Tag: striped top

Back to Basics: Timeless White Blazer (Part V)

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 28, 2013

How to wear white blazer; black and white; wide leg jeans; white on white; On Laura Whitmore:Paul Joe white blazer, Joie white blouse, J Brand white distressed skinny jeans, Kurt Geiger black pointy toe pumps, Pandora rings, Stella Dot Gitane Tassel Necklace, Stella Dot Soar Necklace; On Vogue editors Esther Adams: white blazer, brown saddle crossbody bag, wide leg jeans,striped top, Photos: TV presenter Laura Whitmore & Vogue editor Esther Adams; Courtesy of vogue.com, contactmusic.com.

Today’s featured item is the most requested one in our “Back to Basics” series: the white blazer. There is no need to say more about how essential it is, so let’s go directly to our “style class”.

As a basic and staple piece, there are countless ways to wear a white blazer (check out related post here & here, you can always search “white blazer” at my home page for more inspirations), today I want to share with you two of my favorites this season:

First one is an all-white look from Laura Whitmore. Head-to-toe white is right on trend now, and I love how she used black accessories to play with the black/white trend as well, resulting a fresh, modern, high-impact ensemble.

Like we shared here, for simple color palette like this, details really matters: her artful layering necklaces add a whimsical & luxe touch, sheer blouse and pointy-toe pumps infuse sexiness, while distressed jeans grounding the polished vibe.

Esther Adams’s retro chic pairing is definitely what I would wear now since the whole fashion world is turning back for inspirations. High-waisted wide-leg jeans teamed with platforms are leg-elongating. Striped top and vintage looking brown crossbody bag enhance the overall retro vibe. Choose a cropped blazer if you are not as tall as Esther Adams.

Both looks are great for women of any age (for 40s and above, change Laura Whitmore’s distressed jeans to a basic white one or straight leg version for a more polished look). Also, for those of you who want to add some cheerful spring color, these are very similar outfits featured on Miranda Kerr & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for you!

Blazer: Rag & Bone (see it on Rihanna here; also on sale here)
Blouse: Mango (Joie version on Laura Whitmore here)
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (J Brand version on Laura Whitmore here; similar here)
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (great style here)
Belt: J.Crew
Necklace: Stella & Dot tassel necklace & soar necklace (yes, they are the ones artfully layered on Laura Whitmore)

Blazer: Theory (similar here & here)
Top: Intermix (great alternative here & here)
Jeans: MiH (see it on Miranda Kerr here; similar here)
Shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg
Bag: Fossil (on sale here)
Ring: Jacquie Aiche

Tags black and white, black pump, crossbody bag, distressed jeans, Esther Adams, Laura Whitmore, party outfit, spring/summer, striped top, tassel necklace, White Blazer, White blouse, white jeans, wide leg jeans, work outfit

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

CLOTHING

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