July 22, 2015July 22, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Maximum

As the Summer heat continues to assault my sweat glands, I find myself wishing I was naked pretty much everywhere I go. I mean really. The thought of a layer of clothing even touching my skin makes me cringe. Thus, I opt for maxi dresses as perma-summer-wear. They’re simple, comfortable, lightweight & make me feel naked enough to stay sane. However, I have a weird love//hate relationship with them. The length has to be just right, the print can’t be too OC Housewife, but above all is my footwear-if the shoes ain’t right, it ain’t going down. & more frustrating than my own obsessive commitment to maxi-perfection is other babe’s struggle with it.

So, today I’ve created The 5 Commandments of Maxi’s. How to wear them, what footwear to rock & why prints matter, so we can all look polished & Summer-ready, no matter the occasion.

Let’s go.

Commandment #1: No flip flops allowed. Ever. Throwing on a pair of cheap flip flops only perpetuates the laziness factor. Unless you’re backpacking in Europe or your name is Kate Moss, just don’t do it. Instead, spruce up your look with a cute sandal or heel [if you dare] & complete the entire look.

Do’s & Don’ts:
vanessa hudgens maxi KK flipflops Commandment #2: Length matters. Looking comfy is great, looking frumpy is just sad. The length of your maxi dress can entirely change its intention. Too long says “I just bought this cuz I was in a rush & the mannequin looked cute in it.” Before you take that maxi home, see where it hits on your leg. Ideally the perfect fit should hit right at or just below your ankle, to accent your shoes & show just a little skin.

Do’s & Don’ts:
Commandment #3: Print is everything. Even perfectly-fitted, beautiful-shoe-wearing maxi outfits can be hindered; without the right print & color the dress is rendered useless. Although the actual style of a maxi rarely changes, the prints are constantly being updated. Stay current & age appropriate & you’ll nail this look.

Do’s & Don’ts:

Commandment #4: Leather is the perfect addition. Almost always. Eventually the Summer sunshine will let up & you’ll likely be left shivering in the cold of the night. Thus, I team my maxi dresses with a leather jacket or blazer, but be wary, as fit & style are key to nailing this outfit addition. Tip: less is more.

Do’s & Don’ts:
Commandment #5: To shoe or not to shoe? I haven’t quite decided my thoughts on wearing full blown sneaker with a maxi dress. I see it happening everywhere & I don’t know if I love the casual-factor or absolutely hate it. However, I think it’s important that we at least attempt to style this look, so here goes: when wearing a shoe with a maxi, be sure you focus entirely on casual pieces. Don’t team lacy//chiffon//floral-print dresses with Chucks. Go all cotton, all solids or just don’t even. Tip: if you do take on this look, clean your sneaks first.

Do’s & Don’ts:

Summer has some of the trickiest, but most rewarding styling options, you just have to take a few extra minutes to find what pieces work best for you. The ultimate goal to styling a wardrobe is to make the user feel like their best self.

If you feel as comfortable & free as you do dancing around your apartment//condo//house completely naked to MJ’s Greatest Hits, yet you’re really just rocking a full blown killer maxi outfit…then you’re doing it right.

Go be your maximum self, babes.

Xx.

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015 styledbylyric3 Comments

Bach[elorette] Please

If you know anything about my personal life, you know that this year I will be attending [& participating in] 12 weddings. Yes. I just said that. TWELVE. It was one of those things where I was casually going through my 26 years of life thinking, “Hm, why doesn’t anyone invite me to their wedding…” & then. Thanks manifestation.

However, here I am, & bring on the love.

That all being said, with all this love comes engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners & obviously, the big day. But what the hell do you wear & how do you select pieces in a productive & efficient way without turning into bridesmaidzilla?

Here I am darling, to help save the day.

Seeing as I now consider myself a wedding spectator expert, I’ve consolidated my top wedding tips on what to wear without losing your mind.

ENGAGEMENT PARTY: your bff, sister, friend, cousin…whomever, has just said “Yes” & you’re invited to the engagement party…

What To Wear: engagement parties are just the beginning of the process, so going overboard is not for this affair. Opt for feminine details [dresses being easiest], solid basics, soft prints, & minimal accessories [things that prevent from taking away from the bride]. Think cottons & polys. Top it off with a fun shoe & call it good. Here’s a few examples:

BRIDAL SHOWER: it’s time to show the bride your love; likely with mimosa’s flying & afternoon sunshine beaming, today is about being your classiest self. Think tea time with a little edge.

What To Wear: I say go all floral, sequins, chiffon, & lace on the brides shower day. Make it as whimsical & beautiful as possible. & if you can’t rock a cute heel, then at least play it up with a stylized flat or sandal. Like so:

two piece

BACHELORETTE PARTY/WEEKEND: it’s bound to get wild, so put on your best Vegas & go all in.

What To Wear: chances are high that you will be at a club/bar/restaurant at some point during this time together, thus having your best hairspray & sexist LBD is vital. However, don’t forget your most comfortable sweatpants & tee shirt for the morning after. Like this:

REHEARSAL DINNER: chances are if you’re a bridesmaid, you’ll be at this event; a crucial & probably most serious part of the wedding process.

What To Wear: the rehearsal dinner is the time to put on your best professional attire & not get sideways. Grab your favorite pair of grandma-approved heels, a cute top, or maybe even a reasonably long skirt & prepare to memorize your role.

As for what to wear to their Big Day, well you’ll just have to wait & see what I conjure up in coming blog posts ;]

Regardless of when the wedding festivities begin or how badly you ~~even~~ want to go, finding great pieces that represent who you are, while remaining comfortable & theme-appropriate is not an easy task. But it also shouldn’t cost you your sanity [or your life savings]. If you like any of the pieces shown above or have questions on finding the right outfit for your specific event, feel free to reach out in the contact section.

Fashion should be fun & approachable. & so should wedding season.

Happy Bridesmaiding, babes. Xx.

March 30, 2015March 30, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Basic Bunnies

Whether you’re meeting your significant other’s family for the first time, or simply spending time with your ~~least~~ favorite relatives, Easter outfits can be a tricky thing. Department store racks are currently spilling over with floral ensembles, so I’ve decided to not let you go the easy route; just say no to floral this holiday #dontbebasic. Instead, I’ve put together my six favorite Easter 2015 looks, so you too can get inspired & find your inner creative pastel bunny, in hopes to make this Sunday’s outfit one you’ll actually want to look back on.

Let’s go.

Ditch the typical floral maxi, find yourself a beautiful lavender, soft pink, even powder blue one instead. Keeping with the pastel theme, this dress will make you feel like a princess in a room full of frogs [don’t worry, they all have the potential to be princes].

Keep it fresh with an unexpected print like this oversized polka dot tunic; it adds texture & dimension to a once simple design. Find one in a gorgeous pastel? Well, you’ve won the freaking lottery.

The one cliché fabric that I’ll always let slide is lace. This always beautiful, always chic, effortless garment stands alone without fuss. Julia Engel rocked this one above with her amazing [$1,000] Valentino pointed-toe slingbacks, but a playful gladiator sandal or wedge would team just as well.

Not feeling a dress this Easter Sunday? Try a monochromatic look instead. Julie Sarinana [my favorite style blogger on the planet] is the white on white queen. Pair neutral colors together [white, tan, grey, charcoal, black, taupe] & don’t look back. Just be sure you’re ultra stain-conscious throughout the day.

As much as I love a stand-alone maxi, I’m more interested in unique pieces like this tie-dyed beauty. A stylish way to ring in the Spring season without looking like you just stepped out of High Times Magazine. Top it off with a sexy heel & you’ll feel like JLo on the red carpet circa 2000.

& finally, one of my favorites; shorts. This look is perfect for a chilly morning brunch turned afternoon hellish sun. Team a waffle knit sweater with a soft pair of shorts & you’ll be the most prepared fashionista in the room.

Lastly, make me one single promise this Easter Sunday & say it out loud to yourself: “I will not ruin my adorable Easter outfit that Lyric helped me style with an awful pair of old flip flops. I will take the time to pair the appropriate footwear to finalize my outfit & not break Lyric’s heart.”

Nothing makes me more devastated in my clients than when I catch them being lazy with their footwear decisions. Always take the time to top off your entire fit.

& with that, I wish you well in all of your outfit decisions. & remember, regardless of anything, this is a day to spend time together, to love on one another & to feel good about yourself.

Happy Styling.

Xx.