Tag: printed blazer

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

Refined Airport Style: Flounce Skirt & Printed Jacket

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 30, 2013

how to look good while traveling; On Olivia Palermo:Zara skirt, Louis Vuitton red satchel, black top, nude flats, oversized sunglasses, stick/arrow edgy necklace, embellished belt; On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley:Mary Katrantzou metallic printed jacquard jacket, AG skinny jeans, Viktor & Rolf brown bag, Jacquie Aiche jewelry, Maison Michel grey fedora hat, nude pumps Photos: Olivia Palermo & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley; Courtesy of redcarpet-fashionawards.com, coolspotters.com.

T-shirt, jeans and sneakers/boots are what usually come up in our mind when planning trips. Can we stay polished and glamorous on the way to our destination? Today’s featured fashion connoisseurs can tell us how in two simple steps:

First, add one statement piece to elevate the otherwise laid-back, plain look. Take their outfits for example: the black tee and ballet flats on Olivia Palermo, gray shirt and blue jeans on Rosie Huntington are basic pieces we all have and would wear to the airport. Instead of pairing the black tee with jeans or sweatpants, try a right-on-trend flounce skirt, it’s easy yet fashionable, also convenient to transform after you land. Similarly, instead of bringing a hoodie or sweater for a T-shirt-and-jeans combo, try a statement blazer or even just a well-fitted leather jacket, which will instantly polish up your look.

Second, using accessories strategically. Compared to delicate fine jewelry, a unique statement fashion necklace, like this arrow version, will finish off your look with style. You don’t need to worry about damage and the style will go great with all the outfits you bring. Also, think of accessories that are multifunction: A well-made designer satchel can polish up any outfit while fits all your essentials; An oversized sunglasses can ensure you look good without makeup while offer UV protection; A stylish hat can cover your bad hair while keeping your ensemble chic; A fashionable watch can make sure you leave on time while being a statement accessory itself…

Top: Three Dots
Skirt: Zara (designer version on sale here & here)
Shoes: Sam Edelman
Bag: Clare Vivier (great buy here)
Necklace: House of Harlow (great style here!)

Blazer: Joie (also here; on Rosie Huntington here)
Jeans: AG Adriano Goldschmied (it’s the pair on Rosie Huntington, more sizes available here)
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (great style here & here)
Bag: Prada “Saffiano” (great alternative here & here)
Hat: Wet Seal ($10; designer version 50% off here!)

Tags airport style, brown bag, color block, fedora hat, flounce skirt, Louis Vuitton, nude flat, nude pump, Olivia Palermo, printed blazer, red bag, Rosie Huntington Whiteley, skinny jeans, travel outfit

CLOTHING

Floral Blazer: One Piece, Different Styles

Post author By Helen Hou
Post date May 14, 2013

Photos: Olivia Palermo & Jessica Alba; Courtesy of pacificcoastnews.com, justjared.com.

Soft, delicate floral prints are great for warm weather. To make them modern, fresh and unexpected, choose pieces with classic, sleek and structured silhouettes: instead of a floral cardigan, try a floral blazer or jacket; instead of a floral sundress, try a sheath or a pair of floral shorts…

For spring/summer outerwear, half silk, half linen is my favorite combination. This Tibi Daisies jacket fits the bill with impeccable details: from the irresistible and easy-to-pull-off print to the tailored silhouette, versatile length and structured shoulders. No wonder two tasty ladies–Olivia Palermo and Jessica Alba–both chose it. And as always they each put their own spin on it:

Olivia Palermo blended several hot trends harmoniously together: graphic print, black and white color combo and menswear shoes. Sounds busy, but she wisely kept them in a relatively simple palette. By changing the skort into cropped pants, this look will be great for women at any age and also appropriate for many occasions.

Jessica Alba’s pairing is what we all can pull off: Team this statement piece with basics (simple V-neck tee and dark washed skinny jeans). The strappy sandals are this season’s must-have!

I love how they both chose another bright color (as the solid colored bags seen on them) to go with the blue/white printed blazer. As primary colors and contrast colors, red and blue are always a great combination. Purple is a secondary color made up of equal parts red and blue, so naturally, it goes great with both colors.

Jacket: Tibi (on sale here; $34 here)
Skirt: New Look (great buy here, similar here)
Bag: Dooney & Bourke
Shoes: Munro (also available here; $60 here)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker (similar here)
Bracelet: Reiss

Jacket: Tibi (on sale here; $34 here)
Top: James Perse ($6 here)
Jeans: Rag & Bone/JEAN
Shoes: Steve Madden (my favorite! Plus so many options)
Bag: Coach (also available here)
Necklace: Gorjana

Tags black and white, Givenchy, Jessica Alba, Olivia Palermo, Oxford, printed blazer, purple bag, red bag, skinny jeans, spring/summer, strappy sandal, Tibi, white tee, wrap skirt