Vendredi en Couleur: The Return

New month, new start right? Well, this isn't exactly a new start, but a restart. A restart of Vendredi en Couleur! In the spirit of spring, this week I've actually picked a pattern. You're guessing floral print, right? Wrong. Springtime for me is when I like to break out my navy and white polka dots. My outfit choice for those warm, blue-sky days, is my polka dot silk dress paired with a splash of red for a vintage look. Over the past couple years, this retro print has made a comeback and now dots the garments of fashionistas everywhere from the runways to the red carpet to the chicest soirées. We're seeing big, small, sheer, subdued, and vibrant dots on dresses, separates, tights and even shoes.

With so many different ways to wear this pattern, how do you decide to wear your polka dots?

xx, Q.

Unfortunately the sunny days have been lacking in Paris recently,
so I opted for this H&M polka dot bouse instead of my springy dress.

Spotted: Oliva Palermo in Bensoni Spring 2011 at the amfAR Inspiration Gala Dinner last May.

How blogger, Atlantic-Pacific, wears her polka dots: Equipment blouse and Madewell scarf

Emma Stone modeling dotted ensembles for the July 2011 issue of Elle.
See more dotted images here.

Adorable Free People Black Dot Romper, 66.74€.

Karen Walker Navy Polka Dot Viscose Kerchief: $110 NZD.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 RTW - Chloe Memisevic

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012 Menswear.
Even men get to have some polka dotted fun. 

I don't care what they say, this little cutie pulls off the stripes with spots look.

This outfit is perfect.

[source: Elle, Anna Kharina, Heat World, Chictopia, Free People, Karen Walker, Style.com, tumblr, Anatomy of a Trend]

Vendredi en couleur: blanc

Only in Paris...

...do you receive Fashion TV with a relatively standard cable subscription (and this is no Style Network of the US). This station plays fashion show after fashion show, right now focusing on this past week's runway shows in NYC for Spring-Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear. Now, when vegging out in front of the television for a few hours is needed, I won't feel too guilty because I'll be culturally and fashionably enriched at the same time! For those of you not graced with this channel, they do have a website where you can access streaming runway shows and view the different channels for different countries: www.ftv.com. (pretty cool.)

Coco in White

What does this have to do with Vendredi en couleur? I have Fashion TV to thank for my color inspiration this week. White is running rampant through the SS12 RTW New York shows with flowing white fabrics mixed with structured white ensembles. Diane von Furstenberg claimed "I did something I've never done before - I started with white," opening her show this season with five white looks featuring slouchy dresses and relaxed translucent jackets. New York saw another all white opening during the Nicholas K show and with Cushnie & Ochs' "Space Age meets 'Mad Men'" collection.

For the Fall 2011 Couture shows, the big shots like Givenchy, Elie Saab, and Valentino proved to us that although summer is on the outs, white isn't going anywhere. Forget the fashion faux pas of "no white after labor day". This passé style law is speculated to have been established by the re-entry into the city by the elite on Labor Day, who then stowed away their summer whites as a farewell to their estival holidays. Laura Fitzpatrick for Time Magazine wrote that this rule has been in challenge since "as far back as the 1920's [when] Coco Chanel made white a year-round staple."If we were to respect this American taboo worldwide, France and the United Kingdom wouldn't be wearing whites past mid-spring as their 'Labor Days' hit in the beginning of May, and besides, haven't you heard of winter white? I think it's officially time to put this rule to rest.

So, without further ado, I re-introduce you to: White - for all seasons.

 Givenchy Fall 2011 Couture: I'm in love with these elegant open-backed dresses.

Elie Saab Fall 2011 Couture. This collection is absolutely stunning, please take a second to look through the entire show. The models walked right out of a fairytale.

Valentino Fall 2011 Couture 

Cushnie & Ochs SS 2012 RTW

Diane von Furstenberg SS12 RTW

Tadashi Sohji SS12 RTW. Beautiful gown.

Nothing is better than curling up underneath a fluffy white duvet. A favorite winter activity of mine.

I'm welcoming autumn and white with open arms this season.

Maria Grachvogel Emperor Coat in Bone. How luxurious.

Blogger/Student Frida J. on Lookbook.nu in a white Monki blazer.

How will you wear white this fall/winter season?

xx, Q.

*Special thanks to Melissa of Prête-Moi Paris! for showing me Fashion TV.

[source: Squidoo, Style.com, WWD, Brown Eyed Belle, Northern Cottage, ShopBop, Lookbook.nu]

Vendredi en couleur: la rentrée

Coucou !
As of Saturday, I officially moved back to Paris, setting up shop in the 15th arrondissement. To celebrate my return to blogging and France, I decided to take it slow and rekindle my dear Vendredi en couleur. This week I chose camo... wait what? Yes, that's right, CAMOUFLAGE. But, before I continue, let me first explain that I'm not speaking about any old camo. The soldier and hunter basic needs to be included in your wardrobe with caution - a litte bit goes a long way. If worn correctly, camouflage, instead of blending you into your surroundings, will make you pop-out, creating the perfect army inspired ensemble for fall.

The pants that inspired this post. 
Paige Denim Exclusive Verdugo Jegging in Tanzania.
I bought these this summer and am so excited to wear them this fall.
Similarly to the picture, I pair the pant with my Black Wedge Sandidge Booties from Aldo - a gift from a very nice someone. 

Michael Kors SS 2006 Ready-to-Wear
Not camo but plays nicely with the army inspired theme.

Blogger Disarming Darling in a vintage camo shirt... I love this outfit! 

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2011 Couture

Blogger The Blonde Salad sporting Zara Militar Jeans in Paris.

See some more interesting camouflage in Chinese photographer Liu Bolin's work, where he paints himself to blend into different backgrounds. Really interesting art.

Have you gone camo? Let me know how you intend to wear this trend.

Merci to those who continue to read and support Quinntessential Style even though I fell off the blog train this past year. 

Until next time...

xx, Q.

[source: selfridges, style.com, life in pics, combatbabyxx, disarmingdarling, theblondesalad]

Vendredi en couleur: Camel for Camille

Not the spitting kind, the color-of-the-season kind. C. rightly requested Camel to cover this week as my comeback Vendredi en couleur. Whether tapered trousers, classic trenches, or smart oxfords, I'm happy to be discussing this must have for fall. The color, obviously named so from the animal, has always been a timeless neutral, though this year it has gained the spotlight on runways, in basics, and with fashionites worldwide. Below I've found some stunning coats, blazers, boots, and bags that are absolutely to die for. When I imagine Camel clothing, I always link to the nonconformist, powerful yet beautiful styles of Katharine Hepburn. Dahling, this color is simply perfect when your classic, independent and intelligent side craves for a close up.

"Tooth and Claw" by Noah N. on LookBook.nu

Chloé's Fall/Winter 2010 RTW was the epitome of Camel

powerful yet playful

Both Runway Looks from Sonia Rykiel Fall/Winter 2010 RTW

xx, Q.

[credit: weheartit, Cake or Death, Daily Mail, tumblr, Style.com]

Vendredi en couleur

You say potato, I say potahto; you say eggplant, I say aubergine. As requested by my friend Craig while picnicking on Canal St. Martin, this week's couleur is Aubergine, or for the Americans - Eggplant. 

In contrast to last week's Canary Yellow, I give you a color appropriate for all! According to Pantone's Find Your Perfect Color Palette - a guide to helping you figure out what color clothing is right for you - this rich purple is a crossover color, meaning it looks good on everyone. Yay! How do you don your aubergine/eggplant?

Aubergine Flats from Fulvio Bonavia's "A Matter of Taste"- featuring fashionable foods.

Karlie Kloss in Gucci Fall/Winter 2013 RTW

My beautiful friend, Rachel Kelley, proving the gorgeousness of aubergine.

Boys, you too can sport the color! Check out his awesome loafers.

My Pantone color palette is Sunrise, what's yours? Find out here and share in the comments!

xx, Q.

[credit: fulvio bonavia, vodka trigger, we heart purple, tartelette flickr, merde happens]

Vendredi (samedi) en couleur

Bonjour! I missed yesterday's Vendredi en couleur because I was very busy preparing a breton themed crepe dinner party. With the crepes and cidre, guests were required to wear breton stripes comme un marin, in other words, blue and white stripes like a french sailor. Blue and white stripes are a common symbol for the Brittany provence of France originating from a March 27, 1858 Act declaring that these stripes would be the uniform of the French navy. The 21 white and 21 blue striped uniforms have lasted for over 150 years and now appear in everyday fashion worldwide. For this week's color, I decided to go with the nautical color theme featuring some of my favorite mariner looks out there.

Stripes, Ships, and the Sea

I'm in love with this entire outfit, perfect for a picnic at the beach.

My favorite color combination. Perfect for the pale skin, blue eyes, dark hair look ;)

Until next time!

xx, Q.

[credit: weheartit, tumblr, jessicasupertramp]