just say(e) style

golden girls

2015-05-02T20:06:00.002-07:00

Hello to Sarah Parga's bridesmaids! My name is (also) Sarah, and I am helping with the look of Sarah and Eddie's wedding. I have had requests to put together some guidelines, which you'll find below this little mood board.

I've pinned some pieces that fit the bill that are currently available for purchase to get you started here. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, and I'll try my best to get back to you in a timely matter.

About the look:

Sarah's dress has some gold undertones in it, as does the venue (Union Station), so we want to bring that out in the bridesmaid looks as well. The golds can be in a range, but the middle tones are best (not too light and close to Sarah's dress, not too dark and close to Eddie's tux). We want to keep the eye focused on those lovebirds.
Dresses can be any sleeve length, though if you go the strapless route, make sure the length is a little bit longer to balance the bareness on top.
Catholic school uniform skirt rules apply: Skirts should be above the knee, but make sure your hands reach <close to> the hem. In general, though you are wearing gold, it shouldn't look like you are going clubbing.
If you find a long dress you really love, remember that you can hem it to knee length to fit the bill.
Sequins, beading, and/or brocade are all great. Other glitzy avenues are fine too, but as a guideline, if the fabric looks like something you would have loved to wear to a middle school dance, keep looking. (Or carry on if you were super tasteful as a 12 year old)
Delicate gold or nude shoes. Sarah doesn't care what you wear on your feet, as long as you're comfortable/not complaining about foot pain, but I am happy to weigh in and make suggestions based on the rest of your look if that's helpful.
For anyone that doesn't travel the dress route, we have a few other paths to take, depending on your aesthetic. I am not having a lot of luck finding gold blazers as summer approaches, so that may be something to look for as we move into fall. I think a classic white or cream shirt with a gold bow tie, slim fit khaki or black dress pants, and a cool, gold oxford or loafer could be great. You could also throw in a gold vest as an option too. It seems gold menswear-inspired looks are tougher to find in summer, but I can certainly help you find something before January. Downtown LA's Santee Alley may be a great spot to check.

Here are a few other shopping links to check out (Most of the dresses on the pinterest board are from these sources):

Anthropologie Lots of ladylike dresses, many of them overpriced, but they do sales often. Also good for metallic jackets and interesting shoes.

Asos Great for shoes and both women's and menswear. Variety of price points, new merchandise often.

Bhldn Anthropologie's bridal store. Similarly priced to Anthropologie, but lovely dresses and accessories for ideas.

Bloomingdale's "Aqua" exclusive line often does metallics. Look for things on sale.

Dillard's Good price point for dresses and shoes.

Macy's Great prices for both women's and menswear, and you can return things for up to a year.

ModCloth Cute, quirky dresses. Their inventory turnover is really quick, so if you like something, don't wait to buy it or it will be sold out.

Mrs. Bow Tie Interesting neck and bowties.

Neiman Marcus Last Call Bargain designer wear. Good for off-season merchandise. New inventory often.

Nordstrom Most likely to sell actual bridesmaid dresses. Variety of price points for both women's and menswear.

Nordstrom Rack The prices you would rather be paying for Nordstrom merchandise. Check often for new pieces. Great shoes.

Revolve Clothing The prices vary wildly, but they usually have something sparkly in stock.

Saks Off Fifth Bargain designer wear. Good for off-season merchandise. New inventory often.

TheOutNet The prices vary wildly, but you can get get bargain designer wear here too.

The Real Real Designer consignment with returns-- on other sites this stuff is final sale. Great for designer wear from seasons past (I just got an $1800 Zac Posen dress for $150!).

6pm Online outlet shopping.

Zappos Wide variety of shoes. Fast shipping. Returns for a year.

Happy shopping! Can't wait to see what you find. xo, Sarah

lady in red

2012-07-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

I love this flirty red dress from Old Navy. Paired with a cardigan, the full skirt gives it a retro vibe for a put-together day look. Stack on the jewelry, add a pair of metallic wedges, and you're ready for a night out.

Red dress
Day: cardigan, set of belts, flats
Night: elephant necklace, earrings, bangles, belt, wedges

summer whites

2012-06-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

It seems like the only time I actually get dressed up in the summer is to go to weddings or bridal-related functions. My love of wearing white with a summer tan is not appropriate for those events. So here's to summer whites on regular old summer nights, and to the brides-to-be that are actually allowed to wear white to their parties!

Left: dress, earrings, necklace, belt, pumps
Middle: dress, earrings, necklace, bracelet, rings, boots
Right: dress, earrings, necklace, belt, sandals

mid-century fashion excuses

2012-06-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have been a horrible blogger lately, though I promise not to go on about it. (I used to write in my diary about how long it had been since I last wrote in my diary...) One of the things I have been doing instead of blogging is preparing for the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. I am costume designing Handel's L'Allegro, which is being set at a funeral in the early 60s. It might not be every-day-pertinent for those interested in outfit-inspiration, but for a day when you're feeling particularly Peggyesque or Draperish, some of these desaturated looks might strike your fancy.

glam travel wear

2012-05-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

I used to travel exclusively in clothes that made me look a little homeless. It made sense to me that since I was going to nap for an entire flight, I might as well wear something jammies-equivalent. I usually wore sweatpants and a hoodie, and on one particular transatlantic flight, a horrible stocking cap that made me resemble a robber. And then I watched Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. He has a list of ten essential elements for a successful wardrobe. Among them is a "sweatsuit alternative": something comfortable and casual that doesn't look sloppy. He made me realize how easy it is to step it up in the cute-but-comfy department. And when you run into an ex-boyfriend on a connecting flight, you can be this put-together traveler who looks kind of glam even though really you were snoozing with your mouth open on your travel pillow.

Maxi dresses are amazing for this. They are breezy and stretchy, and you can sit however you want on the plane and stay covered. A hair wrap makes a messy bun deliberate, and wedges are a great item to travel with, but take up too much room in your suitcase (so you have to wear them ;). Top it off with a jean jacket and one piece of jewelry (you don't want to take off ten accessories to go through security), and you're jet-set!

dress, jacket, hair wrap, necklace, belt, wedges

Outfit total: $122.94

lemonade and flamingo

2012-05-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Can you tell I'm pumped about summer? A lemon yellow bustier, a polka dot chambray shirt, an orchid pencil skirt, topped off with a flamingo necklace is basically the equivalent of a frozen lemonade at a theme park. Refreshing and delicious.

yellow bustier, chambray shirt, linen skirt w/ belt, tusk necklace, flamingo necklace, sandals

Outfit total: $101.40

engagement shoot: lessa and josh

2012-05-11T11:26:00.002-07:00

My sweet friends, Lessa and Josh, are getting married this fall, and they're about to take engagement photos. Los Angeles has lots of beautiful photo ops, and this couple has picked two really great ones: for a day shoot, the desert gardens at the Huntington Library and for the evening, a shoot at LACMA's Urban Light installation.

The desert gardens are full every color of green you can think of, so I kept green out of the color palette altogether. Corals still feel like a part of that world-- it's the color of desert flowers--so that is what I was drawn to put on Lessa. I layered her with a pale blush blazer, taupe accessories, and one pop of contrasting color. I like in engagement photos when it looks like the couple fits together, without wearing matching Barbie-Ken ensembles. I found a navy and coral plaid shirt for Josh, to tie him into Lessa a bit. Cuffed chinos, a shawl collar cardigan, and slip on sneakers finish off his casual day look. His shirt is short sleeved and her dress is sleeveless, so if those top layers come off, there is another variety of summery photos to be done as well.

lady: dress, blazer, necklace, belt, wedges
gent: shirt, cardigan, chinos, sneakers

For the night shoot at LACMA, Lessa wanted to wear this long pleated chiffon skirt in black. Because the exhibit is all about light, I wanted silhouettes for both of them that would be striking. To balance Lessa's floaty skirt, I kept her top fitted with a belt to cinch at the waist. I like that this look is kind of bohemian in print and accessories, but the silhouette looks classic and fancy. With Josh, I wanted him to also have a classic look: really simple black blazer on white shirt, but to stay with Lessa's more boho look, I kept him in dark jeans and black sneakers. His gingham tie gives a little nod to her corset's black and white print. Can't wait to see how the photos turn out!

gent: shirt, blazer, tie, jeans, belt, sneakers
lady: corset top, skirt, belt, sandals, earrings, bracelet

stripes: two ways

2012-05-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

I love horizontal stripes, so of course I love this little Old Navy tank dress. I also just read an article about how horizontal stripes make you look thinner than vertical stripes, so I'm going for it. To break up the stripes a bit, I've added a canvas funnel neck jacket and a sheer waterfall vest. Both of these pieces minimize how much bust and hips have stripes wrapped across them, and I think this contributes to a slimmer look. When styling stripes, I tend to want to make things really nautical or French Kiss-y, so I went against that with a large feather statement necklace and a dangling chevron chain necklace. Finish off the look with a cool pair of oxfords or a kicky pair of wedges, and you've got two new ways to wear stripes.

(l): striped dress, jacket, necklace, brogues
(r): striped dress, vest, necklace, wedges

Left Outfit Total: $92.78

Right Outfit Total: $94.59

dressed down chinos

2012-05-06T23:00:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine says he has been stuck in a jeans-only rut, despite the fact that he has this sweet pair of grey chinos calling out to him from his closet. He says he only pairs them with dressier shirts, so I told him I would dream up a few casual looks to mix up his jeans uniform. To add a little pattern to a solid henley and jean jacket, I threw in some patterned tanks. A note about the man tank: even if it isn't your thing as a stand-alone piece, they are great as layers that can add an accent to an otherwise solid look.

(l): green henley, tank, chinos, sneakers
(r): striped tank, denim jacket, chinos, espadrilles

Left outfit total: $91.21

Right outfit total: $141.34

summer textures

2012-05-06T20:52:00.001-07:00

I recently came across these awesome espadrilles in Aldo. Because my job has me out shopping all the time, I really have to be careful not to treat it as a personal shopping trip as well because I'd never make any money. So for now, I'll just blog about these shoes, and see how long I can hold out. I love the perforated fabric, which gives a slightly less girly look than the crochet Toms and other slip ons out there, while still having some texture to them. I paired them with a few other textures-- lace, rope, and leaves-- for a fun, springy-summer day look. (And look at those little BEES!)

blazer, leaf tank, lace shorts, espadrilles, rope necklace, bee earrings

Outfit total $170.93

mismatched bridesmaids part four

2012-04-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

I really like the idea of printed bridesmaid dresses. I think, even if everyone is wearing the same dress, prints have a way of making the look slightly less traditional. Take that one step further, and put all maids in a different print for a real departure from taffeta and dyed-to-match shoes. That being said, I did make all the accessories for this look the same color because with different prints and different colored dresses, different colored necklaces and shoes just became a lot to orchestrate! I did include one additional through-line for the look: a fun pair of purple stud earrings for a contrast pop of non-sunset color.

(l to r): 1. polka dot dress, necklace, slingbacks
2. ruffled neckline mini, necklace, peep toes
3. cap sleeved dress, necklace, fringed sandals
4. ruffled neckline midi, necklace, almond toe pump
5. double dot dress, necklace, wedge sandals
earrings

Average outfit total: $171.37

dressed down sequins

2012-04-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

As someone who always buys too many sparkly things for the holidays, I really love the trend of dressed down sequins for every day wear. This skirt from Asos is only 23 bucks! AND it doesn't look like a tarty tube top (some of the inexpensive ones do). Another thing I love is layering, which is obviously all over this site. This particular set of layers is a little more realistic for me personally because it features a sleeveless collared button down with a tshirt over it. I'd love to be able to layer shirts-under-sweaters-under-jackets-under-etc, but I have a little body mass of my own, and sometimes that just looks bulky. This gives the look of layers without adding much heft (and it's cooler for spring, as well). Taking it out of the silver/black/brown neutral world, I've added some pops of purple and blue to finish off this casual sequined look.

sleeveless chambray shirt, polka dot boat neck tshirt, sequined skirt, necklace, bangles, flats

Outfit total: $122.12

lace and stones

2012-04-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

I like the juxtaposition of textures when putting a look together. The soft chiffon and lace with a leather crocheted belt and lots of stone jewelry create a balance and keep this from looking like a wedding dress. Light colors are paired with bold accessory colors. And speaking of color, this marks my last post where I accessorize with coral and turquoise jewelry. They are my favorite colors, and apparently I use them as accent colors a LOT. I can't promise how long the strike will last, but I'm going to try to explore new jewelry colors! (See how I put those yellow and pink bangles in there? Working on it ;)

lace tshirt, chiffon skirt, leather crochet belt, necklace, sandals, turquoise bangles, coral bangles, multicolor bangles

Outfit total: $139.99

goin' dotty

2012-04-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a project this week, and the client wants bright colors and kicky prints. Since it's spring, those things are everywhere-- but there is a catch. The clothes are promoting a diet product, and so everything has to be body-conscious. I found so many cute floaty tops and flowy skirts that just wouldn't do. These two polka dot looks are inspired by combinations that the client wouldn't have wanted. It's my outlet! The mini skirt is tight, but paired with a boyfriend t and blazer for a looser look on top. For the other, the proportions are flipped: tight sweater on top, flowy pleated skirt on bottom.

(l) boyfriend t, jersey blazer, mini skirt, sandals, pink necklace, black necklace
(r) tank, open knit sweater, pleated skirt, pumps, green necklace, gold necklace

Left outfit total: $139.44

Right outfit total: $82.95

menswear: a little bit of prep

2012-04-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

I may be turning over a new leaf when it comes to men's short sleeved shirts. I mean look at those little gingham cuffs! Cute. Cool. Whatever dudes want to be called. These are all great pieces to add to a man's repertoire. They might be a bit more fashion forward than some clothes in an average guy's closet, but nothing so crazy that he couldn't get on board with some new, slightly preppy duds. Crisp cuffed shorts, dark denim, a color blocked sweater, my new favorite short sleeved shirt, and these huaraches-meet-sneakers make great spring/summer staples.

sweater, shorts, jeans, button down shirt, sneakers

Outfit 1 total: $178.11 (half of this is those 90 dollar shoes)

Outfit 2 total: $165.85 (half of this is those 90 dollar shoes)

j.crew copycat

2012-04-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

photo via J. Crew

I needed to do this post before it gets too hot to style sweaters. I've seen this photo repinned over and over on Pinterest, which is why I'm copying it now, and not from the 2011 J. Crew Christmas catalog from which it came. Meaning, you can't exactly buy these pieces at J.Crew right now, so copying is all you have. (Sorry guys, I'll try to be more on top of my copy-catting in the future). The crew neck sweater and collared shirt combo might not be your thing, but suddenly when it's all in the same color family, it gets cool. And bright and funky! Well, as funky as sweaters, jeans and brogues can be, I guess. The best part is, the whole knockoff look costs about as much as the necklace alone off J.Crew's site. It is a really cool necklace though...

sweater, collared shirt, jeans, brogues, necklace, earrings

Outfit total: $144.28

menswear: 2 ways to wear stripes

2012-04-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

Asos* is having a sale right now, and among their hundreds of sale items are these two cool striped tshirts. I like these, not only because they make me think of sailors and France, but also because you can pair solid pants and minimal accessories and still come out with a fashionable, current look. On the left is a more traditional approach with tan chinos, and the right is a little saucier with a wraparound watch and skinny burgundy cords.

grey stripe shirt, chinos, grey sneakers, canvas strap watch
navy stripe shirt, burgundy corduroys, navy chukka boots, wrap around watch

Grey outfit total: $141.76

Navy outfit total: $158.16

*All items except the chinos are a part of Asos's sale. All the chinos I saw on Asos's site have this weird drop crotch I haven't been able to get on board with.

spring strip-down: menswear edition

2012-04-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine was telling me recently that he felt like a much sharper dresser in fall and winter than he did in spring and summer. I told him that I thought that was true for most guys: I love a man in layers, and the warmer it gets, the more difficult it is to layer. Truthfully, I don't even really like it when guys wear short sleeved shirts. I realize this is crazy, and also that there have to be some nice short sleeve options out there. One solution I've found is cuffing the sleeves. It changes the proportion of the sleeves, so no one has to look like Dwight Schrute as the weather warms. Top off navy chinos with a grey belt and canvas desert boots for a versatile spring look.

plaid shirt, chinos, jacket, belt, desert boots, scarf

Outfit total: $149.76

strike a cord

2012-04-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

This outfit combines two of my favorite things: high waisted pants and shirts with bows on them. High waisted corduroys are great because you throw them on just like you would jeans, but they add more texture, color, and polish to a look. I think that's why I like these shirts with the neck-scarf-bow as well. They have a built-it primness: you put on what is essentially a tank top, but add a bow, and suddenly you're office ready. Dusty pinks with brown leather and mint jewelry make an easy but effective professional look.

blouse, corduroy pants, blazer, earrings, bracelets, belt, wedges

Outfit total: $157.38

spring ikat

2012-04-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

I love a good biker jacket, and I really like when they come in colors besides the traditional black. I saw this mustard one, and immediately thought of this ikat tank, which is full of similarly subdued, yet saturated colors. Paired with cobalt jeans and patterned sandals, this combo is a great springtime look. Especially when you're feeling springy, but it's just not warm enough for shorts yet.

jacket, tank top, jeans, sandals, necklace, stud earrings

Outfit total: $193.29 (I decided I'd make myself do a little math, in case anyone is ever looking to buy the whole shebang)

mismatched bridesmaids part three

2012-04-13T19:30:00.001-07:00

I threw my bridesmaid guidelines out the window and went instead and dressed these bridesmaids like a girl band. I think it's because a couple of these dresses remind me of the early days of The Supremes. The idea, essentially, is just variations on a theme. Sequined bodices and flowy skirts, metallics and beiges. The main thing I tried to do was keep a similar amount of sequins on each dress, regardless of color. I tried to keep the shoes neutral, but coordinated with each respective dress. With this much glitz going on, I didn't pick any jewelry, but a unified pair of earrings might tie this whole group together, if forgoing jewelry for chest glitz doesn't do it for you.

Dresses (l to r): one shoulder, tiered ruffles, midi length, taupe skirt, green bodice
Pumps (1 to r): gold, platform, ankle strap, platinum, blush

spring strip-down

2012-04-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

I remember, growing up in the Midwest, the first moderately warm day of spring every kid would try to wear shorts to school. We were usually covered in goosebumps until the glorious sun would come out and warm things up in the afternoon, and then it was all worth it. I feel like every day in Los Angeles is kind of like that, and I swear that's why the whole Uggs+miniskirts combo became a fad: Uggs warm you for the cold morning, the miniskirt cools you off for the afternoon. It's a splitting-the-difference kind of combo.

Layering is key. I find that if my feet are warm, the rest of me can handle the cool weather. I usually pair boots with a skirt, and then pile the rest of the layers on top. I have a cool option (a tank top), with a medium weight (chambray shirt) with a chunky sweater on top. Add a scarf, and I'm all bundled up for the morning. Then you can just remove layers as the day goes on! (Or if you are like me, you will continue to add and remove layers over and over throughout the day based on a cold front or a hot flash).

tank, skirt, chambray shirt, cardigan, belt, boots, scarf, necklace

shirt discovery!

2012-04-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

This smug and/or wistful lady is modeling one of Mossimo's flutter sleeve tops you can find in a variety of cute prints at Target. I have the black and white striped one, and I already had big plans for it as a normal flutter-sleever. Then today when I put it on, one of the sleeves was flipped up over my shoulder, and I liked it, so I flipped up the other. It was almost Edwardian. I tucked it into a high waisted skirt and belted it to hold those sleeves in place at my waist, and voilà! A whole new shirt:

this is why I can't have one of those personal style blogs with pictures of me every day.
I'm either too squirmy (1) or too stiff (r)

photos of Downton Abbey from Green House of Fashion

See what I mean about Edwardian, a little? Obviously not the short floral skirt, but we're talking about the shirt. Fine, maybe I'll just do a full on Downton Abbey-inspired post. Like everyone who has ever had a style blog. (But seriously, I probably will).

skivvies

2012-04-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is a fairly unglamorous post to begin with, and then I went and gave the models alien skin. But, as the weather gets warmer, these little shorties will be your best friend. I love wearing skirts and dresses in the summer, but I hate the feeling of my thighs touching each other (and I do maintain that my thighs would still touch if I did that workout that's all over Pinterest, so please don't send it to me :) My solution is the same as the one we used to hide our undies on the playground: shorts under skirts!

A few of these are legit "tap pants": the loose-fitting woman's undergarment of a style similar to shorts formerly worn for tap dancing. The black ones in particular look like the skivvies of a flapper, which, obviously, is great. Tap pants are my undershort of choice because they feel the most like you are just wearing a little slip under your dress, but with that merciful extra panel. Little sleep shorts and lacy biker shorts are other good solutions, just depending on your preference, and length of your skirt. Here are a few of my favorites.

grey, grey with lace trim, stripes
nude, flowers, black with lace

dressed up sweats

2012-04-11T16:42:00.003-07:00

This post is inspired by my cousin, Emmy, who recently gave birth to the cutest child I have ever seen. Emmy has always been beautiful, fit, and fashionable, and being a new mom isn't going to change that. I thought of her when I saw these J. Crew sweatpants which are described as a "high-low mash-up... [crossing] a drawstring sweatpant with a trouser silhouette." Trousers that feel like sweats? Sold. I rode with this theme of comfy-cute: something a new mom could wear and feel good, but still be comfortable enough to have a baby on the hip and not worry too much about spit up. A high-low hemmed, slouchy sweatshirt leaves room for a stomach without being a tent. The flats add a little sophistication, and the wrap around watch represents as the only piece of jewelry (much harder for a baby to pull on than earrings). A hair scarf serves both to cover up bed head and add a little more color to the look. Top it all off with a quilted diaper bag, androgynous enough that Pops can carry it too while Mom is twirling around in her new trouser sweats.

sweatshirt, sweatpants, hair scarf, diaper bag, flats, watch