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

 

Boho Chic: Summer White and Denim

While wearing white after Labor Day was once considered to be a fashion faux pas, it is now seen as  fashion forward as you take this traditionally warm weather hue and transition it into the cool weather months.

1. Kmart -Cropped Denim Jacket
2. Zara -Sleeveless Shirt
3. Wet Seal -Tiered Maxi Skirt

This tiered skirt in a light gauzy fabric (3) is a boho basic.  Complement a voluminous skirt with a  silhouette defining top (2) and style a denim jacket like a cape (over the shoulders) to keep this boho ensemble both looking and feeling relaxed.

Minnetonka -Finge Cross Body Bag in Neutral
Minnetonka -Belize Sandals in Brown
 

How Did I Style It?

 Tiered skirt...fringed accessories...this 1, 2, 3 Outfit practically styled itself!  One of my favorite warm weather combinations is summer (optic)white and denim (including chambray).  The key to pulling off a denim and white combo is the shade of the denim;  remember, if it's light, go white, if it's dark, go bright!

One Word About the Accessories

Minnetonka and their luxe suede accessories are a fun way to add a little excitement to any outfit; whether it be with their knee-high fringed boots or with a fringed tiered cross body bag and beaded fringe sandals, you really can't go wrong.  My style advice with styling the summer white and denim combo is not to color match your accessories!  The bright white is clearly the center piece of this ensemble, and a matchy-matchy bag and shoes would detract from it.  In my styling, I went with a light bag for a contrast against the white and darker shoes to ground the outfit!  SN

Boho Chic: Tie-Dye Shorts

Boho Chic, or rusticly stylsih, is a look that once made a resurgence ever few years, but with it's constant updates in both color and cuts, it has since become a mainstay in the world of fashion.

1.  GAP -Sunkissed Tie-Dye Shots in Navy
2.  Old Navy -Crochet and Eyelet Tunic
3. GAP -Color-Blocked Clutch
 

Tie-dyed shorts get a sophisticated twist in a light, linen fabric with a deep, saturated color (1).  An airy, eyelet, cotton tunic with crochet inserts (2) continues the boho feel of the ensemble, while the color-blocked clutch, in a sleek design, gives the outfit a modern feel.

1, 2, 3 Chic!

How I Styled It? 

I wanted the overall look for my jaunt into boho chic-ness, to be relaxed; so from my over sized tunic to my tie-dyed shorts, which are reminiscent of a carefree era, it was an ideal ensemble to comb the beach.  The clutch today, serves as a tablet sleeve vice a purse, the wooden bangles, I collected over several years of searching Italian markets ( I love the rustic feel they give the look),  and the foot thong (a gift) is beaded with cowrie shell accents...my perfect beach 'shoe'.  SN

Bohemian Chic: Grey Sweatshirt 5 Ways

Earthy, folksy and simplistic -three ways to define the Bohemian style, yet they do not fully encompass the look which has been around for centuries, and the style which periodically makes a resurgence into the word of fashion.  With her 5 Ways to Make a Sweatshirt Look Sexy, Today Show contributor, Jill Martin, blends laid back back Bohemian style with the casualness of a sweatshirt to create a look which is Boho chic!



1. Old Navy Tab-Sleeve Crew-Neck Sweater in Pale Grey
2.  Calliope Italia -jersey column skirt in chocolate
3.  Rebels -Tango in Wine
 

 A unique spin on this ultra casual element (1) is to dress it up with a maxi skirt (2).  The  sweatshirt, when paired with a feminine item like a skirt, instantly elevates it from relaxed to dressy-casual.  And when paisley-decorated sandals in a rich velour upper (3) are added to the mix, your Boho style is transformed  to chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

 

I am always looking for ways to infuse Pantone's Color of the year, Emerald Green, into my looks, and this Village Zip satchel bag from Cole Hann is one of my favorite ways to do so.   Described as lively, radiant and lush, Emerald green is   both elegant and beautiful,  "...enhanc[ing] our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

 

Keeping with the Boho theme of my look, I opted for these wooden accessories.  The amber stones in the necklace blend well with the be-jeweled ornamentation on the vamp of the shoes, while the brown beads play well with the brown skirt and brown bangle.  The green bangle I used to tie in the likewise elements of the same hue throughout the outfit.

 

How I Styled It?

1, 2, 3 Boho styling is so easy because it is so simple; think of things that tie into Mother-Earth and you are half way there: the brown skirt and sandals, the wooden bangles and faux-jeweled baubles.  I added the tank in emerald to break up the two neutrals (grey and brown) juxtapose to one another, add a waistline (thus no need for a belt...simple, remember?).  In the segment 5 Ways to Make a Sweatshirt Look Sexy, the Bohemian outfit is a dressy look, which is contradictory to the whole Boho style, so the color-blocked center keeps the look relaxed while the green adds a bit of fun!  SN