Tropical Chic, Off Island

Ralph Lauren photographed his Black Label Spring 2012 Collection in Puerto Rico where I'm currently winding down a luxurious 10 day stay so I couldn't think of a better post as I sit blissfully beach side than tips on how to bring tropical chic off the island this spring 2012.  

Ralph Lauren Black Label Spring 2012

In Puerto Rico the bright colors never stop and this is the case for many collections this spring!

It's no surprise the stunning location was the back drop for the Ralph Lauren Black Label Collection this Spring 2012

 

Some of the trends I love are the weekend romper (above) which is such a great look and all over for every occasion and age. 

I also love the ankle pant suit like the Welt-Pocket Jacket, Crinkled Organza Blouse & Straight-Leg Pants by Ralph Lauren (below left) as well as a bold pair of wide leg pants like the Wide-Leg Silk Pants in Mint by Ralph Lauren (below right). 

 

Ralph Lauren 

The cardigan suit is also a chic sophisticated alternative to the traditional blazer suit!

Ralph Lauren

For that hybrid approach, try a long blazer, like the Milano Long Jacket, Knit Top & Sheath Dress by St. John (below left) or the ROMEO JACKET by BCBG (below right).

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Boatneck has to be my favorite neckline and is especially the way to go if you are bustier, either by nature or proportion.  This Patty Long-Sleeve Jersey Dress by Ralph Lauren is so chic and the perfect pallet to wear to work either with simple gold jewelry or a sharp black or cream blazer and then transition to the evening with a pair of statement pumps and bold jewelry (make this pop with red or orange hues)!

Ralph Lauren

The Thandy Flare-Skirt Dress by Ralph Lauren is also gorgeous 

Ralph Lauren 

and for a lower priced alternative try the Tank Sweater Dress by Armani Exchange 

A/X

This dress is so fantastic in person, so versatile and so affordable! 

The Dolman-Sleeve Cardigan, Featherweight Cashmere Tank & Stretch Cotton Pants is casual chic, and orange and corals are so in!

Ralph Lauren

For some great office options try the Milano George Blazer, Crepe de Chine Blouse & Emma Marocain Pants by St. John below (the pants are a total steal right now)! 

The MONIQUE SLIM PANT by BCBG (bottom left) and the MADISYN A-LINE DRESS (bottom right) are two of my coral favorites and totally work appropriate.  BCBG is always my 1st stop when I am on the hunt for chic colorful wardrobe enhancers and after this post you'll know why! 

BCBG suit in Dill

BCBG ETHAN TUXEDO JACKET

The BONITA PLEATED CHIFFON SKIRT by BCBG below is a MUST-BUY this summer in both Bright Poppy or Lemongrass.   This skirt is chic, versatile, super stylish and timeless, oh and it's only $124.00 at BCBG right now!

For a bold weekend jewelry pick try the SEED-BEAD NECKLACE by BCBG

or the DRAPED VINE NECKLACE by BCBG in yellow or poppy (below left) which would look great under a crisp white button down and black ankle pants, like the Kimono-Sleeve Blouse, Stretch Wool Pant by Ralph Lauren (below right)!

For a more neutral yet refreshingly resort look tans and muted pastels look fantastic on sun kissed skin. 

Ralph Lauren

I love the BCBG CARRIE STRAIGHT FLARE PANT in Blush which is a more subtle way of introducing color to your work wardrobe and are especially great if you are a doctor as they'd look chic under that white coat (yep shout out the Megs and all you doctors in Ann Arbor).



For some tan on tan I am loving these chic Ralph Lauren  ensembles below!

However, Black Label chic comes at a Black Label Price, so for some lower priced alternatives try some of my top tan favs by BCBG

BCBG SIMONE CROCODILE-PRINT SKIRT

BCBG EDNA SEQUINED PLEATED SKIRT

BCBG FRIDA COWL-NECK SWEATER

and for that POC (pop of color) 

BCBG SCALLOPED WAIST BELT

To shop the looks in this post and more like them try:

Black Label at Neiman Marcus

Black Label at Ralph Lauren

BCBG

St.John

I'll end this post the way I've ended every night here, the recipe for my Spicy Grapefruit

1 part tequila

1 part grapefruit juice

shaken with fresh diced jalapeno and poured over ice with about 4 to 6 pieces of diced jalapeno

Enjoy!

Boutique 9 Women's Phylicia Sandal

Boutique 9 Women's Phylicia Sandal is the affordable chic shoe to buy now!  

This dark orange is my total favorite! 

 

The gray and tan are also lovely too!  This is a shoe I'd get in all three colors as it is perfect for any outfit from spring through fall!  Ankle straps are so in and I just love this ankle cuff!  

 Boutique 9 offers great style, comfort and quality and this is a fantastic shoe at a fantastic price which is stylish for most any occasion!  

Christian Dior, the Spring 2012 Collection That I Simply Adore!

 Bill Gaytten's expertise in innovate patterns, cut and drape shown through in the Spring 2012 Christian Dior Collection.   It's no surprise that this British-born designer studied architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College in London (his father was an architect) as his tailoring in this collection is an impecable modern twist on classic 1960s era that fashion has seemed to bring us back to and Mad Men has made popular in workplace fashion across the globe.  

From Dior Spring Couture 

 where I am loving the sheer and full skirts,

 

houndstooth; which is always classic style,

 

plaid... to me, near nothing beats a good plaid ... be it dress, pants (i have more plaid pants than I do plain) or skirts 

 
... and these Dior Couture plaid dresses are tops! 

I am also ADORING the belted crocodile jacket and past the elbow gloves ... STUNNING!  Elegant, sophisticated, with a dash of that perfect amount of sex appeal; Commanding!

For that sexy summers eve, I am insane over sheer. I have been in love with the just-so-sheer look since my mother bought me a tres couture sheer bottom skirt when she visited me one of my summers in Paris.  I was interning at the US Embassy in Paris that summer and a fellow intern (I know who she was but was too but never did confront her) stole it.   It is, to this day, my most missed piece of clothing.

Pour la creme de la creme  ... this plaid stunner as me in awe! 

To see the full Christian Dior Spring Couture Collection click here.

The Dior 2012 Ready to Wear Collection is exactly what a RTW Collection should be; elements (and fabrics) pulled from the Couture Collection, so for a more casual approach, try my favorites from Dior's Spring 2012 RTW collection. 

First of all I love how Gaytten still mixes sheer in to the RTW collection with the sheer black blouse, paired so well as it's ever so tastefully peeking out of such modest tailoring. 

 

 

If you love the sheer button down peek-a-boo look, for a more affordable version (after all, you're just getting a peek try the Chiffon Oversized Button-Up from American Apparel or the black sheer button down sold out online but still in stores at The Limited

Another trend that is sooooo in is the pleated leather skirt (all over the fall 2012 runway and a trend to which i'll be dedicating an entire post in the near future).

 Red all over is another fiery look this spring.  Hard to pull off at the office, but Dior shows you how to do it well ... but most importantly, do it with confidence!

 

To see the full Christian Dior Spring 2012 RTW Collection click here.

 It's so easy, but J'adore Dior!