styling scarves | wrap it up

scarves are the textile industry’s inexpensive gift to the masses. with just a little scrap of functional rectangular or square cloth you can instantly transform an outfit from opera formal to artsy, edgy, preppy, Parisian, etc. scarves are also a way to make a stylistic departure from your usual aesthetic while still playing it safe. when picking out a scarf a) texture, b) color, and c) length are the top three concerns.

as a veteran scarf freak (my closet is an alarming jungle gym of colorful cloth) one question I receive a lot is: “how did you tie your scarf like that?” that’s the other hidden beauty with scarves: one scarf can transform numerous ways into a multitude of varying looks.  ivillage has a short slideshow on how to wrap a scarf 7 basic ways. they don’t include a lot of techniques (e.x. doubling the scarf around your neck twice for volume and securing it with a little brooch—a personal favorite) but it does lay out the basics. Enjoy!

Source| meloveschallah

mix n' match | texture

goal: mixing textures to create visual interest for spring.

formula (just add thick cardigan or a leather jacket):

milk white mini dress + croc print gold clutch + pink shoes = nice

milk white mini dress + croc print gold clutch + L.A.M.B booties adorned with gold hardware = naughty (& nice).

 

or

 

you pick

credits| Modcloth mini dress| Grape clutch| J.Crew shoes| L.A.M.B booties

 

neighborhood watch | the ugly statement necklace

there are breathtakingly elegant statement necklaces and then there are the ugly ones. wearing an ugly one is the pop culture equivalent of being on the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore. (it's tempting because it's alluring in a cheap sort of way, but ultimately you will regret the bad press.) Simple statement necklace rule: if you see one adorned with disco sequins and synthetic feathers: don't wear it.

it belongs in a bedazzled chicken coop, not around your neck.

beautiful statement necklace:

ugly statement necklace:

(beautiful) statement necklace credit| Elva Fields

style travels | lemon luggage

soak in the citrusy goodness of this tart globe trotter suitcase for a moment.

euphoric? good.

now drown in the sourness of the price tag. [$1600]

Source| J.Crew

textile timeline

"W" magazine January issue features an atypically fluid "Looks for Spring" spread (can be found here) shot by Craig McDean. ignore the spindly models (who look so famished they might suddenly consume one another mid-photo shoot) and appreciate the imaginative color and textile progression of the timeline. it begins with fleshy, nude-colored dresses (boring), drifts into pastel florals (I've opened one eye), marches on to tribal prints (fully alert now), slithers toward exotic textures and hues (clapping hands in delight at this point), and concludes with mischievous vintage-y lace mini-dresses (have fallen off chair in a burst of sensory exhaustion).

most noticeable trend: mini dresses.

note to self: work out legs. legs are in for spring.

Stylist| alex white

Source| "W"