What to wear Series: Sweaty and Chic

This has hardly been the hottest summer of my young life, but it’s hard to avoid the awful, sticky feeling that comes with working out in this humid season.  Because of this, I find myself grabbing whatever pair of shorts and t-shirt is lying around and completely disregarding what I look like. While this is fine for midday on an empty bike path, school is soon resuming, along with that season that shuts us all indoors: winter. So, to gain some more confidence to face the Jersey shore lookalikes and twiggy almost-models at my school’s gym, I’m thinking it’s time for a work out wardrobe update. How’s this for a chic way to get sweaty:

Styled with Polyvore.

There are the go-to Nike tops, and while under $30, they’re still a little pricey for something I’m going to grunt and sweat in. So why not stop by Forever21 and other budget-concious stores for cheeky graphic tees to add some much needed humor to your work out routine? Bonus points for shirts with ‘nerd’ or ‘geek’ on it – you break those stereotypes, girl. Cool neon shorts, leggings, or baggy sweats for extra cold/lazy days finish off the perfect formula for being sweaty and chic.

Sales Sunday!

Hope your Sunday has been lovely! Where I am it’s been gray and rainy, a perfect day for some lazy shopping and snuggling up in bed with a good book. Here’s a sales roundup to make your week just as nice as your Sunday!

New York & Co.: For the rest of today, get $50 off $100 with code 3161 or $25 off $50 with code 3160. Also, 30% off everything with code 3380, and BOGO 50% off new arrivals!

H&M: All over great sale going on, stuff starting at $5. Was just there today and there are great dress pants for $15 and even dresses for $10!

Banana Republic: Ends today, 30% off purchase of $150+. Also today, they had 40% the store (where I live, anyways).

JC Penney’s: 40% swim for all, 30-70% off clearance, and a lot of sales on furniture.

J. Crew: 20% off women’s clothing with code look20.

Charlotte Russe: BOGO for $12.50 on dresses and shoes, and they have their blowout sale starting at $5 going on right now!

Macy’s: “The Great American Summer Sale” is going on – 20-50% off.

Victoria’s Secret: Annual swim sale, 25-40% off swim.

Ann Taylor: Extra 50% off sale items right now until 11AM tomorrow.

Express: BOGO 50% off shorts.

I hope this will help you have a very good week! Stay fabulous!

What-to-Wear for: A Great Gatsby-esque Affair

The Great Gatsby is only weeks away from finally being in theaters and ending it’s horrible torrent of taunting us with trailers. I am ridiculously excited for this for many reasons, and hopefully it doesn’t disappoint. In the meantime, here are some fabulous looks inspired by the glitter and glamour of the past:

Styled with Polyvore.

First off, the dress. Fringe, sparkle, dropped waist, details – the more, the better. This era is all about refined sexiness, too, so keep a little left to the imagination. Bring out your style in the Gatsby-inspired looks by picking a dress that relates to both the era and your personality – brown fringe for a more boho feel, soft sparkles for a girly-girl, see-through paneling for an edgier look, and some lace for a more grown-up feel.

Styled with Polyvore.

Next, the shoes. Something demure and elegant, but still chic, is what you need. Try a capped toe with an ankle strap, something with a little sparkle, a t-strap with some shine, or a plain black peep toe, and you’re set.

Styled with Polyvore.

And finally, possibly the best part of dressing up like you’re from the ’20s, the jewels. Big, with a lot of shine and sparkle. More is indeed more in this case, so pile on the rings, pick the biggest earrings, and find a statement necklace with more sparkle than your whole wardrobe combined. This is not a time of frugality and minimalism; this is a time of decadence at its finest. It’s time to celebrate.

 

What-to-Wear with: Short-Shorts

It’s getting warmer (at least, that’s we keep telling ourselves here in the Northeast) and more heat means less clothing. So how do you keep cool and get tan without looking like you just stepped out of a Britney Spears video? (One of the old ones, of course.) The key is to keep it casual, so you don’t look like you were trying to look like someone from a Britney Spears video.

Styled with Polyvore.

Try some of the new shorts trends: hardcore punk (acid washed, studded, H&M), ombré (if your hair can’t pull it off, maybe your legs can), and floral (who doesn’t want to be covered in flowers in the spring and summer?). Pair punk shorts with a rebellious tee, preferably fringed at the bottom and spiked bangles. Keep things simple with ombré shorts – pull on a neutral sweater for chilly nights by a bonfire, or a simple graphic tee for sunny days. With floral shorts, wear a lace tank for a girly look, or throw people off guard by pairing it the aforementioned rebellious tank. And, my obsession for this summer: bangles. Pile them on high (unless you’re tanning) and colorful. Have fun taking cues from different cultures with your accessories this summer – who said a fabulous poor girl can’t at least look like she went somewhere exotic (and pricey).

Sales Sunday!

I know, it’s been two weeks and I haven’t posted anything at all! Life and school have been busy, but I’m coming back now (whether you like it or not)! So here’s some sale info to get your week started off right:

50-70% off EVERYTHING at New York & Co. (AND 60% off redlines)

Spring Fashion Finds from $5 at H&M, plus their Conscious Collection launched

Spring Sale of up to 75% at Forever21, and deals starting at $5

20% off your purchase with coupon (online) & $40 Spring Dresses at JCPenney’s

Buy 1, Get 1 for $12.50 shoes, $10 striped clothes, and $15 shorts at Charlotte Russe, plus free shipping over $65, tops up to 50% off, and $5 off your $30 online purchase until 4/13

30% off spring boots and free shipping on orders over $60 at Aldo Shoes

Free beach bag with swim purchase when you use the code SUNNY at Victoria’s Secret, plus 2 separates for $40

Semi-annual clearance sale at Express, plus 30% off sale items

Shop well, and have a fabulous week!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Trending Tuesday: Go for Graphic

There has been a definite revival of neutrals in recent seasons, and the Spring 2013 runway was no different. Colors are great, but sometimes a graphic black and white ensemble is just necessary. It’s majorly cutting edge to take stark designs of pure black and pure white, mix prints, and keep the accessories neutral, too. If you’re going for a pop of color, choose from one in the primary color swatch. Sometimes bringing it back to the basics can turn out oh so right.

Styled with Polyvore.

Keep it cool and chic by mixing graphic printed pants ($46, riverisland.com) with a striped button down ($31, 2dayslook.com). Pair with black wedges with a metallic edge (wholesale-dress.net), a cool wood-inspired bag, and both classic and edgy accessories to keep the look fresh. For a sweeter look, opt for printed pants ($46, riverisland.com) and a subtle, polka dot, baby-doll top ($40, welikefashion.com). Black chunky sandals ($46, H&M) are perfect for the transition from winter to spring, and a pop of pure blue is just right to liven up the look.

Go graphic this spring and make a splash without a single color if you’d like – anything’s possible with fashion! Be playful, and don’t forget to be fabulous!

 

 

 

What-to-Wear for: City Volunteering

Exciting news! Today I am going to go volunteer at a celebrity makeup event in the city with Tiffany Bartok, called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” at Angelique Bridal. It was simple – I saw the post and just emailed them. But I’m still excited to start volunteering for fashion events and working my way into that world. Anyhow, what does one wear for such an occasion? Well, whatever they tell you too, basically. Fortunately the guidelines given to me were fairly broad – business attire or all black. So here is my inspiration:

Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

The queen of simplicity and class, Hepburn turned all-black dressing into an art form in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I’m going for the all-black look today (which is hard to do when you have only half your wardrobe in a college closet, and you surprisingly don’t have a lot of black). I’m wearing black leggings (Old Navy), a black cowl-neck sweater (Nordstrom’s) and a black blazer (from Macy’s, a while ago. I definitely need a better one…), and either black heels or flats (I’m bringing both and deciding when I get there). If you start to branch out to look for different fashion opportunities, and have similar guidelines for dressing, here’s a Polyvore set to help you find this simple black look with an affordable price tag:

Styled with Polyvore.

Blazer: $40, newlook.com. Sweater: $4o, houseoffraser.co.uk. Leggings: $22, houseoffraser.co.uk. Heels: $40, zappos.com. Flats: $24, boohoo.com.

As far as makeup and hair go, I’m probably either going to do my hair half up, half down, or put it into a chic sock bun. I’m going to line my top lids and wear subtle pink lipstick, as the event is called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Hope you all have a great Thursday! Wish me luck!

Sales Sunday!

Happy Sunday all! I hope you’re enjoying this great turn in weather if you live in New York. I’m going out to Chelsea later and then Brooklyn tonight. Hope you have a great day and long weekend! Here are some sales to get you through:

• 50% off sale items at Express, plus coupons online
• Buy one, get one 50% off the new spring collection at NY&Co, + the Big Big Sale is still going on
• Up to 80% off at H&M
• Extra 50% off sale items at Forever21
• 30% off your purchase online at bananarepublic.com
• Clearance sale at JCPenney’s
• Weekend Sale and Clearance at Macy’s, and extra 25% off clearance online
• Shoes buy one, get one for $16 at Charlotte Russe + $12 high-low skirts and spring sale items starting at $5
• Extra 30% sale items at J. Crew
• 30% off sale items at Aldo, and 50-75% off original price of clearance items
• Semi-Annual sale at Victoria’s Secret ends in 4 days
• Women’s swimwear sale and home sale at Target (tip: some Target items are cheaper online than in-stores)

 

What-to-Wear for: Interviews

It’s one interview of your life, and it’s just for an internship – no big deal, right? In reality, though, it feels like the most important moment of your life – you nail this and you can handle anything. First and foremost, you need confidence. And where do a lot of us get confidence from? Our outfits, of course. If you feel like you look like the best candidate out there, then odds are you’ll tackle the interview better. One way to feel invincible with your outfit is to incorporate trends (especially if it’s an interview at a fashionable firm). A few trends right now that are prefect for spring interviews are the new color of the year, green, and the return of pastels.

Styled by Polyvore.

Take work classics and amp them up with some color. Black pants ($32, warehouse.co.uk) and a white blouse ($20, monki.com) are the perfect back drops for a jewel green blazer ($48, H&M). Add some power pumps ($32, shelikes.com) and stud earrings ($42, Juicy Couture), and you’ll get the best cubicle in the office! For a sweeter look, pair a black shift dress with flair ($46, zalando.co.uk) with polka dot pumps ($27, gojane.com) and cool accessories in pastel colors (watch – $35, sincerelysweetboutique.com). With some mascara and a trendy mani (think bright pastels with an accent nail with “caviar” texture, the new thing) you’ll take over the office in no time!