stylish always – Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva, by Lucy Bertoldi

Nearing the end of a dreary, hectic, panicky year…Are we all, still in a casual laid back styling mood? Really? I honestly don’t think so. It’s true that we can’t attend any grand events or celebrations like we used to, that’s for sure; but this confinement is feeling pretty much like a sort of modern times war. Crazy, scary, somber, dangerous and lonely times…

Fashion moves with the times and is a direct representation of what we’re living. For me, I don’t want that to be slouchy indoor dressing forever. Enough already: I’m banning the word ‘lounge’ from my vocab! Delete.

Here’s a bit of history: After WW2 (ok I’ll be quick- don’t wanna bore you here- but the history of fashion teacher in me just can’t help it!)- as I was saying…After the war and even during the last bit of it- women longed for a change! They didn’t want the drab clothing and poverty looks they were forced into by war.

Imagine that women went as far as drawing up their legs because they couldn’t find or afford decorative lacey stockings! I’m not making this up:

With Nylon Stockings Scarce, Women Painted Their Legs Using Gravy Juice During the War Years ~ Vintage Everyday

And- right out of that war, along came Dior with his New Look- back to the fancy and to hope and dreaming again!

The Image that Launched a Thousand Misconceptions | Jonathan Walford's Blog — **A dress for peace time!**

I say that’s what we’re all feeling inside- a longing for glamour, and over-the top. Don’t you feel like dressing up? Even if it’s gonna be comfortable and casual- please- oh please- make it funky, glamourous and a bit on the spicy!! Are you on board?

Enough with the drab- and please LOSE THE SLIPPERS!!

I was excited to style up this gorgeous 2 piece ensemble by Eva Varro because casual (when you’re going nowhere) can feel and look as cool and glam as can be when you’re wearing something this beautiful. I am loving the black with its touch of animal print that adds all the spice I need. Ladies- you need this outfit. Ultimate pick-me-upper:)

#Confessionoftheday: 2020 is on its way out – and I can’t wait. But in the meantime, I’m transitioning out of the loungewear and back into the stuff I actually want to strut in. After all, the festive season is upon us, let’s spice it up!

Are you in?

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I love this blogging community so much! And I know how much goes into writing every single post, every single week. It’s a dedication thing. And- we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love it. So we put our everything in it! Please take the time to check out these wonderful bloggers and what they have to say. It’s good for everyone:)

(Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)

MONDAY LINKS

The Ageless Style Link Up- The first Monday of every month

Glass of Glam

Mutton Style

A Pocket Full of Polka Dots

Fashion Trends and Friends

TUESDAY LINKS:

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Shelbee on the Edge

Style Splash

Jenerally Informed

Not Dressed as Lamb

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Living on Cloud Nine

Rosy Outlook

Seeking Sunshine

Straight A Style Blog

Granola and Grace

The Queen in Between

Coast to Coast

This Blonde Shopping Bag

Is This Mutton

Mix and Match Mama

Pastries Pumps and Pi

My Purple World – Oh My Heartsie Girl

THURSDAY LINKS:

A Labour of Life

High Latitude Style

Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom

Good Random Fun

Mummabstylish

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

My Bijou Life Online 1-Creative Compulsions AND 2-Traffic Jam

North West Mountain Living

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

Sharing a Journey

Shelbee on the Edge

Nancy’s Fashion Style

Lizzie in Lace

Momfessionals.com

For anyone who loves fashion, nothing can be more delicious to the eye than viewing a runway filled with an array of colors, patterns and styles. We just love it! But when it comes to wearing anything that’s a bit out of our comfort zone- particularly mixed prints…well that’s another story!

I’m here to help out if I may- with a few tips on how to get started and how to make you more comfortable in this area if you want to dabble in this exciting form of expression.

You probably do love prints, patterns and colors- but you’re not sure if you could pull off the look. Sometimes it feels too daring and there’s also risk associated wit feeling “too out there”. Too often the risks- especially for us past the middle point (age-wise) are all of the ‘social’ kind.

Here’s the list of risks that too often stop us from expressing ourselves:

I’m too old to wear something that outrageous.

Prints make me look older than my age…frumpish (age- related)

The colors are too loud for me (age related again)

I don’t suit patterns or too much color (they make me look fat; I’m too short; too tall; they make me look bulky; make my bones stand out…oh dear, just fill in your own blanks.)

I only suit black.

The list goes on.

News Flash: Yes, You’re here. Yes, You’re aging. Yes, You’re still alive. Your life is not over!! How old are you really in your heart and head? Life’s too short, start having fun (it’s only clothes…fashion comes and goes- style it up hun!)

Now- let’s get onto Print and pattern mixing!

READY?? I’ll give you the easiest and quickest way to SAFELY dabble into print mixing… Here it comes: Stay within the same Color Family. How easy is that??

3 Different patterns- SAME color family.

Beginner EXERCISE for you:

Go to your closet and pick the one print you absolutely love (top, pants, dress, scarf…)
With the garment in hand move along your racks to see if at least ONE of the colors in the garment can be found in another piece
Once you’ve found that piece, start matching it up!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 6294d3a6-1dac-4547-9ad0-c0cdd846c24c.jpg — I started by picking this amazing slip on skirt…which according to the norm could technically only be worn with black…Note how I picked another animal print to pair it with! The trick was to keep the base color (dusty rose) to tie up the look.

Intermediate Exercise for you:

Repeat the above exercise using different garments, OR, from those two pieces you previously put together, find one more item that has, either the dominant color -OR- a complimentary color (of the dominant one) and style it up! See color charts for examples- you can easily find this on the Internet😊

I started by picking a Bright red jacket that I love. Then I paired it with my tie-dye dress. Third, I added the dominant color Red within a different print and pattern scarf. Lastly, the polka dot and red, sandals were just the right notch for me to love this outfit!

Advanced Exercise for you:

Try it with 3 different garments or just add a third piece to the original mix you created previously- this one MUST be another print! This could mean that your accessory should also be a print! Then add an extra layer (jacket for example). Let this one also should have the dominant color or a bold complimentary!

This one actually has two different prints- however, because the top is sheer, it adds a third dimension. The belt is a too bright orange, so I fastened a scarf around it. I initially wanted to wear the scarf in a more traditional way around my neck…but I thought this was way better! What do you think?

Expert Exercise for you:

Try styling up more than 2 patterns and prints. Color does not matter at this point. In fact, you can have the same color but different patterns. A good example of this would be two different garments with two different patterns but both are black and white. From this add a third pattern that is of a completely different color for a splash of contrast.

Working with black an white (thought I’d keep it safe for you in terms of color!! BUT- I decided to style totally different patterns. To the mix I added the splash of color with the scarf worn as a top- and then another scarf as a belt. In total: 4 different patterns!

FINAL TIP: Who made up these rules anyway? Honestly- this is just a guideline. Sometimes items that are not even color, print or pattern related just go together so well!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL IS GREAT FIT!!

And there you have it! You’re on your way to print-mixing! Now, all you have to do is style it up!

Watch this clip for a detailed look on how I styled up my prints and patterns.

An now Here’s to my Favourite Fashion Diva of the Week:

The Beautiful and oh-so- chic Jess from Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

How gorgeous is this Diva? Loving this slip dress so much- and the animal print is soooo good!

I love this blogging community and the interesting weekly blog posts. (Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)