AHS Style Challenge: Your Most Unique Piece
And just like that we are back from our AHS summer vacation and ready to take on new style challenges, the heat of the season hasn’t slowed us down one bit! For this style challenge, we decided to really push ourselves by choosing the most unique pieces that hang in our wardrobes and creating three different looks with our selected items. Nicole chose a floral lace vest that brings an element of summer fun while still light and breezy. Stephanie chose a beautiful sheer tank with long fringed beads to give some eccentric sparkle and a unique shape to every look. Check out the most unique pieces that live in our closets and how we make the most of them, let’s dive in!
Elegant
Nicole: In setting out to create an elegant look, I couldn’t resist the temptation of busting out a classic black suit! Knowing that this piece is white and can go with almost anything, creating a look with this delicate piece was slightly easier than you might think. While black suiting can feel classic and minimalistic, this whimsical top adds visual interest and beautiful juxtaposition with the clean lines of the suit. Adding structure to balance the boho feel felt like a must to ensure I was creating a look that felt dynamic. Paired with white boots and a small baguette clutch, I love this look because it is so versatile whether you need to be put together for work or for an event that’s a little more fun. I also chose a pair of geometric silver earrings to match the collar of the jacket and lots of silver accents with rings and a bracelet to add extra shine. This floral lace vest is already elegant on its own but it always feels good to add a little polish on top!
Casual
N: I’ll admit with a top like this, figuring out how to make a casual look felt like a bit of a challenge! Luckily my two-tone denim was here to save the day, giving a little extra flair beyond a regular pair of jeans. I added a white shirt underneath the floral top to minimize the details, ensuring less definition for a more casual take. I also added white platform sneakers and a large purse to make the look more relaxed. I’ve topped off the look with vintage hoops to bring some 60’s energy to match the floral and the slightly flared jean. All in all, I’m so happy with how this look turned out and it is definitely something I’m excited to wear on my next brunch with the gals or even a park day with my husband.
Steph: I love an elegant separates moment, but it’s not always easy to successfully create, since separates have a tendency to feel less elegant and more casual in many style moments. Pairing a statement piece like this sheer, beaded tank with a silk skirt is an easy win, as the silk makes the fun of the fringe feel more elevated and like you could wear this dynamic duo to a cocktail party or perhaps even a wedding. I finished the look with metallic platform heels and my beaded champagne baguette to add a hint of fun. And who could forget the jewelry, you can’t go to a cocktail party without it! There’s already a lot of sparkle with the beading, so I went with simple bangles and spherical earrings, so as not to take away from the overall shine of the look.
S: To be completely honest, similarly to Nicole, I really did not know how I was going to make this unique gem of mine work as a casual piece. Not surprisingly, denim saved the day as it usually does in my case! To implement an air of casual with this otherwise elevated piece I paired it with my go-to wide-leg denim to build on the 70s vibe with the fringe and a simple white tee underneath to downplay the grand nature of the tank. I finished the look with white platform sneakers, chunky silver earrings and a pop of red with this shoulder baguette bag. I have to say, although I may not gravitate towards this look for errands I think this casual look came together quite successfully.
Night Out
N: Looks for a night out are not outfits that I frequently create, but I love the way the silk pleated skirt brought the whole look together and made it feel special for a date night or dinner with friends. Paired with sparkly silver shoes and a grey cami, the look became more grounded and something I would want to go out dancing in! Adding my vintage beaded purse with floral embroidery infused endearing floral charm to the overall aesthetic. Lastly, I included large silver earrings and ear-cuff to instill the look with a modern edge for visual interest.
S: A night out is really where this unique piece gets to shine to its fullest! With that in mind, I wanted to make it the star of the look by keeping pairings simple. I started with a straight-leg black denim, threw a leather moto jacket overtop in case of intense air conditioning and coupled these with a small black handbag, adding additional texture. For some edge, I tucked the denim into knee-high kitten-heel boots and pushed them down for a slouchy feel. In my mind a night out look is never complete without hoop earrings, so I paired these silver squiggle hoops and a strong bracelet stack to finish the look with some contrasting shine.
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