Basking in the Sun

I love the look featured in the pictures in this set. Although it's not a nautical themed outfit to go with the background images involved, it reminds me of enjoying the last of the bright days and hazy nights of summer. As the warm weather comes to a close, it's nice to bask in the sun and appreciate it for a moment before it is gone.

Of any of the pieces that I would like to own, it would have to be the pleated skirt. I've always loved pleats since I was in kindergarten (I blame it entirely on attending private schools for the majority of my life). I loved getting a new jumper and feeling the structured pleats that I knew would never last long because of the daily wear and tare children go through with their outfits. The bubblegum pink in the skirt also reminds me of youth, and how most every girl at some point has every shade of fuchsia, magenta, and neon pink in their drawers.

The Transition: Summer to Fall '12

While I was shopping this past week, I came to the (unfortunate) conclusion that the summer fashion season will be drawing to an end in just over a month. Although I'm not ready to get rid of my high-low tanks and wedges, I also know that transitioning into a new season can be difficult without 1) wearing trends that reached their peak of popularity three months ago.

This set is inspired by the sort of look I want once I return to college in fall. Graphic and patterned sweaters were a hit at the Fall 2012 fashion week, and I'm eager to get my hands on some once the temperature cools down. The studded peter pan collar tops are hitting mall stores like H&M, and the collars themselves are growing in popularity over on Etsy. They're a great addition to an outfit that just needs a little something extra.

Rolled up boyfriend jeans are a great transition piece, especially for college students. Their slouchy feel makes them comfortable to go to class in while taking a break from the usual yoga pants and leggings. I love the Lucky messenger bag featured in the set because it has the look and feel of a nice satchel while still maintaining a book bag function. The shoes are somewhat reminiscent of the past summer months with their open cutouts but have an Oxford shape that makes them fall appropriate.

This set maybe the first of a few looks I plan on doing for the fall.

Monochrome

Feeling inspired by Vogue's website today, I set out to try at least one of the trends that I came across on the site. As usual, I got sidetracked and created something completely different.

That's one of the greatest things about putting together an outfit, in my opinion. Whether it be in your own closet or at the mall, you try to put together the latest trends and stylish ensembles displayed in magazines and the media. And yet, as much as you want to become like the models you see, you still itch to go forth with something different. Sometimes it still resembles what you originally intended; others, it's a creation that is all your own. Either way, the outfit is something you put together.

I somehow found myself making a monochromatic outfit. Although I've done this before, I always find that I have to put the pop of color into it; the bright fuchia handbag, the turquoise heels, the yellow bangle. But this time, I was able to follow through, and I like the outcome of it.

To me, it's an outfit I imagine myself wearing on the way to work, a Starbucks coffee in hand as I try and make it to the office on time. The striped skirt is the most eye catching piece, but is toned down enough by the solid blazer and briefcase to prevent it from being overbearing. Hopefully in the future, I'll be in a situation where looking trendy at the office is a must.

Girl on Fire

I admire people who take chances with fashion. Not just the ones who go completely out there and sometimes over my head - Lady Gaga comes to mind -but the people who wear something that you know if someone else were to put it on, it just wouldn't work. Kristen's fire red dress worn at the Cosmopolis premiere of the Cannes Film Festival reminded me of this concept. In the past, there have been celebrities who have shown a tad bit too much skin while wearing a gown, nearly to the point where you feel embarrassed for them (Am I the only one who still remembers J. Lo's green wrap dress at the Grammys?). In the past, Stewart has often walked this line. In mid May, Kristen wore a nearly transparent black dress to the world premiere of her movie Snow White and the Huntsman.

The thing about this dress I admire more so than the one worn at the SWATH premiere is the complete allure to it. Though the plunging neckline is the most eye catching attribute to it, it isn't the only reason why it was turning heads at the premiere. The lace back draws the eyes to the softer side of the gown. The rouge tint to her lips gives her a glamorous, classic Hollywood feel. And though the shade of the dress is in the same color family as the carpet she poses on, Stewart's dress makes it apparent that she has no plans on staying in the background.

The Summer Blouse

 

There's something very appealing about the combination of a sheer material in a blouse form. Whether the blouse has a bow collar, sleeveless, or pocketed, it's one of the must have tops for summer. What's normally a more formal or casual business attire shape is revamped to give it more of a sexual appeal. It's deceiving to the point where it walks the line between playful and just plain naughty.

 

But how to best travel this line into the summer months? An easy solution to feeling fearless in it and still maintaining dignity it to pair it with a bandeau. The strapless undergarment won't take away from the blouse itself. And if you're feeling really bold, go for a patterned one in a bright color.

The Peplum in Action: Coco Rocha

 

As I was going through the Teen Vogue Best Dressed list, I came across pictures of Coco Rocha at the DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer Gala. I love it when I'm able to find pictures of celebrities and know exactly who they're wearing. In this case, it was Jason Wu who designed this pretty boat neck peplum. I tried out a new style format on Polyvore to create the set, playing with the use of text more than I have in the past. 

The Summer Dress

This set is the first in the new segment I'm making: The Looks of Summer 2012.

The idea originally came up by accident. It was two in the morning, and I could not get to sleep. So what better way to spend my insomnia than doing something productive, like making a new set. The issue was that I could not figure out what I wanted to put together. Inadvertently, I made different sections of skirts, dresses, tops, and shoes that I wanted to wear this summer. Knowing that I could not include all of them in one set, I instead chose to feature each by themselves.

These dresses are the shapes that will featured this summer. The peplum is a new favorite, paying homage to a style that can be traced back as far as the 19th century. Back then, the look was done with an overcoat. The modern peplum came in fashion around the 1940s, and have now made a reappearance.

I love cutout dresses, especially ones with shapes or bows. There's something very alluring about an open back. I like this dress especially because of the heart shape in the back and the flared out skirt.

The high low dress is the newest trend, its shape previously seen in gowns and formal dresses. The shape will be featured more for the skirts segment.