Embroidery dress

I was going to leave Forever21 alone for a week but I couldn’t help myself and visited this Tuesday morning to check on new dresses. I saw a blue strapless embroidered dress which I thought is pretty. In the end I decided to feature the beige dress version for this Spring/Summer outfit instead of the blue.

What I'm wearing: 

Dress: Forever 21, Tights: Primark, Shoes: Babyphat, Hat: Babyphat, Bag: Cole Haan, Jacket: Red-Ox, Accessories: Temptation boutique

Though the exact origins of embroidery are technically unknown—it's an extremely ancient art, that we're certain of—your WWW editors are positive about one thing: this elaborate stitching is making a triumphantly cool comeback! No longer the stuff of grandma's craft projects and Renaissance Faire costumes, embroidery is shedding its delicate and girly associations for a more rock-bohemian look. Whether it's embellishing leather outerwear, fringed bed jackets, or lovely sequined pieces, we can't help but admire how industry insiders like Kirsten Dunst and Jen Brill are addressing these ornate designs!

While we typically see embroidery on dresses and tops, we find that this decorative stitching is even more interesting when emblazoned on a tough-luxe piece like a leather jacket or jeans jacket. The contrast of the feminine and colorful detailing against the hardworking fabric makes for an unexpected, yet visually intriguing, outerwear option.

Another excellent canvas for these intricate designs is a shawl or bed jacket. As demonstrated by Angela Lindvall and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the colorful embroidery further accentuates the bohemian vibe of these pieces, ultimately lending itself to a cool look.

Traditional needle and thread embroidery is certainly beautiful and eye-catching, but if you really want to make a statement this season, we recommend going for sequin-embroidered clothing a la Kirsten Dunst and handbag designer Sara Battaglia. Both ladies elevated their after-dark looks with ornately crafted and shimmering pieces, and the results were quite luxurious and memorable. Note you can go one of two ways when styling such elaborate clothing: if you opt for a dress keep your accessories minimal to avoid a look that is too busy, however, if choose a smaller article of clothing, feel free to punch up your outfit with a statement bag or earrings like Battaglia.