Hello, fabulouses! Today is reader’s choice! Reader’s choice? What is that, you ask? Well, reader’s choice on the VIP blog is where you (a VIP reader) will choose which outfit you like best! On this blog, the challenge is BRIGHT -vs- NEUTRAL! So….without further ado, here are some more fabulous pictures to help you make your decision.
Once you have decided BRIGHT or NEUTRAL comment on this post OR tweet me @AbbyHathorn with your favorite using the hashtags #teamBRIGHT -or- #teamNEUTRAL!
Click here to tweet for the NEUTRAL outfit! Don’t forget to hashtag #teamNEUTRAL!
Well, readers, it is up to you to decide which ensemble is the reader’s choice of the week!
Voting will end July 20 at midnight Central Standard Time (CST) and the winning ensemble will be posted to the VIP Facebook page! So, y’all get to commentin’ and tweetin’! I cannot wait to see which is YOUR favorite :)
Hello, hello, hello, my lovely fashionistas! Welcome back to the VIP blog on this wonderful day! In Alabama, the weather is sunny and 65 degrees-ahh….makes me ready for spring break…ooo! and spring fashion! But, I am not here to talk about how desperate I am for a full week of sunny, warm weather! So, let’s get started with what ensemble the VIP created this week by shopping in her own closet….
As I was rumbling through the boxes of clothes I have yet to unpack from the move, I stumbled upon a forgotten treasure…my vintage polka-dot skirt! This glorious moment spawned the idea of a “dot-on-dot ensemble”…but what accessories? Hot pink, of course! The VIP simply adores polka dots and hot pink!
Want fabulous vintage pieces? Check out Twisted Moss on Etsy! You will fall in love with everything for sale! The VIP absolutely ADORES Twisted Moss! http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwistedMoss
If you cannot get enough of the VIP, check out my articles in The Real Story! www.realstorypublishing.com “The Adventures of the VIP” in the LifeStyle section!
Hello again, my beautiful readers! Do you know what time it is? INSTYLE INSPIRATION time! Whoo Hoo! The excitement ( I’m so excited, and I just hide it and i don’t know the rest of the words to this song la la la la…but I think I like it…) oh yes, the excitement is spreading rapidly through my fashionista veins so I must share with you my inspiration from the August issue of InStyle magazine!
As I flipped through the pages of the August issue, I ran across a FABULOUS article called “Colored Blazer”…I shouted, “Colored Blazer! I have the perfect colored blazer-in blue-quite similar to the one shown!…Mom, where is my blue blazer I just got from Urban Outfitters…no, I haven’t looked for it…” I am proud to announce that I found my blue blazer all by myself…shiny gold star sticker!
InStyle showed two different ways you could spice up your wardrobe with a “lucious hue” blazer! (InStyle, August 2012, pg. 110) I dedcided to pair mine with shorts for a classy look that would keep me cool during the dog days of summer.
I always make sure to read the “Color Crash Course” articles in every issue! This month, “Color Crash Course Jade” opened so many doors for my newly thrifted, vintage, highwaisted Wrangler jade hue jeans! InStyle says, “Jade plays well with navy, chalk, eggplant, and teal.” There are so many possibilities with all things Jade…and I challenge you to create your own fabulous outfits and email, tweet, or facebook me with your eye-catching ensembles! (InStyle August 2012, page 103-104)The “Shop It!” section this month says, “Think outside the ordinary. Shop a spectrum of skinny belts.” Well…I have numerous skinny belts that can be paired easily with many different VIP ensembles! Every good fashionista needs skinny belts in a variety of styles and colors! So beg your deddy (Deddy, not daddy. Deddy is the VIP’s Southern slang coming out;)) for a little cash and splurge a little on new accessories for fall! (InStyle August 2012, page 206)
So pick yourself up the September issue of InStyle (available now) to see what will inspire you! The “Fall Fashion” edition with stunning Jennifer Lopez on the cover is so AMAZING! Join me next month for another fantabulous blog about what I found inspiring from the September absolutely fashion-packed issue of InStyle mag.!
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Abbysauce_ and Instagram @VintagePassionista.
Thanks to the daring style-icon and movie star, Katharine Hepburn, I am able to wear and write about my fabulous blue blazer. Katharine made menswear flirty and glamorous with a touch of tomboy fierceness! “If you obey the rules you miss all the fun,” was Hepburn’s philosophy when it came to her approach to fashion. According to www.fashionsalade.com, “The second world war meant that many women were forced to give up their glamorous clothing from decades past and take up work in factories to help with the war effort, and Queen Elizabeth II famously saved up ration tokens to buy the material for her wedding dress. A plain color palette and an oversized fit gave off a coolness that no one else was wearing at that time and a (albeit reluctant) style icon was born.” Katherine Hepburn’s strong personality, beautiful look, and feisty attitude by far set the bar for today’s independent woman!
I began discussing the ideal transition item for late summer to fall in my last post. Now, I want to show off that vibrant blue blazer and give tips on how to harmoniously match it with items already in your closet. Want to add some serious spice to your wardrobe? An opulent, jewel-toned blazer is the must-have item to create that spicy look while keeping your style real and comfortable. Now, go back and read last week’s tips, go buy a ravishing blazer, and meet me right back here for ways to deliver the impact you want!
I have put together a couple of ensembles that work perfectly for a business meeting, a dinner date, or a class reunion. It was difficult narrowing down what I wanted to share with y’all; however, after much trying on, I decided to go with classic summer to fall looks. It is easy to adjust the color palette for autumn by subbing in rich, jewel tones for summer’s cool, breezy colors.
Blazer: Urban Outfitters Dress: Deep South Pout Shoes: Micheal Kors Belt: Anthroplogie
As y’all can probably tell, I have a love for a Deep South Pout, but what fabulous Southern girl doesn’t? I have put together a stellar outfit consisting of a fluid dress from Deep South Pout, which was featured in my “Deep South Pout Accessories Challenge” blog, a turquoise blazer from Urban Outfitters, a fabulous buckle belt from Anthropologie, and a pair of luscious, mustard-yellow Michael Kors heels! This outfit is perfect for the office or classroom (for all my hardworking, dedicated teachers). When the temperature turns cooler, I can add leggings, boots, and a scarf for a picture-perfect look.
For the next outfit, I paired the same blazer with a fresh, white lace top from The Limited, green Bermuda shorts from JCrew, a chunky necklace from Avon, and metallic sandals by Jessica Simpson. This outfit is so cute and comfortable you can wear it anywhere your heart desires! You can go from a nice lunch with the family to a night out on the town with your girls in a snap with this fabulous outfit! I am already planning on wearing this ensemble to a football game. Better still, when the night, game-time air gets a chill, I shall wear this blazer with a pair of black trousers, a lightweight sweater, and darling heels. I will be layered, warm, and comfortable-all while standing and cheering for my favorite team.
Knowing how to pair a blazer with a variety of outfits is a skill that every fashionista needs to be trained to do effortlessly! Not to leave out the guys, I have also added a VIP tip especially for you because every VIP needs a dashing man on her arm.
VIP Tips on Pairing Blazers:
Now and Later: For now, you can pair your smart blazers with summer dresses and metallic sandals for an elegant and sophisticated late-summer look! As the temperatures start to cool down, I recommend pairing your blazers and summer dresses with opaque tights and a pair of closed-toe, T-strap heels for a glamorous way to stay warm.
Shorts to Trousers: Pairing a blazer with a fun pair of shorts, a sheer shell top, and a pair of flirty summer wedges is such a flattering and fun outfit! For a classic menswear vibe that will carry your blazer into fall, simply pair it with trousers, color-block heels (one of fall’s must-have items), and a light-weight, polka dot, cashmere sweater. If you are looking to shop from your sofa, check out www.jcrew.com for a plethora of fall blazers, sweaters, trousers, and much more for the entire family.
Extending your summer wardrobe: Wearing a blazer with strapless tops and dresses is a great way to extend the life of your summer wardrobe into fall. It is super easy to dress up these pieces for the cooler weather by adding fall’s essential accessories like tights/leggings, boots, and scarves.
For the Gentlemen: The striking combination of a blazer with colored khaki shorts and a light cotton t-shirt is the perfect late-summer look! To carry your beloved blazer into fall, pair it with a pair of Sun-Faded Chinos from JCrew, a chunky cotton sweater, and a pair of cropped work-style boots. Oh my, how dashing!
To see one way the VIP wears a statement blazer, check out my “VIP Interview: Raspberry Beret Consignment Shop” blog! I am so in love with blazers because they work with just about everything in my closet-I would say everything, but they don’t work so well with the Nike shorts and PJs!
This week we are going on an Accessories Challenge adventure together. What is an Accessories Challenge, you ask? Well, it is where the VIP (that’s me) takes one outfit and gives it three different looks by changing only a few accessories. Accessorizing involves more than putting on earrings, tossing on a necklace, and piling on bracelets. Oh, my sweet readers, it’s much more! Imagine (Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can…you may say I’m a dreamer-oh, I’m sorry for bursting out into song. I just love the Beatles!)-oh, yes, imagine the limitless possibilities of your wardrobe when you expand it with hats, belts, scarves, shoes, and even legging. I agree that it’s a bit warm for scarves and leggings, but it’s never too hot for hats and belts!
For this Accessories Challenge, I chose a pair of vintage, sky blue, high-waist shorts from The Attic in Columbus and a white, lace top from The Limited. By keeping the “basic” outfit simple and neutral in color, I was able to jazz it up for my summer events. Each transformation has been paired with a hat because hats are a great way to hide frizzy hair-thank you, Southern humidity and ridiculous heat! Inevitably, a bad hair day always strikes when we need to go somewhere important. So, keep those hair accessories handy!
Have you ever had a bridal shower brunch, an outing at the mall with friends, and an evening party or night out on the town-with no time to change-ALL on the same day? Well, that’s where accessories can make all the difference! Pack a few pairs of shoes, hats, and pieces of jewelry that coordinate with the events of your extremely busy day along with some Smart Water and granola snacks into your emergency beauty bag-then get ready to wow friends and strangers alike with your fashion genius! I guarantee you will look fabulous without breaking a sweat; however, I cannot guarantee you won’t sweat-after all, it is 100 degrees-in the shade.
Hat: World Market (Birmingham, Alabama) Top: The Limited (Birmingham, Alabama) Belt: Betsey Johnson (TJ Maxx-Trussville, Alabama) Shorts: The Attic (Columbus, Mississippi) Shoes: Jessica Simpson (Belk-Trussville, Alabama)
For a bridal shower brunch, I decided to pair the vintage shorts and lace top with a floppy, summer hat, cobalt blue Jessica Simpson heels, and a neutral colored bow belt by Betsey Johnson. This look is cute and dressy which is perfect for any special occasion, especially a luncheon or brunch.
Top: The Limited Belt: JCrew Shorts: The Attic Shoes: Converse
Next stop is the mall with friends. I wanted to be comfortable, yet cute. How did I go from bridal shower dressy to comfy cute? You guessed it! I changed my accessories. I simply pulled out patterned high-top Converse, a tie belt from JCrew, and a funky hat by Blu Getrude from my handy dandy emergency beauty bag. This outfit also works well with Keds, Sperry’s, or a cute pair of metallic sandals.
Hat: Blu Gertude (Deeo South Pout in Columbus, MS) Top: The Limited Belt: Target Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Finally, the sun has set, but the outfit must keep shining because there is a hot, summer party in the city (Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight…hot in the city-I apologize for my digression, but that Billy Idol song just fits). Once again, reach into that magical emergency bag full of splendid accessories, Smart Water, and granola wrappers, and pull out neon Jessica Simpson heels, a bright pink belt, and a funky headband. Now, get ready to party the night away while looking absolutely fabulous! Neon accessories are suitable for summer parties or a day out on the town-you cannot have enough neon accessories this summer!
Accessories are SO important! They can change the overall look of any outfit with very little effort. Just keep the five tips on pairing, buying, and picking out accessories in mind the next time you find yourself with too many events and too little time.
VIP Accessory Tips:
Making a Statement: Invest in statement jewelry such as a pair of funky Blu Gertrude earrings or a pair of neon heels. Do NOT be afraid to stand out and make a statement. Be you and express your style!
Quantity: Your local Claire’s or other accessory shops are wonderful ways to get more bang for your buck. Take advantage of sales and buy bracelets and necklaces in bulk!
Variety: Make sure you have style variation in your jewelry box and closet. Classic pearls, neon bangles, floral patterned heels, vintage hats…variety is key!
Hats: Invest in hats for the summer! You can purchase an adorable, floppy hat from the CosMedi Center that makes you look fabulous with the bonus of protecting your precious face from the sun.
Not Too Much: If you want to wear an “arm party” (which is a variety of bracelets/watches combined on each arm), do not wear necklaces or big, flashy earrings because that is too much accessorizing. You want to make a statement-not look like Mr. T from the A-Team. Don’t get me wrong-I love Mr. T and the A-Team.
vintageinspiredpassionista.com 