Month: May 2013

Stripes: Go Bold or Go Romantic

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 17, 2013

Photos: Olivia Palermo & blogger Zanita Morgan; Courtesy of vogue.co.uk, vogue.nl.

Black and white epitomize the modern simplicity, but today’s featured fashion maven reinterpreted this classic combination: By adding ethereal white skirt, jeweled belt and embellished strap pumps, Olivia Palermo gave this monochrome palette a feminine and graceful vibe; By teaming a sheer surplice blouse with an equally eye-catching wide-leg striped trousers, Zanita Morgan made a strong impression that is bold, adventural yet so chic and infectious.

Attention to details always matters: from Olivia Palermo’s impeccable hair and dainty jewelry to Zanita Morgan’s messy waves and revolver pendant necklace, each serves for the overall result and impact.

Jacket: Wallis (adore the lapel design! great style here)
Top: Topshop (also here; Tibi version on Olivia Palermo here)
Skirt: Dorothy Perkins
Bag: Loeffler Randall
Shoes: Reiss (see it on Olivia here; similar here)
Belt: Anthropologie

Top: 10 Crosby Derek Lam (also here)
Pants: MSGM (similar here & here)
Shoes: Calvin Klein (similar here)
Bag: Diane Von Furstenberg (Mulberry version on Zanita here; $27 here)
Necklace: CC Skye ($17 here)
Sunglasses: Toms

Tags ankle strap pump, colorblock bag, Mulberry Lily, Olivia Palermo, strappy sandal, striped blouse, striped jacket, striped pants, white skirt, Zanita Morgan

CLOTHING

Stripes: Dress Up or Down

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 16, 2013

Photos: Alessandra Ambrosio & Lily Aldridge; Courtesy of splashnews.com, refinery29.com.

I always invest in basic pieces that can be restyled in many different ways, striped pieces are a great example of that. Today’s featured looks above showed us how to dress them up or down with ease.

I especially appreciate the idea of dressing up casual ones, like the striped sweatshirt on Lily Aldridge (above right), or dressing down delicate pieces, like the soft blouse on Alessandra Ambrosio (above left). When paired with distressed denim shorts, a delicate silk blouse is more unexpected than a stripe tee, whereas when paired with sexy pumps and leather shorts, a casual stripe shirt stands out more than a blouse.

Of course, the two each added other signature items to echo their “dress code”: a wedge sandal is perfect when out & about; a roomy tote also adds laid-back casualness to Alessandra Ambrosio’s outfit. For a more dressier ensemble, Lily Aldridge worn a crisp button-down underneath the staple piece she designed for Velvet; a fedora, fine leather crossbody bag, and bright red lips, along with her delicate pumps, lend urban chicness.

Top: Equipment (on Ambrosio here; $14 here)
Shorts: Rag & Bone/JEAN
Shoes: Timberland (Chloé version on Ambrosio here)
Bag: Fossil (designer version Ambrosio carried here)
Sunglasses: Westward Leaning (it’s the pair on Ambrosio; similar here)
Necklace: Gorjana

Top: Velvet (see the same one on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley here; similar here & here)
Shirt: J.Crew
Short: Topshop
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (6 color options here!)
Shoes: Nine West (great find at $56!)
Ring: Jacquie Aiche

Tags Alessandra Ambrosio, crossbody bag, dainty jewelry, denim shorts, leather shorts, Lily Aldridge, nude pumps, orange tote, strap wedge sandal, striped top, White Shirt

CLOTHING

Modernize Your Stripes

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 15, 2013

Photos: Diane Kruger & Olivia Palermo; Courtesy of instyle.com, starstyle.com.

Since Coco Chanel introduced Breton stripes to the fashion world, this print has become part of fashion history. This year, thanks to top designers like Marc Jacobs, this classic pattern takes major role again. Trends don’t simply repeat themselves, so let’s take a hint from today’s featured ladies above, learn how to give classic stripes a modern and unexpected twist in three simple ways:

Mix it with another on-trend print, either botanical patterns like this Balmain printed pants on Anja Rubik, or dynamic leopard print like those on Diane Kruger & Olivia Palermo above. The key to mixing prints is making sure they are in the same color family and with similar proportions. They should complement each other rather than compete.

Brighten up the monochrome look with a pop of color: For black/white striped clothing, try bright red, sunny yellow or cobalt blue; For blue/white stripes, since blue is a primary color, the other two primary colors yellow and red will complement it very well.

Last but not least, finish the look with modern or unexpected accessories. The menswear inspired Oxford, like that on Olivia Palermo, is a great example. If that’s not your thing, an oversized metal watch, leopard sunglasses or of-the-moment pumps will keep your ensemble up-to-date without looking overdone.

Dress: Dorothy Perkins (great style here; the designer version on Kruger is by Preen)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (reminiscent of Chanel 2.55, with a fraction of the cost!)
Shoes: Söfft (also here; $40 here)
Watch: Michael Kors (gold version here)
Belt: Cole Haan

Top: Oasis (great buy here & here)
Skirt: Tibi
Bag: Dooney & Bourke (featured here)
Shoes: Munro (also available here; $60 here)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker (similar here)
Bracelet: Reiss