As you probably already know about me, I tend to draw my style from a wide range of resources and time periods. Sometimes I look to magazines, other bloggers and the runway, but other times my outfit ontology comes from dresses worn in historical portraits in museums, or period TV shows like PBS’ “Victoria.”
From the last two sources, I have come to realize that the off-the-shoulder trend is not a fad of the present, but one that is here to stay because its lifeline across time periods and genres of dress.
Off-the-shoulder tops and dresses are one of the classiest ways to show skin. This has been evidenced by Audrey Hepburn’s décolletage-accentuating princess gown in “Roman Holiday,” or the Parisian editorials of Bridget Bardot—I mean for crying out loud, many off-the-shoulder numbers are named after Bardot!
As aforementioned, these tops date back even further than the ‘50s and ‘60s. When miniskirts and low cut tops were nonexistent in the Victorian period, an off-the-shoulder frock was the way to achieve sexy. Most tops like these end right before the bust-line, but showcase one’s neckline and creates a swan-like length to the neck.
And while I am a fan of a mini skirt and deep-v top as much as the next girl, there are certain settings where a modest off-the-shoulder top is the more appropriate way to go, like a dinner with relatives or a museum visit.
Speaking of a museum visit, I wore this off-the-shoulder number to the Getty Villa last Friday. The black top marries well with a pair of tuxedo-colored gingham trousers, but could be worn a plethora of ways—with a high-waist skirt, or even an overall dress. To give the look a more casual feel, I wore my every day cloth slides.
I may not be in a black and white Audrey Hepburn film or the Queen of England at a royal ball, but wearing this ensemble in the midst of inspiration-evoking paintings, I felt a true style connection with both arcs. And that, my dear chicsters is why off-the-shoulder tops are here to stay.
To shop my look, keep an eye out for the LIKE.toKNOW.it link on my Instagram page! All you need to do is screenshot my photo on Instagram, download the app for free and then my entire outfit is shoppable!
Keeping it Krischic,
Kristin Vartan
Keeping it Krischic 