BRACELETS - The Easy to Wear Accessory

Bracelets

Bracelets are the easiest accessory to wear. 

Chunky, big and bold bracelets are everywhere. There are two basic things to consider when choosing a bracelet:

• size of your wrist. 
  Follow the instructions below to measure it:
  • Measure it by wrapping it with you middle finger and your thumb, use the opposite hand of course! If you can barely touch the tip of your fingers, it means your wrist is large. If you can just touch, it is medium, and if you thumb overlaps your middle finger, you wrist size is small.
  •  A big wrist will look even bigger if you wear a thin bracelet. So use bracelets that are similar in scale to your own wrist. A thin wrist can look too fragile and thinner with a chunky big bracelet...so choose accordingly. 
    

• The other factor to consider when choosing a bracelet is the overall color. Is it gold, or silver based? take a look at this post Is my skin warm or cool? for finding out what suits you better.

That's it! Just have fun! Bracelets are a great way to add a fun touch to any look. You can play with them and combine them in as many ways as you can think! They don't actually have to "match" anything else! And they are a great way to create a signature look. Imagine you have a beautiful piece that you love and wear all the time, no matter what...That is a signature you bring with you everywhere. People start to recognize your look and expect you to wear it every time. I particularly love to use either a ring or a bracelet as signature pieces

Take a look at some bracelet ideas from the windows of 5th Avenue stores in New York City 

 Bracelets! From the stores of New York City.

Rhinestones creating beautiful flower shapes, in neutral colors of silver and gold...

 Lots of colorful stones...turquoise is a classic...

 Geometrical shapes...

 Colorful enameled chunky bracelets...

 Gold chains in bold white...

 Rhinestones in bright colors...

 Bright pink and fuchsia...

 Flowers and rhinestones...

 Mix silver and gold bracelets and use them together...

 Black and Earth tones combined in this mix of four bracelets...

Lots of variety in the BRACELETS you see out there in the shops of New York City. You get to choose...Which one do you like most?

TRENDS What you need to know

Trend spotting! I like to walk the streets of Manhattan, for me there is no better way than city walking to find about what is up and coming and Trending! What are artsy people actually wearing? I find my biggest inspiration are people ;-) from new designers which might not be very well known...yet, and Art Exhibits. And of course I participate in New York Fashion Week every year, so it keeps me so in tune with what is happening in the Fashion World! But you know what? I still prefer to do Street-Style walks, and capture as much as I can with my camara! "Normal" people are so much more inspiring!

But you might not be so lucky, yet, but thanks to blogs and online magazines you can also search for trends on the internet!

So we have finally Trends! We have arrived at the last key of The 5 Keys to Dressing Well! What a journey!

Hopefully you have answered many of the questions I posted for you, and that has helped you to identify your own unique style. You also should have by now, more of an idea of the colors that best suit your own personal coloring!, what your body shape is, and also what lines and cutting flatter it.

You might now be at the Closet Clearing stage, and that is quite arduous, I know! You need to invest a lot of time to clear up your closet, but it is totally worth it! Not only you will have more physical space for new items in your closet, but emotionally and mentally you will feel lighter, as you let go of those things that don't flatter your body, are too old, too torn, or don't suit your current lifestyle!

You should also be learning to invest your hard-earned money in pieces that you will wear many many times, because you now know how to shop, and won't be taken by any new fad that comes along!

So you are now ready to learn about TRENDS. Lots of "things" seem to be trending at the same time nowadays, so how do you know which trends to "follow"? if any at all...

I suggest you check out fashion magazines like Vogue UK, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and the online magazines like Style and Refinery29, these are all very good options to browse through monthly. There are also plenty of blogs that give you up to date, real street-style insider info. Also do an online search for your local area and see if there are any blogs worth following in your town, the chances are you share the same "dress codes" seasonal weather and lifestyle, so it can help you stay current.

If you are one lucky girl and live in a big urban city like Paris, New York :-), London, Rome, Milan, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, just walk the streets and you will have plenty of inspiration!

A few ideas that are now trending for Summer

• polka dot denim

• carry all backpacks 

• flower printed pants/jeans

• buttoned up blouses

• bra tops

• denim vests

More on how to differentiate trends from fads...coming tomorrow! Stay tuned!

PUNK PINK CHAOS!

Did you get to see the Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum? This is my own version of PINK PUNK! ;-) a few tips if you want to incorporate this style:

PUNK CHAOS TO COUTURE by lookbook-you

•  Use SPIKES....or Studs if you want to go softer...spikes are more punky though...
• Use the Punk Color Basic: BLACK and combine it with FUCHSIA PINK
• Use METAL, in accessories or decorations.
• Wear big leather boots.
• Accesorize with Chain necklaces
• Wear gloves as an additional accessorie, even if its warm outside...
• Handbag? Not necessary, but if you must, make it original.
• A t-shirt with some crazy drawing wouldn't hurt!   

Check out the info on the Punk Fashion in New York City

What would you add to this list, or to your own wardrobe to make your outfits a bit more punk? I would love for you to share!

Chinese American Designers: an Exhibition

Front Row: Chinese American Designers
by our Guest Writer: Gigi K.

Jason Wu: Photo Courtesy of David Shankbone

New York City’s Chinatown is the largest and also one of the oldest enclaves of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the borough of Manhattan, it borders the Lower East Side to the east and Little Italy to its north. And that is just Manhattan, there are other seven Chinatown neighborhoods
in New York City; if we consider the New York Metropolitan Area, it holds the largest ethnic Chinese population outside of Asia.

Designers like Vera Wang, Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, Alexander Wang, among others; have helped through their shared cultural heritage in the construction of a Chinese American fashion identity, which celebrates, collaborates, and displays the best of both worlds, and yet has truly an American sense of style.

It is no coincidence then, that Chinese American Designers are making it big in the Fashion World. And it
is no coincidence either that they chose New York as their home base.

This is precisely the objective of Front Row, the ongoing exhibition at the Museum of Chinese in
America. This exhibition guest-curated by fellow Chinese American designer Mary Ping features the
unique visions of sixteen Chinese American designers and their own unique relationships with New York City.
The story of those designers that emerged in the 1980s, Vera Wang, Anna Sui, Vivienne Tam, and
Yeohlee Teng, is told to me as I walk and appreciate each unique design from a close up look, and then as I step away and grasp the overall social and cultural context, in which they were created. They were the emerging designers of the time, those that helped transform New York City from a garment district into a fashion capital that now hosts one of the biggest bi-yearly events of the global fashion scene, the New York Fashion Week.
Stories such as Anna Sui’s, which started her brand with just $300, as she told Newsweek “it was not a good business plan” she said “ I always had to do extra design jobs just to keep my company going for the first ten years” and now her brand is not just based on apparel, shoes and bags but a it sells a whole range of cosmetics and perfumes, and there is even an Anna Sui Barbie doll!

Vera Wang Dress: Photo Museum of Chinese in America

The exhibit also took me through personal reflections and inspired me as I was exposed to so many
different, yet congruent artistic visions. The origins of designers such as Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, and
Jason Wu, the development of their signature styles and their embracing of their own entrepreneurial
spirit.

Jason Wu who was born in Taipei, Taiwan, moved as a boy to Canada and later studied at the Parsons
New School of Design in New York. He launched his prêt-a porter line with his own savings, and with only 27 years old was already dressing the First Lady Michelle Obama for the first Obama Presidential Inauguration in 2009, and we know how it went on from then.

Be prepared to see lots of red, and black and white on this fashion retrospective, that celebrates those Chinese American Designers that through their own diverse aesthetics have helped transform not only the New York Fashion scene, but the fashion scene around the globe.

Front Row is a perfect mix of cultural heritage and modern style, and is ongoing until the 29th of September at the Museum of Chinese in America at 215 Centre Street, New York City.

Punk Fashion in New York City

The opening of the Spring exhibition at the MET Museum in New York is the gala event of the year...Is it? I thought it was the the Oscars?

Oh no, the Oscars are in Hollywood, this is New York City...

Each May The Gala opening exhibition hosts a number of diverse personalities, not just from the fashion industry, but from film, music, socialites and business people.

This gala has become one of the most successful fund-raising events in the history of fund-raising. It started in 1948 by  Eleanor Lambert, and now it is run under the leadership of Trustee Anna Wintour (Editor-in-Chief of Vogue), who has been co-chair since 1995, excluding two years in 96 and 98.
This year the opening exhibition is called Punk: Chaos to Couture and it displays the close relationship between the fashion and the punk worlds. Anna Wintour is being assisted by actress Rooney Mara designer Ricardo Tisci, and Lauren Santo Domingo of Moda Operandi, who in part sponsors this exhibition.
There are 100 outfits on display. There are two distinctive fashionably punk colors, PINK and BLACK!

Take a look!

Remember it is open until August 14, 2013....the MET is closed on Mondays....and just a note: you don't need to dress like this to go!

Nail Art!

M Missoni in Spanish Cosmo May ‘13

I tried it out last weekend, just trusting my pulse and my own creativity to come up with some crazy design that would look amazing not just on the nails, but would look overall pretty on my hands! I even thought my goal was kind of hard as I tried to do some "classic" nail art, that would go with everything I'd wear during the week. There is no classic nail art! It is crazy, fun, and trendy! But there is a way of doing it with style, it might not be classic, but it can be stylish...

After painting them with a base of OPI bright orange, I proceeded to draw little dots with a dark gray color, that I think its called Lincoln in the Park at night....is it? Well, I don't remember and now I am feeling kind of lazy to go and check it out...anyway.....I ended up messing it up, when I started to incorporate a lighter version of orange, plus a light blue! Yes! I admit it, I had to use polish remover because what started as a cool trendy activity that would make me even trendier ;-) became a messy affair. I started to put coats and coats of different colors on top of one another, and it became a paste, difficult to remove!
So now, I found this blog, and she gives tons of ideas on how to do your nail art, and best of all, they are inspired on beautiful clothing designs. Check it out it is MissLadyFinger and this cool pictures are from her blog.

Taylor Swift in J.Mendel at the Met Gala ‘13

Ideas for Mother's Day Gifts below USD 100

Mother's Day is coming soon! And I thought why not look for really cool trendy items! That are:
Cool, trending and Ideal for Spring!
Below 100 usd!
Can buy them online and get them delivered by May 12!
Here are a few of the must have items for me this Spring. Mom needs:

•  a pair of cool Cat eye sunnies
• a floral print scarf
• a polka dot blazer jacket (well it is just 25 usd...can you believe it?)
• an amazing brown leather ribbon decorated saddle bag.
• a polka dot mint green clutch wallet
• an a mint green fedora hat
• studs sandals!

Gifts for Mom under USD 100 by lookbook-you featuring retro sunglasses

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Spikes and Studs at Manhattan Stores

Since I had to walk the streets of the Garment District a couple of weeks ago, to find Spikes and Studs to fix a shirt for a photo shoot, I have been infatuated with them!

The following days I went for my walks, as usual, and found lots of spikes and studs all over the stores @ Fifth Avenue and Meatpacking District.

 Lots of Sandals and Wedges, for Spring!

 

 Spikes and Studs are also the protagonists on handbags...

 On Casual Elegant Sandals!

diane von furstenberg

 On Collars!

Spikes and Studs are combined here...watch out for extra long spikes, as they could be dangerous for other people, particularly if you are in small crowded places...taking the metro in Hong Kong?

 On leather bags!

 On sneakers!

I love this Black Leather Boots, they have an extremely feminine design, the heel and the bow are very romantic, and then come the studs to add a bit of a bad girl "attitude"...perfect!

 On bracelets!
















On dresses! 

diane von furstenberg

Dresses, t-shirts, blouses, sneakers, boots, sandals, clutches, handbags, wallets, hairbands, bracelets, earrings, everywhere and anywhere, studs and spikes are either your ally or your enemy...!

On clutches! I love this one on the left, it is from Diane Von Furstenberg's store @ West 14th Avenue. It is decorated with studs, that are rounded, so they won't get stuck on your dress! and because its design is quite simple and neutral, it would look amazing with any type of outfit. It also can be used daytime and nightime...

This Clutch is a Must have item for Spring!

Studs and Spikes Necklaces

I usually just wear one thing around my neck, a rose quartz stone pendant necklace that I bought in Bali last year. I believe in having a "special" piece that has personal meaning as a daily accessory.

But I can't resist this Season's beautiful, crafted necklaces. And I chose the best of what for me are Statement pieces! Studs and Spikes!

Wear a very feminine lace dress, and then one of these!  the combination of soft and hard...is like a magnet....opposites always attract....And I am feeling more than a bit Edgy, lately...

Spikes and Studs on my Neck! by lookbook-you featuring handcrafted necklaces

Coming up two of my other favorite accesories: bracelets and hairbands!

Studs and Spikes on Shoes I would wear ANYTIME!

Shoes to kick it! These all look very hard on the outside, but believe me they are so soft and comfortable on the inside, you might just want to sleep in them! I am in love with this All Stars!
 

Spiky Shoes I would wear anytime anyday! by lookbook-you featuring black lace up boots