Monday, September 29, 2014

STATEMENT-MAKING LAYERS FOR LESS

It’s a sartorial quagmire: It’s not summer anymore, but it’s not full-on fall yet either. Chunky knits and heavy boots don’t feel quite right, and neither do summer dresses or casual cutoffs. But don’t fret: The plethora of international fashion weeks have garnered a steady stream of street-style shots in which to seek inspiration. Here, I perfectly illustrate a transitional look that’s practical, colorful and totally on-trend while I offer you an affordable version you can shop right now.

A Color-Happy Combo


A flash of ankle and sporty kicks keep this look from veering too far into cold-weather territory, and the calf-grazing sweater coat—punctuated by a brightly hued clutch—makes it seasonally appropriate.


All Together Now

Cropped skinnies and colorful sneakers are a fail-proof formula. Plus, I love the concept of anchoring statement accessories with classic pieces. 
The Geometric Sweater Coat, Topshop $130
The Bright Bag, Zara $50
The Frayed Jeans, H&M $30
The Fun Sneakers, New Balance $65
The Classic Oxford Shirt, Uniqlo $40

Channel This Cozy-Glam Runway Look

Style a Chunky Sweater with Metallic Add-Ons...A La Balmain



This season, why not up the glamour factor of your standard sweaters by adding metallic accents into the mix? Balmain shows you how it's done!


WHITE SWEATER: Stay cozy in this waffle-knit pullover; pair it with jeans for a day look or with a mini skirt rolled-up sleeves for a night out.
Zara Angora Sweater, $80


GLAM SKIRT: Add subtle sprarkle to your wardrobe with this cream mini decked out in diamond accents.
TopShop Embellished Mini Skirt, $130


CHAIN BELT: Bring shape to your winter knits with an eye-catching shiny belt.
Mango Gold Chain Belt, $35


LACE SHOES: The white lace element of these sassy booties offers just the right amount of elegance to any ensemble.
Betsey Johnson RSVP Booties, $129

CHAIN CUFF: Balmain nails mixing metallics, and you can too by topping off this winter white outfit with a silver statement cuff on each wrist.
Bauble Bear Chain Bracelet, $32





Wednesday, September 24, 2014

STYLING

SUMMER PIECES YOU CAN WEAR THIS FALL


The beginning of fall is a great time to take stock of your wardrobe and assess which items you need to invest in and which pieces are standing the test of the seasons. With that said, there are plenty of summer staples that can brilliantly transition to colder weather with a few simple styling tricks. Here are some of my favorite tips for keeping warm weather favorites on heavy rotation when the temperatures start to drop. Your wallet will thank you.


Sundress

Cinch a chunky cable knit sweater over your favorite summer dress and team it with lace up ankle boots and a printed, oversized scarf. Top with a leather jacket when it gets even colder.




Printed Shorts

Your printed shorts can be fall-appropriate, as long as you add plenty of layers. Think a button down, warm sweatshirt and a slouchy trench coat. Finish with tights and brogues for the perfect weekend ensemble.













Silk Camisole

"Your favorite flimsy camisole can be worn in the colder months. Layer a boyfriend coat over an open leather jacket to allow a sliver of the top to peek out. Skinny jeans tucked into mod boots will complete the model-off-duty look."



      Monday, September 22, 2014

      DARE TO DRESS UP A BOMBER JACKET

      How to recreate a cool Alexander Wang Runway look without spending a boatload.


      Fancy pants are not the first pairing that comes to mind when brainstorming the perfect complement to your sporty-cool bomber jacket. Leave it to mix-and-match master Alexander Wang to team a casual jacket with dress pants.  Make the combo work for you by keeping the individual pieces neutral, relying on a sleek accessory for the sole pop of color.
      Here, I show you how to shop the runway look without blowing through your savings.

      THE JACKET...
      Topshop Jacker, $85






      At $85, this classic jacket is a useful and easily justifiable purchase. Layer it over heavier knits for warmth or use in lieu of a cardigan under coats.














      THE TROUSERS...
      Zara Trousers, $70



      Slim-cut black pants are essential to any woman's wardrobe. Bonus points for a playfully cropped fit. 










      THE CLUTCH...
      Nast Gal "Boss Lady" Clutch, $48




      What's better than a punchy blue clutch? One that's adorned with a blink-or-you'll-miss-it "Boss Lady" stamp, that's what! 










      THE SANDAL...
      Steve Madden Sandal, $80





      A delicate ankle strap adds polish to an otherwise edgy shoe. 









      THE MAKEUP...
      Stila Dare to Bare Palette, $20





      Neutrals are always a safe bet. The earthy shades in this palette complement any ensemble. 










      Wednesday, September 17, 2014

      sporty chic: what to wear for the big game

      3 Laid-Back Looks I love



      The NFL has kicked off and whether that matters to you or just to the man in your life, odds are good you’re going to find yourself in front of a large-screen TV staring at athletes in tight pants at some point this fall. If you’re going to spend your Sunday surrounded by screaming fans at a sports bar, you may as well use it as an opportunity to dive into fall’s plethora of chunky knits and sporty-cool pieces. Whether you’re a full-blown pigskin fan or simply a supportive girlfriend, I have the outfit inspiration to insure you look good while rooting on the home team.




      Good Sport
      Outfit ideas for the big game.
      Wear To: A Friend's House

      A fashion girl may never don a jersey (gasp!), but thanks to sports-inspired pieces being hotter than ever (as seen on the Spring runways of Rag & Bone and Alexander Want) it’s easy to rock a Sporty Spice ensemble without going overboard.
      Jessica T-Shirt, Karl Lagerfeld $115; Embellished Terry Wristband, Shourouk $245; Pop Cropped Boyfriend Jeans, Acne $250; Stretch-Mesh Sneakers, Adidas by Stella McCartney $220; Vovacki Sand Leather Bag, Mackage $225


      Wear To: A Sports Bar
      It may not actually be cold just yet, but football is a fall activity which translates to yummy knits in our world. Any excuse to dive into a chunky sweater dress is fine with us. And if you want to subtly support your team, a mani is a great way to do that. This red and gold glitter polish is perfect for 49ers fans.
      Mohair & Silk Blend Sweater Dress, Helmut Lang $579; Rory Zip Booties, Rachel Zoe $455; Samantha Belt Bag, B-Low The Belt $225; Nail Polish in Royal Avenue, Nails Inc. London $15

      Wear To: The Big Game
      Leather joggers are always a fashion win. Throw on a bomber jacket for the perfect finishing detail. That’s what we call a fashion touchdown!
      Pro Matte Lip Color, LORAC $16; Knit Varsity Jacket, Mango $60; Muscle Tank, 3.1 Phillip Lim $195; Metallic Backpack, Topshop $68; Cropped Leather Track Pants, Oak $495


      Monday, September 15, 2014

      Inject Color Into Your Office Attire

      I am a firm believer that clothes can change your mood and on a Monday, I’ll take all the help I can get. Herewith, three easy ways to incorporate cheery brights into your workwear wardrobe, without getting a pink slip.






      Punchy Pleats

      With a bright color like orange, make sure that the silhouette is demure, and the pairings are neutral. 
      Cashmere Tank, Adam Lippes $201; Duskfall Blazer, MAdewell $168; Orange Pleated Skirt, Chic Nova $61; Audrey Satchel, MICHAEL Michael Kors $428; Patent Leather Pumps, Semilla $334



      Bold Blue

      Team a cobalt blazer with tailored, printed pants and finish with sharp black accessories. 
      Twill Blazer, Acne $276; Jersey Tank, T by Alexander Wang $75; Suede Lace Up Pump, J.Crew $350; Satchel, Loeffler Randall $525; Cotton Silk Blend Pant, Marni $348



      Sunburst Skirt

      A vivid, multi-colored midi skirt looks office-appropriate with a button down shirt, polished tote and pointed-toe pumps. 
      Bettina Skirt, Saloni $575; Button Down Shirt, Closed $158; Ambrosia Pumps, Rachel Zoe $295; Red Tote, Annabel Ingall $415

      Wednesday, September 10, 2014

      One of Fall's Biggest Trends, Decoded

      How to wear a blanket coat


      I'm head over Louboutins for this fall’s onslaught of voluminous and statement-making blanket coats. Reach for the drama-inducing piece of outerwear to lend your cool-weather wardrobe some serious high-fashion street cred. With a slew of length, texture and print options stocking department-store racks, the trend conveys an undeniable confidence but figuring out a styling strategy once you bring one home can prove to be a sartorial head-scratcher.
      Here, I break down the blanket coat trend into 3 totally wearable looks you can wear to the office, on the weekend or for a night out on the town.

      Pump Up The Volume






      Work

      A cropped coat looks perfectly apropos for the office when paired with printed slacks, a high-neck top and ladylike pumps. Leave it on indoors in lieu of a blazer or drape it over your shoulders for a sophisticated flair.
      Layered Blanket Jacket, Chloe $1550; Dogtooth Cigarette Trousers, Topshop $84; Morse Drape Pleat Top, Helmut Lang $290; Carrie T-Strap Pump, SJP By Sarah Jessica Parker $355


      Weekend

      A floor-sweeping cloak may seem like an overpowering amount of fabric, but it can easily become your weekend go-to when worn casually and comfortably. A graphic tee, sneakers and your favorite pair of skinnies is the cool-girl combo of choice. 
      Long Camel Coat, Zara $279; French Fury Cotton Tee, Etre Cecile $135; Slouchy Boyfriend Jeans, Mother $210; Araraune Dance Sneaker, Adidas by Stella McCartney $130


      Evening

      For a night on the town, contrast the va-va voom factor of a curve-hugging dress with a chunky wrap coat. Incorporate a belt to define the waist, or better yet, leave as is and embrace the free-flowing fit.
      Houndstooth Wool Blanker Coat, Stella McCartney $3745; Bentley Jersey Dress, Diane Von Furstenberg $435; Black Ribbon Belt, B-Low The Belt $98; Rigby Leather Ankle Boots, Joie $375

      Monday, September 8, 2014

      how to wear white after labor day

      In my opinion fashion rules are meant to be broken, which is why I'm big supporters of boldly busting out sequins in broad daylight and mixing prints with wild abandon (stripes and florals? Yes, please! Plaids and patterns? Why not?). The same theory applies to wearing white after Labor Day. The archaic notion of stashing away your white pieces the moment the air begins to cool is as outdated as Hypercolor T-shirts.
      That said, there are a few tried-and-true guidelines to pulling off creamy hues in the fall and winter: Linen, seersucker and lightweight cotton are synonymous with summer and should therefore be relegated to the hottest months—they feel out of place and impractical during the rest of the year. Instead, opt for heavier textured fabrics (think cashmere, wool and twill) to keep your look seasonally appropriate. Here, 3 white-hot outfit ideas you can rock throughout autumn and beyond.



      The Jeans
      Emmanuelle Alt’s easy ensemble is proof positive that white jeans have earned their place in the wardrobe-staple hall of fame. An oversized chambray top and minimal accessories catapult the look into classic territory.

      Get The Look

      Poudre Bonne Mine Glow Powder, Givenchy $50; Vades Belt, IRO $147; Nataly Pumps, Barneys New York $296; Indigo Ex-Boyfriend shirt, Madewell $80; Capri Jean, Rag & Bone $165; Leather Backpack, ASOS $68






      The Jacket

      A single white piece is all it takes to break up an otherwise monochromatic outfit. Plus, a moto jacket in any color other than the expected black feels unexpected and fresh. 

      Get The Look

      White Leather Biker Jacket, Topshop $700; Printed Cotton-Terry Sweatshirt, Sea $195; Square Sunglasses, Balenciaga $360; Scarf, J.Crew $55; Brendan Slip On Sneakers, Rachel Zoe $235; Wide-Leg Tailored Trousers, Osman $712





      Head-To-Toe

      Laugh in the face of conformity by embracing head-to-toe white—shoes included—for a truly statement-making effect. The slouchy silhouette is extra forgiving, so go ahead and swap that T-shirt for a bulkier knit to combat the cold.

      Get The Look

      Oversized Round Glasses, Prada $325; Tivona Jacket, Theory $385; Korene Pant, Theory $295; April Perforated Pump, Club Monaco $298; Printed Icons Pouch, Kenzo $335; Sequined T-Shirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim $350