Style wisdom from the best of latin talent: designer + freelance stylist + fashion consultant Mary Londoño took to her Instagram to give us a "Style 101" lesson on how transform our looks.
Hi lovelies! As someone who's spent a lot of time diving into the Colombian fashion scene and studying different designers, style experts, fashion photographers and more, there's a name that always comes up in the most stunning campaigns and photoshoots: Mariana Londoño. She's partnered with innumerable brands and her creations have a way of making you feel.
Londoño's a fashion designer with a master's degree in communication, promotion and media. Her passion lies in fashion and styling, and she has experience in anything from design and fashion production to editorial publishing and creative direction. Her feed gives her 10k+ followers a glimpse into her work, experiences, and incredible eye for aesthetics. Just this week she started publicizing her latest venture, La Isla Label, a project infused with paradise/island vibes that we cannot wait to shop from! I mean, look at this sneak peak of the beaded "mini handcuff" (which you can now pre-order):
Aaaaand..
Here's a small sample of her amazing work:
We're a huge fan of this latina's talent and were so excited to see that she recently shared some of her style brilliance through her IG stories, giving us the best fashion-forward tips to elevate our own looks. Here's what she had to say:
1. Opposites Attract: Combine different styles and silhouettes for a casual, effortless vibe. Think: Something form-fitting and something oversized.
The best thing for silhouettes in a look, she says, is to have a piece that is figure-hugging and combine it with a baggy counterpart for a power outfit. Regarding the actual styles, the best way to combine is using the shoes as a starting point. For instance, a "girly,"delicate item such as a flow-y dress goes perfectly with a pair of bold dad sneakers (like the Adidas Falcon model!). Another alternative? Dress up distressed jeans with a pair of elegant, strappy heels. Either way, combining opposites is about finding a balance that looks good and gives a fresher feel to the outfit. She also advises to go for unexpected pairings: that casual loungewear set you love goes great with a high-end blazer.
Start somewhere and experiment with combining different figures and pieces!
2. Show Some Skin (Strategically)
Londoño says that the key is to focus on the area you want to draw attention to while leaving other areas a bit more covered and playing with the length of the items. So, for instance, she shows how a top with a low neckline can be paired with high-waisted baggy jeans to really emphasize the cleavage. Mary also loves skirts and short shorts, and says they make for a really cool looks when you combine them with layers such as a cardigan or blazer on top. It draws attention to the legs and makes for a more balanced outfit! Which brings the talented stylist to her next point..
3. Layering & the Rule of 3
Pictured right is Mary showing us how to layer the La Couture Maison "Joie Top" on top of a t-shirt (we're obsessed!). Her secret to looking so put together? The rule of 3, which she explains in the most simple terms: things look more aesthetically pleasing when they're paired with 2, 3, or 4 things! Londoño says the most common layering tactic is throwing on a jacket to complement the look. However, in warmer weather we can play with pieces from outside in: for example, the Joie Top as an outer layer! It gives such an edge to a simple tee and elevates your overall look!
BASE: A WHITE TEE
OVER: THE JOIE
BASE: A WHITE TEE
OVER:A BEADED BRA
4. Take Note: Tailoring & Proportions
Finally, Mary shares a fool-proof tip to elevating any look. The key is to get a good tailor and adjust everything to our body. Nothing beats an outfit that is tailored specifically for our body! Don't have a trusted tailor? Mary's got hacks:
Crop, crop, crop: Her closet is filled with either cropped of oversized pieces - there's no in between. When you have items that have an awkward length, don't be afraid to crop them!
Roll up jeans when they're baggy AND long. They'll fit so much better and look more retro!
The Knot! For tees that are awkwardly long or boxy, learn how to make a knot in the front and it's like you have a whole new top! According to Londoño, there are so many different types of knots that you can do and they come in handy when styling an outfit.
Use a belt. Belts are great to emphasize the waist and play with the shape of a shirt or the length of a dress! Use it to your advantage.
Obviously, Mary knows what she's talking about. Go follow her Instagram for more tips from our fave latin style expert. You'll be able to follow along her next Style 101 and enjoy her professional work! Also, check out her newest project, "La Isla Label."
That's all for today babes. We hope Mary's style tips help you find your personal style and turn every look into one you love!
With love,
TLL