Black + White

/ Dress by Me / Necessary Clothing belt / Primark clutch / David Yurman ring / Zara heels /

Lately I've been particularly drawn to bold black and white stripes. There's something about them to me that is so classic and stylish, and I love when there are touches of color to accent them off. I made this knit dress my sophomore year and had never worn it, so when I saw the black and white striped bell sleeves peeking out of my rack in my closet, immediately I went for it. The fabric is two-sided (one with stripes the other with polka dots) and the play on the combination with the fun sleeves and sort of scalloped hem made it a dress that I will definitely be putting on more frequently in the future.

What do you all think? Do you like it? I'd love to hear feedback. 

Hope everyone has a great start to the week! 

Three Ways: Lace Overalls Part III

/ Topshop coat / Zara purse, heels, and button-down / Necessary Clothing overalls / Francesca's necklace /

For the final part of our overalls three ways mini series, what better way to finish off layering than with our new favorite print--camo. Remembering how versatile it was from this post, I pulled out this jacket that I needed when I bought last winter at Topshop, but couldn't figure out what to pair it with--until now. This short jacket (that came with a removable faux fur vest inside) is the perfect alternative to your traditional single colored and longer versions when you feel like adding either a little bit of interest to an outfit or, in this case, a lot. Since these are overalls, not pants, the short length of the jacket allows for them to be shown off a bit more which also allows the lace to be seen, as well. It's interesting how so many things feel like neutrals to me now. From hot pink then denim and now camouflage, fashion is much more fun when you aren't stuck on whether or not things match and instead, just keep playing with the pieces until you come up with a final product that you love.

Have you gotten any more confident in camouflage? I'd love to know!

As for our mini series, check out the three final looks below!

one / two / or three? / Which is your favorite?

I hope you enjoyed this mini series as much as I did. 

Xo

Three Ways: Lace Overalls Part II

/ Denim button-down, shoes and purse: Zara / Overalls: Necessary Clothing / Necklace: Francesca's but BaubleBar has the same one here! / 

I hope that you enjoyed the first part of this mini series yesterday. Continuing on, I am realizing that overalls are a lesson in layering. Whether you choose to wear something underneath them or not and how many layers you add can so easily switch up your look-which adds to the wearability overall. Taking off the paris sweatshirt from yesterday's post, now you are able to see the complete set of overalls. I really do love how everywhere except for the small set-in shorts is sheer, which also allows for more of the pieces that you are wearing underneath to show through. In this case, denim. For some reason, I love the lighter wash of the top with the black and white of the heels. And, while it is quite buttoned up, the look is far from stuffy. While there are still many different elements in today's look (stripes, denim, lace, jewels!), it is a bit toned down compared to yesterday's with the addition of a graphic sweatshirt. 

What do you think of overalls styled this way? Which is your favorite so far?

See the first part of the series here and look out for the final part tomorrow!

Three Ways: Lace Overalls Part I

/ Top: Zara (old) / Sweatshirt: Forever 21 / Overalls: Necessary Clothing / Purse: Zara / Heels: Zara / Necklace: Francesca's Collections /

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving with family, friends, and loved ones. Being home in Texas was a much needed break. I know If you follow me on Instagram (leshkoln), I had promised this post would be up on Thursday. However, I decided to take time and be with family instead so this series is here this week instead.

I am not a fan of denim overalls at all. Unless you have stats of a supermodel, I find them to be unflattering on mostly all that attempt at them. However, when I saw these black lace ones this past summer at Necessary Clothing in New York City, I decided overalls are acceptable in lace (and obviously leather versions). To show how wearable and versatile they can be, this week I have shot them in three ways. Today, I chose to feature them in the form of pants layered under a denim button-down and new favorite sweatshirt. For some reason when I was getting dressed, denim just seemed like an obvious pairing for the black lace. I love how they are a straight style, but have a wider opening at the leg that I think looks fabulous with heels. With built-in solid shorts at the top, the sheerness is wearable for day-time but still able to be easily dressed up and styled for a night out. 

What do you think of overalls styled this way? Stay tuned for part II of this series on Wednesday.

Similar Styles

Necessary Clothing blouse / H&M Necklace

This past weekend, I was looking through my closet and was excited when I found pieces that seemed to have a similar style or feel. Whether the pieces were an article of clothing and the other an accessory or shoe, it became a sort of game of matching. A fashion card game, if you will. While I still love this Necessary Clothing triple collar blouse from last year, it hasn't been getting as much attention as it should. Using it as a starting point for this matching game led me to the H&M necklace above that has similar coloring: black, pinks, interesting blue, and touches of gold--just like the one gold button at the neck on the blouse. I love costume jewelry not for its sense of practicality, but for its sense of fun. While this necklace is on the gaudy and large side, with its affordable price, at the moment it provides a nice bit of glitz to the jewelry shelf. I challenge you to go and peruse your shelves and hangers for pieces with similar qualities. You never know what you may have forgotten about or you may realize a pattern in your style that you hadn't before. Go ahead, try!

Do you see similar styles in your closets? Would you like to see more similar styles posts like this one here on Eighty Five Dresses? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

PS. I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend with their families + friends. I know I did!

Seeing Spots

{Necessary Clothing blouse, Forever 21 skirt (old), Michael Kors watch and sandals, GAP body camisole}

While I always wear this blouse because it goes with absolutely anything, I was tired of wearing it with the usual navy skirt. When I spotted this leopard print skirt in the corner, I loved the way that the black from the overlay and the outline of the spots mimicked the placket and pockets on the blouse. It was a fun way to switch up a usual outfit, and was the perfect way to tone down a print a bit.