How to Rock... Printed Pants

This weekend my sister dragged me downtown for some retail therapy. Somehow, I was the only one to actually spend any money, and among my spoils were two pairs of printed pants. Printed trousers, jeans and shorts are all the rage right now, but they can also be intimidating to wear. Below are some things to keep in mind when creating a fabulous outfit with your fabulous pants.
By Lauren H. Craig

1. Cuts & fabrics. Before you start putting outfits together, you should be mindful of how the cut and fabric of your pants will impact the rest of your look. It’s easy to focus on finding colors that look good together without considering how the cut of the clothes will impact your silhouette. Are they wide-legged or skinnys? Or leggings? Denim or Silk? Cotton or linen? Believe me, this stuff matters. For instance, loose, silk pants look good with structured tops, blazers and jackets, while flowing tops are more easily paired with fitted, ankle-skimming trousers and jeans. Now, these basic rules can definitely be broken, but if you’re looking for a place to start, they are solid principles.

Tommy Hilfiger

2. Solids and color blocking. The easiest way to wear printed pants is by pairing them with solids. A simple denim shirt or white, cotton button up looks great with many different styles and prints. You can also layer your solids by adding a blazer or leather (or denim!) jacket. You can select a top that matches an accent color in your pants or try pairing contrasting colors, such as an orange top with patterned pants dominated by green.

3. Neutrals. If you feel a little unsure about experimenting with color, try soft, subtle neutrals first. There are hundreds of different shades and they can be paired with any pattern. You can also try a toned-down printed pant for a monochromatic look (you can rock this look with color, if you’re feeling feisty).

4. The pantsuit. And I’m not talking about Hillary’s favorite power outfit. These new matching sets feature bold, fresh prints in large geometric and floral designs. Most women will opt to break these pieces up, but worn together, they can make for a striking fashion statement. Make sure the pattern is flattering (small patterns or patterns with too much open background space can make you look larger), and try breaking things up by wearing the blazer open with a white top.

5. Pattern mixing. Wearing your printed pants with printed tops reaches the highest level of fashion difficulty, but there are a couple of different ways to pull this look off. To start, go back to your neutral, monochrome look and swap out that solid top for a neutral top with a print similar to the size and shape of the pattern on your pants (remember, you can treat animal print like it’s a neutral, but be careful about mixing two of them). When you feel comfortable, try pulling off this twist on the monochromatic look with color. Below, Solange shows us what successful print mixing looks like (ignoring, for the moment, that her pants are far too long and she's about to ruin the hem of those gorgeous pants. Get thee to a tailor, immediately!). Notice how she breaks up the patterns with slacks that are mostly black, but feature printed panels.

A Gathered Event: Facet Fashion Show

This Saturday we had the privilege of attending the exclusive Facet Fashion Show and all white rooftop day party at Siren Studios in Hollywood. The event was hosted by actor/models Terrell Tarrance and Riki Dee and produced by the fabulous Ms. Dunnie O and Miss JGray of Image Is Everything PR. In case you hadn't heard of Facet Studios- let us tell you. Facet Studios is a LA-based photography and film production company that has produced images for Maxim, Black Men, XXL Magazine, Source, and King, as well as fashion ads and web media. Their elite work has launched several of the hottest upcoming models.

As expected, Facet Studio & Films, Miss Dunnie O, and Miss  JGray did not fail to put on an impressive event in the quality of models, fashion, and fun. In fact, everything was so gathered, they were awarded by Eric Garcetti, the Mayor Elect of Los Angeles, for the massive project. The show and party featured music by DJ Storm & DJ LaLa Land. Delicious complimentary cocktails were provided by Courvoisier, and food and samples from both Delectable Sweets and It’s in the Sauce BBQ Food Truck. The beautiful crowd was full of models and other industry people. Celebrity guests included Shemar Moore, Brooke Bailey, Raven Sorvino, Tiffany Foxx and a grip of other artists. The swag bags were full of valuable goodies and products like natural hair & body care line Patsie Girl, Luxe Therapy Scalp Soother, Showgirls Cosmetics, H&M Summer Edition, coupons, and more. So basically the 8 hour fashion extravaganza was full of  models, alcohol, rooftops, all white attired beautiful people, celebrities, sun, food, free stuff, swimwear, lingerie, and music. All buzz words for a hell of a time. And it was. If you missed it, no worries. The Gathered Lady was there to bring you the most important part: the fashion!

The show featured sizzling collections from Fame Forever, Cherry on Top Swimwear, Classy Yet Sassy Customs, Porsha Starr Lingerie, Tamasia Sade, Just Be You, Onny Wear, Venao Swimwear, JayleneAnn, The Joi of Summer, Pretty Posh Intimate Apparel, Yo Megz and Nu Sense. 

Swimwear and Snakes on the runway, Hasan of Facet Studio and models(L) Miss Dunnie O & Gathered Lady Bree(L) Facet Studio & Model AtreyuGathered Gentlemen in white! (C) Ibrahim of Facet Films and Model/Photographer Atreyu

(L) Host Terrell Terrance, (Top Center) Hasan of Facet Studio, Miss JGray of Image Is Everything PR, Miss Dunnie O, Ibrahim of Facet Films, (Bottom) DJ LALA Land(L) Gathered Lady Bree, (C) Miss Dunnie O, (R) U Blush MagazineFun on the runway, Erickas Elegant Edibles, Classy Yet Sassy Customs, Showgirls Cosmetics, Moel Designs

Do you have a gathered event you would love for us to attend and share the fashionable experience in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, or New Orleans? If so, send us an email to  thegatheredlady@gmail.com or invite us via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @ TheGatheredLady!

Happy Saturday! See you Monday for a SUPER FASHION SPREAD! We have tons of events this weekend and you're going to love them! Enjoy the weekend & stay gathered!

Fashionista Feature: Queen Aftan

Happy Friday fashionistas! It is our pleasure to feature none other but our Atlanta fashion affiliate, the illustrious Queen Aftan for your fashion inspiration. Aftan is 27 year old self-described "southern girl" born and raised in New Orleans and currently located in Atlanta Georgia. A truly accomplished renaissance woman, we love Queen Aftan not only for her bold, versatile, and fashion forward style, but also her faith, service, talent, and entrepreneurship. 

But aren't you wondering how she got the "Queen" title attached to her name? Aftan founded Music Uniting Sisters Initiating Courage, Character and Care (M.U.S.I.C.).  This program came about after she was bit by the “pageant bug” in 2002. The pageants she competed in all had a set platform and focus but none of them affected her in her personal life. She had always noticed young ladies carrying themselves as less than a queen with low self-esteem, and she was determined to fix that problem. She teaches and encourages young ladies to be queens at all times, think as queens, to call themselves queens and require the same of others. The company is now known as I AM A QUEEN ROYALTY PRODUCTIONS, LLC. Aftan, of course has a collection of crowns... don't you love it? 

The good news is we can all be queens! And even better, ATL fashionistas can support her empowering and uplifting mentoring events for young ladies like the "All Hail the Queens" event this Saturday. Invite a young girl you know and make an impact. But just before you do that, let the fashion stylings of Queen Aftan make an impact on your wardrobe! 

 

1. Describe your fashion style in 5 words. Big, Fun, Vintage, Glam, Royal

2. Who are your favorite style icons? Tika Sumpter, Kerry Washington, Jessica Biel, Emma Stone and Jennifer Lopez

3. Finish this sentence: I can’t help but buy more _Betsey Johnson Anything_ for my _Collection_.

4. Surprise! Impromptu interview with interview for Essence Magazine in 2 hours! What do you wear?  A bad shoe accompanied by a hot pink waist accentuating dress, chunky jewelry, an understated clutch and crown brooches at my chest.

5. Favorite stores to supply your fashion habit? H&M, Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx and many thrift stores.

6. Best fashion advice you live by? "A bad shoe can make any outfit"

7. Worst fashion mistake you ever made Wrong undies :(
8. Secret fashion look you wish you could pull off? A sheer sided dress! Might be too much for the people to handle lol!
9. What traits make up a gathered lady to you? A "gathered lady" is poised, well put together, understands who she is, knows her worth and presents classic beauty at its height. Which do you have? I humbly yet confidently believe I have a sprinkle of them all! :)
10. Favorite childhood fashion item you were obsessed with? I loved all of my mother's shoes even when I wasn't allowed to wear heels and I couldn't fit them.

Love what you see? Know someone else perfect for a fashionista feature? Great! Email or facebook us and let us know about it. If we like what we see, we'll share! 

ATL Fashionistas... Don't Miss All Hail the Queens!