When I think back on some of my very favorite memories, so many of them have taken place in the presence of great art: in the Guggenheim Museum in Venice while studying abroad and feeling very independent for the first time in my life (I had chosen to split off from my traveling buddy to explore Venice on my own, and spent a good half-day ogling over the visual splendor housed in that villa on the channel); in Paris at Musee Marmottan with my parents, soaking up every last minute of their indulgent kindness before heading off to college for the first time; at the Frick in New York with my baby sister just after she’d moved up there and we were feeling very lucky to have a day of sisterhood; at the Phillips in D.C., where I interned for a summer and managed to smuggle some friends into a boozy after-hours event and wound up having the time of my life. Today, I’m hoping to pay some modest homage to this trend by featuring some of the artful pieces I’ve seen cropping up all over the place — hand-painted items; brush-stroke prints; unique, artisanal patterns.
Let’s begin high-end, with this stunning horse pattern shirt ($836), which would look bananas with these expensive-looking drops ($100!), a wool mini (on sale for $125), and black tights:
Finish with these city slicker cap-toed booties (Alice and Olivia, $405) and a pebbled leather clutch (Clare Vivier, $157):
Also a huge fan of this funky artful printed blouse ($98), paired with this ginormous deco pendant (obsessed with this affordable find — Rachel Roy, $65). This look would be fab with a simple pair of skinnies, but why not juju things up with some red Minnies ($70) and some simple black flats ($80)?
I’d finish with this textured “bubble” clutch (Phillip Lim, $325):
For something even bolder, check out this painted leather dress ($250), which reminds me, for some reason, of part of a Frida Kahlo painting. Totally something fashion-plate Miroslava Duma would wear. Finish with an emerald-esque necklace ($575 — OR check out J. Crew’s jewelry collection, which features lots of this color, as with this stunning necklace):
You’ll need to pair this look with the highest — and thus most haute couture — heels you can muster, like these Charlotte Olympias, which defy all logic ($895) and a artful clutch ($650):
As an aside, this snakeskin Balenciaga bag ($3,350) is mesmerizing and Jackson Pollack-esque…a true work of art!
Shifting gears/color-palettes, love the idea of an artfully-printed blouse (DVF, on super sale for $118) with this ah-mazing piece of horn jewelery ($385), skinnies, and almond snakeskin flats ($250):
Perfect for a day of shopping/art-browsing! Could go well with this stunning clutch (love the clasp! — $850) in blue if you’re transitioning to evening-wear, but the black is so versatile…
Also liking the idea of pairing this brush-stroke print scarf ($185) with a pleated dress ($143)
Finish with these cheeky heels ($945)
This funky clutch (Morgan Parish, $220) might be the perfect cap to the look, if you’re not too afraid of matchy-matchy…otherwise, go with a simple black clutch.
Speaking of Morgan Parish, one of her other goodies makes the “Gifting Guru” corner today…
How darling are these funky little key-rings ($30)?! A perfect stocking stuffer or gift for a co-worker, cousin, etc:
Portuguse Prepsta — The Frick is fab. That’s my kind of museum — manageable within an afternoon and beautiful in and of its own right. Get the blouse!
LOVED this post! I was an art history minor and get so wrapped up in colors and painting techniques when I go to a museum! All these styles are so beautiful and wearable. Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I adore your gifting guru at the end of each post, it is so difficult to find quality items for a low cost, but you manage to find them for us! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Ooh! I love it! Thanks, Nicole!
Art history is one of my majors so of course this post struck a cord with me! and I was just at the Frick this weekend with my boyfriend! and I love that printed blouse!