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Posts from the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Jan 9

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The Ruby Dress Challenge

We were absolutely thrilled to learn today that Bento friend, fan, customer and devotee Cheryl Lin of Business Chic has set herself a very Bento-esque challenge: to wear our Ruby dress in black to work, every week for an entire year. You can read more about the project and follow her progress here: http://businesschic.com.au/2012/01/the-businesschic-black-dress-project/.

We thought we’d show our support and kick things off by giving her a few styling ideas to try. So here goes…

For a super serious board meeting:

White Shirt by Jil Sander at Netaporter

We know you’re not a fan of collars, Cheryl… but with the neckline on the dress it will stay in place so nicely!

To have a play with texture, we suggest pairing it with a thick belt that has some interesting detail. Patent would work well too.

Wide leather belt by Bottega Venetta at Netaporter

To make it all about your legs:

Wolford at Netaporter

Get a big snuggly when it gets cooler…

Cashmere knit by Gucci at Netaporter

Channel biker-chic:

Leather jacket by Dolce & Gabbana at Netaporter

And on casual Friday…

Boots by J.Crew

Bento denim jacket

Good luck, Cheryl! We can’t wait to see what ideas you come up with.

Jan 3

Style Synonyms – A Peachy Cool Combo

Ugh… somehow the heat always makes the concept of ‘chic’ seem like an impossible ask. This week’s Style Synonyms look is pretty perfect for a day spent in and out of air-conditioned buildings when the temperature extremes mean layers are your best friend.

How do you stay stylishly cool when the weather heats up?

Ivory Blazer over White Tee with Peach Wide Legged Trousers

Peaches and cream

 

Bento White one button foil jacket

Bento 'Blair' jacket in foiled linen

 

 

White V neck Cotton Tee
Bento ‘Robin’ cotton tee

 

 

Acne wide leg crepe trousers

 

Gladiator sandal
Habbot flats

 

 

cat eyes shaped Christian Dior Sunglasses
Christian Dior sunglasses

 

Gold bangle with diamonds
Gold Bangle Bracelet with Diamonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 12

Style Synonyms – Black on Black

You know how sometimes you see a look at everything tells you it shouldn’t work but somehow it does? That’s how we’re feeling about this week’s Style Synonyms look. Black on black on black is one thing – it’s hard enough given all the varying shades of black out there, but this gorgeous specimen takes it one step further and does leather on leather… in all black.

Unquestionably, she’s working this urban uniform… but we say try at your own risk.

Black leather shorts, jacket and bag
The edgy look of all black leather

 

Bento black wool pullover
Bento Wool Louis V – Black

 

Black leather shorts
Alexander Wang Leather Shorts

 

leather and wool jacket
Rick Owens Washed-leather and ribbed wool jacket

 

Neutral hat with black band
Malene Birger hat

 

Black lambskin leather bag with handles and gold zipper accents
Balenciaga Arena Velo with giant hardware

 

Black tights
Wolford Satin Opaque 50 Tights

 

Black ankle boots
Black ankle boots with gold zipper

 

Faux Fur- Black Fox Tail
Faux Fur Solid Black Fox Tail    (We consider this an optional accessory)

 

 

 

 

Dec 1

Style Synonyms – Refined Cool

Mmm… we don’t think anyone is going to deny this young lady has a seriously marvellous set of pins. And frankly, if our legs looked that good we’d wear skirts this short too.

For us mere mortals however, something slightly more demure is a little necessary.

What we extra-love is the incredibly daring-yet-refined combination of navy and black. One of those matches that just really shouldn’t work but somehow does. We’ve taken this look at found similar pieces for your inspiration… How are you wearing your Sophie skirt?

 

Pleated cream mini with classic blue blazer and blue button up blouse ans strappy heels
Style Synonyms pick of the week: Blue Blazer and Blouse with Cream Mini Skirt

 

Silk Sophie Skirt – Cream
Bento Silk Sophie Skirt in Cream 

 

Clean Single Breasted Blazer in rich silk fabric features a neat collar and fastens with a magnet at the centre.
Josh Goot Clean Single Breasted Blazer

 

This sheer chiffon shirt has a snakeskin print, long sleeves with pleated button cuffs and a single box pleat down the back.
Equipment silk shirt

 

Suede waist belt in royal blue

Miu Miu suede belt

 

T-Strap Evening Sandal Shoes
Forzieri T-Strap Sandals

 

Lambskin Leather Satchel Handbag

Proenza Schouler PS1

 

gold-plated, stainless steel watch

Nixon Monopoly Watch

Nov 27

Bento Joins Polyvore

Okay, we need to warn you… if you like looking at pretty things and tend to get sucked into the internet for hours at a time (*cough*like us*cough*) then it might be best you don’t know about Polyvore.

If the damage is already done and you know what we’re talking about, or at the very least you think you can restrain yourself, Polyvore is a collection of all things beautiful.

On this website, users all over the world can create little “sets” of lovely things and share them with other people of similar tastes. Like this:

UNTITLED

 

UNTITLED by passionfruit101 featuring a trench coat


Top
cea.com.br

Kain silk shirt
$155 - net-a-porter.com

Aquascutum Ltd trench coat
600 - harrods.com

TopShop chino pants
36 - topshop.com

Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio Eau De Toilette
$120 - saksfifthavenue.com

Three-Tier Fountain
$2,425 - neimanmarcus.com

 

Here’s one we did with a couple of Bento items and some other pieces by Lanvin and Bottega Venetta showing a summer weekend look we’d love to get around in:

 

Luxe Weekend

 

Luxe Weekend by thisisbento 

 

 

If you’re a Polyvore fan, search for Bento now! We’d LOVE to see how you incorporate Bento with other things.

Nov 26

Style Synonyms – Weekend Chic

Without a doubt, one of our favourite things is seeing how other people work Bento into an outfit. Whether it’s a glossy magazine stylist or girl in the street, it’s an amazing thing to see!

In the first of a new series of posts we’re doing, we’ve selected some of our favourite street style looks from around the globe that you might like to take inspiration from when dressing with your Bento goodies.

Click on any of the images to be taken to the original page where you can buy (except the first image… as gorgeous as she is, that beauty isn’t for sale).

Denim Shorts, white tee, Cranberry hat & sunglasses topped with Pale Pink Silk Jacket and black strappy sandals

Picture via Vanessa Jackman

 

Denim Shorts

Bento Epictetus Denim Shorts

White cotton T-shirt

Bento Robin Cotton Tee

 

Silk jacket with beautiful draping across the back. Fabrication: Silk Georgette. Made in Australia

Ginger & Smart "Whisper Words" Draped Jacket

Red felt hat with embroidered trim

Felt hat w/ embroidered trim by Etro at Net-A-Porter

Black, flat ankle wrap sandals by Maison Martin Margiela

Maison Martin Margiela ankle wrap sandals at Shopbop

 

Rose frame and blush tinted oversized sunglasses by MICHAEL Michael Kors

MICHAEL Michael Kors Guadeloupe Sunglasses

Pecan-coloured 'Edie' handbag by J Crew

Edie purse in Pecan by J Crew

 

 

 

Jun 24

Bento Loves… Style Icons

Mmmm. Style icon. It’s a term that gets bandied around a fair bit these days. Of course, as quickly as someone is declared a style guru and icon they’re off the list again (Sienna Miller, anyone?). For us though, a style icon isn’t about a trend or a particular look. It’s about a person knowing themselves, their lifestyle and their body so well that they always look good. They don’t even need to be a celebrity (although that does make their style more accessible).

Of course, the word ‘good’ is very relative and what looks good to one person almost definitely won’t to another… but this is part of what makes a style icon such a personal thing.

At Bento, we look to women like these as our style icons…

Carla Bruni

Cate Blanchett

Sarah Harris

Constanza Pascolato

Another Constanza Pascolato 'cause she's just got THAT much style...

 

So, who are you your style icons? Or to put it another way, who’s style do you admire?

Jun 21

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Colour Colour Colour

There are certain shades that I’m just obsessed with. Most of them are extremely vibrant. One that I’m a huge sucker for is that peacock blue / aqua / turquoise sort of shade … although every time I introduce it into my wardrobe it never seems to get worn. Go figure.

I would love for us to do a Louis V in the colour of the rug / painting below though.

Picture pinched from www.79ideas.org.

Jun 11

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Bond Girls

Bond girls seem to be a great measure of the female role in society across decades. In Goldfinger, Bond (Sean Connery) slaps his girl-of-the-moment on the ass and tells her to ‘run along now, mens talk’. She responds by giggling. By the Brosnan Bond era, the Bond girls are counterparts.

At any rate, they’re always smouldering.

A random selection in no real order…

Jun 7

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It’s All In The Colour Palette

We love the teal of this wallpaper with the acid yellow couch. The question is, if you were hungover and having a couch day, would it all just be too much?

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