Spotlight Monday: Ethnic influence

Recently I decided to make a trip to my parent’s homeland of Dominican Republic. My time on the island is always bustling with contradictions as I have to split my time between the capital of Santo Domingo and the small village of Juma-Bonao. Santo Domingo is a bursting city that is attempting its claim as one of the up and coming capitals of the Caribbean, it is very reminiscent of Bangkok for those that have traversed to Southeast Asia. Juma-Bonao on the other hand is very rustic with few paved roads and electricity being the luck of the draw.

All of this has an impact on the style of dress of its people. While I was there I borrowed from the “campesinos” (the name given to people of the country) and wore straw hats along with white dresses to reminisce of the old money daughters. Below are a few examples of different looks that I emulated during my mini vacation. 

Nordstrom - $28.00

Skater dress - $20.70

Lace dress- $31.04

High neck lace dress - $37.63

Sundress - $29.16

Men's straw hat - $40.00

Xoxo

Stay Chic, Look Kente

Spotlight Monday: Monogram Clutch

Every outfit needs an accessory that will complete the entire look. It can range from jewelry, belts, hair pins, but a woman can never leave the house without her bag. Our bags can get heavy and sometimes you just want to carry very few items with you. Clutches were created to do just that. A great way to compact the key items you need, more convenient and ofcourse always a chic factor. A recent trend we see of late are monogram clutches. They are very efficient and to add a little extra glam to it, you can add your initials. 

I was able to gather a few monogram clutches from etsy for you all to pick and chose from. I already have mine in mind. Therefore, if yours comes in the mail before mine, please take a picture of how you styled it and we will do a post on how to style your monogram clutch referencing Look Kente readers. In addition to that, I also included below, how some fashionistas styled their monogram clutch. 
Enjoy!

 Poppy Pine Etsy shop- $18.99

 BagsbyLaura Etsy shop- $19.99

ClassyclutchonEtsy shop- $19.95

Styling 

Xoxo

Stay Chic, Look Kente

Images courtesy of:

therightshoesblog

Simply Cyn

pinterest

pinkpeonies

scorpiondisco.com

Spotlight Monday: The Wrap Dress

Now that the craze and excitement of New York Fashion Week(NYFW) has come to an end, we can look back and analyze some of the beautiful pieces that ran through the different runways. Now as shoppers on a budget, we have to be very mindful of how we spend on these pieces. These designer brands throw out extremely high prices on their products that us regular Jill and Jack can't afford. Now unless you are willing to put aside your lunch money for a whole year, then you can afford one of the beautiful Oscar de la Renta gowns just in time for a fabulous New Years eve bash :). Then again it will be out of season by the time you wear it lol (hmmm future post maybe?). Nonetheless, one of the designers I enjoyed this year was Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF). Don't get me wrong I LOVED almost all the designs I saw this year but hers always gets me. Reason being, she has mastered the art of wrap dresses. We can even call her the Queen of wrap dresses because she never fails when it comes to them.

A wrap dress I believe is a staple piece every woman should have. It is simple, looks great on every size and shape, and transitions easily. It can be worn to work as well as a night out in town. We all know happy hours come in handy so if you want to look sexy yet classy, throw on that wrap dress in the morning with a blazer and you are good to go, then take of the blazer at night time, accessorize and can't nobody tell you, you are not sexy! 

DVF constantly gives us that!
See below some of my favorite wrap dresses from her collection and also find similar styles for less.

    

    

    

         

 Photos courtesy of Silouhettetrends

           

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Photo courtesy of asos.com

1) Religion Metallic Lace Dress: $56.46

2) Closet Printed Tulip Dress with Wrap Front: $44.22

3) ASOS Obi Wrap Dress In Oriental Bird : $41.67

4) ASOS PETITE Obi Wrap Midi Dress: $75.28(worth it)

5) Warehouse Drape Dress In Ombre Print: $53.63

6) New Look Floral Wrap Dress: $37.02

Xoxo

Stay Chic, Look Kente

Spotlight Monday: The Advantages of Sales

You all know what they say, "the best things in life are free". Well I say, "the best outfits generate from the sale rack." I woke up Saturday morning, whilst checking my emails as I do every morning, I saw a huge red subject line screaming SALE 70% off!!! Of-course I immediately sat up to read clearly what this sale was about. Now I subscribe to all these different sites such as: Gilt, Bauble Bar, Cusp, and many more just to be updated on discounted items and sales(I suggest you do the same). That morning I received an email from ASOS, which I am quite sure millions of other girls and guys did :). Nonetheless, 70% off! I had to browse! Please see below some of the items I put on my shopping cart. These email reminders help you shop while saving loads of money(it can also empty your pocket if you don't have self control, be careful). Instead of going on a whimsical shopping spree and spending more than expected, I normally put say $100 on the side because, I know I receive updates on sale items therefore, I browse through them and shop within that budget so that I get a bang for my buck. 

          

1) Beloved Cameron Skirt with Buttons: $18.52

         

2) Beloved Jaquard Pants: $28.70

       

 3) Vero Moda Printed Maxi Skirt: $11.11

        

4) ASOS Pretty Watercolour Skater Dress: $33.33

       

5) ASOS Premium Blazer in Longline: $36.11

6) ASOS HATCH A PLAN Heeled Sandals: $33.33

As we have alluded several times, spring is right around the corner. Therefore, get your spring colors, dresses, shoes, etc. ready because we are oh-so-over this winter weather. Most of the items on the list are well below $50 dollars each. Therefore, you can pick and choose which ones you love the most and save the rest for later. 

I hope you liked some of my favorite pieces as much as I do. 

Please feel free to comment below your thoughts, send us images of how you styled your pieces if you do decide to shop Asos 70% off sale and we will post them for inspirational looks. 

Xoxo

Stay chic, Look Kente

All images courtesy of asos.com

Spotlight Monday: Radiate in Orchid (Color of the Year)

Here we go again!!! We are in the month of February and that means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Some call it the day of love and others refer to it as Single Awareness Day. I personally usually go with the latter way of thinking, but ever since I met my friend Terry I always have a funny little Valentine. With that in mind I like to dress it up a little more for Feb 14^th without giving it all away that I am a hopeless romantic. I stray from colors like pink or red, but will have fun with purple.

Considering that “Radiant Orchid” is the Pantone color of the year, I believe that a post on how to rock the color into one’s wardrobe is mandatory. “Radiant Orchid” is a purple with a hint of pink that sparks the eye and shows off confidence.

Here are some examples of how to include the in your closet:

Shoes 

 

Nine West --Lifezabrez $44.97                                                                             Adidas ZX 100 $65.00

 Landsend Ballet flats $22.99                                                           Nina Bonique Orchid Pumps $99.00

                                                                                  (something about these shoes scream Carrie from "Sex and the City," no?)

Clothes

Orchid Print Bodycon Dress $64.0                                                   Crossback Tulip Skirt Dress $25.93

ASOS Structure Mini Skirt $46.30                                                NastyGal Jagged Edges Dress $48.00

dELiA*s Olivia Color Jegging $19.99                                          Long sleeve Stripe cardigan $33.33

So many ways to wear each item, please feel free to submit your looks. 

xx 

Stay Chic, Look Kente