Stripes, Polka Dots, Pleats and Sheer

Mixing patterns and textures is always fun. When you have too many elements in an outfit, staying with a monochrome color scheme tends to be a safe bet.

Top: JCrew
Skirt: Club Monaco
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Necklace: JCrew
Watch: Daniel Wellington classic St. Andrew Lady in rose gold
Sandals: Marc Jacobs

Encore: Colors of Independence

All right. Someone said the colors were off in the last post. Let's have another try with blue, white and red... I love this Cynthia Rowley sheer skirt that plays skillfully with texture and patterns. I bought it quite a few years ago, and now it fits right in the sheer trend. Sometimes you just need to buy whatever catches your eyes. It may not be in right now, but eventually fashion goes in cycles. :)

Happy Independence Day! This is the beginning of real summer sale. What's on your list?

Tee: Jcrew
Skirt: Cynthia Rowley
Necklace: Fenton, from Barney's (also seen in this post)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength in black
Silver flats: JCrew Viv mirror metallic bow flats (similar, also seen in this post)
Purse: Louis Vuitton Damier Hampstead PM

Equipment Slim Signature Shirt

I've always had problem with Equipment signature silk shirts. They look nice and feel soft, but always overwhelm my petite frame. Fortunately Equipment also offer "slim signature" shirts and the XS ones drape perfectly on me. :)

I got this shirt during the Saks friends & family event last month. It was also available on Nordstrom, but now it's sold out in both stores. The style ID is Q795-E231 if you are interested. The material is sheer feather-weight silk. Breezy and bright. But you do need a cami underneath if you want to wear it to office. Here I paired it with an ASOS midi skirt that is also in this outfit. A pair of espadrilles goes well with the springy floral prints.

Floral print silk blouse: Equipment Slim Signature Floral Print Shirt (Q795-E231)
Midi skirt: ASOS Midi Skirt in Ponte with Pocket Detail
Belt: Mulberry
Espadrilles: Lanvin

When in Doubt, Go Black

Sleep in on Sunday morning and find yourself late for the brunch? All you need is a brainless outfit that still looks pulled together. Black is my go-to color in such circumstance. Grab a sheer black silk blouse, a pair of black skinny pants, and a pair of bright colored shoes. Throw on the same accessories from last night. And from here sets off a beautiful Sunday.

Sheer silk blouse: Elizabeth and James Orchid Amandine blouse in black (current season, similar, similar, similar)
Pants: Club Monaco in black
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength in black
Necklace: Bougainwillea necklace by BaubleBar from Anthropologie
Purse: Chanel
Pumps: Nicholas Kirkwood two tone patent leather block heel pump (similar on sale, similar, similar)

Spring 2014 Trend (6): Sheer

Floaty and airy, sheer inserts/sleeves/skirts are everywhere. From Fendi, Dolce Gabbana to Burberry Prorsum, designers dared to bare. Being it sporty mesh or ethereal  lace, it can add a dose of sex appeal to an otherwise demure look or simply lend some lightness to the overall feel. Transparency is a must for this spring's wardrobe. Even T-shirts, cropped tops, and baggy sweaters have adopted mesh or fishnet inserts to add a touch of sexiness.

We all know that it's always more elegant to leave a little to the imagination. A furtively revealing suggestion of skin is much more sartorially liberating than baring all. The most sophisticated take on the sheer trend is showing a little skin with peekaboo panels and translucent fabrics.

For everyday wear, I prefer a more conservative take on the sheer trend. I like skirts called "leg veils" (Tibi, French Connection, ASOS, Zara, another Zara), tops with mesh or lace sleeves (Anthropologie, Zara, another Zara), and dresses with strategic sheer inserts (Anthropologie, Free People, another Free People). Transparent blouses (Zara, Joie, Free People) are also on my list, but I will wear them with a cami underneath. I'll leave bold pieces (like this) at the beach or pool side.

How are you going to embrace this sheet adventure?

Photo credit: Fabsugar, Cosmogirl, style, Vogue