A Sartorial Guide to The Clubs

Not to gloat or remotely be boastful, but I’ve covered quite an extensive market of “party scenes”. From Dubai, Lebanon (the craziest & greatest), New York, London, Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, all the way to Beijing and back to Montreal. I have a pretty good idea of what differentiates sartorial class from sartorial nonsense, and after a few soirees here and there, I find myself compelled to warrant a post on the etiquettes of attire and appearance when clubbing.

Side note: my oh-so-worthy guidance is only for those who are willing….(I couldn’t be more serious).

(Left to Right: Kim Kardashian & Marilyn Monroe)

The issue here is the misinterpretation and distortion of the word sexy. Marilyn Monroe was sexy; excessive makeup, diminutive dresses, bra straps and glimpses of your underwear are not. Be cautious when selecting the form-fitting route of dresses; there are other ways to remind people you’re a buxom babe. If you want men to dwell on your seductiveness, you must mildly tease and that means slight décolletage, but then take it easy with the bottom half - learn to balance. 

 (Left to Right: Alicia Keys, Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker)

If you feel as though you can rock denim at a club, then I’m all for it! Though keep in mind, you want a darker pair, whether low-rise or high-rise, that will wrap your legs and accentuate your bum attractively. Get creative and dress it up with an unusual top, OR, use a simple top and dress that up with statement jewelry.

(See NET A LA MODE's Cheap Monday high waisted skinny jeans and Makers of True Originals skinny jeans).

As for makeup: it’s makeup, not costume-makeup. I know, how crude of me…but seriously ladies, less is more. Take it from the best; Mademoiselle Coco Chanel said, “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”

Just remember ladies, these venues are teeming with single men and I’m sure most of you have heard this before, and I cannot even begin to stress its truthfulness: act like a lady and you’ll attract a gentleman, act like a tramp and you will attract a douche.

Be breathtakingly fun and be breathtakingly gracious,

Dana El-Ghazal.

Happy V-Day!

Valentine's day is all about passion, flowers and chocolats very conventionnal isn't it? 

At NET A LA MODE Valentine's day is about romantic inspiration and style.

Lace, sparkling details, quilted leather and gold are among the biggest trends. 

Here are some romantic inspired items from our latest photoshoot.   

Credit: Christie Vuong

Däv Rainboots Quilted shine finish lace up rain boots

Credit: Christie Vuong 

Zenith Handbag Polly large clutch 

And you... what comes to mind when thinking about the romantic trend?

Some Thoughts on the 54th Grammy Awards Red Carpet

 Some Sexy Ribcage Cleavage

(Left to right: Rihanna in custom-made Giorgio Armani, Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney)

Oh Hot Damn! This is the essence of svelte and jaw dropping. Those two were dressed to kill in these exceptionally sexy-chic long black gowns.

Some Sparkle on The Red Carpet

(Left to Right: Carrie Underwood in Gomez Garcia, Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward and Jessie J in Julien Macdonald)

These sparkles were far from blinding. They were bold, bright and beautiful against the red carpet. The gowns complemented each of the star’s assemblage from head-to-tow.

Some Stunning Lebanese Art

 

(Left to Right: Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad Couture and Katy Perry in Ellie Saab Couture)

Artistic elegance is paramount when describing these gowns. Although I don’t particularly associate their choices with their own personal style, the gowns radiated with grace on the red carpet.  

And of course, Some Faux Pas

(Left to Right: Fergie in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture, Nicki Minaj in custom-made Versace)

There is a time and place for such decadence. Haute Couture or not, I genuinely don’t care. You cannot disagree that this was “fashionably inappropriate” for a red carpet social setting, or any reputable event. In short: fail.

But those are just my thoughts......what do you think?

Dana El-Ghazal

 

BCBGeneration girls!

The BCBGeneration line is one of the most versatile ones out there. It appeals to different generations and each piece is easy yet edgy. 

SPRING 2012

Their spring collection is all about effortless pieces that only need a few accessories to complete a look. There is an array of fun and colourful dresses, printed tops, breezy rompers and great clutches to accessorize.

The BCBGeneration Girl

The BCBGeneration girl is the every girl.

One of our favorite quotes that best describes the brand is: "The collection affords every women the freedom to explore, expand and express her individuality through personal style."

We want to know: Which BCBGeneration girl are you?

It's Leatherish & Coquettish

For those of you who don’t own a pair of leather shorts (or leather anything) because you simply fear it, associate its physical matter with goths, heavy metal groups and what not…...seriously? Never conform to any stereotypical fashion fallacies and never fear any sort of apparel (you’re the one wearing it, it’s not wearing you).

 

NET A LA MODE’s leather shorts from left to right: Lucca Couture shorts, Lucca Couture camel shorts and Mink Pink pretender shorts.

(P.S. They're all on sale!)

Now, when the time comes to tribute these bad boys, I request that you ever so kindly do so with caution. They can be sexually suggestive, devious and risqué. Yet regardless of all that, they’re sexy, they’re bold and they’re ridiculously amusing to make an outfit with.

The look you want to achieve is what I call Leatherish & Coquettish. Why Leatherish? Because we’re only working with partial leather (shorts) I sanction you to never pair leather with more leather (at least I hope not). And why Coquettish? You want to achieve an ensemble that emits “flirtatious chicness”, not vulgarity.

Left to Right: Alexa Chung, Rachel Bilson, Olivia Palermo, Whitney Port, Miranda Kerr.

What works? It's simple really:

• Lace with leather always works for a sensual combination.
  (See NET A LA MODE's Gentle Fawn lace top)
• Denim tops & denim jackets work faultlessly for a casual look.
• Toss on a boyfriend blazer and prepare to be impressed by how impeccably chic you look.
  (See NET A LA MODE's BB Dakota Ellis blazer and The Cue wool blazer)
• Rock your leather shorts whenever you want. Come this spring, combine it with any loose fitting, pastel-color tops (tucked in or out) and guaranteed you will look like a sassy bombshell.
  (See NET A LA MODE's Gentle Fawn tryst top and Line & Dot almond pocket tee)
  
  I leave you with a quote from Mademoiselle Coco Chanel:
  “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”
  
  
  Happ-E-shopping!
  
  Dana El-Ghazal