Details: Hair, Neck-wear, Earrings

Details are important to accenting an outfit. We talked about accents in this post, but unlike accents-details are smaller ways to style yourself and your outfits. Details can be anything from embroidery on collars, to button shapes, to eyeshadow color. In this case I'm talking about the details that can be created with hair, neck-wear, and earrings.

Hair: Runway shows are wonderful expressions of details in hair and make-up. What I love most about these details is that from the front they can look so much simpler then they actual are. Styling your hair differently: braiding it in a different way or doing a complex bun is a great way to add details to your outfit while not actually adding pieces of clothing or accessories. 

<<[Jason Wu Fashion Week 2013]

 

Neck-wear: Similar to statement necklaces, neck-wear makes a statement and draws attention to the collar-bone area. Neck-wear does not have to be a necklace; it can be a collar, a brooch, or a scarf. In this case I'm wearing my grandmother's leaf necklace. Unlike most necklaces it's not a chain with a pendent, the necklace is held together entirely by gold leaves, giving it and my neck some character.

Earrings: You cannot see my earrings well, but earrings are a great way to add details to your outfit. A nice pair of statement earrings will have detail on them and in the shape. The earrings I'm wearing here are my favorite pair, which I made from two circular tiles. Each tile is painted half white and another color with a gold line separating the each side of the earring. Earrings bring attention to your head/face and can add fun details that may not, and don't necessarily need to, be in your outfit. 

[Phillip Lim 2013]

Photos Were Made for Friends

These are two of my best friends: Heran (left) an Cheryl (right). We all met in college and fell in-love with each other, now we are like family. Although we are all similar in some ways (Cheryl and I being extremely similar), we are all very different and that is reflected in our style. Cheryl looks great in an over-sized sweater and skinnies; that is her uniform. I'm always wearing jewelry and sunglasses; and Heran likes colors and comfort. This picture is from last Fall and it not only captures how happy we are when we we're together, but also our different styles (even though you can not fully see what we are wearing). It's important to embrace the differences and similarities between your friends and yourself. When everyone is a trying to be like each other, you loose the joy and dynamism of difference. Fashion is about difference and similarities. Runways shows all have trends and seasons, but it is the way that each designer understands and expresses the trend that makes fashion so fun and multifaceted. It's not about wearing the exact outfit you see on the mannequin, it's about being creative and trying new things, which can be done while still staying true to your style. 

Happy Wednesday Loves,
-Teju

Accents: Don't Forget Your Waist-Don't Forget Your Hips

 

[Balenciaga Spring 2013]

Sometimes when we're getting dressed quickly or not thinking about what we're wearing because it's a casual day we forget that there are little things we can do to accent, detail, our outfits.  It doesn't take any extra time really, it's just about the choices we make while putting on clothes. 

You don't always have to be wearing a designer brand, like Balenciaga pictured above, to look chic. In fact, most designer brands RTW (Ready To Wear) collections are simple. What makes them look so chic, or out of the ordinary, is how their styled and the accents. 

Two things to remember when getting dressed to add accents: don't forget your waist and don't forget your hips. Remember several years ago when girls were putting waist-belts on with all their shirts to create, what we now call, the peplum look? The reason why the peplum look is so popular is because it accents your waist and creates a curvy silhouette. No matter how plain or simple the dress or shirt, when you put a waist-belt on it suddenly felt cuter. It's true, it is usually cuter that way.

For example, the maxi dress above; it's very simply cut and one color, however bow around the waist accents the dress giving it and your shape more character. When searching for dresses for spring and summer look for ones that accent the waist, whether its with a belt or a bow, or have a drop waist-which brings me to my next point on accenting the hips. 

 The drop waist dress in back in style. The drop waist dress adds an accent to your hips, without actually bringing attention to your hips. Because the design pattern changes at your hips, as opposed to your waist-like most dresses, your become the focus and your waist (and curves) become less important. 

Another way to accent the hips in a simple outfit is messily tucking in the front of your top, whether it's a blouse, sweater, or tee shirt. Pictured above the two other models both have their top casually and partially tucked into their bottoms. This can be done with any combination of tops and bottoms: sweaters with shorts, tee shirts with pants, blouses with skirts, etc. If you're wearing a cool belt this is a good way for people to get a peak at the cool pattern or fun color of the belt. 

So don't forget about the small things, accents on your waist and hips. These are simple things to do to make-even-the simplest outfit more interesting. It's also good to be aware of hip and waist accents when shopping for the Spring, because this season is all about the subtle accents.

It's Okay to Be Soft... sometimes

Fashion is extremely versatile and flexible, however certain themes stand out by making an impact on accessible trends more so than others. With the increasing trend of leather (or vegan leather), baseball caps, and studs (on boots, shirts, pants, etc.), there seems to be a tendency towards toughness. I do think this a subtle tendency, though I appreciate the spring trends that are encouraging floral patterns, lots of whites and pastels, as well as feminine silhouettes-even if they are in the form of suits. I don't think there are anything wrong with tough looks, and I'm not suggesting that they are not feminine-because they can be very much so. I'm just saying that we should take advantage of all the trends that fashion has to offer. In between all of the leather and studs we can try to be soft. Next week, my challenge for myself is softness-inside and out. Below are a couple photos from Eel & Ermine's Spring Lookbook (from Refinery29). I love the soft feminine outfits and the model's hair pushed back.

Why Eating Healthy is Fashionable

[For Iris]


Often I take eating "healthy" for granted, because I don't see it as "eating healthy," I see it as eating food that is good, makes my plate look good, and makes my body feel good. I often bring oranges or strawberries to work or class. I put spinach, feta, and onions in almost everything I cook. And green beans have to be one of my favorite foods. To me anything that looks great and makes me feel great seems like fashion. Something that looks good, makes you feel good, and makes whatever it is apart of look beautiful and bold is fashion. Fruits and vegetables do this. Eating healthy is fashionable. Here's why-
 
Bold & Bright Colors are Healthy and Look Good

Whether it's a reoccuring spring trend or a general love of bold colors, we are drawn to them. Bright reds, forest greens, and yellows look great on most skin types and make us feel happy. Bold and bright colors are vibrant and full of life, probably because they are colors of things we love in nature as well: green trees, flowers, the blue sky. 

This rule applies to foods too; especially fruits and vegetables. Generally, the deeper and brighter the color the more nutrients it has. Yellow squash, tomato, eggplant, broccoli, spinach, strawberries, oranges, pomegranates, are just a few of the many fruits and vegetables that are bold, bright, and healthy. They are full of nutrients, low in calories, and look beautiful cut up and placed on a plate or in a bowl. 

Instead of solely filling our lives, whether it's our closets or plates, with only beige's and off whites, starches and carbs, let's supplement and compliment our closets and plates with bold and bright colors. Bold and bright is always in style, and when you eat healthy-you feel and look happy. 


  
Eating Good is Feeling good is Looking Good 

When you eat these colorful fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients like fiber and vitamins you feel good on the inside, which translates to the outside. Studies show that people who eat more fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water-which matches with everything because it is clear, have visibly clearer skin, whiter & stronger teeth, shinier & healthier hair, and longer-stronger nails. Skin, hair, teeth, and nails are the focal point of  the beauty industry. 

Instead of spending time trying to find the best three teeth whiteners or using three different shampoos and conditioners, and using three different face washes, focus on eating food that is good for you and your body; inside and out.

Usually when an outfit looks the best it is because the person wearing it feels good on the inside and it reflects outwardly. Even when people are wearing a simple outfit, if they feel good, it's reflected in how they carry themselves in the outfit and we, the viewers respond positively. As an outfit enhancer, a health enhancer, and a beauty enhancer we need fruits and veggies. 

Oh Instagram

In an age where our whole lives can be, and usually are, displayed on the internet, lifestyle is becoming increasingly important to the photograph culture. Between pinterest, facebook, and instagram what we do, what we wear, how we're doing it, and what we're eating have become emblems of a fashionable lifestyle. One of my friends said that instragram is basically an application to show off what we're eating, how good it is, and really how good it looks. There are instagram accounts specifically dedicated to photographing good food. People who are not photographs put up copious amounts of pictures of good food they're eating. 


The better the food looks, the more worthy it is of an instragram photo and/or a facebook photo. Generally the food that looks most delectable is food that is colorful: bold and bright;  and food that is proportional, meaning it is not a plate weighed down by pounds of food-rather it is a colorful plate that is enhanced by the food. The plate becomes the blank palette for the food, which is the masterpiece. Better pictures usually have better colors and ascetics, foods that are colorful and rich in nutrients provide this color and aesthetic with the added benefit of being healthy, making you feel and look good, and making great photos. 

<<photo here


Lastly, if it's not clear already most fruits and vegetables that are healthy, make you feel and look good, also taste good, which is great. If you don't like a fruit or vegetable look up a new recipe on how to cook it. For example, I didn't like Brussels sprouts until my friend's boyfriend (who's a chef) caramelized them in a pan with olive oil, then added them to a mixed greens salad with lemon juice and blue cheese. Now I really like them. 

Many people are not taught how to make vegetables taste good or cook them creatively. Find new recipes to remedy that. We also believe that fruits cannot fill us up, that is also a myth. Make a fruit salad with all the fruits you love, that are in season, and see if you are not full after eating a big bowl of it. The beliefs we have shape how we eat. Once we change how our beliefs about fruits and vegetables, mostly based on myths, we will eat them more. I know this from experience because I used to not like vegetables, and still only eat a select several. 

Eating healthy is fashionable because fashion is as much a lifestyle as much as it is clothes, trends, designers, and models. If you want to live a healthy, fashionable lifestyle-eat healthy. There's no better way to be fashionable, feel good, and look good inside and out.

How To: Tie it around your waist!

Remember when we were kids running around the playground so much that it got hot and our parents told us to tie our sweaters or long-sleeve shirts around our waist instead of pulling it off and throwing it on the ground? Yeah, that's back-and it's chic. 

Usually it happens with a plaid shirt, but I think you can do it with any color and any type of long sleeve outerwear. Celebs notorious for this are Kanye and Rihanna. One of my favorite bloggers, Leandra, from manreppeller does this so flawlessly. It's caught on and I'm basically into any rebirth style, especially the ones from the 90's, because they are casual and fun. Try it out!

Tie a denim or plaid shirt around your waist over a dress or a pair of leather leggings. Keep your top simple so your outfit doesn't look too crowded. Any footwear will 

do, the shirt tied around the waist is what really makes the 

outfit. It is an effortless and cool look that many people love.

How to get dressed everyday! (But, actually)

I believe there are three things to think about before getting dressed everyday. These are three seemingly different things, but each should be considered separately and then together to decide on an outfit. And, if you don't feel like making much effort to choose an outfit then just chose one of the three things below and only worry about that one. Depending on your occupation and/or where you live (or spend most of your time )one or two of these may be more or less significant. The list is in no particular order besides what I thought of first, which eludes to my main concern:

1) The Weather: whether (not pun intended) you live in Paris, Connecticut, or Seattle it is important to know the weather. If you live in the Caribbean or certain parts of Latin America it's almost always warm so all you really have to worry about is whether it will rain or not. Regardless, the weather-especially for those of us who walk or bike everywhere-is extremely important. If you have to run a lot of errands, increasing your time outside, then weather is going to be a big factor. I advise looking up the hourly weather report the day before then choosing a preliminary outfit. When you wake up you can check the weather again to decide if you need to make adjustments or not to the outfit.

2) Your Schedule/The Occasion: this is the second most important for me because while I'm a student I do a lot of different things and usually don't have time to change during the day. This means that when I leave the house in the morning I have to think about all the things I have to do during the day. If I have class, a lunch meeting and a Skype conference call I'll probably want to be casual, but incorporate a blazer or blazer vest to look more professional on the top half. Since during a lunch meeting and a Skype call the top half of my body is showing/being presented, that matters most. If I just have to run errands and go to class then I won't worry so much about how casual I am. If I have a formal dinner later on, maybe I'll bring some nice trousers and heels to change into. Think of your whole day's activities while getting dressed.

3) What You Feel Like: I think this one is equally, if not-more, important than the first two. I truly believe that if we don't wear what we feel like wearing then we'll be uncomfortable the whole day and visibly look uncomfortable. If our main concern is warmth then we should be warm or else our mood will be off. If you feel like wearing blue, then you should wear blue. If you feel like wearing a skirt then wear a skirt. When you wear what you feel like wearing your mood is better and you are happier. Sometimes we feel like wearing something that conflicts with the first two (weather or occasion), that's when we have to get creative. My freshman and sophomore year of college I didn't want to wear pants. Only skirts and shorts. Instead of being uncomfortable in jeans I wore skirts/shorts with tights all year. In the fall I wore sheer tights and in the winter I wore opaque tights with leg-warmers and boots. If you can't figure out how to style something you feel like wearing (because of the weather or an occasion) just ask me and I'll be happy to give you tips. Also, you can always google it. 

  Above are the three things I think about and you should think about before getting dressed everyday. Maybe in the summer weather matters less and it's more about the occasion. Regardless use these three things as a framework to choose outfits daily. And of course, don't forget about comfort.

5 Things I think Every Lady Needs in Her Closet

A lot of bloggers and fashionistas are asked what they think are closet essentials for every young lady. Many of them say similar things: a denim shirt, a good pair of black pumps. I agree with them, but I do think that this question changes depending on our age, our profession, and our lifestyle. This is my version of five things I think that every woman should have in her closet; especially a young woman who doesn't wear heels everyday.

1) Plain white tee-shirt. This is something bloggers from Manrepeller to Karla's Closet have said, which I wholeheartedly agree with. I wasn't into white tee shirts until this year when I started stealing and wearing my brother's white tees that he'd leave at home. They are super comfortable and somehow subtly stylish. I bought my own and now their perfect to wear when you don't know what to wear. For some reason they just make us look put together and simply chic at the same time.

2) Comfortable cute ankle boots. I love boots, especially ankle boots. Most of my shoes are either boots, if not they're oxfords. I really like low-heel brown ankle boots- in a variety of styles. For a lady who doesn't wear heels everyday, a cute ankle boot (or bootie) with a max of a 3-inch heel that's comfortable to walk in, is both functional and gives a little height to us shorties.

3) Oversized sweater. I think every gal should have an oversized sweater she really loves that she can wear when she's not feeling too hott and wants to be comfortable, warm, and cute. Oversized sweaters are good under a wool coat for winter, and over a tee-shirt or button-up in the fall. For those transitioning seasons you can even wear an over-sized sweater with a skirt or shorts. It's versatile and compliments a slim silhouette on the bottom. If you have one, keep and love it-if not-get one.

4) Black denim skinnies. As you've seen in two of my posts already I really love black denim skinnies. Black, like white, has a way of always producing a classic look-whether it's an all black ensemble or a pair of black denim skinnies with a white tee and ankle boots (see how these previous things are already creating outfits when put together ;). Get a good pair of black denim skinnies and wear them when you want a casual crisp look. 

And last, but definitely  not least.... [drumroll please??]

5) A-line pencil skirt. Every lady needs a pencil skirt, but why specifically a-line? A-line just means that it is cut in a way that is not tighter at the hem line like many pencil skirts. An a-line pencil skirt with a slit can be dressed up or worn casually with a tee shirt and ankle boots or an oversized sweater and oxfords. It's easier to walk in when the bottom of the skirt is not squeezing your knees together. Pencil skirts provide a feminine silhouette, thanks to Christian Dior's first collection in 1947 featuring a "wasp" waist, the hour-glass silhouette. Try a bold color like red or turquoise. One of my favorite skirts is a vintage turquoise a-line pencil skirt I found on a whim while walking to get tea in Oakland, California.

These are my Five Must-Have's. Almost any combination of four or three of these pieces creates an effortless chic, classic outfit. Whether it breeds a vintage-classic feel like the pencil skirt and an oversized sweater would; or a classic-spring look, which the black denim skinnies and white tee would produce, they complement each other and can be worn in a variety of ways. Like I've mentioned before, I think eco-friendly fashion and recycling our closets are key for ladies who are on the go and don't always have the time or money to be constantly shopping. These five must-haves allow us to mix it up while being comfortable at the same time. Let me know if you agree!

Don't forget to check out the  Zara Giveaway ending next week!

Fashion Writing

A gown on the runway does not fall apart if someone doesn’t like it, it stands ... continue reading