Hump Day Special!- My Personal Fashion Icon

I have loved this chick since the moment I saw her. I thought to myself, yes! That's exactly what I've been wanting to dress like my entire life! It was love at first sight. Taylor Tomasi Hill is the artistic director to luxury e-tailer Moda Operandi and I think she's the sexiest fashion cyborg to ever rule in this industry. In a word, she is fierce!
But I digress. To bring it back down to earth, this particular image of Taylor is a study in layering, specifically the tops. A slim fit buttonup worn under a larger (men's? possibly) button, in the same color palette with the juxtoposition of a pattern and solid= brilliant idea. You get instant style and an additional layer for warmth. One thing I'd add however, some baubles. Knowing me, it'd be a statement necklace with a stud earring, both with some sparkle. 

Hopefully this post helps carry you forward into April with a little extra skip in your step.

Jak&Jil

Image(s) courtesy of Jak&Jil Blog

Hump Day Special!- Snake Skin & Stripes

Anh of 9-to-5chic blog does a perfect blend of business casual and edgey while also being feminine. In this recent installment, she jazzed things up by wearing more than one pattern at once. She mixed a striped dress with a snakeskin shoe. But she didn't stop there. She's also wearing a collared shirt *underneath* her dress (layering folks. It's all about building), a bright white/cream moto jacket and for kicks, flats! Her whole persona is just smart, feminie and edgey- a sure thing, as far as outfits go. It also happens to transition from day to night nicely. Simply remove the blouse underneath, add a big necklace and heel, convert the bag to be more night-appropriate by tucking away the cross-body strap and, boom goes the dynamite! You're good to go!

9to5chic

Image(s) courtesy of 9to5chic.com

Hump Day Special!- Pink on Pink

This is a great tone-on-tone look. It's a little more daring because of the color choice but it works beautifully. I also love the stark contrast in color with the use of black accessories. Classic look.

Late Afternoon

 

Image(s) courtesy of Late Afternoon

Hump Day Special!- Let's Do This!

In an effort to help move us all through the week a little bit quicker, I came up with the idea of a Hump Day Special. Look for it every Hump Day (that's Wednesday to you non-with it folks) as a nice distraction from whatever it is that keeps you from feeling inspired. Working with clients for a living, even I need a little pick me up and the more I can share the awesome outfits I find, the better off we'll all be. Enjoy!

Atlantic-Pacific

Always, when you can, play with the peak-a-boo effect. The perfect and easiest way to do this is by having a long sleeve undershirt with an interesting print or pattern or texture on it peak out from underneath a shorter sleeve sweater. It's a great way to add visual interest to an outfit.

Image(s) courtesy of Atlantic-Pacific

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

Coffee Cup Inspiration

I sometimes find inspiration in the strangest places. In fashion, a designer must often go outside their own mind to find something that strikes them. Something that plucks the right heart strings. Because if you just create strictly from your own head, you run the risk of becoming totally self-involved; no longer in touch with the real world. Even as a stylist- someone who designs "looks"- I must do the same. We both know that fashion is cyclical and if you're not careful, you can become complacent.

I recently came across an ad for Sharpie in my Teen Vogue (still not sure why that was in my mailbox) that I found to be extremely inspirational, and according to this New York Times article, that was the intended message.

peek-a-Boey

Artist Cheeming Boey took unassuming, blank coffee cups and turned them into little objects of art. Some have very elborate images while others are cute and quaint. His skill level clearly runs the gamut but what struck me most was the tagline Sharpie uses now to market themselves. Followed by the question "What are you gonna start?", the ad encourages you to "uncap what's inside". I like that idea, tapping into yourself because you never really know what you're capable of.

click the picture to see how much one of these little vessels will cost ya.

Coming at this from a sartorial perspective, I decided to urge you all to give prints a chance. I really like the black and white contrast in Boey's work and luckily, printed bottoms seem to be the easiest and most flattering way to incorporate my inspiration into your own wardrobe.

Take on two trends- wide leg and print. Winter Kate, Nordstrom, $285

The affordable option, and still in a flattering silhouette. Forever 21, $22.80

And if I haven't convinced you to "uncap what's inside", then at the very least try some color! DvF, Bloomingdales, $298

Have some fun with your clothes and break out of your fashion doldrums. You never know when something will tickle your fancy so why not surprise yourself and enjoy it.

Image(s) courtesy of google image search, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Forever 21

Wardrobe Inspiration: David Beckham

Who's wardrobe inspires your style?

David Beckham looking not only sexy, but quite stylish.

Image(s) courtesy of Shrimpton Couture and Google images search

Men's Fashion: Wardrobe Inspiration

One of the blogs I like to follow is TrendyCrew, that spotlights street fashion.  I love seeing what "everyday people"- people not in the fashion industry- are wearing.  I find inspiration for my own outfits while perusing the web, and suggest my clients do the same.  Do you have a fashion icon?

streets of Paris

So guys, what do you think of his outfit?  Is this something you would wear?  What do you think of his brown shoes with this outfit?

Image(s) courtesy of http://trendycrew.com/street-fashion/tim-paris/