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 #19. Over-sized Pocket Skirt.

Hi darlings,

I am very excited to share this creation of mine with you. It's been so busy on my end that to complete this number I had to literally steal a minute here, a minute there, sometimes sacrificing other chores. Now, it is finally ready and cannot wait to be worn. I made this skirt with a Vogue pattern. My skirt is of mid-calf length and has extremely baggy pockets and extra  long sleeves for belt ties. I installed metal snaps on the fake cuffs so they look real :) I just love how different and unapologetic this skirt is! 

I wore it with a crisp white dress shirt, the black rope necklace and laced up sandals. The fabric on this skirt looks like it's denim but it's actually linen dyed to look this way. That's why even though gathers add bulk, the skirt is still very flowy and has lots of movement.

Midi length skirts have been trending since about a year or so ago and are in full bloom in the runways for Spring.

Spring 2014 RTW

Since a long winter awaits, I adapted the same skirt for the colder months. I wore it with a plain black turtle neck, black high-heeled boots with a sparkle and a statement necklace. Add a shiny clutch and this outfit becomes office party-appropriate!

And I just LOVE this necklace I got from Topshop. I think it perfectly completes this strong look!

How about you? Have you started planning your party outfits yet? If you have, make it loud and unapologetic! 

Outfit Idea #18. Little Black Leather Skirt

Hello darlings!

I have recently completed my first ever project in leather: an A-line mini skirt. I used cow leather for it. I found leather surprisingly easy to work with. No need for cleaning the raw edges - no hassle. My skirt has a waistband, an invisible zipper on the left side and a snap closure. Since it is a black skirt in a very basic silhouette the possibilities for styling are endless! So I wanted to share with you how I dressed it up and dressed it down. 

I made it look casual by pairing it up with a sweater with irregular stripes, a camo army style hat and camo keds. I topped it off with a white bomber jacket. Can I just tell you how much I love these cute little keds??? I love them!!!

To make the look more preppy, I wore it with a pastel pink sweater over a basic white blouse and the black suede wedge booties.

Throw a jacket over your shoulders and your outfit immediately looks more romantic.

Here is to foundation pieces!

Outfit Idea #15. Silver Jumpsuit.

Hello dear all,

Life has been busy on my side of the computer screen. But as it happens, if you work hard, you tend to party just as hard. So today I wanted to share with you my very adaptable outfit: silver jumpsuit. It is adaptable because you can wear it in the summer as well as in winter, to the club as well as to a more casual event. I made this jumpsuit from Burda Pattern 7552 and fell in love with it. It is so easy to wear and look chic in.

Here I wore it with nothing but a silver belt and silver necktie jewelry. It was perfect for a summer lounge party for my friend's birthday! Yay! 

But then winter came - boo! - and I still wanted to wear this cutie out. So I just replaced my sandals with the tallest boots I had, wore a black leather statement belt, threw a black jacket over my shoulders and was ready to rock-and-roll the frosty night away!

If you are unsure whether jumpsuits are a thing of the past, never fear. Pre-Fall and Fall 2013 shows were abundant with jumpsuits. And they are cuter than ever. 

Some have taken on an office chic attitude, others continue to bring summer memories with summer florals, yet others look as utilitarian as jumpsuits were initially intended to look. One thing is certain: jumpsuits are the next best thing to a dress! You threw it on and - voila - you are fully dressed, and stylishly at that!

Which style of jumpsuit would you pick?

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 #2. Floral Dress.

Unless you have been living in a box (I will not judge you if it's a shoe box), you have probably noticed the floor-length-floral-print-dress trend mesmerizing us for the past two summers. Well I have too. However, I have been resisting the temptation of buying one because I promised myself that I would make it. Guess what? I kept the promise! I made this long goddess dress from Simplicity Pattern 2692 and would like to demonstrate two different ways of wearing it.

Dress it Up

You can turn this seemingly simple dress into a cocktail or a special event one by choosing the right pair of shoes and appropriate jewelry.

Pairing it up with your nude high heels gives the dress an immediate lift in terms of the type of the occasion to which it can be worn.

Because of the asymmetrical neckline and a fairly busy print I decided to skip the necklace. To keep in line with the femininity of the tender floral design I went with the pale pink pearl drop earrings and pearl bracelet. I like how haphazardly the pearls of the bracelet are arranged.

The subdued pastel colours of the overall outfit make it look natural yet sophisticated. Top off this outfit with a subtle floral perfume and you are fully ready for a summer wedding or an outdoor cocktail event.

Dress it Down

For a day about town swap your high heels for your favourite flat sandals (mine have a floral detail on them), skip the evening jewelry and grab a wide-brimmed sun hat. A beach tote can work just as well in the sweltering city as it does on the beach. 

I hope you agree that this outfit breathes ease and chic. After all, who says you cannot run errands in style? 



"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication!" - Leonardo da Vinci

Outfit Idea #1. Grecian Inspired.

I am very excited to share with you my outfit idea #1 (#1 on this blog that is). Yesterday one of my best friends had a birthday party after which she is embarking on a long European trip. So since I will not be seeing her for a while I wanted this night to be a memorable one. And what makes a special occasion more special other than a special outfit? 

My choice fell on a white satin dress which I made from Cynthia Rowley pattern 2178. I love the asymmetric detail on the shoulder and the slightly loose fit.

It turned out to look very Roman-inspired so I decided to go along with that theme of ancient Rome and complete the look with appropriate accessories. The interwoven straps of my heeled sandals reminisce of Grecian sandals. 

As do my gold-tone cuffs with Roman design. Nothing makes a better statement than an over-sized piece of jewelry, hence, the ring and big gold-tone disc earrings. A matching clutch with gold-tone detailing completes the look.

 Voila!

Colour is Power

To continue where I left off last time I would like to say that "Advanced Styl-istas'" cheerful approach to fashion is not reserved solely to old ladies. At least, in my humble opinion it should not be. There is nothing more dreary than swimming through a sea of casual greyness as you walk around the city. As Jessi Arrington, a Brooklyn designer, put it "Colour is powerful. It is almost physiologically impossible to be in a bad mood when you're wearing bright red pants!" I could not agree more. Holding that as my fashion mantra, I would like to share with you a photo of my dear friend who is anything but boring, both inside and out. 

I don't know how she combines the mind of a scientist (she works in a science lab) with the soul of an artist (she is a painter) but perhaps it is this union of her right and left brains that gives birth to such a feast of colour and play of silhouette in her outfits. Nonchalant? Yes, but also very original and expressive. A very well chosen background too by the way! Thank you for letting me share this photo - it's a treat for the eye!

The fabulous thing about self-expression through personal style is that you do not have to regularly run out and buy the latest "in" item. You can find endless ways to wear the pieces you already own through various combinations. Colours look different when juxtaposed next to different colours, a belt turns a casual dress into a classy, evening one. High heels can dress up and flats can dress down any outfit. The right piece of jewelry and accessory can diversify  your outfits and make a world of difference in your look. Stay tuned and I will show various ways of wearing the same pieces to create different looks. 

In the Beginning There Was Advanced Style...

Hello Dear All!

This had to happen sooner or later. The ideas inside me have been bubbling up for a while and have reached a critical mass which my brain alone is no longer able to contain. From now on, I will be sharing them here. 

This blog is about fashion, art, ideas and all thing which I find inspirational, stimulating, disturbing, outrageous, beautiful, subversive and worth sharing. I hope some of them will provoke a discussion in which case don't be shy to leave your comments.

Why fashion? Because we cannot escape it. Because you wear it every day whether you are aware of it or not. Because it is as much a form of art and self expression as it is a plain utility and necessity of every day life. Fashion is tribal. Fashion is individual. Fashion is both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. I believe that a subject so elusive yet to obvious is bound to stimulate an engaging discussion.

I use the word 'fashion' very broadly and in no way seek to promote any particular designer. In fact, I am all for a creative approach to your wardrobe and respect any form of DIY production: designing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, re-purposing/refashioning. I do not believe that expensive clothes equates good taste or original style. I argue that one can look absolutely terrific in something inexpensive. Periodically, I will be posting my outfit ideas some of which will incorporate pieces made by yours truly.

I would like to dedicate this first post to one of my biggest inspirations not just in fashion but in life in general. That is Ari Seth Cohen's project "Advanced Style" and, more specifically his beautiful models. Cohen seeks out and photographs women of mature age who live inspired lives and are not afraid to be different and express their individuality through fashion. Their love of colour and ability to take themselves humorously is admirable.

As a matter of fact, Ari Seth Cohen's book Advanced Style came out very recently. A collection of vibrant photos of these stunning ladies, this book can serve as a great "pick-me-up" on a gloomy day. Not only do these stylish women teach us that you only have to turn to your closet to put a little spark in your day, but they also set a great example of living life to the fullest at any age! Besides, I cannot but agree with Cohen's main premise - that personal style evolves and only improves as we age! Can you think of a more positive way to look at silver-haired years?