Want & Have Outfit: No. 11

 

Last week, the much anticipated end-of-season sale began on Net-a-Porter (for U.S., Canada, Central & South America). This particular sale occurs twice a year, and with drastic reductions on top designer labels (yep, Oscar de la Renta too!), it’s a wonderful time to peruse all of the items on sale to see if anything on your wardrobe list has fallen into your price range.

Today’s outfit includes pieces from the sale, and one thing to keep in the back of your mind is that while things have been reduced up to 50% so far, in a few more weeks, they will continue to drop the prices, up to 70%. So be sure to keep stopping back by. One thing I especially enjoy about this sale is that it is an ideal time to pick up quality dresses from favorite designers that I wouldn’t normally be able to afford. However, regardless of what you most need or want to add to your closet, remember too that quality items will last and are worth the investment (cost per wear). For example, the Jimmy Choo sandals in this week’s outfit have been on my list for the past three years, and at this price, I just might have to invest. Happy shopping!

~HAVE~

~Vince silk-georgette top (similar)~

~WANT~

~Rag & Bone ‘Eloise’ cotton-twill pants~

~Jimmy Choo private patent nude sandals~

~Elizabeth and James ‘Christopher’ python print silk blazer~

Sponsor Post – Net-a-Porter

Based in London and established in 2000, Net-a-Porter is the world premiere luxury online fashion retailer created by Natalie Massenet where shoppers will find luxury items from fashion designers as though they were in the flagship stores themselves.

I was ecstatic when I learned Net-a-Porter had invited The Simply Luxurious Life to display its advertisements as it is known for high-quality fashion, helpful service and weekly magazines to help aid the shopper to make a sound decisions to fit their lifestyle, whatever it may be. (View the magazine here.)

Displayed in such a way as to avoid any confusion on exactly what you are purchasing, the customer is able to view the item – whether it be a dress, shoes, jewelry, bags, lingerie, sweater, etc – from a variety of angles, on models, and paired with other clothing items as to help gain an idea of how to incorporate it into each individual’s closet.

Each week, subscribers to The Simply Luxurious Life newsletter see items pulled from the website of Net-a-Porter as I use them stylish wardrobe piece, or my list of individual coveted items and have been doing so since the newsletter began back during the summer of 2010.

Luxuriously packaged, each item purchased is delivered in its exclusive black Net-a-Porter box and the customer service is regularly applauded.

While there are oodles of high end designers’ pieces found on Net-a-Porter (some of my favorites – Tory Burch, Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, La Perla, Jason Wu), they also sell J.Crew, Citizens of Humanity, Levi’s, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Spanx, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania. The list of designers seems to be endless and they regularly add new talent. To view a list of all the designers who participate, click here.

Here is a sampling of items available:

7 for all mankind – white mid-rise boot cut jeans - $160

Tory Burch – Bradshaw leather espadrilles sandals - $350

Kenneth Jay Lane – 22 karat gold-plated coin earrings - $60

Halston – draped stretch jersey dress - $1295

Diane von Furstenberg - Trapp paneled stretch-jersey dress - $375

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen - sailor beaded georgette striped top - $250

See by Chloe – crinkled leather scalloped ballerina flats - $225

DKNY – leather tote - $325

Marc by Marc Jacobs – Natasha leather cross-body bag - $350

Ralph Lauren Black Label – mid-rise straight let jeans - $400

 

Happy shopping everyone and welcome Net-a-Porter!

Rules of Style – Natalie Massenet

Just over ten years ago, Natalie Massenet, a former fashion journalist for Women’s Wear Daily and Tatler, started a high luxury clothing business, NET-A-PORTER, that she would later sell for £350 million in 2010.  With over two million people logging onto the site every week, spending an average of £500, it is no wonder she is having such success.  Bringing the designs of Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, Alexander McQueen and Chloe to the doorsteps of anyone no matter where they might live in the world, clearly was a brilliant idea. But in order to be so successful, she had to understand fashion, and that she does. (To read even more about her road to success, click here and here.)

Net-A-Porter Offices in London

 

Wear Your Fabulous Heels

One thing I have finally realized about shopping for shoes is that you must shop for the shoes and not the outfit. What I mean by this is demonstrated perfectly by Natalie above. If the shoe is fabulous, there are very few things that won’t go with it. I can remember the days in high school when just before prom, girls would have their heels dyed to match their dress. Needless to say, my fashion sense has come a long way since then. If the shoe is made well and looks amazing, you will find a way to wear it, and it won’t have to “match” your outfit because it will simply make your outfit.

 

Statement Accessories

The best style secret in the world is to always have a handful of black dresses in your closet and adorn them with statement making accessories. Allowing a well-tailored black dress to be the backdrop sets off the wow factor of your necklace, chandelier earrings, handbag or heels in a way no other color or print could because the focus is solely on the accessories. Jennifer Aniston is another style icon who has also figured this trick out and continually looks smashing on the red carpet.

 

Black Tights

Though we may be entrenched in the winter months up here in the northern hemisphere, let our style not be muted.  Wearing black opaque tights allows you to wear that gorgeous, flirty skirt and put your style on display for everyone to see.

Know Your Assets

Natalie has fantastic legs, so quite often you will see her in above the knee dresses or skirts.  I love this particular outfit for so many reasons, but the first thing that grabs my attention (okay, maybe the shoes are first), but for the most part, it is her legs. So the next time you are out shopping, understand what asset it is that you want to highlight and shop to feature it regularly. You won’t be disappointed and no one tires of something that looks amazing, except maybe those who are envious.

 

The Versatile White Shirt

Classic, dependable, versatile. Diane Keaton, Caroline Herrera, Katherine Hepburn and now Natalie Massenet. The collared button up white shirt is a staple that should be in everyone’s closet. The crisp appearance and neutral palette enable you to create more than just a handful of outfits whether you choose to layer or simply pair it with a gorgeous embellished skirt.

 

A Wrap V-Neck

Massenet in Valentino (above)

A draped V-neck dress, top or cashmere sweater is an elegant way to exhibit a bit of femininity without going too far. Whether it be with sparkle, gorgeous layered sheers or textured fabrics, the simplicity and quality will let your beauty do all of the talking.

When asked what a few of her favorite things were, Natalie shared her thoughts with the editors of Keep It Chic, click here to read her list.

Here are a few more Rules of Style from always inspiring style icons:

*Inès de la Fressange

*Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer

*Molly Sims

Images: (1) Source (2) Source (3) Source (4) Source (5) Source (6) Source (7) Source (8) Source (9) Harper’s Bazaar (10) Source (11) Stylista (12) Source  (13) Source (14) Source (15) Source