When I think of Michael Kors, I actually get a little bit sentimental; why is that? It could be that his name just so happens to be peppered in with fond memories of my grandmother and I watching Project Runway and gossiping about it together. I accredit her and those moments as the genesis of my interest in fashion. Michael Kors just so happens to be rooted in those recollections, and for a long time he was the center of my juvenile conception of the fashion universe. Another explanation for this feeling of “sentimentality” could be that he represents the classic idea American sportswear, an aesthetic that is as eternal as it is luxurious. That is why even now that I am older, and have a better acquaintance with designers and fashion, I return to Michael Kors for style inspiration.
In the freshness of spring my taste leans towards elegant minimalism and classic simplicity. For this look I tried to evoke a classic and minimalist vibe while also drawing from a combination of sources in the breadth of Michael Kors’ repertoire. My base is a simple black jersey swing dress that I have been head over heels in love with. The loose, swishing movement of the dress recalls the breezy frocks in Kors’ spring 2015 ready-to-wear collection. I was particularly inspired by the sublime simplicity of the black dresses toward the end of the show. When it came to seasoning my ensemble, many past Michael Kors-isms that I had admired influenced me. I was enchanted by black and white pictures of old shows and campaigns from 1984 and ’89 that feature loose frocks under ample jackets. The glamorous designs with their billowing silhouettes radiated the effortless elegance and chic simplicity that I desired for my translation of Kors’ luxury sportswear motif.
However, that’s not to say that I didn’t add some elements of my own into this interpretation. While it may seem rather flashy, leopard print has recently gained recognition as the “new neutral.” Thus, I thought it was appropriate to incorporate the print in my tights and my signature backpack to add a kick to the minimalist vibe. Speaking of which, the posh shape and style of my kicks fit with the outfit’s classicism but updates it with the burgundy color. Minimalists are also not always keen on superfluous jewelry or accessories, but I find a sharp hat to be an appropriate way to add polish to any outfit. Overall, it is an outfit that is incredibly effortless yet seems so impossibly posh; so comfortable it has to be casual, yet so chic people ask “what’s the occasion?” The answer, my dears, is simple: everyday is an occasion to flaunt your inner Fashionista.
Get My Look: 1. Strut your stuff in a simple, swingy LBD. 2. Move your legs in some fierce leopard print tights. 3. Tap your toes in some snazzy flats.
