Whether florals or dots, the designs should balance each other out (here it's best to stick with a basic black and white palette with just a dash of color)
Lately, I’ve been so wrapped up with all things baby prep that I haven’t
had a chance to do many styling sessions.
Lo and behold, yesterday I managed to squeeze in two back-to-back client
sessions and had an absolute blast!
As I am reviewing my clients' respective Lookbooks tonight, I can’t
help but relish some of the work we did.
These days, I am all about the concepts of “thinking outside of the box”
and “shopping your own closet,” (I suppose building a maternity wardrobe with
an ever-changing body will do that to you!).
To this end, I’ve been particularly crazed about mixing
and matching prints and patterns. Who
doesn’t love donning some unbelievably cool combo that (when worn right), will
garner you loads of compliments? Now, the
tricky part is getting the combos just right – but with the right balance of
colors, proportions, and accessories, you can become an instant mix master!!
(With just a handful of pieces, I swear!).
At the end of the day, this is why I love the art of fashion
consulting and the ability to explore my creative side so much.
…now, back to the real
Prince Charming (aka the Royal Prince who was born today! Weighing 8 pounds, 6
ounces no less!!).
I love the art of doing more with less – the mod prints on this black and white dress is fantastic, and you can really play it up w/shapes and proportions! Mix it up with a tee? Drape a soft chambray over it? It all works! Again, don't be afraid to experiment with colorful accents (I am loving the yellow belt & the funky tribal necklace combo in the middle).
Sometimes, all you need is a versatile top (like this floral mini right here), and there are multiple ways to mix and match! Even something as simple as switching statement necklaces will give you a different look (see above panel). The possibilities are endless.
For a vintagey/"Anthropologie-esque" vibe, pair it up with a nice neutral color, like the mustard-color cropped top to your left. For a more casual day-look, chambray will never lead you astray. Lastly, to exude a feminine/flirty energy (especially on this curvy bodacious bod right here), a fitted lace top can serve as the perfect complement! (I woud add a skinny belt just to play up her tiny waist and lovely curves).
This again, is a great example of how to wear that "funky," patterned piece in multiple ways! Sometimes, we fall in love with a single item off the rack, but then become positively stumped when it comes to actually wearing it day-to-day (I am certainly not immune to this dilemma). Though with a little bit of orchestration and prodding, you can truly explore all of your options!!! After all, it's a shame to let such a beautiful piece go to waste, wouldn't you say?
Natalie Portman at the Oscars (Feb 27, 2011). I later learned that she was roughly five months along at the time.
Ever since I’ve been doing my “Elegant Expecting” series, I’ve
been (unsurprisingly) paying closer attention to celebrity maternity style. As my yoga instructor poignantly pointed out,
“we are living in the age of Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton” – neither of whom I
particularly click with style-wise.
Though I do find Kim’s approach to maternity dressing amusing, I almost
feel sorry for her for being compared with Kate Middleton – who hardly looks
pregnant at all.
So then I got to thinking – which celebrity pregnancy style do I find
the most interesting? A brief search on the
web rendered the following results. I
would say that Gwen Stefani’s maternity looks rank the highest on my list, as
her aesthetics probably resonate the most closely with my own.
My one advice for all of you expectant fashionistas out there would
be, if you do decide to pick a “style model,” try to choose one whose body shape
most closely resembles your own. In my
case, neither Kate nor Kim would fit the bill (and never mind Jessica
Simpson!). Try to also be realistic about how far along these celebs are. It makes no sense for you to compare yourself with somebody who is four months pregnant if you are six months along yourself (trust me, the difference is significant!).
Having said that, I went with a few ladies whose approach to dressing I could most identity with, and here are some
of my takeaways:
1)
Mixing with patterns is the way to go. Gwen seems particularly adept at this
throughout her pregnancy (and beyond), be it with florals or stripes (Fergie’s not bad
either). In general that is my personal
preference as well, which is why I still shop at non-maternity stores, even as
I hit my third trimester.
Loving Fergie's beach-preggy look in Rio.
2)
A blazer, plus flowy blouse and slacks will
always pull your look together.
Jessica Alba (aka the queen of blazers and colored pants), does a nice job here. Okay so when it comes to bottoms you cannot escape the maternity
department (my go-to solution has been leggings), but you can certainly get
creative when it comes to tops and jackets!
3)
When in doubt – always wear a maxi with
a light shirt/sweater. This is an easy
look (which I recently wore on the beaches of Barbados), particularly as we get larger. I
also think that having a little bit of a cover up (in a different color) can
look more flattering and effectively streamline your silhouette. This is key for me, as I find that long maxis
don’t always flatter me and my burgeoning belly – but wearing
something over it helps to balance out my proportions. Ms. Alba also seems to be a fan of this combo.
4) Don't be afraid to show some leg! This can be tough at times –
particularly when Mr. Swelly feet comes around, and you get cankles (a battle I
am currently fighting). Be that as it
may, I do like Kate Hudson’s approach to her peasant dress and sky-high heels, just be
sure to keep hydrated at all times!
5)
Long sleeve shirt dresses are the way to
go. I’ve been investing in a couple of these myself, as I find them to be the perfect balancing act, particularly for
the office. Plus, let’s be honest, as we
gain more weight all around, our arms get larger, which can look a bit ungainly
when bared. That is definitely on my
to-do list as far as body-toning goes! (Though I suspect that Halle Berry, even in her incredibly pregnant state, does not have the same problem).
6) Last but not least – when in doubt, always turn
to our fallback color of black, you can’t go wrong! I am loving Jenna Tatum’s ensemble here (though she doesn't look very far along there), and
if my swollen foot can squeeze into those boots, I would totally live in them!!! (Sidenote: Jenna also seems to love her denim cover-ups, which can be a nice casual day-look if that's your thing).
Above all – I would say, just have fun with your pregnancy
wardrobe! Get to know your body, what
works, what doesn’t – and also be realistic about how you dress. I personally find it a bit funny when
shopping on-line, and am quite convinced that half the models we see
in the ads are actually just wearing fake belly bumps, since real pregnant
women seldom look like that (take note Beyonce!). As your pregnancy progresses, your belly not
only protrudes outward, but it also increases in circumference overall),
which would inevitably make you look bigger and wider (something a prosthetic
belly bump just can’t mimic). This is
yet another reason why I’m a big fan of patterns and tailored blazers!
This past Saturday, I co-hosted a clothing swap at my place
with a friend. It was my first clothing
swap, and certainly not my last! I definitely
enjoyed the experience, and scored some fantastic finds (hint: new shoes, new
bag, new accessories, the list goes on and on)!! It’s an interesting social experiment
actually, and here are some key takeaways:
1)
A clothing swap is fun when you get a critical mass of people (I would
say not too many, and not too few). We
had about seven girls, which I thought was a good size. Overall, I would say that seven to eight would
be ideal – possibly even ten. Anything
beyond could be a bit complex to manage, and definitely makes for a less
intimate setting.
2)
Make sure that your guests are all roughly the same size (i.e., within 1-2 sizes
apart) and of similar backgrounds. You don’t have to be super rigorous with this
rule, but it is likely fair that if you’re all career women, then you would all
have a similar repertoire of clothes, which makes a swap rather handy, as then
the old adage of “one man’s waste is another man’s treasure” really bodes
true. I definitely saw plenty of J.Crew,
Banana, and Ann Taylor items amongst the swap collection, and that was just
fine for me. A girl could always use
some more staple items in her closet!
3)
Try to have an
eclectic range of categories.
For instance, our rules (which my co-host, who clearly had more swap
experience, raised), was that each lady should bring at least 3-4 pieces from at
least three categories (making it a minimum of 9-12 pieces overall). This includes tops, bottoms, dresses,
jewelry, belts, accessories, scarves, winter gear, and shoes. As such, there is a little something for everybody,
and you don’t all end up staring at a pile of vintage tops going, “what am I
going to do with those?!”
4)
Declare upfront that all leftover pieces will be donated to charity. Not only is this a good move for everybody involved
(e.g., how often do we think to ourselves, I really ought to clean out my closet
and take a bag or two to the Salvation Army?), but it is also a good motivating
factor for your guests. As a result,
they’ll bring more stuff, making a wider selection for the swap. In my case, hubby and I took the leftovers to
the Soho Thrift Shop Housing Works on 130 Crosby street the next day. Okay, so he carried most of the stuff, but I
still felt like a proud little do-gooder!
5)
Loosen up, have fun, and enjoy! A clothing swap is meant to be relaxing and
fruitful, and definitely a great opportunity to meet and bond with other
like-minded women (I highly recommend leaving some space for just hanging out
in the end, when you’re all done with swapping). In our case, we even played a fun little game post swap, where each of us chose
something from the “reject” pile, paired it up with an item from the “chosen”
pile, and came up with a fun little outfit (all within a set time constraint of
course!). For me, it was actually one of
the highlights of the day, and wouldn’t you know it – many of the ladies,
through the process, rediscovered items that they had originally
overlooked! It’s amazing what a fresh
pair of eyes could do for a wardrobe!
Plenty of shoes to choose from! Particularly a score for me, as my preggy swelly feet requires one size larger these days!!
At the end of the day, I couldn’t help but wonder – is part
of the reason we tire of our own closet due to the fact that is it ours
and therefore terribly familiar and no longer interesting? Could it be that once somebody else
introduces something “new” into our lives, be it of comparable quality or otherwise,
that we suddenly perk up because it is so novel, and we ourselves didn’t have
to spend the time and resources procuring that item? Or perhaps… we all cherish positive feedback,
and surrounding ourselves with a group of like-minded women reassuring you that
what you’re donning looks fabulous, is something that we universally find
uplifting and appealing?
It is all such fascinating psychology – one which I would
need more time (and more swap parties!) to figure out.
Of course, what's a clothing swap party without cupcakes, bubbly, and sweets?
Prior to the swap, my girlfriend also showcased her amazing jewelry line! Stay tuned for more dets.
Plenty of vintagey bling to pass around!
Some more of my gf's hand-made jewelry!
Trying one for size... which is somewhat reminiscent of what I were in Miami (same shirt too!).
I’ve been staying indoors because of snowstorm Nemo, who’s
been making the rounds all over the Northeast (it’s a miracle that hubby made
his flight this morning!). Eerily, this
feels similar to Sandy, where I was cooped up indoors (until being rudely
driven out into the streets due to a lack of electricity!). Needless to say, I’ve been feeling a bit stranded,
and had to cancel (or at the very least reshuffle) most of my evening plans
(which is unfortunate, given that it’s also Fashion Week in NY).
On the Monday before Sandy struck, I had taken to our pantry
and unleashed my pent up energy there – finding bizarre (and forgotten) condiments and canned
foods along the way. For Nemo, I decided
to shift my focus on jewelry organization instead.
It’s no secret that I am a big proponent of accessories – I think
that they’re the best method of livening up any ensemble, particularly when you
are on the road (see my tips for accessories and packing here). Unfortunately, at my home base I can be a bit
of an explosion, as I have a tendency to shed my belongings on the go,
prompting hubby to complain, “why does our entire apt look like YOUR bedroom?!”
and constantly gripe about a lack of free surface area.
In late 2011, I had hired a professional consultant to help
me organize my apartment (I figured I could learn a thing or two about the
trade). One thing she had recommended I
do was to get better organization tools for my accessories (the Container Store
was one of her recommendations). So here
are some takeaways, based on what I learned, and how I integrated these
techniques into my own lifestyle:
1)
For
earrings (and rings) – better to have them clearly displayed, so you know exactly what you
have. I tend to err towards wearing the same stuff over and over again,
simply out of sheer laziness and lack of time… but what I’ve found is that once
I can visualize my belongings better, I am able to be more flexible with my
choices, particularly during those hurried minutes in the morning!
2)
Necklaces
are meant to be hung. Here I’ve seen
a lot of clever variations, and really, in my view anything works so long as
you keep your pretty things untangled and hanging (my worst nightmares are jumbled-up
chains! I usually give them to hubby, who, for some reason, is far more adroit
than I am, weird). Some people prefer nails
on the inside of their closets. For me,
due to volume, this nifty little display set (seen below) works quite well.
3)
Keep you
bracelets in neat stacks, and… where possible – on display as well! I’ve seen some folks use clear, plastic, memorabilia boxes
and just pile them on. This might work
for bulkier pieces (i.e., those that you can’t fasten any Velcro around),
though I always find that once I pile a bunch of stuff into a box, I have a
tendency to just leave everything in there… which is not user-friendly, and completely defeats the
purpose! After all, you WANT to wear your bracelets
as much as possible.
At the end of the day, there are a zillion ways to display
and organize your jewelry. Though it is
important to recognize what works best for you.
If you don’t have a lot of stuff, I’d say go with a cute jewelry display
that one would find from a place like West Elm or CB2.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more industrial and
utilitarian, then I would lean more towards places like the Container Store. I used to like little vintage & bespoke
jewelry boxes, but what I’ve found over the years is that they’re never quite
enough, and then you just end up with mismatched nik naks everywhere! (Read:
clutter).
Bottom line: when it
comes to jewelry organization – it’s all about keeping things neat, clean, and
clearly exposed, so that you can always find what you want, especially when you’re
on the go!
Jacket: Dolce Vita | Bag: IMAGO-A c/o | Sweater: United Colors of Benetton | Top (not seen): Icebreaker | Leggings: Guess | Boots: Sigerson Morrison (last featured here) | Scarf: Rugby Ralph Lauren | Hat: Nolan (in Nolita) | Gloves: Urban
Outfitter | Necklace: From Barcelona (Picasso Museum),
last seen here
Winter… what a
drag! This past week has been the worst,
although with so much work piling up, I’ve been spending most of my time
in-doors, and minimalizing my exposure to the outside world with a combo of taxis and
car-service (sounds bad but what’s a girl to do!).
You know it’s
pretty bad when your face hurts as you walk outside.
That said, there’s
no need to let these frigid conditions compromise your fashion sense! I caught up with a good friend earlier in the
week, who was in town from Boston. He
also shot some of my previous office looks (see "Dress for Success" and "Beacon Hill Sophistication") while I was up there on a business
trip.
I love this get-up
because it encapsulates my winter essentials:
1)
A fun,
preferably patterned, and cozy winter scarf (a wardrobe must!)
2)
An
amazing pair of flat boots (comfort and style are key components here! You
should definitely not compromise on quality). Just think of the cost per wear!
3)
Cozy
hat – okay I may have overdone it with my Eskimo get-up, but I LOVE this hat!
4)
Colorful,
statement accessories (this is as much for your own sanity and nourishment as
anything else)
5)
Thick,
preferably fleece-lined leggings, ideal for tucking into boots
6)
Long,
chunky sweaters (extra bonus for cashmere!) – great for layering
7)
Several
pairs of warm socks – my preference is either cashmere, or these ridiculously
warm possum socks I get from New Zealand.
8)
Leather
gloves (even better if they’re lined in cashmere or fleece!), now is a time
that even I bid adieu to my favorite fingerless glovelettes.
9)
That
perfect winter coat (in my case, I’ve been wearing the heck out of this Dolce
Vita number, which, in spite of its traditional basic black, delights with its
fine leather detailing). It is my personal
solution to the winter puffy jacket.
I’m still not ready to embrace the Michelin marshmallow look just
yet…. though never say never!
10)
A fun
and vibrant handbag, key for injecting some color into your overall ensemble
(particularly if you’re wearing a monotone coat like I am here).
Above all – warmth is
key! I am a staunch believer that you
should have some warm-weather staples in your closet, so that when the weather
hits 12 degrees (Fahrenheit) again, you know that you have those ridiculously
warm and fab pieces from your wardrobe to rely on.
Bonus part – NOW is the right time to raid those “end-of-season” sales, as
retailers are rapidly making space for Spring (they are an optimistic bunch aren’t
they). This means that you won’t have to pay
full price on any of these quality staples!
Though personally I recommend doing your shopping on-line because, well baby it's cold outside.
Hopefully with
RockShic’s easy breezy winter check-list above, you can stay cozy and stylish in the nastiest of weather!!!
Happy weekend everybody!
I’ve been meaning to do an exposé on travel and packing for a while, and what better time to do so than right now, as I am in the midst of packing for yet another trip (this time for business).
I frequently get questions on how I pack, particularly as I like to get about different places quite often! Not really one to be renowned for being low-maintenance, I find that many of my friends and colleagues often express surprise (perhaps even genuine shock) when they see me turn up with a carry-on.
Truth be told, I’ve always been a carry-on kind of girl. I remember how impressed hubby was, when we first started dating some time ago… that I would turn up to NYC from DC with just a Sephora shopping bag in hand (secretly I think that’s what sealed the deal!). They say that the key to a man’s heart is via his stomach (which may well be true). But to quote the lovely Ms. Erykah Badu, there’s also nothing more attractive than a lady who prefers to “pack light.”
Ultimately, I like to think of myself as George Clooney in “Up in the Air,” though I swear I've been like this much earlier than the film's release.
So... pack light. How to do so? Well here are six tricks of the trade I’ve acquired over the years:
1) Roll up your clothes. Roll it like you would a dainty, pretty scarf! (The way a freshly cleaned towel is presented, for instance). This may not work so well for men’s shirts or bulky sweaters, but I find that it works great for most things (i.e., blouses, dresses, trousers, etc)... namely for three reaons: A) Your clothes are less likely to crease; B) It saves tons of room in your carry-on; and C) It’s also an excellent way to color code (for the super obsessive types A's like myself). I often create two neatly aligned columns, with rolls stacked up againt each other, interspersed by the occasional shoe or two.
2) Pack flats. For women, it is often more desirable to wear heels than flats, especially when we travel for work. However, anybody who’s tried to fit a pair of stilettos in a suitcase will tell you that the geometry simply doesn’t work in your favor. What to do? Pack more flats! (Ballerinas, sandals, etc etc). They are easy to wear (especially if you need to do a lot of walking), and they fold nicely in between rolled-up clothing. I generally prefer to wear the one pair of high heeled shoes (often times boots since they’re quite versatile for both day-time and evening) on the plane, so that I don’t have to worry about fitting them elsewhere. Of course, you can also opt to pack a small pair of flats in your personal tote/handbag, just in case you need to do that mile-long sprint in a state of panic! For this purpose, my personal go-to flats are Tieks by Gavrieli, as they fold-up and travel so nicely, and take up less space than a mini-purse in your handbag! Score.
Yes! It's true... I managed to fit all of these in my carry-on on a recent trip to <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/barcelona/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/barcelona/">Barcelona</a> (I wore the boots on the plane).
3) Pack your shoes individually, and not in pairs! Likely, this goes without saying – but I’ve learned over the years that it is far more beneficial for me to separate my shoes so as to minimize the amount of space utilized. I generally prefer to wrap them in the thinnest, smallest plastic bags possible (convenience and liquor stores are good sources for these). Of course, it also means that once I unpack in hotels, I’m left with half a dozen or so plastic bags like the bag lady I was trying to avoid… but trust me, they come in handy! I typically store them away in drawers, just so the cleaning staff doesn’t mistake them for garbage.
4) Pack a bag within a bag. Many of my girlfriends do this, and I think it's genius! Very often we ladies like to travel with more than one bag -- one for daytime and one for evening. So, if you’re going to pack an evening clutch or cross-body, why not capitalize on the prime real estate within? Undergarments, accessories, toiletries, valuables -- stuff them all in there!
5) Carry (never pack!) a second jacket. This likely only applies to the hyper fashion-conscious, or perhaps utilitarian types. Suppose that you'll be away for a considerable period of time, who’s to say that it won't rain? Or, better yet, you may get bored, and perhaps even depressed over the prospects of wearing the same black coat everyday? My solution to all of this is to bring a good second jacket (different color? Weatherproof? Your pick!), and carry it in your arms like an extra layer or blanket. The pay-off is huge! Plus, you could always use it as a back-up blanket on the plane, and no airline security can ever accuse you of exceeding your "two-bag" maximum! There’s nothing more luxurious then having wardrobe options while you're traveling. It makes me feel as though I’ve brought a piece of home with me abroad.
6) Accessories save the day. I am a huge proponent for accessories. In fact, in High School my girlfriends would point out how I spent all of my money on jewelry (I had much more limited funds back then). That said, accessories are the ideal travel companion as they’re compact, and can instantly brighten up your look! What’s not to love? Scarves are included in this category. They are the ultimate luxurious best friend.
Ultimately, packing is such an individualist process, and I’m sure everybody has their own preferences for doing so. (I’ve once chatted with a good friend, who broke down the exact number of credit cards he liked to carry on planes!). Given that so many things out of your control can go awry when you fly, my advice would be to try and minimize your stress-level by adopting the “carry-on” method!
About Me
Based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Rock Shic is an excerpt taken from my personal lookbook of real people around the world. It is a combination of aesthetics, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I also offer personalized Lookbook Consulting and Styling upon request. Please contact me at rockshic (at) gmail (dot) com. Services include: Wardrobe Analysis, Closet Organization, and Personal Shopping.
