Posts filed under 'Ready Made Outfits'
We love the look of the puffer coat - but we’re not quite as amorous about the puffed up silhouette that it can create. Even if puffer coats aren’t your cup of tea, you don’t have to write off the puffer altogether. Instead of a full on puffer coat, you can try a puffer vest instead. In order to keep the silhouette as trim as possible, we like the look of inexpensive puffer vests (with less filling, and therefore, less puffiness). But how do you work a puffer vest into your wardrobe? Here’s an offbeat yet chic look to emulate:
1. Start with a cozy boatneck sweater. We love the mustard and white stripes on the sweater - sailor inspired, but with a twist.
2. Slip on a pair of wool shorts. The perfect wool shorts for this look have a somewhat loose leg and cuffed hems. For an extra layer of warmth, you may want to add tights or leggings under the shorts. If you’re not a fan of the shorts (or if your climate won’t support it), cropped pants or cargo pants also work well here.
3. Slip on your quilted puffer vest. We love it worn open with the hood down. Let the striped sweater shine through.
4. Finish off the look with a pair of tough looking boots, which juxtapose nicely against the tailored shorts and the outdoorsy puffer vest, and a statement handbag. We adore the texture on this bag, don’t you?
How would you wear a puffer vest? Share your style with us in the comments!
November 20th, 2009
You don’t have to go crazy with color in order to create a visually compelling look. Do as the Japanese do and experiment with texture. We love combining fabrics of different weights, feels, and sheen in order to create a look that feels like much more than the sum of its parts. Here’s how to mix up your look with texture:
1. Start with a top that gives you both micro and macro textures: a smooth silk cami that provides extra visual interest with a set of cascading ruffles.
2. Slip on a pair of slim fit corduroy pants for a matte, almost nubby texture.
3. Bring on the cable knit with a cardigan sweater in a nice neutral grey. Added bonus? The applique flowers and bows, which provide an extra dose of textures and fabrics.
4. Finish off the look with a pair of foldover suedette boots (matte texture) and a creamy leather handbag.
How would you play with texture? Share your style with us in the comments!
November 13th, 2009
The star of Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall 2008 show was the cage heel, a dramatic architectural shoe that was half bootie, half strappy sandal. Ever since, the cage heel (or cage boot, as it were) has made its way from runway to reality, appearing in various incarnations at bridge level price points - and now even more affordable options. But how do you wear the cage heel without looking like a dominatrix? The key to wearing the cage heel in style is simplicity. Pair the architectural shoe with simple silhouettes in mostly solid colors. That way, you make the cage heel the star of your outfit. Here’s how to wear cage heels:
1. Start with a simple, somewhat demure base: a fitted pencil skirt and a drapey sweater. The sweater isn’t solid colored, but the navy and black oversized horizontal stripes are still recessive enough.
2. Slip on your cage heels to spice up the simple, sophisticated look. Notice how the structure of the cage heels is echoed in the double row of buttons on the skirt.
3. Finish off the look with a clutch in a bright color, which will give some life to the somber blues and blacks.
How would you wear cage heels? Share your style with us in the comments!
October 22nd, 2009
No, this isn’t a case of seasonal dyslexia–you really can wear shorts for Fall. The key is to pair your shorts with fall staples, such as sweaters, leggings, and boots. (No shorts with sandals for Fall, unless you live in a tropical climate.) With the appropriate layers, your summer shorts can fit comfortably right into the fall season. Here’s how to wear your summer shorts this Fall:
1. Start with your summer shorts, worn over tights or leggings. For the most seasonally appropriate effect, try shorts in a heavier weight fabric, such as denim or wool.
2. On top, try a floaty top with shorts that are tighter fitting. If you’re wearing roomier shorts, try a fitted top.
3. Layer on a cardigan sweater, both for warmth and some additional color and texture.
4. Slip on a parka jacket on top, leaving it open to let the cardigan and top peek through. We love how the color of the faux fur trim echoes the yellow in the sweater, and how the combination of the parka, shorts, and leggings creates a long, lean line.
5. Finish off the look with a pair of tall boots (notice how the grommets on the boots echo the line of buttons on the shorts) and a textured shoulder bag.
How would you wear your summer shorts this Fall? Share your style with us in the comments!
October 15th, 2009
Biker jackets evoke imagery of black leather, hard edges, and sharp studs. But you don’t have to go over the edge to look sharp in a biker jacket. The keys to wearing a biker jacket elegantly are twofold: (1) pick the right jacket (sleek, minimal), and (2) dress up the rest of the look with sophisticated pieces with chic details. Here’s how to wear a biker jacket elegantly:
1. Start with a simple, sophisticated base: grey cords (or grey jeans) and a tie-neck knit top. We love the mix of muted colors between these two pieces.
2. Layer on the elegant biker jacket. Note the subtle cream color, the slim fit, and the understated detailing.
3. Finish off the look with standout accessories: a pair of tall grey boots to tuck your grey cords into (the combo creates a long, lean look) and a cheery bright yellow clutch for a burst of color.
How would you wear a biker jacket? Share your style with us in the comments!
October 8th, 2009
What’s the key to wearing brightly colored pants? Pair them with a top in a complementary color - and then fill out the rest of the outfit with neutrals. That way, you build the outfit around the pants and work them seamlessly into your look. Here’s how to wear brightly colored pants:
1. Start with a pair of brightly colored pants. We chose a pair of mustard cords to build the look around.
2. Choose a top in a complementary color. This lace trim camisole in dusty blue pairs beautifully with the mustard cords.
3. Finish off the outfit with neutral pieces and accessories: a cream colored turtleneck cardigan (which also adds texture), and a buckled handbag and flat boots in shades of brown.
How would you wear brightly colored pants? Share your style with us in the comments!
October 7th, 2009
How do you turn a simple outfit into something extraordinary? It’s all in the details. We love basics with a twist - the white button down with tuxedo pleats, the coat with oversized buttons, the pants adorned with an oversized bow. The beauty of these pieces is that they’re simple and understated - yet they pack a fashion punch, especially when combined. Here’s how to get a stunning look from these basics with a twist:
1. Start with a tuxedo pleated white button down shirt. Pair the tuxedo shirt with a pair of drapey trousers adorned with a bow.
2. Layer on a vest. We love that the black sweatervest features a variety of textures - from the simple knit to the lace detailing.
3. On top, pull on an Audrey Hepburn-esque 3/4 length coat. We love the scalloped detailing and the oversized, contrast buttons.
4. Finish off the look with a pair of ankle boots, adorned with zig zag detailing and a buckle at the ankle.
What are your favorite fashion details? Bows? Oversized buttons? Pleats? Share your style with us in the comments!
October 2nd, 2009
Love the gamine look but don’t want to look like a schoolgirl? Get the look of rugged elegance by combining the girly, feminine separates with pieces that are a little rough around the edges. We love the contrast in textures, styles, and silhouette. Here’s how to get the rugged and refined look for Fall:
1. Start with a sophisticated base: a tailored blouse (don’t you love the tuxedo pleating?) and a pleated skirt. The base is prim and proper.
2. Layer on an outdoorsy parka to add a touch of ruggedness to the refined base layer. We love the mix of colors (the army green with the sailor white and navy) and the contrast in detailing (oversized pockets and cord detailing vs. tuxedo pleats).
3. Finish off the look with accessories that blend the sophisticated and the rugged: studded tall flat boots and a serious leather satchel.
How would you get the rugged and refined look? Share your style with us in the comments!
October 1st, 2009
Now that Fall is nearly upon us, it’s time to bring out all of the jackets and coats you adore. Our favorite jackets are those that really make a statement - whether it’s through color, silhouette, detailing, or a combination of the three. But the fact that they make such a statement can make it difficult to wear these jackets at work. The key to making statement jackets ready for work is to pair them with work-appropriate separates featuring minimal detailing. That way, you let the statement jacket shine (as it should). Here’s how to wear the statement jacket to work:
1. Start with a neutral base: a textured white top paired with a pair of straight leg trousers. The delicate pinstripes on these trouser pants give the base a little extra oomph.
2. Layer on a cropped-sleeve sweater. We adore the delicate pintucking on this aqua cardigan - so pretty!
3. Slip on your statement jacket, leaving it open so that the sweater and textured top layers can shine through. Don’t you love the fabric detailing at the neckline? The volume perfectly contrasts with the fitted, tailored jacket base.
4. Finish off the look with a pair of ankle boots and a sturdy work bag.
How would you wear the statement jacket? Share your style with us in the comments!
September 22nd, 2009
Suspenders aren’t exactly on the forefront of fashion, but they can create a pretty snappy look when paired with the right pieces. The key is to work with the tailored feel of the suspenders - but not so much that the outfit doesn’t have a sense of humor. We’ve crafted a tongue-in-cheek look with suspenders that manages to evoke an air of urban sophistication. Here’s how to get the look of sophistication in suspenders:
1. Start with your base: a suspenders skirt (or pants) paired with a crisp button-down shirt. Bonus points for a fun color or pattern.
2. For flair, add a tailored cape over the fitted base. The cape adds a dash of elegance to the outfit.
3. Continue on with the sophisticated, tailored feel of the outfit with a structured handbag. The tan bag pairs nicely with the blues in the outfit.
4. Finish off the look with an accessory that adds a bit of fun to the outfit: a bright red bootie. The cool weather bootie pairs nicely with the cape - and it adds a punch of color (and humor) to the entire look.
How would you wear suspenders? Share your style with us in the comments!
September 3rd, 2009
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