Posts filed under 'Ready Made Outfits'
There are a few classic silhouettes in fashion that you see over and over: big over small, small over big, and small over small. (You sometimes see big over big, but usually only on the runway.) We’re huge fans of the Big Over Small silhouette, as it flatters women who may have a tummy–but also a slender bottom half. The Big Over Small silhouette allows you a bit more volume where you need it, while keeping the overall look visually proportionate. Here’s how to get the look:
1. Start with a top with some volume. If you don’t want to go over the top with volume, you can try an empire waist top. If you’re more daring, you can try for more volume with pieces like a drapey blouse or an oversized sweatshirt.
2. Counterbalance the volume on top with a skinny bottom. A pair of skinny jeans works well, as would a slim skirt.
3. If you want to play with more volume on top, add a drapey sweater over your top. Let it hang open for the most volume.
4. The look is one part vintage, one part edgy. Finish off the look with a handbag with pocket detailing (echoing the arty sweater) and a pair of adorable brown pumps (recalling the vintage-inspired top).
How would you wear the big over small silhouette? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 27th, 2009
It’s easy to keep it simple with monochromatic or duochromatic outfits. But don’t limit yourself when it comes to color. We present an example outfit that’ll help broaden your thinking when it comes to pairing colors. Here, we’ve paired two neutrals (white and brown) with three colors: aqua, blue, and yellow-green. Note that the three colors, though distinct, still work together as a trio. Why? They’re adjacent colors on the color wheel. Blue sits next to green, which in turn sits next to yellow. The aqua color combines blue and green, while the addition of the yellow-green color brings us all the way from blue to yellow. Here’s how to get the adjacent color coordinated look:
1. Start with a blue tunic top and a pair of white jeans. Note how the oversized tunic contrasts with the skinniness of the jeans.
2. Layer a contrasting color tee under the blue tunic. We picked yellow-green, which sits close to blue on the color wheel.
3. Continue the color wheel progression by filling in the gaps. We chose an aqua handbag to bridge the gap between the blue tunic and the yellow-green tee.
4. Finish off the look with a belt and sandals, both in brown leather to contrast with the blue in the tunic.
How would you color coordinate? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 23rd, 2009
Though film is a big influencer on fashion, we don’t usually dish about the crossover. But every once in awhile, we’re so bowled over that we have to share our film-driven inspiration. Our favorite film from the Sundance Film Festival, (500) Days of Summer, finally hit theaters last weekend. An offbeat coming of age story disguised as a romantic comedy, the film tracks Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel) in non-linear fashion through 500 days of their relationship and subsequent breakup. We’re pining after Summer’s adorable but slightly offbeat look. Here’s how to get it:
1. Build your palette around the color blue. We started with an adorable cap sleeve blouse with bow detailing in a light blue, and a drapey woven skirt in a deeper shade of blue. (Yes, that’s the same skirt as in the How to Make Sophisticated Style Unstuffy post–isn’t it versatile?)
2. Cinch your waistline with a deep brown belt, to complement all of the blue in the blouse and skirt.
3. Finish off the outfit with a pair of cap-toe slingback flats (note how the bow on the flats echoes the bow on the blouse) and a long-strap purse in a gorgeous grey.
How would you get Summer’s adorable but slightly offbeat look? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 23rd, 2009
Recall classic sophistication, a la Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn, in an elegant boatneck and drapey skirt. But keep it modern by adding a twist–a touch of ruggedness juxtaposed against WASPy old-world style. Here’s how to get the unstuffy yet sophisticated look:
1. Start with an elegant white top in a classic shape. We love the boatneck style for how it frames the face - and visually elongates your neck. Bonus style and figure flattery points for the bow tied at the waist.
2. Slip on a drapey skirt. We love how the deep royal blue pairs with the bright white top. Plus, the drapiness of the skirt contrasts with the more structured feel of the top.
3. Acccessorize with pieces that bridge the ladylike and the outdoorsy: a tailored, chain link purse and a pair of distressed flat boots. The distressed boots make the look feel like it doesn’t take itself too seriously - yet isn’t the result gorgeous?
How would you un-stuffify sophisticated, classic style? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 15th, 2009
Plaid’s a classic style often found in the same basic colors (ahem, blue) and cuts (hello, standard button-down). But it doesn’t have to be the same old plaid. We like experimenting with different colors and cuts in order to see plaid in a whole new way. Here’s what you can do with plaid to make it new again:
1. Start with a plaid shirt. But instead of reaching for the same old blue button-down, try a short sleeve style with a different kind of color pattern. We like the quirky pink, purple, and blue plaid on this blouse. Added bonus? The short sleeves, the bloused bottom, and the ruffle detailing at the neckline.
2. Since the plaid top features a bloused bottom, pair it with skinny or straight leg jeans to counterbalance the volume. The dark skinny jeans provide a nice foil for the bright, blousy shirt.
3. Finish off the outfit with accessories that feature the same attention to detail as the plaid top. We love the rope detailing on the strap of the purse - and the edgy-yet-delicate shoelaces on the ankle booties.
How would you wear plaid? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 9th, 2009
Now, we know that not everyone has the luxury of being able to wear shorts to work. But for those of you who have the option, we wanted to show that wearing shorts doesn’t have to look sloppy. In fact, you can look just as sophisticated and put-together as you would be in a skirt or pair of pants. And for those of us who have a stricter work dress code, you can try this look for the weekend. Here’s how to look polished in shorts:
1. Start with a tailored pair of shorts. Choose a style that’s not overly form fitting, but one that has a good amount of structure. We like knee-length shorts for their versatility and their figure flattery.
2. Add a drapey top to counterbalance the structure of the shorts. Navy is a beautiful, elegant counterpart to the white shorts.
3. Layer on a tailored blazer, which will instantly elevate the look. We like the long blazer over knee-length shorts look - a bit European and incredibly chic.
4. Finish off the look with tailored accessories: a structured bag and a pair of elegant pumps. Heels help give the outfit a finished look; even if you can only wear kitten heels, we’d recommend it.
How would you wear shorts to work? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 8th, 2009
The quintessential All-American look pairs a fresh white button-down shirt (with the top couple of buttons left unbuttoned) with fitted blue jeans. It’s crisp, it’s clean, and it’s completely classic. Add a pair of red shoes (or a red handbag), and it’s a great outfit in which to celebrate the 4th of July. But what if you want something a little different–and a little less literal? We’ve put together a sophisticated, feminine look that takes denim and white and adds a bit of a twist. Here’s how to get the denim and white (with a twist) look:
1. Instead of blue jeans, reach for a blue denim skirt as the foundation of your outfit.
2. Add a nice colored blouse. We love how the green of the blouse complements the classic blue of the denim skirt - and how the ruffles on the blouse echo the ruffles and shirring on the skirt.
3. Toss on a nice light sweater (optional, depending on how warm it is). The delicateness of the sweater complements the elegant blouse.
4. Get your whites on with a summery pair of espadrilles.
5. Finish the outfit off with a brightly colored handbag. We chose to forego red and instead chose a beautiful, vibrant orange.
Wishing you all a very Happy 4th of July! Have fun, and be safe. We’ll be back with more fashion fun bright and early next Monday.
How do you wear denim and white? Share your style with us in the comments!
July 2nd, 2009
What’s the key to wearing a miniskirt with style? As you show off your legs, keep your top half covered up so that you’re not showing off too much skin. This holds true whether you’re a teenager or if your teen years are far behind you. The rule of thumb is that the shorter your skirt, the more you want to keep covered up on top. Here’s Omiru’s version of how to wear a miniskirt:
1. Start with a miniskirt. Structured fabrics are going to be your best bet so the skirt isn’t overly figure-hugging.
2. Layer on a tank top and a tailored button-down shirt. Notice how the button-down and tank work together with the two shades of blue. We love how the bright blue knit tank will peek out from under the lighter, paler tailored woven shirt.
3. Finish off the outfit with a light silk scarf (don’t you love how the brown looks against the backdrop of the blues) and a pair of statement sandals.
How would you wear a miniskirt? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 25th, 2009
Mix utilitarian style with urban sophistication for a look that’s all about effortless summer style. Simply juxtapose a rugged chambray shirt against a feminine, brightly colored tank. Here’s how to get the look of effortless summer style in a chambray shirt:
1. Start with a bright strappy summer tank and a pair of white bootcut jeans.
2. Layer on a chambray shirt, a preppy alternative to the long, cardigan sweater. Doesn’t the blue chambray look fabulous with the bright yellow tank?
3. Finish off the look with a pair of flat sandals and a messenger bag slung over your shoulder.
How do you wear a Chambray Shirt? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 25th, 2009
Today, we’re putting forth a style challenge: wearing the color yellow green. Yellow green isn’t the most flattering of colors, nor does it pair well with all other colors. We found that the best way to wear yellow green is with other equally bold colors–bright orange and a nice warm shade of blue. Here’s how to get the look of yellow green:
1. Start with a yellow green sweater, preferably in a classic shape.
2. Layer under your yellow green sweater a blouse in a bright color. We love the interplay of the warm, bright orange peeking out from under the yellow green sweater. Plus, the ruffles on this blouse add a bit of visual drama.
3. Slip on a pair of brightly colored pants. Note that even though these pants are blue, they’re a warm shade of blue. The warmth of the blue helps it pair with the bright orange and the yellow green, both of which fall on the warm side of the color wheel.
4. Finish off the outfit with a pair of statement shoes: a pair of medallion themed sandals with a light heel.
How would you wear yellow green? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 18th, 2009
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