In addition to the crop top, our other favorite way to show some skin this season is the cut out! An interesting way to reveal enough but not too much, we’re loving all things peek-a-boo. Our favorite cut out looks exposed below…
Meet Parisian style and DIY blogger Elle Frost. When we discovered Elle’s blog, not only do we daydream about being in Paris but also made us want to tap into our own crafty side. We got to chat with Elle about her love for DIY, what to check out in Paris, and where she’s hoping to spend her summer! Read more below…
Elle wearing our Otis & Maclain Blue Tennis Shorts
Koshka: You’re definitely a DIY enthusiast! Are most of your DIY projects ideas that spring up? How do you keep your imagination flowing?
Elle: I have such a long list of things I’d like to make! I get lightbulbs pinging over my head everywhere I go! A lot of my project ideas come from seeing people wearing cool little details. There are some really cool blogs that inspire me like Trendland, I love that site.
K: Are there other DIY experts that inspire your ideas? If so, who?
E: I love this french website called Make My Lemonade, Lisa does such beautiful little DIY projects and I love her GIFS!
K: Tell us about your personal style. What do you think is unique and different about it?
E: I would describe is as chic and a little edgy, I do like to experiment with colours too but I love black. It completely changes from one day to the next.
K: Are you originally from London? What’s the reason behind your move to Paris?
E: I’m from the country-side close by, and I moved up there when I was 18. As for Paris, I love the architecture, the french bread and macaroons and I really feel that I can thrive here, I have wonderful friends and the city inspires me.
K: Top 3 places to visit in Paris.
E: That’s difficult since there is so much to do here! For summer chilling I love the Buttes Chaumont, it’s a beautiful park and at night we move onto the bar inside the park. The Rosa Bonheur for some great music and laughs.
For artsy inspiration I love the Palais de Tokyo for anything contemporary. For shopping, I love the little brocantes (markets) that are on on weekends around the city.
K: Next place you want to travel to this summer?
E: I really want to come to the States! Actually I would love to tour the continent, theres so much going on in America!
Get crafty! Check out Elle’s easy DIY for summer:
Shop Elle’s Koshka Picks!
Learn about week’s minimal chic outfit is modeled by our very own Teresa Hu!
Hey Teresa! Describe ‘The Look’ you’re wearing.
Hey! I’ve got on the ‘Musical Formalities’ Blazer, Otis and Maclain ‘Daria’ Stripe top, Shakuhachi ‘Robo Net’ Panel Pants, Cheap Monday ‘Fold Bag’ and lastly the ‘Elroy’ Outline Sunglasses.
What do you love about this look?
It makes me feel really put together and dressed up but at the same time I’m really comfortable in all the pieces. The blazer I think really pulls the look together and I like mixing it with something classic like a striped tank. The pants are also really awesome. The contrast panels of netting make it a really light and cool summer piece.
What was your inspiration in putting this outfit together?
I wanted to go for a dressy/ handsome look and went with the black and white theme because it feels really clean to me. It’s an outfit that pops, but it’s still subtle and not really trying to hard.
The weekend is upon us. Where would you wear this outfit to?
This would be my Friday outfit for that one last meeting with a vendor. Afterwards, I would go get drinks somewhere downtown and it would translate instantly from office to dapper.
At Koshka, we’re definitely not ones to shy away from bright colors and bold prints, but sometimes there’s nothing more refreshing and chic than paring things down to basic black, white and more recently thanks to ss13, clear. A couple reasons why we love a good minimalist piece is because of the ‘mix-n-match’-ability and how simple details like texture, a simple line trim, cut outs and sheer panels can really make a big impact. As they say, a little goes a long way…
With bouts of summer-like weather and the long weekend upon us, this week at Koshka we’ve been all about easy breezy vibes and casual chic dressing. We asked LA musician, Mary Pearson of High Places, to put together a laidback look with our Something Else Warp Flower tank and found out how she likes to kick back and mellow out.
Koshka: Hi Mary! Describe the pieces in your outfit.
Mary: I paired the Something Else Warp Flower tank with black crushed velvet Cheap Monday sweats, my trusty Dr. Martens, an orange Altuzarra tube bracelet and a vintage sweater I’ve co-opted from my boyfriend’s closet.
K: What was your inspiration behind putting this look together?
M: Since Something Else is an Australian-based label, I thought I’d feature the tank in a very “no worries” ensemble. Everything in this look can be pulled on. No zippers or buttons involved. I’ve even done up my boot laces in a way that I don’t ever have to tie them!
K: After a crazy week, what are go-to’s to chill out?
M: It’s a little corny, if not cliche, but when I really need to unwind, I brew a pot of jasmine or kukicha tea, light a stick of piñon incense, and put on one of my favorite albums. The combination of those three things always chills me out.
Check out Mary’s personal blog Hype Laces
Watch/listen High Places “Head Spins”
When it comes to laidback looks, at Koshka we have a major style crush on Russian supermodel/supermom/actress/philanthropist, Natalia Vodianova, and her effortless off-duty outfits. Often opting for relaxed fits instead of bodycon pieces and a pair of loafers over sky high heels, her easy chic everyday look is something that we can easily get onboard with.
Meet style blogger Anais (pronounced ahh-nah-ease) Alexandre from Down to Stars. Between blogging and interviewing the coolest local bands & musicians, Anais’ blog covers life in Miami from all things fashion and beyond (…and did we mention the perfect beaches?). Anais chatted with us about what’s special about her home of Miami, her go-to item for the summer time, and personal style. Get to know her below…
Anais wearing our Lucca Couture Desert Crop Top x Ladakh Fever Chain Shorts
Koshka: Hi Anais! Tell us a little about yourself.
Anais: I’m a multimedia producer, radio DJ and fashionindie culture blogger living life in Miami. I love interviewing local bands and artists. I’m also a huge nature lover who gets pumped about hiking, biking and camping.
K: Does living in Miami play a role with your style?
A: Miami is warm year round so my closet is full of short shorts and light dresses. I still love to play around with layers and prints but I tend to do it with lighter fabrics or I’d get a heat stroke walking to my car ha ha!
K: How would you describe your personal style?
A: I’m sorta all over the place with my style somedays I’m preppy and other days more grungy but it mostly depends on how warm it is, what music I wake up to and what mood I’m in. If I had to define it I’d say it’s….tomboyish with a rocker/boho vibe mixed in.
K: A must-see for anyone visiting Miami?
A: The entirety of Wynwood. It’s this rad area in Downtown Miami where the streets and buildings are canvassed in street art and it’s filled with a lot of local creatives. It’s basically the funkier side of Miami.
K: What is your go-to item for the summer time?
A: A retro one-piece that you can rock as a bodysuit with shorts and wedges out of the water. In Miami, you’re gonna be at poolside BBQs, beach parties and local music/art festivals, so a cute one-piece can go a long way.
K: If you could describe yourself in three words they would be…
A: Carefree Fun-Loving Adventurer!
Shop Anais Koshka Picks!
This season, step out into the urban wild in outfits with a Safari twist. To get the look, be on the hunt for olive tops and bottoms, tribal prints, mustard dresses, and animal print accessories and you’ll be ready to take on any adventurous style expendition under the Serengeti sun.
Olive jackets and tops.
Try our Funktional Cropped Detachable Jacket and Layered Shorts.
Tribal Print Dress.
Tribal Print Clutch and Animal Print Heels.
Try our Otis & Maclain ‘Bardot’ Dress.
And our Sol Sana Chrissy Heel.
Mustard Yellow Dress.
Try our Ladakh Saddle Dress.
Meet Amethyst Wang, an SF-based working gal currently at established hat company, Goorin. We first met Amethyst while she was an Associate Editor for online fashion community, Chictopia, and soon found that she also posted her own super cute outfits to the site as well. We thought it would be fun to get her take on career moves, documenting personal style and the magic of hats. Read on for more…
Koshka: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got to your current position at Goorin?
Amy: I’m originally from the LA ‘burbs and moved to SF after doing my undergrad at UC Davis. I actually majored in Asian American Studies with a minor in Comparative Literature, but was always interested in art/design/fashion and wanted to work in publishing. After graduating, I did a bunch of internships, one of which turned into my past Associate Editor job at Chictopia. I’m now the Product Coordinator at Goorin Brothers, an awesome hat company that’s been around since 1895.
Amethyst in our Alejandra Quesada ‘Flores’ Sweater with knit flower and ruffle detail.
K: You post your personal outfits exclusively on Chictopia. Is there a certain reason why you chose that platform?
A: It originally started from working there, but it comes down to the fact that Chictopia has a sweet community. The people are welcoming and really supportive which can be rare in fashion. I think getting that positive feedback from someone else who is also interested in fashion helps you develop your confidence in taking on the industry, and I’ve heard this from many other bloggers who consider Chictopia to be the stepping stone to fashion blogging and their careers.
K: How would you describe your personal style and how has it evolved over the years?
A: School girl who’s also kind of a tomboy. I’m minimal when it comes to accessories and I focus more on pieces that are keepers and interesting to me. I think I’m in the process of becoming an adult (sorta) so my style is still evolving.
K: Has working at Goorin affected your personal style? For instance, are you incorporating a lot more hats into your outfits these days?
Working at Goorin has opened up this whole new world to me. I’m learning that there’s a community of hat wearers and as someone who’s always been interested in fashion, I find it all really exciting. I’m also surrounded by stylish and creative people and I’m seeing first hand how much fun everyone has trying them on and how they spruce up an outfit. I feel like hats are the silent yet essential accessory. I’ve only tried wearing a couple hats, but now that I’m working at Goorin, I’ll probably dip into wearing cloches and fedoras too!
K: What else do you like to do outside of work?
A: Usually when I’m done with work I want to zone out and set my brain to “sleep” mode, but I’ve realized that it’s good to have hobbies. I’ve taken random classes, like beginner’s swimming and photography. I recently took up sewing. I thought I was gonna get all Project Runway up in this bitch but I’m very much a beginner. I also spend a lot of time just reading blogs, taking walks and cooking with my boyfriend. We don’t need much to entertain us. We’re old souls.
K: What are your go-to looks going to be this spring?
A: I’m waiting on these white chunky Birkenstock heels that I think I’ll wear with my girly day dresses. Gonna be looking out for interesting detailing like sheer materials, lace and cool laser cuts, but I’m mostly interested in basics, muted colors, black, white, bright yellow and orange, and denim.
Shop Amethyst’s Koshka Picks
DETAILS! DETAILS! DETAILS! This week we’re highlighting pieces that have that extra special something to really make your look work. Whether it be an unexpected cut out or unique embellishments, sometimes a little goes a long way…
Tassel fringe earring(s).
Back cut outs.
Embellished collar.
Unexpected scallop and ombre skirt details.
Shop All In The Details at Koshka
