AHS Style Challenge: Going Bold with Event Dressing
You read it right, we’re back with another AHS Style challenge! For those who may have missed it, in September we did our first Style Challenge where we dressed each other in our respective personal styles, you can check it out here! This time we wanted to up our difficulty so today we’re here to share how we embraced this festive season with an event dressing challenge, but with a twist! Like many, we love to lean on some of our beloved pieces, so we thought what better way to challenge ourselves than to create three looks that don’t include our little black dresses? In fact, we made sure that the only black included in these looks were accessories if that. Here are the parameters for our three looks:
One look has to be focused on texture (so think lux fabrics, sequins and sparkle)
One has to be colourful
A wild card (It can be anything just no black outfits!)
Though this was an incredible challenge for some more than others (Nicole slowly raises her hand as the neutral queen) it was fun to see what we could put together in order to get out of our style comfort zone, check out the looks!
High Texture
Nicole: I wanted to use a set I had recently found off-hand at a new store in my area. I love this look because the corduroy is the right shade of navy to wear together or wear as separates, and if you’ve read any of my style thoughts you know I love versatility! Paired with lots of gold, stacked jewelry and a white boot, I am ready to take this look to just about any event whether it be a cocktail party or even something more casual, layering in a turtleneck underneath.
Stephanie: I went with a marriage of different textures because if you know my style by now, you know I like to play! For high texture, I paired a sheer, sequin turtleneck knit and a white satin skirt, knowing that the white would help pick out the sparkle in the knit. While not a texture, I opted to finish the look and add visual interest with a grey pinstripe vest to further compliment the white of the skirt and the sparkle. I love this look because it’s great for any kind of holiday party, whether for work or with friends at a restaurant. You’re covered, but the sheerness gives you a little element of fun! Lastly, I’ve paired the look with black Mary Jane ballet flats, a black woven textured bag and silver jewelry, knowing you could swap out the flats for heels, making the look feel night-out ready if need be!
Colourful
N: As you likely know colour is not where I hang out when it comes to style, and I wear black almost daily, so the idea of wearing something (especially on camera) that was in any way colourful was nervewracking, to say the least! Luckily I had this beautiful crushed-velvet gown that I bought for my wedding in the back of my closet. Paired with a vintage jewelry set featuring gold and pearls, plus a small black clutch, this look is ready for your most elegant of evenings.
S: Different from Nicole, I love a moment for a bold pop of colour! But I will say, showing skin is very much outside my comfort zone, so this look felt like a challenge in some respects. But, that’s likely a story for another day, perhaps with wine present! I wanted this look to feel elegant, and elevated but a little fun, so I went for a gun metal-coloured platform heel reminiscent of the 70s, simple silver earrings, necklace and orb statement ring. Nicole also graciously lent me this fabulous silver clutch. A colour like this demands to be noticed, so I wanted to keep accessories simple and elevated.
Wild Card
N: I love this look! I found the blazer on a whim right before my 30th birthday and I fell in love with it instantly. Using it as a top and pairing it with wide-leg denim and silver boots makes me so happy because it is still fun without losing structure or classic lines. Paired with a few silver (of course) accessories so it doesn’t go even more over the top, I am so happy with how this one turned out and will wear this wild look for years to come!
S: For my wild card look I thought, why not go the complete opposite of LBD?! All winter white! Attending so many different types of events this time of year means it’s important to have an elevated denim look in your arsenal and what better way to elevate my cream wide-leg denim than with an off-the-shoulder ruched top? Since the top and bottom were relatively simple I decided to go a little over the top with bringing in the holiday spirit with a little sparkle and shine. I selected a stack of pearls and gold, layering the pearl necklaces, bracelets and even rings, finishing the look with gold heels and a gold clutch.
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