FDPC Day 29 layers

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 29. layers

The art of layering can be a very tricky one to master.  I have always enjoyed adding layers onto my outfit but has it always looked flattering...no.  It takes some practice and a couple hit and misses.  What do you want to keep in mind when adding layers?  Start off with the tighter clothes closest to your skin.  That doesn't mean the article of clothing needs to be skin tight, it just means not to try and squeeze a tight tank top over a looser fitting blouse.  As you add things on top of one another they should be continuing to get looser fitting.  When adding a layer, try changing up the type of fabric and style.  For instance try putting a loose, lace vest over a denim button up, or a knit cardigan over a silk tank.  This creates some more interest and contrast to the outfit.  The most difficult type of layering, I think, is the layering on the bottom half of your body.  You want to try not to chop up the lines of your legs too much with what you create with your clothes.  The more you break up the lines of your legs horizontally with  color, a pattern, or another garment, it immediately shortens the look of your legs.  So its best to keep the layers below the hips to a minimal.  Its also fun to add layers with accessories such as a scarf or a necklace.  Make sure when you are deciding to add an accessory you check the number of items you have already layered.  The general rule is to layer three items per outfit.  So if you have already layered four layers just with your clothing its probably going to be sensory overload if you add accessories on top.  That does not mean there cant be an exception to the rule, I would just recommend keeping it to a minimum while mastering the art form!! : )
With this outfit I started with a pair of skinny jeans from Gap and added from there.  I choose this denim, almost dress from Forever 21 to drape over top and then added possibly my most favorite vest to  hang over top.  I purchased this vest last year in Taiwan from a street market.  Surprise, surprise!   I went back and forth for a while deciding whether or not I wanted to show off the waist line by adding a belt.  I decided I wanted a more loose, casual look so I added a necklace instead!  The necklace has some brown pieces in it so I decided to find a similar color shoe to tie it all together!
The key to layering is to make it look comfortable and easy.  If it feels tight and restricted it probably looks that way.  Just start to play!

FDPC Day 28. glasses

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 28. glasses

Glasses add so much personality to your style.  Whether you keep them sleek and traditional or bold and funky they are just as much a part of you as everything else is in your wardrobe. When you are talking to people they are, or should be, looking at your eyes.  So when you are wearing glasses that prohibit people from seeing your eyes, they are most likely going to be looking at your glasses and they become a part of your story.  But remember they are still there for a purpose and that purpose it to shade your eyes from the sun.  Wait... really? : ) YES people, when you are not in the sun and you are, indoors perhaps, it can be very disrespectful to wear your sunglasses.  I understand that sometimes they are a security blanket for us to hide behind but I beg you to take them off when they are not serving their purpose.  PHEW!  Glad I got that off my chest.  Just sharing a little pet peeve of mine.. thats it!
Anyway, the lenses on my sunglasses are actually glass, so I get very self conscious when I carry them around.  Even though I spent less then $10 on them when I was shopping at a night market about two years ago in Shanghai, I dont want them to break!  They remind me of the Beatles, just a little bit larger and I adore them!  They help make me smile and not take myself too seriously!!

FDPC day 27 tailored

FAHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 27. tailored

I know, I know, baggy, draped, one size fits all clothes are soooo in BUT, there is something undoubtably timeless about a tailored article of clothing.  I am usually not the person who goes to a tailor to alter every piece of clothing because I find that when something doesn't fit right it is an opportunity to get crafty.  Now I am starting to understand the difference in making something work, and making something FIT!  Going shopping can sometimes be the most devastating experience.  Not being able to find something that fits your body can make you feel extremly self conscious.  What you have to remember is the clothing that you find in stores only come in a few sizes.  Those sizes are NOT going to work for everyone, and that doesn't mean something is wrong with you.  It's not worth struggling over jean after jean after jean in the dressing room.  You owe it to yourself to find a tailor and get those staple items for your wardrobe custom fit for your body!  Now that said, these shorts I am wearing were not custom tailored for me.  These shorts just happened to be a freak incident where they just fit like a glove.  I was in Buenes Aires last year and I was shopping at a flea market searching for something different (whats new) and I came across these shorts.  Now at first I must admit I thought they might have been for kids.  But I wanted to try them on anyway because they were too darn cute.  So in the middle of the street I pulled on these shorts over my clothes and sure enough the heavens sang as I zipped the front up because they just fit to perfection.  It is very rare for that to happen and I know I will never forget that moment.  You know what I'm talking about.  I bet you have something in your closet right now that you have had that same experience with.  It really makes your day.  Wow, I just got really worried for myself thinking about how exciting those moments are to me.  ehhh I'm sure theres others out there like me : )

FDPC Day 26.floral

FASHION DAIL Photo Challenge
Day 26. floral

You can never have too much floral!!  Well as long as they are put together correctly of course!  It seems to be that every time I go on a trip I come up with the best combinations for an outfit.  When dealing with only select items in a suitcase I am forced to work with less then usual and usually it makes me create outfits that I would have never foreseen.  This outfit I actually put together for the first time in March when flying home to surprise my Dad for his 60th birthday.  Because the floral pattern on the skirt, from goodwill of course, is so large it makes it easy to pair with another floral pattern.  There are just enough hints of red in this tube top from urban outfitters to make it go together but not look too matchy matchy.  I added a skinny belt on the waist to tie in the color of the wedges I wanted to wear without drawing too much attention to it.  I absolutely love the cut out in these wedges that I bought from Target years ago.  Who would have thought Target really hits the target sometimes!! haha As for accessorizing I wanted to keep it simple.  Keeping a clean neck line while showing off the clavicle is very sexy so I just thought to leave it bare an add a nice dangly earring to showcase since my hair was pulled back.  Dont be afraid to double up on the floral when putting together an outfit.  Look for complimentary colors and making sure the patterns are not too strong on their own.  Think playful!

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge Day 25. charming

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 25. charming

Todays word, charming, made me want to look up the definition before I chose my outfit.  Clearly we all know what the word implies but what does the dictionary say it means exactly?  Going off of thefreedictionary.com charming means - to be alluring or pleasing.  Well, when you just say that, you could translate your "charming" inspired outfit in all sorts of ways.  Some might not be quite appropriate for sharing, but today I chose to go with a soft, girly, charming, which is a little more traditional.  These charming, bow accent shoes are from DSW.  What a great store!! The sale rack there is so invigorating.  With all the different color coded sale stickers with the extra % off, it almost turns into a challenge.  I become determined to find an amazing shoe with the purple tag, I think thats the extra 80% off color.  Anyway if you haven't checked it out... its a must.  Moving on to the light pink sheer blazer from H&M I purchased last year sometime.  It's a perfect cover up for a more sophisticated charm look for the summer.  It has the shape of a blazer, with the mobility of a scarf, and the perfect amount of fabric to keep you cool in any summer heat.  Underneath my favorite blazer is this see through lace tank that is one of my most recent purchases from forever 21.  My favorite part of this top is the neck line that look like a pearl necklace.  It adds a little something, something to a lace tank!
A charming outfit can be very subjective, but I must say there is something about lace and sheer and bow accent shoes that make me feel a little alluring and pleasing!! : )

FDPC Day 24. printed shorts

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 24. printed shorts

The time has come back to wear patterns all over your bottom half.  What was usually considered eccentric and bold is now the everyday style.  If you wear only jeans, kakis, or black slacks you are probably categorized as being conservative and safe.  Isn't it unfair how quickly styles change and what your entire closet is styled around could be considered "unwearable" in a matter of months.  Don't listen to it.  I think any article of clothing can fit into every season as long as you style it accordingly.  I purchased these printed shorts that I am wearing years ago at Urban Outfitters.  When I wore them about two years ago they were looked at as being soo strange.  Now you see shorts like theses everywhere in stores.  I am excited that strong, bold, patterns are so popular because it means that they are much easier to find but it doesn't mean in two years from now when they are nowhere in sight that I will throw my collections in the trash.  It just means that I will have to continue to create a new way to incorporate what I already have into the styles of the moment!  Story of my life : )  I decided to pair these printed shorts with my favorite polka dot tights and my always exciting gold sequence heels.  I topped it off with a green sheer button up from H&M and an amazing snap tie that I found at Goodwill in Florida last year!  People check out Goodwill, I am telling you, if you are down to hunt you are able to find so many gems.  I went bold with the this outfit, but that does not mean you have to go bold when wearing printed shorts.  You could wear them with a solid color baggy top that hangs over the waist line so that only the bottom half of the shorts peek out for a more subtle look.  Or you could mix and match the printed shorts with a different type of patterned top for an even stronger statement!! OOOO soo many options!!

FDPC Day 23 Bright Orange

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 23. bright orange

Orange is one of the main color of this season.  Orange is EVERYWHERE and it demands attention!  I personally love this color because this was the theme color for the benefit show that I put on called VITALITY, which was also my wedding day.  So I have some close ties with Orange.  We dont realize how much colors affect our mood and our energy.  When I was creating my show a few months ago I decided to do a lot of research about colors to find the perfect one that would represent my relationship with my husband.  Thats how I decided on orange for the theme of my show/wedding.  I have read that wearing orange during times of stress, or shock can  helo to balance your emotions.  It can bring out the willingness to embrace new ideas with enjoyment and a sense of exploration and creative play.  Orange is said to increase creativity and appetite and it means vitality and endurance.  It is also associated with warmth, sexuality and adventure.
I thought that was some interesting facts to share!! My outfit today, I must admit definitely changed my mood.  These shorts were purchased very recently from forever 21 and this was the first time wearing them.  Which is also very exciting.  If you are afraid of being so bold in your style, I would say go orange first to push you forward.  I think its one of those colors that looks good on almost anyone, and it brings so much joy!!