eclechick

staples...they really hold "things" together (part four)

aahhh let's see...the last staple item we shed light on was the pencil skirt. so it would only be fitting to make the next item...black pumps!!

this shoe comes in all makes and models; platform, wedge, stiletto, pointed toe, round toe, square toe, suede, leather, canvas, patent leather...i could go on and on. but, the basic black pump (no platform, no wedge) is the main focus today. wondering why? this shoe can be worn anywhere, anytime, with almost anything year round which makes them a necessity!! now you understand why this made the staples list right? get it, got it, good. *smile* 

camouflage, olive hues & heels...oh my!

i don't know why but i've always had a thing for feminine camouflage. it has an eclectic flair that i can't get enough of. balmain, alexander wang, james perse, givenchy and giuseppe zanotti seem to like it too! check out my faves: balmain silk georgette camouflage top, giuseppe zanotti peep toe booties & the alice + olivia strapless drape dress. the balmain top is beyond my price range...but a chick can still admire from a distance. add this color pallette to your list of fashion do's for s/s2010!!

 

put it in neutral

khakis, creams, beiges and many other muted tones set the s/s2010 runways ablaze. this fashion do get's two thumbs way up from me. what say you?  try these shops: 1, 2, 3 & 4 to put your wardrobe in neutral.
 

let's play hide & sleek...spanx style

every chick likes to have a sleek, smooth look under clingy clothes. let's face it, no one is perfect and we all can't afford surgery, personal trainers, chefs, etc. here's a way to "fake it, 'til you make it" or at least "smooth it, 'til you loose it"!! the hide & sleek hi-rise panty designed by spanx may be able to lend a helping hand. i know some people view spanx as the ultimate torture dome, however, a little smoothing goes a long way. so suck it up...literally!! until next time...stay up and keep it fresh!! xo   
  

 

staples...they really hold "things" together (part three)

what's a wardrobe without a skirt? specifically, a pencil skirt; this is an essential piece that easily transitions from work to play. pencil skirts are a perfect mix of sexy and sophistication and every lady should have at least 5 in various lengths, materials and colors. think about it...fall/winter materials differ from spring/summer because of the weight of the fabric. black is always in, however, khaki, white or a even one in a vibrant color or pattern is acceptable.  i'm going to keep it simple today and stick to the basics...BLACK, you can never go wrong with this color. dress it up or dress it down and it works. i love classic cotton ones with a hint of stretch, however, designers have been experimenting with different blends and i like it. check it out...

   
james perse

james perse took the classic pencil skirt and made it out of soft jersey material!! i love it, this skirt is the epitome of sexy meets sophistication. these are the elements that put the extra in extraordinary. 

i tried to fight it, but i lost the battle...

j. crew

that color is AMAZING, just in time for spring. stay tuned for more staple items. until next time...stay up and keep it fresh!! xo 
 

 

staples...they really hold "things" together (part deuce)

next up is the white tee...you can never go wrong with a classic fitted white tee. i'm drawn to v necks because...i have great cleavage and love to flaunt it in a tasteful manner of course. *eyelashes batting* fitted crew necks, scoop necks and my personal fave v necks are the perfect way to achieve an effortlessly chic look. it's the perfect blank canvas; adorn your neck with eye-catching necklaces, surround your wrists with a variation of baubles, or opt to add beautiful/funky pins to your tee. it's a simple essential that can be worn with any style jean, skirt, short,trouser, underneath a blazer...i could go on and on. lna manufactures some of the most luxuriously soft, yet comfortable tees that i've ever worn...

crew neck

you can also find great ones at: j.crew, splendid & c&c california; just to name a few. tune in on monday for the next addition to the staples.  until next time...stay up and keep it fresh!! xo

  

staples...they really hold "things" together

a really close girlfriend made an eye opening statement; "i'm only going to purchase staple pieces for now." my mind immediately ran to my closet and started flipping through all of the clothes, dresses, tops, skirts and everything else. and i too realized that i need (not want) but NEED to purchase some staple pieces too.

staples are a necessity to any wardrobe, go to items that can easily blend with almost anything...similar to a chameleon. view them as the foundation, a wardrobe can be built on these items.  i asked 3 fashionable friends what there staple pieces were and collaborated a list for all of you eclechicks to follow.  throughout the week you'll see what made the list and why they will really hold your wardrobe together. enjoy!!

first up...

the basic blazer (elizabeth and james: blade runner)!!  dress it up or dress it down...it can even be glunged out (glam + grunged)!! the diverseness of this piece allows you to wear it with jeans, leggings, skirts of any length, jeggings (jeans + leggings) or trousers. plus camis, blouses, tees or even a bra (wink) can be worn underneath. blazers are a quick fix to a fitted tee and skinny jeans, just add a great shoe and jewelry...voila!!  black is always in, however, white, gray, cream or vibrant hues of fuschia, cobalt, turquoise and red are a sassy pick me up from the norm.

next of kin...

bb dakota: katelyn blazer
   
  

legs of lace

lace leggings made a small blip on the style scene this summer, unfortunately, no one really picked up on it because of various reasons. one main one that i can think of is, the people wearing the lace selection gave them a raunchy appeal, that look just isn't appealing to everyone. designers have since changed the design up a little and to be honest, they've caught my eye. i've heard some people refer to wearing leggings as "lazy dressing" but i beg to differ, it's all in how you wear them. your choice of shoes, tops, jackets, jewelry, etc can make or break a pair of leggings and these pieces also set the tone of the direction that you want the outfit to go in. in this case, the lace adds a sophisticated appeal that i really like.

check out my top choices: 1, 2, 3 & 4. the fourth selection is a little on the risque side for me, but, i think they're stylish and fun!! what do you think?  

 

pretty little baubles

i was never one to wear a lot of accessories until...hmmmm maybe about 3 years ago, and now i can't get enough of them!! i love unique, larger than life rings and bracelets, and this season; alexis bittar, kenneth jay lane and alexander mcqueen haven't let me down. every girl loves pretty things to look at, why not adorn your wrist and hand with whimsical, beautiful and extraordinary baubles?!! go ahead, you'll find that you love it too. pretty baubles can take a basic outfit from 1 to 100 with a simple slip on. shop my list of favorites below:

1. kjl: link chain bracelet 2. noir: disco deco cocktail ring 3. behnaz sarafpour: metallic braided cuff 

4. majorica: multi-sized pearl ring 5. alexander mcqueen: stud textured bracelet 

6. alexis bittar: dust bubble ring 7. alex & ani: blue bell bangles 8. alexis bittar: jeweled cocktail ring       
 

strong shoulders revisited

remember when i first turned you on to the shoulder pad trend? i was riding the fence when it came to wearing tops, blazers, etc with them because they were reminiscent of line backers and dorothy from golden girls (i must admit i heart that show). now i'm all for this look!! in small doses...for some reason it seems like this trend is a little on the expensive side; i've seen tops starting at $130!! spending a large amount of money on a trend like this is preposterous to me. so what's a girl to do? no worries, while perusing through some of my favorite shopping sites i found a top worthy of mentioning. i present to you...the serious shoulder dress.

super cute, the shoulders are emphasized and here's the best part...it's inexpensive!! the crew over at shop nasty gal are always on point, you can purchase it here! and clearly you won't suffer from buyer's remorse because of the price. pair this up with some intricately designed leggings if you think it's too short and voila, you've captured one of the "it" styles for the season without spending a lot of moolah!