Staple Pieces for men and Women Part 2

Last week, I wrote about the iconic Doc Marten’s boots and how I believe everybody should have a pair of their own. This week, with the chilly fall weather getting closer and closer, I have decided to write about the second staple piece that I believe everybody should have. A fabulous, signature wool peacoat.

Without a doubt, the wool peacoat is one of the oldest pieces in the book of fashion. A classic style, the wool peacoat was used by soldiers in World War I and II to stay warm. Even in films like Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge, the French people were seen sporting floor-length peacoats. It is one of those classic styles that shall never leave fashion.

There are countless variations of the peacoat, all playing with cut, color, shape, and so much more. Whether yours is vintage or new, the peacoat adds a sense of British elegance and maturity no matter who the wearer is. While the classic double-breasted wool peacoat with black anchor buttons is beautiful, there are so many different styles of the peacoat to choose from and if you are willing to look, you can find one that you can make your own.

I believe it is important to have a signature style in the world of fashion. Here’s me (and a goat) in my signature wool peacoat from Zara. It has an exaggerated hood to contrast the straight silhouette and it ends mid thigh on me. I feel like a high fashion witch when I wear my coat. Loves it!

Do you have your signature coat ready for the fall season?

Stay fabulous

Dakota

Staple Pieces for men and Women Part 1

First off, I would just like to apologize for my lack of posts in the last week! I have been busy job hunting and hanging out with friends, and basically running around like a chicken with its head cut off. But that’s not important, let’s get into what’s really important. Fashion. 

Every fashionista has their own list of ‘staple pieces’ aka clothing items that they believe everyone with true style should own. Staple pieces are timeless items that will never go out of fashion and will always look good. Staple pieces can be anything from a blazer, to a statement necklace. I thought I would write a few posts on my blog about my own staple pieces. Here is the first, I have more to come!

The first staple piece  is easily one of the most versatile, enduring, and timeless items that anybody can own. I am talking about none other, than the leather boots known as Doc Martens. They have been around since World War II where they were indeed created by Dr. Klaus Martens for soldiers fighting in the war. The soldiers needed a boot that was sturdy, comfortable, and enduring that also was able to trudge through different war conditions (water, oil, acid, etc). Apparently, the boots were hard for Dr.Martens to sell back in those days, but in 2014 they have come a very long way. Doc Martens are sold in the brand’s stores around the world, their online website, in addition to other retailers. Readily available in a cornucopia of different colors and styles, there is definitely a pair for you and I honestly think that everybody should own a pair. With their bouncy rubber soles and signature yellow thread, Docs are up there with Louboutins as one of those items that you will always recognize when you see them.

When I wear my Docs I honestly feel indestructible. I can splash through puddles on rainy days, I can march through snow in winter, but I can also wear them with shorts during the summer. I have had my boots for 3 years and they have definitely been through hell and back, but they are still standing tall.  Doc Martens are one of the more expensive boots out there (upwards of $150.00) but they are definitely an investment piece. They will last you years, and you won’t stop loving them. So whether you are looking for a real pair of work boots or a sexy new boot for fall, you can very easily find a pair that is perfect for you. New, or vintage, 8 holes or 16 holes, black matte leather or purple glossy leather, there is a pair for EVERYONE! I remember when I first got my pair of Cherry 1460 Doc Martens, my mother was reminiscing about her own black leather pair with gold holes for the laces, which she wore in the 1980’s. She told me that she sent them to the clothing donation box once they got scuffed up, but she regretted it because she didn’t realize the more scuffed up they are, the better they actually look. Doc Martens are one of those things that actually look better the older they get, the more scuffed up they are gives them more personality and more of a story.

My own 3 year old cherry docs, photo taken on the day I got them.

If you already love them, fabulous. And if not, I hope you give Doc Martens a second thought because they are a really great item that everybody should have in their wardrobe. You can style them in so many different ways at literally any time of the year. It’s my personal vow to myself that someday I’ll own Docs in different colors, enough so that I can wear a different pair every day (a white pair is next on my wish list).

From 50’s soldier gear, to 90’s punk, to 00’s hip, the boots have made quite the trip throughout the years. What do you think of Docs? Do you love them as much as I do? Comment and tell me what you think!

Stay fabulous,

Dakota

Working with what you got: Do’s and Don’ts

I am a firm believer in the expression “Everybody is beautiful in their own way”. Just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, ‘ugly’ is as well. But ugly isn’t on the surface. Ugly is something on the inside. Everybody has a different body type and every one of those body types is beautiful. Whoever decided that women need to be skinny with big boobs or that men need to be all muscle deserves a shot in the face. I for one, am no perfect 10. We all have parts of ourselves that we like to hide, so here is my advice for dressing for different body types.

Before I get into specific problem areas, let’s go over the typical body shapes. There are the wider shapes, pear shaped, hour glass shaped, or apple shaped. The key for wider shapes is to avoid horizontal stripes at ALL cost. No matter what you say or think, they will give the illusion of being even larger than you are. Go for neutral colors (black is slimming and classic) and keep it simple. On the other hand, there are the longer and slimmer body shapes. If you are long and lean, the goal is to keep it fitted. Oversized clothes will drown your figure and make you look smaller (not in a good way!). Play with shapes and lines to break up the body into fractions.

Now I’ll discuss some common problem areas that people struggle to deal with in regards to their clothing. If you are like me, you like to eat. But the food you eat may not always agree with your body (food baby anyone?). Now if you don’t have the flattest of stomachs, your worst enemy is anything tight fitting, whether it be a physically tight shirt or one that is just a little too stretchy and emphasizing. If you are insecure of your stomach, then cardigans are your best friend. The added layer evens out your body shape and the fabric hangs over the stomach area, acting as the perfect cover up. Cardigans are one of my favourite items because there are literally thousands of different styles to choose from (with or without buttons, fabrics, prints) and if you are willing to look, you are guaranteed to find one that you love. I like cardigans because you can leave them open or closed, and both cleverly disguise the tummy. This cardigan is from the online website Virgin Blak. I love it because it is loose and drapey and it covers up everything while the cinched belted waist allows for some shape.

Love handles… Broad shoulders… Wide hips… All the same sorts of problems, with similar solutions! Despite what you may think, if you struggle with any of these then the solution is to exaggerate them and even them out with flares, peplums, and shoulder pads. By accentuating the hour-glass shape with clothing, it gives the illusion of an evened out body and a nipped in waist. Have you ever noticed how hour-glass shaped women and fuller figured women look amazing in those dresses with shoulder pads and peplums at the hips? Mmmmmhmmmmm… That’s because the top and the bottom are exaggerated and thus even themselves out. Men who are on the scrawnier side should do the same, but instead of dresses, go for a blazer that is slightly taken in around the waist area and flares out at the bottom. Think of it like one of those judicial scales, you want either side to be equal so there is harmony (or a lack of guilt. whatever)

image source polyvore.com

 

image source topman.com

Ultimately, what I want to say is that everyone is beautiful and you have to make the best of what you got. You don’t have to go to the gym 5 times a week, because maybe you don’t have the time or the money (or simply the motivation) Love yourself and love your body. Have fun with what you wear, and play with shapes until you get it right. Take risks because the more risks you take, the more confidence you will get.

Stay fabulous
Dakota