Posts Tagged ‘Forever 21’

Holiday Sparkle

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The holidays are upon us, and that means cocktail and dinner parties galore. Maybe it’s all the sparkly holiday décor, but this time of year makes me want shiny attire for all the parties scheduled on my iPhone calendar. Since many get-togethers are after work, I went hunting for versatile sequins that can go from day to night. Thankfully, there are zillions of pieces to choose from this season. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. This tank by Wren ($308; She Boutique) packs the comfort necessary for a full day’s wear. Pair it with a pencil skirt, a black tuxedo blazer, and a peep-toe bootie for a glamorous yet office-ready look.

2. A menswear-inspired piece is an unexpected way to wear sequins. This vest ($16; Forever 21) will dazzle atop a white button-up shirtdress, black tights, and over-the-knee boots.

3. Baby, it’s cold outside, and sometimes only a cozy sweater will cut it! This sequined cardigan by LaROK ($244; shopbop.com) is conservative enough for the office and glamorous enough for cocktail hour.

4. A scarf can add sparkle in moderation. This one by Rozae by Rozae Nichols ($198; Fix Boutique; 1101 W Fulton Street) is a super wearable piece that can be mixed and matched with a variety of looks, from a body con LBD to wide-leg trousers and a fitted tee.

5. We women of Chicago depend on flats as a main form of transportation. Not only meant for comfort, a fashionable pair of ballet flats are perfectly acceptable party attire, especially these BC patterned ones ($56; zappos.com). Try them with a black chunky knit sweater and gray leggings.

6. For a touch of flair, sequin headbands, like this gold and black one ($4; Forever 21), can add that extra oomph of pizazz to just about any look.

7. The right handbag can take an outfit from chic to spectacular. This Angel Jackson sequin and stud bag ($387; farfetch.com) will be show-stopping against a black fitted turtleneck and black cropped pants. Cross the chain strap over you chest for a fabulously uniform look.

Rarely does a season come around when sporting sequins during the day is an acceptable fashion move, so discard standard sequin etiquette while you can!

By Meghan Turner with Arin Agase

Images courtesy of She Boutique, shopbop.com, zappos.com, Forever 21, farfetch.com and Fix Boutique

Tags: Angel Jackson, BC, Fix Boutique, Forever 21, LaRok, Rozae by Rozae Nichols, sequins, She Boutique, shopbop.com, Trends, Wren, Zappos
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Modern Marble

Friday, October 16th, 2009

For many women, spotting a pair of tie-dyed jeans sparks thoughts of “What would I ever wear with those?” or “I can’t pull those off.” These two style restraints motivated us to create several looks that prove marble jeans are way easier to wear than you think. And when both pairs are priced under $25, why not experiment a little?

The first outfit is designed around what’s already in your closet. A long, black cardigan ($98; J.Crew) and basic white tee ($18; American Apparel) break up the drama of the tie-dye print ($23; Forever 21). A flat bootie, especially one with hardware ($68; Urban Outfitters), gives this outfit a little more edge. Grab your favorite black tote and you’re ready to go!

Second is the party outfit. Perfect for the holidays or Saturday night, the sparkle on this gold tank ($250; Calypso St. Barth, 50 E Oak Street) glows against the jean’s deep wash, and its loose fit and delicate detail soften the pant’s hard edge. Metallic accessories are a must-have for fall, and this bag ($38; Francesca’s Collections) will pick up the undertones in the sequined top and glamorize any other outfit. Finally, let your wild side show with Graffiti 4725’s sexy leopard booties ($348; Lori’s Shoes; 824 W Armitage Avenue).

For the third ensemble, we went tie-dye crazy. This look creates a daring yet girly outfit for running around the city or a casual night out. The multi-color tee ($88; Three Dots) grabs attention while contrasting and complementing the white marble jean ($20; Forever 21). So much print requires solid accessories, so we added a pink cable beret ($5; Kmart) and purple suede boots ($345; City Soles; 3432 N Southport Avenue).

Last but not least, the third outfit combines a wispy, floral blouse ($49; Victoria’s Secret) with the jean’s rock ‘n roll vibe. An unexpected pairing, the voluminous top balances the pant’s tight fit, and the soft pink and white wash are a surprisingly harmonious fusion. To keep with this look’s ethereal feel, we added Monserat De Lucca’s brown tote with a subtle graphic print ($276; Tula; 3738 N Southport Avenue) and Faryl Robin’s brown suede booties with ladylike laces ($285; City Soles; 3432 N Southport Avenue).

Now there’s no reason to fear the tie-dye jean.

By Meghan Turner

Images courtesy of Forever 21, J.Crew, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, Calypso St. Barth, Francesca’s Collections, Lori’s Shoes, Three Dots, City Soles, Kmart, Victoria’s Secret and Tula.

Tags: American Apparel, Calypso St. Barts, Chicagao Boutiques, Chicago Shopping, City Soles, Forever 21, Francesca's Collections, J.Crew, KMart, Lori's Shoes, Three Dots, Trends, Tula, Urban Outfitters, Victoria's Secret
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