It’s always possible that a Fashion Week presentation will be over the top. Mostly though it’s a chance for designers to present their wares to buyers and get their product in stores. I never fail to be inspired by outfits on the runway! Sometimes they need a little adjustment to work off the runway, sometimes not. Runway to everyday is about translating runway looks to an everyday outfit.
Tory Burch is a brand I’m perfectly willing to buy at full price but I realize that’s not a reality for everyone. (Sometimes it’s not a reality for me!) So with that in mind today’s Runway to Everyday post is about finding pieces inspired by the look above.
Here’s what I love about this look: First, the top has a flattering bib-style overlay that points down towards the waist, which on most women is a spot worth emphasizing. And then there’s the terrific skirt which mirrors the top with a slightly wider symmetry. Most pencil skirts with an overlay or middle seam detail like this are in the opposite shape — wide up by the hips and then tapering in as the pencil does down toward the knee. However, if you’re already an hourglass like me or a similarly curvy shape what you actually want is an overlay that’s smaller up by the hips and then slightly larger down toward to the knee. Visually this balances everything out nicely and avoids the va-va-voom that pencil skirts sometimes make out of curves. That Jessica Rabbit va-va-voom is a great tool in the curvy girl’s dressing arsenal no doubt, but in a conservative office for instance just won’t fly.
Let’s see the Everyday translations…
1 – Rachel Roy Skirt
BUDGET LOOK: 2 – Anthropologie Blouse // 3 – J.Crew Necklace // 4 – Mudd High Heels
DESIGNER LOOK 5 – Mango Blouson // 6 – Alexander Wang Shoes // 7 – Ippolita Necklace
Optional accessories for either look: 8 – CK Calvin Klein Watch // 9 – Coach Bag
For this set I’ve split out a budget option on the left and a designer option on the right, with price point being the main distinction. For a little pop of color I chose shoes in blue tones for both looks.
So in recreating the runway look the basic elements you’re looking for are:
1 – a top with a bib or overlay that starts wider up at the neckline and tapers down towards the waistline
2 – a straight or pencil skirt in complementing colors/textures that has a bib or overlay that starts smaller up around the waistline and tapers out slightly either just below the hips or down towards the knee.
Before moving on I just want to mention that related to this recent post, Rachel Roy has some fantastic, figure flattering pieces for Spring 2014. I’m loving this dress and this one too! I’m still [im]patiently awaiting the day that Anthropologie figures out its success of Springs past, but at least in the meantime there are other brands to keep us satisfied.
Below is another example of the runway look translated to an everyday look.
1 – Mango Blouson // 2 – Nordstrom Skirt // 3 – Rebecca Minkoff Skirt via Gilt (green here) //
4 – La Mer Watch via Anthropologie // 5 – Fossil Satchel via Nordstrom //
6 – Free People Sunnies // 7 – Chelsea 88 Blazer via Nordstrom
8 – Dorothy Perkins Pumps (here’s another option I love from Jimmy Choo)
Taking the Mango Blouson from the top look in a different color, this option is a peachy pink springtime ready version of the Tory Burch runway outfit. I’ve added a bunch of neutral accessory ideas here, but you could also make it pop by using black, mint, purple, or turquoise accessories.
If you decide to do a blazer make sure it’s one that accents the waist via a button or detail and you should also plan to wear it open.
This is another series I’m trying out this week! (Lunch Break will be back, I’m rotating series to keep things fresh.) I’d love to know your thoughts! You can see older Runway to Everyday looks over on my tumblr to get an idea of what this series will bring.
