Trend Chic: Leopard Print Belt

The right accessory in the right color can make or break an outfit; it can tie seemingly unco-ordinated pieces together or add that extra umph to an ensemble taking it from ordinary to extraordinary.  One accessory which possesses these amazing transformative abilities is a leopard print belt.

1. Denim Snap Front Shirt
2. Merona -Leopard Print Calf Hair Belt
3.  Tan A-Line Mini Skirt
 

 Leopard has made several resurgences in the world of fashion, so much so in fact, that leopard is considered to be a new 'neutral'.  If unsure where to embrace this trend a leopard belt (2) is an ideal place to start.  Pair it with a light tone neutral, like this tan skirt (3) or with chambray shirt (1), another neutral, for an understated expression of fashion.  Looking to make a bold statement?  Trying pairing these three neutrals for an unexpected chic ensemble.

Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti -E10334, Leopard Print Pony Hair Sandals

Tips for Styling Leopard Print

 

Pulling off prints can be tricky.  Oft times one walks the line between chic and fashion disaster if a harmonious balance isn't struck.  A mantra that has popped up recently in the world of fashion has been, Go bold or go home', but with leopard, that is not the advice one should heed.

 

In the case of accessories, one or two pieces max, should give one enough 'taste' of the print, with out going overboard; be sure to restrict similar prints to opposite halves of your ensemble, for example, belt and shoes, shoes and clutch, belt and hat.  In today's 1, 2, 3 styling, a purse and belt, in such a close proximity to one another, would have drawn comparison between the print size, and instead of looking thoughtfully pulled together, the ensemble would have looked haphazardly thrown together.

 

When wearing leopard clothing, stick to one piece.  The 'wild' print is a statement piece in of itself, and doesn't need 'co-ordinating' pieces to distract from it.  If you want to enhance the leopard print, pair it with neutrals such as black, brown, tan or chambray.  If you want to have fun with it, pair it with a bright fuchsia or pink or a deep red or oxblood to add sophistication to your outfit!

SN

Trend Chic: Sheer Blouse

Sexy and revealing, sheer, like its lace counterpart, is no longer for the bedroom.  A tricky style to pull off, but can be easily mastered if undergarments match the sheer piece being worn, and sheer items are limited to only one piece in the outfit.

1. Carabella -Sheer Blouse with Crochet Inserts
2. Marige Italia -Suede Shopper Handbag in Black
3.  Banana Republic -Sateen Shorts in Birds of Paradise

Sheer items, like this blouse (1), have a tendency to be a standout piece in any ensemble.  To prevent distraction from this eye-catching top, accessories (2) were kept to a neutral color, and co-ordinating bottoms were in a lesser color of the blouse in order to highlight its crocheted edging.

1.  Multi-Stone Spiral Galaxy Ring
2.  Lumiani -Ava Suede Wedge in Black

How I Styled It?

This sheer blouse, with it's floral overlay is a peek-a-boo piece I love to reach for during warm weather.  While I could have dressed it up with a pair of dark skinnies for an evening out, I decided to keep it daytime casual with a pair of bright shorts in a co-ordinating lesser color of the blouse, as not to compete with this showy piece.

Style Tip: High heels + Shorts = A lot of Leg, so when legs are on display, limit the amount of skin that is exposed elsewhere and wear a long sleeved top.

One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is a statement ring (or, a right hand ring).  Just as intricate as the blouse but on a smaller scale, the ring's spirals are an extension of the beautiful colors and personality of the top.

As I slowly transition into fall, I love to reach for my luxe pieces in suede.  Suede slides such as these, aren't meant for the heat of summer, but are instant chic when worn during the warmth of the spring or cool of autumn.  The suede shopper is a relaxed piece which blends well with the boho vibe of the blouse.

SN

 

Trend Chic: Cropped Top

Trends come and go, and on occasion they re-emerge; some trends we wish would go and stay gone forever, while others, we secretly wish would make a re-appearance.  But somewhere between the realms of, 'What was I thinking when I wore that!' and, 'I'd look good in that again!' are the styles we we once loved, but know, 'I would never be able to pull that off again'... unless that style was given a sophisticated update: here enters the cropped top!

1.  Pontielle Knit Cropped Sweater from an Italian Market
2.  Stradivarius Italia: High-Waisted Tie Front Shorts
3.  Type Z -Virginia in Cognac

A pontielle sweater in a neutral color (1) is quite possibly the best summer sweater.  When in a cropped silhouette, it is perfectly paired with high-waisted shorts (2).  Shooties are the ideal summer-to-fall transition piece, giving adequate coverage on those chilly mornings yet pedicure bearing in the midday heat.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

I know I'll be dating myself, but it has been a good 20+ years since I've worn a mid-drift bearing top!  Time (and children) have left me with less than a stellar abdomen which is primarily why I haven't jumped on cropped-top bandwagon...but here I am, and it's not that bad.  Unlike the '80's belly bearing styles, the cropped-top trend is so doable due largely in part to the high-waisted shorts!  Belly buttons are out with this trend, replaced by a sliver of skin peeking out between the waist of the bottoms and the hem of the top, creating an overall look which is sleek and chic!  The shoes I chose because they seem to tie in with the theme of the outfit: Covered-up, yet exposed.  A cropped sweater, high-waisted shorts and peep-toe shooties are the perfect ensemble for that first hint of fall in the air!  SN

Beach Chic: Black & White

Trending big for 2013, Black & White does not have to be relegated to the streets; where the sand meets the surf is the perfect place to express your 'chic-ness'.  Beachwear has a laid back feel with it's carefree cuts and easy going silhouettes; mixing and matching to create a one-of-a-kind look, is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1.  Handmade Beaded Top
2.  Side Tie Swim Shorts
3.  Beaded Foot Thong

Beach Chic is easy to achieve if you keep in mind that you are at the beach!  You go to the beach to enjoy yourself and relax, and nothing says fun more so than this beaded cover-up (1).  With it's colorful beading and slit back design, a cool, Caribbean vibe is in order.  Swim bottoms in a boy short cut and tie-scrunch sides (2) are flirty without showing too much skin...cheeky bottoms are just as sexy as barely there bikinis!  As a self proclaimed Shoe-A-Holic, I relish the opportunity to wear a pair of shoes, but on the beach, these sole-less foot thongs (3) are quite possibly the next best thing!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

Confession time, my fellow Chic-sters... I have always wanted a beaded top!  Long ago, I watch my aunt sit at her dining room table and make two for my older cousins, one black and the other white, and they were magnificent.  Fast forward to last week when my aunt, also a Chic-ster, made my childhood wish come true, and as a bonus, this gorgeous black and white toe thong, I had been searching for!  For today's 1, 2, 3 Styling, I wanted to illustrate the fact that one's styling opportunities need not come to a halt when one goes to the beach...Fashion doesn't take a holiday and nor should one's Chic-ness!  I'm crushing on this outfit so much, that I am headed out to find beads to add to my swim bottoms and bikini top!  SN

Molto Grazie, Zia!  Un Bacio!

 

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?

Trend Chic: Denim Dress

Reinvented for 2013, trend chic for the summer is denim.  From chambray separates to denim-on-denim styling, the resurgence of this enduring fabric makes its mark in a tailored silhouette of a denim dress.

1.  Sharagano -Belted Sheath Dress in Ink
2.  Fergi Italia -Oxblood Clutch
3.  Steve Madden: P-Faraa in Taupe

Flexible and versatile, a denim dress (1), is a fantastic alternative to a Friday dress down ensemble.  Paired with patent accessories, the red clutch (2) as another dimension of color to the dress, while the neutral colored pumps (3) add effortless style.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

With the accessories, I drew from the details of the dress; the silver buttons on the faux pockets are perfectly accessorized with bold silver jewelry: a turquoise statement necklace, a mother-of-pearl statement ring and a filigree detail cuff.

 

How I Styled It?

In today's 1, 2, 3 Styling, I wanted to test out the neutral shoe theory: neutral goes with everything!  And after today, I'm not exactly sure.  Preferring a pump and dress combo (over pumps and pants), I went with a go to fabric favorite of mine -denim.  For the clutch, I chose a patent finish (a similar finish to the shoes), but in a contrasting color.  Overall?  I'm not sure.  My original thought with these shoes were to wear them with pants that had a similar neutral color throughout, and the next time I wear these shoes, I'll try them with a brighter outfit!  SN

Trend Chic: Lace Separates, Skirt

Delicate, feminine and provocative, lace separates have the distinct ability of adding sex appeal to any ensemble; reminiscent of undergarments that were once relegated to boudoirs and burlesque, the right lace pieces are revealing without making one feel exposed.



1.  Walmart: George -Lace Overlay Pencil Skirt
2. Denim Cropped Moto Jacket
3.  Walmart: George -Lace with Velvet Trim Blouse

Length, cut and coverage are key to pulling off lace separates!  A pencil cut skirt in a knee-length (1) keeps the skirt from looking like a slip, while the full lining prevents an over-exposure of skin.  The empire-waist cut of the lace blouse (2) is curve defining, the torso is long enough as not to expose the mid-drift and the blouse is fully lined, concealing any unmentionables.  The denim motorcycle (moto) jacket is the perfect complement to a lace ensemble, providing both warmth from an evening chill and edginess to balance out a feminine look.

1, 2, 3 Chic!



1, 2, 3 Chic!

With  my accessories for today's ensemble, I wanted to keep them simple.  Lace has a tendency to have very intricate patterns, and keeping this in mind, I went with a onyx and silver bracelet, an oversized bangle with a filigree design, and a mixed media leather sandal.  Although hard to tell, the studs on the shoes, echo the metal fasteners on the jacket.

How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling with lace separates can be tricky; it is very easy to venture into bedroom territory if the pieces closely resemble lace undergarments.  To keep from looking like you just walked out of your bedroom and into the streets, pair these soft, ultra feminine pieces with a  masculine, moto jacket.  I went with denim vice leather because of the warm summer evening, and opted for a cropped version to show more of the lace blouse.  To balance out the lace, look for a moto jacket with hardware, like studs and zippers or with traditionally masculine features like epaulets!  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

Trend Chic: Tan + Summer White

Mixing neutrals is nothing new; black has been paired with brown, navy and grey with chic results.  While pairing neutrals in the cooler months has become commonplace, in the summer, this trend is often lost.  The key to pulling off this look is to make sure the the tan is distinctly tan and the white is optic or bright; any variation of white (ecru, eggshell or cream) will cause these neutrals to look dingy when juxtapose with the white.

1.  Miraclebody Jeans-Cropped Skinny Jeans in White
2.  Wet Seal -Tube Top in White
3.  Market Find: Tan Denim Military Blazer Piped in Bronze

Summer white is on trend this season, and a great way to wear it is in a pair of skinny cropped-jeans (1).  Paired with a optic white tube top (2), they create an amazing blank canvas with which to build one's ensemble.  A neutral topper like this denim blazer with military detailing (3) keeps the outfit looking fresh and modern with a sleek, streamlined look.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

A must for both my winter and summer accessory arsenal,  is a summer scarf.  Light and airy, I use scarves in place of a necklace which can have a tendency to weigh me down in the hot weather.  To style this particular printed, fringed scarf, I tied the ends together, creating an infinity scarf, and looped it twice: One loop as a choker and the other as a necklace!

A clutch is perhaps my favorite go-to bag.  This fold-over, color-blocked purse I chose for the double neutral colors that appear on it (tan and brown) as well as the teal section which repeats the color in the scarf.  

 

How I Styled It?

For today's 1, 2, 3 Styling, I wanted to look sharp and clean in this heat, yet stay warm and dry in the AC and impending rain.  Tricky right?  You bet, but the outfit worked from dinner at the karaoke bar to drinks and desserts afterwards.  The key to making the outfit work was finding quality pieces.  The high cotton content of the jeans, top and jacket were perfect in the heat.  I wore these gold, fabric sandals because the paired well with the bronze accents in the denim jacket!  SN





Black & White Chic: Mixed Prints

A timeless trend makes a resurgence in 2013, and the effect is crisp, clean and fabulous.  With the juxtapose, jarring mix of dark and light, black and white print has become the new 'neutral' and serves as a blank canvas for pairing with colors.

Body Central -Zebra Print Cropped Cardigan
Old Navy -Geo Print Mini Skirt
Anne Klein -Zya, in Black (Houndstooth Print)
 

Mixing prints is a frightening prospect, especially when the design of the prints varies greatly.  But perspective is the key to pulling off this particular mix of prints; viewing black and white as a single 'neutral' color, various prints in this same 'neutral', will match, just as dressing all in grey or all black match.

 

The zebra print sweater (1) is a classic print (like it's leopard counterpart) and should be a staple in any chic wardrobe.  The Geometric (Geo) print skirt is a modern infusion of black and white, and in a mini cut is a fun take on this trend.  The Houndstooth print is another classic, but it gets an unexpected update in a pump (3) instead of clothing.

 

 

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling is attention grabbing, when you use classic pieces in bold designs then throw caution to the wind!  It takes a great deal of skill to pull off mixed prints, but with black and white, one need not be cautious -all the attention that is normally paid to pairing color families is virtually eliminated.  I matched my black and white ensemble with a navy tank top and satchel, only because it was the evening.  For a day look, I would have gone with a bright pink, red or yellow.  For an alternative look, I would opt for a bright clutch and a skinny belt.  My styling word of caution is simple: make sure the white parts of your prints are indeed a bright white, and that the black is a true black, which has not faded to a dark grey.  You want your look to stand out, not fade into the background!  SN



Trend Chic: Chambray Shirt

Chambray -a fine, lightweight fabric woven with white threads, has it's origins in France in the early 19th Century.  Softer, suppler and smoother than it's denim counterpart, this on trend fabric can be found in everything from dresses to shirts and can be paired with everything from brights to florals.


1. Old Navy -Chambray Button-Yoke Top in Dark Tone
2. Multi Print Scarf
3. Old Navy -Everyday 5" Khaki Shorts in Brink Pink

My general rule of thumb when it comes to styling chambray is if it's light, go white, if it's dark, go bright...as is the case with this chambray shirt (1) and these bright, bubblegum pink shorts (3).  The scarf (2), used as a belt, adds layers of color depth drawing on the rich, blue hue of the chambray shirt, subtlety mixed with lighter blues and greens which complement the pink.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

The choice of color-blocked clutch came from the pewter gladiator sandals and the silver jewelry; a general rule of thumb is not to mix metallics, so keeping with these whiter metals, the grey clutch with pink seemed like a natural choice to pair with my ensemble. GAP -Two Tone Leather Clutch in Neon Pink

 

How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Styling this outfit was fun because I had seen it sometime ago from a high end retailer, and have since seen this color scheme repeated in several places since; I love the coolness of the dark blue shirt and the warmth of the bright pink shorts, both tied together by the multi print scarf/belt.  From the Farmer's Market in the morning to an afternoon at a wilderness center (including a boat tour), I felt casually chic!  SN