Lookbook: Pilgrim Swag

"The scarf - a pilgrim fashion item."

The brief hiatus has been due to a recent pilgrimage that I took to Israel and Palestine including stops in Paris, Lourdes, Covadonga, Fatima, Porto and Lisbon. While there will be a ton of posts on different elements of the experience, it seemed fitting for a extra lookbook post special on summer fashion - the pilgrim swag.

A common and necessary piece of pilgrim clothing is the scarf. Appropriately lightweight for the hot weather conditions and a convenient cover-up at sacred sites, the scarf was a neccesary fashion accessory. Also while fashion may not be the first, second or third thing that comes to mind when thinking about a pilgrimage, clothing is indeed something that pilgrims need to give thought to in order to ensure that they are appropriately dressed.

Urban Pilgrim
Low-rise loosely fitted denim print capri with a solid tank and striped scarf

Forever 21 coral tank

Urban Streetwear denim print capri

Korean Boutique wrap Zippered Sandal

Ardene striped Scarf

Forever 21 beige retro Sunglasses

The capri was loose and lightweight and not thick heavy denim while still sporting a denim print. Being a capri - you get the benefit and comfort of a pant and the breezy feel of shorts. Capris are a good go-to item as they fall to the right length - below the knee - for a pilgrimage. Pairing the capris with a bright solid tank kept the outfit summery and fun. A looser or fitted tank could be worn depending on personal preference. For the weather conditions a looser tank might be more comfortable. Finishing the outfit with a pair of black wrap up sandals, retro nude/beige sunglasses and a scarf really brought the pilgrim swag alive. Using a scarf that is long enough to wear as a head scarf/band and still drape down your back or over your shoulders, creates a more dynamic appearance. Furthermore it also acts as a light throw when you need to cover up your shoulders. This particular scarf complimented colour-wise with the tank and the capri.

Desert Pilgrim: Bethany Romper
Tube printed romper with solid crop top and printed scarf

HnM crop top with zippered back

Bethany Boutique romper

Korean Boutique wrap zippered sandal

Aldo grey satchel

Ardene printed scarf

Assorted arm party collected from boutiques in Jerusalem and Lourdes

This romper was purchased in the town of Bethany. The material is 100% cotton and is some of the softest material I've ever felt. Loose fitting and lightweight it was appropriate for the long and hot days. Pairing it with a solid cap sleeved crop top provides appropriate cover up for the sacred sites. The black solid top balanced out the colours in the outfit as the pant was beige and had a busy print. Here too, finishing the outfit with a pair of wrap up black sandals, retro nude/beige sunglasses and a printed scarf completed the pilgrim look. The scarf chosen for this outfit attempted to bring out some of the colours in the romper. Also the scarf here was worn loosely around the neck, tied at the side with one edge draped on the front left side and the other over the back on the left side.

Boho Pilgrim: Syrian Pants
Printed overized pants with solid crop top and aztec printed scarf

 

HnM crop top with zippered back

Bethany Boutique Syrian pant

Korean Boutique wrap zippered sandal

Forever 21 beige retro sunglasses

Ardene Aztec print scarf

The oversized pants were also purchased from a vendor in Bethany. They seem to be quite popular at all locations visited in the past month. Again the loose fit and the lightweight feel were appropriate for the weather and the choice of capri length or full length pant allowed the outfit to be in line with sacred site standards. It also made it appropriate for the hot days and the cooler nights. Syrian pants - as some shopkeepers called them - have an elasticized band at the ankle which can be used to wear the pant as a capri or at it's full length. Paired with a solid black crop top to create a simplistic and sombre look. The outfit was finished with black wrap sandals, retro nude/beige sunglasses and printed scarf worn as a head band knotted to the side. The scarf chosen was a blue aztec printed scarf to add a burst of colour ibut still n a sober manner.

What do you think of pilgrim swag? Which outfit would you rock outside of a pilgrimage?

Lookbook: Summer Dress Fever

Photo & Model Credit: @naomicamrey
Urban Outfitters Dress - Pink Suede

Necklace

Rooftop Wedge Sandal

Bag


A new take on dresses this summer is the long-tailed back drop effect. What is more interesting though is that this tailed-back can be knotted and left to hang in the back at the middle or side. Definitely a different look and feel. The knotted back is great if you are at a standing social but unsure as to how it would feel when walking around or even dancing. The wedges are claimed to be the most comfy pair of shoes and can easily take on a right hour work day, followed by a two hour dinner date and a late night club rendezvous - tried and tested and passed with flying colours. The necklace adds an appropriate bohemian look, espcially since it drops far below the neckline. The mini cross-body bag with a drawstring closure gives the outfit a vintage feel due to the colour and also provides the wearer with ample space to store their necessary belongings while maintaining a cute chic appearance.

Photo & Model Credit: @pands_d

HnM Dress

Ardene Belt

SpeedLimit Nude Strapped Pump

Boutique Ring (Hong Kong)

This outfit is a good example of summer time dresses gone chic. Take a flowy/ruffled dress add a thin belt and you've a chic-er than before outfit. Pair it with sky-high pump to amplify the sliming appearance. The outfit could take a slightly different look if paired with a thicker belt, possibly making it less dressed up and instead more laid-back. Try it out with different belts and sound off with images in the comments section.

 

HnM Neon Summer Dress

Coach Wristlet

Boutique Bracelet

Ardene Beige Pump

The colours in this dress were to die for. Neon is in on so many levels this summer and while it usually doesn't seem formal if neon, this and the next dress prove neon can indeed be chic. The palm leaf effect along with the neon coloured print definitely make this a summer dress. The simplicity of the cut allowed it not to go overboard. Pairing it with a brown/beige clutch and shoes seemed to offer a great summery and playful alternative to black accessories. Apologies for the lack of an image of the shoes. Available on request.

HnM Neon Zippered Back Cap-Sleeve Dress

Boutique Drop Earrings (Japan)

Forever 21 Wrist Wrap Bracelet

SpeedLimit Nude Strapped Pump

By far one of the sexiest and mature dresses I've seen this summer! Worn for a 25th birthday this dress makes a statement of grown, sexy and yet fun. The simple cut sits in the most flattering of ways accentuating the front side, back side and the arms! What dress helps to accentuate arms?!!! The oversized metallic zippered back makes the dress well fitting and adds much appeal to the back, in addition to the scooped backline (adds to the sexy factor). The fabric is stretch and breathable. Therefore the dress is actually comfortable. The detail in the sleeves adds to the formal look and makes a more mature statement than a tube, thin straps or even thick straps would have. The mini-cap sleeves added to the formality, in my opinion. The pairing of the dress with strapped nude pumps elongated the legs and definitely contributes to a slimmer appearance. The wrist wrap and watch seemed appropriate accessories in trying not to over indulge and maintain the chic of the outfit. Lastly, pairing it with uber-long earring instead of studs and a necklace allowed for the face and neckline to be highlighted without the use of a necklace (which may have drawn too much attention to the neckline). Remember sexy yet chic.

Summer Dress Fever: Let us know which one's your favourite and different ways you would wear it or accessorize it!

Lookbook: The High-Waisted Empire

I never realized how many diverse styles and outfit high waisted shorts could create. From pairing it with a bandeau, tank top, tshirt and blazer, high waisted shorts could be the go-to item for this summer. A new trend (new to me at least) seems to be the one to two inches of exposed tummy between top and short and while this exposed-tummy-trend looks great on a maxi skirt, high waisted shorts can also be quite the chic choice.

Benefits of the high waisted empire:

A smoother silhouette

Emphasized waist indent

Longer legs/Legs for days

A chic look with shorts!

---

Streetwear Society Beige Shorts     

Basic White Tank

HnM Jacket

CallitSpring Necklace

India Boutique Ring

GoJane Boots

High waisted shorts tanked and blazered. High waisted shorts seem to be a comfy and trendy outfit this summer. While allowing you to wear shorts for summer the high waisted angle allows for a chic and fashionable look. Accessorizing the shorts with a colourful pair of pumps, brightly coloured nails, drooping necklaces and a detailed jacket can definitely dress up the outfit. Whereas pairing them with boots or booties and a neon crop shirt can create a comfy dressed-down look still suitable for a casual night out.

 Streetwear Society Beige Shorts

Ardene Neon Crop Tee

CallitSpring Booties

Even more fun can happen with pairing high waisted shorts with a bright bold coloured bandeau. Dress it up with pumps or heeled gladiators or dress it down with gladiator flats. Photograph and model credit for the picture below go to @naomicamrey.

Wilfred Bandeau

Wilfred Free White Shorts

Little Burgundy Brown Gladiators

WAKE Necklace

Ray Ban Sunglasses

A more loose fitting high waisted look provides for a super-comfy look that you can wear out. These army green shorts come full loaded with comfortable and tie waist band and pockets! Pair it with a short top - patterned or solid and you're good to go. Cobalt nail polish and platform wedged booties were the chosen finishing touch. *Confession for a looser look purchase a pair of shorts a couple (or more) sizes larger than you would normally take, as was done by mistake below, but turned out quite well/comfy.

 g21 Crop Tee

g21 Army Green Shorts

CallitSpring Platform Wedge Booties

Innisfree Cobalt Nailpolish

Lookbook: Coloured Pants

     HnM Leopard sweater                        HnM Jacket                                        Urban Outfitters Top

     Garage Pant                                       Parisian Orange Pant                        UK2LA Beige Pant

     PriMark Booties                                  GoJane Boots                                    Blowfish Jute Boots

     Garage Satchel

Coloured pants have started to colour up my wardrobe as well as the streets this year. They are very different from what was previously in style (at least what I was used to): 50 shades of blue denim, pastel colours, neutral colours, harems, printed pants, etc. Coloured pants are bold ensuring that whether or not you want to be seen, you will be seen.

If you're like me and really wanted to own a pair (or eight) but still felt like it was a little out of your usual comfort zone then try #2 and #3 above. The pairing of coloured pants with a neutral or black top kind of sobered the colour instead of going over the top. And the more comfortable you are the harder you'll rock it out.

Each of the above pairs is a different kind of pant, #1 looser cargo feel, #2 slim fit parisian pant (fits like a brazilian cut skinny jean) and #3 high waist skinny jean.

Break it down

#1 the red pants and the leopard cardigan: The mood was to experiment and be out there. Paired with heeled booties the outfit was comfy yet trendy yet unique (to me, at least, even as I look at the picture now).

#2 the orange skinny and leather jacket: This was a great date outfit. It was trendy and chic and bad-a** all at the same time. The jacket has gorgeous blackened-gold details with the buttons and the sleeves (*close up photo coming soon). The fit of the pant and the cut of the jacket were flattering to the body and the balance of bold colour meets biker girl seemed to instil the appropriate confidence for the night. Good case of "you feel how you look" ;) 

#3 the beige skinny and black top: This was a crazy comfy outfit for one of those blasé days where you just throw on something. It was more so on the safe side with the beige coloured jean and the black top (but low and behold there's colour in the back). Everytime I look at this picture I cannot picture a better top or pant or pair of shoes for the way I was feeling on this blahzay day.  The black top with the blue and white striping at the back (see picture below) really added something different to the outfit and while usually a dress up top the pant made it quite the 'chill' outfit. The shoes add a cute boho look with the tattered top and jute-look.

Lookbook: The Blazer

The theme for May is the blazer. The blazer can be the perfect feature to add to the classic look. It dresses up any outfit and adds a fashionable sense of sophistication.

Check out the three outfits below using the same blazer.

The Classic look: the classic use of the blazer to give a business/formal look. The trending cuff is a great detail, and while stylish gives of a sense of refined relaxation.

The pant is a comfortable alternative to previous decade's fitted trouser or pant suit trouser. It's high waist and cuffed bottoms makes it a trouser that is chic and wearable.

The booties are the perfect alternative to the office pump. The lace up military look with a moderate heel makes it the ideal fashionable accessory for the office.






HnM Blazer
Urban Pant/Trouser
Spring Booties

The Event look: The blazer continues to provide a chic and sophisticated element when attending an event. Not work-related yet a professional gathering is the perfect time to experiment with other pieces but still use the blazer as your (professional) safety net.

The gray harems are an uber-comfortable yet styles feel. The colour fits in with the professional palette, yet the harems give off a fashionable and relaxed feel. Accenting the grayscale with a pop of colour such as the greenie (green over-the-shoulder bag) proved to be the perfect touch fitting in with this year's trend of bright colours.

The booties continue to keep the outfit professional while being a more comfortable and cozy alternative to the peep-toe or workplace pump.



HnM Blazer
Attitude by Jay Manuel for Sears Harems
PriMark booties
HnM Bag



The Dotted Pro: The blazer provides a soberness to the overtop pattern in the pant. It continues to be the idea touch for a chic and sophisticated appearance.

The polka dot pant, also another uber-comfy yet out there style, added a much necessary pop/pattern to the classic look. Perfect for an evening out, the two pieces seemed to compliment each other. Using an over-the-shoulder bag working the brown tones yet with a burst of red was a fitting accessory.

The booties, here too, are a comfy yet chic add on rather than the wedge or pump.





HnM Blazer
Urban Pant
PriMark booties
ALDO bag
Forever 21 ring and necklace

Lookbook

What is the lookbook?

The lookbook is a page that consists of all the looks that I have gathered. All the models used have submitted their images to this blogspot and the themes range from the classic blazer to carnival colours.

Every first Friday of every month 3-4 images will be released. These images will relate to a particular theme. These outfits hope to inspire and try out new fashion ideas allowing a diverse range of individuals to create their own fashion statements.

To submit a photograph email chimerashinobi@gmail.com. On submitting a photograph you are confirming that you hold the rights to the photograph and that the individual in the photograph has consented to have their image posted online.