Style Story: Grandma’s Evening Gown

I wish I took a photo of my grandmother’s evening gown by, Victor Costa. It was a fitted silhouette with long sleeves and a scoop neck with gold braiding around it. The fabric is a gold scalloped edge lace, lined with a nude mesh and gold glitter, over a nude colour silk georgette lining. As beautiful as it was, I wanted to make it more, sportswear friendly, and wearable. I redesigned it into separate items that can be worn together and stand on their own. I started by carefully separating and removing the solid layer of georgette lining because 3 layers of fabric was way too much and I wanted my new pieces to be somewhat sheer. I brought everything over to my trusted tailor and asked her to make a long fitted skirt and a short shoulder shrug from the lace and mesh.

Here’s how I’m wearing the skirt…I took my oversized white poplin blouse, H & M, and did a front tuck and folded up and cuffed the sleeves. I tied a white and gold scarf, Chanel, around my neck and attached a large white flower pin, Amazon, to create a focal point that’s also an unexpected addition. Because my garments have a lot of coverage, I went with a very open gold strappy sandal, Sam Edelman, and the metallic plays off of the gold glitter mesh. I really don’t need much jewelry just a pair of diamond hoops for some sparkle around my face a gold vintage watch, Omega, and my gold ankle bracelet, Gucci. I’m wearing a fabric trench coat, H & M, over and it’s a perfect match and it totally pulls my look together. My Grandmother had a lot of style so I think she’d be ok with me reworking her designer evening gown.

*style-tip: don’t let your out of date garments sit and collect dust – rework them!

Style Story: My Kind of Red

I’ve never been much of a red person not even in lipstick. I like it on other people but for me – not so much. I do like a combination of reds but they have to be the right ones that for me include bluer tones or combos of blue and orange tones like my herringbone jacket, J Crew. It has everything I want from the range of colour to the textured herringbone pattern. I also really like the tarnished gold buttons that don’t look so fancy fresh rather more weathered and casual. I wanted the jacket to be the focus of my look so I’ve styled it over a denim shirt, Gap, and jeans, Levis 501s, in a similar wash. Notice how they pick up the blue tones of the red in my jacket?

I thought these large pearl earrings worked really well with the western pearl snaps from my shirt and they bring a pop of brightness under my dark hair. This bandana scarf turned out to be such a great key item. The pattern ties into the western vibe of my shirt without being too, on the nose, and the colour is within range. As my look was coming together it took on a bit of a preppy Americana feel so naturally my, Converse, sneakers fell right into place. I liked the idea of using a brown vintage belt, Gucci, and bag, Louis Vuitton, to add a depth colour and extend the tonal range of my red jacket. I took a final look in the mirror and felt it all looked great but was a little flat so I tied a chunky cable-knit sweater, Vince, around the jacket. It helps keep me warm and adds an, oomph, of texture. This look may be casual but it definitely has substance.

style-tip: casual looks are more elevated when we build them with range of colour and textural elements