Tag: leather shorts

Summer Shorts: Dress Up & Down

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date July 26, 2013

Photos: Olivia Palermo; Courtesy of bauergriffinonline.com, zimbio.com.

We usually think of the shirt and shorts combo as a classic casual outfit choice, Olivia Palermo proved otherwise:

For the left look above, she balanced a casual chambray shirt with luxe, structured jacquard print shorts. As always, she finished off with an unexpected touch, in this case, a fun, summery floral ballet flats. This look is feminine yet fashionable, great for a casual date, a getaway, or downtown stroll.

For the right look above, she dressed up this classic combo by choosing urban chic staples: crisp white button down shirt, leather shorts and suede cut-out heel. This look is office-friendly, yet so easy to transform for night out simply by changing accessories.

As women, we always love leg slimming pieces, the loose shorts on Olivia Palermo are great examples. But this kind of shorts tends to exaggerate our hips, so take a hint from this style savvy, cinch your waist with a belt, which will make you look taller and slimmer.

How will you play with this combo? Share with me!

1. Current/Elliott The Perfect shirt (on Olivia Palermo on sale here)
2. Westward Leaning sunglasses
3. MSGM Short (similar here & here)
4. Michael Kors slim runway watch
5. Mango embellished skinny belt
6. Sam Edelman flat color ‘Melon’
7. Saint Laurent ‘Duffle 6’ satchel (similar here)

1. Theory Shirt (great buy here & here)
2. Piper Gore leather shorts (under $80 here!)
3. Aquazzura sandal (also here; great alternative here & here)
4. Giorgio Armani lipstick color ‘401’
5. Stella & Dot link bracelet
6. J.Crew leather belt
7. Fendi ‘2Jours’ tote (great alternative here & here)

Tags ballet flats, chambray shirt, cut out sandal, leather shorts, Olivia Palermo, printed shorts, red bag, spring/summer, street style, White Shirt

CLOTHING

Summer Shorts: Edgy Leather & Sexy Pump (Part V)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date July 21, 2013

Photos: Lily Collins & Beyoncé; Courtesy of vogue.com, justjared.com.

The heat wave seams tamed, weather cooled down here in New York. Usually I would immediately pull out my favorite leather shorts, but with a huge belly at 35 weeks, I still need to wait patiently. The good part is my shorts can wait too since I can wear them year round: spring/summer with lace and pastel tops, early fall with jumpers/jackets, later with thick tights and booties.

Besides distressed denim cutoffs, leather shorts are what I wear most in spring/summer. I prefer faux leather because they are more breathable considering the weather. But this season, designers reinvented this beloved piece, treated leather like any other fabric, made them paper-thin, flowy, soft and colorful. Because of my pregnancy, I haven’t try one yet, so those of you who tried, please share with me your thoughts!

For those who haven’t, before move to any printed, colored, scalloped hem, cut-out leather shorts, the basic black pair is definitely a must-have. It goes with everything (from a simple white Tee to romantic lace blouse, from a floral printed blazer to tough motorcycle jacket) and instantly make the look effortlessly chic.

Here, Lily Collins & Beyoncé’s outfits are great for a date night or hanging out with friends. The structured blazer and sophisticated palette make these looks ageless too. Changing the shoes to sneakers or loafers, they are great for everyday wear.

And once again, the “Nothing has the transformational effect of a great shoe or beautiful bag” claim had proved: the red clutch and mint green pump on them instantly brighten up the outfits, making them fun & summery.

1. Helmut Lang blazer (70% off! also on sale here)
2. Tibi classic silk camisole (great alternative here)
3. Givenchy shark tooth necklace (similar here)
4. Topshop leather look shorts (on Lily Colins here)
5. Tom Ford lip color ‘True Coral’
6. Kate Spade New York pump (also here)
7. Loeffler Randall lock clutch (on sale!)

1. Helmut Lang jacket (on sale; under $60 here & here)
2. House of Harlow 1960 Carmen sunglasses
3. Splendid stretch camisole (or this one)
4. Topshop leather look shorts ($18 here)
5. Kate Spade New York pump (on Beyoncé on sale here!)
6. ASOS hat (featured here)
7. Sophie Hulme envelope crossbody bag (on sale here)

Tags Beyoncé, colored pumps, leather shorts, Lily Collins, party outfits, printed blazer, red bag, spring/summer, street style, White Blazer

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