November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Tighten Up

Why do tights seem like some archaic accessory that our moms wore a hundred years ago? Every time I pull them out of my drawer I cringe a little at their sad, limp shape & wonder, “how can I style you better & not age myself ten years?”

Well, today’s the day.

I’m breaking down my five favorite winter looks incorporating tights, in hopes to eliminate any weirdness we have toward these sheer, wardrobe gems. It’s time to look cute, age appropriate & actually be warm while out in the city having a holiday beverage this season.

Let’s go.

One of my favorite ways to style tights; rock your favorite pair of dress shorts [keep the sex appeal with a pair that hits way above the knee], a fun ankle bootie & a long, seasonally appropriate vest. This look gives your legs amazing shape, showcases each individual piece of the fit & keeps you warm in cold winter months.

Want to own your inner Parisian? Work an extra short, fitted skirt with a pair of deep opaque tights & an extra pointed-toe ankle bootie. Add a pullover sweater & some great bracelets & you’ve got the best day-to-night outfit in all the land.

Ancient fashion rules would cringe over mixing black & brown, but this is one of the best color combos. That being said…take your favorite pair of black tights [distressed or not], throw your favorite winter tunic over them & layer the crap out of it. Add a wool coat with a heavier jacket & maybe even a fun printed scarf. The more layers the merrier. Your fit will be screaming “I’m winter ready, bitches!”

Not ready to put those summer shorts away just yet? We can compromise. Find an ultra sheer pair of tights [black preferred], mix them with your favorite button-up or blouse, add a chunky pair of heels or booties & work those short shorts, girl. The key to this look is mixing grungy pieces with ultra feminine pieces; balance is everything, right?

Staying in or keeping it casual? Grab your favorite flannel tunic & find the heaviest knit tights you can. Add a boyfriend watch or simple gold necklace & you’ve got the perfect homebody outfit this winter. Need to head out? Throw on a pair of rugged lace up boots & a beanie. You’ll be a sexy cross between a lumberjack & a Victoria’s Secret model. Who can’t get with that?

There is a happy medium between the looks our moms used to wear & the great winter looks coming off the streets of New York, San Francisco & Milan. The key is to keep the rest of your outfit current. Tights can look stale & outdated if you’re mixing them with pieces that aren’t comparable, so work your tights into an outfit with an extra short dress or skirt & don’t look back. When else would you be able to show so much of your stems without fear? Exactly. #workitgirl It’s the holidays after all…

Happy Tightening, babes.

Xx.

September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Surrender To The Season

Pairing a cute top with a cute bottom clearly isn’t rocket science. With all the help of social media & the [sometimes ridiculously dressed] mannequins at your favorite retailer, you can certainly find your way. But finding your way vs creating it–not one in the same. I’ve always explained to my clients that my brand doesn’t exist to simply throw clothes over your body & let you on your way. Lyric exists to create a space for elevated, inspiring outfits that help emphasize the user. & with the changing of the seasons, it’s the perfect time to update your look & get inspired by pieces that speak to you.

The time is now.

Today I’m taking on Fall 2015 fashion. We’re going to let go of those old ratty items that you swear you’ll wear again but never will & replace them with current, modern pieces that speak to you now, not you in college when you had a strict budget & a hangover before class. Yes, I still have my Santa Barbara Halloween 2007 costume, too, but it’s not taking up real estate in my closet anymore. You get the gist…let’s get to it.

Do: these boots.

Don’t: those boots.

Finding the right boot for your body type, leg shape, age, etc., can be difficult. But the one tip I will give you this Fall is don’t over do it. Knee high boots can be tricky & nine times out of ten only add weight to your legs, versus give them shape & definition. Instead, opt for a loose fitted ankle boot [heeled or flat, entirely up to you]. They give that sexy outdoorsy feel, without the restriction of all that leather. ~~& frankly, they’re just cuter.~~

Do: this denim.

Don’t: that denim.

You probably don’t need to be told that Fall is all about layering, however, layering properly is key. Heavy weighted items like denim can limit mobility & possibly your mood, so ditch that old millennial jean jacket you’ve been carrying around & invest in a light, soft chambray button-up instead. It’s versatile, pairs well with nearly anything & is the perfect layering piece for your Fall wardrobe.

Do: this vest.

Don’t: that vest.

This one was hard for me, seeing as I went through a full fledged fur phase, but trust me when I say that I too purged my closet of my tacky fur, so it can be done. Try something more mature this season, like a wool cape or vest [my favorites here]. It elevates your look, your maturity level & makes you feel less Abercrombie, more Bloomingdales.

Do: this handbag.

Don’t: that handbag.

Handbags are one of the most personal pieces in a woman’s closet. We all have our own style & eye for what makes up the perfect bag, but if you make only one adjustment this Fall make it this. Invest in one great, versatile, subtle bag that suits your lifestyle, but doesn’t scream I just left Vegas [on a Tuesday]. Aka, all those bedazzled, leopard print, studded ones you’ve been hoarding…they’re never come back around so let them go.

Do: these pants.

Don’t: those pants.

I’m not sure who decided that gauchos were ever a thing, but they should be shot. Too aggressive? #notsorry. Adding extra weight to a woman’s ankles, calves…legs in general, is not cute on anyone [even you, 6’3, 115lb model living in New York]. Now, give me a fitted, cropped pant–happy place. Clothes are worn to define, not to hide. As women, we tend to buy up a size or layer so much that we lose our shape & curves. Instead, we need to find the right pieces, that emphasize the right places & make us feel sexier & more feminine. Thus, this season, find yourself a great pair of black cropped pants & rock the shit out of them.

Do: this scarf.

Don’t: that scarf.

My last & final adjustment this Fall is to one of my favorite accessories–the scarf. The past few years, we’ve all drowned ourselves in heavy knit pieces, that although kept us quite warm, also suffocated our necks [& likely our outfit]. So this season try a new approach; opt for a silk, printed, light weight piece instead. Live in too cold a climate? Fear not. You can still pull out those great knit numbers, but leave them untied & flowing. It’s a simple styling trick that will take you from The Gap to The Runway in 5…4…3…2…1.

Personal style doesn’t have to be an overwhelming transformative experience. The smallest adjustments from season to season can help your look feel fresh & current without all the exhausting effort. This Fall, try one minor adaptation & see how different you feel. I promise it will be worth it.

Happy Fall, babe friends.

Xx.

February 9, 2015February 18, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

The Friend Zone

You know that terribly awkward place between what is & what should be. The noncommittal place where making any kind of move seems sudden & unprepared. The grey area that seems safer than anything finite. Yeah. This place. This is what I call February & March.

What? You ask.

The seven weeks between Winter & Spring that should [frankly] be their own damn season. Where you constantly feel uncomfortable because none of your clothes breathe enough, or keep you warm enough, or let in enough air…the list goes on & on. Regardless, it’s the annoying friend zone of the fashion world that you want to get out of as quickly as humanly possible. & I’m here to not only help that transition, but help you enjoy it, too.

There are five small changes you can make to prepare for this awful land of limbo. Let’s get to it.

1. Lessen The Load: swap out those heavy wool layers & opt for lighter fabrics. Layering with softer, light-weight fabrics can still keep you plenty warm without that gross overheated feeling.

Outfit Recommendations:

A light weight blazer//sweater//jacket, over a soft tank & a great pair of wide leg pants.

For a more casual feel; pair a cute pullover sweater, with your favorite boyfriend denim, add a leather jacket for some edge & top it off with a super feminine pair of flats//heels. Done & done.

One of my favorite looks during this season; a fitted white tee, denim//chambray topper, awesome printed pants & a simple heel. Effortlessly chic.

2. Add Some Va Va Voom: color is everything during this transition. To help you relinquish your desperate need for an all black ensemble & reintroduce you to pinks, blues, peaches…anything that makes you think of Spring, you’ll need to reach for colors that are complimentary in your color wheel & throw them in the mix. You don’t have to pack away all those darks just yet, but adding Spring-focused colors to each outfit [even as simple as your handbag] can help things move along quickly.

Outfit Recommendations:

Chartreuse & black are the ultimate duo. Adding this pop of color to your Winter-focused outfit can hurry the Spring season along in a major way.

Don’t want to change out those dark colors just yet? Understandable. Just invest in a fun, bright handbag to keep your look fresh & transitional. A small change that makes you look more fashion forward than ever.

By now you should all know my ~~obsession~~ love for an amazing blazer, & this is the perfect time to bust one of those babies out. A [colored] fitted blazer will help you ditch those heavy coats & bring a softer layer to your outfit. Not to mention, make you look prepped for basically anything.

3. Print It Up: ditch that entirely solid ensemble you’ve been rocking all Winter & reintroduce yourself to prints. Yes, those floral, patterned, beautiful things that you’ve let sit in the back of your closet for the past eight weeks or so. But don’t forget, you have options here; tribal, floral, animal, chevron, houndstooth, etc. Get creative.

Outfit Recommendations:

A printed shoe can be exactly what you need to add a little pop of Spring to your once Winter outfit.

A monochromatic printed pant is a subtle way to add dimension, but not take away from the basic feel of an outfit.

Don’t limit yourself to typical prints. Challenge yourself this season to find the most unique & outspoken print you can find, team it with subtle pieces & voila, you’re a fashion icon.

4. OMG Shoes: nothing shows that you’re more prepared for the coming season than the perfect shoe. I know it sounds ridiculous, but how many times have you witnessed an amazing outfit be completely ruined by the wrong shoe? Uhg. Pet Peeve #1. If you’re going to make all the effort in the world on your top half, pay mind to the bottom half while you’re at it. Starting with your feet. Your outfit & stylist [me] will thank you.

Shoe Recommendations:

One of the easiest ways to transition your footwear is by rocking a black//grey//taupe, edgy sandal with tons of hardware. The dark color & heavy hardware gives a cool Winter feel, with breeziness fit for Spring sunshine.

Not ready to put your cute Winter boots away just yet? Totally fine. Just try to find yourself a pair with a peep-toe for a little sex appeal & a major nod to Spring. [Be sure to wear an awesome, bright toe polish to top it off].

Much like a good blazer, pointed toe flats are basically the loves of my life. They’re so sexy, so chic, & so practical. You can run errands in them, go out with friends, rock a date night, or look like the most put together employee at your next company meeting. Try them in red, blue or grey for an added edge & you’ll be the hottest thing the room.

5. Shaded: clothing is not the only staple that needs revamping between seasons. Your lips should get some love, too. Find yourself a few fun, bold shades that will bring your kissers from the dark to light with one quick swipe.

Color Recommendations:

Twig by MAC is the perfect daily neutral for those of you not quite prepared for Spring just yet.

For some major Spring pop, Candy Yum-Yum by MAC is my go-to color.

MAC’s Kinda Sexy is a fun, subdued transitional color for your lips, if you aren’t prepared to go rogue just yet.

Ready to go pink? Try Pink Plaid by MAC & your wish is my command. Perfect for warm Spring days, this color will help ease the transition away from Winter.

So the next time you find yourself in that terribly awkward place between what is & what should be, remember these tips & solidify exactly how you want to be personified. Stand out & be ahead of the game. Because the grey area sucks anyway.

Xx.