Runway Recap: For the Love of Style Runway Event

On Saturday, October 3rd I was invited to attend For the Love of Style Runway Event, presented by Kamisol Style Consultancy. I was contacted by the event coordinators because of my Open Letter to DC Fashion Week post from October of last year. Kamisol asked if I could attend to review and critique their show as I did for DC Fashion Week. I was honored that they asked and was happy to attend.

For the Love of Style Runway Event was a show with heart. The event benefited both the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Suited for Change charities. I loved the concept of a fashion event that was connected to the local community.

The evening started off with a step and repeat, light hors de oeuvres and a cash bar. People mixed and mingled for an hour or so prior to the event start. The show was planned to feature three lines - Syreeta C Fashion, Clavon New York, and Anna Maria La Bianca Collections.

The originally scheduled Host and MC, Bianca Golden from Americas Next Top Model, did not end up attending the event. Luckily for Kamisol, they were able to find a last minute volunteer to fill in and do the job.

The show started with an accessories collection of oversized silk scarves from Anna Maria La Bianca. The textile designs of these silks were really stunning. I particularly loved the one shoulder, asymmetrical 'dress' scarves that screamed luxury resort wear.

The second walk featured looks from local designer, Syreeta C of Syreeta C Fashion. There were a few pieces in this collection I really loved, especially the cream/bone damask-esque tailored shorts that walked the first look. Syreeta C's line was the highlight for me from the evening.

The show closed with looks from Clavon based out of New York. The quality of material and attention to detail in the suiting were palpable throughout the show. The textile choices were unique and each piece looked incredibly well tailored. As a woman, if I were looking for an incredibly well-tailored, low cut suit to rock as evening wear I would absolutely book an appointment with Clavon.

As for the overall look and feel of the event, I would say the DJ had a great mix for each designer's collection. The music at an event is so key to setting the vibe! I also thought the model's were professional and walked well. Many of the mishaps that occurred for me at DC Fashion Week were no where to be seen at For the Love of Style. Bravo to Kamisol Style Consultancy for putting on a lovely event in support of great community causes!

www.kamisol.net

www.annamarialabianca.com

www.syreetacfashion.com

www.clavonswear.com

Mixing Prints

Let me start this post off by saying, in general, I rarely do prints. So when I put this look together, I completely surprised myself!

Prints date quickly, in my opinion. You could buy a print this season and it could be out of style in six months. If I'm spending a small fortune on something for my wardrobe, I want it to last me for years to come. For that reason, if you opened by closet today, you would find it to be 80% black, 10% cream, 8% navy, and 2% prints. This look is all about the 2%.

On occasion I buy something fun and trendy in a bold pattern. This floral tee, for example, I bought on a snow day in March because I wanted it so desperately to be spring I thought "Floral print, why not?" Also, it was only $12. I could wear it a few times and then throw it in the give-away pile and not think twice.

Now that temperatures have warmed up and the sun is shining, I find myself throwing on not only one print, but two! I loved layering my classic Oxford shirt with the fun floral tee. My blush fringe shoulder bag from H&M is everything to me right now, I take it everywhere.

Last but not least, let me tell you about these shoes. I have received more compliments on these Coral Pumps than my Ferragamos, and drum roll please...the pumps are from Payless! Can you believe it? Super comfortable in a lower heel, these pumps are perfect for work to evening events, and this pop of color lights up any room. Cheers to style on a budget!

Blue & White Striped Oxford Shirt by Banana Republic
Floral Print Tee by Old Navy
Rock Crystal Necklace by H&M
Blush Fringe Shoulder Bag by H&M (now on sale!)
Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans by Old Navy
Coral Patent Leather Pumps by Payless

Go for Brooch! Clutch Handbags on a Budget

I have many times in my life bought a clutch purse for a specific event or a particular gown. I have always loved the beautifully jeweled clutches on the red carpet that add that bit of extra punch to a cocktail or evening look. But what if you could vary one clutch a dozen times, for only a few dollars?

My husband's grandmother had a fabulous brooch collection, which I luckily inherited and wear often. Prior to an evening event years ago, I decided to pin one of her brooches to a basic black satin clutch and voila! The bag was instantly transformed.

I love pinning a singular, large statement brooch in the center. You can also create a small cluster of two to three brooches, asymmetrically placed, for a more complex look.

If you can't gather some vintage pieces from within the family, hit up a weekend flea market for some great finds. Our very own Eastern Market's Flea Market has an excellent vintage jeweler booth that sells pieces for as little as $1.

Make your handbag more versatile in a unique way. Instead of going for broke, go for brooch!

Happy Styling,
S.

Truth Tattle: Leggings Are Not Pants

Leggings are not pants.

I posted this thought on my personal Facebook page earlier this week and received many responses such as "Thank you for posting this!" and "There should be public announcements about this!" Well, hello new blog post.

Don't get me wrong, I love leggings. I own a half dozen pair, all in basic black of course, as per 90% of my wardrobe. But leggings are not substitutes for pants.

It doesn't matter how thick your leggings are, how much money you spent on them, or how 'nice' they are...they are still leggings. This modern day leg phenom is meant to be an undergarment for such appropriate pairings as dresses, skirts, or even super long slouchy sweaters.

Here's the rule - if your bum is not covered, put on real pants. That means if your top sits at, or just below your waist, you need to put the leggings down and grab the slacks instead. Example shown below.

Even Olivia Wilde got this wrong, in my opinion

The majority of the population disagrees with this "trend", and I barely even would call it that. It is a misfortunate step in fashion's history that will go down with other trosseau tragedies, such as wearing a leotard over your tights at the gym.

This whole conversation became hilariously relevant as I was watching TV this evening. You see, I never watched Gossip Girl when it was on air, so I've been catching up on Netflix. I'm on the last season and tonight's episode featured a grown up Nelly Yuki working for Women's Wear Daily, interviewing Blair Waldorf about her new line. Nelly recaps some of the things Blair yelled and drilled into her as one of her minions in High School, which ironically enough was, "Tights are not pants!" And we all know Blair was the Dictator of Taste...

Now, it would be unfair of me to kill the idea of leggings as pants without offering you a solution. Therefore, I highly recommend the Sloan Fit Slim Ankle Zip pant from Banana Republic. It is a slim fitting slack that looks great under a pair of boots in the fall and winter months.

Truth be told.
S.

Haute Holiday: Menswear Edition

I know Thanksgiving is next week, but let's get real. We all know we are secretly figuring out how to fill our December calendar with fabulous fetes that put us in the festive spirit.

But Ladies, your fun or formal fashion sense doesn't have to be the only thing that shines this holiday season. Let your man bring a little fashion swagger to the relationship too.

While DC is typically a traditionally dressed town, attending holiday parties gives your man an opportunity to spice up his normal attire.

Take dull to dapper with these decadent textures, colors, and patterns found in accessories from some of DC's best local brands. Links to product websites are listed below.

English Wool Neck Tie from Read Wall

Night Owl Socks from Nice Laundry

Holiday Pocket Square from Hugh & Crye

Black Velvet Bow Tie

Vintage Diamond Knot Lapel Pin

Happy Holidays!
S.