Atlanta-based Monica Awe-Etuk (41) documents her outfits on Instagram, and on her blog Awed by Monica. She’s a trendy dresser with exuberant style who enjoys playing around with all kinds of different vibes. Our blogger often sports interesting footwear and maximal arm candy, and loves neutrals as much as she loves colour.
“As I get older, I do believe my style has evolved a little. I say a little because I have always maintained a core principle when it comes to style and that is ‘classic with a modern twist’. The only thing that has really changed for me is showing a little less skin lol. I love having fun with fashion and will continue to do so.”
This ribbed knit maxi dress looks like a two-piece set made up of a turtleneck sweater and cosy skirt because the self stripe on the top is horizontal and vertical on the bottom. This makes for an interesting design detail and draws the eye up and down. The side splits provide room to move and showcase Monica’s striking snakeskin boots in all their glory. The cool-toned stacked heel boots are undoubtedly the star of the show, and work perfectly with the heather grey of the dress. Bracelets on both arms add a touch of colour and pattern. Our blogger’s braided updo creates texture and works well with the turtleneck. Raspberry lipstick is the colourful finishing touch.
Columned chic in head-to-toe mint. Monica has combined tailored flared trousers with a mock-neck ribbed knit sweater in the same colour. The cropped sweater is a great length to wear with the dressy high-waisted trousers because it lengthens the leg line from the hip upwards. Sporting a column of colour further emphasizes the vertical integrity. As a third piece, our blogger picked a fluid-fit double-breasted woolly jacket in the exact same shade of mint, which amps up the luxe vibe of the look. The tortoise shell buttons add a touch of soft contrast against the green. The low-contrast pointy-toe snakeskin slingbacks peeking out from under the trousers in shades of light grey work beautifully with the pastel outfit.
This fashion-forward look is all about texture created with faux and genuine leather pieces. Monica has paired a faux leather button-front overshirt in gorgeous chocolate brown with black faux leather Bermuda shorts. The colour combo is chic and eye-catching. Tucking the shirt into the below-the-knee shorts lengthens the leg line, while the strict pleat on the tailored shorts adds structure. The dark brown of the stiletto slides sits in between the black and lighter chocolate brown of the shirt on the colour scale and are a great way to pull the look together. The quilted material adds further textural interest, as does the handwoven effect on her softly structured hobo bag. Lots of arm candy, raspberry lippy, and oversized pearl hoop earrings are the playful finishing touches.
This exuberantly happy floral print tiered dress makes me smile. The pattern together with the voluminous fit and big on-trend bell sleeves is stylishly dramatic. The tailored fit on the shoulder, waist seam and V-neckline tone down the volume, while the lower section has tiers that amp up the volume. Monica’s flat white sandals, crossbody bag, and big white-rimmed sunnies echo the white background of the dress. Her bright pink lipstick and lighter pink toenails match the pinks in the fun frock.
The dark wash denim is perfect in this polished casual Fall look. Monica has tucked a gorgeous multi-coloured striped sweater into cropped, fluid-fit straight leg jeans. The dark blue denim makes the striking mix of earth and jewel tones pop. Tucking the top lengthens the leg line and exposes the playful rectangular patch pockets on the jeans. The shimmery material in parts of the sweater add subtle bling. Our blogger’s sharp black pointy-toe booties bring more shine into the mix. The brown crossbody and soft pink lipstick work well with the rest of the colourful palette. Monica’s long braids add groovy flair. Huge silver hoops and pearl arm candy complete the look.
Pairing two pieces with a very similar graphic circle and angular pattern but reversing the background colour is a fab way to do modern matchy-matchy. Monica is wearing a puffed sleeve jacquard sweater with black and white pattern together with a high-low midi skirt in cream with black pattern. The cropped sweater lengthens the leg line from the hip up, while the floaty fabric of the elegant pleated skirt creates tons of movement which makes the striking pattern stand out even more. Pairing the dressy skirt with stompy black boots creates on-trend outfit juxtaposition. Note how the white stitching on the boots ties in with the black and white colour palette, as do the big checked Chanel tweed bag and Monica’s white sunnies. Oversized silver hoops and a pile of hard-edged silver arm candy bring the bling. Finally, bright red lipstick brilliantly complements the graphic black and white.
I’m looking forward to hear what you think of Monica’s beautiful, eye-catching outfits. Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out her Instagram account and blog for more style inspiration.
