polka dots

Other than stripes, one of my other favourite patterns is polka dots for that lovely retro vibe. (I like stripes mainly for their nautica/french riveria feel) And this season, there have been quite a number of lovely polka dot offerings in the market. Here are a few of my favourites on and off the catwalk:




This is from Nicole Farhi and i love the laid back cool of this piece. For more uptown options, there is this one from United Bamboo or this one from Zac Posen respectively.



One of my favourite polka dot piece this season is this one from Ted Baker (below). It was love at first sight and it went home with me. It is super flattering and can be easily dressed up with a pair of dress pants or a pencil skirt, or dressed down with capris, shorts or circle skirts.



Some dressing up options to go with this top:



Note: since the polka dot top itself has quite a lot going for it, best to keep the bottom part plain (Catherine Malandrino and Theory respectively). But if you're going for a studio 54 look, you can try amping it up with a pair of golden hot-pants such as this itsy-bitsy piece by L.A.M.B:



And then accessorise with these: (everybody say "oooh...")



Oscar de la Renta (love the bling!) and Lauren Merkin respectively



I'm not usually a fan of the house of Dior but how could i say no to this. (Male admirers, please note that i LIKE this clutch very much. teehehe)

To dress down this top, match with either shorts (such as this pair from Lauren Moffatt, below left) or these two white capris by American Eagle Outfitters. Stacked heels, such as this pair by Paul and Joe Sister would nicely complete the look (bottom, right).





Another lovely polka dot piece is this one by Gap. It can either be worn on its own or with capris beneath such as the American Eagle Outfitter ones above. Make sure the bottom is slim fitting though as this is a rather voluminous top.



Pair this with sandals (Moschino Cheap and Chic, left) or sky high wedges (Christian Louboutin, right).



Remember girls, practice walking with the wedges before stepping out of the house. Falling down in Christian Lous? Unglam.

Other easy breezy polka dot dresses include these ones by Marc by Marc Jacobs and Peter Som respectively. Just add a pair of oversized sunglasses and a hat if you wish, and you have a picture perfect example of 50s style retro glamour.



For night time options, you could try this Hanii Y dress or this classy 1940-ish one from shopbop.com.



Find polka dot dresses too overwhelming? Try polka dot tops! I have already listed one at the start of this post and here are other options:

These tops by Diane von Furstenburg and Catherine Malandrino are playful yet elegant.



While this Mango one (not in stores though because this is from a previous season but i still love it!) is simply adorable.



For a more psychedelic option, there is this Cynthia Steffe tunic which won't look out of place at a club when paired with gold accessories.



And how could you say no to this:



From Anne Klein.


Photographs from: www.bergdorfgoodman.com, www.elle.com, www.bluefly.com, www.ae.com, www.mango.com, www.style.com, www.net-a-porter.com, www.shopbop.com, www.tedbaker.co.uk.

The same difference: Marc by Marc Jacobs

While Marc by Marc Jacobs, formerly only available online or at BlackJack by Club 21, has opened a standalone boutique in Singapore at Ngee Ann City #02-09/10, those looking for a high street alternative to his halter dress (left) can just hop over to neighbouring Wisma Atria and get a simliar piece from Topshop (right).



(models in Marc by Marc Jacobs)


Photographs from: www.shopbop.com, www.topshop.com, www.net-a-porter.com

stripes

Anyone who knows me well, at least sartorically, would be aware that i am fond of stripes, especially when i favour the french riveria, nautica and preppy looks, all of which make frequent reference to stripes. Just last saturday, while everyone else was at SICC, i made another addition to my stripe collection by buying a striped top from Massimo Dutti, a store who's staff is as friendly as their clothes are beautiful. This post is dedicated to the good people there!


My love for stripe tops first started with striped polo tees or rugby tees. These are from Abercrombie and Fitch.



They are the epitome of the preppy look and i usually pair it with shorts worn with either wedges or pointy toe, kitten heel mules. But they would look just as great with a ballet flats, keds sneakers or espandrille flats.

Shorts from Adam+Eve, Diane von Furstenburg and Catherine Malandrino respectively. I am fond of tailored city shorts and they easily smarten up and provide elegance to a simple striped polo tee.

These wedges are from Urban Outfitters.

The kitten heel mule is from Fitzwell and the patent ballet flat is from Marc by Marc Jacobs, one of my favourite shoe and accessories labels.

The espandrille flats are from Urban Outfitters, and the Keds sneakers are from Topshop.

Other striped tops available include feminine cut polo tees in pastel shades, as opposed to the rugby ones pictured above. This piece is from River Island and has cap sleeves.

Then there are long sleeved tees in rugby stripes. This is from Adam+Eve and Michael Kors respectively, both labels which should be familiar with the preppy look since their designs often espouse an all-american flair.

This is from Club Monaco, from last season's fall-winter and i like the way the striped long sleeved tee is paired with skinny jeans and pointy-toe heels for an easy elegance look.

Then there are Missoni-esque stripes. These come from Marc by Marc Jacobs though but they have the stripes are similar to those pioneered by Missoni.

A new addition to the stripe brigade are striped tees in baby doll cuts. They can be worn as tunics over skinny jeans or with shorts if the length of the top isn't too long.

Then there are the sleeveless options are good for achieving a nautica look.

These are from Jcrew and Moschino respectively.

These are from Madewell and allow you the option of choosing either thicker stripes or thinner ones.

For more unconventional striped offerings---most of them come in the cuts and colours listed above---there are striped tube tops, such as this piece from last fall-winter's Mango...

...tops with usual striped patterns (this is from Topshop) or...

...stripes in softer cuts that make stripes look formal, especially when paired with dress pants, as opposed to the casual vibe most striped tops portray. This lovely piece is from Jasper Conran for Debenhams.

Then there are striped dresses.

This dress version of a polo tee is from Topshop.



This tube dress has preppy rugby stripes and a cute drop waist skirt. It is from Soundgirl and would look equally lovely worn with a plain white tee underneath.

These two striped dresses are from Paul and Joe. I particularly like the sailor collar of the dress on the left. Ella Moss has a somewhat similar version.

Then there are striped tank dresses such as these pieces by C and C California, Eurythmic and French Connection respectively.

Next are the baby doll striped dresses such as these two pieces by Topshop...

...and these ones from Madewell and Brian Reyes.

But striped dresses are not just for causal days, there are also red carpet worthy options out there, such as this piece by Lela Rose...



...these suspiciously similar ones from Carolina Herrera and Alice+Olivia...



...and this one by Armani, worn by Avril Lavigne.



Dont like stripes for tops or dresses? Then try striped shorts. Often available in materials such as seersucker, these stripes tend to be vertical and thin hence providing a very flattering finish.

These pairs above are from Raven, and these below are from Seven for all Mankind and Lauren Moffatt respectively and all four are in seersucker.

There are also chic striped blazers such as these from Lacoste and Rag and Bone Respectively.


Or you could try a striped "keep-warm" alternatives include this pull over from Mango or this scarf from Club Monaco. Both from last year's collections so perhaps you have to find similar pieces elsewhere as both shops mentioned would probably not carry it





Finally there are striped acessories such as striped bags and striped shoes. The bag comes from American Eagle Outfitters while the shoes are from Mella.




Photographs from www.activeendeavors.com, www.ae.com, www.topshop.com, www.riverisland.com, www.shopbop.com, www.elle.com, www.pinkmascara.com, www.style.com, www.abercrombie.com, www.urbanoutfitters.com, www.clubmonaco.com, www.mango.com, www.madewell1937.com, www.debenhams.com, www.lacoste.com, www.rag-bone.com, www.zappos.com, www.avril-style.com, www.fcukbuymail.com, www.adampluseve.com, www.paulandjoe.com, www.soundgirl.com, www.bergdorfgoodman.com