Monthly Archives: March 2013

03.20.13
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What to Wear with: Neon

It’s the first day of spring! (Hopefully it starts feeling like spring soon . . .) What better way to celebrate then to talk about a trend as colorful as neon. I’m not a huge fan of over-the-top neon (too much can look too trashy). But in cute pieces with tasteful structures, neon can be a huge hit. Try to work a pop of color into your wardrobe this spring with these outfit ideas:

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Make casual day looks fun with a bright yellow top. Wear with white jeans and cork wedges to keep it sophisticated and bright. Or try a button down with lace accents in a bold hue, like neon orange. Make a daring (but refined) entrance by pairing it with a black skater skirt with leather trim and bow-adorned mary-jane heels. This pink peplum dress with an open back is the real showstopper. Keep it interesting with these fabulous printed heels from the Prabal Gurung for Target line.

Keep your spring bright and cheerful, even if it’s still gray and cold, with these fabulously fun looks. Just don’t forget your best accessory – confidence!

 

03.19.13
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Trending Tuesday: Sneakers are . . . in?

Of all the trends that could ever happen, the one I’d least expect is a sneaker trend. I’d also never expect that I’d actually like it. Retro flat-forms, hip Converse, and the all new, glam and sexy wedge sneaker are going to be staples for spring this year. But how on earth do you work sneaker wedges into your wardrobe if your normal style isn’t tomboy chic or relaxed and cool? Here are a few ideas:

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Does your aesthetic lean more towards rocker chic than sporty spice? Black wedges with stud detailing look hip and cool – just add destroyed jeans and a cheeky tee. Throw on a military-inspired jacket and a fringed bag to put some edge into the look. Finish with small earrings and a fun ring.

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Polished and flowery more your style? Try a pair of nude sneaker wedges with floral printed pants and a matching nude blouse. The asymmetrical cut of the shirt makes it easier to pull off the half tucked-in look, or it can just look chic without any extra effort.Add a big gold chain, a red bag, and red lips to up the fabulous factor.

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Want to take a risk and dress up the sneaker wedge for a glam look? Try this tall black and nude version for a more chic and sexy look. Add a simple black bodycon dress and gold accessories – think a glittery clutch, chain and skull bracelets, and bands of gold rings.

While the sneaker may be a total turn off to some, it’s definitely a trend to try if you like experimenting with fashion. So lace ’em up, glam ’em up, and put your best foot forward – you can make them look fabulous!

03.13.13
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What to Wear with: Statement Shoes

Countless designers, stylists, editors, and fashionistas will tell you that they style themselves one way: from the shoes up. Accessories are often the biggest way modern fashion icons make their statements, and exciting shoes are the most coveted accessory of them all. So how do you take a fabulous, loud shoe and make it the center of your look? The trick is to compliment them with your clothes while keeping everything simple, not busy.

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Spread some sunshine on rainy days with these bright yellow wedges. Keep the rest simple – I like boyfriend jeans and a plain blue tee to make the look tomboy chic. Add bangles with some blue to echo the blue on the bottom of the wedge. Add one statement item (one!) that matches the yellow shoe: a sharp blazer or jeweled bag. If you pick the bag, layer with a denim jacket to keep the look effortlessly chic.

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

For patterns like this floral wedge, match the color scheme with plain pieces. Play up the shoe’s girly side with a pink skate skirt and berry colored top – plain and long sleeved, or peplum with some texture. Add elegant accessories like a peachy bangle or a long, layering gold necklace. Only add more prints with a small clutch, preferably neutral and lace – everything else should be a solid!

So buy some statement shoes that are sure to be treasured pieces of your wardrobe, and build your style around them with chic essentials. And remember, don’t be afraid to be fabulous!

 

03.12.13
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Trending Tuesday: Pack a Punch with Punk

Lately the fashion world has seen a revival in the punk and grunge esthetics. But this isn’t typical punk – it’s “neo-punk.” This is grunge made chic by celebs and models, and punk inspired by the gothic designs of McQueen and simplicity of Alexander Wang. It’s taken literally, yet subdued and refined, until it becomes chic and fashionable. I would say the punk look is one of the coolest and most striking styles of all. When a girl walks in in frayed, gray jeans, a tied up tee, and a plaid button-down thrown on top, she says to the world: I’m cooler than all of you, but I don’t really care. The whole style is about having killer confidence and making something stylish that would typically be considered sloppy. You’d better rally up your chutzpah for this trend, because if you don’t walk confidently with this look, you might as well move on to another one.

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Gray or acid washed jeans are the perfect base to any punk look. Add sneakers – Converse for the old-school punk, or black wedges for the modern punk – and spiky bangles for just the right amount of chic and scary-looking. Pick a graphic tee in neutral colors – if you go for one with words, make sure it says either something cheeky and dark enough, or something trendy and ironic enough. Layer on a plaid flannel in black and white or add some color with a red one. Remember to keep your confidence up with this look so that it comes off as chic, not depressed or sloppy. With the right pouty stare and enough spikes and black, any fabulous girl can tackle the punk look with success!

03.06.13
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What to Wear with: Beetlejuice Pants

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Many celebrities and fashionistas are wearing striped pants reminiscent of Beetlejuice glamour. How do you create your own look with such ostentatious bottoms without looking, well, scary? Toughen it up with a slouchy sweater ($49, houseoffraser.co.uk) and wedge sneakers ($45, bankfashion.co.uk), all in black to let the graphic pants stand out. Accessorize with a tough-girl earpiece ($15, generalpants.com) that’s both chic and threatening. For a softer look, throw on an ombre tank ($31, vila.com) and layer with a soft-colored cardigan ($30, Uniqlo). Simple black booties ($45, H&M) and a unique piece of jewelry make the pants seem more hipster than thug.

03.06.13
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Trending Tuesday: Floral Delight

Very soon (hopefully, anyways) it is going to be spring and there are going to be flowers blooming and birds chirping and the sun will be shining. What better way to welcome spring than by wearing an outfit reminiscent of the secret garden? There’s a way to wear florals for every style, so here are a few options:

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

Channel your inner flower child with this cutesy look. A slim cut floral dress ($26, chiarafashion.co.uk) with a little flair is perfect for any spring activity. Add nude, laser cut oxfords ($49, dorothyperkins.co.uk) to make the look more refined and grown up. Pick a fun floral bag in either a sensuous red ($28, artfire.com) for evening fun or bright yellow ($30, dsw.com) for sunshine-filled days. A floral headband is almost too cute to handle, but any fabulous girl can rock it. Aviators and blue nails help make the look more city chic and less Sunday school.

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

If you prefer florals with a little cutting edge, this look is right up your alley. Take a cool floral tee ($45, J. Crew) and use this as your only color. Add black skinny jeans ($15, H&M), black converse ($50, piperlime.gap.com), and a leather jacket ($32, efoxcity.com) for a rock-and-roll aesthetic. For accessories, keep it simple with a black studded bag ($45, awear.com) and a black necklace ($33, lorisshoes.com).

Styled with Polyvore.

Styled with Polyvore.

For a more boho look, stick to maxi or high-low floral skirts ($45, riverisland.com) that will sway in the wind. Add a plain white blouse, tucked in ($21, veromoda.com) for a charming effect. Wear with neutral sandals, either in a wedge ($43, shopruche.com) or flat ($20, Charlotte Russe). Add pretty, ‘earthy’ accessories like leaf earrings, faux leather bracelets, and tortoiseshell sunglasses ($13, monki.com) to catch the hippie vibe. Use simple gloss and green nails to complete the look.

Wearing florals can make any girl feel happier, and who knows, maybe it’ll even work like a rain dance and make spring come quicker. Pick your style and rock your flower power – and don’t forget to be fabulous!