Tag: 2014

The Big Reveal

styledbylyric6 Comments

20140414-170847.jpg20140414-170854.jpgI figured it was probably time for me to debut the face behind the words & show that I really am a fashion-friendly, credible source for all things style & wardrobe.

I made myself one major promise upon starting Lyric & this blog in it’s entirety & it was that I refuse to relentlessly post pictures of myself on here. I want this part of the blogesphere to be about my readers & [potential] clients & about helping them identify their own personal style, not to mimic mine. However, if you find yourself inspired by any of my pictures, outfits, jewelry, etc., when they seldom do appear on the blog please don’t hesitate to reach out & inquire!

So here it is. Me. A shameless car selfie [taken on my iPhone]. Today’s fit & gems. & some major post-manicure debris.

Happy Monday, babes! Xx.

do you have the time?

styledbylyricLeave a comment

do you have the time?

Watches are the perfect accessory for any outfit, but selecting the right one can be tricky & slightly exhausting. With the ever-trending boyfriend watch vs. the sleek & elegant feminine competitors, one can get lost in the shuffle. Let’s stop time for a minute & make some sense of it all…

Boyfriend watches: these gold, silver, mixed metal, large, strapped or linked watches can be worn with nearly anything & pull a not-so-polished look together in 1-2-3. This look can be incredibly versatile, but needs little embellishment. More often than not I see women [& men] wearing watch accents, also known as “arm candy”. Large watches are like the loudest person in the room; they need no introduction & less should be is more. Pair a thin cuff [of similar metal] or chain bracelet alongside your timepiece & call it good. I also prefer wearing my bulkier rings on the opposing hand as the watch to even out the weight differential.

Feminine Watches: these watches need friends; the more the merrier with this look. Throw on that giant gold cuff [still matching metal, please] & add varying sized bangles & chains. Texture & volume are what take this look from 0 to 60 with just an ounce of added effort. Mind you, the more wrist jewelry, the less neck & finger gems. Always remind yourself of balance & placement when adding accessories to your fit.

To get inspired or to shop for your perfect new wardrobe addition, browse through some of my favorite watch companies & designers at the moment:

Lastly, have fun with colors; don’t fear the colored dial or faced watches, as these little additions can play up a seemingly simple outfit. Your accent pieces are almost as important as the clothes surrounding them, so choose wisely & be sure they make YOU feel like the Goddess/Gods that you are. Xx.

All Things Jeweled

styledbylyricLeave a comment

layered

 

Need a place to shop for the best Spring & Summer jewelry? Gorjana has amazing pieces & just teamed up with one of my favorite fashionistas, Courtney Kerr. Their jewelry doesn’t turn into terrible brassy one-time-wearers & are well worth the investment. Their designs are so unique & fashion forward; scoop up the right pieces for you, today! Xx.

Foot Fetish

styledbylyricLeave a comment

blocked

The shoe game is strong this Spring & I want to help break down what styles work for what body types & why. You may love caged gladiator sandals or block heeled wedges, but these styles flatter particular parts of the body & may not be fit for you. I’m going to showcase some of Fashion Week’s biggest sandal trends of 2014 & help you decide which footwear you want to rock the next two seasons.

Gladiators

  • Avoid knee length gladiators unless you are 5’10 with thin, model legs. If this look does in fact work for your figure, then opt for lightly detailed ones, in the neutral colored family.
  • For those unable to enjoy this style, shop for a great, short gladiator sandal with thin straps along the ankle. These straps will help elongate the body & prevent thickening of the legs.
  • The best gladiator style for thick legs is that with a heel, as this makes the legs appear longer.
  • Avoid wide straps around the ankle, regardless of the shape of your legs, as this will cut you off at your thinnest point, making any leg look stumpy.

Block Heels

  • I am absolutely obsessed with this look; a block heel is great for women with large calves, as it helps balance out the size of the legs.
  • Height is everything with this style; be sure to choose a heel that is feasible for your lifestyle.
  • A block heel can come in dozens of shapes & prints, but don’t fear a bold color. Drawing attention to the lowest part of the body means less attention on other parts you’d prefer unseen.

Single Strap Stiletto

  • The simplicity of this look can make any women incredibly sexy & feminine, but color is everything. Opting for a nude is ideal, as any shoe in a nude hue elongates the legs [& who doesn’t want longer looking stems?]
  • The day-to-night versatility of this look is so freeing & fresh, who doesn’t love accessible fashion?
  • This style is meant for women with thin, narrow feet, as this shoe is incredibly minimal & leaves little to the imagination.

If possible, try to select shoes with comparable metals as the jewelry you are wearing. Sounds a little over the top, but I, personally, find mixing gold jewelry with silver hardware a bit distracting [to each their own]. Lastly, I always remind my clients that flip flops are meant for the beach & if you are willing to take the time on the top half of your outfit, then do the same for your footwear. Your feet will thank you, as will your wardrobe & all of those eyeing your gorgeous Spring & Summer fits this year. I promise. Xx.

Rear View

styledbylyric3 Comments

butt

I’ve debated taking on this next topic for fear that it may offend, however, after having witnessed far too many saggy booties the past few days, I’ve decided it’s time…

Let’s talk butts.

Denim is one of the most wearable fabrics & can make any body type incredibly sexy, if worn properly. More often than not I see pockets that are ill-fit for the bodies wearing them & would like to break down the best shaped jeans for the best buns. Here goes:

  • Flat booty babes: be bold; denim with flap pockets & detailing [no rhinestones, ever] will add volume & shape to your rear. Seek jeans with pockets that are placed high on the butt, as this gives a rounder look.
  • Wide booty babes: less is more; medium sized, central-placed pockets make the butt appear smaller & creates an optical illusion by breaking up the expanse of the butt. Be sure to stay away from embellishments & details & always remember: flap pockets are your nemesis.
  • Saggy booty babes: lift & fit; loose fitting denim is not your friend. Tight, fitted denim is ideal for your body type. Avoid long pockets & opt for high-seated ones to help give the illusion of a lift; the bottom of the pockets should never sit lower than the very top of the leg.

Lastly, be sure to respect your waistline & it’s true fit. There are few things more tragic than a perfect pocket & an ill-fitting waist. Muffin top has never & will never be a look; if need-be, always hop a size up & invest in a great belt. Think longevity & future wear, not what will fit for the next day or so if you skip out on your morning coffee & croissant.

Much love & happy hunting. Xx.

summertime & the living should be easy

styledbylyric1 Comment

summer

The warm air is creeping in & Summer is drawing near, which means BBQ’s, music festivals & way less clothing. This idea is terrifying for some of my readers & liberating for others, so let’s come together & hash this thing out.

First things first: know & trust what your body is telling you. The entire concept behind purchasing clothing & building a wardrobe is to build one that fits your lifestyle & body. If you know that shorts will never be a staple in your wardrobe, then opt for a beautifully breathable maxi dress instead. If you fear showing off your arms, grab a capped-sleeve, loose fitting tee & play around with skirts & denim for an effortless Summer look. For my boho babes, wide legged, printed pants are everywhere this season, so snatch up your favorite pair & team them with a great tank or crop.

The biggest additive to any & every look are accessories. Throwing on a great hat, a scarf to add print or color, or some bright necklaces can change the entirety of an outfit. Here are a few of my favorite pieces for the coming season:

HATS:

NECKLACES:

FULL LOOKS [for inspiration]:

And last but absolutely not least, promise me you will try each new piece of your wardrobe on as an entire outfit. Too often my clients get frustrated trying clothes on because they aren’t putting the whole look together, but rather team tops & bottoms together that aren’t conceptual. Find a complimentary item to try on in the store [whether purchasing it or not] to give a realistic interpretation of the outfit as a whole & prevent frustrations & returns later.

I’m so excited for this warm weathered season & to watch the creativity of my readers build throughout. Just be sure to remind yourself that fashion is about building a wardrobe that fits YOUR lifestyle & body. Happy shopping!

Xx.

make the shoe fit

styledbylyricLeave a comment

shoes

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about shoes lately & wanted to address a few key rules to this seemingly confusing area of the fashion world. So here goes…

Round Toe: a round toe shoe [also known as an “almond toe”] gives a much more classic feel to an outfit. Whether it be a cute mary jane or a great pump, round toe shoes are well-suited for those with long, lean legs. This style of shoe is also ideal for those with larger feet, as it makes the feet appear small & more compact.

Pointed toe: a pointed toe shoe adds a more tailored feel to an outfit. Versatility is the name of the game with this style of heel, flat or bootie. The look is perfect from day-to-night & works best for women with short, thick legs, as it elongates the thinnest part of the limb [even more so in nude & cream tones].

As for color requirements- there really are none! Shoes are the most unique part of a wardrobe, as they allow for freedom & creativity to help elevate an entire outfit. There’s nothing more exciting than wearing a simple LBD with a fantastically vibrant pump or boot to make heads spin. The most important element of personal style is choosing items that YOU like, not what the pushy sales person says you should like. Just remember that fit is everything & the rest is yours to decide. If only everything in life were this liberating!

Happy hunting. Xx.