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CLOTHING

Summer Shorts: Classic Denim & Splash of Color (Part I)

how to wear denim shorts; summer outfit ideas shorts;    On Cameron Diaz:Reed Krakoff yellow bag, Stella McCartney sunglasses, Tabitha Simmons striped Espadrille Sneaker, high waisted denim shorts, white tank, beige blazer,   On Alessandra Ambrosio: Topshop Knitted Fluro Weave Jumper, Big Star 1974 Denim Remy Star Short, Mulberry bag,Ombre Coral and Rutilated Quartz Necklace, ballet flats; Photos: Cameron Diaz & Alessandra Ambrosio; Courtesy of zimbio.com.

Welcome to a new series that dedicates to an essential piece–“Summer Shorts”! From denim blue to crisp white and neon brights, from tough leather to delicate lace and dynamic stripes, this series will feature them all! Hope these hand-picked looks can inspire you to style yours and style chic during the dog days!

To start, I want to talk about the pervasive denim cutoffs. Like with any other wardrobe essentials, I look for details when hunting for my perfect pair. The leg elongating high-waisted version on Cameron Diaz and star print one on Alessandra Ambrosio are great examples: they are as versatile as basic ones but have more character.

You can simply style them with T-shirts: graphic, striped or plain white ones. But I like how today’s featured ladies did: liven up their outfits with bright colors. Blue goes well with many brights: yellow, orange, pink, red or green. You can go bold and pair your denim shorts with a bright neon Tee/jumper or learn from Cameron Diaz, add colors through accessories: a bright tote,  sneaker or colored sunglasses.

Alessandra Ambrosio’s colorful, bohemian-inspired look may be for bold players. As for Cameron Diaz’s outfit, I can see women of any age rock it stylishly.

how to wear denim shorts; summer outfit ideas shorts;    On Cameron Diaz:Reed Krakoff yellow bag, Stella McCartney sunglasses, Tabitha Simmons striped Espadrille Sneaker, high waisted denim shorts, white tank, beige blazer,   Alternatives: Miu Miu STRUCTURED LEATHER TOTE,  Joe's Jeans Easy Cutoff denim Shorts,  Gap Womens New Support Cami,  Acne LINEN BLAZER,  Stella McCartney CAT-EYE STYLE SUNGLASSES,  stella & dotDemi Layering Necklace - Gold,

Blazer: Acne (also here; similar here)
Top: Gap (more colors here!)
Shorts: Joe’s Jeans
Shoes: Tabitha Simmons (also seen on Miranda Kerr here)
Bag: Miu Miu (similar here & here)
Sunglasses: Stella McCartney (also here)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (wear it long or doubled) 

how to wear denim shorts; summer outfit ideas shorts;    On Alessandra Ambrosio: Topshop Knitted Fluro Weave Jumper, Big Star 1974 Denim Remy Star Short, Mulberry bag,Ombre Coral and Rutilated Quartz Necklace, ballet flats;  Alternatives:   Sam Edelman 'Felicia' ballet Flat,  Golden Lane Small Duo Satchel,   Dolce & Gabbana Iconic Logo Sunglasses,

Top: Topshop
Shorts: Big Star (also here)
Shoes: Sam Edelman
Bag: Golden Lane (or this one!)
Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana
Necklace: Frasier Sterling (similar here)

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CLOTHING

Double Denim: Chambray Shirt & Chic Flats

How to style denim/chambray shirt; How to wear distressed jeans or printed denim shorts; Street style;  On Miranda Kerr: Scanlan & Theodore denim/chambray shirt, Mango distressed denim jeans, Miu Miu Crystal-embellished grosgrain slippers, Miu Miu Catwalk Sunglasses with Thin Temple,Prada black bag, red lip  On Miranda Kerr: Scanlan & Theodore denim/chambray shirt,  Isabel Marant denim shorts, Pretty Ballerinas silver metallic ballet flats, Balmain X Aurélie Bidermann suede grey bag, Linda Farrow oversized sunglasses, red nail and lipPhotos: Miranda Kerr; Courtesy of justjared.com.

Close followers know that in my blog, I mainly focus on wearable outfit ideas from style savants, especially when their looks incorporate recycled pieces or wardrobe essentials, like the chambray shirt on Miranda Kerr featured above.

There are countless ways to style a denim shirt/jacket. Among them, the denim on denim look is the trickiest: If you pick the wrong shade (too dark or over blenched), the wrong accessories (say a crystal belt), the ensemble will look unfashionable and dated. Here, Miranda Kerr showed us how to play this resurgent trend in a modern way:

Pick two pieces in different hues, extra bonus for those with different “characters”: A simple, minimal embellished top paired with a deeply distressed skinny or right-on-trend patchwork denim shorts for example.

Use accessories to keep it current: compared to menswear loafers or studded boots, metallic ballet flats and suede/satin slippers are equally chic while adding a luxe and feminine touch.

Keep the rest sleek and clean: Instead of wavy hair, hoop earrings, stacked bracelets, try a modern updo, dainty everyday jewelry and structured handbag in a sophisticated hue, like this understated suede grey tote or this modern black satchel.

How to style denim/chambray shirt; How to wear distressed jeans or printed denim shorts; Street style;    On Miranda Kerr: Scanlan & Theodore denim/chambray shirt,  Isabel Marant denim shorts, Pretty Ballerinas silver metallic ballet flats, Balmain X Aurélie Bidermann suede grey bag, Linda Farrow oversized sunglasses, red nail and lip  Alternatives: Mango crystal embellished denim shirt,  Maison Scotch Marie Patchwork Short at Free People ,  Ralph Lauren Amarissa metallic Leather Ballet Flat,  LiebeskindLioba Stainy suede Studs Bag,  Gucci Oversized Sunglasses,

Shirt: Mango
Shorts: Maison Scotch (similar here & here)
Shoes: Ralph Lauren (similar here)
Bag: Liebeskind (on Miranda Kerr here)
Sunglasses: Gucci (on Miranda Kerr here)

How to style denim/chambray shirt; How to wear distressed jeans or printed denim shorts; Street style;      On Miranda Kerr: Scanlan & Theodore denim/chambray shirt, Mango distressed denim jeans, Miu Miu Crystal-embellished grosgrain slippers, Miu Miu Catwalk Sunglasses with Thin Temple,Prada black bag, red lip  Alternatives:  Mango crystal embellished denim shirt,  Mango distressed super slim jeans,  MICHAEL Michael Kors Selma Stud Large North South Tote ,  Charlotte Olympia Taurus suede slippers,  River Island Claudine glitter Cateye Sunglasses,

Shirt: Mango
Jeans: Mango (also here; similar here)
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors (also here; similar here)
Shoes: Charlotte Olympia (great style on sale here!)
Sunglasses: River Island (on Miranda Kerr here

Categories
CLOTHING

Stripes: Dress Up or Down

how to wear stripes, how to dress up stripes, how to wear leather shorts, striped top,  Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, CHLOÉ Triple strap sandal,Ella Moss Lila striped shirt in Royal,Gerard Darel Simple Bag cuir Melbourne in Orange,Westward Leading Mercury Seven sunglasses,distressed denim shorts, Lily Aldridge for velvet, striped top, white button down shirt, black leather shorts, nude pointy toe pumps, black fedora, black crossbody bag, dainty jewelry,summer outfit idea, denim shorts,    helenhou, helen hou, the art of accessorizing, accessoriseart, celebrity style, street style, lookbook, model off-duty,red carpet looks,red carpet looks for less, fashion, style, outfits, fashion guru, style guru, fashion stylist, what to wear, fashion expert, blogger, style blog, fashion blog,look of the day, celebrity look,celebrity outfit,designer shoes, designer cloth,designer handbag,

Photos: Alessandra Ambrosio & Lily Aldridge; Courtesy of splashnews.comrefinery29.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.

how to wear stripes, how to dress up stripes, how to wear leather shorts, striped top,  Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, CHLOÉ Triple strap sandal,Ella Moss Lila striped shirt in Royal,Gerard Darel Simple Bag cuir Melbourne in Orange,Westward Leading Mercury Seven sunglasses,distressed denim shorts, Lily Aldridge for velvet, striped top, white button down shirt, black leather shorts, nude pointy toe pumps, black fedora, black crossbody bag, dainty jewelry,summer outfit idea, denim shorts,  Equipment Lucky Stripe Reese Blouse in Electric Blue,  Ella Moss Nautical Stripe Jersey Shirt Royal Large,  Rag & Bone/JEAN The Mila Shorts,  Timberland Ankle Strap Sandal,  Westward Leaning sunglasses,  Fossil orange tote,  Gorjana Knox Necklace,  helenhou, helen hou, the art of accessorizing, accessoriseart, celebrity style, street style, lookbook, model off-duty,red carpet looks,red carpet looks for less, fashion, style, outfits, fashion guru, style guru, fashion stylist, what to wear, fashion expert, blogger, style blog, fashion blog,look of the day, celebrity look,celebrity outfit,designer shoes, designer cloth,designer handbag,

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

how to wear stripes, how to dress up stripes, how to wear leather shorts, striped top,  Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, CHLOÉ Triple strap sandal,Ella Moss Lila striped shirt in Royal,Gerard Darel Simple Bag cuir Melbourne in Orange,Westward Leading Mercury Seven sunglasses,distressed denim shorts, Lily Aldridge for velvet, striped top, white button down shirt, black leather shorts, nude pointy toe pumps, black fedora, black crossbody bag, dainty jewelry,summer outfit idea, denim shorts,  Velvet Lily Aldridge for Velvet Pearl Top,  J.CrewBoy shirt in classic white,  TOPSHOPZip Side Leather Look Shorts,  Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Percy Bag ,  Nine West pink nude pump,   Jacquie Aiche Alphabet Letter Initial Waif Ring,  helenhou, helen hou, the art of accessorizing, accessoriseart, celebrity style, street style, lookbook, model off-duty,red carpet looks,red carpet looks for less, fashion, style, outfits, fashion guru, style guru, fashion stylist, what to wear, fashion expert, blogger, style blog, fashion blog,look of the day, celebrity look,celebrity outfit,designer shoes, designer cloth,designer handbag,

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