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Taking on the Trend: Lace Shorts

Lace is a trend that comes back season after season, and arguably never goes out of style. However, I know I get a little iffy when it comes to styling this oh so feminine fabric. I don't wan't to walk out the door feeling like a frilly five year old in my lacy bottoms. 

In order to prevent you from suffering the same demise, B&B is here to show you how it's done. 

HOW TO STYLE LACE SHORTS LIKE A GROWN UP

(well, at least moderately grown up)

Lace shorts are great because they transition so easily from day to night. Neutral colored bottoms go a long way, acting as a blank canvas. 

DAY LOOK

(Pictured above clockwise from left: nude platform sandals (BCBG), Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters (JD Salinger), taupe lace bralette (Target), oversized slouch sweater (Free People), ivory lace shorts (Dillards), oversized brown tote (Urban Outfitters))

1. Choose Your Color Palette

When creating an outfit, you want to establish a general color palette for your look. For daytime, I chose a warm color palette of pinks, nudes, and browns.

2. What's Up?

An oversized sweater looks great over lace shorts when the scalloped edges of the lace sticking out at the bottom. If you choose to wear a light weight gauzy top, this works well too--especially if you have a pretty bralette you want to show off. When choosing a top you want to balance the weight of the tiny short with a large top to add an interest in regard to proportion. 

3. The Casual Bag

During the day you're most likely running around either at work, school, or around town so a staple tote bag is a must have. It's also essential for packing the few must haves you'll need for your night look! 

NIGHT LOOK

Soon enough the day is over and for once you've decided to go out instead of crawl back into your girl cave and drink wine and watch Netflix. You go girl! Thankfully, you don't have to spend too much time prepping because your lace shorts have your back (or I guess technically, butt?) 

Pictured above starting clockwise from left (black chiffon blouse (GAP), black and nude lace bra (Kohls), Coco Noir Perfume (Chanel), black leather crossbody (Kate Spade), ivory lace short (Dillards), black pumps (Franco Sarto)

Inside of the frame pictured is a postcard I picked up while at Yves Saint Laurent's old studio in Paris last summer. It reads, 

“The most beautiful clothes that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves. But for those who haven't had the fortune of finding this happiness, I am there.”-YSL 

Even though I'm not styling with YSL, the sentiment still rings true.

1. Pulling a Mary Poppins 

Chances are you can probably fit all your night time essentials into your oversized tote bag. Make sure to bring a small crossbody for the night. I find that clutches get annoying to hold and are easily lost. 

2. Pretty Underthings are Everything

Nothing gives you a boost of confidence like a good bra/undies. Confidence is crucial.

3.Function meets Fabric

Chiffon is a largely popular fabric right now, and is gorgeous in black. It will dress up your lace shorts while still affording movement and comfort. 

Hope these two looks inspired you to either pull out a pair of lace shorts you haven't worn in a while, or run out and get a pair. This trend is too cute to miss. 

Have a lace short look you want to share? #breadandbutton on instagram! 

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Get Going

On rainy days I usually find myself wrapped burrito style in my comforter, binge watching "The Tudors" on Netflix. It's finals week in Tallahassee so there really hasn't been much of a reason for me to get dressed, style my hair, or bother doing my makeup. After a while though, I started to feel a little gross. Sick of watching all the beautiful people of Tudor England while I'm two day old yoga pants, I decided to get dressed and get going. 

Luckily I so happen to have a photographer roommate and bestie to help a sister out. 

(Photography Compliments of Olivia Hutcherson)

The Look

Tye Dye Tank- Urban Outfitters

Highwaisted Lightwash Flare Jeans- Urban Outfitters

Leather Motovest- Blu Kanvas

Wrap Watch- Red Pineapple Boutique

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CLIQUE

The downside of having super creative friends?

Feeling the need to be super productive and artsy all the time. Really, this isn't a negative thing though even though I might be complaining. Having five best friends, two heading off to China to study abroad, one studying art and writing at SCAD, and one singer/songwriter/graphic artist that lives in the same apartment as you is probably one of the diverse and amazing friend groups someone can ask for. Throw an animator/illustrator boyfriend on top of that and you think I would have imploded from all of the creativity around me. 

I wanted to take some time to touch upon some of these amazing peeps and link you in the right direction. 

Savannah Rake (SCAD writing student/ artist)

Follow her blog about motivating and inspiring yourself on a daily basis at http://happinessunabridged.wordpress.com/

Nick Staab (FSU Student/Animator/Illustrator)

If you love a flat, clean, friendly aesthetic then you'll love this guy's style. However the fact that he only started making this stuff a couple months ago and is completely self taught is impressive enough. 

http://nicholas-staab.squarespace.com/

Olivia Hutcherson

(FSU Student/Singer/Songwriter/GraphicArtist/Photographer-- whew) 

In addition to her visual art, Olivia is also an amazing singer/songwriter in the sister duo Petal & Thorn. Get ready to die of amazement watching their cover A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera's "Say Something"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BDPUzHJB8A

If you are who you hang out with, I would have to say I'm pretty lucky. 

Plus, they're all so attractive! 

;)

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A Time for Change

Let me tell you a little something about my friend Steve. Coincidentally we grew up in the same city of Long Beach, NY. Coincidentally both of our families both decided to pick up and move in the same year to  Saint Augustine, FL. Our families didn't know each other, but by a mutual connection Steve and his family became a part of our own. We spend almost every holiday sharing a huge meal and reminiscing about New York and all of our childhood adventures. 

This past Christmas, Steve starting talking about his call to help the homeless and other people that are just down and out. He knew he wanted to help and had an idea of what he wanted to do, but it seemed so vague and there were so many obstacles to overcome. 

He planned to set out to venture the East Coast, giving homeless people sandwiches. Sounds simple enough. However, the normal person would find a million excuses as to why they wouldn't be able to do this. 

Most people I know would say, I can't afford it? Will I have to get out of my current lease if I pick up and basically become a nomad? Where will I stay? Will my car make it? What will I get out of it? Isn't that dangerous?

Steve however just went for it. Starting out in Savannah Georgia (and crashing with my best friend Savannah--ironic I know), he set out and starting feeding the needy. He made his way to Charleston, DC, NY, and a couple of spots along the way, feeding over 200 people in some of the toughest neighborhoods (keep in mind Steve is a blonde, slender,approachable surfer guy). 

(Photo of David, By Steven Meehan)

I followed Steve's journey through social media and realized that his mission to feed the homeless is bigger than a few sandwiches. It's all about love. He talks to these people, knows their names, empathizes with their struggles. In a society where we dehumanize people that live on the streets, Steve is helping them become visible. The entire project adopted a kind of "Humans of New York" vibe, but with a philanthropic and spiritual twist. In addition, Steve takes all of his own photos, manages all his social media, and buys all the supplies for sandwiches with donations and his own money. 

(Photo of Distibuting Food, by Steve Meehan)

Yesterday as we sat around and ate Easter Brunch, he told a few of his many stories about the people he has met along his journey. I was so inspired I knew I needed to get others to hear his stories too.

Now that Steve is back in Florida, he is planning his next adventure to the West Coast in the fall. 

To follow his journey like A Time for Change Movement on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/atfcm

and on follow him on Instagram at

atimeforchangemovement (Steve Meehan)

You can also donate to ATFCM at 

http://www.atimeforchangemovement.com/

Be the change.