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Posts Tagged ‘Accessories’

From Compostela to Chicago, with Style

April 8th, 2010

What do you get when you take a Midwest gal with style and educate her at the Maestro Mateo Design School in Santiago de Compostela, Spain?
Lesley Timpe and her Squasht by Les collection – made in Chicago, inspired by Europe.

Ruffle Top in Navy and Bow Belt Skirt

I met Lesley a few weeks ago at an event and was immediately drawn to her quirky sense of style. Best described as casual chic, it’s the vibe you get in the hippest neighborhoods around the world. Lesley manages to translate her experiences in Spain into clothes and accessories for everyone.

Since early 2009 she’s been working out of a studio in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, but next month (anticipating mid-May) Lesley is opening a signature Squasht by Les design studio/ storefront in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood – 2556 W. Chicago Ave. She’ll be working on designs in the back, and showing you what’s new in the front.

For clothing, the concentration is on tops, dresses, skirts and tunics. Completely in tune with her environment, Lesley uses natural, vintage, and/or organic materials in her garments. The looks are an easy, effortless style.
The ruffled top is one of the strongest statements of the season. You can find it in the both a top and a dress. Here the navy and white version is paired with the bow belt skirt.

Organic Soy-Cotton Circle Dress

Another standout is this organic soy-cotton circle dress new for this season. It’s available in the violet with gray trim (shown), black, or a violet-blue floral print.

When it comes to accessories, Squasht by Les does headbands and some of my favorite hats ever. There are warm weather and cold weather hat options, but all are done with Lesley signature style.

The hat I most fell in love with is the Bella hat. The shape is unique and universally flattering – anyone can pull this one off. It’s made of a light-weight sweater knit material so it can be worn when it’s cool outside or when the temps rise a bit. The surged seams add a little structure without the hat becoming stiff. And the best part is that the hat is reversible.

(I bought a Bella hat the evening that I met Lesley and have been wearing it the past 2 overseas trips).

Bella Hat in Yellow & Purple

Amelia Cloche in Lilac Canvas

The Amelia Cloche hat is the other great summer option from Squasht by Les. It’s a more classic look than the Bella hat for those with a traditional streak. It will take the place of last year’s fedora nicely. The Amelia is also reversible. Both the Amelia and Bella hats come in tons of color options.

From the list of boutiques that are carrying the Squasht by Les collection, it’s obvious that I’m not the only fan.
Check the Squasht by Les website – www.squashtbyles.com – for details on the studio/storefront opening.

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Tags: Accessories Chicago Fashion Chicago Fashion Designers Emerging Chicago Fashion Designers Lesley Timpe Local Chicago Designers Organic Clothes Pilsen Fashion Designers Squasht by Les Ukranian Village Chicago

Spring Debate: Scarf versus Necklace

March 9th, 2010

What’s your spring accessory of choice? In the spring, you have to choose between a fantastic necklace and a bold scarf. Wearing both can make you look like you threw on everything you own before leaving the house.

Scarf v. Necklace Orange & Gray Tones

First let’s agree that when it comes to this season’s jewelry, it needs to be bold. Save the dainty stuff for formal outings, big is in.
And then for scarves, the spring choices should be lightweight materials, soft and comfortable, in fashion colors and/or great prints.

But beyond those few guidelines of the current season, the rest is up to personal taste and lifestyle.

So what’s right for you? What does it say about you?

Can you never decide? Go with the scarf, you can take it off easily and then put it right back on – without a mirror. Messing around with a necklace in public just gets you stared at. No one notices the girl that quickly whips off the scarf.

Green and Pink: Scarf v. Necklace

Do you love the layered look? You are definitely a scarf gal, it allows you to do layers even in warmer weather.

Are you a minimalist, a jeans and tee kind of girl? Necklace would probably suit you better because they are usually more simple.

Do you love lots of prints and patterns? Scarf, its the easiest way to wear all the prints you love without looking overdone.

Do you want to blend in more? Necklace, since there is less bulk it won’t draw attention to you in a crowd.

Are your eyes your best feature? Necklace, it will draw the attention to your face instead of your outfit.

Do you have long hair that you like to wear down? Necklace, it’s difficult for long hair to lay properly over scarves.

Do you have fun spiky hair or wear your hair up? Scarf, opposite of above.

Blue Hues: Scarf v Necklace

What you choose on a given day will of course depend on your mood, your hair-day, what you are wearing, etc. The most important thing is don’t get in a rut. You have options, mix it up.

And don’t avoid the scarf (even though you love them) because you are nervous about tying them correctly. Google “how to tie scarves” images and you will come up with lots of options.

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Tags: Accessories Jewelry Necklaces Scarf scarves Spring Accessories

Heading into Spring

March 2nd, 2010

Lauren Nicole Accents Headband with Spring's best Colors

An outfit without accessories is boring – just an opinion.

My go-to for cold weather accessorizing has been fun tights. But when the weather gets warmer, I have to start thinking of another option.
And for this spring, I’m thinking vintage-inspired headbands, ala Lauren Nicole Accents.

Chicago native Lauren Kessler launched the Lauren Nicole Accents line to combine her love of vintage and couture. A fashion over-achiever, she’s currently attending Syracuse University and has already interned at Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta.

Feminine Colors w/ Jewels

What makes Lauren Nicole Accents headbands special? First, they are handmade. And Lauren creates looks to match what she sees coming up for the season. Check this spring’s jewel-encrusted headbands. Lauren also made sure to incorporate all the best colors of the season. When you have a fashion-insider like Lauren concentrating on one accessory, you can’t help but get great results.

The freedom to pair them with patterns is one of the things I personally love about headbands. Wear them with florals, tribal prints, graphic patterns, whatever. A lot of times with jewelry, it can be difficult to pair great pieces with bold patterns without clashing. Since headbands aren’t right up against the patterns, you have more leeway – and so can have more fun.

But probably the best part is that headbands are an inexpensive way to add your accents. They can change the look with one piece – economically. So you are free to grab a few to go with lots of fun summer looks.

Accessories separate the styled from the dressed. A well-accessorized inexpensive outfit looks better than expensive clothes worn without accents, any day.
You can find all the headbands and more at www.lnaccents.com
By the way, I’m putting down Lauren Kessler as a name to watch for in the fashion world. She’ll be seen next on WGN April 2nd discussing what’s new for spring.