One little paradox of a look from Alice + Olivia’s Fall 2011 collection is what started the How-to-Wear (HTW) ball rolling. The ensemble involves a shined-up dress synonymous with all things cocktail-clad, paired back to a fur-lined, hooded piece of full-on, utilitarian outerwear. Interesting combo? Completely. Wearable off the runway? The answer lies below…
Here’s the runway inspiration:
Here is how to wear the look using edited picks from my favorite e-boutiques out in Fashion Land. There’s always time for a montage:
You’ll notice how I’ve made a couple of additions, subtractions, or replacements to the runway look. This is the point, let alone the fun part. It’s all about the reinterpretation of what went down the runway. The designer’s perspective is not gospel, as in, there’s plenty of wiggle room to make an outfit your own.
Case in point, I pulled the boot and substituted a rich, rust-colored, suede-covered platform pump from Giuseppe Zanotti. I continued to inject some warmed color touches into the overall cool/nude palette by adding in the bow clutch from Valentino. And there’s no way I could let this uber-femme ensemble go without crystals and rhinestones. Cue the jewels.
She may be gracefully swigging back a cocktail at the nearest fete, but this girl can also slosh around outside in the elements with the best of ‘em (and maybe a pair of wellies so she doesn’t hurt those burgundy suede pumps).
So, now that you have the gist of it, it’s time for stylish scrolling of the close-up product pics. Click on the image to shop:
1. Patterson J. Kincaid ‘Angela’ Fur Trim Parka
Image provided by www.bloomingdales.com
I feel like every season there are a multitude of iterations on the above jacket style. For this look, I stuck with Patterson J. Kincaid. The details, from the hood to the cinched waist are all there.
2. Alice + Olivia ‘Vista’ Beaded Dress
Image provided by www.bloomingdales.com
Why dig for something similar to the runway piece when I can actually just use the exact dress right? The nude canvas with the pops of metallic geometric embroidery take a girlie look and pull it back into the realm of sophisticated. It’s still playful, just not too too saccharin-sweet. Done and done.
3. Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Platform Pumps
Image provided by www.shopbop.com
Yea, you’re never going to hear me have anything negative to say when it comes to the case of a platform pump in this ridiculously autumnal ‘rust,’ sort of a muted burgundy, suede. The ankle strap is the retro-throwback that takes me over the edge.
Image provided by www.net-a-porter.com
Really, the Valentino bow is the epitome of all things feminine. Throw in the color that looks like a hybrid of champagne, peaches, and rose gold, and you’ve got yourself the perfect evening clutch.
5. Rodrigo Otazu “BDL” Pacific Opal Crystal Ring (side note, this ring also made it into the my Top Fives this week)
Image provided by www.endless.com
I was going to keep the rocks strictly on the clear crystal side, but then these Pacific opals caught my eye and I had to add them into the mix.
6. Kate Spade New York Black Diamond Chandelier Earrings
Image provided by www.endless.com
A teardrop chandelier earring just felt ‘right’ to bring more light around the face for the overall look. They’re definitely not subtle, but they don’t draw too much focus away from any one piece in the equation. Instead, they complement. Plus, they’re shiny. Who doesn’t like shiny?
There are so many reasons and ways to get inspired. Sometimes I hit ruts where I just can’t seem to get excited. That’s when I go back to where my passion lies, and that is the runway. All of the images get the fashion juices flowing again, and once that happens, I’m relatively unstoppable. Throw in my new espresso maker, and I’m essentially bionic.
See more how-to-wear-it looks inspired by edited picks, gorgeous photography, and/or of course, runway looks.
