Nordstrom asked me to build four ensembles using items from their Anniversary Sale. The first in the series saw me sport a semi-structured trouser look. The second was fun loving Meredith in a bold blazer and boots. Today it’s sweet and spirited Phoebe’s turn to model some of her favourite sale purchases. You met dear friend and client Phoebe on YLF last year, and she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
Phoebe loves colourful and patterned clothing and embraced it in full force for Spring in Summer. Yet when we preselected together at the sale, we were unexpectedly feeling the neutrals to refresh her look for Fall. It’s interesting how the tables turned from one season to the next!
The soft leather skirt and bootie outfit formula screams “Phoebe” because she is a fashionable dresser who likes to wear dramatic pieces with a big dose of lady-like and just the right amount of edge. To recreate the look, you’ll need a leather or leather-trimmed skirt, a soft blouse and sleek heeled booties.
We both cast our eyes on Diane von Furstenberg’s Bairly Louche Blouse (1) and knew then and there that it was a winner. The flouncy sleeve appealed to Phoebe’s bohemian style streak, and its versatility was perfect. Wear it with edgy pieces, jeans or business separates to create an assortment of vibes. Tuck it in or wear it untucked. All versions are fab.
Phoebe discovered how much she enjoyed wearing pencil midi skirts this year, feeling on trend and elegant in the longer length. At a petite height, the Classiques Entier Sunmosa Mixed Media Skirt (2) finished perfectly below the knee. Its leather trim was even more appealing than a full leather skirt. Pairing it with a soft top gives the outfit a romantic integrity.
Phoebe was looking to replace a pair of black booties that had seen better days, which made Aquatalia by Marvin K’s Royal Weatherproof Bootie (3) a slam dunk. Perfect for rainy Seattle. The comfort level is fab and the sleek fit on the ankle is the cherry on top. Phoebe prefers a sleek ankle-fitting heeled bootie when she pairs them with skirts and dresses because it makes her feel more elongated and streamlined. Be sure to check out the suede version and all the colours.
When I saw Betsey Johnson’s Animal Print Capelet (4), I knew that Phoebe would love it. Capelets are her thing and so is animal print and drama. I suggested popping it over the leather-rich pencil skirt and blouse combination because the juxtaposition of the varying fabric textures is interesting. Also, mixing the retro vibe of the capelet with the severity of the modern bootie is fun. And a little bit of on trend pattern mixing doesn’t hurt either.
Phoebe always finishes off her outfits with a large watch, dainty bracelet and either statement earrings or a statement necklace. We chose gold gypsy earrings (similar to these ones) (5) to bring out the gold streaks in her gorgeous hair. Her metals are mixed, but that’s just fine with us.
This outfit formula sows the seed of an idea. Now it’s up to you to substitute the items and make the look reflect your style. Swap out the blouse for a soft high-low sweater. Wear pumps instead of booties. Add hosiery. Wear a tailored wool blazer instead of a capelet. Shorten the length of the skirt. Experiment!
