Tuesday Shoesday

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Sadly, my beloved ankle boots from Target are soon going to need to be replaced. With a few holes, flattened heel, and faded suede, as much as I love them, it's time to step it up a notch with a pair that will last longer than a year. I am very particular when it comes to my black heeled ankle boots. They have to be tall enough to give a boost to any regular look, but comfortable enough to wear daily--as I often do with my current pair. Right now, I am really loving a chunky heel, as you can tell from the pieces I pulled above. 

Which are your favorite?

Ooh La La

/ H&M sweater and clutch / Necessary Clothing crop top / Bebe top / Zara shorts / Sam Edelman heels / Michael Kors watch / Brandy Melville ring / Forever 21 "Ooh La La" necklace / Illamasqua polish

When starting with a classic black and cream color palette, mixing textures, patterns, and fit is key. With the delicate top and faux leather shorts both being on the shorter side length-wise, a light-weight cardigan that acts as a half silky blazer and half nubby knit is the ideal addition to pull the look together. And, while you might feel the need to accessorize, as I did, having a few statement pieces will work, but make sure that only one of them, in this case my snakeskin clutch stands out-even if the necklace is doing the talking-ha. 

How would you accessorize a black and cream look?

Piña

/ Topshop dress / H&M sandals / Zara purse / Forever21 necklace / Michael Kors watch / Anthropologie Sunglasses /

I've never been much of a beach person, I don't like getting wet and I'm not particularly fond of sand. So, it surprised even me when I took a spontaneous late afternoon excursion out to Coney Island for the first time. Since being in the city since May, this was my first actual 'summer activity', and I was overly excited to dress the part. I had purchased this pineapple dress at a Topshop sale last month and felt like what better day to pull it out from a sea of black and to actually bring it to the sea. With it's all-over pineapple print, the small details like triangular midriff cutout, cross-over neckline, and criss-cross open back provide just the right amount of interesting elements to keep it from bridging over to too cutesy.

Have you ever been to Coney Island? Did you sport any festive summer apparel, as well?

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!