What's The Trend: Peplum

 

Top: Alexander McQueen Silk Peplum Jacket (similar) ; Bottom: Elie Saab Leather Peplum Jacket

           

Peplum appears to be here to stay!!  Designers used the silhouette in fall ready to wear collections last year in the form of a skirt and has brought it back this upcoming spring for tops and outerwear.  I wasn't a fan of the Peplum skirt/dresses but I am loving it on tops and cropped jackets.  

STYLE TIP:  Remember watch your proportions and pair with skinny jeans/trousers, pencil skirts and if you are feeling bold try a wide leg trouser a la Celine SS'12 Ready to Wear.  What do you guys think of this trend? Will you be incorporating it into your spring wardrobes?

Style Tip: Winterizing Summer Pieces

Skirt: J. Crew; Blazer: White House Black Market; Knit Vest: Macy's; Shirt: Loft; Booties: Bakers

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'Mad' About Styling: Layered Maxi

 I was inspired by Vogue's June editorial 'America the Beautiful' where the model wore a beautiful Mulberry floral wrap dress layered over a Riccardo Tisci lilac skirt worn as a slip.  I decided to try my hand at stylizing this layered look with a white maxi dress over a green pleated sheer maxi skirt with a high slit.  The look is ultra feminine so I chose tough accessories like the Jefferey Campbell lace up platform ankle boot. 

I love this idea, it allows you to play around with the silhouette.  What do you think of the layered maxi look? 

To create a similar look:
Try these maxi dresses 


All Saints Goldie Maxi Dress
Asos Midi Dress in Colour Block
Rust Cowl Belted Midi Dress
Asos Sheer Maxi Beach Skirt


Style Tip: Try asymmetrical maxi/midi dresses with sheer for layering

Shirt + LWD Hybrid

I absolutely hate shirt dresses.  I think I bought a shirt dress once and hated the fit on me and it turned me off from the look all together.  This shirt dress however is STUNNING!!  I am a huge fan of anything chiffon/silk in material and it has just the perfect amount of whimsical feminine touch.  I like how she balanced the soft feminine look out with the tough leather platform sandals.  

Style Tip:  You can also throw on a menswear blazer or a black leather jacket to help stylize the look.

Photo Credit: Stockholm Streetstyle via Fashionising.com

Shirt:  Viktor & Rolf

Style Tip: Blank Canvas

An all white outfit gives you a chance to get creative with your accessories. 

Style Tip: Dressing for your Body Type

I am extremely petite 00 to a 0 and it is hard for me to shop for my body size at times. Just wanted to share a few styling tips that I always live by.

Short skirts and flesh toned shoes always helps to lengthen my legs (I am 4'11)

I hate belts that are built into shirts.  I always remove them or pull them to the back (depending on the type of belt) to give a sinched look at the waist.  I am really skinny so waist belts tend to look gaudy on me.

I do not wear bright colored shoes and most of the time try not to match them to my outfit.  Muted tones, flesh tones, tans and browns I find can be versatile and won't clash with your ensemble. They also detract from how skinny my legs are creating a continuous silhoutte from thigh to foot.

These are my own personal style rules.  I recommend that everyone dress for their particular body type and create their personal rules that make them feel comfortable in their clothing. 

Skirt- Nordstrom

Top- Ann Taylor

Shoes- Bakers

Fashion Fail: Beyonce Knowles in Emilio Pucci

I am probably going to get crucified for this post but I would like to discuss why I believe this was a Fashion Fail on the part of the Queen Bey.

One of the most basic rules of dress and personal style is never wear anything that you are not comfortable in.  Beyonce obviously had this dress altered and tailored for the body skimming fit the only problem is she couldn't walk in it and looked extremely uncomfortable.  The dress itself is a design masterpiece with all of its intricacies and expert needlework so my criticisms are exclusive of the designer.  As a matter of fact I was excited when I heard she was wearing a Pucci dress.

Style Tip: If you don't feel comfortable in anything you wear it will show and subsequently detract from the overall look.  This gown is too constricting and it is painful watching her in it.  I am not a big fan of Beyonce's personal style but I do admire her red carpet looks.  This time she missed big.  It is not always about the garment but how you don said garment and she really didn't do this dress justice.  I honestly think she should have not gone so form fitting with it and it would have still had the same effect without looking like a straight jacket. 

What do you guys think of the look?

Would you consider it a fashion fail and why?



Style Tip: Halle Berry Understands Comfortable Style

It is a simple look

1.) Jeans

2.)  Sandals

3.)  Floral Top

4.) Cardigan

These are all very simple pieces that when put together transforms into a stylish ensemble.  The way Halle Berry does comfortable style is envious.  She knows how to wear designer pieces without looking too trendy and put together.  Even in a simple white t-shirt and baggy boyfriend jeans Halle's style is always a 10.  The trick with a simple ensemble is to have that one statement piece.  It can be the top, shoes or even the cardigan.  In this look Halle's floral top is really what takes the look to the next level.  Instead of going with a simple top she chose an intricate floral pattern. 

Style tip:  when wearing jeans with outerwear i.e. blazer, cardigan or cashere sweater, don't play it safe with the top.  Ignore the obvious plain white top and go for a patterned shirt, or try the nautical stripes trend, as well as a graphic T.