Giorgio Armani In My Closet

Pin It

Dress: Giorgio Armani thanks to summerbird. Jacket: My Great-Grandmother's. Purse: Chanel. Pumps: Tory Burch from summerbird. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Earrings: old, here's a pair. Bracelets: My Great-Grandmother's. Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, Diamonds Direct. 

I know I say a lot of times here that so-and-so is my favorite new such-and-such, but this dress really might take the cake.  When my friends at summerbird asked me to assist with styling their runway looks for this year's Style Night Out, I about fell on my fanny when I tried on this dress. Truth be told, the already fashioned ensemble seen on the runway here (toward the bottom) did not need a thing from me. I think I did fall on my fanny, however, when summerbird gifted me the dress.  I love a tulip shaped hem line.  Could anything be more ladylike sophisticated? The dress originally retails for $1,695, but I was able to find it on line here discounted by 80%!

I hope you have an absolutely mahhvelous day! 

xx-Whitley

Queen City Sister of the Sea

Pin It

Blouse: Blacksheep, c/o Lipp Boutique, similar. Waxed Jeans: JUSTUSA, also here's a pair. c/o Lipp Boutique. Belt: Ada, c/o Lipp Boutique, also here's one. Scarf: Gifted. Shoes: Cole Haan, now on major sale! Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive pair. Wallet: Coach. Necklaces: Green c/o Lipp Boutique, Gold Chain: my own. Earrings: from Nordstrom. Bracelets: White House/Black Market (old). Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, Diamonds Direct.

The ladies of Lipp Boutique generously asked me to participate in a fundraiser they recently hosted.  They loaned me this outfit to wear to the event; a lovely evening of shopping, sipping and styling, in which a portion of the proceeds from sales were donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.  Waxed denim is a hot item right now.  I had fun styling this super comfy green pair with a simple but sophisticated cream blouse and this fun and functional wrap leather belt.  I piled the jewels on high for added texture, then topped the outfit off with a patterned silk scarf, hoop earrings and my favorite sunglasses.  I look at this and feel like I would fit right in with the pirates of the sea, so I guess that's me... the Queen City Sister of the Sea!

Thanks for reading, and happy, happy weekend to you mate!
xx-Whitley 

The Best Bridesmaid Dress (and Skirt)

Pin It

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

Classic Timeless

Pin It

Dress: Gio' Guerreri from V. Vill. Shoes: Steve Madden. Purse: Prada, for sale at One Stop Stylish Consignment. Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive pair. Scarf: H&M, here's one. Earrings: old. Bracelets: My Grandmother's and Stella & Dot. Rings: Tiffany and custom by Diamonds Direct. 

Perhaps you've noticed some of the fabulous garb from emerging designer Cigi Guz I've recently been styling.  A few months ago I visited Cigi's speakeasy boutique, V. Vill, for the first time; a little room tucked far in the back of mega thrift store Value Village.  I put one foot in the door and my soul was full.  My eyes saw everything magical and more than they could stand; one of a kind vintage fashions cleverly hung by color and pattern in a low lit room full of intrigue.  Quirky yet cool, unique character and style oozed all around me.  (I think I met my match in the form of a boutique! :)  Then, I nearly lost my breath when I put on this Italian made dress.  V. Vill has recently closed but only to make room for major excitement in store from Cigi Guz and her team of talent.  Join me at Style Night Out tonight to catch a glimpse first hand, and stay tuned to the Queen City Style for more!

For the love of classic style...

Thank you SO much for being here!!  xxWhitley

Gold Beaded Vest and Denim Shorts

Pin It

Real quick: if you are not already, may I ask you to follow the Queen City Style on Facebook?  I often post different things there, and I am super excited about the new personalized fan page. THANK YOU!!

Now on to the outfit...

Vest: c/o Cigi Guz. Tank: Gap. Shorts: Jessica Simpson (old), here's a similar pair.  Purse: Coach. Shoes: Loft (old), here's a pair. Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. Necklace: KK Bloom Boutique.  Bracelets: J. Crew, Stella & Dot, vintage. Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, Diamonds Direct. 

This outfit is a pretty dead-on representation for my everyday street style look.  You may recall seeing the gold beaded vest from this recent post, paired with my green harem pants from Woman Shops World.  I so adore this vest belonging to budding designer Cigi Guz that I had to wear it again, this time more casually with my trusty denim shorts.  I also love this vintage Coach cross body bag that belonged to my mother.  If you look closely in the above picture, you can see an ink stain on the under body of the bag; certainly nothing to deter me from a Coach classic.

For the love of recycled style, never out of style...

Thank you so much for reading!  Whitley

Click here to see if you are the winner of the Woman Shops World Harem pant giveaway!

Onesie

Pin It

While I am aware I'm no Carrie Bradshaw, I couldn't help but share this picture which was sent to me by a reader in response to yesterday's post.  She indicated that all the harem pants I've been styling as of late had her dreaming of Carrie's outfit in the above image.  A girl can dream, no?

My Outfit:

Harem Pants: (worn as jumpsuit) Woman Shops World. Jacket: Forever 21, here's one. Shoes: Kate Spade. Purse: JJ Winters, mine is from Lipp Boutique. Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a pair. Necklace: Stella & Dot. Bracelets: Cuff from Sloan Boutique, Others: Stella & Dot, J. Crew, my Grandmother's. Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, custom by Diamonds Direct. Earrings: (old), here's a current pair I love.

I can't help but share with you the way these pants were most recently described to me.  I emailed the owner of Woman Shops World, Carter, to confirm I was using correct terminology to properly convey the style of these harem pants.  I wrote something along the lines of "the inseam of these pants create a more dramatic harem effect."  Carter approved, adding I could alternatively use the explanation her husband does, more along the lines of  "this part has a really low crotch, so you can wear it like a onesie."  Then it dawned on me, I AM wearing these pants like a onesie!  Now I just want to know when they'll start making these versatile garments for babies.  Maybe I'm onto something.  Thoughts??  Tomorrow is a Giveaway!

Thanks so much for reading!  Whitley

Style Path

Pin It

 I've had an obsession with cocktail dresses since I first started wearing them.  I would buy a dress without an occasion (and still do) when I felt I could not live without it.  I never rid of the dresses. This Cynthia Rowley has always been a favorite.  I purchased it my senior year of high school from the first boutique I ever came to love, Constance Boutique, in my hometown of Asheville, NC.  The owner is a friend and one of the most inspirational people in my life when it comes to fashion. Constance has always had a strong sense of style that is all her own.  I look at this outfit, acknowledging it is a little off the beaten path with the layering of the belts and the pattern repeat, and it reminds me of Constance.  She always did her own thing, much like my Grandmother.  It's not for everybody, but it is for me.

Dress: Cynthia Rowley (so old!), from Constance Boutique, but this one's pretty fun. Denim Jacket: Gap. Shoes: Nine West. Gold Belt: Raina (old), here's one. Circle Belt: Target (old). Clutch: JJ Winters, mine is from Lipp Boutique. Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive pair. Earrings: Luv Aj. Cuff: Henri Bendel. Rings: Tiffany, Custom at Diamonds Direct.

Nine West Flax Pumps

I wear my jean jacket with everything...

For the love of a style all your own,

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy sharing it with you!

Thank you for being here!!  Whitley

Harem Glam

Pin It

Hello!  I am so excited about today's post.  Driving home one day I spotted an unknown neighbor wearing a shiny silky pair of wicked trousers across the lawn.  I immediately threw the gear in reverse, apologizing to the lady for such an awkward meet and great, but I had to know about her pants.  Turns out they were authentic harem pants from India.  Next, how could I get my hands on a pair, and how long would it take?  So it is, my neighbor bottles up more creativity than imaginable, in the form of several retail businesses encompassing everything from hand made glass jewelry to wholesale beads to dog leashes made from recycled Indian garb to the fly boys I'm wearing here.  This was one lucky meet and greet. I now have three pairs to share on the Queen City Style and something else pretty cool...

Harem Pants: c/o Woman Shops World. Shirt: Banana Republic (old), but here's one. Shoes: Sam & Libby (SO old). Sunglasses: Blinde, but here's a less expensive pair. Earrings: Luv Aj. Necklace: Stella & Dot. Purse: JJ Winters, mine is from Lipp Boutique. Bracelets: My Grandmother's, Stella & Dot, J.Crew (old) here's one I love.  Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, Custom by Diamonds Direct.

And just in case you need a refresher course. 

I got no shame.

... so, you want to be cool and break it down in your own pair of bad boys?  Seriously, I am so excited.  Woman Shops World is offering 15% off to all readers of the Queen City Style through the end of September, using code QCSTYLE at check out. Not to mention, you'll freak when you see the price.  Stay tuned for more fun merch from Woman Shops World!

For the love of having fun in fab pants, always in style...

Thanks so much for reading!!  Whitley