Last spring, Michelle Obama started a plastic craze when she wore a clear Sonia Rykiel belt on the cover of Oprah magazine. All of a sudden there was plastic everywhere from Chanel bags to Maison Martin Margiela shoulder pads. Sonia Rykiel clearly wants to capitalize on designing the First Lady’s fave clear accessory. The same belt with different color buckles cinched every other model’s waist on Sonia Rykiel’s Spring 2010 runway.
Photo credit: Style.com
My mother is a J. Crew-a-holic, and has been way before Michelle Obama came on the fashion scene. This morning, she sent me a few of the items she just ordered and I fell in love with this Perfect-Fit Falling Ruffles Tank ($29.50). The tuxedo-like bib of ruffles is like a built-in statement necklace and I think it would look just adorable tucked into a pencil skirt with a cardigan—although I have a feeling my mom is going to wear the navy and tan ones she ordered with jeans, which I’m sure will look great as well.
Starting today, Banana Republic is slashing 30% off a selection of work essentials. It’s the perfect time to stock up on classics that you can wear to the office year after year. The Sleek flap-pocket blazer ($150 $105) would look great over a pair of jeans on Casual Fridays. You can tuck the Silk ruffle geo-print top ($69.50 $48.50) into a pencil skirt for summer then wear under a suit come fall. The Sleek A-line skirt ($59 $41) is flattering for all body types and the Shawl cardigan ($89.50 $62.50) allows you to wear a maxi dress to work. And how cute does the sweater look with a little brooch? Very Michelle Obama-chic. The sale ends July 26th and is only online.
Michelle Obama’s plastic Sonia Rykiel belt made yet another appearance this week when the first lady spoke at the Business and Nonprofit Philanthropy Summit. Gotta love how she recylces those belts! But I must say I’m surprised that more designers have not knocked off this accessory. I’ve seen many plastic belts over the past few months, but they all have colored piping. I really love the way the way a plastic belt cinches the waist without breaking up the body so I just ordered a clear jelly belt strap from eBay and I’m going to attempt a DIY project. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Michelle Obama caused a color frenzy when she wore a purple Toywatch in Paris. At $195, the timepiece is certainly more affordable than her Cartier Tank Francaise. But Shop4Sparkles Watch Me Watches are only $25! They come in ten colors, which makes me wish I didn’t splurge on my orange Juicy Couture jelly watch last year. Oh well!
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but pearls are like a big sister who will always be there for you. I received my first single strand of pearls when I graduated from high school. At first, I thought I could only wear them on special occasions. But as I got older I realized their versatility.
Here, I’ve styled a pearl necklace six ways to show how the jewelry can work for the office, a luncheon or a date. I took inspiration from Michelle Obama when creating these outfits. Notice I said inspiration, not getting the look for less. Rather than having a cheaper copy of a celebrity outfit I prefer to take elements of people’s style that I admire and make it my own. For example, I love how Michelle mixes her studded Azzedine Alaïa belt with more feminine pieces. Instead of mimicking one of her belted outfits from head to toe, I took a blue dress from my closet and swapped the simple patent belt I usually wear with it for a studded one. I’m also a fan of the first lady’s unique color combos. I’ve worn my green sweater set with a white skirt before—paired with simple nude stilettos. But I thought about Michelle’s interesting inaugural lemongrass and jade coupling and tried an unexpected color on my feet. Mrs. O wouldn’t necessarily wear neon, but I love anything fluorescent—and the electric yellow is definitely more original than nude.
1. Vince dress, Forever 21 belt, Stuart Weitzman pumps, vintage pearls
2. J. Crew cardigan, Hard Tail tank, Ann Taylor belt, vintage skirt, Calvin Klein pumps, Alex and Ani bangles
3. Theory button-down, Forever 21 cardigan, Forever 21 belt, Forever 21 pants, Bolo flats
4. BCBG cardigan set, Elie Tahari skirt, Manolo Blahnik sandals
5. Ann Taylor cardigan, Cosabella cami, Target boy’s belt, Forever 21 abstract skirt, Prada pumps
6. Forever 21 dress, assorted brooches, Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toes
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