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! 

Preppy Pairings

/ Top: Urban Outfitters (old) / Skirt: J.Crew (old from sister) / Belt: Target / Necklace: Francesca's Collections / Watch: Michael Kors / Boots: 9 West / Ring: David Yurman / 

Well hello, 85 Dresses! It's been quite a while, hasn't it? I have missed this little blog so much, and looking through photos I realized that I hadn't posted this look that I said that I would. If you didn't know, I am currently in London studying abroad at The London College of Fashion. It's going amazingly so far, and I am doing daily updates on my travel blog if you would like to read a bit more about it. For now, 85 Dresses will be running a little slower (as you have noticed), but I promise, not forgotten!

Now to the important things---the outfit! I have many different styles, but I think that one of the first styles that I ever noticed to really start to form once I became obsessed with fashion was classic prep. When I think of classic prep, I think of J.Crew catalogues and lots of plaid and riding boots. This look is one that I had wanted to try out for a while, but was one of those that I just never did. I always knew that with staples like a perfect plaid button down and riding boots with fun additions like a gold glittered belt, gold accessories, and a velvet skirt would take that classic prep that I fell in love with at the beginning, and give it a fresh update to make it more prep with a pinch, as I might call it. :)

This or That: Faux Fur Vest

 / 1 / 2 /

It's funny how fashions are different in different parts of the country. Being from Texas, winter wardrobes in the South are what fall wardrobes are on the East coast and in the North. My winter-y outerwear when I am at home consists of sweaters probably until February. Here on the East coast now, one of the cooler-weather staples (that comes much earlier than February over here) is the classic faux (or sometimes real) fur vests. While real fur is not really me, I'm all about the faux fur pieces, and have been vying for one ever since my Freshman year fall when they started to be seen around campus. When it came to these faux fur vests, like most of my fashion choices, I am really particular in their appearance. Some of my qualifications include length ( to about the bottom of where my fingers fall), roominess (big enough to layer sweaters), and authenticity (has to look like the real thing). H&M had some great choices this fall and I was narrowing it down between the two in the image above. When I put on the black one, however, the material was so fluffy and cozy and the length was long enough for my liking. I'm already picturing it with a crystal belt and playing with different textures.

Do you have a fur vest (real or faux)? Which is your favorite from the above choices?

TWENTY

/ 1. Topshop Dress / 2. Anthropologie Belt / 3. Birthday Cupcake / 4. Illamasqua Lipstick in 'matte warm pink' / 5. Asos Heels /

When it comes to birthday celebrations, I either love to go all out, or super simple. Since going to college, my birthday always falls on the first official weekend back at school, so my celebrations are more low-key and focused on being with friends and remembering to celebrate before the workload gets heavy. This year, I turned 20. Two decades old deserves some celebration in my book, and the pieces above certainly seem as if they would make turning twenty feel as fabulous as everyone says it is supposed to be. With a perfectly feminine, yet simple, light pink party dress, sparkly belt, understated heels that pack the interest in the gold ankle bands, a lipstick that adds just the right amount of pop to your pout, and a cupcake to celebrate, this is my ideal twentieth birthday look to ring in my twenties and bid adieu to my teens. 

How did you celebrate your twentieth birthday? Any advice for my twenties?

Elizabeth Street

/ Christian Siriano dress c/o / Christian Siriano belt (on sale!) / Christian Siriano heels /

Is there a piece in your wardrobe that you can always rely on regardless of the occasion? For me, it's this Christian Siriano circle skirt dress. With it's flattering shape and obvious little black dress appeal, it always manages to make me feel feminine, polished, and pretty. When it comes to little black dresses, one of the many great qualities about them is that there are limitless ways to style them. This pink metallic snap belt, which is on sale at the store (!), and the seafoam Julie mary-jane's provide just the right amount of additions, without taking away from the dress's own beauty, as well. 

Are you as much in love with Christian Siriano's pieces as I am? If so, head to his store located at

252 Elizabeth Street btw Prince & Houston in Nolita

New York City

to pick up some fabulous pieces. They're even having a summer sale!