Archive for the ‘Get the Look’ Category

A Rundown on Gossip Girl Style

September 18, 2009

Happy fall everyone!

Is everybody fall-ing into the trap of this uplifting, charming, unforgettable season as much as me?  The leaves starting to change, caramel apples flooding the stores, fantasy football draft madness, and who can forget…the premiere of Gossip Girl!!

So the purpose of this is to tell you a little secret.  In fact it may just be your one and only source into the Gossip Girl’s fashion styles… that you yourself can have!

That’s right, Anna Sui just released a line of Gossip Girl inspired clothing for women, to be purchased at Target.  She’s nailed some of the character’s styles almost perfectly, specifically focusing on the styles of Blair, Serena, Jenny, and Vanessa.  If you’re looking for the perfect look for fall while at the same time wanting to model off of one of television’s most loved and sophisticated shows, this is just for you. I’ll break down each It Girl’s style, referencing quotes from Gossip Girl’s costume designer Eric Daman from his interviews on YouTube.

Blair: You just gotta love her.  Her infamous hats and headbands perfectly match that go-getter New York City attitude that we’re all entertained by.  While she is known to dress conservatively in fitted gowns with fine linen, Daman addresses a question a lot of us are sure to be wondering: Who will Blair Waldorf be when she goes to college? Will she wear the headband? “The headband has sort of become its own thing and kind of become its own character on the show.  I think it’s Blair’s security blanket…and I want to take it to more of an adult level.” A more adult level will, in my opinion, be played with throughout the show.  She’s trying to fit into college and I think instead of wearing the frilly little skirts and plaid headbands, she’ll shift to a more mature, elegant look for better or for worse.  Annu Sui’s Target line features sleek black skinny pieces and bright, bold colors which fits her character perfectly.

Serena: Serena’s look is tragically hip.  Sui features a lot of black and gray “throw on pieces” for a tossled Kate Moss look from her Target line.  Although throw on pieces are Serena’s staple, Sui’s Serena section seems to be almost too uptight for Serena- just not “Serena” enough.  While some of Sui’s pieces capture Serena’s clubbing style, I see Serena’s look as a fitted jeans, slingy tank/vest to accompany those gorgeous locks of hers.  Daman mentions Serena is in an identity crisis in Gossip Girl’s third season, so she’s falling back on the old party girl style with loose tanks and short dresses.  Of course she continues to look good in anything with that carefree attitude of hers.  Keep notice as the episodes tick by as to how Serena’s style will evolve.  Of course, Josh Schwartz has got to pick her off her feet at some point.

Jenny: Sui captures Jenny’s look pretty well- with her eccentric indie style and knit hats Jenny is not afraid to take a risk.  Though I cannot stand her character, I’ve intriguingly watched her style evolve within each season.  Jenny didn’t have much of an identity in the first season, and tried to blend into the mix along idolizing Serena.  As her interest in the fashion industry developed in the show, her style became much more, well, eclectic.  The mix of cotton-knit dresses and funky boots really did grow on me as she became a stronger person.  One thing to learn, style equals confidence.  As Jenny’s self-confidence grew so did her style, which ended up becoming one of the best on the show.

Vanessa: Although a lot of people seem to be bothered by her character, I think Gossip Girl would actually be a terrible loss without her.  For those of us who read the books, we knew Vanessa was supposed to have a shaved head, totally not into fashion and way into film.  It’s no secret Josh Schwartz doctored up her character, but really to what degree?  She’s super-independent, typical New York City artsy, and a good friend.  She doesn’t totally fit in with Blair’s inner crowd, but that does not seem to bother her at all which is why I really like Vanessa.  Her style, as Sui features, consists of a lot of earthy colors like browns, greens, and oranges.  Vanessa’s style can best be described as boho, and is very easy to obtain with the right confidence.  Get a vintage-modern dress, pair it with funky jewelry and add a pair of frilled boots to piece together the whole look.  You’ll never go wrong with the Vanessa look.

So pick your perfect fall look, mix and match styles, and watch trends disappear and evolve this fall.

My advice:  You can’t go wrong mixing and matching.  I don’t care if it’s a Jenny-like floral scarf with a Blair-like modern dress.  Try it, because you never know.

XOXO

View Anna Sui’s Gossip Girl Target Collection here:

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/06/check_out_anna_suis_gossip_gir.html

View the interviews with Gossip Girl’s Wardrobe Stylist Eric Daman:


Immersed Within on Fedoras

August 17, 2009

immersedwithinheader

One of the great triumphs of last summer my life was when I convinced my boyfriend to purchase a vintage-esque fedora at Target. While I do like the look of menswear on women, it’s not something I wear too often. Carly of Immersed Within shows us how.

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John Hughes and Brat Pack Style

August 7, 2009

As Chicagoans and as lovers of all things 80s, we’re especially saddened by the news of John Hughes’ death.

Even though I was in high school twenty years after the Brat Pack movies were filmed, they really do capture what it’s like to grow up in the suburbs. Everyone I know wanted to recreate Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on senior ditch day (for the record, we did cruise down Lake Shore Drive a la Bueller, but it was in a Mercury Sable).

And where is the French restaurant in the movie located? If anyone knows, leave a comment.

While fashion technically took a backseat to teenage drama in the movies, today all of the clothing stands out just because it’s so quintesentially 80s. Let Avant Gaudy give you an Claire Standish-style makeover as we recreate classic Brat Pack looks. Click the items to check them out at our online boutique.

Or not.

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Get the Look: Bust Out the Blazer

August 6, 2009

At Avant Gaudy we firmly believe you can reinvent your style without restocking your closet.  Here’s how you can turn that classic blazer into a fresh new look.

Inspiration: Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 Trends

Avant Gaudy Collection: Material Girl Bra & Back to Basics Blazer

How to Style It: Pair a lacy brassiere with your favorite blazer for an instant masculine/feminine mash-up.  Button up the blazer for a confident and sexy look.  Plunge it open for the after party.

Price: Material Girl Bra $48.00 & Back to Basics Blazer $45.00

I showed you mine, now you show me yours. Tell me about your favorite way to make an old piece look new again!

Get the Look: Polka Dot Style

July 21, 2009

Wear your optimism on your sleeve with this Pretty Woman-inspired polka dot dress. Polka Dots are making a major appearance in this summer’s collections and can be worn anywhere: as an accessory (headbands, jewelry, belt, purse, shoes) as tights, or the classic Pretty Woman dress .

Inspiration:  Rubin Singer Spring 2009 Collection

Dote on this AG Collection: Pretty Woman

 

How to Style It: Cinch it with a solid color belt and put on your favorite sun hat!

Price: $45 at Avant Gaudy.

Get the Look: Bring out the Goddess in you

July 15, 2009

Dress like a goddess without sacrificing your wallet with our Watercolor Dress from Avant GaudyIt can be worn casually with sandals at the beach or dressed up with heels and your biggest hoop earring for a night out!

Inspiration: Thakoon Panichgul Spring 2009 Collection

Avant Gaudy Collection: Watercolor Dress

Watercolor Dress

How to Style it: Rope Belt to accent the waist and tiered Bangles

Price: $48.00 at Avant Gaudy.

Get the Look: Power Jumpsuit

July 9, 2009

In a season dominated by long summer dresses, standout from the crowd without sacrificing the length.  Check out our jumpsuits at Avant Gaudy!

Inspiration: Ralph Lauren Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear

Ralph Lauren 2009 Ready-to-Wear

 

AG Collection: Beige Jumpsuit

Khaki Jumpsuit

How to style it: A statement belt, silver or gold jewelry

Price: $48.00 at Avant Gaudy

Get the Look: Metallic Maxis

July 7, 2009

Are you inspired by runway looks but would rather wear an affordable vintage item? 

Check out this runway-inspired look featuring Avant Gaudy vintage clothing.

Inspiration: Roberto Cavalli Fall 2007 Ready to Wear

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2007 RTW

AG Piece: Silver Lame Maxi Dress

AG silver metallic dress, $58

How to Style It: long chain necklaces, colorful bracelets

Price Range: $58.00 at Avant Gaudy.