Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Silly Penguin, Tux' are for Girls!

Tux Jacket (Jones New York); Lace Skirt (Lapis, Steinmart - see it styled a different way here); Necklace (Pretty Woman - read more about this Southern Indiana boutique here); Shoes (M by Marinelli, Steinmart); Clutch (Alexander McQueen, Zappos.com)
When it comes to cocktail attire, I usually gravitate toward slightly retro looks and fit 'n flare or a-line shaped dresses.  But, I've always liked the idea of women in tuxedos - it's unexpected and sophisticated. This year, they seem to be quite popular, and just yesterday InStyle Magazine dubbed Julia Roberts' tuxedo-clad look for the premier of her new movie as the "look of the day."

I'm no Julia Roberts, but for a recent event for the Indy affiliate of independent arts organization RAWI decided to shake up my own traditional martini garb with a satin-lapelled tux jacket that's been hiding out in the back of my closet for about a year.  I have the tuxedo pants, too (along with a similarly styled tuxedo in ivory), but the matching pants and jacket felt a bit too much like a basic black pants suit that I might wear to the office.  I wanted something more unexpected, so I mixed in a decidedly feminine texture with a black lace skirt, and topped it off with crystal studded strappy heels and an ultra modern statement necklace in stainless steel, brass, and crystal.  My favorite part of the whole ensemble is the Alexander McQueen butterfly clutch.  Its vibrant colors really pop against the all-black outfit, and the stained-glass patterned fabric echoes the circular design of the lace skirt and the curves of the necklace.  It's the female equivalent of a patterned cummerbund!

I did not purchase any of these pieces with the intention (or even the thought) of wearing them together, but it's always gratifying to come up with a new look using pieces I already own.  The result left me feeling like a female James Bond, and I ordered my martini shaken, not stirred (though I also ordered it with raspberry vodka and a splash of cointreau, which isn't nearly as cool but, hey, I like what I like).
Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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