Dressy / Casual

/ Vintage Levi's (via Urban Outfitters) / Target booties (old) / Kate Spade top (via Nordstrom's Rack) / H&M coat (old, $15!) / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse / Michael Kors watch / 

In not posting for a while, I found a few photos that I had taken over the past few months that I didn't find the time to actually put up. But hey, how amazing is this coat? I had to share. 

Being the sort of coat hoarder that I am, I will find any reason to add a new coat to my collection. However, when I found this one a few years ago at H&M marked down to $15 I couldn't resist. The metallic sheen and cropped sleeves seemed like a fresh addition to my wardrobe, and the weight of it makes it perfect for transition weather. With the coat being the main statement, keeping the rest to classic neutrals like vintage cuffed denim, black ankle boots, and a grey shell with just the right amount of detail on the sleeves seemed like the perfect additions to pull the rest of the look together.

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

The Pink Coat

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If you've been paying any attention to fashion trends since the Fall/Winter fashion shows this past February, you are well aware that pastel coats and warm weathered wear in non-traditional colors are everywhere! Carven Fall/Winter '13 I'm looking at you. Ever since I noticed how suprisingly wearable the pink coat can be, I have been on the hunt for the perfect style. To counteract the super feminine quality of the pink, a style in a more relaxed and masculine shape will keep it from looking too sweet, as well as a color that is either a dusty pink or more coral version--though the pale baby pink versions do have me picking them up off the shelves. Above I have compiled six varying shades of pink coats. From H&M and Topshop versions (1 and 2) to luxe styles like the vintage Courreges (3) or Elizabeth and James (6), each have elements that make them special and unique. I tried on the Topshop one (2) a few weeks ago and the cut and material had me styling look after look in my head.

So, what do you think? Would you wear a pink coat? Which of the above styles is your favorite?

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?

Fall Favorites

/ 1. Topshop / 2. Isabel Marant / 3. Rag & Bone (mens!) / 4. Topshop /

Fall is definitely my favorite season, and nothing makes me happier after a brutal summer than heading to work with a perfect crisp breeze in the air. During colder months, and even at the beginning of fall, I try my best to wear my skirts and dresses with my legs bare for as long as possible. With this challenge, easy jackets are for sure my go-to pieces. When it comes to favorites, jackets in a varsity or army/utility style are what I find myself wearing with absolutely everything. With my favorite varsity jacket in a dark navy and black combination (faux leather sleeves, of course!) and my utility jacket in its classic army green, these are staples that are must haves for that crisp pre-fall air that will certainly carry you much into fall.

How have you been adding on for pre-fall?

POI: Elizabeth Olsen

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In researching Elizabeth Olsen as a source of killer hair inspiration, I became quite drawn to her sense of style, as well. The Elizabeth in her sisters' (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, that is) line, Elizabeth and James, Liz Olsen sticks to mostly neutrals when it comes to dressing. While she keeps her colors to a minimum, I noticed that one of the garment styles that she frequently exhibits is none other than a form of jacket or coat. I am a strong believer in having a jacket pull a look together, and Elizabeth Olsen definitely demonstrates that. From a head to toe velvet rust-colored suit to a creme shaw colored jacket. Her style has a certain nod to the easy glamour of the seventies but with an updated twist when it comes to lengths and styling. Although her hairstyle is what initially brought me to her, it is her style in addition that made me stay.

What do you think about Elizabeth Olsen's style? Do you have a favorite Olsen sister when it comes to fashion and style?

A to Z: Raincoats + Rainboots

We all know that Spring brings plenty of showers for those May flowers, but with the downpours starting earlier than April, having the proper outerwear for the rainy weather accompanied with a pair of classic wellies will help to keep those spring outfits that you've been dying to finally wear nice and dry. While typically rainproof clothing isn't the most fashion savvy out of the categories, I've gathered some that will make you want to grab 'em and go dance in those rain puddles instead.

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When it comes to rain jackets, you may or may not still be keen on that yellow one that you had when you were younger with the matching rain boots. I like a rain jacket to be stylish enough that it can be worn as a windbreaker for those windy days, as well and one that has some sort of interesting detail or pattern to it. The one that I have currently is in a classic navy with ivory polka dots and belts at the waist so that it creates a flattering shape, instead of a boxy one. In the collage above, I am absolutely in love with the lavender Acne raincoat (#2). This jacket is a perfect light shade for rainy spring days and acts as a nice neutral to whatever outfit you are pairing it with underneath.

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When you get ready for the rainy weather, make sure that you don't forget about your footwear. Don't get me wrong, I love my forest green traditional Hunters. However, just like the rain jackets, when I look at this specific category of footwear, I tend to make sure that I would like to wear them multiple times in different weather, not just rainy. My favorite pair above is the Tory Burch pair with the patent leather uppers and her classic logo. I love how they resemble a favorite pair of riding boots, and you can definitely get away with wearing these when it's not raining. I got these in navy with a chocolate brown upper section on sale, and I always get asked if they are rain boots or not.
Point proven.

Do you have a favorite rainy-day outfit or do you incorporate your wellies into everyday-wear?

Jungle Green

{ H&M jacket and tights, Forever 21 coat and dress, Michael Kors watch, Topshop shoes, Vintage bag, and Urban's hologram polish}

I have always felt that leopard and greens evoke a sense of instant luxury and polish. In combining a green suede moto jacket and faux leopard coat over an all black base of a pleated dress with tights and boots, the prints and colors of the jackets and carpet bag are able to have the attention that they strive for. Although first worried that the bag's pattern and the leopard's spots would not mesh pleasingly, I was pleasantly surprised how they managed to come off as that perfectly undone quality that I strive for. 

Dress Up

Although I do not know where the components of this outfit are from, I figured that this was the perfect lesson in how to incorporate pastels and light-weight fabrics into fall and winter wardrobes. While pastels are known for being associated with spring time, by combining a longer length dress with a tailored camel colored coat and brown leather bag, this light pistachio-mint color can work for cooler months during the winter just as it can for the cooler months of the spring.

Have a great weekend, everyone!