Style Stories: Color and Dress Up

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Style Story: What’s Your Favorite Colour?

I am and have always been in a quandary over that question. My answer has been the same since as far back as I can remember, “I don’t have a favorite colour, I love combinations of colour”. Some months back, I purchased this tie-dye tulle dress, Zara, because I loved the colour combo and the camouflage-like pattern. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to wear it a lot because it’s such a statement item but it was inexpensive and I loved it. Today, I’m wearing my dress layered under a bright orange turtleneck, H&M, and side tied a fuchsia cardigan, Tocca, around my neck. Neither sweater is a perfect match to the tie-dye nor do they need to be because they’re within range. For that reason alone I’ll always choose a good tie-dye over an actual print…they’re much more versatile.

As we know, tulle is flat so just layering it under and oversized sweater to look like a skirt would be too, on the nose, and would break the vertical line I so desperately need especially when dividing my body in half with a print and solid. I’ve built subtle dimension with my ribbed turtleneck that lays flat over the dress and the cardigan in a contrasting pop colour. The placement around my neck with the side tie is what makes this, a look. I’m bringing in even more colour with my olive green strappy sandals, Schutz, and contrasting red satin handbag, vintage. Because I’m only pulling colour from my dress and wearing relatively simple items I’m able to keep my look from being, over-the-top,

style-tip: a cohesive look requires a bit of geometry and an understanding of where a why to place your items



Style Story: Playing Dress Up

A simple tweak can elevate our basic pieces into a chic and effortless evening look. Tonight, I’ve taken a black bias cut matte jersey skirt, Bisou Bisou, and paired it with an off-white satin blouse, Zara, that I’m wearing unbuttoned with the help of boob tape, Nueboo. For cohesion, I’m leaving the large cuffs on my blouse, unbuttoned and long to reenforce my effortless, I don’t care, look. With a large scarf, Vercase, folded into a modified cummerbund, I’m able to infuse some unexpected placement colours that completely change a very basic blouse and skirt into something unique.

My black high open sandals, Sam Edelman, fringe matte jersey wrap, made by my Mom, and small woven evening bag, Barneys NY, merchandise perfectly with their shape texture and movement. My jewelry is subdued, simple and pulls only from my colour story so as not to distract. On the other hand, I’m wearing my hair natural, curly and wild to reinforce that effortlessness my whole look is based upon.

style-tip: rather than walking into our packed closets and thinking we have nothing to wear and have to buy something new we can perhaps think about how to elevate what we have for a look that’s truly our own

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

 

Author

  • Felicia Arlin

    Felicia Arlin’s work as a stylist and costume designer has been featured in print, tv, film and on the red carpet. As a 20+ year veteran designer/merchandiser in the LA/NY garment industry her work has graced the racks of every major department store and specialty chain in the country. She is passionate about helping women look and feel confident no matter their age, shape or socioeconomic status. Her hope is to empower other women by sharing some of the things she’s learned along the way to better cultivate and express their own individual and ageless style.

2 Responses

  1. Amy Kanarek says:

    Wow! The long slim skirts are absolutely my vibe! So chic! And I love the way you are styling them!
    Yes, please! 💗💗💗

    • Hi Amy,
      Thanks so much for your comment. I’m with you on long skirts. This is actually a dress that I’m wearing as a skirt. It’s a great way to extend the “life” of your dresses.

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