Monday 21 February 2011

how i long to look this summer...

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I'm not much of one for thinking of outfit inspiration before the fact (anyway it's too depressing if you can't buy anything) but I bought a magazine for the first time in ages the other day, and a couple of ads jumped out at me for being just. so. perfect.

Above is from Orla Kiely. I think I'd need everything to make this work. The neutral toned dress is pretty great, but is taken to a whole new level by the yellow shoes (I've been wanting yellow shoes since 2004) and the mint ice cream coloured bag. And the dinosaur. This look wouldn't work at all without the dinosaur. ; )

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And then inspiration from a less likely source. I've never been into United Colour of Benetton's clothing much, but I'm loving the look on the blonde girl. Buttoned up cotton blouse, neutral toned jumper, Spanish-espadrille style flat shoes in a bright colour...

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The same ingredients for success, but with awesome candy-coloured skirts as well. I can so imagine swishing around Barcelona dressed like this. Of course, it kind of depends on where I spend the summer. In Barcelona or in Canada, all these would be perfect. If I stay in London, I'll probably be dressed like this:
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(from You Must Create's lookbook)
Which is still a pretty great look, don't get me wrong! I guess it's set to be a fail-proof summer... : )

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

hehe - hopefully that last one can stay away until autumn.

I love those beneton skirts and orla kiely's only faults are that she 's way out of my price class and I don't think those cute short dresses would work too well on me. Probably would look more like a crop top :D Aside from that hers are some seriously awesome clothes. That dinosaur just makes me want to travel the US and see nothing but roadside attractions. Who awards blogging fellowship? :D

Raquel said...

loved this inspiration, especially the benetton pictures. and for orla kiely, I fell in love with it since seeing one of Carrie's dresses from wish wish wish. and I love the matching sweaters in the last picture, I've seen that before.
and, I've entered a shopping ban again! since I'll have some unexpected expenses soon, I'll have to save money and spend only in the essentials so I'm having one shopping ban for one or two months now. I'll join you in non-shopping related things in London :)

NRIGirl said...

Hi Emily! Just wanted to let you know I was here... nice pictures... I liked that of the couple's.

k said...

i just saw these pics of orla and saved them somewhere because they were so pretty!

Kristen said...

I really like the first Ad. but I think your right, it wouldn't have worked without the Dinosaur!

I too, have been looking for yellow shoes, well more like yellow flats.. so hard to find!

Amber said...

these are great ads. my favorite is the first one..i am really into pastels right now and that mint green bag caught my eye

Closet Fashionista said...

Loooove these!! *sigh* I can't wait until summer, haha
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Anonymous said...

How soon will you know where you'll spend your summer? I'm admiring the braids in the Beneton ad.

Deppa said...

Oh I love your inspiration choices! can you share them with me? :D


See you!

Virginie Bardot said...

Oh your inspiration is inspiring for sure! I love all the bright colors and the braids so so much (I've been trying to pull the braided look with no luck so far, maybe by summer my hair will be long enough...).

I say you need and deserve yellow shoes, 7 years is a long time to desire something!

Virginie’s Cinema

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Virginie: Sheiße! When you say 7 years that sounds like a reallly long time and makes me feel old! Maybe I do deserve yellow shoes!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Stef: I know; bah, humbug to Orla Kiely's prices. I may have to do a Kiely version of my Changing Room Lurkings feature!

@Terri: Oh, I'll know when I get my act together enough to make a decision. As usual, there are about fifty complicating factors!

Shannon said...

Love the neutrals with the pop of colour in the shoes, so unexpected and cute!

jess said...

Such great looks. I like the Benneton skirts.

Opal Wells said...

What's so great about the trends for the warm seasons is that everything is vintage inspired. You can EASILY go into a thrift store and find neutral at or below the knee skirts, lace blouses and dresses and all kinds of lovely pieces. You don't need to have much money for that!!

jenniwells.blogspot.com

gee said...

i really love the last picture.
i know it isnt very summery...BUT i just love everything about it.
xoox

Katie Burry said...

Ooh! What lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing! I love the braid the blonde girl in second photo has! Sooo pretty!! And the first photo is just all around beautiful! <3

~ Katie
http://www.beautifully-pure.com

A said...

what isnpiration. all rather perfect!

Rebeccak said...

Oh I loooovvee that lastt shot - I recently saw it in a magazine actually and my boyfriend got super excited becuase he loves the idea of matching outfits (such a dork!) Now just to find time to knit!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

I know, I love the last shot... it's just not my inspiration for July! But I seriously need to hunt down all of those things in a thrift store, as Jenni suggested!

Bhushavali said...

Love those pure pristine looks in the first 2 pics!!!
Fashion Panache - Perfect Patialas for Sale
Parappalaru Falls Trek

Sofia said...

Umm, yes!!!

caitlin said...

haha before i scrolled down i just saw "how i long to look this summer" and the dinosaur. which i didn't quite understand. but now i get it ;)

also, i love dinosaurs. i think they should model for orla more often (the girl looks pretty good, too). i think all of us are just fed up with frigid temps. i want warm sand and hot sun, please.

yiqin; said...

i love socks and shoes!

Robyn said...

love love loving that olra keily look.

veronika, tick tock vintage. said...

wow, i never would have guessed that united color of benetton would, well, look so cute! it looks like a very easy look to recreate.

Catherine said...

These are all so wonderful! I especially love the Orla Keily look... the setting is so magnificent. Ah. Love it.

xox

Eva said...

look at all the milk braids in that second picture! i just tried that look out the other day :)

http://bottleblack.blogspot.com

Noelle Chantal said...

Love the summer-y photos and the outfits! I remember sporting the braided hairband 2 years ago and I'm def to try it again. Great picks! :)

Imogen said...

Great pictures and style. I love the United Colour of Benetton look the most.

Anthea said...

I love your taste Emily! I love everything in this post. I was also drawn to Orla Kiely's clothing when I first saw it.

Anthea,
Embracing Style

Nells said...

hi!!i totally agree!!
i checked out your blog to find it amazing!love your sense of style!
i am following!would love it if you came by my blog and i could see u on my list!
big kiss from greece!

www.ffffashionmixxxx.com

Louder Than Silence said...

I want to wear Orla all summer, such a gorgeous lookbook! Sally x

Paulie Antiques said...

theyre all so pretty! :)

hope you are well! :D


love, polly

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Oh, Orla Kiely. Always drool-worthy. And, I died a little bit when I first saw that picture from the You Must Create lookbook. LOVE.

Yellow shoes! I've been searching for the perfect pair for quite a few years, too. I did some nice ones at UO recently...

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

i long what you long! the candy coloured skirts and espadriallas are wonderful! the dreamy neutrals are so so pretty. the dinosoar is the perfect touch to the first one!

Shanna Maren said...

Yes, now I long for summer as well :P