Episode 6
FLARE RECAP
There were a few questionable accessories this week. I get wanting to spice up your suit, but I think the goal should be to accent what's already there, not distract from it...
I actually would be totally into the above look with a regular white or grey handkerchief. That neon-green trimmed abomination is not good.
BEST DRESSED
A somewhat better example of accessorizing...
It's not that I particularly like the flower pin, but it goes with the outfit and doesn't overpower it. One could argue the whole look is slightly matchy-matchy but that's splitting hairs. This is a good look.
WORST DRESSED
I like Chris so much, but this jacket...
... Oy. I respect the risk but it didn't pay off in my eyes. If you're going to attempt the lapel color-blocking thing, which is innately risky, the colors you choose MUST be on safe side. By going rogue in the color department, he ended up looking like character from Jersey Boys.
As for Josh...
I feel too bad about his hair to say any more. (But you know what the issue is here!)
KAITLYN'S LOOKS
Because every episode is all wonky, we start off with a rose ceremony. Kaitlyn's brings the sequins...
... and I'm not totally sure why but I'm not digging this look. It could be that I find the dress itself very heavy and so I wish it'd been worn with bare legs and simple pumps. (I know, it was freezing in New York at the time) Maybe it's the fact that the dress is pretty formal, so it feels bogged down by the opaque tights and knee-high boots. I like the dress itself, just not the styling. (Her Parker sequined "Aubrey" dress sells here.)
Her two-step date look was a breezy win...
No one pulls off "What, this old thing?" chic like this girl does. If you haven't hopped on the chambray buttondown bandwagon yet, you're either crazy or have been living under a rock. Kaitlyn's Bella Dahl shirt (Bella Dahl is all the chambray rage right now) sells here, but frankly, I have the Cloth & Stone one—in fact, I'M WEARING IT AS I TYPE THIS—which is 40% cheaper and I can't for the life of me tell the difference. (It sells here.)
In the evening...
... Kaitlyn once again proved she can clean up nice. I LOVE this plunge blouse with those open shoulder blade cutouts. Her Jonathan Simkhai skirt is eye-catching and different. (It sells here—on sale!) Her necklace is a strong piece but still elegant. (In case you have $1300 lying around, that crystal pendant by The Woods sells here.) What's interesting about this look is that it's one statement piece after another, yet they all work together harmoniously and don't seem like too much. BUT! You know what I'm going to say. A big bun, a wispy pinned-back thing, a high ponytail, a slick low ponytail... It doesn't matter which. This look needs an updo. IT JUST DOES.
As for her daytime mariachi group date outfit...
Honestly, at first I wasn't sure what to make of this dress. I couldn't decide if it was a bit too kitschy. It kind of looks like a dress you might see on a Western-themed Barbie doll. (Did anyone else feel this way??) But I'll be damned, she looks cute. SUPER cute. That Alexa Chung for AG dress is sold out almost everywhere, but there are still a few in stock here.
In the evening...
... she took it up a notch. It's rare that you can say an outfit is as much for women as it is for men. I often joke that I tend to dress for women, meaning what I've opted to wear may not be as "sexy" or figure-flattering as it is interesting or edgy. This outfit really marries the two. The skirt is SO cool and really elevates the entire outfit. It's fashion-forward (have you heard fringe is back??) but still feminine. This is easily my favorite look of the week.
Tragically, that skirt is an Intermix exclusive and totally sold out. There's a pretty similar skirt selling here, except it has laser cut patterns. (If you're into the fringe and don't need the suede, there are some very nice options here, here, and here.) Her exact Gold & Gray necklace sells here, and those gorrrrgeous Michael Kors espadrille wedges are (on sale!) here.
For her date with Shawn...
... Kaitlyn wore a sick fringe knit dress which I'm lusting after HARD. She's flashing a good dose of leg but has covered up everywhere else. (Thumbs up) It's a simple look that relies on strong accessories, namely that badass gold Porter Lyons backbone (!) cuff.
Who wasn't drooling over Kaitlyn's cowl back gown?
It's pretty much perfect and belongs in my closet. It brings the sex appeal while remaining classy. I think the best-executed backless items are the ones where, from the front, you would have no idea the back was completely open. (It's like a mullet; business in the front, party in the back.) Her exact gown is by a bridal designer and not available online. However, if you can live without it being eggplant-colored, there's a super similar (and wallet-friendly) alternative here. And if I were you I'd snip off the tie; I do that to most of my backless items. It goes from cheap-looking to expensive-looking in a second.
Until next week, fellow pandas!
