Classy Hat Act

Every time I wear a hat (and I do mean LITERALLY every single time) women of all ages stop me and tell me, "Oh! I LOVE your hat! I wish I could wear cute hats like that!" Gals! You absolutely CAN wear cute hats :D It's simply a matter of finding the right style and fit for YOU! 

Now, I want to encourage you to not chicken out! Don't give up and slap on a ball cap (even though I love baseball caps!). Find something fun! A fedora or a floppy hat! Maybe something knit or a cute beret! But there are two important things to remember when you're shopping for a cute hat: 1. Trust your gut! If you like it on the hat rack- try it on! And 2. Hats are not one-size-fits-all! No, seriously! Find your hat size! If they're always too big or too small, then find a store where they carry actual sizes! Sometimes that means visiting a real hat shop, and sometimes that means checking out a high end retail store. 

Another hat-wearing tip to ensure you feel confident: when you start wearing a hat, keep the rest of your ensemble simple and maybe stick with a neutral color palette (at least until you're comfortable and confident in your hat game ;D ). 

Most of my hats come from known retailers: The Buckle, Target, or Forever 21. But my favorite hat-maker for the past year has been Janessa Leoné! If you haven't seen her gorgeous hats, then go check them out! Like- nowish! 

One of the reasons that I love her hats, is that they are classy, elegant, have clean lines, and are truly works of art! They come in gorgeous colors and really have a very fine, lady-like, appearance and quality.

Here's an easy way to rock your cute new hat! 

In this photograph, taken by one of my favorite LA-based photographers, Bruce Cooper, I'm wearing a simple black dress from H&M, grey ballet flats from The Buckle, and a wide-brimmed, floppy, black hat from Target :) 

So take a chance and try something new! You never know how adding one, simple, accessory can add a little confidence and class to your day! 

Until next time lovelies! Xx

The Right Fit

Okay, so we all go through it. No matter what your body type or height. We all struggle with one thing...
Finding that perfect fit.

You know what I'm talking about! That once-in-a-blue-moon, fits-like-a-glove, article of clothing!
And once you DO find something with that perfect fit, your jaw drops, your eyes bug out, and you think to yourself, "OhmyGOSH! It fits ME! It really fits me!"

You know, we don't have to search and scrounge around for that fit, but we do it because we feel like it's the only option available to us.

But it's not :)

The simple answer is this: find a tailor.

No! For real! I avoided going to a tailor for the longest time because I thought that it would be stupid expensive and what would be the point anyway.

Um, do you want your clothes to fit you, I mean REALLY fit you? or not.

Okay, so the first time I went to a tailor, it was because I was managing a store and I was sick of my blazer looking baggy and my favorite French-cuff shirt being too boxy. So I got the name of a lady from one of my friends and timidly drove to her home (not all tailors operate out of shops, some do all their work from home, but do your research before you go, and always trust your gut). She was one of the kindest women I'd ever met! We made friends almost instantly, and she had me go into the bathroom and change into the pieces so that she could pin according to what I was looking for. She asked me questions to determine my fit preference, and then she took the pieces and I drove home.
Less than a week later she called me and let me know that the pieces were finished. So, I drove back, tried on my newly fitted clothes and...

Ohmygosh! They were perfection! We're talking, "Dannnnnggggg girrrrlllll!!!" looks good. I paid her (plus tip) and set up my next appointment to bring back some evening dresses in need of a little love.

Now, the cost of a fitted shirt can be as low as $10 but it can also get a little astronomical if you're not selective. My tailor only charged me $10 a shirt, which is great, but always do your research and don't pay them until you have your finished product and you've tried everything on. Most tailors WANT you to try it on anyway, because you're they're walking billboard! If you don't look good, or that fit is off, they're the ones who won't get more clients.
If, however, you have an experience like mine, and you LOVE the fit and the tailor is simply amazing, then ask them for some business cards to give to your friends. And for Pete's sake, do not forget to tip! There are certain people that you always want to tip (and tip well) in life: your hair stylist, your barista, your waiter, and your tailor!

Until next time lovelies Xx

Tough Love

Fashion, to me, is a beautiful, playful, artistic vein. I think there are vast numbers of people who possess it, but have tamped it down or completely shut it out. We're so creative and fearless when we're children and we can finally dress ourselves, but over the years people get into our heads and tell us what looks good and what doesn't. What is acceptable and what isn't. 

But it's always according to someone else's standards of beauty as opposed to our own beautiful creativity and expression. 

You were created as a beautiful individual; so why try to look like everyone else? You are a vital and important person with a vital and beautiful role in this world! Only you can fill that role! No one else is equipped to be you. So, go forward confidently and don't be afraid to try something new! 

One of my favorite looks that would have been deemed "unfashionable" up until a few years ago is pairing my trooper boots with a cute sundress! I just think it's sweet and adorable :) It's a look I like to think of as Tough Love. The perfect blend of strength and sweetness ^_^ 

Here's the list of items I used to create this look, and remember to use the hashtag #wardrobe2thelookingglass if you decide to recreate this outfit! 

Jacket: Charlotte Russe

Dress: Altar'd State

Boots: Steve Madden 

Sweet and off to Work

As a lady, getting ready for work can sometimes be a little boring. Suits and pencil skirts are fine, but a little variety is always a good thing. This particular outfit works for a slightly less dressy office, a casual Friday, or your trip to the library! 

Simply pair your favorite black skinnies or straight leg trousers with a button down shirt and add a cute neutral sweater vest! You can rock heels or flats, just make sure that they're either black or that they match whatever neutral color your sweater vest is! Personally, I love to wear my black stilletos because they really help to dress up the outfit a bit more. For jewelry, keep it simple and classy with either diamond or pearl studs, you can also add a simple pearl necklace; I tend to pass on the necklace. 

Here's the complete list of clothing items I used to achieve this look :) If you like it and recreate your own version, use the hashtag

#wardrobe2thelookingglass 

Shirt: pinstripe button down from BDG

Sweater Vest: Dark Gray from Banana Republic 

Trousers: black skinnies from H&M

Heels: black stilletos from Victoria's Secret 

Accessorize like a Fashionista!!!

It's the little things that tie an outfit together, and we all know that there are few things that really make you feel like you're on top of the world like the right pair of sunnies! The trick is simply this: if you change your shoes, then you should change your shades! If you're going out and are dressed to the nines, it seems a little silly to wear a crummy pair of sunglasses. For example, wear your sporty glasses for your run or your trip to the ball field, but maybe go with something a bit dressier for your little black dress or a cute pair of aviators for your favorite jeans and bohemian top :)

I'll post a quick blog later about which styles of shades are a little more versatile than others!

First glimpse!

#mornings are for #scones and #sketching #coffee and #contemplating

And this morning is off to a great start! The secret project is underway! Keep your eyes peeled for more fun photos and updates! I'm so excited for y'all to see what's in store!!!

Hello dahhhhling! 😜

Ohmygoodness! It's been ages! I apologize for the absence; I've been terribly busy with moving, family get-togethers, annnnddddd working on a fun new aspect for my lovely followers! 😃 I'll fill y'all in later, but it'll involve lots of careful work on my part and... Possibly my Etsy account 😃 Keep your eyes on the blog! Details to follow! In the meantime, feel free to follow my Instagram (siobhantheravenhaired) and let me know if there are any outfits you want details on 😃 You can also comment below if there are any looks you would like to see, suggestions for those hard-to-wear/know-when-to-wear pieces, or questions about fashion or my favorite places to shop! 

Love y'all!