Style by Step: 80s Color, 20s Flair

Yes, I’m back to Ty Zvezda.  Something about this store made me instantly love the clothes.  It has to be the feminine flair with which these designs are created. 

For this look, I honestly considered toning the jewels down and using all black accessories to make the dress really pop out at you.  However, styled that way, it was too bland.  Too bad prom.  To tone down that look, I turned to a little 20s flair.  Something slightly period yet in a modern way.

The base for this look is, of course, the Koale Dress in Fuschia from Ty Zvezda.  Please note ladies that yes, this is a sculpted design, BUT sized and posed correctly it is not at all hard to wear.  You could most certainly wear this for events and look bright and fresh.

While I went for the Saffron Pumps in Black from Lelutka, you could also easily do a nude shoe to extend the length of your leg. Or a more open heeled sandal to lighten the look.

This look started with the Je Suis Magnifique Bangles in Purples. Choosing a secondary color for the gems keeps you from being too terribly monotone and adds some visual interest. By selecting a complimentary color as opposed to one that contrasts, it keeps the look toned down and understated. With colors this bright, I tend to not contrast. Its bright enough, it doesn’t need my help.

Side Note: When you visit Je Suis, keep in mind that buying the fatpack of these bangles gives you the option to combine ALL of the colors they offer in any way you desire. You can change the color of each bracelet in the stack. C’est Magnifique! …oh wait, is THAT where the name came from ?!

The LaGyo Crystal Long Necklace is also a color changing piece and its length and the way it hangs gives it a 20s flair that makes it perfect for this look. I’ve paired it here with their Magnitudo Earrings.

The !Lamb DIY Haircut in Butterfinger with a custom tint has the short bangs and short cut of a woman liberated by booze and jazz. Although I expect they were going more for the look of someone who stupidly let their cousins put a bowl over their head to use as a guide for a home haircut, which actually happened to my sister once.

The trick here is to try to go for something unique. Its so easy to get stuck in the habit of seeing a cocktail dress and going, “Oh, I need to wear strappy heels, diamonds and an elegant hair.” You don’t NEED to do anything but think outside the box.

Style by Step: Oh, What a Feeling.

I have rhythm now.  And its not just from the records in the record store.  This outfit hit fashion rhythm courtesy of some totarry hawt Madonna-esque cross jewelry from Je Suis.

It all started at The Whore Mansion when I saw this very fabulous I Love NY Mini Sweater.  The way she has it layered over a black tank with the shorts and hose reminded me of Hollywood’s idea of great dance gear in the 80s.  So I took her basic style and amped it up with some accessories into a like totally fabulous nod to flashdance.

The basic look consists of the aforementioned sweater.  The Whore Mansion‘s Shitty Pants in Black. I’ve gone with the *Sheer* Tights 21: Fishnet in Bold Black to give myself that underlayer fit for broadway (or ballet school) hopefuls. Whatever welds your iron.

That gives you a basic look to build on.  For this particular look, I took inspiration from Strawberry Singh‘s recent blog and opted a tattoo in.  Her’s looked so rich, who could resist adding one when a bare midriff presented itself?

This one, from The Sea Hole,  felt flowery but with a bit of edge to it as its Death Lili name suggests. This one is very me, but with the infinite options out there you are sure to find one that is very you for your next cropped top.

The next piece to fall into place was this lovely low slung rock and roll studded belt.  The Ginger Belt from Nyte’N'Day leaves me waiting for the next Whitesnake song and looking around to see which car Tawny is going to roll around on next. Because if she doesn’t show up, hell, I’m a ginger. I’ll do it myself.

Once the belt was in place, it became a no brainer to hit up Blitzed for some leather cuffs. I used the classic Brutal Cuffs in Grey on the left wrist, but the newer Legacy Cuff in Black on the right.

The real aha! moment for me with this look was hitting Je Suis and noticing that the Gothique set would make a lovely Madonna reference in the mix of my 80s dance look. Who danced in the 80s without dancing to Madge?! I’m wearing both the earrings and the necklace here. And yes, my earrings are properly adjusted under all that hair.

These lovely flowing locks were styled by the geniuses at !Lamb. This is Honey in Butterfinger with a custom tint.

Side Note: I add a custom tint to most of my hair. Even if its already red. The shade of gingah I like is very specific. These are the detail things that make you unique ladies. Don’t whine to me about not getting this or that if you aren’t doing your detaiilll worrrkkk. You know who you are.

And finally, what would a nod to the 80s be without some sassy legwarmers? These are the Bax Wool Legwarmer 2.0 in Black. Mine are committing complete heresy by being tossed over some Mentine Basic Ankle Boots in Black Patent.

A little Moonshadow in True Blood and some nice Miamai No Alpha Lashes N15 and I hit the streets of ‘New York’ to find a nice record shop where I could find some dance inspiration.

If you need me, I’ll be in the salon shaking it to some vintage Prince. Because in this look, there will definitely be some Thieves in the Temple tonight.

Style by Step: Disco Divine

Style is eternal.  That’s why fashion keeps repeating itself.  No matter how those of us who grew up in the 80s wish some of those trends would stay dead.  The 70s, however, are fair game with this look built off of a gold lame jumpsuit from Meghindo’s.

Ladies, there are no words at all for how the shading of this jumpsuit makes your tush look.  Well, I mean, there ARE words but I won’t be tooting my own tush here.  The sash sits well and flows nicely, the leg prim are flexi and have a definite 70s feel.  As an added bonus, this jumpsuit comes with the tuxedo jacket you can see me wearing in the December Issue of BOSL Magazine.  Check that Winter in Paris section.

To grab this base piece, hit up Meghindo’s and grab the Onna Ansamble.

I’ve chosen to layer mine with a pop of purple from R.icielli. The Dylia Leather Jacket in Purpura has a nice cropped cut and open front that frames this jumpsuit without covering it up. 

Hair was a tough choice for this one and is part of the reason this is a style by step and not a quickstyle.  When you are doing a piece that is meant to evoke a decade, its important to add pieces in that give the feel of the past in a modern way.  This particular hair I refer to as ‘crazy editor hair’ although you could also technically call it ‘bunny boiler hair’ since it closely resembles the wildness of Glenn Close’s locks in Fatal Attraction.  It very much evokes the image in my mind of a busy magazine editor hovering with a loop over contact sheets on a lightboard.  Possibly even screaming for an assistant to bring coffee.

In any case, the hair with this look is also very 70s inspired.  It helps draw the ensemble together while keeping it relevant to modern fashion.  This particular hair is ::DBS:: Surreal in Auburn.

The jewels are another very specific choice.  This is where you pull out your color wheel (unless its burned into your brain).  There are not that many colors you can pair with gold lame and a medium tone purple without getting to a point where people start to hum circus music when you walk by.  Navy is a great way to toss another color in the mix without going to the big tent.  These particular gems are from the one eleven sale and are by LaGyo.  The Apfel Necklace and Baba Earrings feature large sapphire gems with diamond and gold accents.

This look is finished off with fallow colored Nadia Sandals from Kitties Lair.

Style by Step: 3636!

Diannnyyyyy!  I saw you looking at meh flickr.  Thanks for stopping by and here’s one for you!

The base for this look is the Zacara sweater dress from 3636 Couture by Dianny3636 Aeon.  I love the reptilian texture on this dress and the overlay of soft darker grey feathered design.  It gives this garment texture a nice contrast.  However, my favorite part of this garment is the collar.  Its high and deep and yet magically, I did not have to adjust a single thing to make it work.  Hawt.  Love it. 

The coppery tones in the belt give a nice pop of color and I opted to copy that piece onto my wrists.  It shrank down very easily into two cuff size bracelets.  I’ve paired the sweater dress with hot hot hot Rich Gurl leggings from House of Fox.  These leggings come with a great sock layer that extends the length down enough to have them fit with booties with no flesh flash.  The booties I picked up here are Miamai’s Black Label Predatorix.

The fabulous flowing follicles are of course 3636 once again.  This is the Agtaope in Mandarin with some custom tinting.  I’ve used Angel Earrings from Glow Studio for their grey coloring and soft angel face finishes.

L. Fauna Smokey Cat Shadow in Pink/Teal gives this look a nice pop of fall color peeking out from that lovely, cuddly collar.

Props Dianny!  Looooove ittttt.