Runway Trendslation: Peace, Love & Tie-Dye
Shop Your Closet
I’m a huge advocate of shopping for sport, but as a fashion stylist, I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s not always necessary. Often, I’ll find a treasure trove of stylish options right there in my client’s own closet! Sometimes it just takes the fresh perspective of a trained eye to create new ensembles out of pieces you’ve had all along. I love to shop my client’s closets and show them how to make good use out of what they already have, and they tend to appreciate saving money as well. We create looks based on specific occasions or on their typical lifestyle activities, and then take photos on their phones. This way, my clients can scroll through the looks and select an outfit without having to think about it.
~XOXO,
Michelle
*Photos by Theresa NeSmith Photography
As seen in the January 2019 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine…
Shopping For A Cause: The Dress For Success Inventory Sale
Step Up Your Mom Style
Runway Translation: The Spring Shirt Shifter
Oh, how I love Mona Kowalska’s A Détacher Spring 2015 dresses… let me count the ways: The bohemian prints were soft and fantastical, evoking a 70’s vibe infused with clouds and rainbows and all things groovy. The shapes and fabrics were comfort driven, which makes me want to wear them all day long. The overall message was confident and relaxed, two things I strive for when selecting a day look during Spring.
Below are a few budget-friendly options that will help you to achieve the same easy, breezy vibe as the A Détacher dresses above. These are shoppable now, so if you want to get more bang for your buck throw on a pair of tights, some flatforms, a jacket, and voila… you’re Spring Shirt Shifter suddenly becomes a year-round piece!
1. Charming Vintage Print Dress, $26, Rosewe.com
2. White Stuff Ava Dress, $62, JohnLewis.com
3. Persona Printed Silk Dress, $105, House Of Fraser.com
Runway Photo Credit: Gianni Pucci via Style.com
XOXO,
Happy Holidays!
Classic Combo: Leopard Print & Deep Purple
Retail Therapy at Rehab…
With my impending high school reunion on the horizon, I knew I needed to seek professional help for my fashion fix. But where could I go? Who could I trust? I mean, I was in deep! I needed everything… head to toe, the full treatment! The choice was obvious… Rehab!
I chose a Karina Grimaldi single-shoulder black silk jumpsuit. Simple and sophisticated. I kept the accessories to a minimum, adding a vintage gold chain belt, statement ring and drop earrings to keep the look polished and classic. The Guess patent leather strappy sandals with gold rings were a perfect compliment to the ensemble, and are from my closet. My favorite bag lately, the black reptile embossed leather clutch, was a gift from the FWTB Blogger Brilliance Conference last month.
Rehab Exchange is a designer resale boutique with 2 locations, South Tampa and downtown St. Pete. Go there. Get help for your fashion addiction. Tell them Runway Translator sent you!
So, I went to Rehab…
My name is Michelle, and I am a fashionholic. I recently went to Rehab…
photos: Rehab Exchange St. Pete, owner Amber Dees, inside the store
… a trendy designer consignor boutique that opened it’s newest location in Downtown St. Pete this past weekend. Rehab Exchange buys, sells & trades modern & vintage designer apparel, shoes, handbags & accessories… with an edge!
I pulled a few dresses from the ubercool suspended racks to show one of my clients…
A little pre-fashion show action…
photo: Nicole Roach from Intuition Salon & Spa did the models’ hair and makeup
Rehab’s Grand Opening Fashion Show gave a glimpse into their naughty side, featuring a few overexposed avant-garde looks like assless chaps and chain bralettes. The runway portion of the event was held two doors down from the boutique in an outdoor courtyard. Apart from the drizzling rain, the show was fun and energized. Rehab’s own Lauren Hubbard moderated onstage in a gorgeous gold leather cocktail dress while the beautiful amateur models (friends of Rehab) rocked it out and looked like they were having a blast! They danced down the runway with so much energy my camera had a hard time keeping up. I picked a few of my favorite dresses for this PG-rated post…
Has anyone ever told you that you need to go to Rehab? Well trust me, you do!
Designer Inspiration: Alice + Olivia
photo: style.com
Okay, so I adore this leopard print ensemble by Alice + Olivia. The dress, the bag, the shoes… perfection! The price… a bit out of my league. These three designer pieces total nearly $1,200 and I just can’t go there. So, like any determined fashion stalker, I found a few amazing alternatives that convey this same look for a fraction of the price (13/100 actually)! I’ve posted both looks below… the real thing for those with deeper wallets, and the ‘close-enough’ version for gals like me…
1. Alice & Olivia Dress, $396, aliceandolivia.com
2. Alice & Olivia Snake Embossed Leather Bag, $545, aliceandolivia.com
3. Alice & Olivia Leopard Print Wedge Sandal, $240, bergdorfgoodman.com
1. Dorothy Perkins Leopard Print Dress, $35, dorothyperkins.com
2. Jessica Simpson Satchel, $69.95, dsw.com
3. JustFab Leopard Wedge Sandal, $49.99, heels.com
One Thrifty Find, Four Stylish Looks
I recently scored four designer dresses at a local thrift store for $4.95 each!!! This Catherine Malandrino citron silk dress ($200-$400 retail value) is one of them. I was so excited to photograph it that I haven’t yet dry cleaned the dress… which is my #1 THRIFTING RULE: ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR FINDS! Anyway, I love the look of a girly dress layered with a blazer or jacket and paired with great shoes and accessories. Here are four ways to wear this very versatile dress, one for each possible phase of my day…
PHASE ONE: Kid drop, coffee shop and dry cleaner…
PHASE TWO: Meeting with a potential retail partner…
PHASE THREE: Date Night with the Hubs (2 options)…
*all items pulled from my existing wardrobe