Wardrobe Renos by Kay: Blog and Business

Saturday 14 December 2013

Fall Lookbook - Outfit 3 - 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 outfit #1 and #2 featured the black capris, this outfit showcases an A-line brown skirt. I love this dressier chic outfit; it pairs the very feminine top with the sassy, ruffled pleather jacket, creating for a very fun outfit for out on the town. I could easily casualize this outfit by replacing the skirt with a pair of slender, figure defining dark wash jeans. Let’s look at the styling guidelines that specifically apply to this outfit:


FOUR OR LESS COLOURS:
When creating my outfits I like to keep to three colours but in this case I have four, all of which are featured in the top (brown, orange, purple and cream). I love the warming combination of the brown and orange. The gold coloured bangles pull out the orange tones in the top. When I have an item I want to wear that has three or more colours I pull in accessories that contain only those colours. Sometimes that's hard to do especially with jewellery. For example my necklace is silver but because it's so muted and since the brown pendant is the focus, the silver blends in nicely. So always try on your outfit before stepping out the door to make sure the colour combinations create a striking but blended outfit.





ONLY ONE PATTERN:
This beautifully patterned top is most definitely the focal point while the browns create a complimentary muted backdrop.


NICELY DEFINE FEMININE SHAPE:
By having these photos side by side I hope you can clearly see that the tucked in top is much more flattering that the untucked, flowy top. When the top is tucked in, it allows the skirt to more clearly define my waist. However, when the top is untucked my waist is not evident and is a less flattering look. To present a feminine shape my shoulders, waist and hips should be clearly defined.  I could have created balance by swapping out the A-line skirt with a slim pair of plain cream or dark brown pants while leaving the top untucked. Alternatively I could have worn a pencil skirt, which is much more tapered than the A-line.



JEWELLERY SHOULD BLEND (Not be bold):
Whenever your outfit contains a pattern your  jewellery needs to a solid colour so it does not compete with the patterned item. Jewellery can be multi-coloured granted that all colours in your outfit match and do not exceed four colours. I love this delicate dressy pendant because it nicely fills this space and compliments the elegant mood of the top. So consider the mood when you are choosing your jewellery. If it doesn't match or compliment the mood of the most striking item in your outfit (in this case the most striking outfit is the top), your outfit won't seem quite right. For example, if you were to replace the pendant with a wooden necklace, it would likely create a heavier, more casual look and would clash with dressier top. It's trial and error. Before heading out the door do a dry run in your outfit; stand back from the mirror to see yourself from head to toe.





DARK COLOURS ON PROBLEM AREAS & BRIGHT COLOURS ON FLATTERING AREAS:
As women I think we tend to be very intentional about downplaying certain areas. In this case the dark brown skirt does a great job. It's harder to see a shadow against a darker colour so wearing dark colours will downplay contour and the shape created by our wobbly bits. Alternatively, like the orange in my top, use bright colours on your flattering areas. These vibrant colours  will also draw away the attention from your problem areas. 








Seasonal Adaptations:
Spring/Summer: 
         Cardigan: I would likely still wear my jacket on a cooler spring/summer evening but during the day would replace the jacket with a short, solid light coloured (either in cream or orange), light weight shrug or cardigan to showcase the top.  A longer cardigan would create a shortening effect. Being 5'5 I always opt for the shorter versions.
          Leg and Footwear: Although I love the snuggly effect of my knee high boots I miss the humid summer air brushing against my legs. I would do away with the tights. However, during the cooler spring days I would wear the truly nude hose that make it seem as if you have bare legs (and do away with the ones I wore for the photo shoot). With the onset of spring I would replace the boots with a solid pair of delicate sandals or ballet flats. I do love my nude coloured ballet flats, but could also pull in a pair of solid gold or textured delicate flats as long as they don't have a pattern that conflicts with the top. 

Winter: 
       Cardigan: Again I would add in a brown, fine knit cardigan/shrug. I may add in a solid coloured scarf that has a delicate and/or soft feel. However, I would avoid my cream scarf that has a lot of creases and lines in it, which may conflict with the top.
       Leg and Footwear: In place of the hose I would wear a thick pair of dark brown tights to extend the dark brown. 


Outfit Details: Pleather jacket (unknown), Top (Mexx), Skirt (Jacob), Boots (Rockport), Bangles & earrings (Joe Fresh)     

Friday 6 December 2013

Christmas Party Wear


If you're like me, when I start planning my Christmas party outfits I tend to want to dust off my little black dress or a sparkly red blouse from my closet.  However, I want to show you that you can create a christmassy party outfit using non-christmassy colours.The pink blouse and brown pants below are tangible examples from my own closet. Let’s look at the styling guidelines that specifically apply to this outfit:

LESS THAN 4 COLOURS: 
For this outfit we have three colours: browns, beiges/golds and pink.


METALLICS:
I would typically wear this blouse and pants for work, but add in some gold accessories and you have created a classic christmassy outfit. As you create your outfits choose one metallic colour for your accessories, either silver, pewter or gold. Another option is to use clear crystals which are usually accompanied by either silver, pewter or gold. Add in these accessories using as little or as much as you're comfortable with. 


ADD VARIOUS TEXTURES:
In addition to wearing metallic coloured accessories I have added in various soft and striking textures that create an elegant christmassy effect.
      Shimmery Pearls: Earrings, necklace & bangles
      Patent: Purse & shoes
      Fur: Stole
      Pashmina: Scarf
      Note: Either the scarf or stole could be worn. I have shown both options.

I have detailed the sources for all of the accessories below. The pashmina scarf is the only one sourced from an international website. Check out the Favourite Accessory Boutique in Waterloo, Ontario. They have a super selection of solid coloured scarves & pashminas in their store.  All other items can be purchased from these Canadian retailers' stores or websites. 


Blouse (Anne Klein)
Pants (Next)
Pashmina/silk Wrap - thepashminastore.com
Faux fur two tone scarf  - Le Chateau
Cezanne euro wire earrings - The Bay
Cezanne 3 row Pearl twist necklace -The Bay
Cezanne multi-stretch pearl bracelet - The Bay
Bellezza evening bag clutch - The Bay
Town Shoes strap taper shoes - Shoe Company