Tag Archives: lookbook

Preppy Stripes & Casaual Chambray

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Chain reaction fashion /CHān rēˈakSH(ə)n ˈfaSHən/ noun: a series of outfits, each created by an item from the previous one.

December: Brr for Fur
January: Leopard Faux Fur & Preppy Stripes
February: Preppy Stripes & Casual Chambray

“I’ve never seen you wear anything more than once!” is a phrase I’ve become quite familiar with. If you’re doing a double take on some of the outfits in my recent posts, I can assure you that you are in fact seeing double. In a new series I shall call, “chain reaction fashion,” each month I will feature an item from the previous month, styled differently into a new outfit. Finally, I am going to prove that I DO wear things twice, just like how I put my pants on one leg at a time.

Old Navy chambray (similar) | Banana Republic striped tee (similar) | Zara jeans (similar) | vintage flower brooch (similar) | vintage belt (similar) | vintage handkerchiefs (similar here & here) | vintage purse (similar) | vintage Ferragamo slingbacks (similar)

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This outfit challenge proves that dressing up a simple striped top isn’t so black and white. While the high contrast graphic print makes for a striking fashion statement, there’s room to add a soft touch of casual chambray in there too.

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Jazzing up the basic stripes required a few small accessories: a skinny belt and a brooch. I rolled up the sleeves of my chambray top, and got right to work on fashioning a neck scarf, which is just two small handkerchiefs tied at the ends. Not only does this create a longer scarf to drape in the front, but it also incorporates two times the pattern play. My tiny red purse adds a pop of color to the outfit and brings out the specks of red in my neck scarf as well.

And the finisher to this outfit? None other than a classy pair of toe cap slingbacks. The only thing that could beat these vintage toe caps is a night cap.

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Old Navy chambray (similar) | Banana Republic striped tee (similar) | Zara jeans (similar) | vintage flower brooch (similar) | vintage belt (similar) | vintage handkerchiefs (similar here & here) | vintage purse (similar) | vintage Ferragamo slingbacks (similar)

stripes

Gift in a Box

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For Her

Gifts for Her

Have you ever received an unexpected gift during the holidays that caught you by surprise? On the one hand you’re delighted. A gift for moi? You shouldn’t have!

And then, reality sinks in. No really, you shouldn’t have.

We’ve all heard of the saying, “Tis better to give than to receive.” I can agree with this statement to some extent. There is nothing more gratifying than watching your dearest loved ones open a gift in delight to discover something hand picked especially for them. All the while, chestnuts are roasting on an open fire.

While this adage makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it fails to address the guilt befallen to the recipient. On more than a few occasions, I have been the giftee of many a generous gifter. But, like a dolt, I did not have any presents to give in return. Being the fruitcake that I am, instead of a graceful thank you, I offered what I think to be a guilt ridden expression on my face while I sheepishly accepted the present.

The moral of the story is: avoid that awkward social situation like the plague, and be prepared like Doomsday Preppers by having a few stocking stuffers handy, for both his and hers in mind.

You can thank me later – as long as the gift comes wrapped in a pretty little box.

Gifts for Him

For Him

Feast Your Eyes

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I hope you can agree with me that there is much to be thankful for in life. If you have decent friends and family (minus the crazy aunt), then chances are you already have come up in life. But sometimes the going gets tough, and when it does, I often remind myself that things could be worse. And by worse I mean succumbing to gym clothes for Thanksgiving dinner.

Yes, stretchy gym clothes are quite comfortable, I agree. Yet gym clothes have their place in the gym, and there are alternative ways to stay comfy without compromising style. Whether you’re attending a Thanksgiving dinner with family, or enjoying a potluck Friendsgiving, be sure to steal the feast’s spotlight by being a feast for the eyes! Who says you can’t be well dressed while being well fed?

Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce will be consumed, with food stains sure to follow. Black will be the color of choice. Not only can it withstand the stain of spilled red wine, its slimming effect will be much relief after so much gluttony.

Between a figure forgiving shift dress or a glammed up pair of jogger pants, the choice is up to you. Just remember that gratitude is the best attitude, so wear it on your sleeve.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Layers Lockdown

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Dear Diary,

I have a confession to make: I’m in love with layers.

I remember my very first diary. It had teddy bears on the cover accompanied with the words “Bear Song.” In it I bared my soul. Pages and pages riddled with my cutesy juvenile penmanship declaring my schoolgirl crushes, bemoaning the trials and tribulations of friendships, worrying about good grades and other #13yearoldproblems. To prevent prying eyes from stumbling upon my innermost thoughts and feelings, my diary was secured by a lock. I wore the key around my neck and close to my heart for safekeeping.

It is silly to believe that flimsy little lock could really keep my secrets secure. If anyone wanted to break into my diary, a hairpin or strong yank on the lock would do it. While I no longer have use for a diary, I have discovered an alternate use for that lock. I found these diary locks for dirt-cheap by the handful, and re-purposed them into something wearable. 1 chain + 1 skeleton key + multiple locks = 1 fabulous innuendo laden necklace. A statement piece for sure, it makes a great addition to my layered autumn outfit.

Multiple layers begs the question, how to mix and match? The answer is to stay awash with neutrals of navy, grey, tan, and taupe – a color palette that is perfect for the season.

My dad’s wool cardigan vest coupled with my cotton knit cardigan provided just the right amount of warmth I needed with minimal bulk. I recently wore this outfit to brunch on a cool overcast morning. By the afternoon, the sun had broken through the clouds, and my body temperature was 98 degrees and rising. Luckily, all I had to do was peel back my layers like an onion to keep my cool.

It is safe to say I’ve got this layered look on lockdown. But with so many locks and just one ill-fitting skeleton key, what should I do?

Wait, I have an idea. Call a locksmith!


vintage sweater vest (similar) / BDG cardigan (similar) / BDG moto jeans (similar) / Alternative tee (similar) / Hinge oxfords / vintage necklace (similar)

Autumn Layers

Sweater Weather

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Darkness now encroaches earlier each day in the northern hemisphere thanks to daylight savings, and the weather is changing whether I like it or not. Yet I still refuse to succumb to this sweater weather. How will I transition my dress wearing ways with winter on the horizon? All hail the sweater dress as the heroine for this style conundrum!

Sweater dresses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whether you prefer a chunky longer version of a sweater top, a fit and flare silhouette, cable knit, or fine gauge, there’s a sweater dress for every body shape.

Try wearing a sweater dress with bare legs and a pair of heels for now – if you dare. It won’t be long until boots and tights are needed to stay cozy on a dreary winter day. It’s a cinch with a belt if you’d like.

What other dress can boast to keep you looking stylish, while staying warm and comfortable? You’ll want to wear these cozy beauties until they’re threadbare.

Sweater Dresses

 

1. Alfani cable knit cowl neck 2. Merona drop waist 3. Belted cowl neck  4. Calvin Klein ribbed & belted
5. Calvin Klein ribbed fit & flare 6. Jessica Simpson cable knit 7. LAmade colorblock 8. MINKPINK Chalet Girl
9. Eliza J fit & flare 10. Topshop 11. Treasure & Bond 12. Betsey Johnson plaid fit & flare

Silver Linings Lookbook

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All the single ladies, all the single ladies, now put your hands up!

Oh, the dreaded bouquet toss. There’s something embarrassing about parading up to the dance floor like a herd of cattle. You’re up there with all types of single ladies: the flower girls, the teenagers, the eager to be wed ladies, and maybe an old maid or two. I never actually go out of my way to try to catch the bouquet, instead opting for a blasé approach to guarantee that no bouquet will land in my closed fists. However, there was one traumatic occasion when this strategy failed. With my eyes wide in shock and mouth agape, I was so caught off guard that the beautiful bouquet dropped from my clutches and onto the floor. I stood there frozen in disbelief while a small scuffled ensued around me. A seven year old victor finally emerged from the crowd of single ladies and she proudly held up the flowers above her head while smiling from ear to ear.

I’ve already attended a few weddings so far and with a couple more still to go before summer is over, what should I wear? I’ve got 27 dresses in my closet, but it’s hard to choose one. A floral frock or a powder blue 70s’ gown? My head was spinning with so many choices. Luckily, every cloud has a silver lining, and this was a golden opportunity to cool it down with head to toe silver for a recent summertime wedding.

With diamonds and crystal beads on my wrist and roses at my feet, this silver sheath dress, once long forgotten in my closet, was brought back to life. I got excessive with all my rhinestone brooches that rarely see the light of day. The result: a blinged out right shoulder that was so heavy it caused my dress to droop. I love me a good cardigan with all my vintage frocks, and this one with a lace inset and tiny diamonds embedded throughout is perfect for my 1950s inspired silver look.


silver dress (similar dress) / vintage cardigan (similar cardigan) / Nina rose heels (similar heels) / various rhinestone brooches (similar brooch & brooch) / crystal bead bracelet (similar bracelet)

Who says silver comes second? Once wedding season is over, I think I’m going to incorporate silver into my everyday wear. Whether its a whole lotta silver, or just a sliver of silver, checkout my gold medal first place worthy looks here.

Silver Look 1

Look1

Silver Look 2

Look2

Silver Look 3

Look3

Wanderlust

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I want to get away. I want to fly away.

When I was 22, I was bit by the travel bug and was diagnosed with a chronic case of wanderlust, curable only with frequent vacations in international doses.

I am far from being a jet setter, but I am no stranger when it comes to traveling to far away lands. I love to sightsee, experience culture shock, and devour culinary delights. Immersing myself in a foreign place only makes me thirst for more novel environments. Although life’s daily demands and financial obligations make it hard to travel more often, I try my best to make time for it to keep my wanderlust at bay.

While I’m currently saving up my PTO and plotting my next getaway, I like to play dress up as a tourist – but in the chicest way possible. This thrifted blouse was a tourist trap, quite figuratively. I picked it up at a clothing swap I attended long ago. Normally I would not pay good money for a shirt like this, but since it was free, I had nothing to lose.

To prevent the full-on tourist look, I avoided khaki colored bottoms of any sort. Since the shirt is a bit boxy, I opted for a pair of mid rise skinny jeans to tuck in the excess fabric and show off a more shapely silhouette. My summer tourist shoes of choice are my trusty pair of espadrilles – the small wedge is just high enough to give me some height and I can still walk miles in them. A headscarf is a must, in order to keep that unruly travel hair under control. Now that I’ve got the outfit down, all I need is to book a ticket to a beachy travel destination. Any suggestions?


thrifted blouse (similar blouse) / Urban Outfitters jeans (similar jeans) / Unisa espadrilles (similar espadrilles) / Fossil sunglasses (similar sunglasses)

What kind of traveller are you? Do you like to get lost in a big city or be one with nature?Do you prefer a planned daily itinerary or do you just wing it? Are you a rest and relax type of person, or an on the go sightseer? No matter what type of traveller you are, make sure you look stylish doing so. After all, don’t you want to look stunning in all your travel photos? Whether you’re headed to the beach, a metropolis, or an outdoor glamping adventure, checkout my wanderlust lookbook for ideas on what to wear on your next trip.

Life’s a Beach

Life's a Beach

Goin’ Sightseein’

Goin' Sightseein'

A Glamping We Will Go

A Glamping We Will Go

I Wanna Americana

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I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T do you know what I mean?

Independence Day, also known as Fourth of July, celebrates the United States Declaration of Independence. It was way back in 1776 that we gained independence from Great Britain, and we have been celebrating our freedom ever since. For many, this holiday means the start of a long weekend filled with activities such as picnics, barbecues, drinking, parades, county fairs, and let’s not forget the dazzling evening finale: the fireworks show. One must celebrate in style, so show off your National pride by saluting to the red, white, and blue. Baby, you’re a firework – don’t you wanna Americana?

Americana style is quite broad, but it draws inspiration from none other than the American flag. You can either just wear the red, white, and blue solid colors of the flag or choose to go down the patterned route with stars and stripes. Take it one step further, and incorporate a flag motif into your outfit. Americana is often associated with anything denim, which is as American as they come (thank you, Levis Strauss). Whether its a boho look with a fringed crop top tee and denim cutoff shorts, or a preppy look with a collared blouse, chinos, and boat shoes, there are many sides to the Americana look that are as diverse as the American history of which it reflects. If wearing the American flag isn’t quite your thing, there are plenty of stylish options to show your patriotism. Checkout my July 4th inspired lookbook!

The Lookbook: Stripes on Stripes / Stars & Overalls / Plaid Casual

I recently had the privilege of attending afternoon tea with the Queen. When one is in the presence of the Queen, one must keep calm and wear a hat worthy of her royal highness. In patriotic fashion, I donned a tea-time appropriate Americana inspired outfit in red, white, and a dash of blue. She spoke lovingly about her family, and also inquired about how I was liking my independence in the states. Alas, it was time to say cheerio, and she was ever so gracious to escort me to the airport in her state car to properly bid me adieu.

Have a fun and safe Fourth of July everyone!


vintage hat (similar hat) / thrifted cardigan (similar cardigan) / DIY bow-tie (similar bow-tie) / Carol Anderson Petites dress (similar dress) / Nina Dolls shoes (similar shoes & shoes)

White Hot Heat

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What’s long and hot?

Why, summer solstice of course! The first day of summer officially kicks off this weekend in the Northern Hemisphere. While it may not be the hottest day (although some places have experienced heat waves already), June 21st is the longest day of the year. With up to 16 hours of daylight, what will you be wearing? Better do it right and wear white.

There are many pitfalls to wearing white, namely red wine. Even if you aren’t particularly clumsy, you’re likely to be around someone who is. White can get stained easily, tends to become less white with age, and may also make you look larger than life. But even with all these caveats, isn’t it worth it for the color that keeps you the coolest under the hot summer sun?

It’s time for a new season, so why not get off to a fresh start with a clean white slate? Check out my white hot summer lookbook for key investment pieces that can transition easily from the daytime highs to warm summer night lows with just a few simple accessory edits. Like what you see? Get styled by me for free – details at Keaton Row.

The Little White Dress

 The White Hot Pant

The Little White Peplum

Chambray for Days

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Gonna dress me up in chambray, all over all over. From my head down to my toes.

I’ll be having naysayers of a head to toe chambray ensemble saying touché by the time I’m done with this post. I rarely go monochromatic in my outfits, but I was inspired by my recent purchase of a pair of chambray jogger pants. The natural lightweight hand of the soft fabric coupled with the relaxed pant silhouette means that I will be wearing these pants down to the threads.

I paired the jogger pants with my one and only chambray top and a wide belt to help create the illusion of a jumpsuit. I couldn’t have topped my look off better than with a chambray floppy hat. If my times tables is correct, and I’m normally pretty glam, then chambray x 3 = glambray, correct?

Chambray is the new neutral, which means this outfit is the perfect blank canvas to be punched up with some color. A lemony yellow cardigan helps brighten up the outfit with the all-over felted flowers acting almost as a print. Both the color and flower “pattern” of the cardigan helps compliment the solid monochromatic look. Checkout my chambray lookbook for ideas on how to piece together your head to toe chambray outfit.

Normally, I don’t like to over accessorize, but I couldn’t refrain from wearing this cute cork beaded necklace and earring set from the 1970s. Not only are the shades of Easter pastels enchanting, but the necklace itself is as light as a feather. I also couldn’t stay away from this darling 1960s daisy brooch. It serves a functional purpose to keep the floppy hat from being so floppy over my face.

I recently wore this outfit to a friend’s picnic in the park. The weather was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and I got to mingle and meet new people. The best part was when I found out the bocce ball set she had brought matched my necklace precisely. I had a ball doing a photoshoot with them, so much that it caused a scene. I guess I’m just a ball hog.


H&M hat / Old Navy blouse (similar blouse) / Urban Outfitters pants (similar pants) / Natural Comfort shoes (similar shoes & shoes) / Fossil bag (similar bag) / vintage daisy brooch / vintage cork bead necklace & earrings