Style Story: Holiday Options

Whether everyday or casual holiday dressing this is an easy way to elevate a look using only one color paired with a metallic. My vintage fatigues get a boost with a gold boucle crop blazer, Gisele, and I’m wearing it as a top. The metallic fabric, gold buttons, and light sprinkling of sequins are perfectly balanced rather than blinding or over-the-top. The frayed edge tones down this very classic structured silhouette allowing for more casual options. Both of my garments have a lot of body coverage and to create balance, I went with an open strappy high gold sandal, Sam Edelman. They look festive and elegant, and their reflective quality bounces the light upward where it belongs.

Thankfully, I’ve always had an appreciation for the odd or slightly off types of items like this particular vintage handbag. The acidic range of colors from its green/yellow textured Herringbone patterned fabric and the large gold metal letters pull my color story together in one cool interesting piece. As for jewelry, I did a mix of casual and evening with a simple gold snake short necklace, a gold link watch, and a bangle bracelet. I felt like adding a touch of glamour and these vintage drop earrings do not disappoint. If you don’t already, I urge you to start mixing your dressier and casual pieces, together. It’s a great way of using what you have in a creative way that results in a look that’s truly your own.

style-tip: a single color + a metallic = an elevated casual holiday option

Style Story: Burgundy’s the New Black

…at least for the season. It’s one of those perfect colors that looks great on everyone. With a strong base note of red and green that alone many have a hard time wearing, it’s the dash of blue that makes it burgundy and a total game-changing color. I built my look around a deep burgundy velvet jacket with brown suede elbow patches, J Crew. I put my look together using classic pieces with a lot of movement to offset the heavier velvet jacket. My all over burgundy/off-white print blouse, Mango, complements the jacket beautifully. The lighter shade of burgundy against the darker jacket allows both shades to stand out and complement the other. These flowy off-white pleated trousers, Zara, are sophisticated and chic. The bright color contrast is bold and dramatic. I did a one-sided front tuck to the blouse to create a waist and left the rest hanging loose so it moves and flows like the pants.

I went with chocolate brown suede pumps, Steve Madden, that tie back to the suede elbow patches. My vintage cognac handbag is a nice mid-tone color between burgundy and off-white; it adds a bright tonal contrast against the more dominant colors but stays within my color story.

style tip: for this kind of look; think about fabric weight, texture, and the range of a particular colour to make a clear and impactful statement

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