LA Style Stores: Bella Baxter & Tracking
LA Story: Bella Baxter Style
If you haven’t seen the film “Poor Things”, I urge you to especially if you’re into fashion. Set in the 1880s, the main character Bella Baxter wares a number of tops and dresses with dramatic shoulder and sleeve detail. Unlike the shoulder pads from the late 80s and early 90s, these extended shoulders are constructed and draped using just the fabric, so they have much more of a couture like feel. They also do wonders for the waistline and the rest of the body. In January, I wore this top, Happy X Naturel, with a sequins skirt to an afterparty for the Oscars and today I’m wearing it with my suede bell-bottoms, Vintage, from the 80s.
I love the chartreuse and the olive greens, together and how well balanced the shoulders and the bottom of my pants are. As a stylist, I always take things like that into account. Because the top is pretty dramatic and this is a day look, I don’t need much to pull it all together. I want to pick up on the grey in the top so I’m using a grey clutch, Vintage, and a grey pearl necklace with matching posts. My little beige kitten heel sling-backs, Sebastian Milano, have an extended vamp so they work right into the drama and quirkiness of the top. I think Bella would approve of my modern take of her 1880’s style.
*style-tip: rather than shopping for the same things as everyone else take the time to seek out items that are interesting and different.
LA Story: Tracking
The rise of athleisure has moved track pants, Adidas, from the gym to the streets. I’m wearing mine with a crisp white oversized blouse, H&M, that I’ve tucked on one side under a longish black suit jacket, Calvin Klein. I’m doing a black and white story to keep the eye focused on my key item, the track pant. I’m wearing a pearl white and black spectator pump, Kenneth Cole, that keeps my pants from having any kind of break so the side stripe detail stays nice and straight.
My little zebra fur baguette, Fendi, packs a punch of quirkiness and adds an unexpected pop of texture that’s really necessary because all of my items are flat. I brought in a chunky Baroque pearl necklace to also support the stripe detailing and they’re another odd item that by all accounts should not work but does. When styling with pieces that don’t belong together it’s important to really go for it! You have to be bold and deliberate, or you won’t be able to pull it off. This kind of look allows us to redefine our track pants and joggers and make them part of our wardrobe rather than only wearing them to the gym.
*please treat your wardrobe well. many people worked very hard to get it to you.
Felicia Arlin
Felicia Arlin’s work as a stylist and costume designer has been featured in print, tv, film and on the red carpet. As a 20+ year veteran designer/merchandiser in the LA/NY garment industry her work has graced the racks of every major department store and specialty chain in the country.
She is passionate about helping women look and feel confident no matter their age, shape or socioeconomic status. Her hope is to empower other women by sharing some of the things she’s learned along the way to better cultivate and express their own individual and ageless style.
