Avant Garb: Fledgling Fashionistas
What an absolute doll this one is! Rhys Stancill-Whitin is looking absolutely darling and soooo fashion-forward especially for her age. You don’t see many 14-year-olds making such bold and adventurous style choices! Especially ones that come off looking so mature, refined, and elegant. It’s always hard to dress a 14 year old girl because in the immortal words of Britney Spears: she is “not a girl, not yet a woman.”
This is an age to be able to have fun with fashion. It’s a time to be expressive and experimental and develop your personal style. It’s not easy, so we need to give her some serious props. Here is what Rhys had to say about her personal style.
“Ever since my aunt took me to DuBois Textiles when I was 7 years old, I’ve loved vintage shopping. I like pieces with artistic details, like the metalwork on the colorful dress. I also think it’s really important that clothes are comfortable, and that you feel good in them.”
For 14, she’s years beyond her age.
I LOVE this dress…and if I’m being honest, I wanted to steal it! Rhys said she thrifted it from one of my favorite Baltimore spots, Hunting Ground. Personally, I’m a huge fan of bohemian looks that incorporate embroidery and fun colors like this dress does.
I also fell in love with her lucky silver horseshoe necklace…and I loved it even more once she talked about how sentimental it was to her. Rhys was gifted this by Alexandrea Arnold, her teacher at Waldorf she had from 3rd to 8th grade. Talk about an amazing teacher – one who also has great taste in jewelry.
Rhys also paired her dress with Seychelles vegan metallic low heels, so appropriate for the look and her years. What I love about this is she’s not trying to look older than she is. But at the same time, I take her seriously because her style choices seem so mature.
Keep your eye out for this little fashionista – she may take us all by storm one day.
I was lucky enough to come across another budding fashionista, Bianca. Also the daughter of a friend of mine. I love her rocker-chic look. She’s managed to make this leather jacket look bad-ass, while also being feminine, fun and flirty. Bianca said she got her jacket from Off Saks Fifth Avenue at the Palm Breach Outlets. The designer is Bagatelle. Her jeans are from Hollister and her pink shirt is from 14th & Union.
Here is what Bianca had to say about her style choices.
“I like anything that has bling or sparkles. Most of the time I pair chic with shabby – like worn jeans or black leggings. Then I finish it off with black boots or a pair of Converse high tops. Going to the outlets like Off Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom Rack is fun. I find cool things there. I don’t really shop by brands or designers…I just look for things that feel like me. Fun clothing allows me to express who I am.”
Let’s face it…this jacket is COOL. If I saw this thing on the rack at a store I wouldn’t hesitate to try it on… and if I ran into Bianca on the street, I would definitely stop to ask her where she got it. It’s so fun, with plenty to look at and tons of personality. I would describe it as a conversation piece. And most people might even wonder if she added the patches herself. It looks super high-end, and is still youthful and fun. And Bianca did a great job pairing it with ripped jeans to add a little more rocker-California vibes to her look.
I also came across this sparkling little mini dress that is to die for. If you have any upcoming bachelorette parties or you want to have an extra fun night out dancing with the gals, this dress is perfect. It’s pink and fun and girly and everything that I love! And I can’t believe it’s only $40!
Not to mention it’s vintage, so you won’t have to worry about anyone else in the room wearing it. Pair it with some strappy, open-toed heels, a little clutch and some silver jewelry, and if you really want to pump it up, you could even add a fun fur vest to the mix. I’m willing to bet that if you wear this dress your night will be filled with complements and you’ll feel more confident and sexier.
