Lesson One: 3 instant pick me ups

Three words:
Lace, ruffles, bows.
I must admit that those three words scared me for all of my preteen years, and the majority of my adolescence. As college approached, though, lace reentered. Then, I couldn't live without ruffles, and almost everything I wore had one or both of these details. Lastly, bows came back. And I was in love.
How can one keep these three details from looking juvenile? How can one use these three details to make a wardrobe as chic as possible?

I. Lace
Lace can be overwhelming. Lace bows can be simply too much.
The tricks to making lace work:
1. When a garment is mostly lace, make sure the cut is as clean as possible. Don't let it get too flouncy, too pink, or, worst of all, too big.
2. Lace is often at its chicest when it is used most subtly: When it just peaks out from beneath the main layer of a garment. When there is a tiny lace ribbon or lace peek-a-boo pleats. When there's lace detailing on your headband or you have a simple pendant threaded through a lace ribbon.
3. Lace is tricky when it's yellow or lime green or purple. When in doubt, go for classic: off white, ivory, white, or black, perhaps.
(I'm absolutely obsessed with this Marc Jacobs dress)

II. Ruffles
The ultimate trick to getting Ruffles right? Less is definitely more. Ruffles look diving on sleeves or hems, and are often seen in or with lace. They're definitely not just for little girls and grandmothers. They can add spice to an otherwise boring dress. A ruffle is a dishevelment of fabric, a curve. For that reason, ruffles can really do a curvaceous woman justice. They are femininity.

(this Juicy Couture ruffled dress even has a bow!! I love the contrast.)

III. Bows
Again, less is more with the girliest of girly. A cute side bow headband, a bow set low on the lower back of your dress, or little bow details on a dress shirt... they're the epitome of girliness.
Bows can be used terribly wrong, but they can be the perfect finishing touch, the missing statement, it.

(This Cynthia Steefe bow tulle is dripping with chicness.)

Good Luck on Your adventures!

Infinite xs and os,
Auntie Ella