the style observer is about putting it all together

fashion inspired by the Native American

August 28th, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $ $$ $$$ $$$$ Gucci KORS Ralph Lauren accessories belts clothing dresses earrings handbags jewelry shoes tops trends

We saw it first with the arrival of fringe boots and bags, but now we are seeing an undeniable Native American influence on some of Fall’s best collections. Designers like Anna Sui, Alexander McQueen, and Gucci all have pieces that speak to the first people of America. The look has a strong link to nature - the wild side of nature, as well as its free-spirited face. To get the look, you should mix color, pattern, and texture. Ground an airy dress with the weight of leather, either in boots or a jacket. Bring in textures like suede, fur, and metal. Layer boots over leggings, vests over dresses, and necklaces over it all. I love the look, it has a bit of a bohemian feel but it’s more defined. A refreshing, and intriguing style. Can you pull it off?

free-spirited items in this observation:

  • Kate Bosworth border print chiffon dress @ Asos
  • Anna Sui mixed print cami top @ Net-a-Porter
  • Margaret metallic tipped Racoon fur vest @ Intermix
  • Alexander McQueen paisley smock dress @ Net-a-Porter
  • double braided headwrap @ Urban Outfitters
  • Ra Creation Peacock earring @ Revolve Clothing
  • KORS by Michael Kors suede firnge boots @ Intermix
  • leather Concha belt @ Ralph Lauren
  • Gucci ‘Babouska’ hobo bag @ bergdorf Goodman
  • Gucci ‘Iggy’ fringe bootie @ Neiman Marcus
  • ribbed leggings @ shoptwigs

  • Our 3 favorite ways to wear gladiator sandals

    April 29th, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $ $$ $$$ Anya Hindmarch Cynthia Vincent Diane Von Furstenberg Francisco French Connection L.A.M.B. MARC by Marc Jacobs Tory Burch accessories bracelets clothing dresses handbags jewelry necklaces pants shoes



    Gladiator sandals are one of the biggest trends of the season. Last month’s post on the Gladiator ignited a firestorm of questions: How do I wear them? We’ve put together three of our favorite looks to help you out.

    Gladiator look 1

  • MARC by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Hillier Hobo @ Bloomingdales
  • Striped Danni Tunic @ C&C California
  • Francisco High Leg Sandal @ Topshop


  • The first look has a tall gladiator paired with a summer cotton dress. The key to this look, is to keep the dress flowy and unconstructed. The cut of the dress will balance out the tall gladiator sandal, making your legs look slim. A big hobo bag completes the look beautifully.


    Gladiator look 2

  • Diane Von Furstenberg Alcamo silk top @ Net-a-Porter
  • Diane Von Furstenberg ‘Jonah’ shorts @ Nordstrom
  • Accessories & Beyond gold braided cuff @ Fragments
  • Tory Burch North/South tote @ Bloomingdales
  • Cynthia Vincent ‘Dinah” tobacco sandal


  • The second look has a short gladiator paired with shorts, a billowy top, bangles, and a textured tote. The key to this look is to lean toward the bohemian, not preppy. It should look relaxed and sophisticated. It translates into a perfect day to evening summer look.


    Gladiator look 3

  • Anya Hindmarch mirror straw tote @ Vivre
  • French Connection ‘Betty Block’ jersey dress @ Nordstrom
  • Twelve by Twelve charm necklace @ Forever 21
  • L.A.M.B. ‘Gina’ metallic gladiator platform sandal @ Shopbop


  • The third look is a more dressed up version of the gladiator sandal. Again, the dress is free flowing which helps to balance the bulk of the shoe. The gladiator we chose is metallic, and reflects beautifully as opposed to drag the outfit down. We paired the outfit with a linen bag with gold accents, to tie it all together. The dress becomes the focus, with very fashion forward accessories that don’t take over the outfit.

    We hope some of these looks inspire some of your own creations. Have fun with it, and relax into a pair of gladiator sandals this season.

    how to wear gladiator sandals

    April 2nd, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $ $$ $$$ Adam Lippes Giuseppe Zanotti Sam Edelman Sigerson Morrison Tibi accessories clothing coats dresses shoes trends

    This isn’t exactly ancient Rome, although sometimes our lives can seem like a battle in the gladiatorial games. Lucky for us, this season we can actually dress for it. As you may already know, gladiator sandals are a big trend this season. Like a lot of things lately, the ancient sandal has been modernized. It now comes in all shapes and sizes, and is accessible to more women. Gladiator sandals can be tricky for some. The question “what would I wear them with?” is on the minds of a lot of women. We have picked a few of our favorite styles and put together some outfit ideas. For instance, a simple gold gladiator can take a gold shimmery evening dress from ultra formal to ultra fabulous. It’s a look that can easily be worn to a cocktail party on the beach. The classic brown leather gladiator looks great with a white cotton summer dress. It’s a “bohemian meets roman goddess” look that is perfect for running around on a hot summer day. The snakeskin gladiator is another style that we love. This one is perfect for casual chic days, or casual fridays at work. It’s a more sophisticated gladiator, and can easily be dressed up or down. You can pair it with white jeans, slacks, or shorts. Finally, the high leg gladiator. Keep it simple on top with this style. Let the sandal be the focus. We’ve paired it with a basic black summer dress, which works for day or night. The high leg gladiator sandal is the riskiest of the styles we’ve selected. It makes more of a statement than the other styles. Hopefully, this will help you pull your gladiator together. What makes women crazier than Russell Crowe portraying a sweaty, muscular, man of honor? Well, shoes of course.

    items in this observation (clockwise):

  • Tibi Sequinned T-shirt dress @ Net-a-Porter
  • Belle by Sigerson Morrison gladiator sandal @ Bloomingdales

  • Halle Berry scalloped edge sundress @ ASOS
  • Giuseppe Zanotti gladiator sandals @ Barneys

  • Adam Lippes denim flounce sleeve jacket
  • Sam Edelman Gilda sandal @ Piperlime

  • Pomona by Velvet @ Active Endeavors
  • Leather High Leg Gladiator Sandal @ ASOS
  • a carousel of scarves

    April 1st, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in accessories scarves trends

    The best part about this time of year is the way communities celebrate the arrival of spring. There are all kinds of fairs, carnivals, and festivals to enjoy. These festivities have a romantic, old fashion quality to them. It’s reminiscent of a time when things were simple, when youth still had its innocence. Strolling hand in hand with your boyfriend through the maze of games and rides. Enjoying the sweet taste of cotton candy while watching people play and have fun. Having your heart sink when he kisses you on the ferris wheel. Ahhh.. the memories! It can get a little chilly on some of those spring and summer nights, so be sure to take advantage of one of spring’s hottest trends. Scarves, Scarves, Scarves!. It’s a splash of color, it’s a personal statement, and it’s a chic way to keep the chill off. They come in an array of colors, textures, and styles. You can be bohemian, urban, suburban, or even gypsy. It’s a chance for you to play up your personal style. It’s an easy, and fun trend to grab on to, go for it.

    items in this observation (clockwise):

  • ASOS open weave metallic square scarf
  • Shredded square scarf @ Urban Outfitters
  • Love Quotes Handknotted Fringe Scarf
  • Sir Alistair Rai White/Blue Summer Peace Dupatta @ Singer 22
  • What Comes Around Goes Around Torqulay Sarong @ Shopbop
  • the bohemian bride

    March 24th, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $$$ $$$$ Claire Pettibone Gabrielle Sanchez Melissa Sweet Suzanne Kalan bohemian clothing dresses earrings jewelry rings trends

    Most girls have a picture in their mind of what a bride should look like. It’s usually an image conjured up from reading fairy tales at a young age. The funny thing is, that vision doesn’t always reflect the woman behind the veil. So, before you lose yourself in a heap of organza and tool, be sure that personifies your style. Otherwise, after the cake is gone, and the honeymoon is over, you may look back at the pictures and wonder “who is that girl?”. Wedding dresses have evolved quite a bit in the last 15 years. Designers realized that there’s a place for fashion in the wedding gown world. Since then, the designs have broadened and the style choices are endless. One of those styles is the “bohemian.” This bride is at ease with herself, and feels a freedom to express who she is. The dress she wears is easy going, and gives her the ability to move freely. The bohemian bride embraces the beauty and warmth of nature, and it’s reflected in all the things she chooses for her wedding. The colors are earthy, and mixed in an unconventional way. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who knows who she is, and portrays it fearlessly. We encourage you to consider your many options, and look at all that the designers have to offer. Your spirit should resonate on that day. Forget the fairy tales from your childhood, make your own magic. Who even knows what became of Cinderella? She could be trapped in a castle somewhere, or drunk in an English pub, or maybe she did live happily ever after. Who knows…..

    items in this observation:

  • “Yolanda” wedding dress by Claire Pettibone @ Brides.com
  • Ruby Flyer earrings by Gabrielle Sanchez @ Moondance
  • Smokey Quartz ring by Suzanne Kalan @ Fragments
  • Plum Perfect bridesmaid dress by Melissa Sweet@ Brides.com
  • are you a Bobo?

    February 15th, 2008 · posted by Jean Vouté Pratt in $$ $$$ looks trends

    Roberto Cavalli paisley evening gownindex-1.jpgindex-2.jpgindex1.jpg

    A Bobo is someone who is part of the bohemian bourgeoisie. It’s a person who is creative, artistic, well educated, and usually very wealthy. They dress in a mishmash of clothing, which comes across as though they didn’t try very hard. The Bobo style is all about vintage, originality, and unpredictability. It’s actually a style that dates back to the 1960’s when the children of the wealthy were embarrassed by their parents show of wealth, so they went in the opposite direction. Flaunting your wealth was considered grotesque and shallow. The funny part is they love luxury, so you will usually see them carrying an expensive bag, and accessories. Designers have taken cues from some of their Bobo muses like Sienna Miller, Chloe Sevigny, and Mary-Kate Olsen. They now design expensive bags that look beaten to perfection, and clothing that looks like it came from a great vintage shop. We love the way some people wear the Bobo style, and we tend to be less enthusiastic about the ‘just rolled out of bed’ look. When it is done right, it’s a really chic look. So, what do you think of Bobo style? Do you think it is sexy chic? Or do you think it’s just a plain mess?