Loving Lace

Chantilly Lace, crochet lace, linen lace: Love it.
Although it is not clear when lace originated, it is believed to have surfaced in the early sixteenth century and that place was apparently Venice. As Venice was an important trading centre, it was in this city on water that the first lace pattern books were produced and the fabric itself. By 1600 quality lace was being made in other countries in Europe including Spain, France and England. Travelling noblemen and aristocrats ensured this new fashion trend was introduced into fashion houses through-out the world.....and it hasn't looked back since. 
Season after season lace dominates the Haute Couture runways around the world. Understandably, most people associate wearing lace with weddings, formal events and Haute Couture.The seriously stunning formal gowns made with this feminine delicate fabric gives us reason to think we can't wear it any other way. 

Valentino

Well I say that is not the case. You can wear lace less formally, during the day, and even to work. Cleverly put together it works all year round summer and winter, formal or non-formal.  
Not everyone likes to wear lace or it may not suit you. However there are many people I have met that love it, but struggle to find ways to wear it well and not just in a formal occasion. This post is for those of you, and also those not sure about wearing it yet curious all the same. You'll be surprised at how a little bit of lace can make you feel so luxurious. 

Divine blue Chantilly lace detail.

Black lace blouse worn with straight or wide legged white pants are such a stylish spring look and depending on your job, a casual work attire. Add some colour and pattern with shoes, accessories and handbags. 

Flowy lace and silk blouses worn with jeans are chic and sexy. Whether you wear flats or high heels, mix it up with colour and pattern as demonstrated in the images above.

 Lace skirts, silk blouses, cardigans = feminine and soft. The right mixes are good for both work and play. 

More skirt styles. As you can see lace in pretty pastel colours are a more casual look. Wear yellow with silk blue blouse and flats or high heels. Wear pink with Red jacket and boots. Each will also go well with simple black cardigan. It is a matter of finding the style skirt and colours that work on you. The tailored red jacket with pink skirt is a gorgeous corporate look. 

One of my favourites. Black lace skirt worn with either a jacket for formal affair or played down with cardigan for day wear. Flats or boots, necklace or earring. Can't go wrong. This look is quite boho and sophisticated at the same time. 

If you like lace but afraid where to start or don't like too much of it, I suggest to purchase an item that has a touch of it. Such as above, this wool and  lace trimmed skirt worn with jumper is a lovely introduction to lace in your wardrobe. Another option is to add lace camisoles under blouses for that soft feminine touch.

Stand out Orange. An evening affair....with a nice black or red slip under it.  Wow.

There is something about vintage black lace dresses that says " I feel very womanly".  Beautiful, sexy black dresses worn with interesting heels and accessories can transform an otherwise plain black dress into something a little more special.  

Party dresses. Red or blue or green or purple...doesn't matter. Lace is not all about black as seen above. Mix it up and add your flair. 

More night time affair. A lace jacket with hot pink or orange skirt...or straight white pants. 

Talking about Vintage. A silk and lace slip, worn with flats is ideal for day wear, or adding a silk slip in a colour such as red or black makes it a night time cocktail affair. In the winter add a gorgeous wrap with boots and you are ready to go all year round.

And back to haute couture.....stunning Dolce and Gabbana 2014 collection.

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to wear lace in more ways than one. There are many more ways, I could go on for pages and pages.  If you would like further advice on wearing lace, or where to purchase items photographed above, please don't hesitate to email me on stylebygessica@gmail.com.

And I would love to hear your comments....so write away on the bottom of post. 

Enjoy

Gessica 

Incorporating Art into your wardrobe

I have always believed 'Fashion is Art', particularly when you think of the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivian Westwood, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and many more. There has been a different fashion movement going on the last couple years where the reverse has been true and Art has inspired Fashion. The designs of Frida Khalo, Picasso, Miro and eras such as Modernist, Baroque, Renaissance to name a few has been popping up on the runways.

Although I don't follow trends as I keep saying, I am finding this movement interesting and refreshing. There are intelligent and cultural complexities in the design of art in fashion.

  

I decided to write this post on 'Cubism' used in fashion and the use of block colours. This artistic movement was formed by Picasso and Braque and was inspired by 3D shape design and predominately primary colours. For me It is more about the influences of that art era using objects that are torn and reshaped in an abstract manner, symbolising that era rather than actual graphic prints of their art on fabric. Below is my interpretation of 'cubism fashion' and how it can be incorporated easily into your wardrobe, especially the work arena, hence adding to my post 'working it'  where I discussed jazzing up your work wardrobe. 
Many of the designs are flattering due to positioning of the shapes and colours.
I could have kept going and placed many more examples but there are too many wonderful Cubist inspired frocks out there to mention. But by all means, ask me for more tips if you like!!

Dresses, skirts, Pants

Colour blocked pants are a great alternative to plain pants...flattering due to the vertical panels generally placed on the sides. 

The abstract patterns with contrasting colours are very flattering especially if the detail  is around the stomach as it is distracting to the eye. Gorgeous coats in primary colours teamed with bright coloured pants are a bold corporate look.

These are great dresses for the corporate world. Notice again how the shapes are positioned around the tummy area. In my view these dresses have the slimming effect. Jackets can easily be added. Accessorise as I always say to do, this makes the look more interesting.... and even better add a graphic bag. 

A-Line and shift dresses can be pretty and feminine. Add bold colours with accessories and shoes. Go a little wild with handbags.  No matchy-matchy. 

The graphic dress: The asymmetrical design of the dress along with all the varied patterns on  make this style of dress a statement.  Tee it up with boots or nice heels and some pretty earrings.  

Cubist inspired skirts worn with sharp lined jackets. These three diverse styles can be worn with open toe shoes in the summer or boots/closed in shoes for winter. As you can see shapes and colours are mixed carefully making them interesting. 

Black and White

It is not all about bold colour with Cubist style. Sharp, hard edges in black and white...always very smart: sexy tuxedo jackets, wrap coats and dresses. There again is the 'slimming' dress with the black panels running horizontally down the sides giving you the illusion of a trim waist line. Chic looks for both the work and social areas. 

Night Time Glamour

Beautiful maxi dresses with sharp colour contrast are a wonderful change for the night time affair. 

Long Shift dresses with bold patterns are a real statement. Be daring and go for colour, and wear the dresses with equally colourful shoes and pretty handbags. 

Elegant and simple cut dresses with sharp lines are a proven formula. A dress like this is flattering with both horizontal and vertical lines blending. Wear it as a gorgeous cocktail dress with a sharp edged handbag or soften the look with multi-beaded one. There is no right or wrong with this.

I don't know about you, but I love this movement and know that if offers so much creative scope in your wardrobe. 

 If you'd like further help in incorporating this look in your wardrobe or for any styling consultations contact me via my email stylebygessica@gmail.com