Tuesday, February 22, 2011

styling class: week 6, post 3

For the last part of our assignment this week, we are to choose three photos that we really like to represent indefinable styles: high fashion, street style, and eclectic.  I'll really try to limit myself to three this time, since I can't afford to use up much time on this assignment for the sake of my other grades and actually enjoying spring break.

High Fashion



So, I cheated a little bit - this isn't exactly high fashion on the street, but where better to spot high fashion than in magazine spreads?  I love this photo in Ceci magazine featuring Han Ji Hye.  The intricate details of the vest combined with the frilly but not frissy details of the dress really draws attention to the clothes themselves.  I love how it is casually balanced with a pair of ordinary sandals.  I need more of this casual/dressy mixing in my life.

Street Style


One of my favorite street style photos of all time, brought to you by Copenhagen Streetstyle.  I've never seen such wonderful subtle pattern and color mixing in my life.  And something about those plum boots.  I tend to dress in this silhouette quite a bit, but her mixing of accessories make me want to reconsider how I approach putting items together.

Eclectic


Susie Bubble, sometimes crazy, sometimes genius - but most definitely embodies eclectic style.  I like how every piece she has on seems to tell a story - and  I know that I personally worry too much over putting all statement pieces together.  Maybe it's the subdued colors or the way the patterns go together, but this is certainly what I consider eclectic style at its finest.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

styling class: week 6, post 2

For the optional assignment this week, we had to wear something that could be classified as indefinable.  I'm not sure my style can quite be classified as eclectic  - since I can usually pinpoint what style influences I'm drawing from.  As for street style, I'm not exactly sure I fall within a particular "norm" for street style either.  And I'm certainly not high fashion.  But with all that said, there are definitely certain days that I feel like pulling off all three - and have the confidence I can.  Most of the time though, I stick to a classic, flirty (although I hate that word) silhouette with whimsical touches.
Although I hate to admit it - this is my typical uniform of sorts.  A shirt tucked into a circle/a-line miniskirt.  It's really boring, but it's the one thing that I find to work consistently with my body shape and fit with my girly girl personality.  Recently though, I've really gotten into the socks with heels trend, so little touches like these make me less frustrated with my lack of creativity when putting together an outfit.
[white chiffon embroidered shirt | Ann Taylor LOFT | $4.00] [black chiffon miniskirt | Express | $10.00] [White face socks| Betsey Johnson | Gift from Eva] [Black Polkadot Maryjane Heels | Forever 21 | $25.80]
Suddenly I decided to go all Korean catalogue cute and stick my tongue out.  Sometimes I don't understand what I'm doing when posing for photos.  Scratch that - most if not all the time.
I love these socks, I literally squealed when I received them.  Mucho gracias, Eva, if you're reading this.  I also adore these shoes - also first time wearing them in public since buying them last semester.  They're 5.5" heels, and as much as I'm a pro heel-wearer...these are really difficult to walk in.  Must practice some more.  It doesn't help that they're slightly big either. =/
[white & black snake bangle | Ebay | $3.50] [oui ring | Charlotte Russe | free with coupon] [gold knuckle ring | forever 21 | $5.80] [cupcake ring | ASOS | $4.00]
I love my accessories - and thought that these few would be a cute and fun touch to the outfit. :)

styling class: week 6, post 1

This post is actually a bit late.  A week or two back, we were discussing the three different types of definable styles in class and there was this one classic minimalism look that I really want to try.  Being a huge girly girl myself, I haven't quite gotten into the whole menswear trend that seems to be all the rage lately or rather, starting a while back.  Nevertheless, I tried to give the look a try.
In retrospect, I wish I hadn't chickened out the last minute with the white miniskirt and gone with my original plan of black harem pants.  Sigh, next time.  Also, ignore how angry I look in these pictures.  Me trying to look fierce model cool = fail.
[white button-down | kohl's | borrowed from mom] [black striped tie | borrowed from dad] [black boyfriend vest | ny & company | $10.00] [white jersey mini skirt | h&m | gift from jen] [black faux suede wedge ankle boots | forever 21 | $34.80]
I got these boots over the summer but these are actually my first time wearing them since I keep most of my favorite clothes, shoes, and accessories in my home closet.  It just makes me sad seeing my shoes ruined by the nasty grove at Rice.  I believe they're Jeffrey Campbell knockoffs and I couldn't help but want a pair myself after I saw the originals on several of my favorite blogs.

Verdict: I like the menswear trend, the minimalist look - just maybe not on me.

Monday, February 14, 2011

styling class: week 5, post 1

A big apology to this blog for not updating it for so long.  When I feel sick and gain five pounds because of eating a lot to get better and not exercising for two weeks, I suddenly become a lot interested in wearing pretty clothes.  I really admire plus size models for working their body shape, because oftentimes, if I don't look and feel my best, I feel a lot less confident in how my clothes look on me and my ability to style around my flabby arms and legs and stomach pudge. :(  So with that said, no more outfit posts again! I promise promise some photos soon though.  Meanwhile, this week, Deanne had us polyvore (using as a verb, yes) our ideas of classic, bohemian, and minimalist looks.  Speaking of minimalism - I'm really starting to like the whole streamlined classic minimalist look - must buy some skinny ties soon. :)

Classic:

Classic


My take on classic style is a bit more girly and colorful than the conventional by-the-textbook classic style.  I really like the structured and tailored lines of vintage Chanel but also the vibrant colors and patterns of modern day classics that Blair Waldorf wears so well.  I'm loving lady-like pumps, shift dresses, a-line skirts, shift dresses, crisp shirts, tailored blazers, and nude makeup for a classic look.  I feel that this might be who I am at heart - even when I experiment with different looks and trends - this is what I come back to.

Bohemian:

Bohemian


The bohemian style is one that I love to experiment with every now and then.  I tend to do more of this in the summer, when its 100 degrees outside and all I feel like putting on is a loose flowy maxi dress or a lightweight shirt and dress.  Then I let chunky heels, colorful tribal bangles, colorful nail polish, and printed fabrics do the trick of making an outfit less boring.  I'd love to experiment with the bohemian style more in the winter though - when it's all about piling layers over layers.  Note to self: must get super chunky knit scarf.

Minimalism:

Minimalism


I've been recently more drawn to the minimalism look, which is quite surprising since I'm quite the accessorizer.  Sometimes, nothing is better than a clean, crisp, look.  I also find that I can experiment most with different cuts and construction when sticking to a single or two colors.  It definitely makes me feel less self-conscious when stepping out in a weird outfit concoction.  If only I were Susie Bubble.  But with that said, I see crisp white button downs and trouser shorts, and "flat", "smooth-surfaced" shoes and vests and other clothing items like above.  I love nail polish - and either a black, dark maroon, dark blue, or nude would work really well with my perspective of minimalism.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

styling class: week 3, post 1

I've been sick with the flu the past several days so this post isn't quite up to par or where I'd like it to be.  This week we learned about the three "main" style categories: classic, bohemian, and minimalism.  While modern fashion, at least the type I like, mixes these three together in an effortless manner, I always find it refreshing when you can look at a picture an pinpoint exactly what kind of style the person was going for.  We were asked to choose 3 style icons that portray each type of style category.  All three of these icons seem to dabble in various styles, but I've chosen some of my favorite pictures that best represent each of the styles above.

Classic
I've loved Carey Mulligan since before watching An Education.  She has such a prim and proper sense of style all while staying completely modern and interesting.   I adore this dress on her - a beautiful shade, a beautiful cut, all properly belted and accessorized.  Her amazing pixie cut helps some too.

Bohemian


I confess - I used to think Miroslava Duma to be really overrated.  Sure the girl dresses well - but she has the body and the clothes and the job.  I'd be surprised if she looked like a wreck all day.  But then she became pregnant.  Once I saw how well she pulled off some pieces with that huge baby bump, I became a fan myself.  I love the entire assembly of this outfit - props to mixing colors and prints and textures so well. :)

Minimalist


So Diane Kruger isn't really a minimalist, but she definitely makes some minimalist choices, such as this dress for the Met Ball above.  Being a not-so-minimalist dresser myself, I'm surprised that this dress is hands-down one of my favorite red carpet dresses of all time.  It has such a clean, sleek quality to it, and she pulls it off so well.  The cut is so severe, and the color is possibly really unflattering on anyone else, but it looks great all together.