This Easy Fashion Trick Somehow Makes Every Outfit 10 Times Better

This Easy Fashion Trick Somehow Makes Every Outfit 10 Times Better

Listen, we enjoy a poofy top and a sequined dress just as much as the next fashion lover, but some days, we don't feel like going all out when it comes to our outfits. We'd much rather throw on a pair of high-waisted jeans, a cozy sweater, and our everyday sneakers, relying on accessories to give our look a bit more flair.

That's where berets come in. Once we started wearing this classic (and extremely cute) hat style, we simply couldn't stop. It wasn't long before we discovered that these babies pair well with everything, and can also be worn fall through spring. Plus, a beret purchase won't break the bank — we found one from Shein for just $5 — meaning we can invest in a few options and keep them in rotation.

So how, exactly, have we been styling our berets — especially on days when we're crunched for time and need an easy way to give an outfit some oomph? Here are three quick tricks to try tomorrow.

Take Simple to Whole New Level

Like we said, some days just call for jeans and a sweater. Much like statement earrings or a padded headband, a beret will give things unexpected twist, even when your outfit is made up of solid and understated staples.

Think One-and-Done

A jumpsuit may qualify as the easiest outfit ever, and a beret will instantly add some personality to this one-and-done piece. While this particular option is beige, berets are also a good way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral look. You can even stick to a single shade, making your outfit monochromatic, beret included.

Go Ahead and Get Playful

Berets are often considered cutesie and feminine, and if that's your style, don't be afraid to lean into it. This hat is the perfect way to top off a dress — whether it's of the ruffled, button-down, or sweater variety — creating an easy, fun two-item pairing that can then be styled with footwear of your choice.

Viva V-MODA

Viva V-MODA

There is an interesting partnership that is made up of a fashion designer and a music producer/performer, and together they have forged a company that yields merchandise as varied as ear pods and dresses. The common thread is music.

Val Kolton is the musical half of the duo who has devoted himself to the brand and its varied products while Terri King has dressed everyone from the Rolling Stones to Nine Inch Nails. Both bring their rock mentality to the products and both provide an undeniably distinctive look, whether it is a hat, ear buds or dress.

The apparel collection which is for both for men and women suggests that rocker look without being too over the top, meaning you don’t have to be a rocker to look like one. The men’s collection is punctuated with wonderful white shirts and T shirts worn on their own or with terrifically fitted jackets with zap details as well as an exaggerated fit. The ladies scream sexy by what the clothes suggest and not reveal – leather inserts, slash details and corsetry work in dresses and tops. Make no mistake that these clothes draw attention to their owners and certainly turn you into the rocker you are or the rocker you ‘wannabe.”

A word of thanks to MAO pr for allowing me to make use of their clients for these columns and do not forget to catch the entire V-MODA look and philosophy on their web site V-MODA.com and as always you can keep up with me on Facebook

PANDORA'S SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION

PANDORA'S SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION

I've always been a believer in the power of accessories! I do love clothing of course, yet something about accessories captures my imagination unlike anything else. In fact, a lot of my outfits begin with an accessory. A great pair of heels, a cute bag, or like in the case of today's look, a few sparkly favorites from PANDORA's Summer collection. 

If you read my blog on the regular, you probably already know that PANDORA jewelry holds a very special place in my heart. I think my obsessions started when I first spotted a classic PANDORA bracelet with charms, and was really drawn to the idea that every single charm is not just a beautiful piece of jewelry, but has a very special meaning expressed through the design.

Another reason why PANDORA is such a favorite is because a lot of really special moments in my life were commemorated with PANDORA jewelry, and each and every piece I currently own came with a beautiful story. Among my favorites, is the bracelet Emil give me for my birthday, a pair of drop earrings I found on my dressing table the day I was leaving for Paris Fashion Week, and a lovely necklace which was initially meant as an anniversary present, but ended up as a "just because" present to lift my spirits on a particularly awful Tuesday:) The pieces I am wearing in today's post are no exception, and came with a story as well:) 

I've been dropping hints about how much I love PANDORA's Summer collection left, right and center. Aside from the fact that I really love how delicate, soft and feminine these pieces are, I always had a soft spot for blue and turquoise blue is definitely one of my all-time favorites! Well, I got up on Saturday morning to find these pretty hand-crafted jewels waiting for me! Thank you, PANDORA for sending me pieces from the new collection!:) Suffice to say I am literally over the moon and I just can't bring myself to stop wearing them obsessively! So pretty and delicate, you know how much I love jewelry I can layer and these bracelets and earrings layer beautifully! So, I have a feeling you'll be seeing quite a bit of the in the future!

This is a sponsored conversation written on behalf of PANDORA. All opinions and text are mine.

PANDORA jewelry | RAMY BROOK Paris dress | ULLA JOHNSON Reina sandals | EXPRESS oversized round triple frame sunglasses | CHANEL Vanity case in grained calfskin

ICE STYLE.....2017 Rostelecom Cup of Russia COSTUMES REVIEW: The MEN!

ICE STYLE.....2017 Rostelecom Cup of Russia COSTUMES REVIEW: The MEN!

A Costume Repeat? Maybe...Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan at the 2017 Rostelecom Cup of Russia Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Moscow Russia

This past weekend was the first of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Season 2017-2018 international competition events: The Rostelecom Cup of Russia. It was held at the Megasport arena in Moscow Russia. Disciplines in Ladies, Mens, Pairs as well as Ice Dance were on display and the winners of these disciplines earn points to qualify them for the 2017-18 Grand Prix Final...

GOOOO JAPAN!!! Even though the Grand Prix of Russia was held in...Russia, the Megasport Arena was PACKED with the very supportive Japanese fans. Thousands traveled to Russia to cheer on their Japanese skaters, especially Yuzury Hanyu. God bless the Japanese fans, they seem to be keeping the ISU and figure skating afloat many, many thousands of fans at a time!

Now, let's get to the IMPORTANT STUFF: THE COSTUMES!!! As you may know, I love discussing and reviewing the figure skating costumes here on my "Ice Style" blog so let's get started with my Recap of the 2017 Rostelecom Cup of Russia Costumes: MEN. I will follow with separate blogs on LADIES, PAIRS and ICE DANCE...



MEN:

Nathan Chen of USA: First of all: Nathan is a QUAD wunderkind!! What I am not so impressed with are his costumes. This all black dress shirt and pants look is what he wore as his "costume" for his Short Program to Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine. I get that the music is sweeping, jazzy, modern...so a sleek all black costume is appropriate but...THIS? Nathan looks like...

The WAITSTAFF at a party!! It's not particularly the all black that I have a problem with, if done right, it can be quite beautiful and interesting...take a look at these examples:

BETTER: (L to R) Jeremy Abbott at 2011 Cup of China, Evan Lysacek at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Max Aaron and his "Carmen" costume at 2013 US Championships--Nathan doesn't have to look like the "hired help" at a party. Just saying.

Free Skate to Mao's Last Dancer (soundtrack) by Christopher Gordon: And kids, it didn't get any better for his Free Skate costume. An indigo blue colored dress shirt (Oh, what a shock!! Color!!). The music is this sweeping score from the film depicting a ballet life of Li Cunxin taken from his early life in rural China to end up defecting to the US. Even the "costume" in the movie's poster is more exciting:

I REALLY REALLY HOPE that these are just "in transition" looks and that his REAL COSTUMES are being made as I type this. PLEASE I hope I am right! I am in AWE of Nathan Chen's multi-quads. His "costumes" leave A LOT to be desired.

Mikhail Kolyada of Russia: Russia's Kolyada skated his Short program to Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Tango. I loved this. Now, this is something I wished Nathan would have worn. It was sleek, fit him well and had enough "costume" excitement but not too much. 

Free Skate to Steamroller Blues, Can't Help Falling In Love, Rip It Up by Elvis Presley--Mikhail did Elvis proud with an interpretation of one of his famous costume looks (seen above from his 1972 concert). I liked the details, the obvious homage to the original costume with the front torso details. This was another nice costume for the young Russian.

Denis Ten of Kazakhstan: Denis skated his Short Program Tu Sei by Vittorio Grigolo in this look above. The outfit consisted of black pants and a wrap-style white embroidered shirt. It gave hints of a classical opera tenor with a little bit of funky style. I especially liked the caviar beaded-like "thread" applique seen in the lower photo above.

Free Skate to SOS d'un terrain by Dimash Kudaibergen: Denis skated his Free Skate to his famous song done by a fellow Kazakh artist. Ten's costume was a sleek, modern look that included silver sequin embellishments as well as chiffon volants/mini-ruffles. Overall, it was a good costume for the beautiful and deep-meaning song. If there was any critique, I don't think he needed the crystal-detailed waist. Otherwise, it was just fine. 

Grant Hochstein of USA: Grant skated his Free Skate to Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber in this midnight blue costume featuring violet, blue and silver crystals highlighting his upper torso. I liked that this was not so overtly a reference to Phantom and that he didn't have any gimmicky faux mask anywhere... 

The slight peeking of white ruffles gave enough of a nod to the Phantom's blouse (seen on actor Gerard Butler above with director Joel Schumacher in the 2004 movie version ) which was nice.

Misha Ge of Uzbekistan: Misha Ge wore this lilac top and black pants costume for his Free Skate to Meditation (from "Thais") by Jules Massenet. The look was a bit "subdued" from some of Misha's past costume looks but it was lovely. The color added delicacy to his skate and I liked the ruffled sleeve cuffs. I just wish the neckline didn't have that mini panel of nude illusion (WHY??) and I would have rather seen a more plunging neckline. Maybe not Max Aaron plunging but a little more than that above. It seemed a bit "Junior Skater" to me.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan: Yuzuru skated his Short Program to Ballade No. 1 by Frederic Chopin. If this sounds familiar, it is because it's almost like "Groundhog's Day: The Figure Skating Edition" when it comes to Hanyu, his Short program AND his costumes. For this 2017-18 Olympic Season, Hanyu has gone back to the same Short Program Music and (almost) the same Costume that he used for the 2014-15, 2015-16 Seasons...

Costume Adjustments: MINOR adjustments to the same costume--(L to R) 2014-15, 2015-2016 and now. The "new & Improved" version includes basically the same ombre-dyed blouson top with crystals but gold beading was added to the mock-neckband. He also used the same gold cummerbund as in the previous season. I think this is kind of lazy costuming if you ask me. It's an OK costume but it would have been WONDERFUL to have seen something COMPLETELY NEW! As a Fashion Designer and costume enthusiast, I selfishly want something NEW and EXCITING!

Free Skate to Seimei (soundtrack) by Shigeru Umebayashi: For his Free Skate, Yuzuru also went back to a previous Free Skate Program from a couple of seasons ago. He also used the (almost) same costume but with minor sequin adjustments. 

Yuzuru Hanyu's costume for his 2015-2016 Season Free Skate

Once again, I liked the original (above photo), especially with the music but I am just baffled why he didn't just have a BRAND NEW design and style made??!! We all know he has the MILLIONS to get it done so why??!! Maybe he is superstitious and somehow feels that he should wear the same (or almost the same) to bring him luck??? Who knows...

I know that I probably would have rather seen him in a cute Pooh Bear Costume instead...or this fab little stretch velvet number on this darling little Russian boy!

UP NEXT: The LADIES COSTUMES REVIEW of the 2017 Rostelecom Cup of Russia!