Hello and welcome to the 12th edition of Ping-Pong post, the monthly collaboration between myself, Samantha of Fake Fabulous and Ann of Kremb de la Kremb. To see the background of this style challenge read here. This month Samantha proffered her black drapey top which almost flummoxed me completely. Despite being simple in shape, it was still one of my least favourite of colours to work with. Let's start with Samantha who certainly didn't seem to struggle -
The black top has a scoop neck and cross over front, but very cleverly Samantha has chosen to wear it back to front revealing a stunning strappy feature below. Wet look leggings, and patent boots lift this plain cotton top into the realms of fabulousness. She has finished this off with a statement bag and necklace leaving no room to doubt that she is indeed a true style icon. Follow Samantha on Instagram here.
Details -
TOP: Yong Kim
NECKLACE: Oliver Bonas
LEGGINGS: Pamela Mann
BOOTS: Vagabond
BAG: River Island
Ann has given the top a more casual spin with her snakeskin jeans, biker boots and striped shirt, but hasn't forgotten a dash of glamour by way of her diy ostrich handbag (see the link below). A roll neck and gloves give a nod to the cooler weather Ann is experiencing in Hong Kong this week when she took these shots. Black doesn't look very difficult to wear when you've got the right hair colouring does it? Fab styling Ann! Follow Ann on Instagram here.
Details -
Outfit Details
Earrings--my guy Ben in Jardines Bazaar, a great ladies market in Hong Kong
Turtleneck--heat technology, Uniqlo
Striped Shirt--Zara
Black Top--Sam's
Gloves--market in Shanghai
Ostrich Bag--Kremb de la Kremb DIY
Snake Jeans--Bershka
Moto Boots--boutique on Houhai Lake, Beijing
Those who know me will recognise my default setting here - when in doubt, dress it up! Glitter tights and glitter boots, seemed like a great way of detracting from the pallor-inducing colour of the top. Adding some softer, more neutral tones against the skin also helped. One feature I did like was the pockets and by adding a belt the tunic took on a bit more shape. A splash of silver jewellery and studded clutch were the finishing touches. Samantha - I gave this my best shot, but heck it's been my least favourite of our challenges so far!
Details -
Top: Samantha's
Dress: H&M
Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Tights: H&M
Boots: Topshop
Necklace: M&S
Rings: old
Handbag: charity shopped
The news on Ping-Pong Post is that having completed a whole year of this style challenge we're going to evolve the series a little next month, so do come along to see exactly how on the 20th of March.
Linking with -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style
Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish
Anna x
I'm glad you showed the close-up of the tights and booties. I like them!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I don't care for this piece.
I'm interested to see your next collaboration.
bisous
Suzanne
I think it was game, set and match to Sam. But honestly, we really tried not to compete with this challenge, more show how different our styling could be.
DeleteI think poor Sam felt a bit sick at the amount she paid for this, although Ann really loves it. I bet it'll turn up on her blog again sometime in the future.
The new collab with be just as much fun I think.
Have a fab week x
Anna
This is amazing. Love Samantha's outfit, and Ann's bag is just the kicker and so are your tights and booties! Looking forward to find out about your upcoming collaboration.....xo Sabina
ReplyDeleteThanks Sabina. Sam really nailed it, didn't she! We've all had a great time with this, but I think the next phase will be just as interesting for our readers.
DeleteThanks for dropping by x
Anna
Hahahahaa.....sorry Anna!
ReplyDeleteI thought we should end this part of PPP with a devilish piece.
I don't like black either!!
It doesn't suit my colouring or my shape.
It's not my style.
I was a fool to buy it and cringe at the amount of fun Charity shopping we could have had with the money!
You wore it how I would have done (if I had not wanted to wear my leggings) and you did a great job.
I agree with the pockets being it's saving grace.
Luckily Ann seems to have taken it to a much more comfortable place.
It looks at home on her body. Looks great with her colouring and suits her style.
Sorry for throwing you such a stinker.
Here is to our re-vamp for PPP 13!!
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous | Style and fashion, over 40
You're a crazy chick - I don't like black, it doesn't suit me nor does the shape! And it cost you a fortune, crazy gal! Anyway, having said all of that you carried it off like a trooper. It was a brilliant bit of styling on your part; every element perfectly in tune with the next.
DeleteAnnie will get lots of wear from the top as it works so well for her shape, and her colouring too. You did her proud.
Roll on the next phase...
Anna x
I think this is a difficult piece to style as it's a tricky shape! I liked how you styled it over the dress and jazzed it up with sparkly tights and boots. PPP number 12 already? Where has the time gone?
ReplyDeletexxx
Thanks so much Vronni. I really hated this piece. It didn't inspire me in the least and I kept putting it off for days and days as I just could't find something that worked for me. The end result was passable, but not something I'd go out in. Samantha and Ann both carried it off so well, and I'm delighted that Ann has inherited something she genuinely likes.
DeleteA year of PPP gone and it's time to evolve. Bring on PPP 13!
Have a great week x
Anna
That ostrich bag steals the show - love it. Some lovely stylish looks here. Nice to link up with you. x
ReplyDeleteThat bag is really fab isn't it Jacqui? I think we all did fine with this really difficult piece. Sam is pretty feindish sometimes!
DeleteThanks for visiting too x
Anna
I'm sincerely not convinced I like it all that well on any of you. (sorry)
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest that you turn it into the "traveling ugly black tunic"... Sort of the nemesis/nasty step-sister of Melanie's Outrageous Yellow skirt?
Everyone wore darling booties but they all failed to remove the evil curse.
Hahaha! Judy I love your honesty. This top really didn't quite make the grade did it? Poor Sam spent a fortune on it too. I think it did indeed suffer some evil curse and is quite fitting that we draw a close to this particular version of Ping Pong Post with this final offering.
DeleteHope you enjoy the rebranded feature next month x
Anna
I love that you all really worked at this piece, despite not 100% loving it. I always balk at black, and would never consider this piece myself. I do adore your sparkly booties (SPARKLE), however. Ship those right over to me, please, dear.
ReplyDeleteBlack is so difficult isn't it? Terrible to photograph too. Sometimes it can be a classy piece that it worth the battle, but this maybe not so much.
DeleteWill let you know when I tire of my sparkly booties x
Anna
I didn't think any of you looked the worse for wear in this piece, to be honest, Anna. It's like a blank slate. And you paired it so well with those glitter tights and boots. Those boots. Allow me a moment to drool.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sheela, how lovely to hear from you again!
DeleteThe piece was a blank canvas and yes, we all created our own look around it which is the essence of the feature, so no harm done.
Glad you like the sparkly boots and tights. It was the best idea I could muster.
Will swing by to visit you x
Anna
such a fabulous accessorizing!, that black top looks pretty as a vest over your dress, and I like that you added some glitter!, belt and tights and boots!, and your studded bag!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
besos
How very generous of you! I just kept adding sparkle and glitter all over the place in the hope that it would eclipse this awkward piece. Maybe it worked?
DeleteHave a fab week x
Anna
So stylish! Love all the looks!
ReplyDeletehttp://chicglamstyle.com
Very, very kind of you Rachel x
DeleteAnna
Loving this collaboration! All great looks.
ReplyDeleteMary
www.marymurnane.com
Thanks so much Mary. Hope you get a chance to view some of the earlier ones.
DeleteHave a fab week x
Anna
lovely ladies :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Magdalena x
DeleteAnna
Yo all did your best, but ai will admit that Samantha steals the show here. A difficult garment indeed. It reminds me of the green feather shaggy top with which I joined the ping pong posts. That was a struggle for me too. Just goes to show we are all very different. But it is nice to have a challenge. Pushes yur creativity.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
Greetje, you're so right, it's good to have challenge to push our creative boundaries. I feel I may have been a bit harsh about the piece. Black is a nightmare to carry off as joyful which is my default setting. Hey ho, we're all different!
DeleteAnna x
These are always so interesting to see how many different ways you three can style something. I think you look better in bright colors but you gave this your best try! Onwards and upwards right? Julia xx
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to try something different, but you're so right Julia - I do look better in bright colours!
DeleteAnna x
It's amazing what you can do with one top! I really like all three looks here x
ReplyDeletewww.vanityandmestyle.com
Laurie you are the master of diplomacy! Thank you so much x
DeleteAnna
It's amazing what you can do with one top! I really like all three looks here x
ReplyDeletewww.vanityandmestyle.com