Friday, July 5, 2013

Reader's style challenges and requests ~ how to combine 'Mexique' in fuchsia/chartreuse/gris

Today's style challenge was submitted yesterday by ilsa, via comment on the previous post:

Dear MaiTai,

Firts let me thank you again for yor time and inspiration

On last April I ask you some advice about choosing my new scarve , as I have told you I went to Provence to celebrate my 50th birthday...

...I was thinking in "Pique fleuri..." but your clever recomendation about beeing open help me a lot, and the lady in the Aix store was absolutely kind... Finalment I bought Mexique in Fuchsia/Cyclamen/Gris
I would have never dare to try this colours but they give me a lot of light and sometimes it's nice to be out of your comfort zone.....

Could you be so kind to advice me with some combinations????
Thanks in advance and enjoy the summer


Happy belated birthday dear Ilsa, and congratulations on your beautiful new scarf! I've been wondering which one you would choose, thank you for reporting back. Thank you also for the challenge, and I hope you'll find the style sheets and suggestions below useful (most pieces can easily be mixed and matched, which makes them perfect for travelling too).

In general, I would stick to wardrobe pieces that echo the colours of your scarf, this will tie the look together. The style sheets below suggest some possible colour combinations (I don't have anything in Chartreuse, otherwise I would have included this too). The type of clothing (cardie or blazer, tank top or shirt/t-shirt etc) should reflect the season and your personal preferences regarding styles and cuts. Ethnic silver jewellery would work great with this.

Black is always a perfect frame ~ 




A lighter variation with grey, silver and white, also reflect the Aztec jewellery depicted in your scarf.

In summer, choose a grey t-shirt or sleeveless top instead of the grey sweater, a grey pair of jeans or cotton trousers instead of flannels, and a short-sleeve shirt instead of long sleeves. Or substitute the ballet flats with grey sandals or wedges. In winter, you can opt for black trousers and a grey sweater, or wear a black or grey blazer with grey trousers.


Alternatively, you could highlight the Mexique's red and blue parts, and wear your scarf as a necklace as shown in my previous post. Any red, blue or white tops and bottoms (according to the season and your favourite clothing styles) would be lovely with this.

Twist top in Rio Red


Or go for white and navy, which is always a fresh and easy combination. For a variation, you could substitute the navy cascade wrap for a blazer, or the white shirt for a t-shirt or cardie. For a more casual style, you could replace the pumps with ballet flats or wedges.



Coming next: FSH summer windows


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33 comments:

  1. Dear MaiTai,

    Every combination is perfect with ilsas new scarf, she will be so pleased with your suggestions.
    Also I think you should be working as a fashion consultant for vogue you are so amazing with everything you put together.
    Have a lovely weekend
    Jane x

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    1. I very much enjoy putting these sheets together, my dear Jane, so glad you enjoy them too! Have a wonderful weekend x

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  2. Well! Nice combination as usual for you dearest....so easy when we have taste and ideas... Happilly you are here for advices
    Warmly
    Monica

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    1. I love those style challenges, it is always fun to think outside one's box. Bon week-end, despite la chaleur!

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  3. How absolutely clever you are, Mai Tai. With or without Hermes, I would love you to style me every day! I'm sure Ilsa will be thrilled. Thanks for this montage on what to do for any season and best wishes.

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    1. Happy to sign up, dear Prue! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. Great, unique and inspiring. Thank you.
    With love from Russia,
    Irina

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  5. Great combinations and I agree with all of your selections. Wonderful post!

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    1. Many thanks dear Jill, glad you enjoyed the post!

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  6. Dear Mai Tai,

    THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!

    I feel a million dolar lady... how wondeful , clever , chic and elegant look every outfit and I even don't have to spend a dime ... I can shop my own wardrobe !!!!!
    You have inspired me a lot during the last 3 years and now in this milestone time I'm going to be a better version of myself thanks to you and other wonderful role models.. I have the feeling that we, women of a certain age, are entering a fantastic new stage in life where wisdom and elegance could sorround every aspect of our lifes so... For all that has been thanks and for all that will be Yes !!!!

    Regards and good wishes from Barcelona !!!!

    Ilsa

    PS: Please don't hesitate to contact me if you visit Barcelona in the future

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    1. So happy you like the suggestions, my dear ilsa! I always hope to make the style sheets easy and accessible, and am thrilled that you already have the capsule pieces for the above looks. Here's to elegance, style and wisdom, and to those fabulous years beyond 50 <3

      PS. We had a most wonderful time in Barcelona a few years ago, what a beautiful place to live!

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  7. Great post!

    Could I propose a "reverse" challenge? How would you style a Glen plaid sheath? I usually put something red with it, but am getting REALLY bored with that combo.

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    1. Another challenge, how wonderful! I don’t own a grey sheath dress, so I have to use words instead of pictures:

      Grey in grey - elegant and understated
      Grey with pink - feminine
      Grey with nude - elegant and feminine
      Grey with black - elegant and strong
      Grey with bordeaux - chic
      Grey with rose gold - statement
      Grey with silver - sleek
      Grey with emerald - mysterious
      Grey with citric yellow - spring
      Grey with rust - autumn
      I am sure there are many more!

      You can wear grey shoes with all of the above, or black, nude, emerald, rust or bordeaux for the respective combinations. You can experiment dressing up or down by choosing statement jewellery or sleek pieces, or by tying your scarf into simple or elaborate knots or drapes. If you go to Polyvore, you can try a huge variety of combinations online (scarf options are thin though). Have fun!

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  8. Dearest MaiTai,

    One more precious lesson on style and elegance! I wish I had you nearby everytime I need advice on how to create great oufits ...
    Thank you so much, my dear. You are such a wonderful teacher. I just love this kind of posts. <3
    All looks are perfect! So elegant and chic!

    Have a wonderful weekend! Sunny hugs and bisous, Manuela

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    1. Thank you, my dearest Manuela! It is wonderful to know that you enjoy these type of posts, because I love them too. It is so very satisfying to see trusted staples and existing ingredients transformed into something new. Have a most lovely remaining weekend! Bisous <3

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  9. Dearest MT, Brilliant!! I would happily wear ALL of these looks! I'm always intrigued by how much styling "mileage" you seem to get out of every scarf. I just tied my Brazil scarf in the snowball method, and it looked like a completely different scarf! I'm also crazy for your new necklace tying method. Perfect for warm summer evenings~
    I've just celebrated my 50th on July 3, and I got the ostrich Bolide 37mm in gorgeous olive vert. It's my new favourite (for the moment)
    And to Lisa....Fantastic choice! Wear your new scarf in the best of health!
    Barbara A

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    1. Happy 50th birthday, dear Barbara!! How wonderful to have you joining the club <3 Many congratulations on Ms Ostrich Bolide too, how stunning she must be in vert olive. My Brazil II is a smaller sibling of yours (a Gavroche), will try a mini snowball later! x

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  10. Dear MaiTai, thank you for focusing this style sheet around this particular scarf. I just made my first trip to Paris last month, and this is the scarf that I purchased...it is so beautiful in person, a real work of art. I enjoy all the style sheets, but was just beside myself with joy when I saw this one!
    Thank you and Blessings,
    Toni

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    1. Oh what a coincidence, many congratulations on your beautiful new scarf! Such a fabulous souvenir to remember your first visit to Paris by, hope you had a most wonderful time!

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  11. Bravo le challenge est relevé et meme tres bien.
    Pour moi c est le premier tablau vous savez pourquoi
    Belle semaine avec cette grosse chaleur .
    Bises Amitié
    MYRIAM

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    1. Je sais bien pourquoi vous préferez le tableau tout en noir, ma chère Myriam! La chaleur est vraiment arrivé avec une grande force, restez frais! Bises

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  12. Dearest MaiTai,

    Raising a glass of California champagne to you, in celebration of MaiTai collection passing through 2,000 "likes" on facebook. Congratulations to our beloved style icon!

    Your generosity is at a higher level. You give people tools and advice which enable them to be a better version of themselves. These acts of kindness and grace are not often found, but most truly appreciated.

    Much love and many blessings,
    Terese

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    1. Many thanks for celebrating this milestone with me, ma chère Terese! Every 'like' means so much, a huge thank you to everyone who supports my site. I've never tried California champagne, but will hopefully one day! Chin-chin <3

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  13. Excellent choices, dear MT. I must echo many other commenters in saying that you always find a way to get the most milage out of your scarves, and through studying your methods and selection, I've been able to stretch mine as well. Many thanks to you, dear.

    Warm orange hugs,
    CS

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    1. So very happy to hear, my dear CS! Isn't it just wonderful to bring out different aspects or previosly hidden parts of a scarf. And over time, one gets to know each scarf better and better, and finds out which knots suit them best. So much fun, and so much scope! Have a lovely week ahead x

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  14. Dearest MaiTai,
    What incredible artistry - they are all such beautiful combinations! I just adore the grey ensemble. Dear Manuela is so right, you are the best teacher ever! And I love your above reply - our scarves are indeed our lifelong friends. You are a true style virtuoso, dear MaiTai. Lots of love and big happy hugs xxx
    PS We're twins - CeL shawl in turquoise was waiting for me when I returned from my long trip :-)

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    1. Thank you, dear Scarf Enthusiast, for your kind support. I am happy to tell that I 've joined the CeL Twin Club:) M xx

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    2. Congratulations, my dear Manuela! It is so wonderful to be twins with you. This is one of my happiest shawls - very much hope you'll enjoy wearing yours! Big happy twin hugs to you, SE xoxo

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    3. Thank you, dear Scarf Enthusiast. It is definitely a pleasure for me too to be twins with you and with our very dear MaiTai. It is a wonderful shawl indeed. May you wear it in good health. Warm orange hug, Manuela

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    4. I am so thrilled to be twins with you on the happy and cheerful CetL, my dearest Scarf Enthusiast! And with you too, lovely Manuela! Twin hugs and bisous to both of you xx

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  15. Terrific ideas as always, dear MaiTai. You are such an inspiration. And thank you (and congratulations) to Ilsa for inspiring this post. This cw of Mexique is the one I would choose and am still pondering.

    I have a question for you: how do you go about choosing your H bracelets, both to wear on a daily basis and from the array of beautiful choices? You seem to have a collection of classics, and sometimes wear matching colors, other times wearing an accent color. I would be interested in your thoughts. Especially since I live in such a hot climate, I am beginning to think of the bracelets as a summer alternative to scarves, at least when I am not sitting at work in my cold office. Thank you for considering this question.

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    1. Dear Pam, I would always cover the basics first, whether it is bracelets, or any other item. I wear a lot of neutrals (light and dark), so I started with a simple clic H in black. I then fell in love with some printed enamels (Elephant and Torana) in light neutrals.. they go with everything. Then came blue... a printed d'Ancre was ideal, as it has a variety of blues, going from light to dark. Once most aspects of my wardrobe were covered, I started buying colors to match my scarves, choosing those first which I'd get the most wear off. All this may sound a bit technical.. the most important aspect is still to fall in love. Good luck!

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