-The Denver Post, December 22, 2011
“Accessories add instant glitz and glam,” says Rachel Lefort, a stylist who blogs at lefortstylereport.wordpress.com. “I’m loving classy pumps in metallics….”
Please click to read the article from The Denver Post, and add some shine to your New Year’s look, no matter what your plans are!
Rival the sparkle of the holidays with sequins and metallics. Whether you choose jeans, a work-to-party ensemble or all-out drama, go ahead – be a little conspicuous.
Keep in mind:
The key to either type of look is to choose classic shapes – they give longevity to trendy pieces like a sequined dress, and keep you from competing with the Christmas tree for glitz in the worst way.
Swapping out your regular daytime bag for a clutch polishes and finishes any holiday look. Besides, what more do you really need to carry besides lipstick, your cell phone, and a few cards? Clutches are the most chic way to carry almost nothing.
Dark Jeans.Yes, you can wear jeans to a holiday party – a sparkly sweater in subtle gold becomes the focus. Spice up the ensemble and tie it together with accessories in bold, geometric black. Add a pair of booties with charming ruffles, and this is not your basic jeans-and-sweater combo.
Work-to-Party. Be appropriate with sharply tailored trousers and a jacket for the office (with a work-befitting blouse), but transform the outfit to totally fête-worthy by adding a sequined shell for night with tonal metallic accessories and a feathered clutch. A mauve lace scarf adds some interest at the neckline without being distracting.
All-Out Drama. A classic wrap silhouette keeps an allover-sequined dress glam instead of garish. But don’t you dare try to blend in – a structured lace clutch and a multistrand pearl necklace complement the gold too beautifully to forgo. Throw an ivory wrap around your shoulders as an alternative to a cardigan, and go find some bright lights.
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Audrey Hepburn immortalized the little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and it’s been synonymous with chic versatility ever since. Simplicity keeps the style classic, so accessorizing is key to personalization. Metallics, fur, or jewel tones give the LBD a totally different feel, no matter the silhouette you choose.
1. Jewel Tones. Accessories in saturated hues lend an air of timeless sophistication. Simple magenta satin pumps make a cummerbund-waisted dress cocktail-party worthy, and a royal purple geometric clutch complements its artistic design.
2. Golden Metallics. A copper, rose gold, and peach color palette give a long-sleeved fitted jersey dress an effortless earthiness, but metallic materials and rhinestones make the accessories anything but boho. Plus, the visual depth is genius with an eclectic texture mix of a wool scarf, metal bangles, a leather clutch, and rhinestoned pumps.
3. All-Black Glam. The flirty A-line shape and gorgeous gathering center stage on this irresistible taffeta number. Black patent pumps and a feathered clutch are the only accessories needed when the dress is this interesting, but fab chandelier earrings would instantly amp up the dazzle factor.
4. Old Hollywood. Complement a gathered-front, knee-length silhouette with a sumptuous cream fur stole, a ladylike pearl bracelet, and a flower clutch. Mesh cage heels make for a fresh take on the bootie. With such classically elegant detailing and luxe fabrics, you’ll wonder why Katharine Hepburn ever ditched her skirt.
5. Festive Silver Sparkle. Monochromatic silver accessories make a simple, one-shoulder satin variety perfect for winter. Jeweled silver booties are totally modern, while a silver cuff (or three) and foldover clutch keep the ensemble classic.
Dressing for travel seems to beg the tradeoff: comfort or style? No girl ever got an upgrade in a tracksuit, but sitting through a five-hour flight in a buttoned-up suit with off-the-charts wrinkle potential sounds quite uncomfortable. Thankfully, jet-set style gets a makeover with a range of chic new options. The comfort-or-style conundrum for air travel? So yesterday. The basics are below.
Layering. Prepare for any cabin temperature and destination climate with plenty of lightweight layers. A wool wrap (think pashmina or cashmere) that doubles as a blanket is a must-have, unless you think the germs that reside on airline-issue covers go great with your eyes. Merino cardigans, thin pullovers, and turtlenecks all make great options, and a blazer or structured jacket pulls everything together.
Comfortable But Polished. Believe it or not, you can have both. Make ponte-knit pants your go-to bottoms for air travel. The thicker, stretchy knit provides all the comfort of leggings with the structure of denim. Additionally, a mid-rise jean with its stretch built-in can provide comfort and style. Boot-cut options can flatter fuller figures wonderfully, and a blazer on top will add structure to slim any silhouette. Even if your blazer is placed overhead during flight, you’ll feel first-class and polished during your airport adventures.
The airport is one of the (very few) occasions where you may want to hang up the high heels – running for a flight in them is not fun, especially while you’re weighed down with luggage. Riding boots and ballet flats are your best friends here. (Although I just had to show you a chic heeled bootie option for those of you who dare…they could always be packed for wearing on arrival.)
You can even get creative with your top layer. Have the best of both worlds in structure and comfort with a knit boyfriend blazer (shown above in black), which won’t wrinkle on the plane. Or a long belted merino cardigan offers a chic alternative to a jacket, and is relaxed enough to pile on the layers underneath comfortably.
Smart Storage.
For short excursions, three basic bags will take the stress off packing. Stow what you don’t need for the flight in a chic carry-on weekend tote. A small cross-body bag keeps the essentials like your driver’s license, cell phone, boarding pass and credit cards handy, and fits easily into a larger satchel that holds everything else you need inflight (like that pashmina wrap – hint, hint). For longer trips, check what you can and lighten your load with just your cross-body bag and satchel.
The depths of December feel less dreary and more like a chance to sparkle with gorgeous outerwear, and this season’s array of shapes and detailing are nothing less. From rugged utilitarian anoraks to feminine capes, it’s the details that make every choice as fabulous as you are.
1. Winter-White Cape. Over the course of the past few seasons, the cape has shown surprising longevity. Neutrals offer the most classic option, and who would pass up a chance to flaunt in winter’s chicest color?
2. Sweater Coat. A sumptuous sweater coat will make you feel like you never left your bed, yet without sacrificing structure. Wear chocolate-brown leather gloves with this show-stopping magenta number, and it will hardly matter what you’re wearing underneath.
3. Fur Vest. Perfect for sipping cocoa by the fire après-ski – but something this gorgeous shouldn’t be confined to the cabin. Whether paired with an ivory cable-knit sweater and slim jeans or a a fitted knit dress, a sumptuous fur vest makes a surprisingly versatile winter wardrobe staple.
4. Practical Pea Coat. Spice up a classic shape with this pea coat in deep teal. Also referred to as a car coat, this short length is perfect for trips around town, in and out of the car. The rich hue makes the perfect backdrop for cozy accessories in both bright and neutral, like this charming sequined beret and grape leather mittens.
5. Luxe Utilitarian. The classic military anorak gets a chic makeover with a fur lining that extends into a wide collar, rendering remembering a scarf unnecessary. Minimalism in accessories lets the perfect blend of luxury and utilitarianism of this coat take center stage. This style is perfect for slushy, damp winter days, and its length completes its total functionality. Pair with fleece-lined, equestrian-style rain boots to play up the anorak’s refined ruggedness.
6. Timeless Trench. The trench coat has become so ubiquitous in any stylish woman’s closet, you’d think Thomas Burberry stole it from us. Although my heart forever rests with Burberry’s version, and this sharp gray wool variety, a multitude of brands have picked up this style well worth borrowing for an equally varied range of prices. Pair any color or weight with a chic beret and leather gloves to complete the classic look that Audrey Hepburn made forever famous.
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Build your cold-weather weekend wardrobe with pieces that exude serious style yet have the comfort of your softest t-shirt.
Start with a base of skinny jeans, and choose an oatmeal chunky-knit dolman sweater. Suede over-the-knee boots, a mauve sequined scarf, and an armful of gold bangles are the perfect proverbial sparkle.
Flattering volume shows up everywhere in this season’s hottest shapes. Whether in a flowy cape, a swishy A-line midi skirt, or winter-white wide-leg pants, volume becomes effortless with the right proportions.
Keep In Mind…
Always balance volume with a slimmer top or bottoms – few can pull off the extra fabric on both without looking either overwhelmed or frumpy. Also include a multitude of texture to add depth. Cold-weather fabrics like wool, leather and fur balance well with all-season materials such as silk and denim.
1. Winter White Wide-Leg Pants. Go monochromatic with this unbelievably chic hue, and you’ll be glad Labor Day is long gone. The dry-cleaning bill is worth it. Just make sure to balance the extra volume in the pants with a fitted top.
2. A-Line Midi Skirt. This classic hemline at first appears merely demure with its length, but that changes the instant you take a step. Swishy movement and an A-line shape lend the midi skirt drama and an overt femininity. Tall boots, a gauzy scarf and a fitted leather jacket complete the perfect combination of retro and luxe.
3. Cape. Surprisingly easy to pull off, yet definitely demanding and commanding of a little drama. Opt for a hip- or mid-thigh length to avoid a casting call for Pirates of the Caribbean. There’s no hiding when paired with high-heeled gold booties and an animal-print blouse, but with an outfit this fabulous, who would want to?
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The Lefort Style Report 