I love window shopping... on the Web. I can search and search and search to find items I've seen worn on TV, in a magazine ad or on everyday FAB divas for hours upon hours. Once I have something in my head that I'm crazy about, I will research all day and night to find it, especially if it's an item out of my budget. There's ALWAYS a more affordable version or option on the Web. I'm not one to go broke trying to look hot, especially not on MY OWN DIME *WINK.*
Well, I'd recently become a fan of fashion blogger and author of Style Is My Thing (whose blog I found after another blogger raved about her style. Can't remember that blogger's name or the name of her site but when I do, I'll link it.)
I absolutely fell in love with this skirt (well the whole ensemble, but the skirt in particular), and turns out it's by Aqua by Aqua, a UK designer and retailer.
Think Asos mets Calvin Klein or Donna Karan but at affordable (Topshop-esque) prices. Many of the pieces are sleek, structured and simple but have a sexy allure or accent to them.
FAB, right? Well, I have def. put some of these pieces on my wish list. And they're having a sale as well ;)
I might actually do these kinds of posts every Friday for fav Web retailers that aren't the norm. I know all the divas know about Asos and Forever 21 and Topshop and the like, but it's refreshing to shop elsewhere and be the only gyal at the party wearing what you're wearing. LOL!
I love looking through dancehall party photos. It's a guilty pleasure. Love seeing the creativity and divaliciousness of FAB partygoers unafraid to express their fashion creativity, no matter who judges or dislikes it. And on one of my usual perusals, I saw a gyal in a cute cropped denim wrap top that had puffy cap sleeves. It was adorable and reminded me of my love of denim tops.
I've always been a fan of wearing denim in the not-so-usual way, so denim tops are def. a fav of mine. I have a weakness for men who wear denim button-downs as well, since my earliest crush on one of the sexiest men to ever live, Bob Marley. (I tried to get an ex to get into that trend but he thought it was too country western for his tastes lol).
I happen to always have a denim top in my wardrobe, whether long-sleeved, cropped, a tank or a vest. They always add that casual sexy edge to a dress or skirt (which I'm most likely to be seen wearing). Back int the day I had a denim bustier that I wish I still had today. Gosh the things we take for granted in our youth.
This top is from one of my fav boutiques in SOHO (and they prob have them elsewhere) called Necessary Clothing. I was surprised to find they have a Web store! I prefer the whole routine of going to Broadway and visiting every one of them (as if they have diff. things to offer LOL) but the Website is def. convenient and makes the clothes available to my FAB gyals nationwide.
The skirt I have on is actually a strapless maxi dress that I simply pulled down to my waist and rolled the top of. It's from Forever 21 (old).
Here are some other great denim tops I have my eye on:
#Random but am I the only one who believes oftentimes the product models do the clothes no justice? I think they should have real models in various sizes rock these looks in the product shots. Some items, if I were going by the photo alone, would not be enticing to me, but I've learned to visualize how I would look in something and what I'd put with it. It also helps to see other stars/bloggers who have similar body shape/style wearing the clothes. These hanger-size or teenybopper models just are not the biz for me.
Anywho, denim will def. be part of my summer-going-into-fall wardrobe. Try pairing them with crop pants, flowy skirts, contrasting colored denim or even a formal maxi skirt and I even want to try and incorporate it into my work looks. The office has a business attire dress code, but why not sneak in a little denim under a blazer every now and then?
Okay, moving on to my next obsession: neon structured satchels.
I saw a guy (heeeey boo) wearing an neon yellow satchel like the one above while I was on my lunch break. I'd fallen out of love with purses that have long straps because sometimes the straps can be annoying to handle (the purse can swing from every which way while walking the busy and oftentimes crowded streets of NY) and also I never liked the feeling of a strap across my chest (which doesn't look that great if your boobs are over a size B...which mine are). I'm one to carry short-strap bags (in that siddity, mid-arm, ladies-who-lunch, kind of way LOL).
BUT, I couldn't help but swoon at his bag and almost followed him more than three blocks just staring to get details in my head so I could look for the bag myself. LOL #FashionPsycho.
Here are a few I found online:
Asos;Asos; Cambridge Satchel Co.; Loehmann's(Who the hell knew Loehmann's had a Web store? LOL... Guess I'm mad late on that... But again, I'm a gyal who loves the real-life shopping experience... I LOVE going to Loehmann's on my lunch breaks simply to look and try on shoes and bags... )
Okay I'm tired and fighting the sickies... Random ending but what more can I say.
So, I just recently began channeling my obsession with fashion inspirations via blog (thanks Monnica for the outlet). Much of this has been in my head (and flooding my FB timeline LOL) but I hadn't had a forum to really let it out. I've decided to come to you daily (or whenever the urge hits me) with my fashion obsessions.
Today, we'll start with lace, a hot current fabric and something I've loved since childhood. My Granny always had lace tablecloths and runners about the house, so I always saw it as part of being feminine and stylish, whether it's in intimates, lingerie worn as tops, pants, skirts or shirts. (Don't let the name Granny fool you. She is def. a chic diva, and has been for well, since I've known her---more than two decades.)
Anywho, I've also craved peplum lately, from tops to dresses to shorts.
After seeing my two fav fashion bloggers of the moment Just Patience and Atlantic Pacific wearing FAB peplum (and lace) pieces, I've def. been on the hunt.
I kept looking for that H&M sleeveless peplum number but no store had my size! I started to ask my Granny to make it and she laughs and says "Y'all didn't like it when I made those styles for you as kids!" LOL, Granny, kids don't know style!!!)
I knew I was not taking to ANYBODY'S sewing machine, and I hate waiting on pieces to be finished at a tailor, so I kept the search going.
After searching and searching, I finally found peplum galore with these Zara darlings:
You can pair pepulum tops with almost anything slimming and slinder or even a flowy or pleated miniskirt or hotpant/shorts. I like to wear them with cropped pants/jeans (another obsession) and flats or t-strap heels.
Switching FAB gears, I'm also NUTS about embellished collars. Just bought two sleeveless button-down shifts with sequin collars, one black with black sequins and one white with gold sequins. They were on sale for $10 at one of my fav little boutiques in SOHO, NYC (along Broadway. As usual, I can't remember the name. There are so many nice little spots that have affordable, chic fashions).
I like to wear these buttoned alllll the way up (even in warmer weather). Never really bothers me because collars never fit my skinny neck tight anyway lol. I just love to show the structure and the glam of the collar. Add a bit more glam with some chunky or sparkly accessories. I love daytime bling and am kinda breaking out of a style rut myself so I try to take it to the limit nowadays with my style lately.
(BTW, the necklace is from H&M. I practically wear it every other day ... that's another obsession for another blog).
Lace, embellished collars and peplum! Hey, wear them separate or all together for a FAB elegant look with a little edge.
Xisses Miss Jane
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
TUESDAY FASHION OBSESSIONS: SHEER MADNESS, NUDE LINGERIE FOR BLACK WOMEN& SCARVES GALORE
Hi FAB ladies. So we all have our fashion obsessions, but mine change from day to day (or even minute to minute.) I get excited about an item or a look, and I go crazy searching for pieces and looks to fit my wardrobe and style.
I decided I'd channel my obsessions and post them whenever I feel the need to share with you.
Today, I'm absolutely FABuliciously obsessed with anything sheer. Everyone's wearing it, but that's not what it's about. There's a sexy allure to sheer that can be pulled off from day to night, from button-down blouses, sheer panels in a freak 'em dress or sheer maxi dresses, jumpsuits and skirts in poppin' colors.
(Clearly I'm obsessed with Asos as well, but that's a whole other post LOL)
I just recently purchased a bright orange jumper that has sheer pants legs and I ADORE it. I want to go buy it in every color. The piece I bought came from NYC's SOHO. It was one of the boutiques along Broadway. (If I can remember the name of the store later, I'll post it.) The jumpsuit I bought features long inseams (which is perfect for me since I'm 5'9 and have long legs) so I'd say be conscious of the hemline and the fall of the pant when purchasing an item like this.
**Sorry about the photo quality. We'll get better with that soon ;) **
Here are some similar options to check out online:
With anything sheer, the question always is, What do you wear underneath?
This is the perfect time for great lingerie or shapewear. I'm a big fan of mixing colors and prints, so try a brightly-hued tank, bralet or bra. (I chose an ultra pink lace tank and pink bra with my jumpsuit. It already had a shorts slip attached to it, but you still want to be sure to wear a nude or dark thong or full panty).
With a printed sheer jumpsuit, (or if you're just not into mixing colors) try a nude or black bra. I know oftentimes us black gyals (who come in all shades and undertones) can't find nudes that match us perfectly. Either they're too light, too peachy, or too dark. But try these options:
Also, try this trick: Wear your usual black or white bra or whatever color bra you have and just put a cotton brown or neutral-hued bralet, tank or soft-fabric bra on top. That will either hide any patterns or darkness of the bra underneath.
If there's sheer panels on the sides, or the dress or jumpsuit is backless, go commando or wear pasties. (Go FAB or go home.)
If you don't feel comfy going commando, try a backless or low-back convertible bra and a nude panty that matches your skin tone from outlets like Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein, American Apparel or Bare Necessities. Or maybe even get some nude fabric sewn under the sheer panel that will smooth any dents, bumps and imperfections. (Hey, no matter what size you are, we all have stretch marks, cellulite, uneven skin and the like).
I really hate seeing any Spanx or nude panty lines at the side panels of sheer FAB pieces, but hey, DO YOU BOO.
(I say Hells No to this look, but I love Kim K. To each her own. Commando would have been fine with me, and maybe an intimate pasty to smooth out the front silhouette, but we all know Kim love her some Spanx. And I won't start on the boots... LOL. Love you Kimmy!)
Anywho, to take a sheer look from too risque to day, try adding a blazer, layering a tee or tanks or wearing a solid-colored bodysuit and lots of accessories.
OAN: I already purchased two pleated dresses from H&M (that look similar to these (below) from Zara.). They were on sale for $15! (I got for one $10 because it was mismarked. Check here for H&M locations that are having sales in your city.)
I plan to purchase more sheer-accented items as the summer goes on. (These are on my wish list.)
Let's get sheer for the summer and be FAB sexy and free-spirited.
Oh, one more thing: I'm LOVING silky, printed scarves. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM, especially for my hair since I've recently cut off the relaxed ends and gone natural. I get easily bored with styles, so to avoid turning back to the creamy crack, I've been making major use of scarves.
The one I'm wearing here is a vintage scarf I got from a Housing Works sale a while back. (It was one of those $20 bag sales, where you dig through a bunch of stuff and fit as much as you can in a bag and only pay $20 per bag). I'm terrible at thrifting (no patience and frankly never wear most of the things I buy), but this one was a keeper.
Here are some other picks to try. (I actually bought the first one and another one (not pictured) from H&M. The first one has a great black panther on it and lovely lime color throughout.)
You can even find some nice printed (and affordable) scarves at your local beauty supply store. (That's yet another obsession of mine, as I feel like a kid in a candy store when a new BIG beauty supply opens in my neighborhood).
I'd stay away from the fake Gucci or Fendi or Chanel scarves (though, by all means, if it has bright colors and you cool with it being fake, DO YOU BOO BOO), but sometimes they have great $5 options that work perfect for your hair. Also, try your local Pay Half, Pretty Girl and Dollar Store (General Dollar, Family Dollar and all those dollars).
Love how Joseline from LHH ATL wears her signature scarf look. (I know... #ratchet ... but chic is chic nonetheless.)
Here's a great YouTube tut on unique and chic ways to tie scarves by YT natural diva WomanInTheJungle:
And lastly, here's some great ways to wear scarves with your ensembles by the FAB YT diva WendysLookbook.
Say FAB. Xiss Miss Jane ;)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
FAB NEW LOOK & FABULICIOUS UPDATES
Hi FAB ladies. As you probably already noticed, we have a new look to the blog and a fresh new start.
We also have a new contributor and co-blogger, MISS JANE, a FAB fashionista and fashion enthusiast herself, who will be bringing you the latest in hot trends, celebrity style inspiration and matching FAB looks with our FAB accessories.
We'll also be coming to you with more tutorials and pictorials to tap into your FAB looks.
The updates will be frequent, relevant, and most importantly FAB.
