Aliology

Can I even begin to explain how hectic life has been for me recently? My wedding is now less than two weeks away, and I spend every “free” moment tying up loose ends for it. However, I made a little time for fashion tonight – just enough to share another of my favorite things: high contrast stripes.

In one of my first fashion posts, I talked about all the ways and reasons I love to use high contrast in an outfit. Since then, the horizontal, black-and-white stripe trend has exploded! Now there are so many amazing pieces out there that, contrary to a popular fear, actually flatter the body. Whether or not horizontal stripes work depends all on how you use them – look for well-constructed pieces to wear on the parts of your body you love to show off.

It’s been a cloudy start to the week out here, so I thought I’d search for a little sunshine. Bright and neon yellow are such amazingly vibrant colors – so full of energy and cheerfulness – that they are just about guaranteed to catch your eye and brighten your mood. I love how a single yellow accessory or detail can be bold, bright and daring against a neutral background, and a monochromatic yellow outfit can be lively, fresh and unexpectedly modern.

Even though I love the color, yellow has always been difficult for me to wear with my pale skin tone. With a darker complexion, you don’t have to worry so much about looking washed out or sallow. However, even us “ivories” can look great in yellow if we use it well and pick the right shade. I have found that warm yellows with more of an orange undertone are the best for my complexion, but you should experiment to figure out what you like best with your skin tone. And you’re always safe with a yellow accessory, like jewelry or a bag, no matter the shade.