Outfit Idea #20. Pretty Plaid Dresses.

Hello fashion-lovers!

Plaids are everywhere this fall! Every apparel store window displays some outfit in plaid. Coincidentally, I happen to love plaids and especially plaid dresses! That is why I decided to show a couple of plaid dresses I made a little while back.

I made this blue plaid dress from McCalls Pattern 5466, which is now out of print. It has tucks at the neckline, cap sleeves and in-seam side pockets. I love its hourglass shape. I usually wear it with this black bow belt. But it is always good to diversify the look. So I styled it with this black blazer cinched with a blue skinny belt. The blazer gives it a professional look and the belt adds a touch of sophistication.

The second plaid dress I want to share is probably my favourite yet! Unfortunately, I cannot recall which pattern I followed so it will have to stay a mystery.

It has a square neckline, wide elbow-length sleeves, it's very roomy and has big big side pockets! I love how unusual it is! I love how wide its sleeves are and how loosely it sits on the body. There is a certain kind of sexiness about it. And I especially like that it goes with just about anything beige or brown. So I can wear it with a beige belt...

...throw on a neutral blazer...

...and wear a woven beige belt over it...

You can further diversity the look by adding an extra layer underneath like a blouse or a turtle neck. Isn't it just perfect for winter?

Do you like plaids? Do you think of plaids as primarily fall/winter-appropriate? Or do you think you can sport them year round?

Outfit Idea #17. Paisley Pattern Pencil Skirt.

Can u repeat that 3 times really fast?

If you are stuck in an office during these lovely summer days my heart goes out to you. But I also have a solution: you can show your coworkers that you still remember that it's summer by wearing your office staple - a pencil skirt - in a fun paisley pattern.

I made this skirt from McCall's Pattern 5817. I was tired of old black and grey pencil skirts and decided to play a bit with colour. I found this fabric on a scraps table in a Home Decor section of Fabricland. Thus, I am proud to admit that the entire projects did not cost me more than maybe $5. 

I love this skirt because the fit is so perfect. The unusual fabric choice adds interest to this understated style. Plus the two vents in the back let you move freely while still looking sharp.

Wear it with a white crisp shirt, wedge or flat shoes and accessorize it with a bold necklace. Swapping the necklace for an animal print scarf is a fun way to combine prints. 

Who said that office fashion is boring? In the summer it simply cannot be!

Outfit Idea #11. A Happy Dress for a Happy New Year!

Hello fashionistas!

I think you will agree that New Year's Eve is the kind of an occasion which simply has to be celebrated in style. This magical night only happens once a year. So which girl would not want to feel like a Cinderella at a ball while the clock strikes 12! The only exception is that she can stay at the ball and continue partying until the first day light of the New Year! And if you choose the right attire you will definitely not want to leave early.

For this special night I wanted to come up with a special dress. I have kept this gorgeous brown-and-gold lace fabric in my stash for a while. This time I finally found a perfect design for it in combination with this beautiful champagne taffeta. These fabric choices reminded me of sparkling drinks and fireworks and seemed appropriate for such a big holiday as New Years! I made this dress from McCall's pattern 6647 with minor modifications. 

The front of the dress has a seemingly simple silhouette. However, it harbours a little flirty surprise in the back. 

I switched the lengths around from what the pattern suggested and made the bottom layer longer than the lace layer. This modification created a border at the hem and added an extra design interests.

I love how this dress goes nicely both with the heels (for indoor partying ) and with my new cognac boots (for outdoor fun). This dress-with-boots combination came in especially handy this New Year because I had to travel from one party to the other in the middle of this festive yet chilly night.

My favourite gold-tone jewelry and the sky-high nude heels perfectly complete the look and make me feel like a princess! Cinderella could only dream of the kind of a ball that I had this year!

Wishing You a Happy and Stylish New Year!!!

Outfit Idea #7. Slouchy Floral Pants.

They have been long "in the thinking" but only happened to be "in the making" 2 days ago - my slouchy floral pants! I have been wanting them since summer but my busy life has only now given me a chance to make them. And they are that more dearer for that! Dear to my heart for their fashion statement (for WGSN professes them to be the new IT pant!) and dear to my hips (for I have not had a jersey pant that would be that comfy, yet look this chic!) I used McCall's pattern 5858 to make them. And, as is usually the case with ultra chic items, I have come up with multiple ways of wearing them!

Working Woman

Wear them with the crisp white shirt (mine has roll up sleeves which adds a sportier look), a cat-print scarf or a long strand of wooden beads and shoes with a comfortable heel. You are office-ready!

Urban Tourist

White tank top, jacket and fedora hat turn these pants into an easy day about town kind of an outfit. Not without an edge however! Grab your over the shoulder bag and comfy loafers and you can run for miles!

Night Diva

How do you add glam to slouchy-fitting stretch pants? Easy! Pair it with a lace (or better gold sequinned) tank top. Add some 'bling' and sky-high heels. I'm wearing my faithful nude peep-toe heels and a "half-face" necklace I acquired in NYC. I absolutely adore it for it instantly transforms an outfit from casual to glamorous! 

Have a chic and slouchy day everyone!

Outfit Idea #6. Colour Blocking.

Today I wanted to share with you my take on colour blocking. I went graphic with it. I made this dress from McCall's pattern 6278. However, since the peter pan collar has been all the rage recently I decided to adorn the plain neckline of this dress with my interpretation of this fashionable detail. The shape of my collar mimics the angles of the black side panels on the hips and, thus, gives consistency to my dress.

I like how the black and white colour scheme and the collar create the sense of the conservative. Yet, the angular details and pops of red in my outfit give my dress an extra edge. I especially love the shoes that I chose to go with this dress. Metal studs and colour strips also make the outfit more daring. Just the way I like it!

Finally, it is a perfect day to night dress. Drop the bright red, throw on a jacket and you can easily wear it to the office. Pull out your daring heels and bright-coloured purse and you are ready for the night on the town!

Outfit Idea #5. Plaid Jacket.

As the days are getting shorter and the nights longer, the chilly air particles biting my face in the mornings get me thinking about layers. This is a confusing time of the year: you think it's cold as you run out the door in the morning, but you find yourself drenched as you commute back home. And what other than layers offers the best option for changing temperatures? With that in mind I decided to show you the shirt/jacket I made from McCall's pattern 5941.

I thought that beige plaid could not be more appropriate for fall. I teamed up this jacket with the black skinnie jeans and a black turtle neck underneath. (This is where your basics come in handy!) I like how  the kimono sleeves of the jacket and the grey beret give my outfit a retro feel. Yet the chains and the high-heels on the grey boots and the furry Marc Fisher bag keep it edgy and modern-looking.

The collar of this plaid jacket can be worn two different ways:

raise it up

lay it flat

The huge mock wood button is a playful original touch. Since it's the only one on this garment I thought it better be big! Plus it ties well with the neutral natural tones of the whole look. I think I'm ready for fall!

Outfit Idea #4. Tribal Print.

If you have not yet noticed - you will after this post! - I absolutely fell in love with the concept of light weight over-sized tops. Wide necklines, ruffles, fun prints, enough skin concealed, enough revealed are the features that make it such a versatile item in your wardrobe. More importantly, however, they are so easy to wear and style! 

The inspiration for my new creation came from the fabric which had been patiently waiting for its perfect garment in my stash for about a year. I fell in love with this bright magenta tribal print! It's got layers of different prints on it, which breaks up the pattern and does not let the fabric look boring. Thank you, Digital Age!

Since the print is pretty busy and does most of the performance, I knew the silhouette needed to be rather simple. So my choice fell on the McCall's pattern 5666. 

For a sunny day 

For a summer day of fun I styled the top with crisp white shorts and belt. In the summer, I cannot live without my open-toed, cuffed, cream sandals.

For an urban night

For a city look, I wore this top with my black skinnies. Instead of tucking it in my jeans I left it out and cinched it with the black faux leather belt. This makes the top more expressive and gives you that 'just-in' peplum look. I completed the look with black peep toe 'shooties' and a sleek black purse. A silver cuff and earrings will make you club- or lounge-ready!

One awesome print, one simple silhouette - two awesome looks! 

Happy Styling!

Outfit Idea #3. Floral Blouse.

I would like to share the new creation of mine - the floral top which I made from McCall's Pattern 6437. Luckily, there was no deficit of florals in our wardrobes this past summer. It would seem that such a bold print is hard to mix and match with other pieces in your closet but I believe that having a loose silky floral top  makes your wardrobe so much more versatile. What I love about florals is that you can pick up on any colour of the print from which to build the rest of your outfit. Here is my take on it.

Take it for a walk

My top has a wide neckline and loose bell sleeves gathered at the wrist. I love how it looks chic without constraining. For a casual/day-about-town/dinner-with-girlfriends look I paired the top with beige flared dress pants and nude sandals. I added matching camel coloured belt and purse. As an accessory you can flaunt your turquoise earrings skipping other jewelry as the neckline and the sleeve have enough pretty detail and do not require extra adornment.

Take it to work

Yes, you can wear this bold print to the office. Just combine it with your grey or navy pencil skirt and matching jacket. Such business attire subdues the bright print and keeps it professional yet in the spirit of the summer. Your sleek black purse and matching black sandals complete the polished professional look which still reads  feminine.

Beach it out!

You can even wear your floral top to the beach by combining it with white cut off shorts, jeweled flip-flops and a wide brimmed sun hat (you are right, I cannot get enough of those!). And there! You've got three looks out of one top! 

Thought of the day: Interchangeability is the key to a functional wardrobe!

Happy Mix-and-Matching!