Home Improvement

The Gallery Restaurant at Sketch London

There's no question that pink is a favorite of mine and I'm not picky for where it is. Whether it's fashion or interior design above, this dusty pink is a version that I am particularly fond of. While I never got the chance to visit, in perusing Pinterest for this week's Home Improvement post, and I'll admit, a little London withdrawal, I came across The Gallery Restaurant inside of Sketch--London. The pink is used perfectly by being paired with sort of rose gold chair bases and table top accents and a floor that is an unexpected herringbone pattern in a series of browns, and the fact that the chairs and booth style seating is plush velvet as opposed to a different fabric creates an incredibly luxe and pleasing look to the eye. Not to mention, the almost cartoon-like drawings perfectly aligned on the wall match the playful setting and definitely make me long for the time I get to jump back to London and visit Sketch.

Style Crush : Yasmin Sewell

Left: Tulle skirt worn over cropped denim / Right: Flared floral pants + mod mini/turtleneck

Long before I knew who she was, referring to her as 'the girl in the pink dress', Yasmin Sewell has been one of my style crushes. She has a sense of style that is very polished focused on tailoring and the cut of garments (often leaning on the boxier side), as well as a fairly monochromatic approach to dressing, and is risk-taker. With her style, I always note that it is the shape and texture of the pieces that seem to be most important. Let me tell you, she sure can rock her share of wide-legged pants. As a London based (Australian born) buyer, fashion consultant, and member of the BFC's (British Fashion Council's) New Gen committee, she was even responsible for being the first to pick up (one of my absolute favorites) Christopher Kane's collection during her time at Browns department store in 2006. Not only is she a key figure for finding amazing talent, but her sense of style is talented in my book, as well.

Left: Feathered skirt + furry turtleneck / Right: Pink Power in cropped wide-leg trousers + button up

Left: Extreme wide-leg emerald culottes + furry turtleneck / Right: Christopher Kane's intricate velvet dress

Which are your favorite looks of Yasmin's?

Images found via Pinterest

White Hot

/ Primark Platforms /

In the past year or so platform sandals have been seen quite often. While I loved the look of them on other girls (often edgier or more grungy types) I was convinced it was just one of those styles that I wouldn't be able to pull off. In looking for a new summer go-to sandal, I stopped into Primark, an inexpensive favorite, while in London, tried these on and was instantly hooked. They are the perfect height where you can easily wear them with many different outfits and are comfortable for long days and errands of running around town. Not to mention, I love the loose straps around the ankle. Even though I am a sucker for a good black shoe, I loved  how bright the white appeared -- even if I don't have a great tan for it to work with ;)

Have you ever worn platform sandals? What's your favorite brand?

I'd love to know. 

Updates

Since before this week I had been a little lax on posting, I figured it would good to put a little update here on 85 Dresses. These past few weeks have been rather busy and had some exciting things in them, and some of my favorites are the ones in the pictures.

1. Business Lady - After many rounds of trial and error, I finally printed my first set of business cards at the beginning of this month. I had been wanting to for a while, and kept them very true to myself with the 85 Dresses logo and gold glittered social media icons to make sure everyone who gets them will keep in touch. Now, who to hand them out to...

2. Spotted Sunnies - TJ Maxx isn't really a store that I visit very often when I am at home in Texas (or Syracuse), but all of my flatmates are major fans, so we ventured into the TK Maxx (London's version) and I couldn't resist leaving without these Moschino (Teen!) spotted sunglasses. They're severe cat-eye shape and classic black and white were perfect.

3. Styled - This past Saturday I styled my very first photoshoot with the help of my partner, Mariann Asayan, our photographer Samantha Stone, and model Hannah Gessler.  Our concept was heavily art-focused and I can't wait to share more. I got such a rush while doing it, and really think it was successful! 

4. Day in the Park - The weather was beautiful on Sunday, so a couple of friends and I headed to Hyde Park to sit and chat and take in the warmer temps. Perfect time to break out my favorite new Zara sandals that I had been eyeing for a while.

5. Coffee Craze - One of my favorite weekend activities is finding new coffee spots. There is nothing more that I love than chatting with friends over a great cup of coffee, and finding perfect spots to do so is an absolute must. After reading about Monocle online, a few friends and I walked to a new neighborhood nearby for some amazing iced lattes and people watching in the park nearby. Again, how can you resist those black and white stripes?!

Make sure that you follow me on Instagram @leshkoln to keep up with daily happenings!

New Uniform

Topshop T-Shirt / Cos T-Shirt / J. Crew T-Shirt / GAP Jeans / Target (Wrangler Mens) Jeans / H&M Tennis Shoes / Nike Tennis Shoes

If there's one thing that I have learned with living with seven roommates while being abroad, it's that I easily pick up on styles that I like and want to try. While I had long admired those who could master the graphic tee + boyfriend jeans + stylish tennis shoes look for quite a while, it wasn't until I came to London and bought my first pair of fashion tennis shoes--the snakeskin ones above (as opposed to ones reserved for the gym) that I realized it's surprisingly a look that I now wear (embarrassingly) too often. Whether it's a comfortable look for a Monday morning lecture, or a cool mix of casual luxe with the snakeskin and a tailored coat, this easy three-part equation is hard to go wrong with.

Is this a look that you would wear? Even if not, take a try at it--I bet you'll like it.

Green Machine

Zara Coat / River Island Culottes / Baublebar Bracelet / Joseph Top / Givenchy Purse / Topshop Dress

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! While some of my flatmates ventured off to Ireland this past weekend to celebrate traditionally, I stayed in London enjoying the very much spring-time weather that we have been having lately. With green as the color of St. Patrick's Day, this kelly green color on all of the pieces featured in the image above, embody springtime, as well--even the coat for those unexpected cooler days and nights. When it comes to this shade of green, every item that I have of it is something unique and special because unlike its olive and army green friends, it is not seen as often, though it is definitely wearable. 

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Do you sport green all day and pinch those who don't?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

London Fashion Week II

Nike Athletic Socks + Chunky Embossed Flatforms

As promised, as embarrassingly delayed as have most posts been lately, here are some photos from the first day that I stood outside of Somerset House at London Fashion Week. The fashion was exciting and fulfilled my fashion senses for sure, and as out-there as some of these styles may look in photos, some were surprisingly wearable when seen in person and are combinations that I am definitely keeping track of as inspiration for the future. 

Classic Chanel + Edgy Zippered Ankle Boots

A trendy duo with serious short hair inspiration

Two-Toned Coat + Snakeskin Bag

Black, White, and Pops of Color + Gold

Tres Chic

/ Urban Outfitters blazer + heels / Forever 21 sweater + pants / 3.1 Philip Lim for Target purse / David Yurman ring / Revlon Lipstick /

While I have worked backstage at a few fashion shows in New York, I had never ventured over to Lincoln Center to spot all of the stylish editors, show-goers, bloggers, and photographers before. I admit, I was intimidated and unsure of how the whole thing worked. So, when London Fashion Week began here in London about three weeks ago, I made sure that my confidence got up to the same level as my excitement, grabbed a close friend and my camera, and headed over to Somerset House to see it all happen live. There is nothing like it, and I had the absolute best time that Saturday. Even got my photo taken a couple of times.

Now, about the outfit. Knowing that everyone goes big for the shows, I knew that I had to really put on my best, but I was still a bit unsure of how it went down, so this felt like a good start for branching a bit out of my comfort zone, while still being comfortable enough. With the sun shining for once, it was warm enough to go with this sweater and a light blazer (that I have re-found my love for). Since we got up fairly early to head down to Somerset, these silky floral Forever 21 pants felt like I was in my loungewear, but the chicest ones at that. 

 Stay tuned for a few photos from London Fashion Week and Weekend coming up later this week!

Hope you all had a nice first start to March!

Photo Credit: Indradevi Nuon

Happy Halloweek

Image Via

While in college, most halloween festivities start the week before the week of Halloween, here on 85 Dresses this week leading up to the 31st is going to be full of Halloween themed features. Expect lots of orange and black, spooky detailing that works specifically well for the holiday (and all year round), and maybe a few costume ideas thrown in there. As for the image above, getting accepted to study in London and working on a 1960's cocktail dress right now, it fits so perfectly for everything--even orange for Halloween--. How amazing are those coats and hats!

I hope everyone had a fabulous start to the week. What are you all for Halloween?

Person of Interest: Alexa Chung

//1, 2, 3, 4//

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.