Dress Up

Although velvet pieces are most commonly showcased during the winter months and throughout the holiday seasons, while there is snow covering the ground, velvet is a textile that I feel is still very much appropriate. Velvet, if worn incorrectly, can have the tendency to appear quite heavy and seem as if it is weighing down the wearer. However, this dress that actress Emma Roberts is wearing, does not have that affect. Even though it is both long-sleeved and in a deep wine color; with the short length, delicate keyhole neckline, and slight draping, that heaviness that is so often associated with velvet pieces is not seen in this dress.

What are your feelings towards velvet?

Paillettes

Zara t-shirt//Forever 21 skirt//Steve Madden shoes// Michael Kors watch

Recently I have been increasingly drawn to standout pieces of clothing. While they can be frustrating to keep up with, there is something about their uniqueness and overall fun quality to wear that makes it all worth wile. When I saw this skirt with it's iridescent paillettes, I was in love with not only the colors that the circles created when the light caught them, but also the way that it sounded and swayed when I moved. With such a statement piece, as this skirt is, I found it best paired with solid tops such as a plain black t-shirt and super high chunky wedges. 

Herringbone

Topshop T-shirt//Forever 21 Necklace// Skirt that I made// Steve Madden shoes// and Michael Kors watch

As much as I love colors, I really appreciate garments that have interesting patterns and textures. When I made this skirt last year, I was drawn to the corduroy fabric that instead of the typical ribbing that is associated with corduroy, had an interesting herringbone pattern on it. I have always enjoyed pairing long sleeves with shorter skirts or shorts, and on the abnormally warm December day that we had in Houston on Sunday, this was a perfect outfit for meeting up with some friends for coffee. 

Dress Up

In a world that still seems pretty dominated by pretty peplums, it's quite nice to see a frill every once in a while. This dress from Zara has many qualities that make that little black dress desirable time after time. From the long sleeves, flirty length, and faux leather, this is a dress that can work for many occasions regardless of the dress code. The way that it is being shown above, creates a more edgy look in pairing it with black patent ankle boots, while skinny-strapped stilettos may create a different look. I would pair this dress with a fabulous statement necklace and balance it out with a classic bag in a similar style as the dress.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Dress Up

Last week, I was in the fashion section of the library picking up research for a project. I noticed that for every book I would pick up for the assignment, I would be just as infatuated with the hundred others that surrounded it. So, when I finally narrowed it down to a few books for my assignment, I couldn't help but resist checking out piece on one of my favorites from this post-- on Christian Dior. This week, the dress is one that is most likely never going to find itself in my closet. This Fall 2012 RTW from Christian Dior, though in a bold choice of pink, is not at all intrusive. The way that the pleats fall softly and create a whispy effect, and the high necked intricate top with long sleeves are all qualities about it that are what make this dress amazing aside from the color. Often to me, a Dior piece is the epitome of femininity and poise, and this dress is nothing short of.

Dress Up

Being so pale, I used to shy away from garments in white or black, and would gravitate towards brighter colors. Recently, though, I have enjoyed wearing solid black or white pieces, and have found ways through accessories and makeup (lipstick, anyone?) that will no longer cause me to blend into my clothes. While white is typically not a shade for the cooler seasons, this Madewell dress is hard to resist (even seen by the fact that it is currently sold out). With it's sweetheart neckline, sheer panel and long sleeves, it is the perfect combination of sweet and simple, but with the cut and the feel, make it one of those dresses that I would pull out to wear again and again. 

Dress Up

In my pattern making class we were just assigned our final project so that we can begin to gather ideas and inspiration surrounding the Victorian and Edwardian styles. In the 1860's sleeves began to showcase wider sleeves, and higher necklines with lace, and this week's Nasty Gal dress reminds me of a modern version of just that. One of my favorite styles of dresses are short in length but with long sleeves. I love the way that these sleeves are sheer and sort of blouse at the wrist and comes across as a rare vintage find that has been updated for a girl of today.

What parts of the Victorian/Edwardian era inspires you the most? I love how feminine and intricately crafted each of them are. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Dress Up

{via}

Okay, so this week's Dress Up post is a little more of a party dress than something that you would wear on the regular, but can we take a minute and admire this alice + olivia piece? As you know, I am a sucker for anything with a bit of leopard, and it is almost always the perfect accent look to an outfit. When I saw this dress, I fell in love. Everything about it works down to the small details, like the slight curve of the neck-line and the fact that it is long sleeved. This is the perfect dress for a special occasion, in that every part of it has a special feel that there is a lot put into it--the leopard pattern is made from black sequins to form the spots, and there is a sheer open scoop panel in the back that while not a new concept, feels fresh and unique for this design. With cooler weather beginning to appear, a dress like this is spot-on for any special soiree that would find its' way onto your calendar. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Dress Up

{Pick of the week}

I am a huge fan of long sleeved anything. There's something about a sheer long sleeve that just really suits me. In the summer, though, long sleeves are usually the farthest style from our mind's when we are getting dressed. With this dress's cut, color, and fabric all very summery, the long sheer sleeves from this Nasty Gal style perfectly compliment it's breezy feel without adding too much heat. Are there any cooler month pieces that you usually wear all year round? 

These are my last few days in NYC before I head back to Texas for a few weeks. This weekend I plan on going to the Met, hitting up a few vintage shops, and drinking way too many Swedish Berries Iced Teas from Coffee Bean + Tea Leaf. What are your weekend plans? I'd love to hear.