Elements of Style: The Skinny Belt

by Brooke

THE HISTORY

Belts have always been a staple in a wardrobe, and according to Wikipedia, they have been in use since the Bronze Age. So it's safe to say that adding a good, solid belt or two to your wardrobe is a safe bet if you haven't already. By the last half of the 19th century, belts were worn for both decorative and utilitarian reasons. 

Over the past couple years, the skinny belt has taken the fashion world by storm and now you can walk into almost any big-box clothing chain and find scores of options. While other, wider belts are worn more for function (i.e. keeping your pants around your waist), skinny belts are an accessory and should be treated as such. Skinny belts can reign in a flowy shirt or dress, be loose or wrapped and knotted, or even provide a pop of color to balance out a monochromatic outfit. 

Of course, many of the same rules that apply to finding a good fitting normal-width belt also apply to skinny belts—black or other dark colors will obviously draw less attention to your waist (or wherever your belt is located) and will look more slimming. But because skinny belts are accessories, you can find them for great prices. Plus, it also means you can accent your wardrobe with a couple of colorful, high-quality well-made belts that will last you for years to come. 

Photo illustration by Brooke Rane for The Thirteenth. Original photograph of Skinny Leather Belt via J.Crew. Click for link.

HOW TO WEAR IT

(1) Street style via Free New Fashion Design (2) J.Crew via Beauty & Syle (3) Paul & Joe runway style by Style.com via Chick Advisor (4) Eva Mendes (5) Bottega Veneta runway style by Vogue.com via Local Fashionista (6) Bright skinny belt via Fashion Phoenix (7) 40's runway style via Fashion Feen

MAKE IT YOURS

(1) Another Line 'Updated' Skinny Patent Belt at Nordstrom (2) Suede Skinny Belt by Madewell (3) Thin Braided Leather Belt by Banana Republic (4) Skinny Plaque Belt by J.Crew (5) Ecote Studded Skinny Belt by Urban Outiftters (6) Patent Skinny Belt by Banana Republic (7) Exotic Skinny Belt by Ann Taylor (8) Gold + Silver Skinny Belt Duo by Delia*s (9) Bow Skinny Belt by Delia*s

Elements of Style: The Pencil Skirt

by Brooke

The pencil skirt is always a great piece of clothing to have in your closet—it never goes out of style and is highly feminine. It pairs well with heels, especially nude ones, which will elongate your legs even more. Add a great pair of back-seamed hosiery and you can kick it up a notch while harking back to the classic 1950s style. Watch any episode of Mad Men and you'll recognize the style immediately. 

THE HISTORY

Named for its shape, French fashion designer Christian Dior is credited with the introduction of the modern pencil skirt and debuted the look in the late 1940s. Given that the pencil skirt was born in the wake of World War Two, fabrics were expensive and the success of the pencil skirt is due in great part to the demand women made for inexpensive, fashionable office wear. 

If you've never worn a pencil skirt, it might take some getting used to. Practice your power walk—because the pencil skirt hugs your curves, your legs are held closer together. So clearly, if you can manage to ride a bike while wearing one, you have skills. A great plus for the ladies during the winter, the pencil skirt is also warmer due to this snug fit. 

Photo illustration by Brooke Rane for The Thirteenth. Original photograph via The Fashion Mob. Click for link.

HOW TO WEAR IT

The Daily Obsession shares 5 Ways to Wear a Pencil Skirt. Check it out for more great style ideas!

(1) Victoria Beckham (2) Street style via Pinterest (3) Carine Roitfield (4) Michelle Obama (5) Marilyn Monroe (6) Street Style via Style Bistro (7) Street style via Fashion Beans

MAKE IT YOURS

Because it's a classic, you'll look great in one at any age. The key is to make sure you have a good fit in the hips and waist. If you find a great one in a store but it is a bit loose in those areas, have it tailored—the fit is worth the extra cost.

Neutral shades will always be a safe bet and will last forever, but don't be afraid of patterns and color! The thing to remember is CONTRAST. When you wear a patterned pencil skirt, keep it simple up top and go with a nude heel. A white shirt always looks fresh no matter what color the skirt is. 

(1) Long No.2 Pencil Skirt by J. Crew (2) Silk Pencil Skirt by Marni for H+M (3) Seamed Pencil Skirt by Victoria's Secret (4) Ponti Knit Pencil Skirt with Pockets by ASOS (5) Patterned Pencil Skirt by H+M (6) Polka Dot Pencil Skirt by River Island (7) Pencil Skirt by The Gap (8) Sequin Pencil Skirt by TFNC (9) Ponte Knit Pencil Skirt by Victoria's Secret

Elements of Style: The Ballet Flat

by Brooke

THE HISTORY

The essence of the ballet flat has existed since at least the 16th century, in which men wore a similar shoe, then known as pompes. Even in medieval times ballet flats were popular with both men and women. They only came out of fashion in the 17th and 18th centuries when the high-heeled shoe came into fashion after Catherine de' Medici requested that her cobbler add two inches to her wedding shoes.

Women began to dance in ballet in 1681, twenty years after King Louis XIV of France ordered the founding of the Royal Academy of Dance. At that time, the standard women's ballet shoe had heels, but heels went out of fashion quickly after Marie Antoinette walked to the guillotine in a pair. By the mid-18th century, dancer Marie Camargo of the Paris Opéra Ballet was the first to wear a non-heeled shoe, and so the modern ballet slipper (and it's derivative, the ballet flat) was born.

Throughout Europe and America, functional shoes like sandals, boots, and flat shoes prevailed in the 19th century. But always a classic, ballet flats were back in the spotlight again when Audrey Hepburn wore them with skinny jeans in Funny Face in 1957 and have been a closet staple since.

HOW TO WEAR THEM

(01) Audrey Hepburn (02) Garance Dore (03) Rosie Whiteley (04) Katie Holmes + Suri (05) Sarah Jessica Parker (06) Kate Moss

MAKE IT YOURS 

(01) Lanvin Metallic Cap Toe (02) J. Crew Classic Satin (03) Calvin Klein 'Bailey' Calf Hair (04) Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Amarissa' Leather (05) LOFT Sparkle Toe (06) Vince Camuto 'Ellen'

Elements of Style: The Scarf

by Brooke

Is there a woman out there who doesn't love a scarf? I love them. For me, it's the one place where I let loose as far as color and pattern go and I've found some great ones over the years. Scarves also have to be one of the easiest ways to put a unique stamp on your look and can be tied a million ways, easily lending themselves to making an old outfit seem like new.

When I was thinking about scarves as an Element of Style, two types come to mind: the thick, cozy knitted ones that we'll start to throw on as winter gets into full swing, and then the lighter silk, cashmere, cotton or twill ones that often come in beautifully printed patterns. These seem to be the ones that we all love but have no idea what to do with or how to wear them, but hopefully you'll feel inspired to give one a try. No matter the weather, scarves are a fun addition to your everyday wardrobe and investing in a good scarf or two will go a long way if you choose wisely.

Jump below for a short history of the scarf, how to wear them, and where to find ones we love.

images via here, here and here

THE HISTORY

According to my research, the history of the scarf actually dates back to ancient Rome. Back then the scarf was less worn for style than it was for function—as a sweat cloth, really. The Romans were busy getting dirty and sweaty and these linen kerchiefs did the trick. Moving up in time, historians found both emperors in China and Crotatian mercenaries wearing cotton and silk scarves.

The French quickly became hooked on these scarves, calling them cravats (from the Croatian word kravata) and soon the colorful scarves became outward demonstrations of political association. Hermes is by far one of the most famous producers of silk scarves, followed closely behind by the likes of Emilio Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Missoni.

By the 19th century the scarf had entered mainstream fashion in menswear and became a wardrobe essential. As time passed, the scarf began to be produced in fabrics other than linen, cotton or silk and now long scarves made of wool and other natural fibers are best for warm weather, while the square-shaped, lightweight ones are great for spring and summer.

ANATOMY OF THE SQUARE SCARF

HOW TO WEAR IT

1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7

You MUST watch this video from Wendy's Lookbook—she goes through 25 ways to wear your scarf in 4.5 minutes. Be sure to wait until the end, where you can click on any of the 25 for step-by-step instructions. At more than 4 million views on YouTube, it's a gem.

MAKE IT YOURS

1: J.Crew — 2. Madewell — 3. LemLem — 4. Pucci

5. Rag + Bone — 6. J.Crew — 7. Old Navy — 8. Ban.do

Also, for a fun and easy DIY scarf, check out Megan's links and tutorial here.

For 25 more DIY scarves, this Babble post is full of great inspiration, too.

Elements of Style: The Rain Boot

by Brooke

Elements of Style is a column where we'll highlight classic pieces to add to or keep in your wardrobe—the elements that you can invest in, keep around for more than one season and create your own style with. This post is the second in this column, following up last month's post on the trench coat.

Fall is officially in swing, isn't it? Halloween is around the corner, leaves are piling up, candy is filling bowls and a trip to the pumpkin patch is in order, if you're like me and have waited until the week before. One of my favorite pieces of fall footwear is a pair of Hunter rain boots my husband gave me for my birthday a couple years ago. Hunter boots have become extremely popular since being spotted on Kate Moss about 5 years ago, and for good reason—they're the perfect transition footwear as the temperature drops, rain and snow arrive and you're working out in the yard or heading to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. But whether it's a pair of Hunters, or another style or brand, rain boots are a great cover up to keep pant hems dry and your feet clean, too.

Jump below for a short history on rain boots (or wellies, if you will), how to wear them, and where to find a pair.

image from here

THE HISTORY

Wellington boots, predecessor of the modern rain boot and so named and designed for the Duke of Wellington by his shoemaker, were originally a modification on a Hessian boot design and were originally made of leather. In 1852, Americans Hiram Hutchinson and Charles Goodyear (of tire manufacturing fame) met and Hutchinson bought the patent to manufacture rubber footware. Soon after he moved to France and established what is known today as Aigle.

Similar to the history of the trench coat, the birthplace of the modern rainboot can be traced back to its roots in England when the production of Wellington boots was heightened during World War I. The North British Rubber Company (now Hunter Boot Ltd) was charged by the British War Office to design and produce a boot that could meet the rough, wet trenches.

As with many things that were designed for the soldier in warfare, the Wellington boot trickled into mainstream fashion and today can be found on fashion runways and your local Target. Did you know that terminology for rain boots varies across the world? In Australia they're called "gummies". In Ireland they're "topboots" or "Wellies".

Fun facts about the Hunter boot are here—for instance, didn't you always want to know that it takes a gallon of custard to fill a size 10 Hunter boot?

ANATOMY OF THE RAINBOOT

click to enlarge

HOW TO WEAR THEM

For great tips on how to make your boots look best with jeans and dresses, click here, here or here.

1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7

MAKE THEM YOURS

1: Aigle — 2: Tretorn — 3: Merona — 4: Chinese Laundry

5: Target — 6: Ariat — 7: Hunter — 8: Merona