Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Style Sleuth. From Mini to Midi: Flooring the Hemline

Rachel Yeomans for Second City Style Magazine

I recently acquired a sleeveless Marc Jacobs silk dress, which is now my most prized possession for the spring season. However, I was a little nervous about its acceptance into the current fashion world being the fact it dons the label of “midi”—aka below the knee. Would my Marc Jacobs be dissed due to its extended hemline?

Upon donning the new garb to its very first fashion show, instead of being ridiculed out of bottle service, it was given an applauding toast! I was so excited to feel so feminine and put-together in my new outfit, and also to feel so comfortable! I own my minis like every other female, but there are times I’m more concerned with how I’m positioned more so than events around me. This shift in a dress was a very welcome shift in my wardrobe.

Read more "From Mini to Midi: Flooring the Hemline" here

Mother's Day. A Recap of Our Ode to Mom

Last year, some the staff at Second City Style paid tribute to the greatest fashion influencer in our lives...Mom! Click here to read them!

Stay tuned. This year we will have an ode to some of our fashionable Dads for Father's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Second City Style

Spring Trends. Be a Chanteuse in Chartreuse

Like what you see? Click here for shopping details

Yes, the color chartreuse can be tricky to pull off, but if you are blond or have olive skin, this color is divine. If you don't stick with a bag or shoes. Chartreuse is divine.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Spring Trend. Cropped Leather Jacket Worn Three Ways

OK, I've had it! Where is the warm spring weather already? It got me thinking. I just can't stand the thought of wearing wool anymore. In fact, I have packed it away. Bold move considering I am freezing! What can I wear now? Well, pretty much anything as long as I have this seasons hottest outwear trend...a cropped leather jacket! I have been living in mine the past few weeks.

Here we show you three different ways to wear it...now.

For the glamor girl:

Like what you see? Shop the look here

For the uptown fashionista:

Want this look? Shop it here

For the office:

If you like this look, shop it here

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Fashion Inspiration. Model Style for All.

Obviously, not every woman can wear what a model can wear, on or off the runway. But the girls who deliver the style of designers while on the job can definitely inspire us while wearing their own combinations and creations. Even if these entire looks are a bit over-the-top for your everyday life, take the high points to influence your own purchases and pairings.

Tanya Dziahileva at 3.1 Phillip Lim

Looks to take with you: Metallics. Try this trend in small doses in an accessory if you can't stomach making it the focal point of your outfit. Layering. Working two (or more) tops together is a look that can flatter a woman of any size, not just a pin-thin model. The cropped jacket. As Spring heats up, you can wear the cropped jacket strictly to accent your ensemble since you don't need it for the warmth.

Lindsay Ellingson at Badgley Mischka

Looks to take with you: The Classics. A simple white western shirt with a broken-in pair of jeans can be endlessly chic on anyone. How to make it work like this model? Her tight tuck on the shirt and her pristine dark manicure keep the look neat, prim, and full of attitude. It's in the details.

Agyness Deyn and Chanel Iman at Michael Kors

Looks to take with you: Well, definitely not the furry muppet-looking sweater that Deyn is rocking. Something better? Hats. Whether it's a straw Panama, a fedora, or one of the floppy numbers that have been circulating, protecting your skin (and your highlights) with headgear is cool. What else can you take from these wild women? Their smiles. You can wear these bright colors, vintage pieces, and crazy patterns, too, if you wear them with a confident grin. 

- Hayley Wells

Photos: Style.com

Male Box. Street Cred: Spring Edition

Thomas Kikis for Second City Style Magazine

For those jaded, fashion obsessed souls, what is on the runway is reality. Couture is simply dressing up and avant-garde is their version of being “risky”. But what about actual reality: Fashion that doesn’t require six rounds of fittings, a personal relationship with someone at LVMH, and an American Express Centurion Black card? Sometimes, seeing what actual human beings put together can be just as inspiring as front row seats during Fashion Week.

As the weather starts to warm up, people can finally show off how they’ve decided to mix and match their highs and lows without hiding behind a puffy Moncler jacket or fussy Burberry trench. I decided to take it to the streets and see what people are wearing. Here are some of my favorites.

Michelle, 24, Law Student

What are you wearing?
My shirt is Doo.Ri for Gap, my pants are Miu Miu, and my shoes are Fendi. My clutch is Bottega Veneta. My watch is my grandpa’s old Rolex.

Why I stopped her?
Ever since Lindsay and Mischa became too drunk to pull together an actual outfit (or even call a stylist) and resorted to leggings 24/7, it seems that every twenty-something girl decided to follow suit. So when I spotted a girl wearing proper pants I knew it was too good to pass up!

Read more "Street Cred: Spring Edition" here

Style Sleuth. From Skirts to Shorts — In Style

Rachel Yeomans for Second City Style Magazine

I haven’t worn shorts since high school soccer; however with the recurrence of last year’s Bermuda trend, I feel that I need to get on the bandwagon. Finding a pair, however, that wouldn’t make me look like a boy at prep-school or turn me bow-legged is a daunting task for this skirt-clad dame.

My two primary requirements on this “short” venture: Not too short, and not relating to a cropped capri. Oh yes, and the ability to stretch. Now I will admit ignorance on the half-pant mark, due to avoiding the clothing type entirely for years. Well this fashion guru admits an error of judgment in result of having come across some adorable fashion pieces to make me realize that my wardrobe is sadly lacking a whole section of possibilities!

I started pretty safe on my shopping journey. I embarked to the places of khakis and white tee’s, namely Banana Republic, Gap and J. Crew. Lo and behold, J. Crew boasted not one, two, or even three varying length options of the short. They offered us ladies the choice of shorts 3”, 5”, 7”, and for those bold souls, 9” above the knee.

After this discovery, I got a little braver in scouring the short department.

Read more "From Skirts to Shorts — In Style" here

Pret Reporteur. The Magic of Melbourne

Gabbie Perez for Second City Style Magazine

I was pleasantly surprised by my recent trip to Australia, as I discovered not only a charismatic people and culture, but also a land of fantastic shopping! Albeit long, the 24-hour flight from Paris was well worth it for the treasures I found Down Under. Oh no, Australia is not all kangaroos and beaches.

My Melbournian friends claim that Melbourne fashion is comparable to New York City, and Sydney fashion with L.A. I have to agree. Melbourne style is defined as a fusion of European sophistication and indie experimentation (which I have never seen pulled off so well!). It’s smart, it’s comfortable, it’s exclusively Australian.
Don’t miss...

Alice Euphemia
Looking for one-of-a-kind pieces? This is your one stop shop. Be sure to check out the up-and-coming Australian label Romance Was Born. If you like outrageous patterns, this line is for you. My favorite item was the corn chip dipped in the yummy choice of gold plate or sterling silver. Who said fashion couldn’t be funny?

Read more "The Magic of Melbourne" here

Fashion Finds. An Affordable & Stylish Trench for Spring

Some of you have implored us to try to look for less expensive alternatives to some of spring's fashion trends. We listened.

Trenches are everywhere this season…spotted on every celeb from Katie Holmes to Jessica Alba. Gallery coats are moderately priced from $100-$150, so they are great for the fashionista who is looking for something trendy, yet affordable!

Shop Gallery trenches here

Spring/Summer Style Ideas. Look Crisp in White

I can't help it. Every spring I wait for the days where I can wear crisp, clean white. Ah, nothing is better. I always say I am going to add more color to my wardrobe every spring, but alas I keep being drawn back to white. I mean take a look below...I couldn't stop!

Fendi Petal Collar Dress $1,170

Funnel Neck Jacket $138

Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Pattern Tote $2,600

Dolce & Gabbana Silk Mikado Dress $2,495

 

Derek Lam Laundered Canvas Dress $1,490

Bruno Frisoni Open Toe White Patent Flat $695

Roberto Cavalli Antique Lace Dress $3,160

Banana Republic Monogram Cotton Peacoat $228

Tod's Restyled D-Bag Tote Media in White $1,550

Trovata 'Zebra' Trench Coat $423 

Louis Vuitton Tambour Diamond Lovely Cup Watch $6,750

Temperley London Sabina Belted Dress $950

 

Michael Kors Floral Filcoupe Dress $1,395

Giuseppe Zanotti Cut-Out Wedges $695

Lenny White Gathered Maillot $185

J.Crew Josie Dress $138

Rebecca Taylor Embroidered Eyelet Camisole $295

- Lauren Dimet Waters