Model Joan Smalls dressed edgy and weather appropriate for the dinner celebrating her Elle cover. The Puerto Rican beauty is thankfully in a look that is both easy to emulate and comfortable against a winter chill.
Outfit
It’s no mystery why Smalls in the no 1 model in the world right now. She has the ability to make even the simplest clothes look stylish. The 25-year old rocked leather trousers and a purple beaded cardigan and finished off her rock-chick look with heeled black booties. One word of caution for those looking to work this look: leather pants are difficult to carry off unless your legs are toned. The model keeps herself in shape with a combination of cardio and pilates. If you’re looking to be on-trend this winter with leather pants, book a yoga class ASAP.
You can find similar trousers at Mango (Rs10,000), or for a low cost alternative you can order them off Facebook at High Street-Islamabad for Rs4,299. High Street offers a camel option as well.
You can breathe new life into an old black cardigan with DIY embellishments on it. All you need to do is hit Gulf or Liberty for the raw materials and get your hands on a glue gun. The best part about this will be that you’ll be able to choose what colour, size and shape of embellishment you’d want on your cardigan.
Pair your chic new trousers and cardigan with a simple black tee and your favourite colour-block clutch and you’re all set.
Hair and Make-up
Smalls kept her hair sleek and straight, and limited her make-up to a light smokey eye to allow the deep burgundy red of her lipstick to take centre stage. A deep wine-hued red lipstick is a smart investment for winter, as darker clothes call for complementary make-up. The berry lip trend was everywhere on the runways this fall, so get the look with MAC Dark Side (Rs3,500) or pick up Maybelline’s Colour Sensational Lipstick in Deepest Cherry for a low-cost (Rs600) alternative. For those of you who want to work the trend but are apprehensive about a dark lipstick, you can try Revlon Colourburst in Red Velvet for a berry lip with a pinkish tone. For smokey eyes, pick up an eye shadow palette like the one shown here by GloMinerals (Rs3,300). Your local supermarket will offer various options for similar kits. Flat iron your hair to avoid winter frizz and you’ve got the look!
Accessories and Shoes
A well-fitting pair of black booties, heeled or flat, is a must-have in any fashionista’s winter wardrobe. They are versatile, comfortable and will instantly add a bit of oomph to any outfit you’re wearing. Mango is currently stocking a pair of square heeled suede Chelsea booties, with elastic sides, which will set you back about Rs12,000, but will be well worth the investment in the long run.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2013.
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