I am ready to make a declaration to you. Contrary to popular belief, there is really NO right and WRONG with regards to fashion. Following strict old school rules has become as antiquated as the rotary dial phone and phonebooks (SWEAR!) I have completely shattered all rules that were passed along to me from my prior generation.
Denim: AG /Sweater: Jcrew/ Boots: Michael Kors /Sunglasses: Ray Ban / Watch: Ulysse Nardin / Fur: vintage / Clutch: custom snake skin in NYC / Ring: Carrera y Carrera/ Necklace: Gito Englewood NJ
I have embraced mixing metals (silver and gold). I wear peep toe shoes almost all year round. One of my many mottos is “toes unless it snows”. My favorite color combination is the forbidden navy coupled with black. And, I LOVE wearing white all year round (yes pre and post labor day). This old age rule is a thing of the past. White is a huge part of designers collections on and off the runway for fall/winter 2014 season. As well as trending high on pintrest from novice purveyors of style. Wearing white all year oozes confidence. Coco Chanel famously wore white whenever she wanted, so why shouldn’t we?
When wearing white in cold weather climates, choose pieces in appropriate fabrics for the season: wools, tweeds, chunky knits, leather and soft sweaters. Avoid linen, thin jersey cotton and silk. Try mixing shades, pair white with cream or off white. Its even acceptable to pull out your white denim. Select a boot cut or straight leg and avoid a cropped capris style exposing bare leg. With regards to shoe options for white jeans I prefer putting on tan/brown boots or booties. Why not try selecting a cream dress or matching separates and pair with black tights and pumps (chic)! When sporting white in the winter you will need to be crafty. It can be a bit annoying dodging sand, salty slush and snow. However the fashion rewards far outweigh the negatives.
As a stylist, I do however have set in stone guidelines, (not rules per se) but rather the voice of fashion reasoning. For the love of (insert a person/thing of worship here), please help me clean up our daily runways (aka streets) and try to abided by the following:
wear nylon (due to weather conditions or enjoy the control top), just pair with a pump. Nylon fabric pushing out of the sandal is a major 911 especially when the toe seam is visible.
As always I hope I have inspired you. If I have send me a picture or a message!
Xo-ck
I have often said sometimes a person should find the confidence to set a trend vs follow one. Why not try stepping out of your comfort zone, get a little crazy and attempt something different? Do something where acheterdufrance.com people will emulate YOU vs the opposite. I dare you! Last spring I was planning an “ensemble” to wear to an upcoming party. I selected a stunner of a bright red draped dress, with a high gathered neckline in the front and a plunging open back. I was in a bit of a quandary regarding accessories. I could of course wear a big statement earring and cuff and call it a day, but I decided to get a bit ambitious. I put the dress on and started experimenting in front of my mirror (come on we all do it). I pulled out my BOVET timepiece that transforms into a necklace which I always throw on when I’m donning my menswear inspired garb (check out my recent blog if not familiar). I put it on, contemplated for a second and flipped it onto my back. I pondered, could be super chic to wear a necklace in a place least expected. YES!.
I would like to express that I considered wearing a back necklace prior to Jennifer Lawrence wearing her Chopard chain backwards at the 2013 Oscars. Though her doing so, only helped create a buzz which I would like to think in a very SMALL way I helped create too! Well at least in my universe.
Neither Jennifer Lawrence or I actually created the backward necklace trend per se but we just resurrected it. Like all great fashion trends, they come back just a bit tweaked from the the first time they were innovated. I can not further this conversation without a mention of the great Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, who perfected this look with her little black dress and three stain pearls draped exquisitely on nape of her back or Princess Diana wearing her crushed amethys colored velveteen dress with a single strain of peals knotted and draped along her back in 1985 (SICK).
How to achieve this look one might ask? You do not need to be wearing a fancy gown with a plunging back. Try it with a deep v or scoop back sweater and a pair of jeans and sky high heels. Or perhaps a great casual jersey knit cotton dress that has a low back or large key hole paired with a wedge. Consider putting your hair in a slicked back pony tail or messy side bun to really show off your back jewels.
When looking for a necklace to wear front to back, I would suggest one with delicate clasp or none at all. If you select a necklace with a pendent make sure its not to big and heavy or it will be uncomfortable on the front of your neck (choking is not fashionable). Try for a chain length that falls around the 1/3 of your back. That is a great length to make an impression. If you opt to wear one more causal with a sweater, I would suggest pairing it with a simple lariat.
I might be asking you to think outside of the box. You can do it and if you do, don’t forget to send me a picture or shoot me a message. As always, I hope to inspire you. That makes me beyond happy (proud really).
xo- CK