The Look for Less: The Corset

I’ve watched the TopShop, behind the scenes High Summer Shoot video about five times and still cannot get over my infatuation with the clothes. The denim with studded details, the moccasin-peep toe booties, the lacey see-through skirt with the highly decorated gladiator sandals peeking through the trim. The style of the upcoming season seems to be multiculturalism in a single outfit. Why not be a Greek Victorian goddess? A Warhol muse dressing up in Mum’s jewelry from the ’30s? Or a punk rocker who can shed one layer and be perfectly prepared for a dip in the ocean? How to achieve all of this and all on a budget? There are a few standard pieces for the summer that need investment now:

1. The lightweight, but heavily punked out leather jacket. Leather jackets can run upwards to $150 at TopShop, but the best plan is to buy a cheap leather jacket and trick it out yourself. It really makes you look like an authentic part of the Brat Pack.

2. The corset. You want one that’s made with an unusual fabric, like floral-patterned khaki or denim. You don’t want it to turn lacey or silky, because then it looks like you’ve walked out of the bedroom half-dressed. These are specialty pieces and you want to make sure you get the perfect size that fits like a glove.

2. The sexy wedged sandal. You want to have that spark of femininity, and the wedged sandal or espadrille keeps you looking whimsical, fashionable, and also a little innocent. It’s great to pair with a really hard piece, like the leather jacket, or even the corset. With those pieces, you are teetering on the edge of full commitment to punk rocker or sex vamp, and toning back the outfit with cute espadrilles or a fun sundress would throw everyone for a loop.

Image: flickr.com/photos/30475026@N08/4488091131/