How to wear pastels without looking like a kid
This blog mixes quirky and cute with edgy and metal
By Fran KatigbakPhilippine Daily Inquirer
ROUND sunglasses, owl-print shirt with collar studs, baby-pink pants, moon clutch, polka-dot socks, peep-toe heels. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
How to wear pastels and dainty socks without looking like an overgrown toddler? On her blog mellowmayo.com, Hong Kong’s Mayo Wo shows how to rock these trends.
Since style-blogging on lookbook.nu, an online hub of fashion lovers worldwide, Mayo has been making a statement with outfits in pretty sorbet shades and vertiginous heels. She has fearlessly worn the shoes with candy-colored and printed socks long before style bibles, such as the British edition of Glamour magazine, had declared that socks are sexy and very on-trend.
Tee with quirky print, yellow collar, applegreen cardigan, pleated leather skirt, quilted purse, striped socks and sequined heels. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
Inspired by the first line of the John Keats poem “To Autumn” (“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”), the blog name Mellow Mayo embodies its creator’s chic, youthful, sweet and quirky-romantic style.
Mayo’s sartorial inspiration comes not only from poetry, but also from trendsetters, such as the boyish but effortlessly chic Alexa Chung; “Gossip Girl’s” polished Upper East Sider Blair Waldorf; and retro-glam pinup girl Lana del Rey.
Inspiration
Sequined heels. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
“But really, fashion inspiration can be found everywhere around us,” said Mayo, who had once been inspired to style herself based on—of all things—carrot juice.
“It’s immensely satisfying to find harmony in some seemingly contrary elements,” said the Chinese blogger who had been very articulate about her love of fashion.
“Valentino is very successful in this regard, matching lace and floral embroidery with rock studs to create a new style that’s sexy, elegant and feminine but also edgy,” said Mayo.
CHIFFON shirt, mullet skirt, gray-and-pink polka-dot socks, buckled strappy flatforms. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
“I always try to match the unexpected, as well, such as men’s tees with flouncy tutus, or heavy metallic accessories with lace.”
Mayo’s style savvy has attracted many fans who have followed her on Lookbook.nu, and now on her very own website. The blogger’s obsession with sky-high heels even landed her a recent design collaboration with shoe label Sugarfree, whose merchandise is available online and at shops in Hong Kong.
CORD necklace, men’s shirt with rolled-up sleeves, sheer skirt, purse with bow accent, midnight-blue heels, multicolor striped socks. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
Fashion paparazzi seem to love Mayo—she’s on the pages of style glossies and websites.
“It’s always funny to see myself on magazines, and it feels a bit surreal,” said Mayo. “But I feel very delighted, too. I can totally see myself savoring the magazine features and smiling when I become old and wrinkled.”
Visit www.mellowmayo.com
PEARL necklace, giraffe-print dress, socks with heart prints, heels with metallic accents. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
Staples: Clothing in flowy fabrics and gelato colors; white shirts with subtle details; tutu and petticoats; quirky, playful bags; statement heels; cute socks; fake lashes (“for looking rejuvenated,” says Mayo); nail polish in candy colors
Suggested shopping sites: yesstyle.
com, romwe.com, chicwish.com, beckybwardrobe.com; local thrift stores for vintage treasure finds
Style tips and tricks:
BIRD’S-EYE-VIEW-PRINT dress accessorized with charm necklace, textured socks; cloche hat. PHOTO COURTESY OF MELLOWMAYO.COM
Wearing pastels and/or a subdued color palette: “It’s easy to look a bit tired with a muted palette, so put on more cheek and lip color. Highlight the look with statement accessories.”
Mixing textures and/or prints: “Matching flowy fabrics like chiffon with sculptural material like leather creates interesting contrast and gives an androgynous look.”
Wearing metallics: “I don’t like full hardcore gear,” says Mayo. She would opt for pairing basic items with metallics to create balance.
How to create an edgy look with soft, light fabrics: Over-the-top accessories and boyish shoes add a little attitude, but Mayo says a very simple way would be to apply very dark lip colors.
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Tags: fashion , Mayo Wo , Mellow Mayo
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