Style: Bodysuit Revival

Bodysuits are Back in a Big way.

Actress Elizabeth Montgomery (Bewitched) – taken in London, England 1964

Some of them even have no back. But no matter how they come, there’s a lot to be said about a perfect bodysuit. I used to wear them a lot. And then I didn’t. Mostly because they fell out of fashion with the lowrise pant phase and it was hard to find a good one except for Wolford, who always carried them.

They’re the ideal layering piece. And as you can see, they’ve been around for a long while.

**Wolford Berlin Stretch** Jersey Bodysuit -$240

This bodysuit by Wolford means investing in the best. While a bit of a splurge, it’s the ultimate foundation piece when going for a seamless look.

Privacy Please **Bara** **Bodysuit** ($88) – you’ll get so much wear out of this simple bodysuit all year long.

Not only do they stay in place when tucked into high-waisted pants and skirts, but they’re also thin enough that they don’t add any unnecessary bulk. Under pretty blouses, the extra layer will keep you warm. You can also leave a few extra buttons undone.

And you want one with No VPL. That’s important.

BCBG’s Cato Floral Lace Bodysuit is a sleek lingerie-inspired bodysuit with intricate vintage details, and it shows the perfect flash of skin. The slimming striped mesh and plunging floral-lace neckline accented with scalloped trim accentuates your waist, while its chic long sleeves keep you cozy. Best of all, the bodysuit’s thong design is perfect for smooth layering (read: no unflattering VPL).

**Madewell** Lennon Striped Jersey Bodysuit -$45

Madewell: This bodysuit version stays sleek under high-waisted jeans and you don’t have to worry about your T-shirt looking sloppy. Bonus: It also won’t ever ride up!

Good thing I never got rid of a few of mine – what goes around comes around!

How about you? Are you a fan or not?

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Style: a Peek Inside the Rachel Zoe Winter Box

Okay, I must say I’m getting quite used to receiving my seasonal box of goodies. After all, it is curated by one stylish team. So for the past two years I feel it would not be a start to a new season without it. So there!This time the box was waiting for me on my arrival to Palm Springs. And as usual I already had a look ahead at what was in store. Because as much as I love an element of surprise….I just can’t help myself. And it’s always fun to get a little spoiled. So here’s what’s INSIDE THE WINTER BOX:

RACHEL ZOE FOR BOX OF STYLE CLUTCH (in black or white)

Designed exclusively for Box of Style, Rachel drew inspiration from her favorite periods in fashion – the deco elegance of the 20s and the effortless glamour of the 60s and 70s. Retail value: $125

HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 MESA EARRINGSRachel collaborated with her dear friend Nicole Richie on these stunning earrings exclusively for Box of Style. These statement-makers can work into any look for that extra dose of sparkle. Retail value: $115

OSEA
ESSENTIAL HYDRATING OIL

Hydration is everything. Apply as your first step in the morning and your last step before bed. It’s also perfect to keep in your handbag as your on-the-go refresher. Retail value: $68

TARTE
SEX KITTEN LIQUID LINER

A sleek cat eye transcends both time and style. From black-tie glam to rock ’n’ roll flair, it’s the ultimate finishing touch. Retail value: $20

FAUX FUR STOLE (as in Unreal)

Pair this luxe alternative to your winter scarf with anything from a cocktail dress to a cozy sweater to completely elevate your look. Retail value: $85

SUGAR PAPER “THE AGENDA”

I always have an agenda. In today’s digital world, many people still prefer to write things down, Rachel included. She chose motivating words from extraordinary women who inspire her every day, in hopes they will motivate you in the new year. I’m motivated! Retail value: $48

I think this is a really fun and worthwhile subscription. For as little as $100 you receive over $400 of luxury fashion and beauty selected for you each season.

Here’s how to order:

http://boxofstyle.thezoereport.com/

Don’t forget to tell them I sent you.

STYLE

Style: a parody for non conformists

Genderless, androgynous, intersexual..whatever you want to call it,

designers have been creating collections that both men and women can wear for a while now. Infact my last style post was about the dual jumpsuit which I personally prefer on women but still. And we know girls like to borrow their boyfriends jeans .

We also know real style is personal but when it comes to wearing jeans everything goes. Depending on our mood and our body type we can choose from skinny to slightly sloppy boyfriend style, cropped, high waisted, wide-legged and everything in-between. And for purists Levi’s are still #1.

So when SNL recently did a skit on Woke jeans, made for a generation that defies labels, I had a good laugh. Because sometimes we need to take fashion with a grain of humor.

https://vimeo.com/236776084

What do you think?

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Style: the Jumpsuit

I’m not even sure the words style and jumpsuit belong in the same sentence, but here we have it.

I’m torn with the same feeling I have for overalls. I’m not a big fan. A catsuit; now we’re talking! It’s sexy. Although a good jumpsuit (a tad more upscale than overalls but definitely laid-back) worn a certain way can carry itself. Maybe this should be entitled “how to style a jumpsuit.”

And let’s keep in mind worn in the desert with combat boots, a fashion statement it does make.

For me a style post is getting harder and harder to do, if only because the best style is personal, and while one person can pull something off, another person can look totally ridiculous wearing. And trends come and go, as we’re well aware.

So when I spotted this jumpsuit on another website, I had to re-think the whole thing. Because it looks fabulous. And in pinstripes; you can’t go wrong. The fact that the model is in Morocco with the sun shining certainly doesn’t hurt.

But honestly, I was interested enough to go online to find out who the manufacturer was. Then to my surprise I found out that the one-piece is unisex no less.

I wasn’t aware that men wore jumpsuits, so this is all new to me.

Honestly, how do you feel about this statement piece?

https://www.marrakshilife.com/desert-collection/drawstring-jumpsuit

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Outerwear: staying stylish while braving the elements

In this case, It’s what’s on the outside that counts!

In the Rain

My friend Colleen always manages to look stylish, rain or otherwise

It’s almost impossible to look stylish in the rain. I live in Vancouver and when there’s a crazy torrential downpour (like right now) all I want is to stay warm and dry. Which leaves me wearing a practical gore-tex jacket (which I’ve tried to retire time and time again only to take it out of hiding at this time of the year) with hood pulled up tight over my face and childlike gum boots or waterproof hiking boots. The only way anyone can tell that it’s me if I’m wearing this getup is because there’s two sheltie dogs ~~dragging~~ tagging along beside me, usually wearing raincoats of their own. This is truly the best (or most useful) dreadful weather dog walking gear I can think of. This is when practical works best.

Love Yellow Gum Boots Credit: Van City Buzz

But when there’s a lighter rainfall it’s much easier to look more put together. I wear a dressier looking raincoat (as if you can refer to a rain coat as being dressy, but I mean one that you can actually wear a dress under), black rain boots (duh) and a fashionable rain hat (because I prefer not to carry an umbrella). I found a great all-weather leather Dooney & Bourke handbag from a vintage fair in Palm Springs. I knew when I first spotted it that it would be my go-to at this time of the year. It pulls everything together.

Here’s another example of keeping **stylish in the rain** – having people fend off the elements for you when you go to Paris Fashion Week. And don’t worry about freezing in your gown because of course there’ll be a warm car waiting for you.

In the Snow

What I remember most about living back East was that even when it snowed it was a lot brighter out. Even though it was cold, the sun was still shining. Not all the time, but a lot of the time.

Home for the Holidays – Cameron Diaz

You have more fashionable options in colder weather. Winter is not my favorite season but I love winter coats because there’s so many choices. It’s the last thing you put on before going out the door and first thing people see you in. You can have fun with them.

The snow won’t ruin wool or cashmere so covering up definitely gives you more options. When I lived in Toronto I had several nice warm and stylish winter coats. From a full length bright red Hilary Radley (Canadian designer) wool coat to a fake leopard fur ¾ swing coat and many others in between. Even some down coats can look stylish (see above). And if you’re not sure you can never go wrong with a long camel coat, preferably in cashmere. And then there’s the boots….but that’s for another post.

How do you stay stylish on the outside in winter?

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Style: warming up to Fall

An artistic viewpoint: Winter is an etching, Spring is a watercolor, Summer is an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all – Stanley Horowitz

Fall is a chance to get cozy again. Pull out your sweaters, booties, scarves and fedoras.

Here are a few street stylin women whose simple comfy style appeals to me right NOW.

(Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

A little leopard never hurts. AND check out those BOOTS!
(Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

What’s your favourite FALL STYLE?

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Style: chic feet

Maybe it’s the influence of a fashionable friend visiting from London or maybe it could be that I’ve always found LONDON WOMEN have a look (aka the London Look) that’s a bit more edgy or funky (for lack of a better word because groovy is what really comes to mind) over the rest of us. I admire the way they experiment with clothing and accessories and manage to pull off something more avant-garde and make it chic and fun. it’s not necessarily anything trendy or something we’re so used to seeing. Which leaves us wondering…hmmm how did she pull it off? For this post we look to the feet.

Feet found on the streets of London during Fashion Week – unfortunately not by me.

MOD WOMEN

Photos: Vogue (UK), Buro (but chosen by me from plenty more images).

STYLE

Style: get a Grip

With all the different options of bags on the market the grip handle bag has always been a ladylike choice.

Grace Kelly with the **Hermès** bag named after her – still in demand.

There are pros & cons to carrying one.

It’s a no-brainer because you just grab ‘n go, it doesn’t mess up your outfit and always looks sharp for a more polished look.

Even though they’ve never really gone out of style (think Lady Dior or the Vuitton Speedy handbags – both best sellers) they lost their appeal for a while.

But they seem to be making a modern comeback.

**Gucci** – found on “Real Real” website

On the other hand if you’re out walking the dog (leash in one hand, phone in the other) it’s just another thing to hang onto. An over the shoulder, backpack or cross body bag is much more convenient in this case.

But when it comes to the beach, most straw bags are hand held. It would look awkward throwing one of those over your shoulder.

**Bag, Staud**. Photo: Atelier Dore. See below for where to buy.

**Bag, General Store**. See where to buy below.

The larger purses that come two-fold (with grip and a strap to fit over your shoulder) are convenient but many of them don’t always look so nice. I prefer those where you can remove the larger strap. Which brings me back to getting a grip on it; as shown in these photos.

Audrey Hepburn from “Breakfast at Tiffanys”

Bag, Staud (Moreau Bucket Bag)

Bag, General Store (handwoven by fair trade Ghanian artists from elephant grass)

Which kind of bag do you prefer to carry on a daily basis?

Girl Who Would be King

Monday Mood Board #5

For the love of hats & personal style (and things I like)

Variety from Lesley’s Girls Vintage Lifestyle

Sole Society Straw Panama Hat from summer box of STYLE

pajama dressing for daytime – zoe report.

I don’t know who makes these but they look like an interesting conversation pair of slightly uncomfortable shoes.

And finally, the woman who set so many trends that are still HOT

Nicknamed ‘Coco’ after a brief spell as a cabaret dancer, Coco Chanel was inspired by the bourgeois class of Paris to start creating hats. … Coco Chanel became a licensed modiste in 1910 and opened her first millinery boutique ‘Chanel Modes’ at 21 rue Cambon.

Oh; something else you should know

There’s plenty more to follow

Girl Who Would be King

Style at the CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. or CFDA for short, is considered the Oscars of the fashion world for those of you not familiar.

From L to R: *Diane Kruger in Monse dress, **Karlie Kloss** (*Karlie, you’re a beautiful young woman but could you not do better?*) in Diane Von Furstenberg, **Gigi Hadid** in The Row.

It is definitely one of the biggest nights in fashion after the Met Gala. Hosted by Seth Meyers, it was a star-studded affair at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, just days ago (June 6^th).

All of the on-line fashion magazines have posted pics of their choices of best & worst dressed favourites but let’s cut to the chase and have a look at who wore it best (at least in my humble opinion). Because as it turns out, unfortunately I did not love most of the ensembles and in fact I detested many of them. But I liked:

**Kerry Washington** in Prabal Garung. Elegant!

Actress Kate Bosworth ethereal wearing Brock Collection Dress

**Eva Chen** wore a stunning Sies Marjan dress. Love the colour which she pulled off amazingly.

A bit about CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA), founded in 1962 by publicist Eleanor Lambert, is a not-for-profit trade association of over 450 prominent American fashion and accessory designers. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the influence and success of American designers in the global economy.

**Bella Hadid** wearing Off-White. *And why not show off those legs??* Stunning!

*Diane Kruger always seems to get it right. And kudos to her for apparently not using a stylist or makeup artist. Really??!!

Do you have a favourite?