I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love layers. With Fall just around the corner and boxes of new merchandise arriving at the studio weekly, I’ve been on a mission to gather styling inspiration for the upcoming Bicyclette photo shoots.
Zara’s look books are always spot on, with a consistent theme and a focus on the clothes. This one, for the Fall Casual line, has a decidedly preppy vibe, with a hint of bohemian thrown in to keep it interesting. My favourite aspects? The layering (of course), mixing of prints (floral, plaids, stripes and graphics), and the socks with shoes and boots.
Feel free to point me in the direction of other Fall style inspiration, and I’m curious: what are your tips and tricks? What do you look forward to with Fall dressing?
via mama’s a rolling stone
Next week I have a few appointments to book more lines, and since it’s great to get people’s input and you seem to enjoy being part of the buying process, I thought I would show you the Motel look book and see what you have to say about it. Plus, I know everyone like to look at photo shoots, and this one in particular has some interesting elements …
Known for their little dresses that tend to be body-conscious and fairly mini in length, Motel does prints extremely well, and their futuristic details make every piece an interesting one. Personally, I like them as layering pieces, with tights, a blazer and boots for winter, and a tangle of jewellery to set it off.
Now it’s your turn: Favourite styles from this shoot? What intrigues you and what turns you away?
Time for another This vs. That! For today’s edition, we’re looking at cardigans, as my mind is starting to turn towards fall wardrobes and layering despite the heat wave we’ve been experiencing. Crazy, I know, but welcome to the world of retail, where you’re constantly focused on future seasons. This time, the situation is a little different: I’m putting together a Bicyclette order for immediate Fall delivery, and both of the styles below are possible contenders.
Style number one is a graphic leopard print, has a long body and slightly oversized fit. It’s grey, but also comes in a cream colour. I’m envisioning it as the topper to simple, layered outfits and all-black ensembles with piles of jewellery to add that bit of edge.
The second option has an oh-so-precious floral print and a lace panel inset at the neckline. Again, it’s shown in grey but also comes in cream, and is a more traditional cardigan cut with a slightly shorter body. I can see this layered over oversized graphic tees and skinnies to add a little feminine vintage nostalgia, or done up with a voluminous skirt for some 50s appeal.
So now it’s your turn, once again – what are your opinions on each and what would you like to see in the shop? Leave it in the comments!
Thought it was about time for an outfit post, especially since the weather finally permits my beloved rooftop photos and my wardrobe is slowly being accented with my favourite Bicyclette pieces. I’m still loving my neutral tones and pale palettes, not to mention unexpected layering and feminine accents. Enter, the lace cami, a perfect, oh-so-versatile summer piece. Soon to be in the shop, in both cream and black!
- Cream Lace Cami: Bicyclette / Grey Zipper Purse: Bicyclette / Grey tank dress: Old Urban Outfitters / Flower Pin: DIY / Silver Shoes: BCBG, Heel Boy
As the long weekend comes to a close, it’s finally time to get back to the computer and deal with my other, online, Bicyclette reality. I’ve spent the weekend hunting for storage options (Saturday morning Ikea hell, let me tell you!), building shelves, sanding walls and painting rooms, cleaning, purging and organizing, and trying to sneak every moment of sun, biking and BBQs that I can. Yes, a very work-oriented long weekend, but you’ll find no complaints here.
I’m so excited to continue the switch of rooms in my apartment, moving our bedroom into the second room and transforming the old bedroom/large room into the Bicyclette studio/office/showroom. Everything is still a mess, but it’s starting to come together, and I’m hoping that by the end of this week, the majority of it will be complete. I promise that I will document the transformation with photos after all is said and done! Trust me though, at this stage, there is nothing you’re going to want to see. It’s very subtly organized chaos!
As I mentioned, I’ve been busy being away from the computer (a welcome change, I must say!), so for tonight’s post, I leave you with a quick snap of one of my favourite Bicyclette outfits thus far. Since Audrey the Mannequin took up a permanent residency in the studio, I’ve been constantly dressing her up and styling her in various items from the boxes of merchandise that have a temporary home in the middle of the floor. It’s been hard for me not to be able to properly display or organize anything, and since I’m such a visual person, I like to be able to see what it is I’m dealing with. So being able to put together outfits is the perfect way for me get my fix!
Everything you see here will be for sale on the website once everything is ready to go … crochet vest, silk crop top, organic cotton tank, lace skirt, Soos jewelry. I’m loving the play on proportions, mix of textures and hint of colour.
I’m thinking of making this a regular feature on the blog, is this something you’d like to see more of? Playing dress-up, putting together an outfit …”what Audrey wore” …”
Yesterday I tweeted and facebooked a snapshot of a new Bicyclette floral dress that I just couldn’t wait to wear, and as promised, here’s the full outfit post. Unfortunately the weather has been lacking in sun and summer, but it was the perfect way to brighten up the day with the bright floral print, structured bustier top and flowy skirt. I decided to add a little bit of edge (and warmth!) by layering a striped knit over top (no need to be scared of mismatched prints) and my over-the-knee boots, and accessorized with the usual pile of bangles, a studded belt and silver feather earrings.
The dress, among many others, will be available in the shop soon! Updates on the store launch date soon, as I have a phone meeting with my web developer tomorrow. Exciting times approaching, that’s for sure!
Ever since I started haunting street-style blogs, they’ve been my number one choice for outfit inspiration and a reference for my bicyclette buys. I don’t read magazines nearly as much as I used to, partially because I find a lot of the styling unwearable and the clothing out of my reach, so instead I turn to online sources.
Garance Dore, with her witty, honest writing style and beautiful photos of beautiful girls is always a pleasure to look at, and I love the simplicity of her one shot per post style. Today’s outfit inspiration is drawn from here, and I think it’s perfect for the transitioning of seasons and the onset of light layers.
There’s something about letting a little lace peek out and embracing the lingerie-inspired trend with a soft palette of neutrals and blush tones. And so, I decided to piece together my own outfit.
I happen to already own this gray lounge dress, so I might have to attempt this look myself, I’m just missing the perfectly-edged lace dress.
And that bag, what do you think? I’m a little bit obsessed with it … and the whole line, really.
The good news: yesterday at Magic I bought a lot of great pieces that you should be really excited about…
- Florals: on oversized tanks, exposed-zipper dresses, and deep-v tees, both multi-coloured and black and white
- Lace: as insets, full backs and decorative detailing
- Subtle Studs: on oversized breezy tops, necklines of dresses, and embellishment on cardis
- Bright Colours and Soft Neutrals: think turquoise and hot pink in perfect dresses, tunics and silky fabrics
- Sheer Layers: breezy tops in light fabrics that are perfect for creating that perfect layered look
- Leopard Print: the most perfect oversized, bat wing, light grey melange sweater with an abstract print
I’m really excited.
The bad news is, there is a very strict no picture taking rule, which means that I was unable to document my purchases and share them with you. Hence the words-only description and lack of visuals. Disappointing, I know.
I did, however, manage to get some shots of displays that had been put together with samples from the show, highlighting themes from upcoming seasons.
I’m back from Vancouver. Back from the Enterprize competition, empty-handed, unfortunately. The winnings went to three different start-ups, all tech-based, and all from UBC, which I guess makes sense seeing as they hosted the conference and competition. It was a matter of criteria, the fact that I was pitching a retail concept (not an entirely revolutionary concept, I suppose), and not inventing a product or system that is patentable and has the potential to dominate the market. I received great feedback, support for the idea and encouragement that failing to place in this particular competition had nothing to do with the viability of the idea or the belief that it could be a successful venture, but instead it was a matter of not meeting the specific criteria set out. Fair enough, disappointing, yes.
But without further ado, we are back to our regular programming, sans crazy business plan prep, which means that I am able to focus more on the blog once again.
I’ve discussed my love and adoration for accessories before, and we all know how much my eye is drawn towards embellishment and luxe detailing, so when I came across Angel Jackson, accessory label extraordinaire, my heart melted a little. These are pieces that stand alone, pieces that demand attention and catch your eye, pieces that draw you in and encourage you to get up close and personal. Angel Jackson was launched in 2005 by sisters Katie and Millie Smith and the line can now be found in prestigious boutiques around the world.
They were adamant that it would be possible to create an international fashion label with ethically sourced products and good working conditions for its staff, whilst being recognised for well designed, stylish and glamourous accessories… Stylish, super chic and with a twist of underground edgy-luxe, there is no wonder why Angel Jackson is a closely guarded secret by fashionistas…
Images: Angel Jackson / Collages: bicyclette
How fantastic are the feather pieces? I can’t get over the colours and textures, they’re just asking to be showcased and adored. And the oversized relaxed shapes. I’d attempt a DIY if I wasn’t so afraid of working with that many feathers. I think it would be asking for disaster.
Thoughts? Too much extravagance?
I think one of the reasons I’m so drawn to these pieces right now is that recently any purchases I’ve made have been focused on finding luxe basics that are versatile and simple, encouraging more layering and creativity within outfits. Accessories such as these from Angel Jackson, especially the purses, are the perfect addition to these outfits, adding a surge of colour and texture and creating that focal point that every outfit needs. Voila!
Today, I’m going back to the basics, and what better brand to take us there than Velvet. I find that it’s often more fun to shop for the “trend” pieces, if you will, and shy away from the so-called boring basics. The pieces that boast fun prints, shapes and fabrications in a variety of styles, and are considered new and interesting. Something different, unique, that we haven’t really seen before. And yet, basic styles can add just as much to any outfit, and these are the pieces that you will keep in your closet forever and find yourself turning to again and again. The key is finding styles that have something extra to offer, whether it’s an updated shape, an interesting colour or a soft, sheer fabric, what I refer to as luxe basics. Velvet manages to do just that.
From the website:
Velvet by Graham and Spencer is a contemporary t-shirt collection that offers a fresh approach for women that demand more than just novelty from fashion… the result is a collection of soft and sensuous t’s that flatter without sacrificing feminine fit and beauty.
Sounds just about perfect to me. Take a look at these styles from their Fall 2/Holiday 09 collection (the most recent on their website), and you’ll notice that these go way beyond your basic tee.
These are all perfect layering pieces and are far from boring, each with their own detailing. And I can personally vouch for the soft touch of the fabric: trust me, this is something you’re going to want against your skin. Another benefit of playing around with basics is the opportunity to be bold with accessories and have some fun playing with other aspects of your outfit.
Here’s one way that I like to wear my basics, in this case a simple, oversized stripe shirt from H&M that I’ve had for ages: throw on a blazer, some accessories, and boots, et voila! Simple.
Oversized Striped Shirt: H&M / Blazer: Thrifted / Denim: BDG / Rhinestone Necklaces: Random / Beaded Clutch: Vintage / OTK Boots: Heel Boy
What brands do you turn to for basics? And how important are they as part of your daily wardrobe?
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