Month: May 2013

Designer Sale Top Picks

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 29, 2013

Memorial Day has been the harbinger of summer, but more exciting to fashion lovers, it’s the start of designer sales! Net A Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopbop & Barneys New York are four of my favorite places to score designer pieces, from It Bags to lust worthy shoes to investment classics. Below are my top picks. Good luck!

2013 spring Designer sale top picks: Givenchy Bicolor Medium Lucrezia Duffel, Michael Kors Collection Gia Flap Shoulder Bag, Alexanda Wang Diego Bucket Bag, Alexanda Wang Hornback Suede Prisma Tote,

Clockwise from top left:
Givenchy bicolor Lucrezia duffel
Michael Kors flap shoulder bag (great style also on sale here & here)
Alexanda Wang Diego bucket bag
Alexanda Wang Hornback tote

2013 spring Designer sale top picks: Alexanda Wang Anjelika strap heels, Nicholas Kirkwood Metallic leather and suede blue pumps, Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Patent Bow Flats, Gianvito RossiG littered leopard-print mesh pumps ,

Clockwise from top left:
Alexanda Wang Anjelika heels
Nicholas Kirkwood metallic leather and suede pumps
Salvatore Ferragamo flats (vanilla, pale blue and turquoise are also on sale)
Gianvito Rossi glittered leopard-print pumps
Brian Atwood platform pumps

2013 spring Designer sale top picks: IRODeven leather-trimmed metallic tweed jacket, Theory Aija Wrap Front Silk Top, Perforated leather mini skirt ,

From left:
IRO leather-trimmed metallic tweed jacket
Theory Aija wrap front silk top (great casual version here)
Perforated leather mini skirt

2013 spring Designer sale top picks: JBrand Slouchy Boy Jeans, Burberry Embellished mid-length cotton-twill trench coat, Hunter Bell fashion Star Midi orange cut out Dress,

From left:
Hunter Bell Fashion Star midi dress
J Brand slouchy boy jeans
Burberry trench coat (another classic style also on sale here)

Tags ballet flat, black tote, bucket bag, colorblock satchel, colored pump, Designer sale top picks, distressed jeans, leather skirt, leather sleeve jacket, leopard print pump, orange dress, platform pump, strappy sandal, trench coat, white top, yellow bag

CLOTHING

Back to Basics: Timeless White Blazer (Part V)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 28, 2013

How to wear white blazer; black and white; wide leg jeans; white on white; On Laura Whitmore:Paul Joe white blazer, Joie white blouse, J Brand white distressed skinny jeans, Kurt Geiger black pointy toe pumps, Pandora rings, Stella Dot Gitane Tassel Necklace, Stella Dot Soar Necklace; On Vogue editors Esther Adams: white blazer, brown saddle crossbody bag, wide leg jeans,striped top, Photos: TV presenter Laura Whitmore & Vogue editor Esther Adams; Courtesy of vogue.com, contactmusic.com.

Today’s featured item is the most requested one in our “Back to Basics” series: the white blazer. There is no need to say more about how essential it is, so let’s go directly to our “style class”.

As a basic and staple piece, there are countless ways to wear a white blazer (check out related post here & here, you can always search “white blazer” at my home page for more inspirations), today I want to share with you two of my favorites this season:

First one is an all-white look from Laura Whitmore. Head-to-toe white is right on trend now, and I love how she used black accessories to play with the black/white trend as well, resulting a fresh, modern, high-impact ensemble.

Like we shared here, for simple color palette like this, details really matters: her artful layering necklaces add a whimsical & luxe touch, sheer blouse and pointy-toe pumps infuse sexiness, while distressed jeans grounding the polished vibe.

Esther Adams’s retro chic pairing is definitely what I would wear now since the whole fashion world is turning back for inspirations. High-waisted wide-leg jeans teamed with platforms are leg-elongating. Striped top and vintage looking brown crossbody bag enhance the overall retro vibe. Choose a cropped blazer if you are not as tall as Esther Adams.

Both looks are great for women of any age (for 40s and above, change Laura Whitmore’s distressed jeans to a basic white one or straight leg version for a more polished look). Also, for those of you who want to add some cheerful spring color, these are very similar outfits featured on Miranda Kerr & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for you!

Blazer: Rag & Bone (see it on Rihanna here; also on sale here)
Blouse: Mango (Joie version on Laura Whitmore here)
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (J Brand version on Laura Whitmore here; similar here)
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (great style here)
Belt: J.Crew
Necklace: Stella & Dot tassel necklace & soar necklace (yes, they are the ones artfully layered on Laura Whitmore)

Blazer: Theory (similar here & here)
Top: Intermix (great alternative here & here)
Jeans: MiH (see it on Miranda Kerr here; similar here)
Shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg
Bag: Fossil (on sale here)
Ring: Jacquie Aiche

Tags black and white, black pump, crossbody bag, distressed jeans, Esther Adams, Laura Whitmore, party outfit, spring/summer, striped top, tassel necklace, White Blazer, White blouse, white jeans, wide leg jeans, work outfit

CLOTHING

Back to Basics: Timeless White Pants (Part IV)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 27, 2013

How to wear white pants; On Gwyneth Paltrow:Barbara black shirt, Tom Ford black Kidskin Natalia Bag,Daniele Michetti strappy sandals, white pants, On Hilary Rhoda: Topshop printed peter pan collar top, Sportmax white wide leg pants, Madewell brown belt ,vintage crossbody bag, Eddie Borgo white crystal bracelet, Prada shoes, Photos: Hilary Rhoda & Gwyneth Paltrow; Courtesy of instyle.com, flickr.com.

In our fourth part of “Back to Basics” series, I want to talk about the timeless white pants, two common types in particular: wide leg pants and skinny jeans. As you can see from above, balance is the key: wide leg bottom calls for cropped or slim fit top, whereas body hugging skinny jeans look better with relaxed fit or boxy cut top.

Since wide leg pants, especially white ones, will make us look shorter, choose high-waisted version, tuck in your top, slip on a pair of platforms to maximize our visual leg length. White skinny ankle jeans or leggings are more flattering, but I would suggest to size up, nothing is worse than too-tight white pants. The cropped length is also great to show off your statement heels.

Like other timeless white pieces we shared before, white pants are so versatile and easy going. This season, I especially like these two pairings showed above:

Gwyneth Paltrow chose the hottest black/white trend. Since the palette is simple, she focused on details, from her slit neck top to outstanding heels (check out the back of her shoes!) Gwyneth Paltrow is known for her minimalist style. But you can always add splashes of color to make your own spin. This look is great for women of any age.

Hilary Rhoda’s flowy pants and lightweight sleeveless top is a great summer combo. I fell in love with this water-ski silk tank from J.Crew. Earth tone accessories tone down the brightness perfectly. This is also an ageless outfit. You can opt for this cap-sleeve top if you are not comfort with your arms: the bright hue and luxe material make it equal parts stylish and comfy.

How to wear white pants; Alternative: Madewell Perfect Leather Belt, Alice + Olivia white Eric Pants, Ivanka Trump 'Hollyann' Wedge, Michael Kors Sport gold Watch, Shashi Sarah Yellow Nugget friendship Bracelet, Yves Saint Laurent lipstick,

Top: J.Crew (great style here)
Pants: Alice + Olivia (also here, $29 here)
Shoes: Ivanka Trump
Belt: Madewell
Watch: Michael Kors
Bracelet: Shashi (the white crystal one on Hilary Rhoda here)
Lip: YSL ‘#8 Fetish Pink’

How to wear white pants/white jeans; Alternative: A.L.C. EXCLUSIVE Henrietta Overlap Sleeveless Blouse, Gap Old Navy Women's The Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans , MICHAEL Michael Kors - Charlton Crossbody bag, Jimmy Choo Lance Strappy Patent Leather Sandals,

Top: A.L.C. (also love this version; the one on Gwyneth Paltrow here)
Jeans: Old Navy (great style here)
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors (Tom Ford version Gwyneth Paltrow carried here)
Shoes: Jimmy Choo (great alternative here; on Gwyneth Paltrow here)

Tags black and white, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Rhoda, party look, platform sandal, printed top, spring/summer, strappy sandal, white jeans, white pants