Sequins + Sneakers

 

/ J.Crew Sweatshirt (on sale!) / Zara skirt (old) / Nike sneakers / Wallet from Target / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman ring /

I love when a classic wardrobe staple, like a grey sweatshirt, gets an update. I had spotted this J.Crew version online and after keeping a gift card from there for far too long, realized that this was a perfect opportunity and piece to use it on. The sequin trim is just the right amount of sparkle for the simple shape and helps contrast with the sneakers. While I was never really a sneaker fan until about a year ago, I love how you can pair them with so many styles and they can instantly make your outfit casual and cooler at the same time. Sequins, chiffon, and sneakers--what more could you want in a casual look?

Uniform

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I've noticed that when I don't really need to dress a specific way, I have been more and more gravitating to a uniform that consists of black leather, white, and denim. It's funny how a few years ago, these pieces were not what I would reach for on most occasions, and now it is my go-to. I used to think of uniform dressing as boring, and sometimes still do, but it is definitely nice to know that when in doubt, running late, or just want to look put together without much effort, staying in these three colors and fabrications will have you looking classic regardless. I like to think of fashion as a daily puzzle or word problem if that makes sense--you have to keep trying on pieces to see which ones work together and which don't. In keeping in the color palette above, the challenge is more of finding fresh and alternative ways to switch up your look so that your uniform dressing doesn't become limiting.

What is your favorite combination of the pieces above? Lately I've been reaching for my faux leather pleated skirt, white slides, and a dark denim jacket.

Addicted to A. L. C.

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Lately my style has been very un-like me. While I used to resort to burgundies, blacks, and navy during cooler months, recently it has been more frequently on a day-to-day basis regardless of the weather. In trying to pin-point a style that I have been referencing often, I was reminded of a favorite brand of mine, A. L. C. 

Designer Andrea Lieberman creates the perfect classic pieces that are somehow on trend, but never trendy in the sense that after the season they will be buried in your closet. These are garments that have the idea of accessible casual luxury and the idea of "sartorial convenience, value and versatility." Sounds like my kind of pieces.

What I love : Gap Jeans

Let's play favorites today. I am absolutely in love with GAP jeans. GAP was one of the brands that I was raised around. It was somewhere that every member of my family could find something that they liked and feel good about bringing home with them. One of my favorite options that they sell are their jeans. In my search for the perfect pair of jeans this summer that didn't end until last week (photos soon!), somehow I had forgotten to check in GAP assuming that I had already had most of their main styles covered. I was wrong. For me, GAP always has those jeans that look like they've been in your closet for a while and are always perfectly worn it, amazing washes, and random--but they always have the perfect ready-made cuffs! These perfect jeans? The 1969 Sexy Boyfriend style. They hit all of my requirements in that they are clearly boyfriend jeans, but as if I shrunk them to better fit, they are heavier weighted so they feel durable when I put them on, and like most of GAP's denim, the wash is exactly what I was looking for but was unable to explain during my search. Above are some of my favorites from GAP at the moment. Those Rip & Repairs are pretty great.

Basically, if you're in need of jeans, hit up GAP as your first stop. What are your favorite jeans or denim wash?

Tuesday Shoesday : J. Crew Flats

Assorted J . Crew flats : 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

I am not a big investor in shoes. While I love, appreciate, and 'dream pin' them, when it comes to actually purchasing shoes, I find them to be such an investment and a big deal. As a result of being on my feet a lot, I go through them quickly and as a result, purchasing good quality shoes always leaves me worrying how quickly they will be in need of repair. As a frequent shopper of Target and Old Navy when in need of a simple shoe for the season, my feet are often left in terrible shape and by the end of the summer, the shoes usually end up being thrown away instead of just a quick repair to keep them looking good for the next season. 

As the weather has already started shifting here in Syracuse with the start of September, I found myself thinking that it may be time to retire my summer gladiator sandals and look for a new fall staple that will actually work all year round--the classic ballerina flat. J. Crew's shoes are always extremely well-made and they are quality shoes that I can feel when I wear them--not to mention come in every pattern and color under the sun. With a gift card that has been in my wallet for a record amount of time, I can't think of a better investment to put them towards than this chic and classic style. I'm leaning toward the perfect milky nude. 

What are your favorite pair of ballerina flats?

Kendra Scott

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Going to college in the East Coast, I sometimes forget how trends differ depending on location. This summer while I was at home in Texas, I repeatedly came across friends wearing bright and simple jewelry pieces that were worn with everything from cuttoffs to cocktail dresses. Time after time, I was told they were 'Kendra'. I soon learned that the 'Kendra' was in reference to none other than jewelry designer and Texas native, Kendra Scott. As much as statement necklaces are fun to wear, Kendra's pieces make every bit of that statement, while also being classic pieces that you will wear on a daily basis. Below I gathered four of my favorites. I love how they are all delicate pieces, but still manage to have a bit of a raw and organic shape to them, as well. 

Are you a fan of Kendra Scott's jewelry? What is your favorite piece of hers? I'd love to know.

Collegiate Crop

/ Vintage cheer top / Forever 21 jacket, skirt, and heels / Zara purse / Brandy Melville ring / Necklace from Austin, TX / Michael Kors watch 

I've always had an odd obsession with collegiate apparel. Although I am certainly not one to don my Syracuse sweatshirts to class, I do like to find ways to incorporate them into more stylized looks.  I had many collegiate cheer uniforms when I was younger, but this Rice University one with it's classic blue and white combination and bold printed 'R' was my favorite. With my recent love of a flair of sportiness to an outfit, I took the fact that it was much too small now as an advantage and played it up to the popularity of the crop top this summer. With my favorite varsity jacket already adding to the collegiate quality, I added a lace pencil skirt and leopard wedges to ensure there was still a bit of femininity to it, as well. 

Do you love collegiate apparel, too? I seem to always buy long sleeved pieces.

Updated Classic

//Jacket: My Design// Romper: AQUA// Heels: Ellen Tracy// Ring: H&M// Necklace: Forever 21//

When I found out that we were going to be assigned a jacket as our final project of senior year in my pattern-making class, I knew almost automatically that I wanted to do an updated version of a classic varsity jacket. I lettered in Varsity Cheer in high school, and though I rarely wore my high school jacket, it was a much less stylized and much more oversized, I loved the combination of plush leather sleeves and the felt body. When it came to designing my own, I wanted the colors to be light neutrals, but to be anything from boring. With the quilted sleeves, floral body, and bold zipper, it came out exactly how I imagined it: crisp, stylish, and able to make whatever it was thrown on top of instantly pulled together. 

I would love to hear your comments/thoughts about how you think that it turned out. They would mean a lot to me.

Person of Interest: Alexa Chung

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With each year that passes as I learn more about fashion and style, my own personal style fluctuates from being extremely feminine to adding tomboyish pieces to the feminine ones, and eventually it all becomes sort of oddly combined to create some sort of sense of style. For a while, though, through all of the changes in my own style, Alexa Chung has always had a sense of personal style that I constantly admire, look up to, and try to re-create. Aside from her perfectly un-kept messy bangs that almost have me wanting to re-visit that hairstyle when I study in London next spring, her mile-long slim legs, and the fact that she has a bag named after her by Mulberry, Alexa's style seems effortless in an exquisitely crafted manner. She is an expert at combining feminine prints and silhouettes with combat boots, muted colors, and at pairing vintage pieces with modern ones. Her style is very English and classic, but she creates combinations that feel anything but conservative and stuffy. While I have yet to achieve success in the styling of Alexa Chung, until then, her looks continue to serve as a form of daily inspiration. 

A to Z: Navy

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Just as we all have colors that are favorites of ours to wear, we also lean towards certain favorites when it comes to how they look on us. For me, navy blue is one of those colors. With dark blue eyes and quite pale skin, when I wear navy, the paleness of my skin with the dark of the navy brings out my eyes in a more complementary and less severe way than black does. Navy has a sort of understated sophistication, in that though a dark color, it can sometimes come across as more classic and luxe...not heavy and somber.

Is navy your color, too? If not, what is that color that always works on you?

Person of Interest: Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo has one of those styles that gives me closet envy time after time. I always admired her sense of style and class and her ability to combine high fashion with more affordable pieces to create the put-together quality of her looks. Aside from her obvious ability to always appear polished, I am interested in the way that she incorporates tailored jackets and coats into her looks--an easy way to add texture and make an outfit look a bit more finished and tie the look together, and, following last week's POI on pattern mixing, Olivia is a master at that, as well.

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Dress Up

When the feather trend was beginning and designers began to incorporate them into their designs more and more, aside from this collection, I wasn't so sure. However, when I saw this week's dress of the week, I was more intrigued. I love the way that the black feathers create such an interesting texture to the sleek dress, and their movement adds a whole other component. And, with the holidays coming up in the next few weeks, this is the little black dress that is perfect for a party or special occasion outing. Aside from the feathers, the velvet sweetheart bodice with a slight plunge and illusion neckline add a bit of interest, as well. 

How do you feel about feathers? 

Person of Interest: Sarah Jessica Parker

In the spirit of an iconic Disney favorite, Hocus Pocus, and since it is Halloween tonight, Mrs. Sarah Jessica Parker is our Person of Interest for the day. While her real-life style is much different than that of Carrie Bradshaw--or Sarah Sanderson for that matter--it is still one that I envy and admire. Seemingly a fan of easy shapes and not big on prints, she wears pieces that always seem in-style and timeless at the same time. With a megawatt smile and a perfect middle-part, Sarah Jessica Parker proves that her real-life style is just as stellar as her famed and fashionable character.

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Dress Up

Houndstooth is a pattern that I always relate to being on a very well dressed and classy older woman. On a garment, it can easily be overpowering and take over the whole look. This dress for the dress of the week is one that neither reminds me of an older woman or is overpowering. With the houndstooth being separated and spread throughout the dress, as well as being in a bright red and shorter cut, this dress is one that while it still feels classic, feels more modern and young as well. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Home Improvement

{via}

Black and white is a classic combination that can almost always do no wrong. Whether applied to clothing, photography, or in this case interior design, it always manages to look polished and amazing. This photograph is from a Manhattan dining room and kitchen featured in the September 2012 issue of Lonny Magazine. Designed by Lilly Bunn Weekes, the black and white is bold enough that it makes a statement and is the feature of the room, but by being applied to the backsplash of the appliances, is not overwhelming for such a common space of the home. 

Would you decorate a room in black and white, or are you a die-hard color fanatic?

Uniform

{GAP T-shirt, H&M skirt, Madewell oxfords, Francesca's necklace, and Michael Kors watch}

In high school, where a uniform was instilled, my weekly wardrobe was made up of polos, oxfords, and plenty of plaid and khaki skirts. Though the days of an assigned wardrobe are over, I still enjoy having a few outfits that I consider to be a go-to, easy to put together and wear look. With a classic skirt in an easy shape and color paired with a striped T-shirt, there is just enough interest in this otherwise basic look when paired with a great beaded necklace and watch.

Everyday Embroidery

{Zara top and skirt, Steve Madden shoes, Michael Kors watch, Francesca's Collection necklace, Essie's "Tart Deco" polish, and Revlon's "Orange Flip" lipstick"

As much as a sucker as I am for bright colors and basically all prints and patterns, I definitely am as much of a fan for simple silhouettes, neutral colors, and minimalist design. However, there always has to be some sort of "interest factor" that goes into whichever piece I purchase. This top has all of these qualities. I love how it wears like a favorite white T-shirt, but is amped up with the delicate embroidery details and longer boxy sleeves. When paired with a classic skirt in a neutral navy, perfectly clunky clogs, and a fun beaded necklace, it's a great outfit for everyday wear.

Bright Whites

{J. Crew blouse, H&M Skirt, Necessary Clothing belt, Guess? heels, and Michael Kors Watch}

There's something about an all white outfit that just feels so perfect and fit for summer. Aside from the lightness of the color for the strong heat, the crispness and clean look of all white shades feel effortlessly put-together and classic. However, to keep the outfit from looking too stark for someone as pale as myself, a skinny belt in a bright neon chartreuse color adds that perfect pop of color for an otherwise all white ensemble.

The Stripe Is Right

{H&M top, Forever 21 skirt and necklace, Guess? heels, Michael Kors watch}

While I usually reserve this skirt during the colder winter months with a chunky black sweater, I realized that it would have the same classic black and white combination with a sleeveless peter pan blouse. I love the way that the higher neckline plays up my shoulders and how the white heels adds a little brightness to the bottom of the outfit. And, with the material of the skirt, it's just as perfect on it's own for summer as it is with thicker tights for winter.

Dress Up

{Sukiired's Cut-Out Sleeve Dress}

After recently finding (and loving!) this blog,who features items from the online shopping site Romwe, I couldn't resist checking it out and being pleasantly surprised. 

With black articles of clothing being one of many New Yorkers go-to closet fillers, it is hard to believe how many different options of a black top, dress, pants, or skirt there are. This dress by Sukiired is an awesome take on that classic LBD with a more modern and "cool-girl" vibe. With elements like cut-out detailing on the sleeves, an elastic waist, and simple scoop neck, this dress is the perfect addition for any season or occasion. 

What are some of your favorite Little Black Pieces?

Have a great weekend, everyone!