Ladylike With An Edge

Posted in Outfit Inspiration by Luisa Lucia

I’m a big fan of feminine, ladylike style. I think there’s something very sexy about embracing womanhood and dressing to show it off. That being said, I’m not personally super girly. I love a curve hugging peplum or a big full princess skirt, but I can’t go all out fem because it doesn’t suit me. I’m a little bit more rock and roll, so there has to be some edgy element to my look for it to feel right. If I had styled this outfit with single-sole pumps and a delicate necklace, it would look more traditional, and possibly more “on trend”. But if there’s one thing I really don’t believe in, it’s dressing to look like everyone else. I’d much rather go off trend and wear something that complements my unique personality.

I absolutely adore these mega platforms with the black flame detail. First of all, I’m super short, and shortie looooves her platforms. Plus these are just bad ass aren’t they?! They’re Scene by ShoeDazzle so I got them for a phenomenal price. My tote on the other hand, by Ted Baker, is the epitome of ladylike. I like the way the two pieces complement and contrast at the same time. The slim fit black pants are by Ann Taylor. Ann Taylor makes good quality, great fitting pants and I swear by them because almost every style comes in petite, so I don’t even need a tailor! (They also come in long lengths for taller gals.) The hot pink peplum was an H&M sale score. I’m obsessed with the color and generally like peplums for the curve accentuating effect. The amazing Swarovski crystal necklace was my very first BaubleBar purchase (years ago) but it remains one of my favorite necklaces to this day and people often comment on it. The one point I’d like to make about this look, is that the easiest way to wear a voluminous peplum top is to balance out the proportions with something slim down below, like skinny jeans or a pencil skirt. Don’t go for full and full, because it’s a lot harder to pull off (unless you have the proportions just right). So there you have it, some outfit inspiration for the day. Happy Saturday everyone!! Xo

13Feb2015

Slouchy Pants With A Crop Top

Posted in Outfit Inspiration by Luisa Lucia

I’m a huge proponent of experimenting with style! I don’t believe in “playing it safe” and I love trying out different looks to suit my mood. When I spotted these faux-leather slouchy pants (at Nordstrom Rack) I knew I had to have them, and because they’re slightly higher waisted, I figured they’d pair well with a crop top…

I love the addition of the sequined striped jacket to add a graphic element and incorporate different textures. I knew I’d want to wear my Dolce Vita moto boots with these pants and the Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC provides just the right pop of color. I was super stoked with how this outfit came together and couldn’t wait to wear it out. I topped off the look with a pop of dark red (MAC Viva Glam) lipstick. I’m totally happy doing ladylike one day and sporty chic the next. What do you think? How do you like to experiment with your style?? Would love to hear your thoughts! Xo

Photography by Jessica Kircher

7Feb2015

“I Got My Red Dress On Tonight”

Posted in Outfit Inspiration by Luisa Lucia

I scooped up this little red dress at H&M just before the holidays last year. I fell in love with the silhouette, especially the asymmetrical hem that’s cut higher on the sides and longer in the back. It’s fun and flirty and feels like the right kind of dress to go dancing in! It’s also the perfect dress for a Valentine’s date night. I added a black patent belt for additional waist emphasis and kept the other accessories to a minimum. I absolutely adore the shoes – metallic gold film strip heels by Paper Fox by ShoeDazzle…could they be any cuter?! I finished off this look with a classic quilted bag, for an outfit that’s equal parts chic and sexy. How do you plan to get wrapped up in red this Valentine’s Day? Share with me in the comments ❤ ❤ ❤

4Feb2015

How To Do Body Con Modestly

Posted in Fashion & Style, Outfit Inspiration by Luisa Lucia

I’m not a huge fan of body con dresses for everyday wear. There’s something about skintight spandex that simply screams club wear to me. Of course this is just a personal preference, so I’m not judging or hating if body con is your thing! However, for those of us that might not feel 100% comfortable donning body con in the broad light of day, I’ve thrown together some tips for how to pull it off.

I fell in love with this particular Topshop number because of the print, not the silhouette. The first plus is that it has sleeves, so it doesn’t feel quite so revealing. That alone makes a difference, but I also opted to add some tights, which work with the current weather here. Because I’m short my instinct is to wear sky high heels, especially with a dress, but platforms with a skin tight dress ventures back into the realm of club wear. Choose subtle heels, if at all. I’m wearing low-heeled metallic booties by Jeffrey Campbell. Finally, I topped off the look with a faux-fur vest, which adds a little more coverage, though it also works without. A vest or jacket is a great option if the weather is cool. Obviously this look works because it’s still winter-ish here, and these tips are definitely best for transitional seasons, like fall time or even spring…just not summer when the weather is hot!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on body con! Do you fully embrace the style? And if not, did you find these tips helpful? Let me know in the comments 🙂

30Jan2015

How To Layer Your Maxi Dress For Cool Weather

Posted in Fashion & Style, Outfit Inspiration by Luisa Lucia

The transition from winter to spring has begun, but the temperatures aren’t quite rising yet. I felt like getting creative with a strapless maxi, so I styled it here for colder weather. I just bought this dress on sale at Macy’s. It’s by Denim & Supply, and the fabric is really soft and flowing. The print is more wintery, but the top of the dress is low-cut and strapless which isn’t ideal for January, even here in So Cal. Rather than going the obvious route and adding a jacket, I styled it first with a sweater (for cooler temperatures) and then a simple tee (for milder temperatures).

First I layered the dress with a chunky sweater then added a statement pendant to anchor the look. My feet kept warm and cozy with fleece socks and moto boots. These are my current fave boots (by Dolce Vita), I’ve been wearing them all winter! For truly cold weather, you could make this work by adding thick tights and topping off with a long (calf-length) coat.

For warmer climates, a tee shirt works wonders! It’s the perfect bit of something extra if you don’t want bare arms. I liked the idea of pairing navy with black and red, so I opted for this cute v-neck tee with a pocket (adds a little interest to boot). However this shirt is actually quite long and slouchy, so I “cropped” it by ruching it up and securing the back. (Use a hairband to secure then tuck in the tail and it will stay put all day.) The fit is much more flattering when the tee nips in at your natural waist. It would not have looked good if I wore the shirt loose, trust me. In this case I accessorized with shimmering jewel earrings and some fabulous wedge sandals. I love these wedges by Joe’s Jeans…they’re super cozy and sturdy!

ALSO, I’m in love with Lime Crime’s velvetine lipstick in “cashmere” which I wore for this shoot. If you like nude and/or matte lips you will adore this color so seriously BUY IT NOW!!

26Jan2015

Monday With Urban Darling: Tips For Tonal Dressing

Posted in Fashion & Style, Outfit Inspiration, Urban Darling by Luisa Lucia

Check out my tips for styling winter white (complete with tons of pics) today on the Urban Darling blog!

23Jan2015

2014 Outfit Recap

Posted in Outfit Inspiration, Urban Darling by Luisa Lucia

Soooo the tail-end of 2014 was crazy busy and I didn’t have much time to dedicate to this blog. In fact I didn’t have any time…apologies for not updating sooner!! I got married over the holidays, which meant a ton of family in town (i.e. too many house guests) so I was double prepping for Christmas and a wedding throughout the fall season. I was so overwhelmed I wasn’t sleeping at night, which is very unlike me. It doesn’t sound like a lot at face value, but trust me it was. I feel much better now that everything’s over, and I’m looking forward to getting back on track with blogging. I thought it would be fun to kick-off 2015 with a recap of last year’s looks. Most of these were posted throughout the year via Urban Darling, where I contribute every Monday like clockwork. I have a lot of ideas for the coming year that I can’t wait to share. And if any of my looks inspire questions or ideas, please let me know in the comments! I like OOTDs that are “how to” based like “How To Style Mixed Prints”…so if there’s something specific you’d like to see, I’d love to hear from you.

How could I not include a few wedding shots for a start??
Dress by Sue Wong…I fell in love with this style for a winter wedding.