Color Wheel Theory

I do a LOT of talking about colors and their relationship to each other all the time. When I'm with clients, I try to help them see the way one color can "highlight" another tone in another color that's next to it. (huh?)
It's the same theory behind when someone says, "It really brings out your eyes" or "Wow, red is really your color".

Essentially, colors play off each other. True, your skin color, hair color, and lighting all play a part in the way a color reads on you BUT, you also have a consistent "undertone" to your skin that's never changing. Sometimes it's referred to as a season and, unless you're tanning like a guidette, your skin's general predisposition of color is always there. This is an element I use when working with clients- find colors to flatter their undertones. So if you're a Spring, you have more golden undertones accented with pink in your cheeks. If you're a Fall, you have more earth-colored undertones with red to accent your cheeks. You can read more about it by going to this website. It's a men's site but the information still translates for women.

This came from a baby nursery site.

BUT, to better understand any color theory, you have to first have some knowledge in the color wheel. Complimentary colors, tertiary colors, and secondary colors. You know this stuff already, you just don't know it. Sometimes seeing it laid out with pictures and bullet points makes it more accessible. This website did a great job explaining the basics. Below is the explanation of what a color wheel is.

A color wheel (also referred to as a color circle) is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship. Begin a color wheel by positioning primary hues equidistant from one another, then create a bridge between primaries using secondary and tertiary colors.

Try to take it from there and use this information in your own wardrobe. To give you a place to start, I have a question for you. If you answer it, you're already a better stylist than you think you are:

If tertiary colors come from secondary and primary colors mixed together, it stands to reason that, since they're all from the same "family" of colors that that "family" of colors will look good together in an outfit
(...did I just get all color philosophical on you? If you get stuck, scroll up and revisit the segmented wheel :)

Image(s) courtesy of www.creative-baby-nursery-rooms.com
 www.worqx.com

Dries Van Noten: A Study in Sheer, Plaid, Structure, and the 90s.

One of my favorite high-fashion houses is Dries Van Noten. (Remember how much I celebrated Maggie Gyllenhaal in one of his dresses at the Oscars??) The Belgian designer (whose name is Dries Van Noten, by the way) creates women's clothing that is always as beautiful as it is artistic. The show for the Spring/Summer 2013 line was, simply put, relaxing to flip through. Every silhouette was easy and louche, with the only structure ever coming in with the pencil skirts or a sleeveless, peplum-hem jacket. Layering pieces like pull-over sweaters and button-up shirts were made in sheer fabrics, even shorts had a sheer, pant-length overlay. Practically everything seemed to be made in either organza, mousseline, or crepe. The over all effect was breezy and cool. It was easy to imagine his muse: a 90's girl about town who's grown up since.

I went through WhoWhatWear.com and nabbed my favorite looks to share with you. And in case any of you have ever thought, "Where do stylists get their inspiration and information from?" I can tell you, for me it's Who What Wear. That's my first stop.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the following hand-clicked selection of Dries Van Noten looks. They're my favorites :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My personal favorite.

 

Image(s) courtesy of WhoWhatWear.com

Sartorial Superlatives: The Best Of Rainboots

Chooka Window Wool. Zappos.com, $60.99. These are pull-ons so if you have a high in-step, they may not slip on easily.

Even though it seems completely absurd that I'm writing this in the middle of a major San Francisco Indian Summer, we all know that the Bay Area's Fall and Winter are just around the corner. Though we don't too often get snow, we do have a nasty wind chill that will surely freeze any tourist or unsuspecting townie right to their bone. And what's worse than the wind chill? Not much actually, except when the chill comes with a rainstorm. Talk about a gloomy day. Luckily, I happen to have an eye for all things fashion and decided to gift you dear readers with the best rainboots I could find. This way when you're out there puddle jumping your way through the town, you're feet stay warm and dry. Just remember to also bundle up!

Most Likely to Go with Everything

Best Print, For Grown-up Gals

Sperry Houndstooth, Zappos.com, $78

Best Print, for Young Gals

Gabriella Rocha "Soma", Zappos.com, $49

Best for Kids

Keds "Champion" bootie, Zappos.com, $65

Best Plaid, an alternative to the Most Likely to Go With Everything

LAUREN Ralph Lauren "Rossalyn II" boot, Zappos.com, $55.99

Best Heels

Gabriella Rocha "Duckee" boot, Zappos.com, $89

Best Bootie/ Best Splurge

Loeffler Randall "Rain Slip On" bootie, Zappos.com, $150

Image(s) courtesy of www.zappos.com

New Kid on the Block: Lydali

Part home decor store and part boutique, Lydali is a collection of artisans from around the world who create unique items and then sell them through Lydali. I first heard about them through a Refinery29 article that caught my eye. I thought I should share some of their super cute wares so the next time you're killing time in the office, treat your eyes to some virtual window shopping candy!

A beautiful scarf hand-made in Ghana, Lydali, $66

Lovely colors and a leathery texture makes this a double win. Snakeskin Wristlet, Lydali, $32

Dusty agate ring, cut from the stone. Agate Ring, Lydali, $42. One more view below:

A beautiful dress with subtle and bold color. Very nice detail. Dress, Lydali, $178.

It's easier than you thought to become a citizen of the world. It's as easy as wearing items from artisans local to the countries you've always wanted to visit.

Image(s) courtesy of www.lydali.com

It's My Birthday and I'll Shop If I Want To!

Yes, I know the title is a bit self-absorbed but it is my birthday and that's pretty much the only day I'm allowed to be self-involved. This will be my 29th year on the planet and I'm ready to roll it in in the right way. Of course, with great age comes great sartorial responsibility. I can't quite get away with the same looks I used to when I was a younger lass. It's time to bust out the longer hem lines and find dresses with sleeves. Let's be honest. Things aren't exactly as firm or as perky as they used to be. But seeing as how I'm a personal shopper in real life, I have to make sure I've got several options available. You just never know if you'll be feeling sexy or silly on the big B-day. One thing I do know, I'm going to want to jazz up my look. I can't be seen in just any old thing, which is the perfect excuse to go shopping.

Browsing online, I found some great options at Nordstrom in a rainbow of colors, styles, and prices. There's got to be at least ONE that will work! No birthday suits allowed!

This simple shift has sleeves and is covered in glitter. Winning! Adrianna Papell, $99.97, Nordstrom

This may only have one shoulder but the effect is effortless and subtly sexy. Love the color too. Adrianna Papell, $49.97, Nordstrom

I'm not much for strapless but the cut of this dress is so flattering to my body type- which is a bit larger on the bottom. Hailey by Adrianna Papell, $138, Nordstrom

I love everything about this dress: the color, the midi-length, the Marylin Monroe silhouette, and the Grace Kelly charm it embodies. Donna Morgan, on sale for $59.97, Nordstrom

The color on this attracted me the most. The style is simple but completely available to some serious accessorizing, the thought of which just makes me salivate. Suzi Chin, $148, Nordstrom

This is just a really sexy dress. The sheer panel at the top with the cool cut-out at the sleeve won me over. BB Dakota, $88, Nordstrom

The subtle lines created by the intricate beading on this sassy little number has a very figure-flattering effect. It's vintage inspired but done in a modern way. Pisarro Nights, $158, Nordstrom

There is something about this dress that I just swoon for. It's romantic, elegant, a bit Spanish dancer-esque, and it has a some sexy upper arm coverage. Definitely winning! Pisarro nights, $158, Nordstrom.

Clearly, I've got options. It's just so hard to decide! All I know is come the big day, all eyes better be on me :)

Cheers!

Image(s) courtesy of Nordstrom

Wardrobe Update: August Shopping

Since August is the "last" month of the summer, excluding of course random Bay Area heat waves in October- now would be a great time to update your wardrobe and buy some new things. Long sleeve tops in knits and sweaters, cardigans, and in general layering pieces will help extend the life of your sleeveless items. Just a few layering pieces and you've got a great start to a Fall wardrobe.

Start off by getting yourself a fun coat-alternative option. This duster, which is essentially just a long cardigan,  looks great in the outfit pictured, but would also be a great tag-along to a maxi dress for when the months gradually cool.

Trouve Fringe Duster, Nordstrom, $58 (Anniversary Sale)

Make sure you gather lots of pull-over sweaters in both v-necks and crew-necks. Embellished necklines are very poplar this year. The good news is you have so many options available to how you choose to partake in this trend, one is bound to feel right. Some tops already come in a simple color with a beaded neckline so half the work is done for you! If you want to start from scratch, you can try layering a crew-neck sweater with a collared shirt underneath. If that doesn't sound appealing, try a turtleneck. And if that doesn't suit you, don't use a high-necked under shirt and instead skip it all together. Use a chunky necklace in it's place. See! Tons of options!

Bonus: If your sweater has an interesting print or pattern or texture, it will elevate your look that much more. Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nordstrom, $159.90 (Anniversary Sale)

Kate Spade necklace, Nordstrom, $118.90 (Anniversary Sale)

Easy, breezy dresses you wore all summer don't necessarily need to be packed up when the weather turns crisp. Fall-ify your dresses with a pair of tights, boots, and a jacket.

Stylist Warning: When your dress already has a print, don't over complicate your look by wearing a pair of tights with a texture or print. Keep it simple. Though you can still be playful by picking a color. Jessica Simpson dress, Nordstrom, $84.90 (Anniversary Sale)

Embrace color! Winter months are often dominated by bland neutrals so don't be afraid to kick-start your look with a burst of color. If these are too bright, then of course wear black. Nordstrom tights, Nordstrom, $6.90 (Anniversary Sale)

A classic lace-up bootie will pretty much go with EVERYTHING in your closet for Fall/ Seychelles "Fever Pitch" Booties, Nordstrom, $89.90 (Anniversary Sale)

A denim jacket is great go-to as the seasons transition. It's a neutral in it's own right because it's a classic but the blue adds a nice pop of color to any outfit. KUT from the Kloth denim jacket, Nordstrom, $69.00

The last few items you can start keeping an eye out for are thin undershirts, perfect for building your layers (and thus, warmth!). Scarves are also a great addition for color and fun, not to mention they're very insulating because the plug up any potential draft from a low neckline.

Hope you find these tips helpful and inspiring enough to get you out to the stores, shopping!

Image(s) courtesy of www.nordstrom.com