MySpace Muses: May
This month's MySpace Muse features a particularly inspiring crop of individuals who remind us that basics don't have to be boring. These fashion architects know that when constructing an excellent outfit, a solid foundation—think: denim, cutoffs, or the all-important use of black—is essential to the final outcome. Once the infrastructure is sorted, they add finishing flourishes with brightly colored scarves, layered necklaces, and boldly boisterous boots. These accessory choices create statement looks that bear the wearer's fashion signature, much like the way clean, modern lines convey the Bauhaus brand. Study these pillars of personal style and hopefully you'll pick up some new ideas about how to build a chic ensemble from scratch!
A graphic tee and bright accessory personalize an all-black outfit.
Our first muse, Filippa, 20, from Stockholm, put a distinctive, vivid stamp on her dark, leggy look—and we're not alluding to her fiery locks! She punched up her all-black outfit by styling it with a graphic tee and colorful cap: two small, yet transformative, tweaks. You can recreate her look by pairing your favorite noir bottoms with Alexander McQueen's Hummingbird Print T-Shirt
($485). If the insouciant style of a neon skull is not exactly your speed, try a more bohemian approach with Delia's Peacock Feather Tee
($25). Top it all off with Tilly's Linen 3 Button Military Hat ($10) and you're ready to flaunt your own version of Filippa's fashionable flair.
Graduated necklaces and a cuffed blazer make basics look better.
Maybe it's the innate style that comes from living near the Seine, but Adeline, 19, from Paris, surely has a certain je ne sais quoi. We love how she uses the calculated casualness of graduated necklaces and an ivory blazer to capitalize on a simple t-shirt and jeans—c'est chic, non? For a look à la Adeline that's equally worthy of a march through the Marais, try Tuleste Market's Extended Multi-Strand Necklace
($125) and Elizabeth and James' Jackson Blazer
($395). Or, create a completely cost-free custom-jewelry creation by layering a few of your own necklaces in a cascading way!
Tie-dye prints can be chic when mixed with neutral layers.
Sometimes tie-dye can overpower an outfit, but Karen, 28, from New York, knows how to pull it off in the perfect way. She kept the rest of her outfit from competing with the print by wearing it with a simple oversized tee, cropped moto jacket, and unadorned platform pumps—all in basic black. Against these stark pieces, the tie-dye leggings add an element of bohemian raver chic surprise to her look. Take a page from Karen's stylebook and trade in your basic leggings for something with patterned panache, like Target's Xhiliration Tie-Dye Leggings ($13) in Fishbone or American Apparel's Cotton Spandex Jersey ($34) version. If for some reason, you don't have a similar staple t-shirt in your repertoire, we've got a few suggestions to remedy your situation. We like the Harlow-Monrow Vintage Black Oversized Tee ($77) or the Urban Renewal Asymmetrical Jersey Tunic ($48); either one will give you the necessary coverage needed when wearing skin-skimming tights!
Bright accent pieces give you a spring look in a weather-appropriate way.
Moving on to our next style guru, we have Zanita, 20, from Sydney, who teaches us that transitional wear can be bold and seasonally correct. Her thick multi-colored scarf is a great selection—perfect for throwing over your shoulders when you run around in windy weather—while her forest green, bowler-inspired, brimmed hat is an unexpectedly festive choice. We found a couple of pieces that have Zanita's down-under vibe, such as Barja's Yellow Stole Scarf Shawl ($215), which will to keep you cozy until summer. Also check out Christys' Crown Series' Basix Hat ($38); the verdant felt fedora is sure to spruce up your ensemble without breaking the bank.
A body-con top and combat boots balance casual cutoffs.
We love how Jenna, 22, from Los Angeles, puts her own spin on some good ol' fashioned nineties style! By combining a classic pair of cutoffs with a leotard and don't-mess-with-me-boots, Jenna channels life on the stylish edge and MSCL's Rayanne Graff. Recreate her chicly defiant stance with Dr. Martens Patent Zip 9733 Boots
($105) in the same striking crimson hue. And for an equally era-correct bodysuit-and-shorts duo, try American Apparel's Cotton Spandex Leotard ($28) and Anlo's Cammie Cutoff Denim Shorts ($167).
A denim jacket is the perfect casual cover-up this spring.
Our final MySpace Muse, Shelly, 17, from Sweden, showcases an excellently unfussy night-out-with-friends ensemble. By mixing her light-wash denim jacket with a body-con skirt, she's created a look that's sexy without being too overt. We'd like to give her additional kudos for picking an interesting skirt; the high-waisted silhouette and asymmetrical zipper-detail turn up the volume on the otherwise basic piece. Summon Shelly's signature style with Opening Ceremony's Corset Skirt ($265), or, for a smaller investment, American Apparel's Interlock Pencil Skirt ($32). Grab Delia's Harlow Denim Jacket
($55) and you're ready for wherever the night may take you!—Liza Kaplan
A graphic tee and bright accessory personalize an all-black outfit.
Our first muse, Filippa, 20, from Stockholm, put a distinctive, vivid stamp on her dark, leggy look—and we're not alluding to her fiery locks! She punched up her all-black outfit by styling it with a graphic tee and colorful cap: two small, yet transformative, tweaks. You can recreate her look by pairing your favorite noir bottoms with Alexander McQueen's Hummingbird Print T-Shirt
Graduated necklaces and a cuffed blazer make basics look better.
Maybe it's the innate style that comes from living near the Seine, but Adeline, 19, from Paris, surely has a certain je ne sais quoi. We love how she uses the calculated casualness of graduated necklaces and an ivory blazer to capitalize on a simple t-shirt and jeans—c'est chic, non? For a look à la Adeline that's equally worthy of a march through the Marais, try Tuleste Market's Extended Multi-Strand Necklace
Tie-dye prints can be chic when mixed with neutral layers.
Sometimes tie-dye can overpower an outfit, but Karen, 28, from New York, knows how to pull it off in the perfect way. She kept the rest of her outfit from competing with the print by wearing it with a simple oversized tee, cropped moto jacket, and unadorned platform pumps—all in basic black. Against these stark pieces, the tie-dye leggings add an element of bohemian raver chic surprise to her look. Take a page from Karen's stylebook and trade in your basic leggings for something with patterned panache, like Target's Xhiliration Tie-Dye Leggings ($13) in Fishbone or American Apparel's Cotton Spandex Jersey ($34) version. If for some reason, you don't have a similar staple t-shirt in your repertoire, we've got a few suggestions to remedy your situation. We like the Harlow-Monrow Vintage Black Oversized Tee ($77) or the Urban Renewal Asymmetrical Jersey Tunic ($48); either one will give you the necessary coverage needed when wearing skin-skimming tights!
Bright accent pieces give you a spring look in a weather-appropriate way.
Moving on to our next style guru, we have Zanita, 20, from Sydney, who teaches us that transitional wear can be bold and seasonally correct. Her thick multi-colored scarf is a great selection—perfect for throwing over your shoulders when you run around in windy weather—while her forest green, bowler-inspired, brimmed hat is an unexpectedly festive choice. We found a couple of pieces that have Zanita's down-under vibe, such as Barja's Yellow Stole Scarf Shawl ($215), which will to keep you cozy until summer. Also check out Christys' Crown Series' Basix Hat ($38); the verdant felt fedora is sure to spruce up your ensemble without breaking the bank.
A body-con top and combat boots balance casual cutoffs.
We love how Jenna, 22, from Los Angeles, puts her own spin on some good ol' fashioned nineties style! By combining a classic pair of cutoffs with a leotard and don't-mess-with-me-boots, Jenna channels life on the stylish edge and MSCL's Rayanne Graff. Recreate her chicly defiant stance with Dr. Martens Patent Zip 9733 Boots
A denim jacket is the perfect casual cover-up this spring.
Our final MySpace Muse, Shelly, 17, from Sweden, showcases an excellently unfussy night-out-with-friends ensemble. By mixing her light-wash denim jacket with a body-con skirt, she's created a look that's sexy without being too overt. We'd like to give her additional kudos for picking an interesting skirt; the high-waisted silhouette and asymmetrical zipper-detail turn up the volume on the otherwise basic piece. Summon Shelly's signature style with Opening Ceremony's Corset Skirt ($265), or, for a smaller investment, American Apparel's Interlock Pencil Skirt ($32). Grab Delia's Harlow Denim Jacket
the last girl's gumby stick legs freak me the hell out. i'm loving 80's look on the girl before her.i could not pull off combat boots though.
Posted by: marie | 2009-05-18 18:50:36
Thanks WWW, I always love this feature! www.thewardrobediaries.com
Posted by: Celine | 2009-05-06 16:53:16
love the last 3 outfits
Posted by: kelly | 2009-05-06 16:42:38
To the first post, those boots are by Chloe not by Doc Marten. They are ridiculously overpriced given that they are essentially a knock off of lesser priced original. Just my opinion.
Posted by: Haniya | 2009-05-05 15:27:33
DO JENNA'S DOC MARTEN BOOTS HAVE HEELS? THE LINK FOR THEM ARE JUST REGULAR FLAT ZIP UP BOOTS. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND ONES WITH HEELS? XOXO CAROLINE CAROLINEBESS.BLOGSPOT.COM
Posted by: CAROLINE | 2009-05-05 13:15:21
celebs show different looks on the street every day. it's part of their jobs. but we are just ordinary girl try to be stylish with budget restriction. thanks for whowhatwhere presenting this post to discuss how to update your basics. but the precondition is: you must have a qualified basic area in your wardrobe. I've ever tried to design such an area for gals wardrobe in my post: http://www.journeytofashion.com/read.php?15 hope this could be ur inspiration.
Posted by: Leann | 2009-05-05 00:51:29
Is it just me, or does the last girl look super airbrushed?
Posted by: Theresa | 2009-05-04 23:03:16
some of these are off of lookbook.nu, not myspace.. atleast not to my knowledge
Posted by: Ami | 2009-05-04 21:40:23
Thanks WWWD for my feature! Zanita x (my blog - www.zanita.com.au)
Posted by: zanita | 2009-05-04 20:12:30
I like the 6th girl's outfit
Posted by: lianna | 2009-05-04 17:43:43
aDeline bloG: http://adelinerapon.blogspot.com/!
Posted by: rO rOd | 2009-05-04 16:04:35
i give up, you'll never do this with LINKS to their blogs :(
Posted by: juana | 2009-05-04 15:44:03
i think zanita looks so cute...and coming from kiwi that is saying something! i agree that these particular specimens look good mostly due to the fact that they are rather lean, and they may not be able to wear these things with a few extra lbs. also they all look of school age. i mean is style purely the demain of the young and extra thin? i'm neither old nor fat, for those of you about to launch in, but i don't think being over 25 or 100lbs is a fashion crime really, so are there any muses out there who we can aspire to? just a thought.
Posted by: s | 2009-05-04 15:00:35
Anyone know if Adeline (picture 2) has a blog?
Posted by: Clare | 2009-05-04 14:44:57
Shelly needs to eat a burger... seriously she is so so so skinny... and i agree jenna's outfit is like a copy from rumi's outfits...
Posted by: Laura | 2009-05-04 14:32:03
Does Jenna have a blog?? I love her Chloe-doc centered outfit!! :) - fashionchalet.blogspot.com
Posted by: Fashion CHALET | 2009-05-04 13:02:59
Shelly looks so skinny but great style! Karen also looks great.
Posted by: Amy | 2009-05-04 12:57:29
Hello!! I'm Karen - the girl in the tie-dye leggings. Those who asked for my blog: www.wheredidugetthat.com
Posted by: Karen (girl in | 2009-05-04 10:49:32
they're also on lookbook.. i find some girls really really skinny @_@ - styles are great on them though! what works on them doesn't necessarily mean it needs to work on you - it's just another source of inspiration - and fashiontoast's rumi isn't all that original, the look has been around in europe - she just tweaks it to suit her (just like these girls) - just sayin.. :) http://yvetteyeau.com
Posted by: Yvette | 2009-05-04 08:38:14
All the girls have cute individual style! I really like Karen, Zanita and Shelly best tho! So cute! www.lovellegirl.blogspot.com http://www.lovellegirl.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Tara | 2009-05-04 08:19:59
I like Zanita's fedora - it looks so great on her! I have short hair and am not so sure about wearing one...
Posted by: Diana | 2009-05-04 08:17:52
Shelly (the last girl) is absolutely adorable. I first saw her on lookbook a few months ago and have been watching her ever since (not meant to be creepy). Her blog is: http://shelleyochjoachim.blogg.se/
Posted by: Elizabyth | 2009-05-04 07:54:40
I really love Karen's outfit! does she have a blog? what about the others?
Posted by: sophie | 2009-05-04 05:54:00
jenna's outfit looks like it's directly from rumi neely's (fashiontoast)closet. as for everyone else, not completely impressed by their outfits on a whole.
Posted by: justine | 2009-05-04 04:48:09
jenna from L.A. is...i don't know..would you really walk down the street with that outfit??those boots should be illegal, and 167 buks for the shorts? a 5-year old kid would have cut those shorts better
Posted by: giulia | 2009-05-04 03:13:46