Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Lace Blazer





As the leaves begin to change color, the romantic aesthetic is seeping into fall fashion.  As a devoted romantic myself, it is refreshing to see a delicate femininity grace the runways and racks this fall.  The coquettish charm of laces, brocades, and taffetas is nostalgic of La Belle Epoque when ladies with lace parasols spent their days drinking tea and conducting clandestine affairs with their paramours in nineteenth century Paris.  I chose this white, lace blazer because it has a wonderfully soft lining and nice texture.  I paired it with a floral baby-doll dress and about 12 strands of pearls for that romantic emphasis.  

Blazer: Aqua, from Bloomingdales
Dress: Vintage, from Metropolis (a great East Village vintage store)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Bag: Gucci
Pearls: Assorted

-Coco Curvy

Saturday, August 27, 2011

The Informal Fancy Frock






Whenever I fall in love with a fancy frock that is categorized as "evening wear" I always finds ways to wear it for casual occasions using a few tricks of transformation.  Always remember that rules, especially rules regarding fashion are only silly social constructions and ultimately, are meant to be broken.  I found this gorgeous lace, scalloped hem gown at Stella Dallas, one of my favorite vintage stores.  I had it hemmed to knee-length and I wear it for both formal events and casual encounters.    When converting this lace dress into a daytime look, I pair it with structured pieces that contrast with its delicate femininity.  My favorite "casualizing" accents are chunky, textured sweaters, sheer white shirts, blazers, dark tights, big structured bags, and boots.    

Dress: vintage, from Stella Dallas
Blouse: American Apparel
Purse: Vintage Ferragamo
Shoes: Gap 
Bangles: Assorted

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Nude Pump




Somewhere between the unappealing realms of boring beige and burnt orange lies a gem: nude!  Whether patent leather, suede, stiletto, or wedge a nude pump not only elongates the leg, but has a subtle sex appeal that is irresistible.  I always choose a shoe with a platform because it gives you that extra boost; the higher the heel, the higher your confidence (at least in the beginning of the night when you're not limping in pain).  Go nude, i promise you'll enjoy it.

Nude closed toe pump:Alejandro Ingelmo, from my favorite Dallas store 4510
Dress: American Apparel
Lace Tunic: Tracy Reese for Bergdorf Goodman
Sweater: vintage


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Bright Blazer






Throw a bright blazer over anything and it gives your entire ensemble some sass.  Contrary to tradition, blazers do not have to hide in the darkness of muted navies, grays, and blacks.  The greatest thing about a colorful piece like this is its versatility; you can go from work to dinner without having to change and it can be paired with virtually anything.  I prefer to wear a really colorful jacket over more subdued tones so it really pops.  This is definitely a must have.  

Blazer: vintage Yves Saint Laurent
Dress: All Saints
Bag: Alexander Wang Coco Bag
Studded shoes: Sam Edelman

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Jersey Dress







When choosing a jersey dress I find that a jersey/silk blend is the much more flattering than plain jersey, which generally has the tendency to look cheap.  This dress flows and cinches in all the right places instead of clinging to all the wrong ones.  The neutral colors and simple lines are refreshing and make it easy to achieve many different looks.  You can embellish this dress with lots of accessories or keep it simple.  My favorite part of this dress is that it exudes femininity without being boring.  Oh la la.
-Coco Curvy

Dress and belt: Chloe
Shoes: Robert Clergerie
Sunglasses: Stella McCartney
Hat: Target

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Peplum Dress



 The peplum dress is great because it creates an hour glass figure.  In a fitted and frilled dress, bright patterns are generally overwhelming.  I chose a textured, black cotton that is both chic and modern.  A plain black dress always deserves some flair so adding colorful accesories, such as this head band and statement necklace, is a good idea.

-Coco Curvy

Dress: Betsy Johnson
Shoes: Opening Ceremony

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The "Grandpa" Sweater





This vintage Yves Saint Laurent oversized sweater is a great addition to any dress.  A funky, colorful sweater adds some edge to a sweet, girlish dress.

-Coco Curvy

Sweater: Vintage Yves Saint Laurent from Gabrielle Geppert, my favorite vintage store in Paris
Dress: Opening Ceremony
Hat: American Apparel
Shoes: Dolce and Gabbana
Sunglasses: Stella McCartney

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Little Blue Dress




This vibrant blue dress is a head turner.  Don't overwhelm a dress like this with a lot of jewelry and accessories.  Simplicity is charming, especially when it is this color blue.

-Coco Curvy

Dress: Yves Saint Laurent
Mohawk shoes: Yves Saint Laurent
Clutch: Big Drop
Sunglasses: Stella McCartney
Ring: Yves Saint Laurent

The Patterned Pencil Skirt




Pencil skirts, especially the body-hugging variety, can be very difficult to wear.  If you're going to wear something tight with a geometric print on the bottom, pair it with something a bit more forgiving on top (and vice versa).  Remember, the opposites attract rule adheres to clothing, too. A flowing button down gives a refreshing bohemian feel to the whole ensemble.  Avoid the mistakes most women make when the stuff their bodies into Herve Leger.  You don't want to look like ten pounds of potatoes crammed into a five pound sack.

-Coco Curvy

Pencil Skirt: Diane Von Furstenburg
Blouse: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Studded enamel cuff: Target
Shoes: Robert Clergerie


Friday, August 5, 2011

The A-Line Shift Dress


            
  
This A-line shift dress is flattering on all figures, especially on pear-shaped girls.  Adding a belt adds great definition to the waist.  The skirt has a fun swing to it making it a perfect look for day or night.  I paired it with vintage accessories to give it a more sophisticated feel but it is also is equally stylish dressed down with a pair of nice sandals and a big floppy hat.

-Coco Curvy

Dress: Cacharel
Blazer: Vintage Pierre Cardin
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Bag: Vintage Ferragamo

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Cotton Dress




This is a great, easy dress that gives definition to the waist and is loose at the hip, making it both cute and comfortable to wear in the summer heat.

-Coco Curvy

Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim
Jacket: Vintage Yves Saint Laurent from Amarcord
Necklace: From a quaint jewelry shop in Florence that I can't recall the name of
Shoes: Chanel
Bag: Mulberry

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The Converted Maxi Skirt


Converting a maxi-skirt into a dress is a nice way to create a draped dress.  The pleats add texture and give the look a vintage feel.  The shoes and the bags add a nice pop of color.  On a side note, I'm trying to bring back the Dior saddle bag.  

- Coco Curvy

Maxi skirt: American Apparel
Cardigan: Vintage (belonged to my grandmother)
Necklace: Soho street vendor
Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti
Bag: Dior
Sunglasses: Anthropologie
Belt: American Apparel