Ready To Wear

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If you live in the Charlotte area, I invite you to join me Sunday afternoon for the first annual Pret-a-Portea at The Duke Mansion presented by Sonya Barnes & The International Fashion Style Academy.  Events of the day include High Tea and a day of Fashion meets Philanthropy honoring some of Charlotte's Style & Philanthropic Icons.  A spring fashion show will take place, highlighting the designs of three emerging designers, including Flow By Tara Davis, the gal responsible for creating the adorable dress I'm wearing in the below image.  Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Lunch Project.  The Lunch Project's goal is to provide long-term financial support to enable Tanzanian mothers to prepare nutritional meals to school children so they will be better equipped to learn. Please click here for more information, and RSVP here.

Hope to see you there for some most fantastic Ready to Wear!

xo-Whitley

Bridesmaid Dress This Time With Floral Jacket

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Dress: J. Crew (old), here's the current version. Jacket: c/o Cigi Guz. Shoes: Steve Madden. Gloves: My Great-Grandmother's, SO excited about this pair. Clutch: Coach (old), here's one. Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive pair. Handkerchief: Gift from my Mother-In-Law. Broach: Belonged to my Grandmother-In-Law, here's one. My Earrings: Old, but I love these. Bracelets: Stella & Dot, my Grandmother's.

I styled my favorite Bridesmaid dress as a top in yesterday's post, pairing it with the skirt that is the match to this gorgeous floral print jacket.  Had my own wedding been in the spring versus fall, I would have opted for my Bridesmaids to wear little white gloves like these which belonged to my Great-Grandmother.  I just love old sophistication.  It is clothes like these that make it hard for me to say goodbye to summer.  I love all these bright, saturated hues.  They are so fun and happy, which I think tend to make me fun and happy :). How about you?

Thanks so, so, so much for being here!!  Whitley

The Best Bridesmaid Dress (and Skirt)

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Dress worn as top: J. Crew (old), here's current version. Skirt: c/o Cigi Guz. Shoes: Steve Madden. Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive pair. Clutch: Coach (old), here's one. Colored Bracelets: Bakelite thanks to summerbird.  Other Bracelets: Belonged to Grandmother and Grandmother-in-Law. Earrings: old, but here's a pair. Rings: Tiffany and custom by Diamonds Direct.

I love bright color!  Any color that is bright, happy and fun is perfect.  I was drooling like my Precious Peanut #1 at the frozen yogurt shop when I got my hands on this skirt by budding Charlotte designer Cigi Guz.  I love it all; the colors, the shape, the sexy yet poised delight this skirt so sweetly pronounced when she called my name from across the boutique.  "Yoo hooo! Whitleey! Ova heeere! Would so love for you to come on ova and jawn me."  I just love this lil' lady.  Don't you?  I paired the skirt over my best bridesmaid dress of all time.  We all have the best of intentions in picking a bridesmaid dress that can be worn again, but my Dawg takes the gold for choosing such a truly versatile dress.  Can't wait to show you the matching jacket to this gorgeous suit!

Thanks for being here!!!  Lots of these from my heart... xxxooo, Whitley

Interpreting Yesterday's Runner Fashion Outfit

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Hello!  Today's outfit is my street style interpretation of the last of four runner fashion outfits from Run For Your Life.  This outfit is not a dead-on interpretation of the colors in the runner fashion outfit, but it is the closest I had to pull from in my closet.  I preach to use what you got, so dare I be hypocritical for the sake of an outfit post!  Very little was used for this simple ensemble.  A little vintage Lilly, my favorite ribbed tank from Gap and all the usual suspect accessories.  I revisited the scene of my beloved old neighborhood for this post, Dilworth, which always feels right at home.

Skirt: Lilly Pulitzer (belonged to my Grandmother), last seen here, here's a current skirt I love. Tank: Gap. Shoes: fibi & clo. Clutch: Coach (old), here's my current fav. Sunglasses: Blinde, here's a less expensive pair. Earrings: (old), but here's a pair I love. Bracelets: My Grandmother's and Stella & Dot. Rings: Tiffany and Custom by Diamonds Direct.

For the love of interpreting in fun style,

Have a wonderful day!!  Whitley

Pattern Play

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Hi Everyone!  Today I'm putting my best foot forward with a little pattern mixing for Marionberry Style's trend of the month link-up! It's no secret I love to mix and match and play with color and pattern, so I am super excited about today's post.  For this outfit I am combining elements old and new (cannot get enough of this J. Crew Big Shot Dot Skirt) and using some of my favorite colors.  This outfit just makes me really happy!  PS--May I just say that I think Most Wonderful Man in the World is a pretty awesome photographer? 

Top (dress worn as top): Mr. Blackwell (belonged to my Grandmother). Skirt: J. Crew (now on Sale). Shoes: Belonged to my Great-Grandmother. Sunglasses: Blinde, here's a similar pair. Clutch: Coach (old), but here's one I love or here for a little shiny. Earrings: Belonged to my Grandmother. Bracelets: Pink are Bakelite from summerbird and white (old) from Luna.  Bracelets: Stella & Dot and my Grandmother's. Rings: BCBG (old), Tiffany and Custom by Diamonds Direct.

For the love of mixing and matching in great style,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading!!  xx-Whitley

Interpreting Yesterday's Runner Fashion Outfit

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Hi everyone!!  For today's post I incorporated some major oldies (but goodies) with this tank and skirt, to interpret yesterday's runner outfit.  I cannot remember the last time I wore this skirt.  I remember loving it when I purchased on major sale many eons ago at some cute boutique here in the Queen City.  It is super comfortable, and I think the tye dye pattern is so fun.  It's always good to reconnect with an old friend!

Tank: Gap. Skirt: Lauren Moffatt. Shoes: Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan, mine are from Step by Sloan. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar here. Clutch: Coach (old), but here's one I adore, or here. Necklace from KK Bloom. Bracelet: Belonged to my Grandmother-in-law.  Earrings: JoJo Loves You. Rings: Tiffany and Custom by Diamonds Direct.

 

J. Crew Love: Nautical Stripe Shorts and Embroidered Jacket

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I'm back to loving all things J. Crew for this post.  I haven't bought shorts in probably five years.  All of the ones I have are worn and have lost their fit.  It's all about the fit.  So when I hopped over to J. Crew South Park for a little one on one with my girl Meghan, J. Crew Personal Shopper Extraordinaire, I was super excited that she pulled these shorts for me to style.  Since then, I've been wearing them a lot.  Most recently, I wore them casually on Independence Day Eve.  If they weren't so well made, they'd be on tap to join all my other worn out pairs!  This look is everything I love about J. Crew: tailored, fun, classic and cool.  To offset the variation in pattern, I added my Grandmother's flaming red sash, taking classic to vintage classic.  For a more casual look, I unzipped the jacket to reveal a basic solid aqua tee underneath and exchanged the neck tie for a splash of color tied to my clutch.

Shorts: J.Crew, Jacket: c/o J.Crew, and here's the print in a dress. Shirt: c/o J.Crew, Wedges: Michael Kors (old), here's a similar pair, Clutch: Coach, (old), but here's a perfect summer bag. Sunglasses: Blinde, here's a similar pair. Sash: My Grandmother's. Necklace: Cache (old). Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, Custom by Diamonds Direct. Bracelets: Stella & Dot here and here, J. Crew. Earrings: old, but here's a pair I love.

If you haven't already, be sure to enter the $50 Gift Card Giveaway from KK Bloom!  Today is the last day to enter!

For the love of cool summer style, thank you so much for reading!!

Whitley

Romper Ease

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Yesterday I shared with you some cocktail party outfit ideas as an alternative to the little black dress.  As I mentioned, I've really been in to wearing shorts for an evening out on the town.  They are comfortable and cool in this 100+ degree weather we are experiencing here in the Queen City.  They are so versatile, because you can style them with different accents and accessories for so many unique looks!  Another thing I'm in love with right now is the romper.  Talk about easy.  There are so many fun options in both short and long lengths.  I think it is a playful alternative to wearing a dress.  I recently snatched this number from the 75% off sale rack at one of my favorite boutiques, KK Bloom, voted Charlotte's 2012 Best Boutique by Charlotte Magazine.  Using the scarf as a headband, pearl necklace and woven clutch, I've styled it in sophisticated manner below, but last week I wore it out for dinner, paired with tough metal accessories for a  much edgier look.  One other note of interest, I am SO excited to let you know KK Bloom will be offering a  $50 Gift Card Giveaway here on the Queen City Style!  Stay Tuned!!

Romper: Wink at KK Bloom. Shoes: Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan. Clutch: Coach (old), but here's one, or here. Pearl Necklace: J. Crew (old), but here's one I like. Pendant Necklace: An old ring belonging to Grandmother, turned into a necklace.  Earrings: Gift from a friend. Sunglasses: Blinde, here's a similar pair. Sash: Old Navy (old). Right Arm Bracelet: Custom Made by Clewis Reid. Left Arm Bracelets: Stella & Dot here and now on SALE here, J. Crew.  Right Hand Ring: Melinda Maria.  Left Hand: Tiffany and Custom by Diamonds Direct.

For the love of styling fun and free, hope you have a wonderful holiday!!

xo-Whitley

Red and White Stripes by Night

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For the last post of this three part series, ensemble on a budget,

we style the dress for a night out on the town.

I am ready to take on the Queen City, wouldn't you say? :)

For the evening look, I reached again for my trustee Gap denim jacket.

I have this jacket in two washes.  The darker I've had since college, 

and the lighter wash for about five years.  I seriously wear this 

baby everywhere; certainly more than my blue jeans!

As you can see, all of the jewelry; bracelets, earrings, necklace, 

rings, as well as the clutch and belt, were used in the post for our 

casual day look.  I brought in my favorite pair of heels for this 

summer, which I purchased at Step by Sloan, and threw on this

straw ribbon trimmed fedora for my little K-Fed fix.

It's summer and still light out, so I'm keeping it real with my shades.

I've always loved hats, more than I actually wear them.  I own quite

a few.  I had so much fun styling this one for these pictures, so I'm

not quite sure why I don't wear them more.  This will be my inspiration!

I hope this post, and the prior two, inspire you to do a little mixing

and matching (and saving) from your closet as well!

Dress: Pink and Blue at South Park Mall, here's one in red and white, and one in black and white, Jacket: Gap (old), but here's one, Belt: Pink & Blue at South Park Mall, I also love this one and this one, Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive, similar pair, Hat: Gap (old) here's one, Shoes: Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan, Earrings: Gifted, Bracelets: old, Ring: BCBG (old), but here's my current favorite statement ring, Clutch: Coach (old), here's one.

If you enjoyed this ensemble on a budget series, I'd love to know!

If there is something you would like to see on the Queen City Style, 

please tell me!  It is so much fun to interact with readers in such a 

fun and creative way.  Email me at thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com

For the love of using what you got, in great style...

Thanks for reading!  Whitley  

Floral Flair

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Saturday was 70's and sunny; a perfect lake day in the Queen City.

Sunday--low 50's, rainy and chilly.

Temps have slowly regained their warm and sunny disposition, 

and the glorious Spring weather of the South has prevailed once again.

Today I'm linking up to Marionberry Style for Marion's

trend of the month challenge, florals.

With my unequivocal love for color and all things bright and cheery,

I couldn't be more excited to participate.

Thanks, Marion, for the hospitality!
I welcome you with open arms to the Queen City anytime!

The cross walk and fountain at Phillip's Place

came to mind as the perfect location for a bit of floral fun.

Shirt: Andrew Gn, mine is from Capitol,

Evening Shorts: Urban Outfitters, this pair looks just the same,

Belt: Vintage-my Grandmother's

Shoes: Nine West

Rings: Turquoise: Vintage-my Grandmother's, Custom 

and Tiffany's Interlocking Circles Ring
Earrings: Jewelmint, last seen here,
Sunglasses: Mine are Blinde Natural Borne Thriller,
here is an awesome, slightly more affordable pair,
Clutch: Coach (old), here is a similar one.

For the love of stylin' with a sunny, floral flair... xo-Whitley