LA Story: Baby it’s Cold Outside

Looks can be deceiving. It may appear sunny and clear but it’s windy, chilly, and the air tastes like an ashtray. I’m wearing pieces that make me feel good and keep me warm in monochromatic neutral palette that elevates my look. That uniformity of colour turns even the most casual items into something more. I’m building my look around the lightest colour and the weightiest piece – a pair of vegan leather drawstring slim pants, Bevy Flog. The contrast braiding detail down the legs add a textural colour contrast that keeps the pants from looking flat.

Normally, I’d go for a similar colour to the pants but It feels more casual with this heather taupe cashmere sweater, Amazon. It has creamy flecks within the knit to pickup the colour of the pants and the darker colour is a nice contrast to pop the shades of my chunky wrap, Zara. When you’re short like me, it’s always about creating length especially when numerous items are involved that have a lot of body coverage. These off-white short lug boots, Gisele Tune, give me some height, extend the line of my leg, and the colour pulls in my cable knit beanie, Urban Outfitters. I used the same colour on my head and feet to keep the eye focused in the middle. This strategic colour placement also makes my look feel complete.

style-tip: a casual monochromatic colour scheme can make a casual look seem like so much more. Use a variety of textures and tones to keep it interesting.

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

LA Story: Texture Mashup

I’m wearing the skirt I cut from my grandmother’s lace evening gown, Victor Costa. I wanted to tone it down for a playful casual feel so I grabbed my chucks, Converse, and this off-white cable knit sweater, Zara. I never noticed that both the skirt and sweater had an open diamond-like pattern. Look how the skirt’s horizontal placement pieces almost mirror the vertical rib and cable detailing on my sweater. That similarity of pattern is what allows for two very different fabrications to mix and make sense. I brought in an off-white cable knit beanie, Urban Outfitters, to keep the cable and rib mix going.

My laid-back casual look is complete with a leather crossbody fanny pack, Universal Threads. It adds dimension and a nice pop of contrast.  Cutting and reworking beautiful vintage garments left by mother and grandmother is always a little tough but it’s the difference between wearing them or visiting them like art hanging in a museum. Every time I wear a vintage item, I wonder about the person who owned it first; who they were, where they lived, and the life they led. When I wear my mother’s, my grandmother’s, or my aunt’s beautiful vintage pieces I feel connected to them and perhaps, a little wistful but inevitably happy.

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