LA Story: Pump It Up

A simple way to pump up a really casual look is to add a few subtle touches of metallic. We don’t want to go over-the-top disco ball because then our look would no longer be casual. I’m wearing my mens Army fatigues, vintage and an eyelet blouse, Maje Paris. I love pairing masculine and feminine items because if done right makes for a look that’s a little more interesting without a lot of effort. Choosing the right garments that work proportionally well together for our body types is key to every look especially one like this. My fatigues are a few sizes too big (that’s the way I like them) but it makes them really high waisted. On someone with no waist and short legs it’s a lot of body coverage and definitely not the best look. BUT…when combined with a top that is fitted and can be worn over the pant it can give the illusion of length and proportion. Also, the raglan cut sleeve creates a broader looking shoulder for that fabulous T shape. These details are important especially when styling your casual look with flat sandals.

Normally, breaking a style line is not advised but in this case my shoes are virtually unseen which is why I went with a gold metallic sandal, Sam Edelman. It’s a subtle and much needed reflective pop against my flatter and duller fabrics. Like I said, the details count and finding that balance between form and function style and camouflaging the imperfections is the key to every look. I’m always trying to create body length and proportion and I think about it every day when I’m getting dressed. For me, I know that layering on too many accessories make me look like a kid who broke into their Mom’s jewelry box – it’s just too much so I choose my pieces wisely. This vintage matte gold necklace follows the long lines of my garments and the clear magnifying glass brings in another reflective quality that’s interesting and unexpected just like the gold letters on my nubby boucle’ vintage handbag.

Style-Tip: pump up your casual game with strategically placed metallics

LA Story: Full Metal Except the Jacket

I’ve always been about getting as much as I can out of my wardrobe and that means not seeing things as they are or by season or as dressy or casual rather as individual items that I can put together to create a particular type of look. My casual look today is a bit deceptive because it’s comprised of mostly gold metallic pieces. Metallic garments especially gold have the ability of tricking our brains into seeing them as dressy so if you’re going for a casual vibe and you’re using metallic pieces you need to know how to put them together so you can pull off the look. First and foremost… you’ve got to go for it! I’m wearing the sheer gold lace and glitter skirt that I made from my Grandma’s evening gown, Victor Costa and paired it with a metallic gold knit tank, St John.

The shape of both pieces creates a nice straight line which helps give my body some length especially with my flat gold metallic sandals, Sam Edelman. I brought in a shorter length white linen jacket, Claude Barthelemy Paris, that hits pretty much at the bottom hem of my top to keep that straight line intact even though it’s a different colour. Had I gone with a longer jacket it would cover too much of my body, break the line, and make me look really short. This jacket has some nice fraying detail similar to the lace panels on my skirt – I didn’t really notice the similarity until I put it on. Don’t you love when it just works out? In my effort to keep it casual I went with a long chunky over-the-top rapper chain, Amazon. Stylistically it couldn’t be more opposite to my other garments and that’s why it works. It’s the right colour and length and it brings in some weight and heaviness that takes my look way down. I’m also using a leather crossbody fanny pack, Universal Thread, rather than a handbag to keep it casual and more “street”.

*please treat your wardrobe well. many people worked very hard to get it to you