No matter how many stylish jackets or amazing co-ord sets you own, a wardrobe slump is inevitable. While items like biker shorts remain a tempting warm weather style staple, try a new approach to your outerwear and go for a fashion classic: patent leather. Patent leather is not new to the rodeo, but it's made a very refreshing comeback.
Rethink the way you wear your patent leather items this spring and check out three ways I styled it.
If you prefer to start slow, try wearing patent as an accessory piece; think shoes, belts, bags, or hats. This is probably the most subtle approach. Detail is everything darling, you can make an equal statement with a small detail just as much as you can with a bold statement piece.
I paired a corset style patent leather waist belt with some distressed jeans, an oversized white tee, platform boots, and white leather jacket. Notice the detail in the belt, it's shaped to sit right underneath the chest to accentuate your shape and has a fun exposed silver zipper in the back. The great thing about this look, is that it can be dressed up or down. Make a quick wardrobe change into a short faux fur coat and a pair of boots or heels and you've gone from day-time-play, to night-time-chic just like that.
If boots were made for walking, then why not go for the shiny ones? Am I right? Now when it comes to patent shoes, you can really have fun. Think outside of the box and outside of the tap class you were in at five years old. Consider colors beyond the black family, like a deep maroon, olive green, cream, brown, or even red.
I personally don't discriminate when it comes to heel height. You can rock patent on everything from an oxford flat to a thigh high boot. To avoid having a Julia Roberts Pretty Woman moment with the thigh highs, make sure the rest of your outfit is balanced. Style them with something oversized or flowy versus short and tight, for a more fashion forward look.
In this look, I styled a pair of Steve Madden stiletto boots with a denim skirt, oversized jacket, and off the shoulder sweater. The skirt is on the shorter side, so with the heels being so high, I offset the look with both an oversized sweater and jacket. Boom, balance.
Now, if you're really feeling like a badass, then dive right into a shiny patent jacket. Jackets are so fun because even with this type of leather, there's still room to play around with the material and finish. Options can range from the classic shiny patent leather finish, or even a crushed patent leather look where the jacket looks a little more toned down and worn in.
I purchased this jacket from ASOS a couple of years ago and it is truly one of the best purchases I've ever made. You can style a cropped oversized jacket like this one over a dress, with jeans, shorts, or even over a formal dress for extra edge. The options are endless! Using the same thought process mentioned before with accessories, you can also think outside of the black color family when it comes to jackets. Looking to make a statement? Go for red. Looking for something a little more versatile? Stick with black.
If you're looking for a simple way to amp things up when it comes to your wardrobe, it may be time to branch out and take a much needed fashion risk! Patent leather is timeless. The ways we wear it will continue to evolve and change over time, and every girl should have at least one patent item in her closet. Remember, winter style doesn't have to be boring. So the next time you notice a slew of patent leather pieces hit nearly every retailers' new arrival page, go for it.
This season's patent leather is unlike any we've seen before.
Original photography by Sanniyah Sloan for xoNecole.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here to receive our latest articles and news straight to your inbox.
Original photography by Sanniyah Sloan for xoNecole.
Originally published January 10, 2019
Tim Weatherspoon surprised his wife, Kelly Rowland, with a heartfelt speech as he presented her with the Fashion Icon of the Year Award. “I couldn’t pass up this moment to tell you that you’ve always been my icon,” the talent manager said. He went on to share that he scoured social media to pull some compliments from the toughest of critics. Weatherspoon said, “My assumption is that these are good ‘Kelly eats the girls every time. Fire emoji, fire emoji, fire emoji.’’’
As the Destiny’s Child alum accepted her award, she proclaimed her love for “that Black man.” Rowland was full of joy and adoration as she accepted the award, reminiscing on the days when she was a little girl from Texas in a group of country girls where stylists were not jumping at the opportunity to dress them. “Tina took matters into her own hands, and she dressed us. We learned what it felt like to start a trend. I remember what it felt like — the pride in it. I also know that ‘we’ start the trends and ‘we’ make what’s cool, cool. Fashion should be grateful for us.”
L-R: Tamron Hall, Stella Jean, and Brandice Daniel
Shutterstock
Then, the incomparable styling duo, Wayman and Micah, took to the stage to receive the Stylist of The Year Award. These two best friends were honored for their creative styling on the likes of Regina King, Tessa Thompson, Taraji P. Henson, Jodie Turner, and so many more. The partners in style applauded HFR’s founder, Brandice Daniel, for creating a table for us. “The table is marble and custom,” Micah exclaimed.
The fashion heavy hitters were absolutely in the building. Gabriela Karefa-Johnson, a New York-based stylist and VOGUE Global Contributing Fashion Editor-at-Large renowned for her eye for emerging designers and her narrative-driven approach to diversifying representation in fashion, accepted the Editor of the Year Award.
Tamron Hall sang the praises of the Designer of the Year recipient, Stella Jean, for being a visionary who not only creates whimsical pieces but takes a stand for what she believes in. “During this pivotal moment, one designer made a courageous and impactful decision. Stella Jean, an Italian-Haitian fashion visionary, took a stand in a bold and powerful move. Stella Jean pledged to return to the runway only when she would no longer be the sole Black designer on the Milan schedule.”
Johnny Nunez, the culture’s #1 photographer, reminded us of the importance of perseverance in the face of rejection while accepting the Photographer of the Year award. Just before his speech, Valeisha Butterfield, Google's Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement, gave Nunez his flowers for always making her feel seen and appreciated, which gave her the determination to be herself and take up space.
A$AP Rocky
Shutterstock
A$AP Rocky lit up the historic Apollo stage with his undeniable charm and intrinsic style. Dressed in a cardigan, Louis Vuitton tie, and a voluminous kilt while his head was adorned with embellished hair clips, he was walking proof that he’s a fashion, music, and culture innovator just like the name of the award he was receiving, the Virgil Abloh Award. For this Harlem native, it was a full circle moment as Abloh helped the rapper with his start in the industry years ago when he helped design his first album cover.
Designers Megan Renee, Nicole Benefiled Portfolio, and A. Potts showcased their transformational designs, which varied in style, texture, and color. Megan Renee's designs were inspired by unapologetic femininity. Nicole Benefiled Portfolio's designs were more geometric and modern, with a focus on clean lines and bright colors. A. Potts' designs were eclectic and playful, with a focus on mixed patterns and bold colors. All three designers created unique and eye-catching pieces that turned heads.
The show concluded with a beautiful tribute to hip-hop by the legendary Doug E. Fresh. The entire show was a celebration of all that is good about fashion, and it was a reminder of why the culture continues to inspire and influence people all over the world. HFR’s New York Fashion Week kickoff was a love letter to the culture, and it was delivered with nothing but style, care, and love.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Shutterstock
