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CLOTHING

Back to Basics: Timeless White Shirt (Part I)

how to wear black and white, wardrobe staples, white button up shirt for every agePhotos: Milla Jovovich & Lily Donaldson; Courtesy of vogue.fr, vogue.co.uk.

I’m tired of the twice a year wardrobe purge and seasonal buying process, do you feel the same way? I really think that half wardrobe should be filled with high-quality (not equal high price) staples that have permanent residence. No better time than now to go back to basics, because this season, they are taking center stage!

Let’s get started with what I consider the No.1 wardrobe essential: a crisp white button down shirt. It’s versatile, timeless and ageless. When hunting for classic pieces like this, I always look for details that are subtle yet make a huge difference:

For casual occasions, I love it in soft, comfy material, with laid-back details, like this one by Splendid, adore the slightly dropped shoulder and front pocket; For office wear, I love it with structured silhouette and minimal details, like this one by J.Crew, adore the perfect cut and clean shape; For fancy and formal occasions, I love it with luxurious touches and unexpected design, like this one by Elizabeth and James, love the jeweled buttons and amazing waist design at the back!

As for styling, it’s all about balance: women in their 20s and early 30s can give their white shirt a playful, youthful vibe by pairing it with mini or skater skirt, ankle booties or sneakers; For women in their late 30s and above, I would suggest that focus on quality over quantity, invest in a few key items, like black pants, high-waist pencil skirt and great pumps, use accessories to keep your outfits current and updated.

how to wear black and white; wardrobe staples; Alternatives: Elizabeth and James Jeweled Button Cohen Shirt in White, Lafayette 148 New York 'Menswear' Trousers,  Brian Atwood Maniac Patent Platform Pumps,  Charlotte Olympia Pandora Classic Clutch in Clear,  Michael Kors 'Small Madison' Twin Row Crystal Watch,  David Yurman Sterling Silver Cable Stackable Ring,

Shirt: Elizabeth and James (love the jeweled buttons! great buy here)
Pants: Lafayette 148 New York (similar here)
Shoes: Brian Atwood ($50 here)
Clutch: Charlotte Olympia (great find at $48 here)
Watch: Michael Kors
Ring: David Yurman (similar here)

wardrobe staples; Alternatives: Splendid Button Down Shirt,  J.Crew Denim mini,  Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties,  Gorjana Viceroy Earrings,

Shirt: Splendid (40% off! great buy here)
Skirt: J.Crew (similar here)
Shoes: Sam Edelman (more size options here)
Earrings: Gorjana
Lip: M·A·C ‘Vegas Volt’

Categories
CLOTHING

Maximize the Value of Your Maxi Dress

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Photos: Miranda Kerr; Courtesy of justjared.comlindasstuff.blog.comjennycindy.blogspot.com.

Maxi dress is undoubtedly a wardrobe staple. Among so many choices, I especially adore the simplicity and versatility of a sleek black maxi dress. Last summer I shared three ways to style them. This summer, as a trend of this season, the color black takes the center stage. No better time to score your own black maxi dress and make the best use of it all the way through fall!

As you can see from the four looks of Miranda Kerr (above), with the simple silhouette and never-go-out-of style color, a black maxi dress can take us anywhere: Team it with ankle booties, studded tote and oversized sunglasses, you get an effortlessly chic “models off-duty” inspired look; Wear it with glamorous heels and fine jewelry, you are party-ready; Top it off with a denim jacket, printed crossbody bag and flip-flops, you are laid-back yet stylish; Pair it with a light weight scarf, leather jacket and easy walk shoes, you get a comfy yet polished travel outfit, the list goes on…

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Dress: LnA (56% off here; similar here)
Shoes: Rag & Bone (great style here)
Bag: ModCloth
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

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Jacket: All Saints (similar here)
Dress: ModCloth (great find at $50! similar here)
Shoes: Gucci (similar here)
Bag: Saint laurent (similar on sale here)

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Jacket: KUT from the Kloth (great style here)
Dress: Splendid (or this version)
Shoes: Tory Burch (also here)
Bag: Fossil
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (also adore this pair!)

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Jacket: Topshop
Dress: Splendid (or this version)
Shoes: Rag & Bone (great style here)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (also available here; lust worthy one here)
Scarf: Chan Luu

The best part of a black maxi dress is that you can transform it simply by changing accessories. Want an urban bohemian look? Wear a printed scarf as a belt, finish it off with gladiator sandals. Need a rock ‘n roll touch? Add a studded tote and killer booties

Of course you always have the option of wearing it as a skirt by adding a graphic tee, a chambray shirt or a military vest, as you can see from the looks below.

How will you style your black maxi?

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Dress: Tbags Los Angeles (40% off now!)
Other pieces showed in these three outfits are available here
Photos credit: shopbop 

Categories
CLOTHING

Comfortable Chic Airport Styles

Miranda Kerr ,Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,airport style, Yves Saint Laurent duffel bag, Brian Atwoo ankle booties, VELVET X Lily Aldridge striped top, Chanel sunglasses, Helmut Lang Stretch-Leather Leggings, MCS Elena bracelet,  Longines watch, Frame Denim jeans, Ellery black blazer, Miu Miu Velvet Embroidered Slip-On loafer, Zoe & Morgan Si bracelet, Tom Ford cat eye sunglasses, Viktor & Rolf burgundy bag,what to wear on a plane, what to wear for summer vacation,  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: Miranda Kerr & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley; Courtesy of justjared.com, vogue.co.uk.

Besides celebrity street styles and model-off-duty looks, airport fashion is also what I’m obsessed with and spend time to analyze and learn from. Since I just shared my vacation packing essentials, it’s a great time to share some on-the-way outfit ideas. The stand out airport styles are not only comfy and appropriate, effortlessly chic, trend-based, but also easy to transform for our destinations.

First travel essential is, of course, easy-to-walk-in shoe. Go-with-everything ankle booties are great options; If you are trend-minded, Miranda Kerr’s velvet loafer is a must-have this season. It is also comfy and stylish sightseeing shoe after arrive at destination.

Second must-haves are layering pieces to keep us comfortable and stylish at various temperatures during the trip and safeguards us in unpredictable weathers at the destination, consider long sleeve tees, light weight sweaters and basic jackets like what the two ladies wearing above.

Third essentials are functional yet stylish accessories: from their roomy satchels to Rosie Huntington’s burgundy hat (similar here) to Miranda Kerr’s red leopard scarf and watch.

My favorite part of their outfits is that almost every piece on them is timeless wardrobe essential that we can wear over and over. Check the very similar looks from Alessandra Ambrosio (here) and Miranda Kerr (here).

Miranda Kerr ,Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,airport style, Yves Saint Laurent duffel bag, Brian Atwoo ankle booties, VELVET X Lily Aldridge striped top, Chanel sunglasses, Helmut Lang Stretch-Leather Leggings, MCS Elena bracelet,  Longines watch, Frame Denim jeans, Ellery black blazer, Miu Miu Velvet Embroidered Slip-On loafer, Zoe & Morgan Si bracelet, Tom Ford cat eye sunglasses, Viktor & Rolf burgundy bag,what to wear on a plane, what to wear for summer vacation, Velvet x Lily Aldridge Pearl Stripe Sweater in Navy/White,  Helmut LangHelmut Lang Stretch Leather Pants,  Marc by Marc Jacobs Washed Up Lauren grey leather bowling bag ,  Rag & Bone Harrow brown suede ankle Booties,  French ConnectionFancy Winter Floppy Hat ,  Uo Oversized Cat-eye Sunglasses - Black ,  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 (it’s the one on Rosie Huntington, also available here; similar on sale here)
Pants: Helmut Lang (it’s the pair on Rosie Huntington; similar here)
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (the one Rosie Huntington carrying here)
Shoes: Rag & Bone (similar here)
Hat: French Connection (65% off now! featured here)
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters ($16!)

Miranda Kerr ,Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,airport style, Yves Saint Laurent duffel bag, Brian Atwoo ankle booties, VELVET X Lily Aldridge striped top, Chanel sunglasses, Helmut Lang Stretch-Leather Leggings, MCS Elena bracelet,  Longines watch, Frame Denim jeans, Ellery black blazer, Miu Miu Velvet Embroidered Slip-On loafer, Zoe & Morgan Si bracelet, Tom Ford cat eye sunglasses, Viktor & Rolf burgundy bag,what to wear on a plane, what to wear for summer vacation, Reiss Raffy SINGLE BREASTED TAILORED JACKET,   Frame Denim Le Skinny De Jeanne ,  See by Chloé April Big Duffel textured burgundy leather bag,  DV by Dolce Vita Lunna red burgundy cap toe loafer,  Tom Ford Malin Cat-Eye Sunglasses,   Gorjana Star Bracelet, Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Cursive LOVE Bracelet,  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,

Blazer: Reiss ($50 here)
Jeans: Frame Denim (it’s the pair on Miranda Kerr; great style here)
Bag: See by Chloé
Shoes: Dolce Vita Lunna (the Miu Miu version on Miranda Kerr here)
Sunglasses: Tom Ford (it’s the one on Miranda Kerr, similar here)
Jewelry: Gorjana Star bracelet & Jennifer Zeuner LOVE bracelet