It’s hard to believe we’re already contemplating Spring Summer clothing! But it’s right there in our faces so we thought we’d check out the first drop of the season at Veronika Maine.
We love Veronika Maine (elder sister of Cue for those who didn’t know) for their on-trend, feminine and directional silhouettes. We also love their statement but wearable prints, often being a bright floral or bold stripe. Perfect for paring back with your wardrobe basics.
Sally’s 1st Pick ~ The Khaki Pant
I spotted these Cotton Pique Lace Up khaki pants in store last week and I knew I wanted to try them on. It’s hard to see in the images, but they have a really lovely lace up detail at the ankle. The sizing fitted like a dream, with only one problem- can you guess?
They’re too short! Oh well, story of my life. But I decided to still use them to style a couple of looks.
Look #1 Modern Camo
I’m a sucker for anything khaki (I have 5 khaki jackets and counting!) and I don’t mind me some camo action (i.e. green on green) This Gathered Parka in Khaki is one of the hero pieces in the new SS17 campaign and no doubt will sell quickly – its also comes in black (see below how Lore styles it) and ecru, and is one of those pieces you’ll have in your wardrobe for ever.
I can imagine taking it on overseas holidays for that casual yet stylish everyday jacket. The photo doesn’t do it justice. It has these lovely gathered sleeves also which is great for exposing your shirt cuffs, which you know is a fave style tip of mine.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, DON’T BE AFRAID to wear colour on colour. The key is combining different fabrics so that you don’t look like you’re wearing scrubs 🙂
Underneath the jacket I’m wearing a floral cropped shirt that I’ve tucked in to show the high waist of the pants. I cannot locate this style on the website as yet, but as soon as it’s online I’ll update you with a link.
Look #2 90s Power Suit
The power of a great blazer is that it can turn anything into a polished outfit. I chose this Dobby Twill Tuxedo Jacket in white and styled it over the Striped Tie Neck Blouse for a very corporate look. You could do the same over a black pencil skirt or slim leg black pant for a more classic work look or over jeans for cocktails or a dinner date.
The blouse can be worn with or without the neck tie, and I chose to wear it hanging loosely. You could also give it a more feminine look by wearing it as a pussy bow. Both the jacket and blouse are very versatile pieces for your wardrobe and adding touches of white is a nice way to lighten up your style for Spring.
Sally’s 2nd Pick ~ The Gathered Parka
I felt so comfortable in this next outfit, I nearly wore it out of store I forgot I had it on! I’ve shown here how the Gathered Parka works well casually with jeans and a shirt. Shirt being the Striped Lace Up Back Boyfriend Shirt worn tucked in with my jeans.
The shirt is very oversized which won’t suit everyone, and even I found it more flattering to tuck in the front. However, with the jacket on it looks like any regular striped shirt but continue below-.
It has a funky lace-up detail at the back! (thanks lovely Laura for taking this shot) What is they say, all business in the front, party out the back?? The fabric is 100% cotton and is beautifully soft. If you like this style, ensure you wear it with something very narrow on the bottom to balance out the fabric, and I would suggest sizing down (I’m wearing a 10)
Lore’s Pick ~ The Bi-Stretch Flared Pant
Lore loves her flats and comfort, so these stretchy but very stylish cropped flares suited her to a tee. Featuring a very flattering flat fronted waistband (that’s a mouthful!) and hem splits with gold metal button detail, these trousers can also be dressed up with heels or ankle boots.
Look #1 Flower Power
The Falling Blossoms Bomber jacket is a lovely soft style featuring a drawstring hem and is fully lined. The key to balancing out a cropped flare is to wear something shorter up top (like this cropped jacket) or wear something tucked in.
The length of a cropped flare is also very important. You should always be able to see some skin between where the pant finishes and your shoes (better angle of pants on Lore in next pic)
Look #2 Stripes and Black Parka
Lore’s eye also zeroed in on the Gathered Parka and she chose the black to style with some stripes and the cropped pants. It really is hard to go past a good stripe, be it horizontal or vertical, as they are wardrobe classics that are always in season.
The striped blouson sleeve top is as simple style with a boat neckline and blouson sleeves. Boat neck styles are really great for broad shoulders, as are raglan sleeves. What we also love about this parka is the gathered sleeves exposing the forearms. Many women don’t like to show their arms, and a lightweight jacket exposing the wrists is very flattering for summer.
Look #3 The Blouson Shirt
Lore was a bit dubious about this White Cotton Smocked Blouse because she thought it would make her broader frame appear wider. But in actual fact, it does the opposite! But why?
The shoulder is a drop shoulder, falling off Lore’s natural shoulder line (you can see more clearly via pic on website) What this does is rather than create a square frame, it creates a softer frame. The smocking on the shoulders balanced with the blouson sleeves means its actually a really feminine shape on Lore.
And I encouraged her to do the ‘front-tuck’ to lengthen the leg line and avoid any ‘squareness’ in the silhouette. She obliged 🙂
Our aim for these posts featuring our good selves is to not only show you what’s in stores, but to educate you on how to emulate these looks yourself. You may not be able to wear the exact same outfit as us, but you will be able to take an element of an outfit and make it your own.
These posts are hopefully also showing you how as stylists, we have our own likes and dislikes, just like you. When we do these styling sessions, we choose pieces we LIKE, that we would actually WEAR and think FLATTER our shape.
That’s why you’ll see a pattern in the looks we put together. For example, I always gravitate towards high necklines (you’ll very rarely see me in a v-neck!) tailored pants and jackets and classic shirts. I like things that are a little oversized rather than tight fitting and always like to work with my favourite wardrobe staple – denim.
There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you like and sticking to it, or be it variations of the same theme. Wear what makes YOU feel good.
Sally x
