A long time friend of mine will be attending a cocktail party this weekend in celebration of her friends upcoming nuptials. She emailed me seeking outfit ideas as an alternative to the lovely, but not so adventurous staple we all know, the little black dress. There certainly is a time and place for the LBD, but turning heads sometimes requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Here on the Queen City Style, what I hope to convey, and perhaps even instill, is a sense of courage and confidence when getting dressed. Particularly in Charlotte, I feel, there is lot of attraction toward fitting in with the crowd. This is great, but is it adventurous and fun? You don't always have to go and buy the currently most popular label straight off the rack. Mix it up! Use what you got! Add an age old favorite blazer to the mix, grab your Grandmother's vintage purse, hit the thrift store for that one of a kind but inexpensive accessory to serve as the final touch. Branch out while being true to yourself. If you look in the mirror and you feel good, go with it. Don't think for a second about anyone else. If you feel good, it is right for you. All that said, my dear friend, I hope some of these ideas will be just the right thing for you! Have fun!
I'm big into wearing shorts at night. The cut and shape are important. Here's a pair similar to mine. Pair them with a dressy top and pair of shoes. Perhaps throw a blazer on top. Or try this fun pair of shorts. Add some black strappy sandals like these, or try mine as seen above, paired with a fabulous top like this, and I know you'll be turning heads! A couple more outfits...
Left to Right: White Silk Top with Amethyst Collar, Black Tuxedo Jacket here in white, or here's a less expensive version in black, Mint and Black Contrast Trim Blazer, or here's the one I'm wearing, White Blouse, or here's a silk white tank, Green Sequin Short, ASOS Black Quilted Bag, Silver Sequin Knickers, Vintage Chanel Quilted Bag, Black Strappy Sandals, Purple Platform Heels, Zara Black Sandals.
Another fun spin for your next cocktail party is my personal favorite, the jumpsuit.
Salvatore Ferragamo Multicolored Belted Silk Jumpsuit
Here are a few I adore, paired with some fun shoes.
Left to Right: Coral Jumpsuit, Black Buckle Jumpsuit, Green, Black and White Jumpsuit, Strapless Jumpsuit with Tie, Black Sandal, Cork Sandal, White and Red Pantsuit, Nude Sandal, Multicolored Jumpsuit, Black and Gold Sandal, Flower Jumpsuit, Black Ankle Strap Sandal, Black Strappy Sandal. For additional evening shorts, blazers and jumpsuits, some of my favorites on-line retailers include: ASOS, Shopbop, Net-a-Porter and Piperlime. Enjoy!
For the love of unique and fun style, I hope you're having a great week! Whitley