missing it…but when I get back, I’ll be sure to do a little post on it (hopefully you won’t be sick of it!)!
For a few days this week, I think it would be great to take a look at some of the pieces I’ve used here for stylings that are now on sale…because maybe you really liked a styling, but just weren’t willing to pay full price for it. Or, maybe you just would like to see some gorgeous pieces that you can buy for a fraction of their original cost, and then if you fall in love with a piece, you can see how I styled it for some ideas of your own. Or, maybe you just want to see some lovely pieces on sale!
At first, I thought I would show all of the stylings that correspond which each item on sale. However, I quickly realized that would make for an extremely long post, so I decided to showcase some of the stylings I really adore. Really though, I love all of the stylings! (I link back to the post(s) the item was used in, so feel free to go check out the stylings for yourself, of course!)
Time for anther styling request! Laura, of Anthro Closet Chaos, emailed me this time. She’s in the process of creating an awesome outfit composed of Anthro’s Sevilla Heels (originally $385, she got them for a mere $142!!!!), Falling In Love Vest (originally $118, she got it for $45!!), and the Water Edge Skirt. The deals Laura got on two of these pieces are just amazing…so don’t you think the total outfit should be too?! Here’s the three pieces in pictures:
Looking good, huh?! Laura requested that I suggest some tops that could work under the vest. She is thinking, color wise, something lavender or light gray. She worries white wouldn’t suit her and would be too predictable, and that black would create an imbalance in the look. Also, she doesn’t want anything with too much warmth. Laura did have one idea….but one that she would have to wait for a sale to snatch up. She loves the Winged Blouson, but at $228, she and I can both agree that the price is too high.
So, what to do? I’m going to try to find some affordable options!
Here we go!
Caprice Blouse (navy…remember navy=neutral, so it could work!) - $88
Sunny Safari Blouse – $118 – Perhaps this wouldn’t be the best color (black and yellow can be tricky), but if it in fact you tried it and it worked, it could be great.
Linnea Blouse – $158 – This might seem like it has the potential to be dull, but if you correctly accessorize with a simple but stunning orange ring, it could really work!
Narrow Ruled Henley (purple motif) – $68 – The subtle stripes would add nice interest!
In order to try to find the best array of options, I headed over to Mod Cloth, too (inspired by our duel yesterday!).
Roam the Sky Top – $32.99 – This is cropped, but if, when worn with the outfit Laura has come up with so far, this was unnoticeable, it could work. I know Laura also didn’t really want black, but I think black with a print could work. After all, to balance out the black on top, you could add a more colorful necklace.
Recipe Searching Top - $44.99 – Again, with the right simple accessory(s), this could be the perfect minimalist look.
Looking Vine Top - $32.99 – Provided this isn’t too long, it could work! (In terms of length, something that is longer than the vest by about 1-2-ish inches is ideal).
Office Party Top - $84.99 – Yes, this is black, but once again it could work. I’d leave the knot undone to open up the neck.
Wooh! Hope Laura will be able to find a top out of these options she likes – or at least be sparked with an idea! Now, I’ll show the head-to-toe styling of just a couple of the options.
Falling In Love Vest, Linnea Blouse, Water Edge Skirt, Sevilla Heels, Fortune-Teller Ring (bronze; $88)
The subtle and soft pattern of the shirt add just a bit of interest, but still showcase the vest and shoes, as well as allowing the skirt to not be competed with. The ring is the perfect finishing touch!
Falling In Love Vest, Aubergine Dream Top (Mod Cloth), Water Edge Skirt, Sevilla Heels, Labrador Lode Necklace ($80)
You will find, as is illustrated here, that any look Laura comes up with will not require a ton of jewelry. This is because all of the other pieces have enough voice to speak (if that makes sense). In this particular case, the necklace with a touch of purple completes the outfit!
There you have it! I wish Laura luck in completing her outfit, and I can’t wait to see it! But – we’re not done yet! Laura also had a few other questions in her request.
The first of those other requests was the question of what else she could pair with her vest, skirt, or heels. I’ll start with the heels. I think pairing them with a great pair of jeans could also be great…the heels would really pop! They could also look great with Laura’s Peppercorn Dress that she owns already:
They could possibly also work with the Scarf Scene Dress, which Laura also already owns:
Really, after looking through Laura’s virtual closet, I’m convinced they could go with a lot of what Laura owns! And, again, there are so many items I think would go with the skirt, and vest!
Finally, Laura asked me my opinion about the Shoelace Collar Coat, originally $228, now $149.95.
Laura mentioned that she’s in need of a brown coat, but isn’t so sure whether to buy it due to the reviews. Well, in my opinion, I think she should go for it! It’s lovely and the sale price is great. Honestly, I think it has Laura’s name written on it. And have you seen the beautiful catalog shot of it?!
Well, there you have it! Once again, I wish Laura best of luck!
Which top do you like best to pair with Laura’s base of an outfit? And which styled look do you like best (I tried to create poll, but something is wrong with the system and no matter what I tried, it won’t let me create one – sorry!)?
Also, please do not hesitate to send any and all of your styling requests to theanthropologieconnoisseur@gmail.com (to learn more about styling requests, head on over here!).
)
