SHOP THE OFFICIAL COLOR OF 2015

Pantone's Announces Marsala 

As The Color Of The Year

Leave it to Pantone to make the color of the year a shade I’ve never heard of and now suddenly need in my closet immediately. The authority on all things colorful announced Marsala (as in veal and chicken) as its pick for the 2015 shade of the year. The deep red is both flattering and statement-making, and thanks to the plethora of brands that anticipated this choice, it’s easy to infuse your wardrobe with pieces in the hue ASAP. Behold, the Marsala-colored pieces you need now.

Gucci Spring 2015

Shop Marsala Must-Haves

Ombre Dress, Zara $50

Felt Fedora, David & Young $28

High-Neck Sweater, 3.1 Phillip Lim $595

Faux Leather Ankle Boots, Stella McCartney $720

Monogramme Velvet Clutch, Saint Laurent $1450

Party Outfits That Aren't Played Out

Shake things up this holiday season and part the sea of cleavage-baring, body-con minidresses in one of these unconventional outfits. Whether you top your outfit with a cape, go for a plunging tuxedo jacket or pair a demure minidress with over-the-knee boots, take a style risk and you’ll stand out from the pack.

Caped Crusader

Instead of a sequined minidress try an unexpected strapless jumpsuit topped with a wool cape. Finish with high-wattage metallic heels.

Leather Trimmed Sequin Jumpsuit, Melly $595; Wool Cape, Darling $155; Mirrored Sandals, Giuseppe Zanotti $675

Culotte-d Cream

Stand out in structured, cream culottes. Bring them into festive territory with statement platform heels and a sleek leather tank top.

Cream Culottes, Miss Selfridge $55; Leather Top with Slits, Zara $199; Embellished Velvet Heels, Alexander McQueen $1635

Victorian Vixen

Instead of a typical little black dress, try a demure version like this high-necked style. Add a dose of sex appeal by way of these over-the-knee boots.

Arletta Dress, Coast London $275; Keya Over-the-Knee Boots, DV by Dolce Vita $200; Croco Clutch, $185

Tuxedo With A Twist

Opt for a slick navy tuxedo (minus the undershirt) and apply double-stick tape liberally. Finish with polished patent sandals.

Navy Tuxedo Trouser, Stella McCartney $690; Melissa Tuxedo Jacket, Stella McCartney $2075; Nelly Suede and Patent Pump, Schutz $180

PARTY OUTFIT IDEAS: MEET THE COCKTAIL BLAZER

Stocking your closet with a healthy selection of cocktail dresses is always a good idea. Swapping the expected frock for a festive blazer on the other hand, is a GREAT idea. The beauty of a bedazzled jacket lies in its understated glamour: When styled with slim-leg denim, a simple white tee and classic pumps, the blazer acts as a statement piece. Need more party outfit ideas? Throw one of these stunners over a gown and get ready to collect complements all night long. Here, 7 of my fab faves.

Velvet Trimmed Metallic Jacquared Blazer, Marc Jacobs $1300

Tailored Capelet, Sass & Bide $590

Alyona Blazer, Diane Von Furstenberg $598

Black Floral-Print Blazer, River Island $130

Sequined Trim Jacket, H&M $50

Leopard Print Lame Blazer, Saint Laurent $3450

Velvet Blazer, Mango $120

styling tips

3 UNEXPECTED WAYS TO WEAR LACE

Sophisticated, sexy and eternally chic, lace has long been one of my go-to trends for festive fêtes and evenings out. While the trend is both timeless and accessible—no matter what your budget—even the most style-savvy fashion girl may find it difficult to incorporate the sexy fabric into her wardrobe successfully. This winter, work an unexpected lace piece into your look for a sultry, cool result. Here, a few of my favorite pieces of the season and how to rock them with confidence.

Dress down lace via these d'Orsay flats teamed with a chunky sweater, slim-fitting boyfriend jeans and a vampy red pout.

Sweater, MICHAEL Michael Kors $150

Velvet Creme Lipstick in Icon, Hourglass $30

9044 Jake, J Brand $220

Lace and Suede Point-Toe Flats, Gianvito Rossi $580

For a fresh alternative to a dress, reach for a matching crop top and skirt combo. Be sure not to overload on accessories: Nude mules and a taupe manicure add a feminine touch without competing with the lace.

Vee Vee Crop Top, Lover $395

Enamoried Nail Lacquer in Baby Jane, Marc Jacobs $18

Libra Lace Pencil Skirt, Lover $495

Trovina Mules, Manolo Blahnik $785

Feeling daring? For festive fêtes and holiday get-togethers, a lace jumpsuit is an edgy statement worth making. For an elegant outcome, finish off the look with a cropped faux-fur jacket and a chain-strap evening bag.

Short Fur Jacket, Zara $80

Trina Pumps, L.A.M.B. $265

Monogram Chain Wallet, YSL $1490

Lace Macrame Jumpsuit, Stella McCartney $3800

OFFICE STYLE: FROM YOUR COMPUTER TO COCKTAILS

How To Take Your Work Wardrobe To Holiday Parties

 In A Few Easy Steps

There’s nothing more depressing than rushing to a post-work holiday party in the same outfit you’ve been slaving away at your desk in for the last 9 hours—especially when you want to look both fresh and festive. Believe it or not, reinventing a basic blouse-and-pants combo is easier than you think when adhering to a few strategic styling tips. By incorporating well-chosen festive pieces into your ensemble, you can instantly take your 9-5 getup from lovely to ooh la la. Here, 3 flawless outfit formulas guaranteed to put you in the holiday-party spirit. (Just remember to take it easy on the eggnog—tomorrow is a workday!)

Keep Calm & Party On

Make A Statement

A button-up shirt and high-waisted slacks may seem basic, but they can easily turn off Boring Boulevard and head straight to Party Town with carefully selected finishing touches. Turn this office-appropriate look into a good time by throwing on a statement-making necklace. Bonus points for painting your pout in a vibrant pink or red shade.

Elevate Your Look

Teaming your office-friendly frock with sleek high-heeled booties and an evening clutch takes your look to an entirely new level (literally) in minutes. Give this outfit a winter-appropriate feel by polishing it off with opaque tights and an edgy leather jacket.

Top It Off With Texture

A textured pencil skirt is a fail-safe staple for a flawless office-to-evening transition. Add festive flair to the classic silhouette by throwing on a faux-fur jacket and dramatic earrings.

A PUFFER COAT FOR EVERY PERSONALITY

Most of us have barely recovered from last year’s horrendous winter, and yet here we are again, staring the polar vortex in the face. Weather reports from around the country took a turn for freezing this week, and we’re guessing some of you weren’t exactly ready. Alas, I have you covered. After all, combatting sub-zero temps, gale-force winds and driving snow is no excuse to forgo fashion (seriously, it isn’t). This year, I make facing the cold in style easy for you thanks to an assortment of down puffers so lovely, you’ll actually be excited to wear them. So go ahead and get scrolling so you aren’t left out in the cold—literally.

Up Your Winter Style Game With These Down Jackets

THE CLASS ACT, ZARA $189

THE ROCK STAR, HUNTER $595

THE PREPSTER, COACH $595

THE BOHEMIAN, ARMANI JEANS $430

THE MINIMALIST, MONCLER $1395

THE DRAMA QUEEN, CANADA GOOSE $900

THE ROMANTIC, UNIQLO $100

THE ARTSY CHICK, S MAX MARA $1223

THE TOMBOY, J. CREW $1325

Accessorize like a Fashion Girl

Mom’s age-old advice to match your shoes to your bag is officially outdated. Suede and faux-fur? Go ahead. Prints and patent? Yes please. If the street-style looks and runway ensembles of the past month have anything to say about it, this season is all about mastering the art of mix and match. See our favorite ways to up your fall accessories game this fall with these awesome, unconventional shoe-and-purse combos.

Tropical Punch

Contrast a sophisticated high heel with a whimsical boho bag. 

Gordon, Carvela Kurt Geiger $225; Embellished Cotton Tote, Finds $325

Warm and Fuzzy

This pairing is all about fun textures: A shearling mule makes for a fun (and cozy) partner to a baby blue faux-fur clutch. 

Leona Mules, Tibi $385; Faux Fur Clutch, Whistles $85

In Motion

There's no denying sneakers are having a serious moment. Instead of reaching for an atheletic bag when you lace up, throw a style curveball by adding a fringed clutch. 

Suede Crossbody Bag, Mango $100; Etoile Bart Sneaker, Isabel Marant $475

Color Crush

Just because you have a loud shoe doesn't mean you have to quiet your bag. Letting them both sing makes for a symphony of style!

Diamante Leather Bucket Bag in Teal, Gucci $1450; Marisa Calf Hair Fringed Sandal, Sophia Webster $745

Sleek and Structured

Teamed with simple and easy basics this shoe makes a statement on its own, but the addition of the belt bag elevates the outfit into fashion-forward territory. 

Structured Leather Belt Bag, Topshop $52; Lace Up Booties with Snakeskin Trim, Alexandre Birman $875

Urban Warrior

Pair a casual camo print with a sexy knee-high boot for the perfect cool-girl combo. The mixture of the fun print and sleek shoe is the ideal fusion of accessible and elegant. 

Cabas Medium cotton Shopper, Vanessa Bruno $442; Olivia Suede Boots, Joie $575

Quirky Classics

While a black-patent bootie and leopard purse feel like bold accessory choices on their own, paired together they make a cohesive fashion duo. 

Ronan Boot, French Connection $150; Agata Leopard Print Calf Hair Clutch, Dolce & Gabbana $2595