A Paler Shade of White: introducing our latest necklace collection

This summer, we were seeking a new direction for our new collection of necklaces. We looked at the freshness of white, a cleaner palette: Marie Antoinette's style in the relaxed, bohemian simplicity of her time at her little country estate, the Petit Trianon, nautical chemises with their crisp combination of white and navy, and creamy, off-white dresses and parasols perfect for impromptu picnics in sundrenched fields. Those inspired us to make necklaces with gems that look like shards of broken ice and shorter chokers with different textures, but all in white.

This colour easily transfers from summer to fall. Here are a few ways to incorporate this cool trend into your wardrobe!

To make the look polished and chic, try a white tailored pencil dress spiced up with fuchsia or electric blue shoes. Opt for a looser, flowier cut with the same colour combinations if you want a more romantic look.

Wear only a few elements of white: a bag (canvas is the perfect textile for summer), a stack of bangled bracelets, movie star oversized sunglasses, or a cool wide-brimmed hat (achieving SPF protection and effortless chic in  one single stroke).

I know that white and black are often seen together on the fashion magazine pages, but in real life, be careful of pairing blocks of these two colours (avoid the "waitress" effect at any cost!). Opt for cool patterns or cleverly oriented stripes instead (again, don't go crazy and make yourself look like a prison escapee straight from a comic book).

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154755693/black-and-white-tote-peacock-feather



 

 How do you accessorize with white? Let us know about your favorite looks in the comments box!

 

the Rose

How to Successfully Adopt the Nautical Style

Summer is finally coming, and with it comes a fresh sea breeze. Now that the nice weather is here, fashion has started turning back to nautical style and cruisewear. Here are some of the staple styles that can help you rock the nautical look:

1. A striped-tee (usually white with navy or black stripes) is a quintessential nautical essential that can be extremely versatile. Sometimes also referred to as a "sailor tee", this shirt draws its origins from part of the uniform of the french navy, but was later adapted and adopted by the general public for its sartorial style and comfort. This casual-but-chic look even made a fan of the great Jean-Paul Gaultier, who immortalized it in his collections and in his perfume, Le Male, assuring its place at the forefront of fashion.

Worn with a scarf (preferably a light one in softer colours, like the pale blue one shown above), it can give you a Parisian chic, making you look like you've just stepped onto a quay in Paris, out for a baguette or a patisserie at a waterfront cafe.

Cinch the shirt in at the waist for a more streamlined silhouette.

The striped-tee also has associations with the labyrinthine canals and waterways of Venice, thanks to their popularity amongst gondolieri, so you know that however you choose to wear the striped tee, you are sure to look like a jetsetting, trendy globetrotter.

2. White: against a perfect cerulean sky, white seems the perfect, pristine choice. At once easy-going and elegant, posh and still pleasantly cool, this colour has been the preppy choice of yachtsmen par excellence.

You can try to break up the uniformity of all-white by adding a flamboyant touch of texture, like a spray of pale flowers on a crisp shirt.

If the thought of that much white seems daunting, then throw in  a fun element of riotous colour (like a necklace, scarf or bracelet) as a visual refreshment for the eyes.

3. Espadrilles: for a fun, beachy touch, you can never go wrong with espadrilles. Whether in neutral canvas or a crazy color or print, these sandals offer the lift of high-heels while remaining as comfortable as regular sandals, and are a perennial choice for fashionable summer shoes.

Tutorial: how to make dreamy organza straps

Shimmery, translucent, wing-like ribbons at the back of a strapless dress can add an ethereal, sylphlike touch that can make an ordinary evening gown into the showstopper of any event.

Here's how you can make this look yours:

1. Find a length of organza in a colour that complements your dress: things to look for and think about are shine, length, width of the ribbon and whether you prefer the organza to have only one colour or flicker through a range of them as you move (multi-hued organza).

2. Cut out two equal lengths of organza to serve as your straps: you can choose to leave them long, giving a dreamy look that hints at wings, or shorter for a chic, sophisticated touch.

3. Sew the two organza ribbons onto the dress at the front (onto the inner lining of the dress- sewing it on the outside only serves as a visual distraction).

4. Put it on, tie a bow with a whimsical flourish (halter top style) and enjoy!

Do you want more tutorial posts for making certain styles or trends work for you?
Let us know in the comments section!

the Rose

How to Wear Neon with Effortless Chic

It seems that everywhere you turn, neon is proclaimed to be the key to this summer's fashion trends: and yet, some of us are wondering how to integrate it into our wardrobes and still remain true to our personal style: here are my tips to wearing neon with effortless chic!

1. Balance is everything. Neon can make a visual pop, but when your outfit lacks stabilizing elements, it can overpower you. Stick to one bright colour, and pair it with neutrals. Lemon yellow can look smashing with cloud gray, and loud raspberry pink can turn luxurious with chocolate brown or black.

2. Choose one statement piece: it IS possible to have too much of a good thing. Choose one sweater/blazer, or a shirt, or purse, or shoes, even a striking lip colour! If it has a blank canvas to work with, it will do just fine. If you crowd it with too many competing colours or too many contrasting patterns, its' effect will be diluted.

3. When following trends, it is always important to stay true to your own personal taste. Adapt this trend to fit your own. If you are more discreet, small touches of this, from a more daring lip shade to nail colour to statement jewellery or handbag, can work for you! If you are the more daring sort, pick a dress or leggings or a tunic in one of these exciting shades and have only neutrals for the rest of your accessories!

Happy hunting,

the Rose

The Pre-raphaelite Fascination

Preraphaelite art has always held an irresistible charm for us at Wild Rose and Sparrow. The luminous colours, the petal-light, flowing fabrics and mythological themes transport us to other worlds filled with ethereal beauty and forlorn, forgotten places.

Peopled with lithe nymphs, tragic heroines, powerful enchantresses and beguiling sirens, preraphaelite art transcends the everyday world and draws on the literature and poems of Romantic authors, as well as greek and roman myths for its themes. For the first time in European art, women were being viewed as strong and as the wielders of their own destinies.

This pre-raphaelite fascination has translated to our world in flower-strewn hairclips, delicate, graceful scarves and rich, saturated fabrics that have all of the rustle and texture of a J.W.Waterhouse painting.

What art movement do you think would make a good fashion trend? Leave us your response in the comments box.

Green envy: How to wear this season's freshest look

After this way-too-long winter, the latest fashion trend is like a fresh spring wind in the air: green is the colour of the moment, thanks to Pantone and many of fashion's biggest designers. Its vibrancy evokes life and luxury. However, this shade can sometimes be overwhelming to wear.With great trends come great responsibilities. Here are a few tips on how to wear this spring's most fashionable colour:

-  Do NOT overdo it! Wearing an emerald dress with dramatic jade green eyeshadow will make you look like a citizen of the emerald city. Instead of letting the trend wear you, wear the trend: small accents of green in an otherwise coloured outfit or one bold green statement piece paired with neutral or complementing colours will really flaunt your style savvy.

-When it comes to green, there is always a hint of drama that follows, so why not enjoy it? Instead of a discreet swipe of olive green eyeshadow, why not a luscious peacock feather inspired look, or take the gorgeous metallic shades of a beetle's shell as your palette?

-Green has a huge versatility, and can evoke any style. Try our bold, emerald green dress reminiscent of Pucci's prints to make any outfit pop! For a cleancut, preppy look, try pairing a white dress with Laduree mint accessories.

-For a look of effortless chic, try one of our braided pearl and semiprecious stone necklaces or rich, jewel toned scarves.

-For a wistful, romantic look, try our peacock and Swarovski jewel fascinator pinned in a loose updo or relaxed braided style.

Pas de Deux

How can we get inspired by the beautiful things around us and incorporate them into our style? From Degas' sculptures and paintings to the outstanding success of the darkly luxurious "Black Swan" still lurking in the wings, ballet has swept the world of fashion, giving it a fresh, graceful spin (or should we say, pirouette?).

Layer upon layer of petal pink and flaming copper silk compose this showstopping rose hair adornment reminiscent of the sugar plum fairy's showstopping costume.

This dance has been an inspiration for multiple creations of ours. The light as air scarves have the same sort of floating charm as Degas' ballerina's frothy skirts.

This mask explodes into gleaming silver and riotously coloured beads, having a spray of ballet slipper-pink pearls and mother-of-pearl beads, a flourish of bold raspberry coloured ribbon and luxurious night black feathers to add to add a touch of drama.

With strings of sunrise pink semiprecious stones and dusty rose pearls and Swarovski crystals braided together, this necklace is sure to evoke the grace and effortless elegance of the stage.

Black, White and Gray: Style from the Silver Screen

 

Adele, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron… some of the brightest stars at the Oscars dressed in black, white and gray. These colour choices seem to hint at a nostalgia for old Hollywood glamour, something that has been on the radar for quite some time, the most notable sign being the great success of the film “The Artist” at last year’s Oscars. There’s something charming about a trend drawn from the era of the silver screen becoming big in the present. But how can we integrate it into our own daily lives? Here are two steps to make it work for you!

 

 

Add a splash of loud colour! There’s nothing like a bright accessory to transform an outfit. From a scarlet belt or a canary yellow scarf to a fuschia bolero jacket, adding a touch of colour can elevate your outfit!  

 

When wearing all black or all white, in order to prevent looking too pristine with the white or like you’re funeral-bound with the black, play with the different nuances of the shade you want to us and don’t be afraid to experiment with texture. In fact, it is with monochromatic looks, especially minimalist, neutral shades like black, white and gray, that you can make the most daring of combinations: try tweed with fur, lace with leather… have fun with it!

 

Keep Calm and Carry On! Celebrating the Brits' Fashion Flair

With the Diamond Jubilee just last year, Kate and Will becoming media sweethearts, british shows like Downton Abbey and Sherlock topping the charts and the British Invasion of Hollywood (Keira Knightley and Eddie Redmayne, anyone?), the cultural compass has turned towards England. Anyone fancy a cup of tea?

 

                Let’s take a look at some of key items of British style:

1.       The bowtie. Fitting in with ease at any formal event, or adding a whimsical touch to an ordinary outfit, it’s no wonder that it’s a go-to look for anyone, whether you’re the Eleventh Doctor, you want to spice up a hairclip or add some sass to a too-nice Peter-pan collar!

 

2.       The peacoat: a quintessential element of style in colder weather (recently sported and popularized by TV’s latest Sherlocks from either side of the pond), the peacoat is as versatile as it is elegant. Wearing one instantly elevates your look and can make even the most relaxed of outfits look remarkably posh.

 

3.       A touch of attitude: designers like Vivienne Westwood are a confirmation that “punk” is still a part of the British aesthetic. However, the style as a part of current mainstream fashion has considerably softened. To rock this look successfully, try adding only echoes of this style rather than a complete immersion: think pairing a hint of tartan print (as a shirt) with a nice pair of tailored pants, or a leather jacket over lace or tulle.

 

And so, Keep Calm and Carry On!

 The Rose

What style do you want us to cover in our next post? Let us know in the comments box!

Austen-tacious: Regency Strikes Back

The delicacy of lace billowing in the wind, the sound of silk rippling on strolls across peaceful country estates… these are symbols of a world that now exists only in books, a society that adhered to a system of chivalry and raffinement, and a time that ran more leisurely than our modern day frenetic sprint.

Some of that charm has returned to the 21^st century. Bodices lined with buttons, delicate embroideries, layers of lace and tulle are all returning: reminders of simpler times, where days ran slowly and were dedicated to the enjoyment of life.

The runway has witnessed the return of Regency: in Marc Jacobs' latest show, he had the surprising and quirky inspiration to revive "bloomers": knee length flared pants worn underneath skirts. He did this for aesthetic purposes, but the pretty practicality of it can be made part of your everyday, from bike rides to trekking the world on countless railroads.

Of course, modernity always leaves its mark. Gone is the time to latch on over twenty buttons and lace up a multitude of ribbons: now zippers take their place and the buttons and ribbons are purely ornamental, little luxuries in a world that prizes efficiency over whimsicality.

the Rose

P.S. In the comments box, let us know! What time period do you wish you could travel to?

Spring To-Do List

Have you ever tried to type into Google the phrase "Spring To-Do List"?
All you end up getting is advice about how to spring clean your closets.
Well, instead of re-organizing your wardrobe, here's some advice for re-inventing it: pick the suggestions that fit your personality and transform your style!

- Wear a cloche hat, a beret or a fedora.

- Buy a canary yellow dress (but instead of calling the shade 'yellow', call it 'tournesol'), and wear it on a grey, rainy day.

- Wear fashion like it's yours, Comme les Garcons style: own your look, and don't look uncomfortable - you look great.

- Pair an arrogant grass-green t-shirt with a chunky white necklace.

- Wear a scarf that makes you feel like poetry in motion.

- Cover your arm in bracelets, and when you think you're done, add 3 more and go out the door.

- Buy the outrageously expensive new rouge Dior in a petal shade.

- The next time you see that pair of rain boots in that outrageous hue and crazy awesome pattern, go ahead and buy it: don't worry, it'll look good with absolutely everything!

- Replace all of your plastic hangers with some in wood. Better for your health.

- Get a beautifully intricate henna tattoo. If you change your mind at any time, you can easily wash it off.

- Ditch the chamomile tea. It's been a long winter. Have some espresso shots: time to wake up!

Spring is all about rebirth and reinvention, so don't go back to the same old habit of diving back into your closet and not finding the burst of 'awesome' you were looking for in the first place.

Instead of spring cleaning, throw a 'Welcome back, Spring!' party!
Then throw on a scarf that complements your much adored rain boots,
and embrace the joie-de-vivre of spring!

the Rose