Tag Archives: how to layer an outfit

3 Style Commandments I Live By To Always Look Luxe

ETERNAL STYLE

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Photos by Alise Jane

Fashion trends may come and go (on that note though, who’s excited about spring summer 2019?) but style is eternal right? It took me a long time to really find my style and get comfortable with it and a part of that journey is documented through all my outfits here on The Silk Sneaker. Over time though I’ve learnt some valuable lessons on how to look elegant, no matter the season, and how to create everyday outfits that make for street style worthy looks, no matter the season. Here are my three style commandments that I live by to always look luxe:

1. Black & white is not boring
You know, this might be the first time I’ve ever actually said that on the blogs! I am a huge fan of colour and always adding something colourful into your look (even if it is just a red lip; have you seen my guide to the best red lipsticks for brown girls?) but black and white is a timeless combination and one that I fall back on constantly. When going for black and white, I always like to add texture or something interesting. I did that here with my ruffle skirt from Zara and this adorable graphic sweatshirt.

2. Mix Between High End and High Street
Yes, I love a luxury piece but I also love a good high street find! It’s all about bringing those pieces together to create something unique. After all, it’s no fun to wear a look that is basically a cookie cutter of what you saw on the mannequin! In this look, I paired my Miu Miu sweater with one of my favourite skirts that happens to be from Zara. When I wore this, no one could tell that my skirt was high street! Smart shopping and smart pairings are what make your outfit look more expensive and put together.

3. Wear it with confidence
Sometimes, when I’m trying out a new styling trick, or something trendier that everyone isn’t on board with yet, I feel nervous. Those are the moments I remind myself that if this makes me feel good it will look good too. When you feel good in an outfit, it shows on the outside so wear your style with confidence. Remember that your style is a way of sharing who you are with the world; what you wear is saying something and don’t let anyone drown your voice out. Always stay true to you and only wear something if it suits your body type, and who you are.

I hope that you find these style tips helpful and at the least, it encourages you to try that accessory you’ve been holding back on or that dress at the back of your closet. Share your style commandments with me below!

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Miu Miu Not Nice Embroidered Sweater

Zara Black Skirt (similar here)

Church’s Boots (on sale!)

Similar boots

Isharya Pearl Earrings

Remember that your style is a way of sharing who you are with the world; what you wear is saying something and don’t let anyone drown your voice out.

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Miu Miu Not Nice Embroidered Sweater

Zara Black Skirt (similar here)

Church’s Boots (on sale!)

Similar boots

Isharya Pearl Earrings

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How To Look Cool on Valentine’s Day

DATE NIGHT

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Photos by Alise Jane

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and regardless of whether you’re celebrating it with your S.O or with your girlfriends, the last thing you want is to look like a cliche. Of course, everyone is going to pull out their favourite pink and red pieces but I always like to take a step back and instead inject a bit of cool factor into my winter date night outfit. This outfit isn’t just about looking your best on Valentine’s Day, it’s about how to look cool on any date night you might have coming up.

My first rule on V-day is to step away from anything pink or red. Believe it or not, I feel like Valentine’s Day is overrated. Why should we celebrate our love for others for only one day? That’s why I always like to keep things classy and cool and treat it like any other date night. After all, you should look fabulous regardless of it being the 14th of February right?

I opt for classic colours like black and white and look to add colour into my outfit with my accessories. For this look, I went for an oversized ba&sh white sweater with a knotted back. I love the back detailing, it’s a bit of spice without being too much. I paired it with a pair of sleek Paige joggers and some cute heels. The whole ensemble is put together and elegant, without it looking like you’ve tried too hard.

To add some more personality to my outfit I wore my vintage Balenciaga statement earrings. I always find that when you wear statement earring like these, you don’t need anything else. My bag is the same belt bag I’ve been sharing with you on my Instagram but styled as a clutch. I love this company as they make affordable luxury. I also love how you can wear it in so many different ways.

So, would you wear this on your next date night? Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day?

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Ba&sh twist back jumper

Similar twist back jumper

Paige Silk Joggers

Casadei Suede Pumps

Balenciaga Vintage Earrings

Montunas Clutch

I opt for classic colours like black and white and look to add colour into my outfit with my accessories.

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Ba&sh twist back jumper

Similar twist back jumper

Paige Silk Joggers

Casadei Suede Pumps

Balenciaga Vintage Earrings

Montunas Clutch

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The 7 Piece Classic Checklist Every Woman Needs For Her Wardrobe

CLASSIC IS KEY

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Photos by Alise Jane

Editors Note: If you’re looking to build up your classic pieces in your wardrobe, check out this post.

Have you ever noticed how Parisian woman are always superbly dressed regardless of the season? The same goes for women in Italy! As killer as their wardrobes might be, they all have one thing in common; they all have these 7 classic pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe so that they always has the best outfit ideas. So rather than one outfit formula, you have a range of pieces you can mix and match to fall back on no matter the weather or the day. My outfit today is actually styled completely with those pieces!

The first part of my outfit is a cosy hoodie. Every woman needs an elegant white hoodie that can be styled for a casual day or dressed up for a more special occasion. I paired mine with another essential, high waisted jeans. I love the lighter wash on these, perfect for a fresh winter look and great in the summer too. What really brings my outfit together is the most important essential of them all; a black blazer. You can add a blazer to literally any outfit to make it look more put together. I’ve dressed up an otherwise totally casual look with mine.

The fourth piece is a pair of kitten heels You can wear them in the day as I’ve done here, or at night with literally anything. They are the basis of a good shoe collection. Fifth, I have my Louis Vuitton clutch. If you haven’t guessed already, I believe the fifth piece of the puzzle is having a versatile bag. I love the idea of a clutch you can wear in the day or in the night. It’s the best way to go from desk to drinks! The last two pieces to add to the list are an A-line skirt and ankle boots. I’ve curated my favourites for each below, ready for you to shop! How many do you already have?

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Me+Em White Hoodie

Claudie Pierlot Black Blazer (similar)

Topshop Wide Leg Jeans

Dior Kitten Heels

Louis Vuitton Clutch

…they all have these 7 classic pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe so that they always has the best outfit ideas.

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Me+Em White Hoodie

Reiss Black Blazer

Topshop Wide Leg Jeans

Dior Kitten Heels

Louis Vuitton Clutch

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3 Secrets To Staying Warm While Staying Stylish

CITY WINTER

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Photos by Alise Jane

The idea of pulling together a cute outfit on a cold rainy day can be daunting, especially when you want to be warm but stylish. Living in London has taught me that you can still create an effortless outfit, regardless of the weather. In my time, I’ve learned the key to creating a casual winter outfit as well as a few tips and tricks to stay warm in winter while still looking adorable.

A quick note about my look before I get to my must-know tips. My sweater and skirt are & Other Stories. I love both these pieces because they look so luxe! The sweater has an Isabel Marant vibe and the leather skirt is always in style. I completed my look with my Chanel Backpack and these gorgeous hair clips from The Tripletsss. They are three adorable bloggers who have just launched a fab jewellery line.

1.Layer, layer, and add another layer
You may not be able to see the layers I’m wearing in this outfit but I’ve actually got a layer underneath my incredibly chunky sweater. At this time of year, it’s all about the unseen layers and thermals. My Uniqlo heat tech totally saves me, especially in the run up to fashion week!

2.Keep your feet warm
When my feet are cold, I feel colder! I don’t know if that’s just a weird thing that happens to me but I swear that super warm socks and good boots make me feel warmer. I’m currently obsessed with these & Other Stories boots. I’ve been stopped on the street multiple times by people asking where they are from. Needless to say, everyone is shocked (and pleasantly surprised) that they are high street!

3. Invest in good outerwear
Although it isn’t pictured here, I have a selection of coats that I wear (with inners!) that keep me super warm. I always make it a point to invest in good outerwear that will last me for more than just a single winter. I actually did a round up of some of the best coats out there right now (for every budget) if you’re still looking for a good one which you can check out here. If you’re thinking about next season, August is the best time to invest in a new coat.

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& Other Stories Sweater

& Other Stories Leather Skirt

& Other Stories Beige Boots

The Tripletsss Hair Clips & Ring

Chanel Backpack

Living in London has taught me that you can still create an effortless outfit, regardless of the weather

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& Other Stories Sweater

& Other Stories Leather Skirt

& Other Stories Beige Boots

The Tripletsss Hair Clips & Ring

Chanel Backpack

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How To Create A Capsule Wardrobe For The Rest of Winter

ALWAYS IN STYLE

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Everyone is constantly looking for a capsule wardrobe how to in the hopes that that will be the means and ends of their wardrobe. I have a different approach to the need for a capsule wardrobe. Personal style is so much more than your favourite black turtleneck and jeans but your closet would be incomplete without those pieces, right? I believe that a capsule wardrobe is a solid foundation that you need before you can build up the fashionista wardrobe of your dreams (Even the best wardrobes on the Coveteur have these basics, I can assure you). So before you grab the animal print, grab these first.

So, what makes the perfect winter capsule wardrobe? If you’re looking for the perfect pieces you can always fall back on, I’ve curated the very best of the basics to make sure your never short of an outfit idea this season. Remember, The Silk Sneaker Capsule Wardrobe Edit is the basis any woman needs to be eternally stylish so if you don’t have one of these pieces I would add it to cart before you go for that trendy leopard print blouse or teddy coat. You can mix and match these pieces with each other, or with your latest trendy addition.

The Turtleneck

If you don’t have a basic set of turtlenecks in black, navy and white, then you better get started with that!

The Sweater

Go for plain colours that work with everything. Think neutrals like brown, black and white first and then add in a colour like baby pink or pistachio.

The Trousers

Remember, this is the basic winter wardrobe so you need a pair of beige and black trousers. Something high waisted is always in style and works for anything.

The Jeans

Dark blue jeans, black jeans and one pair of light mom jeans.

The Skirts

I think a slip skirt is a must-have for any season because its the perfect piece. Don’t forget to add in a black skirt and one winter pattern like plaid or houndstooth. Timeless.

The Boots

One pair of ankles, one pair of over the knee. Remember, invest in good accessories and they will last you a lifetime.

Is your capsule wardrobe ready?

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3 Steps To Find Your Personal Style Before 2019

STYLE SPEAKS VOLUMES

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Photos by Alise Jane

A question I’ve been getting a lot recently is how to define your personal style. When I began my journey as a fashion blogger and started The Silk Sneaker, I don’t think I really had a personal style. I had a sense of what I liked and didn’t like but as I delved further into the world of fashion (and let’s be real, Pinterest) I felt like I was finding my way. As we are almost ready to say goodbye to 2018 and hello to a fresh new year, I sat down to reflect on my journey so far, and how I came to find my personal style so that you can too. After all this time, I am finally able to understand my sense of fashion and really define what my personal style is; laidback luxury as I’ve called it so many times now. There was honestly no massive moment that made it all click for me. Instead, I found that as time went on, I started to gravitate towards pieces that made me feel confident in my own skin and when I wore them, not only did I feel amazing, but I got the best reactions too. It was all a feeling.

1. Understand what suits you
I think that the first step to finding your personal style is to understand what suits your body shape and type. A lot of my followers are petite like me and love to ask me for more specific advice for petite girls, others are taller but know that they can adapt my outfits to suit them. It’s all about understanding what shapes and silhouettes enhance your body.

2. Have good basics
Once you’ve understood what suits you, which is the core of your personal style, start to build up on the basics. For me, I love to stick to classics like blazers, silk pieces, t-shirts, turtlenecks and denim and then look to add a personal touch to them. Whether it’s embellishments, statement accessories or just different colours and patterns, your preferences will start to form and your personal style will become more and more obvious. For example, I talk about one of my favourite winter uniforms here but how I make it look different every single time.

3. Don’t be constrained by labels.
You might be tempted to describe your style as “girly” or “edgy” but a majority of the time you’ll find that you can be more than one. I love contrasts, I like to mix casual with luxury, girly with sleek, classic with trendy. What I realised was that by trying to fill only one box, I was missing out on a whole other aspect of my style, the part that made me unique. Forget the labels and go with your instinct.

If there are any other words of advice I can leave you with, it’s wear whatever you choose with confidence, because confidence speaks louder than words. Comment below with your style journey.

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& Other Stories Varsity Knit (similar)

Vinyl Track Pants (similar)

Black Fedora (similar)

Chanel Heels

Personal style is all about an instinct, a feeling.

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& Other Stories Varsity Knit (similar)

Vinyl Track Pants (similar)

Black Fedora (similar)

Chanel Heels

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3 Secret Tips To Layering As A Petite Girl This Winter

LAYER UP

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Photos by Michaela Efford

I once read an article about style tips for petite women like me. It said that if you’re petite, you should not layer. I strongly disagree with that statement. I’m just about 5’1 and I love to layer. If you’re a long-term follower of my blog you’ll notice that come winter, I actually like to layer up a lot! I know that a lot of you are also petite girls like me and so today I wanted to share some special style tips with you to show you how you can layer your outfits this winter without looking like your clothes are wearing you. We want to avoid the scene where Joey wears all of Chandler’s clothes and instead embrace a more chic look. Right? Right! Here are my top three tips:

1. Cinch your waist.
One of the best styling tips in your arsenal as a petite woman is to accentuate your waist. Highlighting your waist allows for you to add definition to your silhouette in your outfit. This stops you from looking lost in your clothes and can make your legs look longer. It’s also a great way to wear an oversized look without looking shorter. I added a belt over my turtleneck and my blazer jacket in this outfit.

2. Well fitted & High Waisted
When choosing your bottoms, well-fitted denim like skinny jeans, and high waisted denim or trousers are always a better option. It helps to make your legs look longer and again, emphasises your waist. Slimmer fits are always better because they define your shape better and stop you from looking like you’re swimming in your clothes.

3. Black is your friend.
Black is renowned for making us all look slimmer but for petite girls, an all-black outfit can actually also make you look taller. The monochrome effect works very well when you’re shorter! For more tips on how to wear an all black outfit without it looking basic, check out my styling tips here.

Are you petite? Would you like to see more styling ideas for petite girls?

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White Turtleneck Sweater (similar)

Blazer Jacket (similar)

My blazer jacket is from Dior but I’ve linked to a similar high street version above.

Blue Skinny Jeans

Snake Print Boots (similar)

We want to avoid the scene where Joey wears all of Chandler’s clothes and instead embrace a more chic look.

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White Turtleneck Sweater (similar)

Blazer Jacket (similar)

My blazer jacket is from Dior but I’ve linked to a similar high street version above.

Blue Skinny Jeans

Snake Print Boots (similar)

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How To Find The Best Winter Coat For You

WINTER
IS HERE

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Photos by Michaela Efford

Game of Thrones may not be here yet but winter is definitely coming. Although I love the summer sunshine and long days, my favourite part about winter is bringing out a beautiful winter coat for those crisp mornings, but how do you find the best coat for you? With so many options from the high street to your favourite brands, it can be tricky finding the best winter coat for your body type.

After spending hours searching the web and stores, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite winter coats of the season, no matter budget or which style you may be looking for. To give you a little bit of help along the way, I’ve also created a three-step checklist so that you can make sure you’ve found the right coat for you. The coat I’m wearing here is from the high street and it’s a cashmere and alpaca mix so the price is amazing for what it is! I’ve linked to this coat below but I’ve also shared a lot of other options in different categories below so scroll down for that!

1. Is it the right colour?
This all depends on whether you’ve already got your capsule winter wardrobe or you’re still building it. If you’ve got all your basic colours (black, camel, navy, white) then feel free to play around a bit and grab a coat in maybe a pattern like plaid or tartan. If you’re still building your basics, then go for a neutral that you know will last you for more than just one season.

2. Is it the right fit for your body?
The key to the right winter coat is being able to dress for your body. If you’re petite like me and want a beautiful long coat like the one I’m wearing, make sure it has a cinched waist or some sort of waist definition. This helps you look taller when you wear it instead of shorter! If you’re already quite tall, a dramatic length is fabulous but you can also try a shorter shape, maybe even a puffier jacket! Feel free to comment below to get more personalised advice based on your body type!

3. Is it the right material?
I always look at what a coat is made of so I can make sure that it will actually keep me warm! Depending on the material you also know how much you’ll need to layer up underneath it and when in the season you can wear it! Once you look at the material, you’ll also know if you need it!

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Camel Cashmere Coat

Sweater (in a different colour)

White Jeans

Suede Over the Knee Boots

High street version of boots

Camel Coats

Faux Fur & Teddy Coats

Classic Coats

Patterned Coats

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Camel Cashmere Coat

Sweater (in a different colour)

White Jeans

Suede Over the Knee Boots

High street version of boots

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How To Style Your Slip Skirt For A Cute Winter Outfit

A PERFECT SLIP

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Photos by Alise Jane

I’ve always said that there is no point wearing a trend if it doesn’t suit you, but there are some autumn winter 2018 trends that work for everyone; enter the slip skirt. I am no stranger to the silk midi skirt, aka, the slip skirt. I personally believe that this is one of those pieces that every single capsule wardrobe needs, solely because it is so elegant and chic and can be styled in so many different ways. What really gave rise to this skirt was the leopard print Realisation Par skirt that took over Instagram (Yes, the Naomi skirt). But how do you make a trend timeless, and how do you make it work for you? That’s the real secret behind true style #youhearditherefirst.

To make sure you’re buying wisely, save the animal prints for fast fashion (unless it’s something you really like to wear no matter what, like my mother. She’s rocked animal print so elegantly for as long as I can remember) and opt for a beautiful neutral colour like champagne pink, cream or black. For my winter wardrobe, I knew I needed a black addition (the one I’m wearing is almost sold out so here is a similar one) . You can 100% wear a skirt like this in the winter as long as you layer it properly. I paired my black midi slip skirt with a black turtleneck for a chic and elegant winter outfit.

In terms of accessories, I added in a touch of colour with my Miu Miu velvet boots (similar more affordable version here!). As it gets colder though, I would pair this with thigh high boots, but not in black! Try brown, nude or camel coloured boots to make yourself look taller.

If you live in a warm country, this look would also work with a graphic t-shirt or even an oversized hoodie for a really cool girl look (I know a lot of my readers have bigger busts and have asked for a few lines about that so that styling tip would work well for you girls!) If you are petite, I also think it’s better to add some form of height when wearing a skirt like this, whether that be through heels or flatform sneakers!