Archive for January, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: Sparkle and Shine

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Sparkle and Shine
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

I’m a big believer in the little details.  You can craft the most fantastic look - but if you don’t top it off with the right accessories, it can fall flat (or at least, short).  Paired with this cheeky colorblocked look are a pair of shiny accessories that really finish the look - a sequined scarf and a bold cocktail ring.  What we love about these pieces is the texture they add to the otherwise graphic outfit.  Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with a colorblocked foundation: a yellow tee paired with a bright Kelly green pleated skirt.
2. Layer on a cream colored blouse and grab your striped winter coat - another, more subtle take on colorblocking.
3. To the base of yellow and green, add a different color: bright blue.  Slip on a pair of bright blue pumps (love that black toe box) and grab your crocodile skin embossed clutch.
4. Now, time for the sparkle and shine.  Tie on your sequined scarf, juxtaposing its shine with the matte of the coat.  Lastly, slip on a cocktail ring to echo the shine of the scarf.

How do you wear your sparkle and shine?
  Share your style in the comments!

1 comment January 30th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: How to Beat a Case of the Mondays

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: How to Beat a Case of the Mondays
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

Just because it’s Monday doesn’t mean your day has to be grey.  Or…at least your wardrobe doesn’t have to be.  You can embrace color from head to toe and still look ready for work - here’s how:

1. Start with a foundation brimming with color: a purple button down blouse and a pair of bright blue pants.
2. Because it’s chilly out (and the heat might not be enough to keep you warm at work), layer on a sweater and coat  The aztec sweater ties at the waist, giving you definition even when wearing a chunky sweater.  Even though you’re spending most of your day indoors, don’t forget your coat.
3. You’ve got a foundation of color carrying the look, so feel free to go easy on the color on your shoes - a nice light grey pairs beautifully with the purple and blue of the outfit.
4. Colorblock some more - add a pair of bangles in turquoise shades.  We love how these greenish blues pair with the purple and blue of the outfit.
5. Finish off the look with a laptop bag.  The cheeky leopard print just makes work more fun, doesn’t it?

What do you wear to beat the Monday blues?
  Share your style in the comments!

January 29th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: What to Wear with Military Boots

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Boys Like Girls
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

Military boots make an aggressive statement - but you don’t have to have a hard edge to wear them.  All you have to do is soften your look with a few feminine pieces, and those buckled boots suddenly look more modern than military.  Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with a neutral foundation: a white button down blouse over a pair of grey cords.
2. Slip on your military boots, which fit nicely around the skinny cords.  Note the choice of brown boots instead of black - the brown pair looks better with the creamy neutrals of this look.
3. Bundle up - add a sweater and a military inspired parka.
4. For the two masculine inspired pieces (the military boots and the parka), add two overtly feminine items.  I added a gold statement necklace, which looks fabulous peeking out from under the white blouse, and a Chanel inspired quilted bag - flirty, Parisian, and very very feminine.

How do you wear your military boots?
  Share your style in the comments!

January 26th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: How to Mix and Match Jewelry

January 2012 Lookbook: How to Mix and Match Jewelry
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

Choosing the right accessories is key to making a look more than the sum of its parts.  And while a statement necklace or pair of earrings can transform the most basic of looks, sometimes you want to mix and match your accessories to tell a more visually rich story.  The secret to mixing and matching your accessories is to carry a theme throughout.  Maybe it’s a color, maybe it’s texture, maybe it’s shape - but some common element should resonate.  This sparkly sequined number is a standout piece on its own, but it looks just *that* much better when you pair it with the right accessories.  Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with a sequined dress, paired with a coat that balances out the shine factor.
2. Slip on a pair of nude heels - a great color to pair with metallics, or for that matter, any number of brightly colored dresses.
3. Now comes the mixing and matching of the jewelry - a pair of statement earrings and a cocktail ring.  We chose a turquoise theme for the jewelry, which juxtaposes so nicely against the warm gold of the dress.  The earrings feature a turquoise jewel drop, and the ring’s inlaid jewel echoes the hue of the earrings.  We kept the look from being too matchy-matchy by varying the shape of the jewels - a teardrop on the earring, and a rectangle on the ring.
4. Grab your clutch and go.  Don’t you love the red of the bag - and how it makes the turquoise jewelry pop?

How do you mix and match your jewelry?
  Share your style in the comments!

January 25th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: The Rule of Threes

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Colorblocking Cubed
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

There’s a certain rhythm that you get when you see a pattern in triplicate.  This "rule of threes" is pleasing to the eye, which is why you see it not only in fashion, but also in home, in graphics, and really, everywhere.  Here, we’ve done colorblocking in triplicate - on the dress, on the clutch, and on the shoes.  By itself, each colorblocked item is lovely.  But combined as a team, they’re more than the sum of their parts, creating a sense of vitality in the look - but also a sense of balance. Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with a colorblocked base: a silk shirtdress with a colorblocked hem over a pair of colored jeans.  Note how the orange on the dress and the blue of the jeans complement each other.
2. Toss on a leopard print denim jacket to keep your arms warm. (Or a heavier jacket, if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors.)
3. Pile on the accessories.  I’ve kept the sunglasses and scarf neutral and simple so as to have them take a backseat to the other two colorblocked accessories: the pink and tan clutch and the lilac and yellow pumps.  I love how the pink and tan of the clutch echo the orange on the dress - and how the lilac and yellow pumps really wake up the bright blue jeans.

How do you wear color?
  Share your style in the comments!

January 24th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: Show Your Personality Through Accessories

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Lovely, Ladylike Accessories
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

The right accessories can really make a look.  By itself, this purple blouse and green skirt can run the gamut from mod to prim and proper - but with a set of ladylike accessories, the look reads firmly polished - with a sense of fun to boot.  Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with the base of the purple blouse and the green skirt - two blocks of color to anchor the look.
2. Wrap yourself in a polished winter coat - the variegated stripes give it visual interest without being too over the top.
3.  Now, on to the accessories.  Slip on a pair of nude pumps (we love the peep toe detail for a bit of cheekiness), grab a two toned clutch handbag, and then tie on a classic patterned scarf.
4. Lastly, add in a couple of key pieces for a bit of fun - a pair of faux fur earmuffs (adorable!) and a spiked ring (pretty, but not too precious).

What accessory best expresses your personality?
  Share your style in the comments!

January 23rd, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: Schizophrenic Color

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Schizophrenic Color
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

Once you’re comfortable wearing color, the real fun begins.  You don’t have to limit yourself to a single color - or even two or three.  You can embrace the world of color, combining a kaleidoscope of different hues in a single look.  But how do you wear that much color without looking crazy?  The secret to getting the look is to keep one color dominant - and to add the rest of the colors as accents.  Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with a base color.  Here, I’ve chosen a royal blue shift dress to anchor the look.
2. To that base color, I’ve added a leopard print jacket in a brown color to complement the royal blue.
3.  Now, I’ve started to play with color - adding a pair of bright red sunglasses, a black patent leather bag with neon yellow detailing, a pair of taupe shoes with a neon pink strap, and finally, a necklace that combines red, brown, blue, and lilac.  To add that many colors to the look, I’ve kept the hues in the same family - neons and brights.

How do you wear color?
  Share your style in the comments!

1 comment January 23rd, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: What to Wear for a Weekend Getaway

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Weekend Getaways
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

When you’re going away for the weekend, what you really want are a few easy pieces.  I look for key pieces that can remixed (think of this exercise as the creation of a mini capsule wardrobe), along with pieces that pack well (i.e. don’t crinkle when stuffed into a bag).  Last but not least, think layers - that way, you’ll be able to adjust quickly & easily as temperatures swing between warm and cool.  Here’s how to get a fabulously simple look for your weekend away:

1. Start with a simple base: a bright yellow tee over grey cords.  This will take you through airport security without a hitch.
2. Toss on a blouse over the tee - it is winter, after all, and you’ll want layers both inside and out.
3. Grab a jacket and a scarf.  The parka and scarf shown here are good for temperate climates, but if you’re headed somewhere cooler, go for a heavier coat and a cozier, warmer scarf.
4. Slip on your shoes.  Flats are always best when traveling, especially those than can easily slip on and off.  Airport security woes, be gone!
5. Pick up your bag…and go!

What will you be wearing for your next weekend getaway?
  Share your style in the comments!

1 comment January 19th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: Sundance Style (aka Cold Weather Chic)

January 2012 Lookbook: Sundance Style
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

Today kicks off the Sundance Film Festival - one of the world’s premiere independent film festivals, and a study in celebrity cold weather chic.  The look of the festival always feels a bit apres ski - with an extra dose of style.  But you don’t have to be in Park City for the festival to get a celeb worthy winter look - we show you how:

1. Start with a simple foundation: a bright blue shift dress over a pair of black leggings.
2. Pull on a cozy sweater over the dress to keep warm.  We like the short sleeved sweater as a layering piece for when you’re indoors.  If you’re going outdoors, add a winter coat as an additional layer.
3. Finish off the look with a grey beanie to keep your head warm, a bright yellow clutch that brings out the rich blue color of the dress, and a pair of military boots to toughen up the look.  For snowy weather, make sure that you waterproof your boots before going out.

What’s your go-to cold weather chic look?
  Share your style in the comments!

1 comment January 18th, 2012

January 2012 Lookbook: Layering with Stacked Bracelets

Omiru's January 2012 Lookbook: Layering Textures
This look is part of Omiru’s January 2012 Lookbook series, which builds upon our 16-Piece January 2012 Capsule Wardrobe.  See more information about this look.

They say that variety is the spice of life.  Mixing and matching different pieces, different textures, different colors - this is what makes fashion fun.  The key to get the layering right is to mix and match pieces that either purposefully highlight their similarities - or play up their differences.  But as the entire look needs to be cohesive, you’re going to want to keep a particular theme alive throughout the outfit.  Here, I’ve keep a neutral theme throughout the outfit (with a couple of fun exceptions) and then had a bit of fun with different textures.  Here’s how to get the look:

1. Start with your base: an oversized cream colored blouse over a pair of bright blue pants.
2. Add on a layer of neutrals - a leopard print denim jacket, a beige strappy bag, a pair of nude colored Illesteva sunglasses, and a pair of neutral colored shoes with a pink strap accent.  Notice the different textures on each of the items - the leather of the bag vs. the denim on the jacket, the smooth texture of the sunglasses vs. the rougher texture of the shoes.
3.  Finish off the look with another study in textures: a stack of bracelets.  I kept the bracelets in line with the neutrals of the rest of the look, using browns and golds as the base colors.  But notice how the smooth leather strap contrasts with the organic textures on the white bangle - and how the gemstones on the jeweled bracelet subtly echo the "bricks" on the gold bracelet.  The key to getting stacked bracelets right is balance - keeping enough similarities to hold the look together, but having enough difference to be visually interesting.

What’s your secret for layering your looks?
  Share your style in the comments!

1 comment January 17th, 2012

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