Viking Beauty

Rooney Mara and Why Experimental Clothing Doesn't Always Work Out

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 23:16:00 +0000

I get reallly annoyed when people all look the same. Like how in my area right now it seems as if I can't go anywhere without seeing five pieces of Kendra Scott jewelry, eight pairs of Tory Burch Reva flats, and a half dozen Michael Kors Hamilton bags. I understand that oftentimes women who are around each other a lot start to dress alike, so it stands to reason that this will also happen when women shop at the same stores. If it's not tiring to dress like everyone else, then I certainly find it exhausting to look at.

Which is one of the reasons I find Rooney Mara so refreshing. She has an ethereal and almost Swinton-ian quality about her that allows her to wear things your average cookie-cutter starlet could never dream of pulling off. Designers clearly love this about her and she is always wearing something interesting.

Like here, for example:

Rooney is promoting her new film called "Her" in Rome and her Balenciaga dress certainly looks like Her. It seems to be evoking a sheer version of Gwenyth Paltrow's now epic White Tom Ford Dress Avec Cape from the Oscars.

Which is fine. Totally. I'm personally feeling rather beleagured by the recent "Everything is SHEER below the knee right now and bonus points if you go sheer from the waist down and get your actress to don a bodysuit or visible knickers of some kind and extra extra points if you include lace because lace is EVERYTHING right now." But I would rather look at two beaten-to-death trends when they are employed in a garment that is at least visually interesting.

My problems with the get-up are twofold. Namely, that it is rather unflattering in the chestral region and it seems ill-fitted and/or moderately uncomfortable.

I will start with unflattering. The combination of clavicle and shoulder armor with the corresponding horizontal line of Strapless Dress With Bib creates a severe frame for Rooneys's underarm pooches. Now, everyone has these pooches. I have them. You know you have them. They are really not too bad, but certainly neither of us wants them to be hightlighted as the focal point of our torsos.

As far as the fit goes, the dress is either too large on top (which I doubt) or Rooney is uncomfotable with having to wrangle so many elements.

Either way, she cannot stop messing with it.

She looks like she's had enough of Shoulder Warmer Bridal Veil Boob Napkin time and would just rather be wearing the lace minidress and fabulous lipstick.

Regardless, thanks for keeping it interesting, Rooney.

Photos: Getty Images

Colored Boots for Fall and Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 21:44:00 +0000

As I'm sure you are all well aware, I love color. There's nothing I find more sartorially depressing than a closet full of black or gray. One of the things that I love about Autumn is that it opens up so many more options for layering colors.

The keys to remember here are 1) keep the rest of your wardrobe neutral, 2) go monochromatic for an "easier" and more subtle look, 3) use complimentary colors to create more drama.

Steve Madden "Troopa" in Wine

Wear with:

Merlot Tights

Anne Klein "Caelina" in Navy

Wear with:

Dark Purple Tights

Tsubo "Tayla" in Charcoal

Wear with:

Espresso Tights

Elizabeth and James "April" in Forest

Wear with:

Mustard Tights

Steve Madden "Milaan" in Burgundy

Wear with:

Charcoal Tights

All tights courtesy of SockDreams. Shoes via Zappos.

My New Favorite Accessory

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 02:00:00 +0000

Though it's not quite chilly enough here in Austin for cuddly woolens, I can't help but indulge in my recent obsession: thigh-high socks. I wear mine layered over tights and peeking out of my boots. It's a nice way to create a tonal look or to introduce a splash of color to an otherwise neutral ensemble.

I have run into one slight problem, however. Namely, that many socks that are labeled "over-the-knee" or "thigh-high" end up being too short on my long and curvy legs. Or worse, the top band cuts uncomfortably into my knees. And the only thing worse than a muffin top is a muffin top on your legs (stem muffins? leg loaves?). The solution? A
plus size sock from Sock Dreams. They are thin enough that there is no bunching in my boots, but substantial enough to add warmth. My favorite part is the band. There's a soft and stretchy piece of elastic circling the cuff that keeps them in place without causing discomfort.

Here they are. The Extraordinary Thigh High:

Extraordinary Thigh Highs

Granted, I did not choose this color but my laptop is on its last legs and this is the only image it would let me upload. I purchased the Charcoal and will also be adding Black, Navy, and Burgundy.

Some of my other favorites:

Wavy Top Over The Knee

Crochet Lover Over The Knees

Button Ribbed OTK

Extraordinarily Longer Thigh High

All photos courtesy of Sock Dreams.

Neon Fan

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:54:00 +0000

Wasn't I just saying that the most flattering of all the neon hues is pink? Well, look at what happened last Sunday:

Fan Bingbing at the Oscars

This is a lot of dress. And she is tiny. But, somehow, this really works. First of all, look at her face. It's really hard to make that look unattractve. While I don't love the fact that the lipstick matches, it has the effect of making her look even more like a living doll.

I mean, that is a serious amount of silk satin. I love that the folds are very structural. she looks like a Chinese princess made out of hot pink satin origami paper. I have always felt that Asian are more sartorially adventurous than us Westerners, and this just proves my point. What Western actress can you think of that would have pulled this exact look off so flawlessly? Potentially Blanchett.

The inset of embellishment at the back adds a bit of textural interest without detracting from the rest of the dress and has the effect of looking like an obi being peeled away. Super cool. Marchesa works for her because it has the right amount of dreamy drama to compliment her looks and personality.

This is also an instance of great styling. you can plop the dress on her but, as we saw from Renee Zellweger, that isn't where you should stop. The hair has to fit the face and the angles of the gown, while keeping the head in proportion to the rest of the body. This beehive looks retro, architectural, Asian, and modern. all at the same time. Perfect. I maynot have chosen pink sapphires for the jewelry as I feel it tends to blend in with the fabric and lipstick, but I don't really mind it either. In this case, a contrasting color like turquoise could have been striking, but may have been a bit overdone on such a small frame.

In short, this is flawless perfection and I want to have this dress and wear it around my house and to Target carrying a mimosa and long feather boa.

Neon Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:45:00 +0000

Remember 80's neon? I do. I had a day-glo Body Glove t-shirt and neon pink leggings. I wore them with my tiered denim acid wash skirt and side ponytail. It was not a good look, but I was committed.

Since those days, designers have tried a few times to give it a comeback, but it's never really stuck. I assert that it's because neon just really is not flattering. In fact, they are harsh and aggressive.

Neons are bullies. They scream "LOOK AT ME! I will burn your eyes and harass your retinas, but you will LOOK!" And I'm just not a fan of bullies.

Nicki Minaj

See? Isn't that harsh? I mean, the color of her hair actually hurts to look at. With such treacherous waters out there in the neon sea, I figure I should do my part to offer safe navigation.

Start small. Choose a piece of jewelry, watch, bow, belt, etc. They are easy to integrate into a closet and you can buy them cheaply enough to get rid of them when this trend's (hopefully, short) half-life is over.

Deborah Lippmann "Who Run the World (Girls)" Collection

Alexis Bittar

Adidas

Topshop

J. Crew

Nordstrom

If you are going to wear any highlighter color at all, I feel the best choice by far is pink. While you may risk it bringing out unflattering redness in your skin, it won't make you look nearly as zombie-riffic as yellow or green.

For the love of all that is sacred a pure, please put your neon on a neutral. Navy blue works especially well, but khaki, grey, and most any denim will work very nicely. White is a bit more challenging, as it can increase the harshness of the neon and give you a 'highlighter on printer paper' effect. Someone with medium to deep skintones can pull this off, but I encourage the pale girls to stay away.

J. Crew

If you feel particularly bold, choose a neon shoe or bag.

Vans

Rebecca Minkoff

J. Crew

Wouldn't those Vans look adorable with cuffed skinny jeans? The sandals would work with denim shorts and the flats would look great with a navy skirt.

Wear this with khaki shorts/skirt and boat shoes for a nautical look:

J. Crew

Tuck this into a navy pencil skirt and pop a blazer over it for work:

Ted Baker

Add a dark denim jacket and a grey tank for date night:

J. Crew

And please, please, please, do not wear multiple neon colors at once. You may end up looking like this:

Emma Stone's Mixed Blues (Bonus Andrew Garfield)

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 21:09:00 +0000

When I say that navy and red are neutrals and can be worn together with other colors I am serious.

First of all, the skirt is freaking adorable. Its 1960's secretarial vibe would normally lend itself to a pairing with a sleek button-down or even a bustier. I like that Emma has added super-trendy stripes to the look and, by doing so in the form of a t-shirt, adds a youthful edge.

The blue stripe of the shirt does not match the skirt. And it's cool. It's called 'tonal'. I don't love the sepia/sienna stripe in the shirt, but it acts as a nice, earthy base and works tonally with her hair.

To avoid that sepia washing out her complexion, she has added a turquoise collar necklace. It works well with both blues (more tonal) and looks great with the earth-tone. Plus, it's young and fresh.

As for the shoes: who doesn't love navy and red? The cut of the pump is flattering for her feet and legs and gives the whole look pizazz.

I guess that's just another 'Easy A' (wah-wah) for Emma Stone!

New Blog Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Make sure to check out my friend's new blog Shanghai Vaquera! One of my food and fashion mentors, Julia takes a logical approach to the study of food, fashion, and travel. And she can peel a crawfish faster than anyone I know!

She's Baaaa-aaack!

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:31:00 +0000

Well, after a near- 2 month hiatus, I am back in the blogosphere.

Changing jobs from fashion to banking really makes for an interesting transition. It's been a challenge figuring out how to keep my unique style while working within the conservative constraints of the suit-and-tie set.

Something that has been very surprising: the number of badly-dressed bankers is astounding. I truly do understand working your wardrobe on a budget, but your clothes still have to fit you.

Take Chase, for example. Men are expected to wear black slacks, black shoes, black belt, Chase blue shirt, Chase tie and an optional black blazer. Women wear all black and have a choice of various Chase-logo'ed blue cardigans and tops.

That's got to be one of the easiest 'uniforms' I've ever heard of. Which is why I find it particularly puzzling when I see bankers whose pants are too short or sleeves too long. It's particularly annoying because a hem is typically one of the easiest and cheapest fixes to execute.

Banking is all about numbers: everyone wants the big money accounts. So, do you think a millionaire who wears custom Italian suits is going to trust his money to a man whose blazer is over large or a woman who doesn't know to remove the tacking from the kick pleat in her skirt. I doubt it.

Like it or not, the way in which we present ourselves can have a marked effect on our success in business.

The Duchess Does Citrus

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:54:00 +0000

Looks like Miss Catherine's been at it again. With her hubby off in the Falklands, she's keeping busy by hanging out with the in-laws. Stylishly, bien sur!

What Kate Wore

For a visit to Great Britain's Men's and Women's Olympic Field Hockey Teams, she wore a navy Pucci blazer, official London 2012 scarf, white tee and navy L.K. Bennett 'Art' pumps.

The jeans were a smidgen too tight for my taste- she is a Princess after all...

But, I adored the color. Way to look youthful and trend-appropriate, Kate! "The Today show" called her as-yet-unidentified jeans "tangerine", though I would definitely err on the side of coral or, perhaps, bittersweet.

Wikipedia

Kate's look may be easily adapted for daily wear:

1) Classic Preppy

Boat shoes /Sperry Top-Sider @ Nordstrom

Joe's Jeans @ Nordstrom

Boyfriend belt /Asos

Man's faux ostrich watch /Asos

Ikat printed scarf /Asos

Washed chambray shirt /J. Crew

2) Romantic

Dainty earrings /anthropologie

Girly ring /kate spade

Bow clutch /Ted Baker

Ladylike heels /Nordstrom

Lace Tee Shirt /J. Crew

J.Crew

3) Modern

Cobalt pumps /Aldo

Printed silk blouse /Theory

Joe's Jeans @ Nordstrom

Buttercream bag /Asos

Statement cuff /Asos

Dita Von Teese Wants Natural Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 07:13:00 +0000

So, I don't really know all that much about Dita Von Teese. Probably more than the average person, but that's just because I pay attention to stuff. To me, she is an embodiment of Dolly Parton's famous quip: "Find out who you are and then do it on purpose." She has her styling down to a tee and truly commits to her look.

Take off all her makeup and she's probably a very pretty woman, but lacquer her up and she is a bombshell. This is one thing I love so much about styling: that every woman, no matter how 'average' can find what really works for her and shows her to her best advantage.

This woman is almost 40.

Dita here has her own line of lingerie which goes into the plus sizes and up to a G cup. The little I know about lingerie tells me that going to G is not very extraordinary, but for a celebrity line I think it's pretty decent. She had women of all sizes walk the runway at her show and tweeted: "To set the record straight, my Von Follies lingerie show 'no spray tan policy' means NATURAL skin tones will be represented, pale & dark.''

Fabulous. Severely. I really, really love it. Pale =/= Ugly (or 'pasty').

Beautiful skin and she definitely has lines around her eyes and on her forehead. Awesome. She doesn't appear to be injected with fillers or paralyzers, either.

She's got a sort of Ava Gardner thing happening, and I adore the sharp red nails with half-moon mani. "I've had 2 years to sharpen my claws, mother; Jungle Red!"

Check it: 3 different-sized women wearing very similar garments (i.e. the 'plus size' one is not covered head to toe) and all of them look sexy, confident, and real.


The blonde in the back on the left? A bit heavy in the middle. The brunette next to Dita? Thick thighs. The lady on the right? Hips, baby, hips. Figure flaws? Oh heck no. They all look luscious.

Photos courtesy of JustJared.

Mmmm... Fresh!

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:12:00 +0000

I am loving this mint green trend. It's like the refreshing, cold sweetness of a Melona bar on a summer day.

If you haven't had one, you really need to look into it. They are South Korean honeydew melon creme bars and are delightful. Get them at your local Asian market (they are worth the $10 a box).

I'm also loving the return of super lady-like pieces mixed with menswear. So you can imagine my glee at seeing still from the Jonathan Saunders show.

Nothing creates an hourglass figure better than a structured shirt tucked into an a-line skirt. This is my summer uniform- ask anyone. I also adore those sandals with the wee bows. Tres adorable!

Sadly, I haven't yet put my hands on any minty fresh pieces that are perfect for me. So, I am looking forward to adding splashes with accessories. First on my list:

Essie 'Mint Candy Apple'. Just the right amount of blue to tone down the yellow in my skin and the perfect touch of green to make it fresh and young.*

Asos belt

Minty penny loafers

Mint looks great with lilac

Wear your mint with:

All of your neutrals, especially: khaki, white, grey, navy
Other tertiary colors like: turquoise, coral, orange, fuchsia

*a full-size bottle of Flowerbomb Bombilicious lotion to the person who sends me this color.

Spring/Summer Wardrobe Spruce-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0000

All Black's Recycled Newspaper Flat

A cream open-weave top like this one.

Blue and white sailboat skirt similar to this guy from Anthropologie.

A vintage silk satin button down in cream like this one.

An a.n.a. western denim shirt (with pearl snaps!).


A navy single button blazer from Lafayette 148 in a shape similar to this one.

Ralph Lauren silver teardrop earrings

dv by Dolce Vita wedges ($15!!)

Add these great items to my wardrobe from last year...

Calvin Klein belt


Asos peach dress

Asos orange skirt

Lafayette 148 white blazer

...and I've got a pretty sturdy wardrobe.

Now, if I could just find a decent pair of leather-soled sandals...

Pale Girls at the Grammys

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:46:00 +0000

First of all, sorry for the delay in posting. I have been working on my Etsy store, VikingBeautyVintage, and have been doing a fair amount of writing for my book (yes, I am planning on publishing).

In return for putting up with my absence, I will give you a post chock full of Grammy Awards victories and fails as well as a surprise at the end. :)


Alison Krauss	a

Let's face it: country musicians are not known for good fashion sense. See: Twain, Shania; Chicks, Dixie; Judd, Wynonna and Naomi. Having said that, I do wonder why Alison here is wearing a hand-crocheted capelet/baby afghan. Mostly, when I see it I just wonder why. What is this piece actually doing? It's certainly not keeping her warm or camouflaging lumpy upper arms. It does look like a quality item, but I'm more concerned that she robbed the back of a nursery school sofa. what is this piece actually doing?

Joy Williams

I admit that I have no idea whether this lady is a solo act or part of a group and I don't know what types of music she sings. I'm going to go out on a limb and say country, because she seems to have a bit of Alison Krauss-itis. By which I mean that she appears to have stolen a wee lacy item, but this time she took it to make herself a Barbie's First Funeral gown. Points for keeping the makeup light.

Shelly Mooring of the band Leeland

No idea about this lady, either. To tell the truth I'm not a huge music fan, which is probably why I only recognize the people that I've seen on SNL. Regardless, this broad looks like she went a little too far with 'cutesy-goth' and ended up with 'I had a buy 10 get 1 free coupon at Hot Topic'.

Mika Newton

Allegedly, this one is an actress. She has clearly followed the funeral costume trend but, instead she decided to dress as the tartlet seen faking tears over her rich, 80 year-old lover's grave while trying to sneak a peek at the will.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper as a menopausal tartlet and the dead man's former wife.

Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie here is awesome. Great voice and cool personal style with the little swatch of white hair. Very classy. I just wish she hadn't purchased her attire at a sale at SteinMart. I don't mind the pants so much I guess, but I do find them rather casual for THE GRAMMYS. The overgrown metallic sausage casing she squeezed herself into? Not so much.

Skylar Grey

I do not know her but I know I do not like her. 1) her hair is unforgivably flat, 2) she has caked on so much foundation that her skin looks like a wax figure, 3) she is matching her shoes to the carpet. And did I mention the lipstick? Dead dead dead. What with the Grammys and bringing out every one's morbid streak?

Katy Perry

Oh, well here's something decidedly not morbid. Katy does a lovely impression of a Smurf. Which is fitting since she voiced Smurfette in the movie. And yes, I know she's not pale in this picture ( I hope that's a spray tan, Katy), but she usually is so I figured I'd grandfather her in. I actually don't hate the blue hair on her. The dress makes me think of blue cotton candy, though, and then I start to feel slightly queasy.

Robyn

I love Robyn. She's funky and fun and sings dance pop and is from Sweden. She's like a sort of one woman ABBA in that I always want to dance to her songs whenever I hear them regardless of time or place appropriateness. And that's why I will give this a pass.

For more snarkily delicious Grammy commentary visit: The Fug Girls

Vintage Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:53:00 +0000

I'm a huge fan of vintage shopping. Thrifting. Whatever you want to call it. When my mom was a teenager, her parents bought a Victorian townhouse and renovated it themselves. They spent a lot of time doing second-hand shopping. To this day, most of our heirloom furniture comes from this period.

So it's business as usual when I come to work sporting my newest find. Take a looksee at the awesome new bag I snagged at Goodwill:

It's 100% leather made in Italy for The Limited. Remember The Limited? Yeah, I got flashbacks of floral dresses with attached chokers, too. But this bag is pretty rad.

It looks pretty similar to this saddle bag from Ralph Lauren. Vintage for $5 vs. Designer for $1200. Pretty Sweet.

Art Nouveau Stiletto

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Gucci Chain Strap Mary Jane

Pretty Grunge

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

When I was about 11 I started wearing combat boots with dresses and ripped jeans with flannel. I listened to REM, watched 'Clueless', played viola and thought I was grunge.

I look back on this and remember that it was probably one of the first times that I experimented with fashion and just wore what I wanted. Sure, it wasn't particularly good-looking, and the kids at school probably thought I was a nutcase and living under a bridge, but I dug it.

To this day, I have a particular affinity for a hot pair of combat boots, a good old plaid shirt and some ripped stockings. I just think it's cool. Pairing a girly dress with a leather bag and some boots creates a sort of hippie devil-may-care aura.

Rachel Bilson rocking Pretty Grunge

I especially love spring fashion with some killer boots.

All Saints 'Damisi' Boots

Lace peplum top

Grungy skinny jeans

Studded bangles

Or how about this

Asos boots

Modcloth jacket

Swiss dot dress

Barbed wire ring

I can't explain it. It's just hot. Women turning menswear on its head and making lace look tough.

Put Katniss Everdeen in a dress and she'd throw on her own hunting boots and give you the finger.

That's what it's all about.

My boots? Well, they're these:

Geeky Nails

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:05:00 +0000

There are a few things for which I am a massive sucker:

-animals
-shiny things
-figure skating
-old hollywood
-nail polish
-books

When any of these items combine, I go into a tizzy. That's probably why I am loving ladyflash's post on nail polishes inspired by A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. They are also sparkly.

Bare Legs in Winter? Emily Post Would Faint.

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:37:00 +0000

I just really can't get behind this whole 'bare legs in winter' fad that's going around.

There are a few things I can count on during fall and winter: the air getting colder, bundling up in cozy sweaters and blankets, drinking a delicious hot beverage that truly warms from the inside out, wearing an array of fun tights, not having to shave my legs every other day, and giving my pedicure a break.

It's like we're adding to our workload here, ladies. Are you telling me you want to go back to shaving/waxing and pedicuring every week? Please!

A bit warmer than normal? Go for a light wool gabardine and cotton t shirt under an open-knit sweater. And for goodness sakes put on a pair of tights.

There are a fantastic array of sheer hosiery options that will not cause you to overheat while still keeping you seasonably appropriate (and giving you coverage if you have scars, blemishes, or spider veins).

First of all we have a great secret weapon: nude-colored fishnets. Beyonce and Lady Gaga wear them while performing as they add a fuzzy, airbrushed quality to legs. Cellulite is less noticeable and so is uneven skintone.

J.Crew's Nude Fishnets


Fishnets are actually really comfortable.

Try tights with open weaves. They are much stretchier and therefore less binding. They also breathe nicely and you can wear them through spring.

And don't forget that Duchess Catherine made the stodgy old nude pantyhose look modern and pretty. Go for a denier of less than 15 for ultimate sheerness.

Her legs look smooth and covered, not old and crotchety.

I Want

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:06:00 +0000

Valentino Demetria Leather-Lace Bag

Pale Girls at the Golden Globes

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:12:00 +0000

The Best

in ascending order

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu

Great color, lovely texture. Michelle has an adorable round face and her gamine haircut and '20s headband give her a Gatsby edge that is unique.

Detail I Love: the belt. It's delicate, breaks up the heaviness of the fabric and echos the headband.

Jodie Foster in Armani Prive

Light teal blue with beading and a bit of interest with the edged ruffle. I don't feel like I've already seen this five times on five other women. I love that she has kept her accessories to the minimum, but her dark shoes are a bit of an eyesore. Nude or metallic, please Jodie.

Detail I Love: Her haircut, which perfectly flatters her angular jaw.


Emma Stone in Lanvin

This crimson and eggplant chiffon number is edgy and elegant and not at all old. Both colors flatter Emma's porcelain skin and her eye makeup reflects the rock and roll aspect of the gown without being heavy or harsh. Small earrings and strappy heels support rather than add to the look so that it doesn't look over styled. I love that the belt buckle gives it a Gothic edge, but I would rather see it mounted on a piece of black velvet instead of that heavy strap of leather.

Detail I Love: Beaded shoulders that are proportionate to her frame make her look like a warrior princess versus Melanie Griffith circa 'Working Girl'.

Shailene Woodley in Marchesa

Do I feel a bit like I've Seen This Before? Maybe. It is Marchesa, after all. But Shailene here is 20 and has a lovely figure and beautiful skin. Her face is not covered in makeup and her accessories are sparse. I applaud her stylist's choice to showcase her youth and natural beauty.

Detail I Love: The baby-fine netting forming straps and covering her decollete make her look both sexy and demure.

Jessica Chastain in Givenchy

Jessica has a beautifully long neck and, therefore, can pull off a high neck like the one on this dress without looking like she's being strangled. The dress is also covered in pearls. I love that it doesn't have sleeves and reminds me of old school Calvin Klein tank dresses. I am not a hug fan of the large button earrings, but her bone structure and windswept hair keep them from looking mumsy.

Detail I Love: The teensy gold belt. It breaks up the solidness of the column dress and brings attention to her waist.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

This Woman. I just- I just can't. On anyone else, this would have looked like a Dexter-ish blood slide dress. Her personality and bone structure enable her to pull off a harsh slice of red at the neck. There's no cleavage, but she has a high side slit and the white satin shows off her sick figure. I love the addition of the red clutch. You can't see it in this photo, but Angie's wearing white peep toe shoes. Not Red. This is a Huge Deal. Red shoes and red bag would have ruined the look by making it too 'on the nose' Cruella de Vil-y.

Detail I Love: That her lipstick is a blue-based red that is a different tone than the accent on the dress. This keeps it from looking costumey.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci

Scales to feathers in a metallic blue-black-green make Evan look like an exotic creature from a fantasy novel. This dress is like nothing I've ever seen and her brushed back hair, minimal makeup and lack of heavy accessories ensure that the gown is center stage.

Detail I Love: The bit of black tulle at the shoulders and neck look delicate and ladylike.

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

This color. The shape. The textures. The bracelets. The hair. This woman is from another planet and that planet's name is Flawless. Tilda Swinton is excited by fashion and her obvious love of design and craftsmanship make her a true joy to watch.

Detail I Love: That she folded over one of the lapels. It give the jacket a less deliberate look.

Nicole Kidman in Versace

When Nicole came out onstage last night I yelled "Versace!" at the top of my lungs. I couldn't contain it; I have designer tourettes. Nicole resembles one of those sylph-like art nouveau fairies bedecked in gold buttons. The architectural elements flatter her columnar frame. The decollete is interesting and her cleavage is contained. Small gold accessories support the dress and her long hair adds a feminine touch. No one else could wear this dress as well as Nicole.

Detail I Love: Everything

The Worst

in no particular order

Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci

I don't hate this, I just don't particularly love it. It's very, very severe and I worry that she looks Old. The neckline is actually lovely on her, but I would have preferred to see her in a color. Also, the poor girl looks terrified.

What Kills It: The dust ruffle at the hem.

Kate Winslet in Jenny Packham

I actually don't hate this one, either. You have to love classic black and white and the neckline and sleeves are awesome. I do not love that the white block is on the bottom-half of her body. She is heavier in her hips and I feel this makes her look a bit chunky. It's also a little old. I would love this on Helen Mirren, for example.

What Kills It: The black shoes. No. They take away all of the lightness the white skirt achieved.

Zooey Deschanel In Prada

Zooey, Zooey, Zooey. I like you. A lot. Probably more than I should considering you're getting Played Out. Your side-bangs are strange and so is this dress. I actually like the lime green on you. It's young and fun just like you, Zooey. But what is with the weird pattern on top and the black satin sheet on bottom? This is just odd.

What Kills It: The lacy peter pan collar. Chop off the top of this dress and make it strapless.

Katharine McPhee in Donna Karan

I really don't care about Katharine McPhee. She seems nice, I guess but that's really all the farther I get with her. I will, however, be watching 'Smash', but that's just because Anjelica Huston and Commodore Norrington are also in it. I'm sure you're quite a good singer/actress, but honey. Why are you trying to disappear? You have no color. Anywhere. Not even on your face. In this dress even your personality looks beige.

What Kills It: The color.

Dianna Agron in Giles

I don't Hate this dress. I just think it's Too Much for her. Take off the tiered lace bottom and add a long skirt of red chiffon. Much better. I just find all the laser cuts to be a bit dizzying and she doesn't have the presence to keep the dress from wearing her.

What Kills It: Her Mom hair.

Julianne Moore in Chanel

Oh Julianne, you look like a little girl who's gotten into her big sister's closet full of Black Swan tutus and put them all on at once. I know a peplum is in, but not when it's layers of dead black tulle around the hips. NOOO. Your face is gorgeous and I covet your hair. See kids? She has cut the drabness of the black dress by adding a flattering color, green, next to her face. Even emeralds, however cannot save this dress.

What Kills It: The entire dress and the boring black clutch.

Taking White Wedding To A New Level

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:21:00 +0000

Thanks again, Kate Middleton: The ivory bridesmaids' dress is huge.

Pippa and the flower girls

When I first saw Pippa walking down that aisle in a white dress I thought it was a bit odd but totally smart. Women all over the world were going to emulate Kate's wedding, and I was glad she didn't limit us to seeing every bridesmaid in lime green until the end of time. She chose a color that is always wedding-appropriate and timeless.

Is there any doubt as to which one is the bride?

White, ivory or nude bridesmaids' dresses look fresh and young. They look lovely on Pippa's tanned skin (ahem), and also beautiful on Pale girls.

Classical and Botticelli-esque

Three different skin tones, all glowing and ethereal

I predict this is a trend we'll be seeing for a long time to come.

So 5 Minutes Ago...

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:31:00 +0000

...is so now.

The Original 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

Burberry's Lambskin Jacket

Link Love

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:58:00 +0000

I've been reading a lot of 2001 recap posts recently, but I have just come across my favorite:

My friend ladyflash wrote a truly awesome 2011 recap. I love her pictures, and the fact that she chooses really interesting polishes. Plus, she has a major jones for glitter and shiny things and we know how I feel about that...

Seriously, she is unpretentious and has amazing cuticles.

Things That Shouldn't Work But Do: Boots Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:22:00 +0000

Everything goes with black. I used to think that, if most of my basic pieces were black, that my shoes and purses had to be, too.

Man, is that wrong.

Don't misunderstand me, I love black. I just don't always love it head-to-toe. Especially on a Pale person, all black can look a bit goth, which is fine if that's your aim. I just feel that, for the most part, black boots are rather Hard Rock.

You can wear brown boots with a black outfit. It is actually very attractive as the brown helps to break up and soften the harshness that black can impart. Check it out:

She's wearing 3 neutrals: black, gray, and brown. The scarf adds softness in the form of a silver gray knit. The boots are a slightly slouchy suede that contrasts with the stark monochromatic aspect of her tights, dress, and gloves.

Pippa Middleton wearing a coat that I suspect is Burberry and a satchel I believe is Mulberry

Here, Pippa Middleton shows the same principle. She has used a silk scarf and suede boots to soften the structure of her coat and bag. She looks both glamorous and like the girl next door.

Pippa Middleton and Kate, pre- Duchess of Cambridge

Goddess Kate here wears structured riding boots with a cinch belt and softens the outfit with a flowy top and velvet blazer.

Half the battle when it comes to fashion is BALANCE. When you understand how to balance the clothes on our body, you can get away with a multitude of 'sins' (like mixing black and brown par example).


Rachel Bilson

Anne Hathaway

By Request: Winter Hats

noreply@blogger.com (Viking Beauty) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:22:00 +0000

Winter is a great time for hats. Apart from doing quite a bit to keep your entire body warm, hats are an under-used fashion tool.

It's important to understand the different types of hats, how and where to wear them, and some general hat etiquette. I will tackle the first issue in this post.

I will start with a classic. The Beret.


Lauren Bacall in "The Big Sleep"

Traditionally made out of felted wool, they can also be woven, knitted or crocheted. Berets can be worn in a number of ways.

Pretty much Beret 101.

I like the look of a felted beret on top of the head and pushed slightly to the side. It's jaunty and has attitude. Be careful, this can look costume-y so be sure you wear it with Confidence.

Adorable with long, loose curls

Personally, I wear my berets in a style similar to the photo above. I pull it straight down onto my head and then push the fabric backwards and slightly to the side. This way, it functions as keeping ma tete warm, while adding style.

Next, is the cloche.

Clara Bow doing it Right

In French, cloche means 'bell', and the shape of this hat should tell you why. Cloches are a structured hat that are usually made out of felted wool or other sturdy materials.

There are a few ways to wear a cloche, but the most traditional is pulled all the way down and covering the ears. See Miss Bow above.

Tao Okamoto

This cloche still retains its bell-shaped crown, but she has pulled it down in front over her forehead, leaving her ears bare.

Continuing on, we have the fedora.

Kate Moss mixing cranberry and grey

Again, these are typically made of felted wool, but can come in a variety of materials, including straw. Fedoras have wide brims, a crease at the crown and is often pinched in the front. What we typically see worn today (ad nauseum), is actually called a trilby.

Note the difference in brim size between Emma Watson's trilby and Kate's fedora.

Trilbies have smaller brims. Note that all trilbies are fedoras, but not all fedoras are trilbies. Got it?

Zara Phillips wearing a classic fedora. Note the wide brim and pinches.

While we're at it, can I please just send out an S.O.S. to stop wearing these:

Ashlee Simpson-~~Wentz~~

They are over. They have been run into the ground and there is now no unique or ironic way to wear them. Pick different colors and go with a wider brim. Please? Just for a while.

Oooh look, these are fun: Trapper hats

Marge Gunderson works it in Fargo

Originally used by hunters and well, trappers, these hats are usually made of canvas, flannel, or a water-repellent material and lined with fur. Note the distinctive flaps over the ears. These can be tied under the chin or tied on top of the head.

Faux-fur lined trapper

These hats are ideal if you live in cold climates. And I mean cold. Please don't wear these if you live in temperate or sub-tropic regions. You'll look like this:

Ashley Tisdale

A Fool. Does she need the hat to keep her arm while she drinks that iced coffee??

Next up is the beanie!

Taylor Swift and her sunny yellow beanie

Beanie hats have typically been very tight to the head and worn by skiers and the like. Now, they come in slouchy varieties and guys are using them to cover up their bad hair days. Excellent!

I really love a beanie. They are perfect for winter in more temperate climes.

Sandra Bullock keeps warm

Just be careful that you don't end up looking like a bum in this hat as it's slouchy nature can look a little unkempt.

My personal winter hat inspiration?

Freda Gustavsson

Buy yourself some winter hats here:

urban outfitters
john lewis
asos
modcloth
village hat shop