Helen's Life & Style

Denim Jacket: Chilly Summer Days Style Rescue (Part III)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date June 12, 2013

Photos: Jessica Alba & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley; Courtesy of justjared.com, stylebistro.com.

Denim jacket is truly a trusty staple piece that we can throw on and go. Here I featured two looks to share with you how to team it with some of the newest trends this season and look effortlessly chic. The best part? With some minor change, women of any age can rock these looks beautifully!

The center piece of this look (below) from Jessica Alba is definitely her watercolor printed jeans. To highlight that, she kept every else simple and neutral: A grey denim jacket along with white tee, grey strappy sandal and neutral crossbody bag created a perfect canvas. A delicate necklace brought out the blue in the jeans.

Jacket: KUT from the Kloth
Top: T by Alexander Wang (also here; alternative here)
Jeans: Mother (under $30 here & here)
Shoes: Vince Camuto
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (also here; similar here)
Necklace: Loren Hope

From Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s look below, we can spot several trends: leopard bag (yes, this spring/summer, you can carry your favorite leopard bags, a bright hue is better!), midi skirt and ankle cuff sandals. Since midi skirt and shoes with thick ankle strap can make our legs look shorter, take a hint from Rosie Huntington, choose a body-hugging, high-waisted pencil skirt, team it with a cropped jacket. This light wash denim jacket on her really brought freshness to her monochrome look, along with cool aviator sunglasses, it balanced the feminine and formal vibe of the midi.

Jacket: J Brand (also here; alternative here)
Top: Splendid (similar here)
Skirt: Leith (great buy here & here)
Shoes: Vince (also here; great style here)
Bag: Clare Vivier
Sunglasses: Ray Ban (on Rosie Huntington here)
Cuff: Gorjana

Tags airport style, ankle strap sandal, aviator sunglasses, color block, crossbody bag, denim jacket, Jessica Alba, leopard bag, midi skirt, Mulberry, printed jeans, Rosie Huntington Whiteley, spring/summer, strappy sandal, treet style, turquoise necklace

CLOTHING

Chic Jacket: Chilly Summer Days Style Rescue (Part II)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date June 11, 2013

Photos: Olivia Palermo & Miranda Kerr; Courtesy of stylebistro.com, justjared.com.

Last time, we shared two stylish looks of classic trench coat. Today, let’s talk about another transitional piece–the jacket. Compared to omnipresent leather jackets and blazers, tweed or jacquard jacket can add unique textures, details and colors to our outfits. When paired with youthful or edgy pieces, like the printed shorts and leather pants on today’s featured ladies, it will result an attractive and sophisticated juxtaposition.

Miranda Kerr’s look is what we all can recreate and pull off. The breathable woven fabric and soft palette make this affordable ikat jacket delicate, feminine, and season appropriate. It perfectly polished up the casual, edgy chambray shirt, leather pants and ankle booties combo. A great designer bag and distinguish sunnies elevated the whole look.

Jacket: Mango (also here)
Pants: Citizens of Humanity (on Miranda Kerr here; great style here)
Bag: Givenchy ‘Antigona‘ (featured here & here)
Shoes: Steve Madden (similar here; great buy here & here)
Sunglasses: Miu Miu (also here; similar here & here)

Olivia Palermo’s outfit below is more for risk takers. The mix of different prints (stripes, florals and animal print) and styles (sophisticated tweed jacket paired with playful shorts and casual backpack) is busy, so keep them in a relatively simple color scheme, then add neutrals to tone down the loudness.

Jacket: Opening Ceremony (great style here & here)
Top: J.Crew (extra 30% off with code SUMMERTIME)
Shorts: DKNY Jeans ($18 here)
Bag: Anthropologie (featured here)
Shoes: C. Wonder (great style here)
Necklace: Lulu Frost (also adore this one!)

Tags airport style, ankle booties, backpack, ballet flats, chambray shirt, Givenchy bag, Leather Pants, Miranda Kerr, Olivia Palermo, printed shorts, spring/summer, street style, striped jacket, tweed jacket

CLOTHING

Trench Coat: Chilly Summer Days Style Rescue (Part I)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date June 10, 2013

stylish trench coat looks; Chic Summer Vacation Style;street style;party outfit; On Sofia Vergara: classic trench coat, blue satchel bag, black platform pump; On Olivia Palermo: camel trench coat, backpack, snakeskin/python ballet flat, orange shirt Photos: Sofia Vergara & Olivia Palermo; Courtesy of zimbio.com, stylebistro.com.

Memorial Day didn’t bring the ritual welcome of hot summer. The weather is as unexpected as it was this spring. The best piece to withstand the climate while staying chic and seasonal appropriate? The unfailing trench coat!

A high quality trench coat can safeguard us from wind and rain, protect us when temperature drops while ensuring style. Like what my mum used to tell me–“invest in a nice coat, you will look great no matter what you’re wearing underneath.”

As for the colors, black is too heavy for spring/summer, while white requires more effort to maintain. Different shades of khaki are classic yet season-appropriate. Light Khaki or stone like what Sofia Vergara worn (above left) is cool toned, thus accessories in blue, green, pink or purple will go great with it. Camel or sand like what on Olivia Palermo (above right) is warm toned, naturally pieces in warm colors are best to go with it, like orange, yellow, brown or red.

Compared to Sofia Vergara’s classic sexy outfit, Olivia Palermo’s take is more sporty and utilitarian which is just in this season, and based on the Resort 2014 collections, this trend won’t go anywhere next year.

Baseball caps, bomber jackets and wedge sneakers are right in pieces if you want to fully embrace this trend. For most of us, a subtle element like a backpack or a sport inspired heel sandal (love this pair too!) is great to experiment the trend without being over the top.

stylish trench coat looks; Chic Summer Vacation Style;street style;party outfit; On Sofia Vergara: classic trench coat, blue satchel bag, black platform pump; Featured: Burberry BritStone Cotton Trench Coat , Pour La Victoire - Irina Black Patent platform pumps, Rebecca Minkoff 'M.A.B.' blue Leather Tote,

Coat: Burberry Brit (also here, on sale here & here! similar here)
Shoes: Pour La Victoire (great buy here & here)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Coat: A.P.C. (also on sale here; similar here)
Shirt: J.Crew (extra 30% off with code SUMMER; great buy here!)
Bag: Anthropologie (great buy in leather here)
Shoes: C. Wonder (great style here!)

Tags backpack, ballet flat, blue bag, Olivia Palermo, orange shirt, party outfit, platform pump, Sofia Vergara, spring/summer, street style, trench coat