Pattern Chic: Black Watch Plaid Blazer

Although the origin of the name has been disputed, the black, blue and green colors of Black Watch plaid (or often called tartan) are world renown.  Transcending the highlands of Scotland, this beautiful combination of colors lend their distinctive woven design to the world of fashion for the winter season of 2013-14.

1. 424 Fifth Lord & Taylor -Black Watch Plaid Blazer
2.  Old Navy -Popover Chambray Blouse
3. 424 Fifth Lord & Taylor -Black Watch Plaid Cropped Pant

A wool-blend blazer (1) in this bold pattern is a great way to embrace the plaid trend.  Paired with similarly patterned pant (3) in a cropped feminine silhouette, the look is completed with a chambray popover blouse (2).

Tie: IZOD, in Mini Royal Stewart
Shoe: DV by Dolce Vita, Bunny in Teal Suede

How I Styled It

A feminine take on a traditionally masculine look is a unique and stylish way to take on a trend. 

To avoid looking 'matchy-matchy', this 'borrowed from the boys' Black Watch plaid blazer is paired with a cropped, slim fit pant in a similar (and smaller) pattern.

Style Tip: When dressing in monochrome, utilize different types of fabric (in this case, wool blazer and poly-cotton blend pant) to add visual depth.

The two Black Watch plaids next to one another, create a unified look.  Adding a bold plaid tie in a co-ordinating color (remember, red and blue are both primary colors and choosing two out of the three primary colors pair well; while red and green are opposite one another on the color wheel and similarly pair well with each other), pumps up ones style factor.

Perhaps my favorite 'neutral' is a chambray shirt.  In this ensemble, the blouse doesn't button all the way up, which gives the look a relaxed feel (like at the end of the work day).

To complete the look, I added these ultra-feminine platform pumps in in a bright teal suede with a bow detail to balance out the look.

Summer Chic: Striped Strapless Dress

Summer stripes are fitting as the end of summer draws close; refreshingly cool and nautically inspired, a striped strapless dress offers a chic summertime look on land or at sea!

1.  GAP -Strapless Striped Tie-Waist Dress
2.  GAP -Print Scarf in Blue and Teal
3.  Naughty Monkey -Divine in Teal

Stripes, a stable in every wardrobe, get a fresh take when in a strapless, cinched waist dress (1).  A co-ordinating scarf in analogous colors (2) i.e. they are next to each other on the color wheel, adds a dimension of color to the ensemble, while the teal sandals (3) complete the look.

1, 2, 3 Chic!



1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

 

If I could offer one word of advice for summer styling, it would have to be simple.  Simplicity is key to looking and staying cool in the heat, and one way to achieve this is by the color of the fabric.

 

Blues tones are cool and visually, they offer the same same refreshing appeal.  Limit color variations to one or two, using white as a neutral canvas for the look.

 

Ground the ensemble with a pair of sandals in a bold silhouette and eye-catching shade of the same color family to create a 1, 2, 3 Chic Style! 

 

SN

Pattern Chic: Patterned Keyhole Tank

Prints and patterns are everywhere, but if you can't get on board with a head to look, the next best thing would be print or patterned separates.  Serving as a visual center piece, build the remainder of the ensemble around one patterned piece in a beautiful cut to create an exceptionally chic look!

1.  Banana Republic Outlet -Double Keyhole Tank
2.  JCP -Skinny Leather Belt in Yellow
3.  Banana Republic -Sateen Shorts in Bird of Paradise

This patterned tank with in a double keyhole cut (1) has many colors with which to play.  Paring the blouse with a standout red color, as with these shorts (3), creates a bold color contrast.  Using a bright yellow belt (2), plays up the yellow in the tank and ties the ensemble together!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

Wondering how to style that color-blocked clutch?  Try matching it with two colors in your blouse and additionally to a color in your belt to create a unified outfit!











 How I Styled It?

A novice at mixing colors, I took advantage of today's 1, 2, 3 Styling to trying mixing the colors of a patterned piece with a color not appearing in said piece...and it worked!  The ensemble works well because of the recurring yellow (in the tank, the belt and the clutch) and the red.  Remember, yellow and red are two of the primary colors (the third is blue), and that primary colors can be worn together provided you only choose two out of the three!  SN

Pattern Chic: Polka Dot Shorts

Trending big for this summer season is polka dots.  Since gaining popularity in the late-nineteenth century, polka dots in varying colors and backgrounds make a resurgence with a on traditional spacing in a refined silhouette.


1. GAP -Printed Perfectly Refined Shorts in Indigo
2. GAP -Pintucked Tie-Neck Blouse in Yellow (similar)
3.  Target: Mossimo Supply Co. -Single Perforated Belt in Coral

These high-waisted, polka dot shorts with 'missing dots' (1) is a modern interpretation on a classic print.  The deep indigo, almost black serves as the perfect neutral canvas when paired with a bright, yellow sleeveless-blouse (2).  The orange belt softens the stark contrast between the top and shorts adding another dimension of color to the ensemble.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

 

Trying to move out of my comfort zone, I quickly dismissed wearing a white blouse with these shorts; matchy-matchy (a white blouse with the white polka dots, for example) is common, but the irregular pattern of these shorts is not.  So for today's 1, 2, 3 Styling I wanted to go bold and stay there, and I chose to do that with color.  When blue, yellow and white are worn together, they seem to have a nautical feel, and are a favorite color trio of mine to mix and match.  The orange belt is a beautiful contrast in color and is used to create a waist for my ordinarily shapeless frame.  Visually, the orange  pairs with the yellow because it contains yellow elements (it is a combination of both yellow and red), while blue and orange are complementary colors (i.e. they are opposite each other) on the color wheel.  SN

Trend Chic: Patterns & Prints

Mixing patterns and prints gets easier the more you do it!  But an inundation of prints and patterns can cause an outfit to wear you, vice the other way around.  Two ways to tone down prints but still express a bold style is with a neutral blazer or a belt.

1a.  Old Navy -Printed Suspended Keyhole Top in Blue
1b.  GAP -Printed Perfectly Refined Shorts in Polka Dot
2.  Kmart: Attention -Women's Blazer in Optic White
3.  JCP -Skinny Leather Belt in Yellow
 

I took a risk with the ikat print tank (1a) and polka dot patterned shorts (1b) and it paid off, but the combination looked overpowering when put together, so I used a bright yellow belt (3) to break up the pattern-print overload. Remember that pairing two out of the three primary colors (the third being red) is an easy way to mix colors.  The white blazer (2), I chose because it is the background color for both the top and shorts and wearing it unbuttoned allowed for the pattern-print outfit to peek out.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

 How I Styled It?

Today's 1, 2, 3 Styling was truly an experiment in pattern-print mixing; still fairly new to this concept, I was hesitant about how jarring the tank and shorts would be on my day out and about, so I used the belt and blazer to tone the look down.  With the addition of these key pieces, the slight color variation between the top and shorts is barely noticeable because the eye is visually drawn to the bright yellow belt and the optic white blazer!

How I Styled It?

Pattern Chic: Stripes & Polka Dots

Mixing patterns adds another dimension to your styling options; pairing a patterned item with a single color that appears in said piece is the easiest way to style it, but when you boldly mix two seemingly unrelated patterns, you add a level of depth to the look which is elevated chic!

1.  Old Navy -Monogrammed Navy Striped Sweater
2.  Cynthia Rowley -Polka Dot Shorts in Navy
3.  MIA -Jaqilyn in Navy

Perhaps the two oldest patterns, stripes and polka dots, get a modern update when worn together in this monogrammed sweater (1) and these polka dot shorts (2).  The wedge sandals (3) are just icing on the cake with their bold, white top-stitching.

 

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

This braided shopper/tote bag from Zara is a favorite of mine especially when I head to the farmer's market or the mall.  Tan is the perfect color for an accessory to navy blue -a rich, deep hue in a bold design can make even the most ordinary outing extraordinarily fabulous!

How I Styled It?

I wasn't sure when I started out with today's 1, 2, 3 Styling; mixing patterns and prints is still not my forte, so I have a tendency to tread lightly and play it safely.  Two tried and true patterns (in the same color schemes, i.e. navy and white), pair well in this combination of classics.  I added the wedges (another classic silhouette) to the mix because of the repeated colors in the sweater and shorts.  The tan bag I used to anchor the outfit.  Ordinarily, yellow is the perfect complement to a navy and white, nautical inspired ensemble, but a yellow bag would have detracted from the visual appeal that the stripes and polka dots create!  SN

 

 

Color Chic: Color-Blocked Patterned Pieces

Color-blocking can be used as a bold expression of color in any ensemble; juxtapose brights playing subtly off each other, create a look which is visually appealing.  One way to elevate your colorful ensemble is by adding another dimension to your color-blocking; pairing perfectly patterned pieces side-by-side with equally complementing colors, creates a unique interpretation of color and style!

1.  Sears -Laura Scott Ruffle Placket Sleeveless Top in Coral
2.  Target -Mossimo Supply Co. Single Perforated Belt in Jade
3.  New York & Company -Geo Print Shorts in Blue

Why It Works?
The Top (1): With the thin white stripes of the top interspersed with the thicker coral colored ones, at a distance, the color of the blouse appears to be a light shade of coral.  Using the color wheel (I like to use the fabric one by Academichic), coral is in the same color family as orange.

The Shorts (3): If you think of the black and white in the shorts as a neutral, these two colors can pair with any bright color and look absolutely amazing.  This sky shade color in the shorts, belongs to the same color family as blue.  Following the Complementary Color Rule: Colors opposite one another on the color wheel complement each other, oranges and blues (or variations there of) pair beautifully!

The Belt (2): I chose this jade green belt as a third element in my outfit to add another dimension of color to my outfit; because jade (which belongs to green color family) contains elements of blue (like the shorts) and (here's where it might get confusing), since orange is a mixture of red (and yellow), the green in the belt is complemented by the red elements in the orange in the blouse.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

 

I came by this 1, 2, 3 Styling of  out of chance; I had these patterned shorts and didn't want to pair them with a solid color blouse (which I would have matched them up with a bright yellow!).  Following the rules of mixing prints and patterns (i.e. keep the prints/patterns in the same color families), I wanted to trying to mix patterned pieces that were not related by repeated use of the same colors but rather shared a connection on the color wheel (in this case were complementary or opposite each other on the color wheel), and it worked out pretty well.  I think the success to the pieces meshing is that each piece contains enough of a neutral (the top with white stripes and the shorts with black and white), that neither patterned is overwhelming the other.  I like the way the jade belt breaks up the patterns yet blends well with the color in both.  I opted for my emerald "it' color bag and metallic sandals: the emerald to play with the color-blocked outfit and the metallic neutral to ground the ensemble!  SN

Summer Chic: Mosaic Print Dress

With the first day of summer behind us, the challenge for the next few months is keeping cool and looking great at it, which oft times isn't easy in the heat.  Striking that delicate balance between fashionable and looking fresh is easier than previously thought if you choose a print and fabric to conceal your summertime woes.

1. Kmart -Attention Mosaic Print Halter Dress
2. Cole Haan -Village Zip Satchel in Emerald
3. Nine West -Ivorie Pump in Dark Blue

In cooler months, I love a firm, structured fabric such as cotton, denim or wool, but in the heat and humidity, one needs to think light, airy and, dare I say it?  Something which will hide the sweat marks; because one might dress to feel cool, but who can be confident with those unsightly wet spots?

My favorite fabric in the summer is a synthetic blend, usually of  95% polyester to 5% spandex, like this dress (1).  This fabric, although it doesn't necessarily wick away moisture, it dries relatively quickly.  The small, colorful print will mask the sweat until it dries giving you a fresh appearance all day long.

Chic!

Chic!

 Fashion Tip:

I saved the description of elements 2 and 3 of my Chic styling for here, and a close up of the dress' fabric.  I primarily chose this dress because of the emerald green tiles in the print to pair with my 'it' color bag (2) of 2013. 

The print of the dress incorporated many colors, and I chose these particular shoes to pair with the lavender in the dress.  Closer to the fall, or even for an evening outing, grey, tan or black shoes or a purse would have worked equally well with this dress.  Don't over think your accessories!  In this case, choosing any two colors would make this dress shine!

 How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling needs to remain fresh for the summer.  This little, print dress, set against a dark background can be dressed down for the day and up for the night; beautifully transitioning between the two, from boardroom to ballroom, there are no embarrassing sweat marks to detract from your fashion statement.

For the summer months, play with fabrics, prints and lengths to achieve a balance between fresh and fabulous!  SN

Pattern Chic: Geometric Print Shorts

One of the hottest trends this season is the geometric print; this ubiquitous pattern which varies in shape, size and position can be found in everything from dresses to pants and brings a modern touch to a classic silhouette.

New York and Company -Geo Print Shorts in Pink
New York and Company -Three-Quarter Button Front Shirt in Salmon
JCP -Skinny Leather Belt in Yellow

While patterned shorts definitely abound this season, the geometric print offers a fresh twist on this classic cut; the repeated shapes along with the variety in color in this intricately patterned pair of shorts (1) have an optical illusion effect, resulting in the pink in the shorts to look closer to the salmon color in the shirt (2).  Going back to the color wheel, I paired a yellow belt (3) with this ensemble, because both the pink in the shorts and the salmon color of the shirt are lighter shades of red.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

I love the way the yellow in the belt breaks up the monochromatic look of the shirt and shorts; emphasizing this bright, sunny hue, this color-blocked clutch adds just the right amount of yellow without being over-powering.

 

How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling is easy so long as you don't over think it!  Monochromatic dressing is a fun way to play with varying hues of the same color.  My only advice with styling this technique, is to uses colors of the same intensity; faded or bleached items will make you look like your tying to make the piece match, other than effortlessly doing so.  One more piece of advice: when shopping for pattern-printed clothing, the mark of quality items will show if the 'even-ness' of the sewing; if the break in pattern is hard to distinguish along the seams, or the fabric on each pant leg is symmetrical, then time and effort was put into making the garment and is definitely a must buy!  SN

Trend Chic: Emerald Green

Since 1999, Pantone, the world's foremost authority on identifying, matching and communicating color standards, has chosen a Color of the Year for each subsequent year, which is indicative of emerging trends and reflective of global sentiment.  2013's Color of the Year is Emerald.

1.  London Times -Printed Matte Jersey Keyhole Halter Dress in Cream/Orange
2.  Cole Haan -Village Zip Satchel in Emerald
3.  MIA -Zeus in Natural
 

An exciting way to wear this bright, vibrant and ubiquitous color of 2013, is to do so in an amazing pattern like with this dress (1).  The 'it' color of the year, is daring in a chic satchel (2) which can double as your 'it' bag for the year.  Sandals in a natural color (3), play off the rich undertones of the dress, allowing the brilliance of emerald to shine.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

 How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling is fun and easy when you know where to begin; Pantone's Color Snapshot for Spring 2013, has displayed all the 'it' colors for the spring (and fall) in addition to how they pair well with emerald green and each other.  Keeping these colors in mind, I shopped for items that I can wear with emerald colored staples I bought (bag, shoes), and ones I already had (pants and dresses), so I could maximize my emerald based looks, without being drowned out by this jewel of a color.  This dress from London Times, came ready made with emerald, nectarine, Monaco blue and poppy red!  Style Tip: Check out the fall color forecast and buy winter items that are on clearance now in these colors, so you won't have to shell out big bucks for clothing come fall!  SN 

Versatile Chic: Convertible Skirt/Dress

A great way to stretch your clothing budget is buy items with multiple uses; versatile clothing can give you a variety of styling options with the addition of co-ordinating clothing or jewelry you may already have in your wardrobe.

1,  Convertible Maxi Skirt/Strapless Dress (similar 4-in-1 dress)
2.  O-ring Halter Top
3.  Shell Stretch Bracelet

With a piece that is dominating one's look, like a printed maxi skirt (1), co-ordinating pieces such as the top (2) and the shell bracelet (3), should be minimal to create a visually appealing style palette.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?



For today's 1, 2, 3 Styling, I followed the mantra Less is More. The first time actually wearing this versatile piece as a skirt, I really wanted it (and the billowy nature of it's fabric, considering where I was planning to wear it) to stand out, so that meant no completing items.  The choice of top was an equally fluid, O-ring halter in a solid teal color -a tertiary color in the skirt behind the prevalent black and white, while the bracelet I matched in texture to the material of the O-ring in the blouse.  SN







Pattern Chic: Window Pane Dress

Patterns abound in springtime and are a stark contrast to drab winter blues.  While stripes are commonplace, and polka dots are fun, a plaid pattern, incorporating at least one of spring/summer 2013's hottest colors (lemon zest) is a bold way to usher in the warm weather.

1.  Kmart -Attention Window Pane Dress
2. GAP -Color-Blocked Clutch (similar)
3.  Naughty Monkey -Divine in Grey

A window pane dress in brightly accented colors (1) has a visually slimming effect.  Paired with an equally bright, over-sized, daytime clutch (2) and anchored in a soft neutral color sandal (3), gives you a chic look, even outdoors!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling is super easy when you go with what you have; the bright colors in the dress need no competition form bold jewelry, so I kept everything understated.  My color-blicked clutch, pulled from two colors in the dress: navy and bright blue, and I went back to the dress for the grey color inspiration for the shoes.  Some times simple is chic!  SN