Category: CLOTHING

Go Green: Shades and Tips For Every Age

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date March 16, 2013

Photos (from left): Emmy Rossum,Nicole Warne and Olivia Palermo; Courtesy of justjared.com, fellt.com, au.lifestyle.yahoo.com.

Spring is a great time to “go green”. To incorporate this great color in our outfit, I featured these three looks above. Let’s learn some tips on how to rock different shades of green at every age stage!

The understated dark green on Emmy Rossum (above left) is a great start, especially for those of you who are wary of any brights. You can pair this color with neutrals (like the brown and grey on her) for a sophisticated look, or with prints (like the nautical striped sweater I paired below) for a modern, fresh look.

For women over 40, you can choose a knee-length version. Beware of proportion though: A-line skirt with fitted or cropped top (like Emmy Rossum did above) whereas pencil or mini skirt with oversized top (like I did below).

Sweater: Tory Burch (great style here)
Skirt: DKNY (great buy here)
Bag: Coach (also here)
Shoes: Nicholas Jocelyn

If you are ready to try bright colors, accessories are always a great place to start. Nicole Warne’s look (above middle) nailed the black and white trend and brightened up the outfit with a pop of beautiful eye-catching kelly green bag.

Not all of us are lucky enough to have her vintage dress and designer coat, but a printed sundress that can be worn year round and right-on-trend colorblock coat with leather sleeves are pieces easy to find and take no effort to style. PS: you have to own at least one pair of white shoes this season! This classic singe sole pointy toe version is definitely worth the investment.

This look is great for women at any age. You can change the green bag into any bright colored ones you already have in your closet.

Coat: Mango (lust worthy version here)
Dress: Parker
Bag: J.Crew
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik (great buy here)

Olivia Palermo is never afraid of colors and prints. And I especially appreciate the modern, fashion-forward way she mixes and matches them.

This look (above right) from her is easy for us to recreate: play with colors by pairing this sharply tailored green blazer with bright yellow skinny jeans, and ground the outfit with neutral bags and pumps, extra bonus for two tone versions.

Tailored blazer, skinny jeans and classic pumps are great go-to choices for women at any age. When it comes to colors, get experimental with any bright combination (blue and orange/pink, purple/red with yellow…) when you are under 30. Pick one bright piece for a more sophisticated look when over 40.

Blazer: Reiss (similar here)
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind (similar on sale here)
Bag: Loeffler Randall (lust worthy one Olivia Palermo carrying here)

Tags ankle strap shoes, black and white, Coach, colorblock, colored jeans, Emmy Rossum, green bag, green blazer, leather skirt, leather sleeve coat, Nicole Warne, Olivia Palermo, printed dress, striped sweater, white pumps

CLOTHING

Make Your Evening Dress Day-time Appropriate

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date March 14, 2013

emma stone, lanvin black dress, statement necklace, white tee shirt, nude pumps,make black dress daytime appropriate

Photos: Emma Stone; Courtesy of justjared.com.

To bring down the cost-per-wear ratio of the pieces in my wardrobe, especially those expensive ones, I always keep my eyes open for tips and tricks that can maximize usage of the same item and constantly share them with all of you along the way (like here, here and here and more).

Today is another one learned from Emma Stone: to make your glamorous strapless cocktail dress daytime-ready, wear a simple white tee underneath, throw on nude pumps, and finish the look with some not-so delicate accessories, like the chunky statement necklaces on her.

Inspired by this “formula”, we can come up with more pairing ideas: for work, wear a shirt underneath or a blazer over the dress, finish it with a structured leather bag and one piece of simple jewelry; for weekend, top the dress off with a chambray or military shirt, finish it with a woven belt, crossbody bag, and comfy wedges…Also, think of denim jacket, nautical shirt and cardigans. They do the same–tone down the “evening feel” of your dress and make it work for day.

Below are my favorite strapless dresses and ways to style them, hope can give your some ideas to restyle yours!

From left:
Shoshanna Jane strapless jacquard dress (70% off now! also here)
Zimmermann laced strapless dress
Splendid stretch tube dress (can be worn so many ways!)

Dress: Mango (the strap is detachable!)
Top: J.Crew (on sale; great style here)
Shoes: Charles David (or this pair)
Necklace: House of Harlow 1960; Ginette_NY.

Dress: Mango
Jacket: Madewell (great buy here, 30% off with code GAPFRIENDS)
Bag: Loeffler Randall (similar here)
Shoes: Rachel Roy (or this pair)

Tags black and white, colorblock, denim jacket, Emma Stone, lavin, little black dress, nude pumps, plain white tee, statement necklace

CLOTHING

Perfect Match: Peplum Top & Pencil Skirt

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date March 13, 2013

Photo: Elena Perminova; Courtesy of vogue.com, elleuk.com.

Peplum is the hottest word last season, and will still be around this year. That little extra fabric makes a huge difference: it perfectly reshapes our body by creating that attractive “S” silhouette while allowing us to eat one more piece of cake.

There are many ways to wear this style: with jeans (skinny, boyfriend or distressed), cropped pants or skater skirt. But the more feminine way? With pencil skirt. The body hugging pencil skirt highlights the exaggerated peplum, gives the whole look a sexy vibe.

Since both pieces (peplum top and pencil skirt) are so feminine, to balance it out, today’s look is a perfect example: the military style and neutral palette of her jacket grounded the bright skirt and pumps while the colorblock bag adding a sleek, modern touch.

Inspired by the overall shape and color palette of Elena Perminova’s outfit, I found the pieces below that I adore this season, hope to give your some ideas on how to play with this silhouette and the seasonless, timeless color combo (blue and orange/red)!

Jacket: Burberry (similar here)
Skirt: Diane von Furstenberg (also here, similar here)
Bag: Fendi (affordable colorblock version here)
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik (similar here, the pair on Elena Perminova here)