Dramatic Asymmetrical Lines

A new outfit from Kelly Tucker of Alterations Needed, whom we introduced to YLF in July 2013.

Kelly wore this showstopper of a dress to a friend’s wedding. The dramatic asymmetric hem and gathered side make for a unique silhouette. The strict architectural lines create a fab juxtaposition with Kelly’s soft curls. The navy looks beautiful with her brown locks. Our blogger had the sleeves shortened and slimmed, altered the shoulder, bust and waist, and hemmed this Theory shirtdress to fit her 4′ 11″ petite frame to perfection. Major alterations, but so worth it. The black with gold leather belt and pebbled leather envelope clutch add a bit of hard edge. The slinky ankle strap sandals provide a sleek feminine touch. A simple gold necklace, link bracelet and light blue nail polish subtly complement this eye-catching party look.

Kelly Tucker - 1

Kelly Tucker - 2

Three Trendy Pullovers to Wear with Bootcut Trousers

I recently suggested bootcut trousers with trendy blouses for Summer. But now that Fall is on the horizon, I’ve been helping clients jazz up their bootcut trousers with trendy pullovers for the office, events, or out to dinner. 

Remember that bootcuts are fitted on the thigh, which creates plenty of structure to pair them with roomy tops. Feel free to pair these pullovers with bootcut jeans for casual settings too. Dramatic, romantic, fashionable and comfortable. 

1. Ruffled Pullovers

Ruffles look fresh this season, probably because they’ve been scarce for seven years. Think beyond the ruffled blouse and go for a roomy pullover with a ruffled hem. Mixed media options are fun because they are texturally interesting. Fitted ruffles on the waist like peplums are another option, as are ruffles that cascade diagonally down the front and back of the pullovers. Create a low contrast between the trousers and pullover if you’re concerned with the top creating a horizontally cutting line across the body, or looking short in the leg. 

2. High-Low Pullovers

Roomy pullovers with high-low hemlines are excellent to pair with bootcuts because the shorter front provides further structure to the outfit. Styles run the gamut with fronts that are dramatically shorter than the back and others where the difference is more subtle. Fits can be fairly streamlined through the torso, or fashionably oversized.

 

3. Asymmetrical Pullovers 

Pullovers with asymmetrical front hemlines are the most avant-garde pairing of the three, and just as fab. Silhouettes can be long or short, tailored or boxy, and any colour or pattern. Keep the contrast between the top and bottom low if you’re after more vertical integrity in your outfit. 

 

Finishing off the look with a short chunky statement necklace or funky pendant necklace adds polish to high-low and asymmetrical sweaters. Dressy pointy toe heels —  a slam dunk with flared hems — add further polish. 

You’re after a roomy cocoon coat, cape, poncho, swing coat or man coat as the topper if the pullovers are chunky. But my clients seem to be managing just fine layering with trench coats, trapeze jackets, peacoats and leather jackets over fine gauge knitwear. A short jacket looks best over these styles of pullover when it creates a low contrast against the top. If it creates a high contrast, wear it over a column of colour. 

Colours That Make You Happy

The colour of an item is the most important part about it. No matter how suitable a garment is in terms of fit, silhouette, quality, fabrication and price, if the colour isn’t right, you probably won’t purchase it. Colour can make us feel happy, sad, confident, blah, tired, serious, playful, anxious or alluring, because it stirs up a myriad of emotions. Colour is POWERFUL. 

On this Labor Day, we’re going to talk about colours that make us happy. First some general observations about my clients. Cool jewel tones like eggplant, amethyst, teal, magenta, orchid and fuchsia make many of my clients happy. So does an assortment of cool blues, cool greens and rich burgundies. Black, silver grey and charcoal are amongst their happy colours too. 

Greg’s happy colours are black, ink blue, navy and dark grey. To some extent chocolate brown makes him happy, but in much smaller doses. 

Sour brights and white make me happy. When I see items in tomato red, watermelon, citron, apple green, turquoise, shocking pink and all shades of white, my heart goes pitter patter and I’m filled with joy. For a split second I want those items no matter what! Ink blue, light blue, Dutch orange, coral and blush pink make me happy too, but not to quite the same extent as those sour brights.

Over to you. Which colours make you happy? Do you have more in common with my clients, with Greg or with me?

Furla
BAB PN12
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Top Pick
12
COS
Cotton shirt dress
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Top Pick
10
Zara
Piqué Blazer
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Top Pick
19
Ann Taylor
Boatneck Sweater
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Top Pick
25
Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Top Picks: Macy’s Labor Day Sale

Macy’s always has a great Labor Day sale. Most of the items on sale are back to school and end-of -eason Summer merchandise. But there’s also fun Fall stuff amidst the heaps of warm weather clothing. 

I’ve seen most of these items in person. I enjoyed the spicy palette, but be sure to browse through all the colour options. 

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

Fashion News Roundup: Week 36, 2015

An Alexander McQueen biography, the Burberry ‘scarf bar’, an eco-friendly collection from Topshop, and more news from the fashion trenches this week.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Alfred Shaheen is credited with launching Hawaii’s garment industry. Hawaiian prints used to be designed in Hawaii, but made on the U.S. mainland. Importing the fabrics back to Hawaii often led to 10-month wait times, so Shaheen built his own factory to manufacture the garments. His company also created the first woven metallic fabrics, that were salt water-resistant and machine washable.