Tag Archives: style

fashion illustration of claire on outlander

claire from outlander illustration

Much of Outlander’s attention right now is because of its super hot sex scenes with the main couple, Claire and Jamie. But there is just as much to talk about when the characters have their clothes on.

Terry Dresbach, the shows costume designer, talks here about eight of her favorite looks on the show. Not surprisingly, Claire is on that list four times. I drew her in one of my favorite looks of hers, a gorgeous deep teal bodice and plaid skirt.

Claire has so many different looks on the show, but they are only made up of a few different items mixed and matched. The idea is that Claire has limited clothing given to her, and she wears those items over and over in different combinations.

I could learn a lesson or two from Claire on how to mix it up with a smaller wardrobe, and on how to wear a bodice like a boss.

Here’s a video on some of my coloring process.

met gala 2015 aka the year of rihanna

rihanna

RIHANNA. We have to start here and end here and return to here because this is jaw-dropping, icon-making fashion. THIS is what the Met Ball is for. Celebs can wear the pretty, safe boring things they always wear the rest of the year. The Met Gala is for turning fashion up to 11, it’s for celebrating and honoring the beauty and craftsmanship and risk taking that puts dresses in a museum, right next to the Michelangelos and Picassos.

The gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute–the fashion exhibit is always my favorite part of any museum–and the theme was China: Through the Looking Glass.

The Met Gala, more than any other red carpet event, is solely about the fashion. For the Oscars, the fashion is a treat, but it exists because of movies, and the stars of the show are the humans in the dresses. The stars of the Met Gala are the dresses themselves.

If I ran the world, anyone who played it safe at the Met Gala wouldn’t be invited back. (Simple is different than boring, don’t forget.) For those of us sitting at home who may never see art like this close up, much less wear it ourselves, this night every year is a gift. If you are able to go and have one of these incredible designers dress you, you should feel responsible for bringing fashion to the public and for showcasing this art.

Rihanna did that, with her queenly Guo Pei. One of the few who actually wore a Chinese designer, she not only elevated fashion, she looked like she was having a blast taking up the entire red carpet. Who else could put that on and not be swallowed up by that train or overwhelmed by that embroidery? It’s a perfect gown (coat? dress? dream?), and it was worn by the perfect person to pull it off.

rihanna met gala

There were other risk-takers last night, but also a few too many celebs who stuck to their usual. Kim, Bey, and J Lo met afterwards to found the Bejeweled Banging Body Club, I assume. (J Lo is president, obvs.) Reese Witherspoon stuck to the simple sheath she wore all awards season, and Sophia Vergara wore another sweetheart strapless gown. They looked great, but I’ve seen it all before.

keri russell

Keri Russell (one of my personal style icons for her chic, edgy simplicity) was able to wear a gown that fits her style while upping the intensity in a stunning greenish black (or blackish green) Altuzarra. She kept her look simple (not boring) with limited accessories. I bet this dress was incredible close up, with the changing colors and feather details. I love feathers on clothes but I can’t imagine they would ever be practical in real life–which is perfect for the Met Gala. I might also be partial to this because it reminds me of my favorite McQueen.

fan bingbing

Fan BingBing wore another Chinese designer, Christopher Bu, and she nailed it in a gold dress and emerald cape. She is on theme and on point, from the larger sequins on her dress to her perfect lipstick and earrings, to a cape that is anything but cliche.

I am happy to say that it’s been a wild ride. Until next year, you crazy kids.

new outfit: winter lounging

winter lounging

This has been a VERY COLD February for Chicago. I thought I could skip Winter Dread this year, but it just arrived a little late. To stay warm lounging around the house, I am wearing sweater leggings from American Apparel, and a sweatshirt and scarf from Target. When I have to go outside, I put on my warmest puffy coat and my new Jessica Simpson rain boots. My Bulls hat was a gift, and it keeps me warm and repping Chicago.

For some cheer in the middle of your frozen week, consider signing up for my newsletter. Another one will go out this week.

outfit for the office on a cold day

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We are SO CLOSE to the beginning of the end of winter, but unfortunately we’re not there yet. I finally replaced my snow boots with these from Macy’s, and I like them very much, but in cold weather you’ll need an additional liner or extra-warm socks. This outfit helped me stay warm in the office with lots of layers, a warm sweater, and fleece-lined tights.

Boots are from Macy’s, sweater from Penney’s, purse from Target, black button up is DKNYC. It’s another gray day here today but I hope it’s sunny and warm where you are.

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a good coat

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A good coat in the winter is a powerful outfit saver. It doesn’t matter what’s under it because no one will see it while you’re out running errands! This one is Ann Taylor (I think) via a department store. Boots are Jessica Simpson and purse is from Target. The scarf I made myself. Stay warm everyone!

new outfit: errands on a chilly day

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It’s the day before Thanksgiving! Time to do any last minute errands and traveling before the cooking begins. If you have any running around to do, I hope it goes quickly, safely, and that the weather isn’t too bad.

Over the weekend when I was running my own errands I wore my new Michael Kors coat from Macy’s, my scarf from the boys section at H&M, plus jeans, boots, and furry earmuffs that are stables in my winter wardrobe. (Probably they all came from Macy’s too, but I cannot remember.)

I’ve hopped over to Kansas for a few days to see my family, and I’m very glad to be here. Wishing you and yours a great holiday.

weddington way october style challenge

Bright bridesmaid

I love talking about weddings. I am definitely the friend to turn to if you want to talk flower arrangements or bridesmaid dresses, or seating charts, or veils, or just about anything else. Maybe because the weddings I have been involved in have all been chill and wonderful, and maybe because I have never been married, but wedding planning has yet to send a shiver down my spine. I am stoked, always, to talk about your wedding. Especially if it’s discussing what someone is wearing.

So when Weddington Way invited me to participate in their October Style Challenge, I was all in. Designing my own bridesmaid look? Sounds like a blast. You can see their current bridesmaid collection here.

weddington way bridesmaid dress

I started with the Alfred Sung D462 bridesmaid dress in French Gray. I love gray, and I wear it all the time. I love how versatile it is–you can basically dress it up any way you want. And I usually want to set it off with something bright.

In my (fake) wedding, the bride likes classic–with a twist. Her colors are gray and yellow. Her bridesmaids are wearing gray with beautiful bright jewelry and accessories. But their make up and nails are a simple pale pink.

raes day sweddington way bridesmaid illustration

new outfit: sweater weather

fall sweater

October is my favorite month. I love the crispness of fall weather, the changing leaves, and finally getting to wear scarves again. And, of course, the return of sweater weather.

This sweater is one of my favorites, and I’ve paired it here with black and gold  accessories. Shoes and bag are from Target, button down is from the Loft, and the sweater is from JCPenney.

I am planning to drink lots of hot coffee and watch a lot of baseball this month, what’s your favorite part of October?

ralph lauren fashion illustration

ralph lauren fashion illustration

I love fashion week, even from afar. (It’s not like I went to shows when I was in New York anyway, so the separation’s pretty easy.) Looking at pretty things for inspiration and for fun will never get old for me.

This fashion week coincided with roughly the same time I got sick of everything in my closet. My new style inspiration Keri Russell has inspired me to pare things down to simple, cool basics. (I mean, she looks good, right?)

While runways tend to be known for going over the top, there’s still great inspiration to pull from if you keep your eyes open.

This look from Ralph Lauren is a wonderful example of simple and cool. A ribbed sweater and pants in the same color family are perfectly coordinated basics, and the bright yellow trench is a fun and surprising update to a classic wardrobe staple.

So this is what I’m aiming for these days: classy, simple, cool.

My illustration is pen and marker. I tried something a little different this time and used a sepia pen since my colors were light and bright. I like it! My video slideshow shows some of the coloring process.

I’m liking these videos, but practice will make perfect I suspect. What do you guys think?

what i wore sketch

sketch of what i wore

An illustration of what I wore to work last week. Pen and marker. Shoes and necklace from Target. I can’t remember the source for the dress, but I think it was either Kohl’s or Macy’s.

Happy Friday! I thought we’d never get here.