Fall Lookbook - Outfit 2 - Night Out

Photography: by Sandra Enns, Fleuri Photography
Hair: by Donna Melo , Hair-Quality Hair Design - Donna's Facebook Page
Makeup: by Gigi, Gigi's Esthetics

While our fall lookbook  #1 was perfect for a night out you might be looking for something just a little bit dressier. I would still wear this on a date out with my hubby to a nice restaurant but adding a solid coloured suit jacket makes this a great outfit for the office too. Just remember that bare shoulders aren’t the best thing for the office so keep that jacket on with a shoulderless top like the one I am wearing here. Let’s look at the styling guidelines that specifically apply to this outfit:

                                                                                  FOUR OR LESS COLOURS:

I've kept this outfit to 2 colours. Adding a solid splash of any 3^rd colour would have also worked well. The choice is unlimited because all colours match with white and black. For example I could have replaced the black boots and purse with dressy red boots and/or an elegant red purse. Just remember that if you want to look taller keep your footwear the same colour as your pants.

ONLY ONE PATTERN:

This subtle poka dotted halter top takes the stage. However, there is also a pattern and added texture in my bag but because the beading and purse are black, the bag does not distract from the patterned top.                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                  

DARK COLOURS FOR PROBLEM AREAS:             I have always been conscious about my hips and thighs. It didn't help that my two younger brothers nicknamed me "thunder thighs". Typically I wear solid dark colours on my bottom half, although this summer was the first that I wore white pants! The point I want to make is that everyone has their comfort zone; most of the time time I believe it's important to honour that otherwise you may feel uncomfortable and possibly lacking confidence. But don't be afraid to be experiment.

NICELY DEFINE FEMININE SHAPE:
The fit of an item can make or break an outfit. Clothes should fit so that all elements of the feminine figure are clearly defined and so that the material flows over these parts without pulling. This top showcases my shoulders, defines my bust and waist without bringing attention to my tummy. And the pants flow off my hips, without hugging them. Julia Roberts is a wonderful example of both of these extremes in "Pretty Woman".

Top (RW&Co)
Capris (Gap)
Belt (unknown)
Purse (unknown)
Knee high boots (Rockport)
Pearl earrings & bracelet (Joe Fresh)

JEWELLERY SHOULD BLEND (Not be bold):

This top is patterned and thus becomes the focal point of the outfit. So all other components of the oufit including the jewellery should blend and compliment the top. Ideally each piece of jewellery should contain only one colour without any distracting texture.  My bracelet is solid black and my pearl earrings pull out the white from the top. With this particular outfit I could also have worn a bracelet and/or earrings that contained white and black, but it may have distracted from the top. When you experiment with these elements, ensure you stand back from the mirror to see the outfit as a whole to make sure that all the components blend.                                                                                                  

ACCESSORIES SHOULD BE PROPORTIONAL: Belts, jewellery, bags etc. should be in proportion with your body size. In this case the purse is on the small side for me but compliments the dressier mood of the outfit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Passing & Failing Examples of Foundational Pants

Last week we talked about what makes a piece foundational. This week we are going to get more specific and look at some pants from RW&CO and Mexx. We’ll look at two pairs that make the grade of being foundational and two pairs that don’t. Hopefully these examples will better equip you to choose great additions to your wardrobe.

As a recap these are the 5 things that make a pair of pants "foundational":
1. Fine knit material.
2. Small pockets
3. No pockets on the remainder of the pants
4. Straight lines
This week I'm adding:
5: No visible zippers
6. Solid neutral colour: The neutral colours are white, black, brown &  grey. Each of these colours match with all other colours.

These first two pairs of pants meet all these requirements. These two pairs of pants (or any other pair that meets these requirements) could be worn year round. By changing up the pairings you can create multiple looks spanning a variety of occasions - a casual event, for work or a night out. A myriad of footwear options will nicely pair to create the desired look and mood ranging from ballet flats to pumps to stilettos to knee high boots and almost everything in between. However, to choose the pants that will work for you, you must also consider your body shape and the hem length you need. We'll dive into guidelines related to body shape another day.

Mexx -  pants with black sheen/pattern

These are beautiful pants - very elegant, sharp and chic! To some these patent pants might seem a bit too dressy, but these pants can certainly be tastefully dressed down! These would be great to wear during the upcoming holiday season! A great choice for a foundational pair of pants :)

RW&CO: High density Hepburn fit pant

These are classic through and through. They will never go out of style, and they are simply beautiful. This fit should flatter all body types! You can never go wrong with a pair of pants like these! Another great choice for a pair of foundational pants.














The following two pairs of pants are great pants, but don't meet all of the 6 criteria above, therefore they also do not have the range of wear that the previous examples have.       
     

Mexx

If it weren't for the silver zippered pockets these would likely have a passing grade despite the casual silver button and the slightly overly skinny legs. You could confidently wear these with casual pairings only. 

RW&CO: Stretch jacquard slim pant with lurex

If you already have a foundational pair of black pants you could consider adding these to your wardrobe in time for the Christmas season. They're fun & funky! However, they do not make the grade as a foundational pair because the ingrain pattern is distracting and always acts as the focal point in the outfit. A patterned top will always conflict with these pants, resulting in a disjointed outfit. (Click on the link to see the pattern better).

Fall Lookbook - Outfit 1 - Night Out

Hi Girls,

(All from previous seasons):
Point Zero Jacket,
Laura top, Belt unknown,
Gap Black Capris,
Naturalizer
knee high boots,
Joe Fresh earrings,
Fab red necklace (www.fabgirlboutique.com)

Today I'm focusing on three things:
1. What makes a clothing item a "foundational" or staple item
2. Why black capris can be classified as a "foundational" item
3. Components of this first outfit featuring the black capris; this outfit is classified as a "night out" outfit


1. A FOUNDATIONAL ITEM TYPICALLY:
a. Can be worn for a variety of occasions: You can create an outfit deemed either: casual (weekend wear), smart casual (night out) or work wear... but not necessarily appropriate for very dressy wear e.g. black tie/gown.
b. Pairs well with multiple styles: You can pair it with a myriad of tops despite the style/mood of the top, with the assumption that the colours match.
c. Is a Bottom piece: e.g. pants or skirt/dress
d. Is solid/plain, not patterned: the item works like a blackground or an blank canvas to showcase a more elaborate, patterned item.
e. Has straight lines versus fluffy, poofy, rounded contours.
f. Consists of fine knit material:  Instead of loose knit material.





2. WHY THE BLACK CAPRIS WORK AS A FOUNDATIONAL ITEM - THEY ARE/HAVE:
a. Solid neutral colour: They contain only 1 colour of thread (black). Multiple coloured threads although they don't have a pattern they tend to distract from a distinctly patterned item. (The neutral colours are: white, black, brown, and grey).
b. Fine knit material: Fine also lends itself to creating a dressier look but not limited to a more casual look.
c. Small pockets: Small pockets on the hips tend to be more dressier while keeping bulk in the hips to a minimum.
d.  No pockets on the remainder of the pants: Pockets further down on the pants tend create a casual look e.g. cargo pants, which prevents one from pairing dressier items, thus only being limited to create a casual outfit.
e. Cuffs: Cuffs tend to create a dressier effect but can also extend to a more casual look.
f. Straight lines e.g. versus balloon pants (in the 80's that had a more rounded bottom).



3.  OUTFIT #1: NIGHT OUT PAIRING WITH BLACK CAPRIS
This is the first of three night out outfits, and I intentionally made this one more casual than the others. But it's still dressy enough to go out for a date night with my hubby or out with the girls. The sheer top sets the stage for evening wear (although you could certainly pair it with a jean jacket to obtain more of a chic day look).

Stylin' Guidelines that make this outfit work:

a. Maximum of 4 Outfit Colours: I've kept this outfit to 2 colours. Restricting an outfit's colours to 2-3    

colours tends to create a dressier, striking and put

together look. As an example red carpet outfits tend to be restricted to two or three colours at the most.

b. One pattern: Only one patterned or multi-coloured threaded item in the outfit

c. Sleek/Items that create a distinctive dressier look: black sheer top and sleek black boots (versus chunky or clunky).