Tag: Reiss

Modernize Your Stripes

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 15, 2013

Photos: Diane Kruger & Olivia Palermo; Courtesy of instyle.com, starstyle.com.

Since Coco Chanel introduced Breton stripes to the fashion world, this print has become part of fashion history. This year, thanks to top designers like Marc Jacobs, this classic pattern takes major role again. Trends don’t simply repeat themselves, so let’s take a hint from today’s featured ladies above, learn how to give classic stripes a modern and unexpected twist in three simple ways:

Mix it with another on-trend print, either botanical patterns like this Balmain printed pants on Anja Rubik, or dynamic leopard print like those on Diane Kruger & Olivia Palermo above. The key to mixing prints is making sure they are in the same color family and with similar proportions. They should complement each other rather than compete.

Brighten up the monochrome look with a pop of color: For black/white striped clothing, try bright red, sunny yellow or cobalt blue; For blue/white stripes, since blue is a primary color, the other two primary colors yellow and red will complement it very well.

Last but not least, finish the look with modern or unexpected accessories. The menswear inspired Oxford, like that on Olivia Palermo, is a great example. If that’s not your thing, an oversized metal watch, leopard sunglasses or of-the-moment pumps will keep your ensemble up-to-date without looking overdone.

Dress: Dorothy Perkins (great style here; the designer version on Kruger is by Preen)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (reminiscent of Chanel 2.55, with a fraction of the cost!)
Shoes: Söfft (also here; $40 here)
Watch: Michael Kors (gold version here)
Belt: Cole Haan

Top: Oasis (great buy here & here)
Skirt: Tibi
Bag: Dooney & Bourke (featured here)
Shoes: Munro (also available here; $60 here)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker (similar here)
Bracelet: Reiss

Tags black and white, Diane Kruger, Karen Walker, leopard skirt, Michael Kors, mixing prints, Olivia Palermo, Oxford, Rebecca Minkoff, red bag, red belt, Reiss, strappy sandal, striped dress, striped top, stripes and leopard, Tibi

CLOTHING

Street Style: White Coat & Sporty Beanie

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date March 6, 2013

Photo: Model Bonnie Chen; Courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

Hi everyone! It’s been such a long time since my last post. I’m going through a big change now and would like to share with this good news with you all: I’m going to be a mom soon! During the past two months, I have been tormented by the discomfort of pregnancy. Now I finally stepped into the so-called golden stage, although morning sickness is still around. And I will surely include more maternity style tips in the future, for those of you who are also expecting a new family member!

I’m glad I come back just in time: it’s the middle of fashion month, countless of runway looks and street styles are dazzling. With spring coming soon, there’s just too many to share! Today, let’s start with one of my favorite Chinese model Bonnie Chen (last time featured her here).

Black and white is a huge trend for this spring and will continue go into fall/winter as we saw from the latest runway shows. In her outfit, we can see trendy elements (like the high contrast palette and statement cross-body bag); fashion-forward elements that will coming next season (like her beanie and exaggerated hairstyle); and classic elements that never go out of style (leather pants, biker boots and crisp white button-down). All of these blend harmoniously. Compared to those showgoers with bare legs and sky high heels walking on snow, her look is not only stylish, but warm, comfy and easy.

Coat: Reiss (great buy on sale here)
Pants: J-Brand (also adore this pair)
Shoes: Aquatalia by Marvin K. (lust worthy pair here)
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (also here & here)
Hat: Asos (or this one)

The beanies on Fall 2013 runways also remind me of this look of her (below). It was back in 2010, but Bonnie Chen’s red hat and her skilled layers keep this look stay in my notebook till now.

If you haven’t own a beanie yet, score one now, it will surely keep you in style!

Photo: Model Bonnie Chen (back in 2010)

Tags Aquatalia by Marvin K., ASOS, beanie, crossbody bag, J BRAND, Leather Pants, London Fashion Week, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Model Bonnie Chen, motorcycle boots, Reiss, rider boots, street style, white coat, White Shirt

CLOTHING

Three Unexpected Ways To Wear Brown Leather Jacket

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date January 8, 2013

Photos (from left): Heidi Klum, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Clemence Poesy; Courtesy of vogue.co.uk, bauergriffinonline.com, fashioncappuccino.com.

Leather jacket is no doubt a timeless wardrobe staple. Among all of the colors, black and brown are the most flattering ones that worth the investment and will accompany us for many years. We already talked about classic black leather jacket here, today let’s focus on brown.

Compared to polished and edgy black, brown is more casual and effortlessly chic. Rich brown flatters almost all the skin tones. When the leather breaks down over time, the brown color will appear more attractive.

Above three looks are my favorite. The stars really brought out different sides of a brown leather jacket and showed its versatility:

Heidi Klum (above left)’s sneakers and boyfriend jeans give her brown leather a laid-back, casual vibe; Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (middle)’s skinny jeans and sexy ankle booties add urban chicness to the jacket; Clemence Poesy’s tough boots easily transform the look into an edgy, carefree off- duty outfit. Let alone the unexpected color combinations on them: brown with floral print, with lush green or vibrant red.

Which one is your favorite? And what’s your “secret” to spicing up your brown leather jacket?