Donna Karan New York’s resort 2016 runway show features all-black ensembles with special appearances by white blazers and silver oversized sweaters. Despite Nashville weather varying between 70 to 90 degrees during the summer, I refuse to give up the black clothing that characterizes my closet — even if that means pairing black with black, like the outfits the models sport in this DKNY show. Combinations such as black sleeveless blazers paired atop black dresses and leather moto jackets with black chiffon skirts rule this runway collection.
Although I appreciate black on black outfits, I have to say that they are incomplete a majority of the time. Recently I had the pleasure of watching Iris, a documentary about style maven Iris Apfel, at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre. In this account of Apfel’s life, one of the lessons I took away was this, “When you don’t dress like everyone else, you don’t think like everyone else.” One of the remarks Apfel made during the documentary was how the women that dressed in all black down Fifth Avenue were wearing what she classified as a “uniform”—a uniform that leads to the homogenization of styles. Apfel’s own eccentric style has led to her place as a fashion-household name, which a majority of Fashionistas/os strive toward.
For the outfit I sport in this article, I added a statement piece—or a little piece of my personality into my ensemble. I am sure Mrs. Apfel would approve. In this case, that statement piece is a paisley scarf that I wear as a cuff. My Steve Madden snakeskin sneakers also add contrast to my shorts and top, and they help build the barrier between “ensemble” and “uniform.” To complete my look, I chose a green nail polish from Butter London that matches the watercolor landscape on the front of my top.
This week, abide by Apfel’s advice and ask yourselves: which statement pieces prevent this outfit from looking like everyone else’s? Break the uniform and sport an ensemble!
Get My Look: 1. Embellished shorts. 2. Faux snakeskin sneakers. 3. Statement scarf.
