the style observer is about putting it all together

observations on Melissa Odabash

ease into summer swimsuits

May 22nd, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $ $$ $$$ Anya Hindmarch Bottega Veneta French Sole Melissa Odabash Tara Matthews accessories clothing handbags iLuck pants shoes swimsuits

Let the festivities begin! Memorial day is upon us and we can smell summer in the air. Cruising with the top down, grilling in the backyard, hanging on the beach… HANGING ON THE BEACH… OH NO! That’s always how it happens; it sneaks up on us. We are quickly reminded that with all of summer’s delights also comes bathing suit season. The first few trips to the beach can prove to be the toughest. Getting beach ready is something you have to ease into. It’s a process for most of us. We are not entirely ready to shed all our clothing on the first day. I guess you could say, we like the summer to court us a little bit. I want to feel comfortable peeling off the layers, and exposing myself to the sun little by little. So, if you have to be poolside or on the beach this weekend, no worries. We’ve got a plan for you. A one piece is a good place to start. Go for a basic but sophisticated color like black or red. Cover it up with one of this season’s hottest trends, a jumpsuit. A jumpsuit will come across as playful while still maintaining it’s elegance. Pull out your summer accessories this weekend. If you’ve got a great summer tote, it should make it’s first appearance this weekend. Reminder, the tote should blend with the suit and cover-up. Slip into your new summer sandals and you’re ready. Oh, don’t forget a great big pair of sunglasses! They’ll be dying to know how you pulled it all together so early in the season.

items in this observation:
top look:

  • ‘Osmond’ shoulder bag @ Anya Hindmarch
  • ‘Knock’ thong by Miss Trish of Capri @ Zappos
  • Tara Matthews Zigzag silk jumpsuit @ Net-a-Porter
  • Melissa Odabash Torina swimsuit @ Net-a-Porter
  • iLuck mini eye bracelet (multi color) @ Shop Intuition
  • iLuck satin cord Hamsa charm bracelet @ Shop Intuition
  • iLuck crystal charm bracelet @ Shop Intuition



    • bottom look:

  • Melissa Odabash Frances halter swimsuit @ Net-a-Porter
  • French Sole ‘Sand Dollar’ thong sandal @ Zappos
  • Tara Matthews Ikat jumpsuit @ Net-a-Porter
  • Bottega Veneta oversized bucket bag @ Net-a-Porter
  • ‘Caravan’ collection bracelets @ Scosha NY


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    age appropriate beach wear

    March 26th, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$$ Alex and Ani Anya Hindmarch Dolce and Gabbana Lotus London Melissa Odabash Tory Burch accessories clothing handbags looks shoes swimsuits tops

    It’s almost that time of year, bathing suit season. Getting beach bound ready can be a bewildering task. What suit should I wear? What suit looks good on me? Should I buy a new beach bag? What type of cover-up should I wear? Your head starts to spin, and sometimes that can cause you to make some bad decisions. We are here to give you a little head start, by breaking it all down for you. Hopefully, this will help you organize your thoughts.

  • The 20 something’s : Ok young lady, you can have some fun with your beach look. Choose fruit colors like apple red, or kiwi green. A bright bikini or one piece, topped off with an eyelet tunic. Forget the average beach bag, grab a fashion forward, unexpected bag instead. It will catch people’s eye, and you will intrigue them. Don’t forget a little jewelry. This year, go with bracelets. It’s a fresh, crisp, youthful look. You are no longer a teen, so stay away from wearing old gym shorts over your suit, or even a ratty t-shirt. You are at an age where you should look pulled together, yet maintain a youthful edge.

  • Red bikini by Cia Maritima @ Molly Brown Swimwear (page 16)
  • Skulls tunic by Letarte @ Canyon Beachwear
  • Tory Burch “T” Contrast Patent Tote @ Nordstrom
  • Alex & Ani expandable bangle @ Saks
  • White Leather Gizeh sandal by Birkenstock

  • The 30 something’s: You’ve done it; you’ve hit the sweet spot. You are a woman with a little experience under your belt. You spent your twenties getting to know exactly who you are and what you want. Now, take it out for a test drive. Choose a sophisticated suit, with a more serious tone to it. One that exudes confident sexuality, without being overt. Earth tones are your best bet, and they mix beautifully with the minerals. A multi-tonal suit in a mixture of browns, greens, and yellows looks beautiful with gold jewelry and sandals. A caftan cover-up, and a linen bag completes the look. It’s pulled together, and stylistically confident - it reflects the woman you’ve grown into.

  • Ana bikini by ViX @ InStyleSwimwear
  • Silk Beaded Caftan by Lotus London @ Vivre
  • Caribbean Sun Bag by Mayle @ Shopbop
  • Single Stone Cuff by Kara Ross @ Shopbop
  • Dolce Vita ‘Athens 38′ sandal @ Nordstrom

  • The 40 something’s: You’ve still got it, you know it, and you don’t feel the need to prove it. Choose a one piece with intricate design or embellishment. One piece no longer equals frumpy and boring. There are a lot of sophisticated one piece suits designed to be fashionable and flattering. Cover-up with a tunic in a luxurious fabric, it’s a smart piece to invest in. A silver sandal will reflect the outfit nicely, and a refined straw bag that goes beyond the beach. Resist the urge to look younger than you are, 40 is fabulous. Stay away from the starlet look, it can come across as trying too hard - or trying to look like you’re 20. A little self -tanner, a big hat, sunglasses, and they’ll all be saying “what an elegant woman.”

  • Brown one-piece by Odabash at Molly Brown Swimwear (page 4)
  • Printed Chiffon Beaded Tunic by MB Beach Couture @ Vivre
  • Mirror Straw Tote by Anya Hindmarch @ Vivre
  • Tory Burch silver Ali sandal @ Jildor

  • The 50 something’s: You’re more interesting than ever, and it shows. All the silly little things you used to worry about now seem irrelevant; you are comfortable in your body. Choose a one piece in a beautiful jewel tone. They have a number of “miracle” suits on the market, so you can feel confident that everything is where it should be. Pair your suit with a print pareo tied under your arms. Add gold bracelets and earrings, leaving your neck bare. For a beach bag, go for a woven leather tote. It’s a rich texture that looks brilliant on the beach. Voila! You look fantastic at fifty!

  • Shape fx® Bejeweled Control Surplice Maillot @ Spiegel
  • Devi Pareo sarong @ Caylpso Christian Celle
  • Golden Stones bracelet by H.Stern @ Neiman Marcus
  • Dolce & Gabbana large Raffia tote @ Bergdorf Goodman

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    costly cover-up?

    January 30th, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $$ Melissa Odabash clothing tops

    Wouldn’t we all love to don this airy little cover-up and bikini. Can’t you just see yourself walking down to a lounge chair somewhere in the fabulous Caribbean wearing this perfect cover-up from Melissa Odabash? So, why can’t I get past the fact that its $240? For some absurd reason I have a threshold for cover-ups that’s in the under $200 range.

    I can even come up with several reasons why it is a good purchase:

    1. I will wear it all vacation and a lot in the summer.
    2. It will be in style for years.
    3. It’s a special piece that will boost my poolside confidence.

    Foolishly, I will spend hours trying to find a cover-up that is similar but less expensive, and probably will not be nearly as good. So, my advice to you - if you don’t have a price issue here, buy this ultra fabulous cover-up. You will be the envy on the beach and by the pool. If it is too much to spend, there are other options. Several stores are having major sales right now and you can usually find a cute eyelet dress or cotton tunic that will look great for the summer.

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