May 11, 2015May 11, 2015 styledbylyric2 Comments

Co-Ordinate

Hey Mamas [enter Mother’s Day pun here], I hope you all had a beautiful weekend! I have had a wild past few weeks, but I’m back & more focused than ever to get some serious fashion deets your way to help prep you for the fast approaching Summer months.

So there’s a new trend making some serious headway & I want to talk it through. They’re called Co-Ord [coordinate] Sets. Familiar?

I’m referring to those freaking adorable two piece, matching outfits that basically make all fashion headaches go away [if executed properly]. & I’m obsessed with them. Plus, everyone loves an easy outfit trick that actually works. Think your moms favorite 90s skirt & pantsuit, but completely flipped on it’s ass. That’s basically the birthplace of a co-ord. & my absolute favorite part about this look is it’s versatility; every single one of my clients [regardless of age, body type, lifestyle, etc.] has been able to make these pieces work for them because there are hundreds of co-ord styles & sets. Not to mention, you simply throw them on & you’re set for the day. [Um, calling all people with busy lives, this outfit is your lifesaver].

But which one should you choose? What body type works best with which style? & how will you know you’re doing it right?

Hello! Enter: Lyric.

Picking The Right Co-Ord For You: with two piece outfits comes the subconscious fear of bathing suits & the painful reminder that your body just isn’t in the shape you want it to be. But the beauty of these two piece outfits [unlike bikini’s] is that you don’t have to show skin if you don’t want to. You can choose from long sleeve, short sleeve, halter, crop, pantsuit, sweater, floral, monochromatic, cotton, satin, & even chiffon co-ords. The limits are endless, allowing almost all women to adopt this style for their Summer wardrobe. Take note:

A long sleeved co-ord allows for more coverage & less fuss

A cropped tank & mini skirt co-ord says, I’ve got it & I wanna flaunt it

A cropped tank & knee length skirt co-ord works beautifully on any plus sized babe

[& my personal favorite] The pantsuit co-ord, appropriate for work & play

What Body Type Works Best With Which Style: with all things should come truth; knowing & being honest with yourself about your body type is the first step toward finding confidence in what you wear. It took me a long time to accept my body type, but now I work [patiently] with select pieces until I find what works best for me. It’s all a process, but beginning is the first step. That being said, co-ord outfits are amazing for the hyper-body-conscious woman, because they allow for so much versatility:

For my babes with tummy troubles; ample coverage, loose-fitted top, a beautiful floral print & a little highlight for the legs, this co-ord takes all the attention off of the mid-section.

For my sporty, athletic babes; a body-con, striped number draws major attention to those six pack abs, highlights thin stems, but still gives appropriate coverage to the shoulders & neckline.

For my curvier babes; knee length, bright print, subtle hued co-ord’s are ideal. You can choose a cropped top dependent upon your comfort level, or go for a blousier look to add comfort & confidence.

For my petite babes; a tee & shorts co-ord is perfect. Balancing out the shoulders with a squared-off top, making the legs appear longer with hot pants, & highlighting the mid-section as your smallest point, this look will make you feel like a 6’5″ model in Paris.

For my thin babes; dare to bare. An ultra-cropped tank, racerback or tee can be the perfect addition to this look. Pair it with a fun, matching pant [for some added subtlety] & you’ll be honing your inner Twiggy in 0 seconds flat.

For my mommy’s-to-be; with bright neon hues, a loose-fitting top & bottom, & ample chest & tummy coverage, this has to be the most adorable way to wear this look. Team with your favorite accessories & you’ll be the hottest MILF in the room.

Am I Doing It Right?: the best way to know you’re following the co-ord fashion philosophies of the world is to be certain that you feel beautiful. If you are immediately trying to cut the tags off in the fitting room & find something fun to do so you can showcase this new fit…then you’re doing it right. If you stand in front of the mirror wearing your co-ord, doing pirouette after pirouette, then you’re doing it right. If you are meticulously scrutinizing all of the things you don’t like about your body & how ugly you feel in the outfit…you absolutely are not doing it right.

These pieces of fabric that we lay across our bodies day in & day out are not there to simply cover our nakedness, but rather to be representations of who we are & what we exude. Take the time. Be patient. & find what speaks to you. Confidence is 90% of the gig, & the clothes tell the other 10% of your story.

Happy Coordinating, babes.

Xx.

February 18, 2015February 18, 2015 styledbylyric1 Comment

NYFW15

Is it terrible that more so than enjoying the [brilliant] designers works of art, prowling the runways with their magical prints & textures during fashion week, I prefer the street fashion? Oops. I feel bad about it. Honest.

But I do.

It’s absolutely nothing against the designers. I mean really, these phenomenal human beings are the only ones with balls big enough to spend their entire year [sometimes life] creating the perfect line for the coming seasons that they debut in front of basically the entire world. No big.

But I just love the creativity of the participants during NYFW; the wild, crazy, sexy, chic, sophisticated, almost always avant-garde stylings of New York’s finest fashionista[o]s, flaunting their creations for all the world to see, as if they’re celebrating their very own fashion lines. Not to mention, these events are like the perfect conglomeration of every single person I would want to shop with, get coffee with, write blog posts with, style photoshoots with, take a road trip with, & probably get really really drunk with [just to see where the night takes us] in one part of the world, all at the same time. Magic.

But their clothing. That’s why I’m here.

The genius ways in which these artists [I deem them this because they truly are] put colors & prints & textures & eras together in one outfit…it’s mesmerizing. Don’t believe me? Just take a look; these are my 10 favorite street style looks from New York Fashion Week 2015 thus far…

Photos by Ryan Kibler & Phil Oh

September 22, 2014September 22, 2014 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Runway to Realway

It’s easy to find yourself “oohing” & “ahhing” over New York Fashion Week; all the Instagram posts, fan pages & [my personal favorite] the fashion blogger/vlogger outfits flooding the streets of NY…it’s intoxicating. NYFW is a global event that seemingly stops time; for those eight magical days people of all ages & backgrounds are allowed [& enticed] to fall madly into the entire experience & give their full attention.

But the real question is: what the hell does it all mean?

I watched the unbelievable Ralph Lauren show in Central Park this year. I drooled over Whitney Pozgay’s joyful collection & fabrics. & I nearly passed out over Oscar De La Renta’s pastel//floral//heaven of a show. But even I felt overwhelmed & lost about some of the designers direction & focus. So I’ve decided it’s time to break it down; make sense of these fabrics & textures & sometimes downright weird fashion trends, so you can feel confident & realway-ready for the Fall shopping scene.

I will be breaking down NYFW’s Spring 2015 collections into the four major compartments I saw most prevalent. Here goes…

1. Progressive Pastels: shocking, I know. Spring pastels. BUT, this year’s runway shows provided a few fresh takes on what we deem “pastel” & not. For example, we saw plenty of ashy grays, granites, blacks mixed with bright colors & metallics, leaving room for interpretation & creativity within your Spring wardrobe. Designers also added some wild pops on color: tangerine & vibrant yellows to offset the standard Spring color wheel. My personal favorite however: dusty lilac. Be still my heart. The reality is pastels aren’t going anywhere, so get those steamers ready in 2015, because you may find that your closet is already full of amazing “re-do’s” for the Spring season.

[Here are a few of my favorite looks c/o the Oscar De La Renta SS15 Show]

2. A Nod to Nature: a fresh take on a classic concept; designers coerced the old standby “floral” concept to become a simple statement. Designers allowed these once busy floral patterns to stand alone with graceful & simple prints, mixed with delicate fabrics & styles. Both dark & light backdrops with beautiful foliage on jackets, skirts, tops…it was truly artwork. I remember feeling as if last year’s Spring concepts were too neon & hectic, so this elegant change makes me more than excited. Although designers definitely gave a major nod towards femininity at this year’s NYFW, they also played into androgyny with a sexy edge. Never have I seen more darks mixed with lights & bright patterns mixed with ominous backgrounds. So perhaps I am saying once Spring 2015 rolls around think botanical garden with a lot of thorny rose bushes. Ya dig?

[Some of my favorite floral concepts c/o the DVF SS15 Show]

3. Whimsically White: Labor Day is no longer a determinant of fashion & who can wear what, when, how, & why. White is ready all year round & this year’s NYFW proved that it takes no prisoners. It’s counterpart? You guessed it: black. The two seem to be nearly fighting each other throughout some of the prints from this years’ shows. With lush, creamy whites & beiges come dark edgier, leathered black fabrics & pieces…it was pretty damn sexy if I do say so myself. Not to mention designers definitely played up the Winter to Spring transition throughout many of the their looks, making our lives that much easier when the time comes. Don’t get me wrong, black & white weren’t the only color pairings making major headway, they threw in some military greens, peach, reds, flannel prints & some really beautifully vibrant blues to mix up the matchy-ness. So when Spring 2015 rolls around think “What Not To Wear” except, break all the rules.

[Here are some of my favorite examples c/o the Rodarte SS15 show]

4. B is For Boyfriend: much like the past two seasons, the boyfriend look is here to stay. With blousy button-ups, oversized denim [both pants, jackets & dresses] & plenty of flannel print, this year’s NYFW proved that comfortable can still be sexy. Designers selected gender-neutral prints & shapes, toning down the ever-expected Spring femme styles & creating versatile over-sized pieces. Not to mention the lack of sharp heels on the runway; it seemed as if designers wanted to give their models a break this year [ha, lets be real]. More shows debuted sandals & sneakers than they do in their Summer months, or so it seemed. So my take on the coming Spring season is “less is more”. Sometimes simplicity & comfort can be the sexiest of things; throw on some sneakers, pop on some lipgloss & be ready for your day.

[Here are a few examples c/o the Jason Wu & Rag & Bone SS15 shows]

Although we’re slowwwwwwly moving into the Fall season, Spring will be rearing it’s shiny little head shortly there after & I want my babes prepared & [more so] excited to find new pieces that fit your wardrobe & style. The above are just tools to help navigate the endlessly interesting, but complicated world of fashion & runway. I hope they helped! Now get busy window shopping…there’s so much more to see.

Xx.

May 8, 2014May 8, 2014 styledbylyric2 Comments

The Biz

I’ve had quite a few people message me about the following topic & I really wanted to take some time & thought on this one. Let’s talk business attire; the one area of the fashion world that somewhat limits our options & freedom for authenticity. However, I strongly believe the following advice will bend this sad principle & help every heel-wearing, blazer-sporting, mega business babe show her voice & personality in & outside of the office. [Keep in mind, this all varies depending upon where you work & their dress code requirements.]

The big hitting question: what do I purchase? There are so many ways to wear business attire & blend in pieces from your personal, daily wardrobe, but the key to looking professional is finding timeless pieces that make you feel confident. Here are some tried & true rules:

Find The New Classics: purchase pieces that hold longevity. Sweaters, button-ups, flowing blouses & slacks are ideal. These pieces mix & match flawlessly & will never go out of style, but don’t be afraid to play it up. The shapes of these classic pieces are ever changing to keep up with the fashion world, so I say go for a wide-legged slack & a statement belt, as these slight adjustments can change the entire era of an outfit.

Be Reasonable: sky-high pumps are not office friendly. Instead, opt for a pair that won’t make your feet feel like balloons. Generally, a one to two inch heel is the “safe zone” for office wear & try to select a pair in the nude, cream, black or tan family, as these will move fluidly throughout your entire wardrobe. I usually go for a pump that I can wear outside of the office to validate my investment & assure me that I’m still respecting my fashion voice.

Draw The Line: pencil skirts are the perfect way to spice up a blank or boring office wardrobe, but be picky, as length is everything with this look. Walking the line of office appropriate & chic can be tricky with any leg-showing item, so keep it safe at knee-length & you won’t ever fail.

Blazer City: if my previous posts on blazers weren’t inspiring & intense enough, I will once again remind you of my blazer obsession. They are the perfect office attire addition & move incredibly well between business meetings & your after work glass of wine with a friend. Find yourself three favorites: one black or grey, one white or tan & one bright or bold. Having these three staples in your closet will dress up ANY look & make you feel chic & put together. Rememer: the true fit of a blazer is in the shoulders; if the stitching doesn’t line up with your shoulders, it doesn’t fit.

Add Some Pop: nothing says “put together” with more intention than a hint of creativity & personality in your outfit. Even in the most traditional work environments, a light pop of color is acceptable [& just plain fun]. Try to stick to pale pinks, blues & even light lavenders & plums. Remember: bright tops = muted bottoms. Never do both with work wear.

Slacked: the most important investment for your business wardrobe are pants. However, the 80’s are over & there are hundreds of options for business women today. The choice is yours, but I always believe that a fun pair of cropped pants or drawstring pants [particularly ones with strong pleats] can add interest & focus to an outfit, making it stand out among the sea of monotonous office wear. Not to mention, printed & non-printed pants are everywhere right now, so the options are basically endless.

Know Your Environment: if you spend your entire day out on the streets of San Francisco or New York running from appointment to appointment, then be realistic about your footwear & outfit. Always opt for slacks versus skirts or dresses & a fun pointed-toe flat; the wind-chill could seriously freeze your bones, your heels may slow down your pace & your focus will be on how quickly you can finish your meetings & ice your swollen sausage toes when you get home or where your next cab is because you can’t walk anymore. No one wants to lose agility & work ethic because of their attire, particularly your boss.

& last, but not least, keep learning what pieces & shapes work for your body & your body alone. Even if Amy in the corner cubical is rocking some amazing jump-suit & five inch stilettos, it may not be right for you. The entire purpose of fashion is about finding your own style & feeling beautiful doing it, so try not to be susceptible to trends…but you already knew that, because you’re a mega powerhouse business woman who blazes her own trail. Duh.

TGIT. Xx.