Gamine

Gamine by TheClassicChic featuring a mod coat

French Connection cap sleeve top
22 GBP - very.co.uk

Mod coat
$90 - modcloth.com

GAP stretch denim jeans
$70 - gap.com

Diane von Furstenberg platform shoes
$255 - nordstrom.com

Old Navy open toe shoes
$25 - oldnavy.gap.com

Strap bag
$35 - modcloth.com

Sterling silver jewelry
725 EUR - tiffany.com

The origin of the word is French, and it initially meant "urchin." Applied to style, it refers to the iconic look,
defined by a boyish, youthful, naive style; it is always somewhat playful and mischievous but never frilly.
When I think about Gamine, always Audrey Tautou comes to mind in "Coco before Chanel" - simple classic pieces that are functional rather then decorative, everything having its purpose, carrying essense of menswear
but is very feminine at the same time. It's all about finding balance between practicality of menswear, boyshness and coy femininity.

Key pieces:

Striped sailor bateau top
Classic trench
Quilted bag
Espadrilles
Capri pants
Baby doll dress
Boyfriend blazer
Wedge sandals
Cigarette pants

What to Wear, Where: The How-to Handbook for Any Style Situation

Nice little book that offers not only an advice on appropriate attire for any occasion, but also beautiful photographs with two sample outfits for each. The occasions range from bowling with friends, or a night out with the girls, to black-tie events, meeting your beau's parents and going to an art gallery. I found it entertaining and useful at the same time. A lot of beautiful photos too.



I often thought the world needed a book like that, especially after going to an early afternoon summer wedding this past summer, and being astonished at the parade of rather formal dark navy dresses completely unsuitable for such an event, not to mention uncomfortable and impractical. So yes, the world needed a book like this to help people not to be either underdressed or overdressed for various events.

In addition to extensive list of events, in the back of the book there are two lists of wardrobe essentials for each of the two authors of the book - Katherine and Hillary and an index for every single article of clothing from the photos along with a designer name which a found very helpful since I liked a couple of things and wanted to know where I could purchase them.

Parisian Chic - A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

I greatly enjoyed the book, even though I find some examples unacceptable, like leather jacket with pearls or chiffon dress with biker boots. But even though I did not agree with everything in this book, I found it a delightful read and I did pick up some interesting. One outfit in particular struck my fancy - Nine wearing navy polka dot belted dress with olive cardigan and light brown kelly bag, just like the one I have.



I will definitely give similar outfit a shot as well as navy sweater and menswear blazer with pushed up sleeves.

I loved the list of basics that is different from list of basic you can find elsewhere:
menswear blazer, trench coat, navy sweater, tank top, little black dress, perfect fitting jeans. I never owned menswear blazer or sweater in navy and now I am inspired to give them a try.



This is not your typical style book, it is a guide to experiencing Paris and I will take it with me when we will go there with my family.

The whole book has an air of effortless chic and I will definitely read it again and again.

Bohemian

Coral and turquoise by Amarillis featuring dress skirts

Miss Selfridge coral top
25 GBP - missselfridge.com

Dresses dress skirt
$70 - eshakti.com

Stephen Dweck handcrafted ring
$238 - nordstrom.com

Kenneth jay lane jewelry
73 GBP - net-a-porter.com

Generally, the term "Bohemian" is applied to people who live unconventional, usually artistic, lives. When talking about personal style, "Bohemian" is earthy, layered, loose, relaxed and natural. thnk gypsies or hippies in 60's or 70's
Essential fabrics are cotton and linen,flowing sihhouettes, mxi dresses and flared pants, with everything having weathered look, earthy colours, with lots of brown accessorized with organic jewelry.

Key pieces:

Peasant blouse
Empire waist dress with wide sleeves
Long flowing gypsy skirt
Large cocktail rings
Shell necklace
Gladiator sandals

Frumpy to Fabulous

A pretty good book to give to someone who does not know herself. Consists of 9 chapters, one talking about finding the right colors for your skin tone, another about right type of clothes for your body type, another chapter talks about building "the backbone" of your wardrobe, the basics, etc. The last chapter talks a little about finding your "uniform". If you are not a novice and know what suits you, what styles look good on you and which colors help you to bring out the best in you, this book is not for you. But it will make a good present for someone who has trouble finding their style.
The book covers the basic well and contains a lot of useful information in a very compact format, but you will not find anything new if you already know how to pull yourself together