Helen's Life & Style

Fall Essentials: Cocoon Coat & Suede Accessories

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date October 2, 2013

Photos: Miranda Kerr & Lily Aldridge; Courtesy of justjared.com.

A nice coat is definitely an investment-worthy piece, especially for fall/winter. Like my mom always told me: as long as you have a fabulous coat, you will look great no matter what you wear under.

This fall, cocoon is still one of the hottest coat shape. This one spotted on two style-conscious supermodels Miranda Kerr & Lily Aldridge instantly caught my eye: The hip grazing length is versatile, can be worn with anything from dress, skirt to leggings and pants; The sophisticated gray color is timeless, let alone the marble-like texture, which we’ve seen a lot on the latest runways; The slightly oversized shape has that popular sporty element, is right-on-trend and very flattering.

外套是最值得投资的基本单品，尤其到了秋冬。小的时候妈妈就常告诉我，一定要买好的外套，无论你里面穿什么，看起来都会很漂亮。

今年秋冬，宽松的可可呢大衣仍是大热的版型，最近在时尚超模Miranda Kerr 和Lily Aldridge身上看到的这件灰白色的外套吸引了我。刚好到臀部的长度非常百搭又修饰身形，从牛仔裤到裙子到内搭裤都可以配; 低调优雅的灰白色即能点亮整身look又不失秋冬的温暖感，织纹又很像明年会流行的大理石的图案；宽松的设计恰到好处，即有男友风外套的帅性感，肩部及领片的设计又展现了女性的柔美。

Jacket: Isabel Marant (love this one!)
Jeans: Frame Denim
Shoes: Balenciaga (great alternative here)
Bag: Audrey Brooke (on Miranda Kerr here; last seen here)
Sunglasses: Stella McCartney

Jacket: Isabel Marant (love this one!)
Jeans: Rag & Bone/JEAN
Shoes: Isabel Marant (also here; last seen here)
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors
Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples (my favorite this season! similar here)

Tags ankle booties, ballet flat, Balmain, cocoon coat, crossbody bag, fall/winter, Fashion Week, grey bag, Isabel Marant, Lily Aldridge, Miranda Kerr, skinny jeans, Stella McCartney, street style, wool jacket

CLOTHING

High-Low Mix: Cropped Sweater & Tulle Skirt

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date October 1, 2013

Photos: Olivia Palermo & Jessica Alba; Courtesy of imaxtree.com, justjared.com.

Do you have a delicate, exquisite dress or skirt that has been sitting in the closet waiting for that special moment, which might never come? Well, it’s time to pull it out. Be creative and experimental, make your evening skirt day-time appropriate by teaming it with jumpers, sweatshirts, tees or a bomber jacket.

Here, as a nod to the hottest crop-top trend, Olivia Palermo & Jessica Alba picked black short sweaters to highlight their beautiful light-colored skirts and make them pre-fall appropriate. With an evening clutch and embellished pump, Olivia Palermo’s combo is great for a night-out or an event. Jessica Alba dressed the similar combo street chic by accessorizing it with a hobo bag and fabulous sunglasses.

From the bags they carried, you can get an idea of this season’s bag trend: yes, instead of making a statement, this season, let your bag blend in and be part of your outfit.

不知道你是不是像我一样，衣橱里躺着几条精美的丝绸或刍纱的长裙，等着某个特别的日子再拿出来穿，但几年过去了，还躺在衣柜底，一次都没碰过。今天的两个造型或许能给我们灵感，多做些尝试，搭配日常穿着的单品，比如毛衣、T恤、帽衫或运动夹克，让这些看似特别场合才穿的单品多见些阳光。

纯美的颜色、独特的细节设计和精美的面料让Olivia Palermo和 Jessica Alba所穿的这些淡雅的长裙公主般梦幻。搭配上大热的短款毛衣，平衡了它们的隆重感，深色调也使这身look更适合渐冷的天气。通过变换配饰就能让这些搭配适合不同场合：可以像Olivia Palermo一样加上精美的手拿包和水晶装饰的高跟鞋，适合约会、参加晚宴或其它正式活动；或像Jessica Alba所示范的，加上休闲风的斜挎包、太阳镜和凉鞋，打造适合白天出街，轻松又抢眼的look.

提到包款，与以往抢眼的设计不同，今年秋冬服装唱主角，所以包款的选择上，要能与服装相呼应，融为一体。

1. Topshop knitted cropped top (also love this one)
2. Chloé polka-dot layered tulle skirt (also here; similar here)
3. Primary fold over python Clutch
4. Rachel Roy Aron4 (also here & here)
5. Bobbi Brown ‘Smokey Eye’ mascara

1. Topshop knitted cropped top (also love this one)
2. Elizabeth and James Madison sunglasses (on Jessica Alba here)
3. Reiss maxi skirt (great style here!)
4. Marc Jacobs The 1984 patent satchel (similar here)
5. Ralph Lauren Bliesta calfskin sandal (great alternative here)
6. Yves Saint Laurent silky sensual radiant lipstick in ‘Nude Beige’

Tags Chloé, crop top, embellished pump, fall/winter, Fashion Week, Jessica Alba, Manolo Blahnik, maxi skirt, Olivia Palermo, pleated skirt, Ralph Lauren, strappy sandal, street style, tulle skirt

CLOTHING

Off Duty Chic: Tough Meets Sexy

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date September 29, 2013

Photos: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley; Courtesy of justjared.com.

When investing in wardrobe staples, I always look for details: buttons on jackets, zippers on pants, buckles on shoes, pockets on plain tees, sleeve length of a sweater… those are what make all the difference. As you can see from today’s featured looks above of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: the pieces and colors on her are very simple, it’s the details and accessories make her outfits chic and fashionable.

Black blazer is definitely a must-have for everyone. This season, go for double-breasted version, extra bonus for those with exaggerated shoulders and nipped-in waist. As for the jumper? Cropped length is the way to go, as seen on SS2014 runways, this trend won’t go anywhere soon.

Isabel Marant is the “Chanel” for me. I’m obsessed with everything she designed, besides the beloved Caleen booties, this pair on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is edgy, sexy yet practical with the leather straps, pointy toe and easy walk heels. Combined with an It bag and fabulous sunglasses, these outfits can take you from the office to dinner.

在投资衣橱必备的基本单品时，我总是会找那些有细节设计的：外套上的纽扣，裤子上的拉链，鞋子上的搭环，T恤上的小口袋或毛衣袖子的长度等等都会在搭配时让整体更出彩。就像我们在Rosie Huntington-Whiteley的这两个造型中所看到的：她所选的单品和颜色都非常简单，但正是小细节及她所用的配饰使整个look简约而不简单，低调又彰显时尚品味。

黑色的西装外套是必备单品，这一季要投资的话，选择双排扣，有点垫肩而且略收腰的款式。至于秋冬我们都会屯的毛衣，短款是大热的版型，从刚结束的2014春夏时装周看来，这种潮流明年还会持续。

至于鞋款，每一双来自Isabel Marant的设计我都非常喜欢，除了极受追捧的Caleen铆钉踝靴外，Rosie Huntington-Whiteley所穿的这双也很值得投资，与Caleen的休闲感不同，尖头的设计，不同皮革的拼接和抢眼的搭环让这双踝靴个性中又不失女人味。配上经典的设计师包款，这些Look对于约会、出行、和朋友的聚餐以及不要求正式着装的办公室场合等都非常适合。