She Works Hard for the Money and Looks Good Doing It!

That Knock Out Shoe

     T.G.I.F  funky fashion mavens! Since my last post, I've been  recovering from a fun little jaunt to Mississippi to visit Mom and  indulge in our two favorite pass times, cocktails and thrift store shopping. But, before I get to my tales of gallivanting through the South, I want to tackle the subject of dressing for work successfully.

Look Fierce, Feel Fierce!

All Black with a Color Pop!

Anything Goes with this French Connection Boot

     I have quite a few lovely  clients that shop with me, whose main quest in life is finding a way to do stylish, appropriate work wear. I'm sure that most of you will agree that the majority of your time out in the world, is spent at work. We typically don't fret nearly as much about what to wear in our down time or on the weekends. How many mornings have you spent staring daggers at your closet, time ticking away viciously, as you scour every inch of it for something reasonably comfortable, that makes you feel equal parts confident and fabulous?  It's  happened to me countless times and some days I just have to  settle for looking "pulled together".  However, pulled together isn't a bad thing. It just means you take some 
shortcuts. Sometimes those are the days I get the most compliments on my ensembles. When I'm really not feeling it, I'll throw on an all black (skinny jeans or leggings and a silky over sized top), a sparkly or colorful statement necklace, killer over sized bag, and a knock out shoe (flat boot or on point flats for me). Boom, a classic look amped up by key statement pieces!  

     For those ladies that have to be more professional in the workplace, dresses with a great
blazer are always a good option. You can mix patterns and textures to keep it fresh and interesting.  Add a tall boot or a sculptural heel to maximize the look, and accessories with a
pop of color to complete. 

     I've always believed in the adage "if you look good, you feel good". But I'm going to put my own spin on it, "look fierce, feel fierce"! Clothing after all is our armor. So charge into that closet and make it happen ladies!

    Okay now that the "serious" stuff is out of the way, let's talk about how fabulous my travels to Mississippi were! Between the gorgeous white beaches, the fresh seafood pulled right from the gulf, and my thrift store finds, this trip was a total success. Mom and I hit a thrift store called America's Thrift Stores in Gulfport Mississippi. It's pretty much the equivalent of the Salvation Army but not as pricey as they can sometimes be. I scored with a vintage wool  herringbone and plaid blazer. I'll be wearing it with jeans and heels,  leather skirts, over dresses...you name it! I also nabbed a quirky little vintage silk scarf with a flying geese motif. I'll take a page from the  always cool French and wear it tied around my neck with a wide brim hat, or  maybe as a pocket square. Decisions, decisions. Till next time... 

XX (kisses) - Ebony

The Big Score!

    

Denim is Having a Moment!

     Happy Friday, and more importantly, Happy Fashion Week! In honor of this holy 

occasion, I'll be musing about denim. The iconic fabric is succinct with Americana and style. 

It's never far from the runway. Everyone from Gucci to Carolina Herrera to Michael Kors 

were having major denim moments. Straight leg, super distressed, high waist, skinny, you 

name it. What jeans will you be rocking this season??? XX (Kisses) -Ebony

Wax Coated Skinny by J Brand

s

Boot Cut Style by Joe's Jeans

Get the Look. Wide Leg Trouser Jean by Goldsign

The Cigarette Leg by AG

Vintage Denim Culotte by Level 99

An Array of Denim Available @ Le Thrift Consignment

The Return of 70's Chic: Get Funky with Your Bad Self!

    

Seriously, See It!!

     Happy Friday all! Anyone who knows me will confirm that I'm a total night owl. I find myself up

at odd hours, whether I have to work or not, watching random TV. Last night's late night movie Du
 Jour was the 70's classic, Cleopatra Jones. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. If for no

other reason than Tamara Dobson aka Cleopatra Jones, kills it in the fashion department. She spends

the entire movie taking on a drug cartel in sleek pant suits, feather headpieces, and furs that echo

pieces on the runway from Fendi's Fall show. So you guessed it,  I'll be taking on the 70's revival

happening this season.

     My personal style is always influenced by a bit of Pam Greer in Friday Foster with a twist of

Lauren Hutton when she modeled for Ralph Lauren. I love the look of relaxed glamour. Its amazing

70's Revival on the Runway

Real Way, Styled by Moi @ Le Thrift Consignment

the level of effortless chic

you can achieve with the

right wide leg trouser, silk

button down, and

blazer. Make that blazer

suede or leather and add a

neckerchief and your 70's

era look is on point!

This is great if you want to

switch up your work

wardrobe, and also a sneaky way to get away with

wearing jeans in a professional environment.

     If your style is a little more on the bohemian side then you'll love the reintroduction of all things

fringe. Ponchos, bags, skirts bring em' out! I love the movement and attitude that fringe brings. It can

make the most serious, stark outfit suddenly whimsical. It only takes one piece to take your look next

level cool.

FRINGE = ATTITUDE (Photo provided by Thomas Vaughan)

     The 70's was an era of embracing female and ethnic empowerment. These sentiments were

echoed in many ways but as always fashion is reflective of what is happening in society. Expression

through colorful, bold prints was indicative of the times. We are still seeing that now as well. Tons of

prints and color pops were all over the runways. Dior, Christopher Kane, and Balenciaga are just

some of the designers showing us how it should be done in 2015.

     Lastly, EXPERIMENT! How will you know if you love it or hate it if you don't TRY it???  Don't

be afraid to let your inner Cleopatra Jones out. She was fierce and funky. Who doesn't want to be a

little of both? Till next time... XX (kisses)!

Ebony

 

Royalty to Reality: The Victorian Trend

                                            Royalty to Reality: The Victorian Trend

     Happy Thursday Beauties! As of late I've been driven to distraction by the latest fashion reboot of

the Victorian trend. There is a little something for absolutely everyone. Hot off the runway are

breathtaking looks merging an updated sexiness with traditional romanticism, while also giving us

minimalist cool. Designers like

Vintage Escada Accordian Collar Blouse

 Rodarte and Altuzarra are mixing it up by accessorizing with

leather and snakeskin thigh high boots.

Think more Dangerous Liaisons and less Little Women.

     For many of us the Victorian era is the epitome of romance,

while others of us just equate it with a lot of

girly ruffles. Whichever end of the spectrum you find yourself on,

it's worth a try. Hit your favorite consignment or thrift stores for a sheer, ruffled neck blouse and

complete the look with a slim pant and a sexy Maryjane heel. I also recently paired a similar

Victorian- style blouse with a shift dress.

Shop this look @ Le Thrift Consignment

Attention to Drama, the Cuff

I layered the silky top under the dress, added a rhinestone brooch and a

menswear inspired boot. Voila! A totally comfortable, stylish, day look for

work or play. Victorian- era pieces are not just ruffles and high necks. I

love a good dramatic cuff or sleeve. Roberto Cavalli showed us what a

 difference a fabulous cuff makes peaking out of a brocade blazer. Add a

wide leg trouser and make the street your runway.

      For a more advanced look, take it boho like the Chloe collection. I'm dying over the floor length

silk Georgette dresses with a hint of ruffle, a barely there finger- grazing sleeve, and a sexy deep v-

neck. Very Stevie Nicks. Very black magic woman.

Vintage Tod's to Complete the Look

    However you decide to experiment with this look, make sure you do it with confidence. You'll

know it's right when you can't help but strut and passersby can't help but look. Till next time...

XX (Kisses) - Ebony

Victorian Baubles

Trend Watch: Deciphering Fall Shoes

 Happy Thursday all!! Am I the only one having dreams of leather mini skirts and cozy vintage Missoni sweaters in an 87 degree reality? This is what happens when you spend your days @ Le Thrift Consignment. I've been sifting through the most gorgeous pieces courtesy of our fashion savvy consignors and letting my imagination run wild with possibilities. 
Even better is that you can hit those noteworthy fall trends on your favorite 
designer runways without ending up very chicly dressed but homeless. 
I'm starting off with shoe trends because after all it is still warm out but you 
can start incorporating them now.  

Le Thrift's Very Own Lady Loafer Vintage Chanel

It seems that designers are offering up more comfortable but still stunning footwear for fall. One of my favorites is the "lady loafer". 

Finally the sky high stiletto has taken a back seat to this  walk- able style. Miu Miu is giving them to us in leopard with a splash of blue, while Stella McCartney is serving up her signature minimalist chic with a solid grey, block heeled mule version. 

When worn with a smart suit or a whimsical "carwash" pleated tweed skirt the end result is tres chic.

Boot Madness!

     Two other foot friendly styles that I'm obsessed with are the same but very different. Flat boots. One version is the ankle boot from previous seasons but re- imagined. From an ultra sleek slip on shown by Ann Demeulemeester and Issey Miyake, to a sportier version by Marc by Marc Jacobs complete with studs and a buckle or two.  The other version of the flat boot takes a turn to sexy town. From over the knee to thigh high, designers like  
Emanuel Ungaro,  
Versace, and Dior have  got you covered. The nice thing is this is an easy trend to get on board for.  There is no limit to the ways to wear them. Jeans, dresses, skirts? Its all a party! Me personally? I'll be wearing mine with a mini skirt, sheer hosiery, and a slightly slouchy lightweight sweater. Last but not least, the Mary Jane. It's gotten a serious upgrade. Gone are the days of being school marm-ish. Brands like Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu managed to make them sexy with pointy toes and block or stiletto heels. What fun!

Mary Janes, All Grown up Girl!

That's what getting dressed is supposed to be...fun. You don't 
need to spend a million bucks 
to look like you did. 

Dig around in your closet. I bet you've got some similar items that you thought you'd never wear again and if not, pop into Le Thrift and we'll play with our newest arrivals.
     In the following weeks the Fall trends discussion will continue. We've got TONS to cover. 

That's the best thing about fashion: it never stops! Until next week, have a daring, adventurous, fun weekend! 

Are You Ready for Car Wash Pleats???

XX (kisses). 
  -Ebony

 *Photo's courtesy of Elle.com
     

West Town Genie in a Bottle

 Let's face it, our fair city has everything you could ever need...most of the time. However, once and a while us fashion mavens need that one of a kind piece that we're sure exist only in our dreams. That's where Le Thrift Consignment comes in. 

Let me be your genie. I can find you that rare vintage 90's Jean Paul Gautier dress to make your girlfriends and your man swoon. Need a unique gift? A killer pair of Gucci mules that won't make your wallet cry? 

Make your way up to West Town, 1821 W. Chicago to be exact; and let us make all your fashion dreams come true. 

     Tune in next Thursday when I break down the best of Fall trends 2015. Till then...

This is me Ebony; Genie, Blogger, Vintage Connoisseur.

 

Dead Sexy in Gucci