Vintage & Antique Shopping with Parisian Style

Wherever you might be vintage/antique shopping, why not add a little Parisian flair to your look?

Here are Signet’s best tips for getting the most out of your trip:

1. Dress comfortably and bring a wrap or light sweater that you can slip on or off depending on the weather.
2. Bring a hat or sunglasses if you’ll be outdoors (and sunscreen).
3. Limit your jewelry and accessories so you won’t have to remove as much when trying on items.
4. Carry a cross-body or shoulder bag and keep a collapsable shopping tote inside.
5. Wear comfortable shoes
6. Invite your best friend along, two sets of eyes is always better than one.
7. Bring cash in small bills.  Sellers are more likely to give you a better deal if you offer to pay in cash.
8. Make a wish list of what you hope to find; this will prevent impulsive purchases.
9. Be polite and respectful of all merchandise.  The value of something could surprise you.
10. Celebrate your great finds over lunch or afternoon tea at a lovely nearby café

Click here for outfit details

 

Cinematically Inspired: Titanic

With the reemergence of Titanic in theaters this month, it might be fun to channel some of its Academy Award-winning cinematic style.  Of course, you don’t want to look like you stepped off the movie set, so keep everything current by selecting pieces that use some of the same lines, colors, and fabrics worn by your favorite passenger.

For a Rose-inspired look

Choose a solid-colored top/dress in a nautical color with an empire waistline and feminine details

Make sure all of your pieces fit really well (all of Rose’s outfits were tailored to perfection)

Add some nautical details such as a striped scarf or tote to complete the look

For a Jack-inspired look

Start with a pair of dark, worn in jeans or trousers

Choose a white shirt, and add a comfortable, dark-colored jacket

Finish the look with some great utilitarian boots in a complimentary shade and skip the hair products

Click here for where-to-buy info

 

Inspired by NYC and Jane by Design

Jane By Design Images, ABC Family

Having just returned home from an incredible visit to New York City and feeling a little nostalgic, I sat down to watch one of my favorite shows, Jane By Design, and decided to create a new outfit inspired by its very stylish main character, Jane Quimby.  In a case of mistaken identity, Jane is a high school student that lands her dream job in the fashion industry and decides to pursue a whirlwind double life trying to balance school, her social life and pursuing the career she has always fantasized about.  Jane creates her own signature look by combining her favorite pieces with some she customizes (using her handy sewing machine).  The result is a very original, youthful look that always seem to look exciting, yet impeccably put-together.

Want to channel Jane’s style?  Here are some ideas:

1. Update a skirt by pairing it with opaque tights and sleek platform heels.
2. Choose a funky cocktail ring and wear it during the day (Jane loves her jeweled Octopus ring).
3. Add a wide colorful belt or statement necklace to your neutral cardigan or do both!
4. Wear a cocktail dress during the day with a cardigan over it and a fun belt.

Hope you are already getting great ideas on how evolve your own style with a little help from Jane. Do you have a TV character that you’re inspired by?  Tell us about them at: mysignetstyle@gmail.com;  we’d love to hear about how they have influenced your signature look. =)

 

Signature Style at Home

Extend your signature style past what you wear and let it echo throughout your home and lifestyle.  Here are two Italian families that are doing just that.

The Coppola Family and The Cucinelli Family

Coppola Residence

Coppola Residence

Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola

Cucinelli Spring Collection

Cucinelli Residence

Cucinelli Residence

Cucinelli Family

 

Wearing Spring’s floral trend with signature style

 

 

Designers this spring have been struck by the flower bug as we are starting to see lovely blooms on tops, skirts, pants, accessories, etc.  Unless you normally wear this sort of print, you might find yourself shying away from the trend saying things like: “I’m too mature for this,” or “I need to look confident at work,” or even “I don’t wear a lot of color.”  If this is you, I’d like to give you something to think about… Wearing a floral pattern can make you look feminine, youthful, mysterious, confident, alluring, sexy, or all the above. It all has to do with color, pattern, scale and how you are wearing it.

Ready to be challenged?  Read on and you might be surprised how this trend can enhance your signature style and send more compliments your way.

Color
We just talked about wearing colors that flatter your skin tone, eye color, hair color and blush tone; use the same guidelines when selecting the colors for your patterned piece.  Ex: If you have fantastic green eyes, choose a floral pattern that features plenty of leaves and foliage such as ivy to bring out the green.

Pattern
There are a wide range of floral patterns from modern to vintage and everything in between.  If you have more of a contemporary style, select an abstract floral print, but if you are a romantic at heart choose a print with soft lines and lush flowers that remind you of a bygone era.

Scale
If you are petite, choose a smaller print and opt for a larger one if you are tall.  Smaller prints will de-emphasize an area, while a larger print will bring eyes straight to it; so keep that in mind when you are deciding on where to place that bright floral scarf.  If you have pretty shoulders, wear the scarf draped loosely around your neck and if you have a narrow physique, place your scarf around your hips as a belt.

How do I wear it?
Depending on your profession, certain pieces will look more appropriate than others.  A floral scarf under a conservative navy suit will look feminine while very professional while a floral top with tailored pants or skirt will also look professional but has a more relaxed feel.  If you are in the creative industry, you might wear an A-line floral skirt with a pretty knit top in a neutral color, while a stay-at-home mom might like to wear a flowy, floral cardigan or wrap with jeans and knit tee.

Above all, have fun; and please post any comments or questions you might have.  We’d also love to see what you come up with, so feel free to share your greatest outfits with us at mysignetstyle@gmail.com. Thank you!

 

Pick a room, any room

Today, I decided to create an outfit inspired by the simple decor of a well-designed home office.  Similar to what I did a few posts ago with some artwork, I took the design elements in this room and applied them to building a great wardrobe ensemble.  Before heading to the closet, here are some of the notes I made about the space:

1. The color palette (Warm neutrals, from light beige to dark browns)
2. The shapes/lines (Soft but modern; straight classic lines for neutrals, feminine lines for the modern pieces)
3. The materials/textures (Wood, fabric, resin, metal)
4. The accents/pops of color (Bright lettering, white lamp, white chair, jagged clock)

You can do the same thing by choosing a photo of a beautiful space, asking yourself the questions above, and    then selecting some pieces that share the same elements.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a head to toe match; perhaps you can start by adding some inspired accessories (like a scarf, belt, jewelry, shoes, or hat) to a classic sheath dress and build from there.  Studying different spaces and decor is a great way to develop your signature style!  I’d really love to see what you come up with, so please share your comments below or send an email to: mysignetstyle@gmail.com.

 

What is Signet Style?

A signet is something signature (think signet ring) and my theory is that every woman and every man has one.  With some of us, it’s buried deep inside and with others is quite easy to see.  My purpose with this blog is to inspire you to find your signature style.  And if you have one already, then I want to help you define it.  Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashion fades, but style is eternal.”  I love fashion, but it changes with time.  A person’s style is something rooted much deeper, and it’s a lot harder to change. We all have style, but is it really ours, or is it borrowed?  To get started, just ask yourself this question: Name a place that you find beautiful.  What is beautiful about it?  How does it make you feel?  Base your answer on no one but yourself, and write down your answers on a piece of paper.  Next, get a folder and go through all of your magazines and tear out anything that makes you feel giddy, happy or excited.  If you have to think about it, don’t place it in the folder.  Ok, you have your homework…get started.  I’m excited for what you’ll discover.  Until next time, Juliana

Let's get started!