I love this post from Sarah of note to self. Make sure you head over to her blog to read the rest of the post!
She's always full of inspiring photos and has a keen eye for gorgeous design. I definitely encourage you to check out her blog and follow her on Twitter.
Good hair, great legs, killer eyeliner- yes, I've been inspired by a character from every geek boy's dreams. Though we didn't really enjoy Tron Legacy, I'm definitely pulling a lot of great inspiration from Quorra, the movie's female lead.
I'm not saying that I'm going to go full-out-futuristic on you, but don't be surprised if a pair of faux-leather leggings pop up in a future outfit post. Ooooh the possibilities!
Faux-leather leggings + chunky sweater + great boots = perfection. I already have the boots and sweater, now I just need the leggings. Do you like the look?
Under $20: Eugenia Kim for Target
Under $30: Gap, AMI Clubwear, Modcloth
Under $40: ASOS, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters
Under $50: Free People, Anthropologie (x2)
Enter Henrietta Pertuz, a designer whose clothing is tailored for petite and stylish ladies like myself. Here are a few tips on shopping petite from Henrietta herself, as well as some photos of her pieces. Enjoy!
Henrietta Pertuz's five tips for petite fashionistas:
1) If you buy something off the rack in a regular size and you are petite (5'4" or shorter), it probably does not fit you correctly. I learned this the hard way, and it's the reason why I started my clothing line. I spent most of my twenties in clothes with sleeves that partly covered my hands, armholes that were too low, dresses that hit mid-calf and pants that were too long -- or hemmed with masking tape, or hemmed too short. Either find time for the tailor or buy clothes made for petite women.
2) Stay away from pants that are too long. I still can't erase the image of myself falling on my face in front of my college crush because my jeans were too long! A 29"-30" inseam works for most petite women. If you are a shorter petite (under 5'0") and must hem, still start with a petite size. This way, at least you know the rise and hip measurements will fit you and you won't have to recreate the whole garment.
3) Baggy clothes don't do us any favors. I wore lots of baggy sweaters and muu muu-esque clothes after gaining the freshman 15, and still shudder in horror when I see the photos! I looked like I had gained the freshman 30. The reverse is true, too. If you are tiny (say, under 100 lbs), wearing really baggy clothes can make you look much younger. Petite women have lots of different body shapes. If you are more voluptuous, as many petite women are, you should embrace your curves.
4)
Dressing in one color and wearing vertical lines (pleats, ruffles, or
stripes) can definitely lengthen your frame. But finding the right fit
is just as important. Those stripes won't work for you unless the
garment fits well.
5) Finding good fit and quality is much more important than following a trend. If you like the way something fits you, and it is well-made, then you should buy it in 2-3 colors and keep it forever. Buy wardrobe "building blocks" that fit and flatter your body shape. Shift dresses, skinny pants that go from day to night, the perfect button down blouse to show off your lovely collarbone...these are examples of investment pieces that will never go out of style. You can pass down to your kids, nieces, etc. and they'll love you for it!
How awesome do Sophie and I look in this photo...not! Well, Sophie looks adorable, I'm making a really scary face. It's like I didn't photograph well as a child! I think I was probably around 13 when this was taken, based on the fact that I was wearing one of my favorite tank tops of that time period.
I liked to call it my "cotton candy" shirt because of it's blue and pink stripes. I remember thinking it was really cool to have your bra straps showing when wearing a tank top. Cool, Alana. Really, cool.
ps- wow, I don't remember the last time I looked "so tan." London, you are not helping with my complexion!
If you haven't noticed, I have a slight obsession with Audrey Hepburn and her amazing style. I loved her looks in Charade, and was even more impressed with her style in Funny Face.
In this movie, Audrey plays Jo, a mousy bookstore clerk with high ideals and an extreme distaste for silly things like fashion. When she is chosen by magazine editor Maggie Prescott and photographer Dick Avery to star in a modeling campaign, Jo reluctantly agrees, only because the contract involves a trip to Paris.
There, Jo is transformed into a stylish fashion model who is the star of a fun photo shoots and gets to wear some amazing clothing. She even falls in love along the way.
In this movie, Audrey wears a lot of black- turtle necks, shoes, pants...her understated style is perfect for Paris, where even as an American, she seems to fit in. For the fashion shoots, Audrey is dressed in simple, elegant dresses. It was so fun to see how each "shot" came together.
I'm hoping to emulate Audrey's Funny Face style next week, after I finally do some laundry. Have a great weekend lovlies!
I know what you're thinking...a dressing room video? That sounds dirty. Well, it's not. In fact, it's actually quite awesome. How fun is this video? Now I kind of want to make my own. Who's in? I'm pretty sure I like every outfit except the maxi dress/t-shirt combo. What do you think?
Thank goodness for fantastic readers like Amy, who sent over this amazing blog post- how fantastic is that boots photo? Kind of makes me want to go to Texas right now. When I think of Texas, I immediately think Mexican food. The Mexican fare in England sort of (sorry mom) sucks. I recently had to explain the concept of "tex-mex" to a non-American. Ha.
Hi there, I'm Amy. I live, work and play in Dallas, Texas. I have been reading Alana's blog for quite some time and I love her fashion posts. While I do not typically post on fashion, I thought I would give it a try for once!
I lived in New York my first year out of college and heard all of the preconceived notions outsiders have of Texas. People have grandiose visions of Texans riding horses, growing up with cowboy hats permanently attached to our heads and being somehow associated with the show Friday Night Lights There is some truth to the rumors: though I have only ridden a horse once in my life, my aunt and uncle do live on a ranch and raise cattle in Central Texas, and I grew up in the suburbs, but going to hometown football games was indeed the thing to do on a Friday night.
I live in Dallas now, the unofficial national capital of platinum blondes in the U.S., but also home to a lot of great shopping. I know, you are so surprised that Prada, Gucci and Barney's would ever venture South of the Mason-Dixon Line, aren't you? Dallas women may be better known for hair volume that would rival Shelby Eatenton's in Steel Magnolias, but they also know how to dress.
Cowboy boots in particular can be worn just about anywhere in Texas. Men can wear them to work, to a football tailgate, or on a date, and women likewise. Cowboy boots may have gained brief national popularity as a trend a few years ago, but they are a lifelong staple in the wardrobe of a Texan. They are understated, comfortable and they go with just about anything. I have seen women wear them anywhere from a Saturday brunch to church to two-stepping (it's dancing, Google it), and it's not unusual to see them worn under wedding and debutante gowns. You can get them custom-made, and I even have a few friends with vintage pairs their mothers passed down to them. They are the ultimate in Texas chic.
One of my lovely roommates, KS, who is in interior design school and has a closet full of Neiman Marcus, is modeling a few examples of what I am talking about. The photos will hopefully debunk the myths that cowboy boots can only be worn on Halloween and that we don't have winter in Texas. (Yes, that snow is real! Last I heard, we had nearly a foot on the ground this weekend... it was magical.)
So here's me trying on some amazing yellow pumps at the vintage market on Brick Lane. Hmm, how would you rock these babies? I'm thinking skinnies, grey sweater, white tank, chunky necklace. Thoughts?
It's no secret that Audrey Hepburn was, is and always will be a style icon to fashionable women everywhere. Though most people are familiar with Audrey's black dress, long pearls and big sunglasses worn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, I've come to love her structured coats, well fitted dresses and fun hats in Charade.
The movie itself was entertaining at times, though less than phenomenal (it's an over-exaggerated "thriller," if you can even call it that). What impressed me the most was the style of Audrey's character, Reggie. From ski bunny getups, to cute coats with matching hats, Reggie always looked fabulous...especially for a woman running from death and investigating an epic fraud committed by her late husband.
Here are a few of her best looks:
All photos via The Audrey Hepburn Library
I like to think I channel my inner Audrey, or in this case, Reggie, through my love of stylish coats. I promise you, when I arrive in London and finally get over this cold/allergy/sickness, I'll go back to putting more time into my appearance. I'm thinking we have an Audrey-inspired day in our future! Who's in?
