Helen's Life & Style

Daytime Glamour: Crop Top

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date July 24, 2013

Photos: Vanessa Hudgens & Ashley Tisdale; Courtesy of instyle.com, coolspotters.com.

Midriff baring is not only trendy now, also quite practical for combating the heat. Wearing crop pieces for night-time is easy: a bustier with high-waisted pencil skirt or a bandeau and hot shorts with a boyfriend blazer. But styling it daytime appropriate can be quite challenging. Today, I featured two daytime chic outfits to give your some inspiration.

Compared to plain jersey version, the ones on today’s featured style-conscious starlets are more elegant and feminine thanks to the beautiful embroidered details and high neckline. Exposing just the right amount of skin by pairing them with high-waisted pants or skirts. Strappy sandals echo the polished glamour while the eye-catching It bags on them add a touch of urban chic.

1. Topshop lace crop top (similar on sale here)
2. SunaharA Malibu ring set
3. ASOS linen pants
4. Givenchy ‘Nightingale’ (similar here)
5. Illamasqua nail color ‘Spartan’
6. Steve Madden sandal (also here)

1. For Love & Lemons crop top (also here)
2. Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses
3. Chloé Eau de parfum spray
4. Isabella Oliver drape skirt
5. Reed Krakoff color-block sandals (also here; similar on sale here)
6. 3.1 Phillip Lim ‘Pashli’ (also here; on Ashley Tisdale here)

Tags Ashley Tisdale, black skirt, crop top, Givenchy, Lace top, spring/summer, Strap Sandal, street style, Vanessa Hudgens, white pants, yellow bag

CLOTHING

Chambray Shirt: Refined Girly or Tomboy Chic

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date July 23, 2013

Photos: Olivia Palermo & Alessandra Ambrosio; Courtesy of instyle.com, justjared.com.

Like a crisp white button down, chambray shirt is definitely a wardrobe essential that is timeless, ageless and seasonless. Today, I picked two summer looks incorporated this iconic piece, hope they can give you more ideas to style yours.

Refined glamour with a touch of urban chic is Olivia Palermo’s signature. Here, she offsets a girly flirty white pleated skirt with a light washed chambray. Leopard print flats add details and fun to the look while maintaining the laid-back chic vibe.

Alessandra Ambrosio is known for her classic American casual off-duty looks with an urban bohemian touch. Here, a loose fitted shirt, shorts and strappy sandal combo might be too tomboyish, but she balanced out with details: colored striped hot shorts show off her sexy legs, stacked arm candy and flowy hair add girly elements.

Which is your favorite: Olivia Palermo’s refined girly look or Alessandra Ambrosio’s laid back casual look?

1. Current/Elliott The Perfect shirt (on Olivia Palermo on sale here)
2. Chanel nail color ‘Dragon’
3. Elin Kling for Guess by Marciano skirt
4. BCBG waist belt (on sale; similar here)
5. Gucci aviator sunglasses
6. Sam Edelman flat (on Olivia Palermo here)
7. Rebecca Minkoff ‘Affair – Mini’ (or the iconic M.A.C)

1. Bella Dahl shirt (great style here & here)
2. Ray-Ban clubmaster sunglasses
3. Isabel Marant Aztec shorts (great alternative here & here)
4. Madewell perfect leather belt (on Alessandra here)
5. Michael Kors watch
6. DV by Dolce Vita sandal
7. Golden Lane satchel (on sale! last seen here)

Tags Alessandra Ambrosio, denim shirt, dior, leopard flats, Mulberry, Olivia Palermo, spring/summer, strappy sandal, street style, striped shorts, white skirt

CLOTHING

Designer Sale Top Picks

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date July 23, 2013

What works better than my morning coffee? Knowing that my favorite boutique Shopbop is having a two-day special sale now: extra 25% off all sales with code SALE25! Below are my top designer picks that I have my eye on for a long time. Good luck!