Favorite Fall Patterns

1 / 2 / 3 (sold out!) / 4 / 5

Everyone has their favorite prints and patterns that they can't wait to specifically pull out for a certain season. For me, fall and winter are always associated with leopard and plaid. While leopard is a favorite of mine year-round, there is something about pairing it with wooly coats and sweaters that makes it particularly a favorite during cooler weathered months. As for plaid, going to Syracuse I absolutely can't live without my L.L. Bean fleece-lined flannels. They are absolute lifesavers and I've managed to hook about four of my friends onto them. With my oversized mens flannels as such a go-to during fall and winter here, I was in need of an equally comfortable, warm, and still stylish option but with something in a more feminine shape. Enter the GAP plaid shirtdress. As soon as I saw this during the GAP sale I knew that I needed it. While clearly not as warm as my beloved mens flannels, it is heavily lined for the weather and the colors of the plaid in it look great with my favorite leopard Zara chelsea boots--I've already checked. Look out for a post with this dress later in the week!

Have you ever mixed leopard + plaid? What are your favorite patterns to mix?

Tuesday Shoesday

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

If you've been following 85 Dresses for a while, you know that I am every bit a color and pattern type of gal. So, when it came to shoes, I noticed that most of my footwear is the same in that I have nearly every color and pattern present, but with great styles in neutrals, there weren't very many go-to options. For me, if it's going to be neutral, the shape has to be interesting and fun to wear--not to mention, look good in my closet, too! These four options above fit those requirements...even if one of them has a bit of a snakeskin pattern on it ;) (#4)

How are the neutrals in your closet? Stacked up or lacking?

*Sorry for the poor photoshop in the white heel!*

Falling for Phillip

/ Jen Kao top / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target skirt and bag / Target boots / Forever 21 necklace / and   Michael Kors watch /

Aside from when Rodarte did their Target collaboration, the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection is one of the first that I have actually really wanted pieces from. For starters, the Pashli Satchel has been one of my 'must have' bags for a while, and since my unemployed status won't be able to provide one, when I saw that there was going to be the mini satchel in their Target collaboration, I was thrilled. At a much more affordable price, it looks every bit as luxe, and it's miniature size keeps me from lugging too much with me--only necessities like a phone, wallet, and lipstick. In addition to the mini satchel, the leopard pieces were another favorite. We all know that I have a soft spot for leopard print, and this almost cartoonish style with it's mustard-orange background and navy and white spots and flirty shape were a must. Not to mention, as I walked around campus today it matched the falling leaves perfectly.  These two pieces embarrassingly weren't the only ones that I bought from the line, but keep a lookout for the others that will be showing soon!

What were your thoughts on the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collaboration? I'd love to hear!

Side Note: I apologize for iPhone photos, my camera is in Texas right now

Photos: Richelle Gewertz

Tuesday Shoesday

With all of our classic leopard and edgy snakeskin prints, it's easy to overlook some other animal prints that are just as fabulous. Cue: The Dalmatian print. This print can appear like an abstract polka dot pattern at first, but the randomness of the spots is what makes it unique. And, in a print instead of a polka, makes it a bit more sophisticated than the playful dot. With my newfound obsession with delicate ankle strap shoes of all styles, the combination of this Dalmatian print with the ankle straps creates a fresh new style that will be interesting in pairing with not only solids, but figuring out complementary patterns to mix with, as well.

What do you think of the Dalmatian print? Aren't these pumps amazing?

Dress Up

One of the great parts about shopping online I think is that it is so easy to find new designers, brands, and stores that you love. While perusing the other day, I came across the site FSHN BNKR (aka fashion bunker) and let me tell you, I'm obsessed. This Australian company has all of those unique pieces that you always search for, but aren't necessarily found in stores. This week's featured dress is the 'Radiator Sister' dress. I've always had a love for these dreamy watercolor prints, but always felt like the shapes of the pieces they were on were too basic. This dress is anything but basic, but still has the dreamy quality of the watercolor prints. With a flattering halter neckline, interesting angular panels, quilting, and an open back, this dress has everything needed to be a winning choice not only for dress of the week, but in your wardrobe, as well.

What are you all up to this weekend? I'm going to MoMA's rain room exhibit and attempting to try out the Citi Bikes. Have a great one!

Suit Up!

1/ 2/ 3/ 4

With this past Friday being the official start of summer, I figured instead of the traditional A to Z post on Mondays, we would post some 'swimspiration' to get you all into even more of a summer mode--if you weren't there already. Whether you prefer high-waisted and full suits to one pieces, or prints and patterns to plain, there are so many suits now to choose from. I pulled a few of some of my favorites from Lolli, Lulu's, and Forever 21 all ranging in different styles and price points for whatever suits your swimwear needs. Personally, I got my eye on number three. Loving those strappy sides!

Which style swimsuit are you looking to get into this summer?

Tuesday Shoesday

J.Crew cites the 'Etta' pump perfectly as "heels for the girls who wear only flats." With it's chunky heel and all around enclosure, these pumps are just as comfortable as they are stylish. I love a fabulous snakeskin, and this shoe, in an untypical periwinkle-blue, combines that classic snakeskin texture in an updated version of itself. I have always had my eyes on a pair of the 'Etta' pump, and this particular pair would look amazing with a pair of army green boyfriend-style pants, to a patterned pencil skirt with a classic denim jacket in a medium wash. With the natural lady-like qualities of these pumps, I would find it best to pair them with pieces that have more tomboy characteristics to even it out, as well.

What do you think of the J.Crew 'Etta' pump?

A to Z: Pants

If you know me, or have been following for a while, you know that pants are not in my regular outfit rotations. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't appreciate a perfect fitting pair of jeans, we all know how hard those are to find, or a polka dotted pair every once in a while, but at the moment, they are a work--or style-- in progress. While I've never really been a fan of the colored denim craze that's been present for a while now, I do have a soft spot for pants in intricate patterns, fabric applications, and textiles.

Obviously I am a sucker for a good pattern mix. Though pairing florals with an almost angular thought-bubble pattern might seem like a long shot for a great pair of prints, these MSGM pants would go just as great with a simple white t-shirt and statement necklace, as they would making a statement themselves. 

Following the theme of working in a similar color palette as I had been trying out the past few months, this style works amazingly by combining these teal taffeta Asos cropped pants with a navy velvet button-down. I've noticed that when it comes to pants, I still like to maintain that put-together and polished factor instead of the idea that throwing on a pair of pants is simple and a go-to. Dressier pants, like the ones above, definitely are a pair that could work just as well with a chambray oxford as they would with a tuxedo jacket and stilettos. 

Our last pant pairing for today is a textile that I actually am fondest of when it is applied to pants and shorts--brocade. Aside from the obvious eye-catching appeal that brocade brings, there is also something about the hand of the fabric and feeling the different threads that makes me appreciate the beauty of the design. Again, with the intricateness of the pattern, design, and often colors, brocade pants work the best with toned down tops and accessories as seen above.

When it comes to pants, which do you prefer?

Dress Up

Black and white pieces are made up of elements that remain classic and interesting, but with minimalistic and fairly simplistic notes. While prints and patterns can easily become bold and the opposite of simplistic, the windowpane trend catching on for spring 2013, is a pattern that can be easily incorporated as a basic. With it's precise grid lines and geometric order, the windowpane pattern is almost effortlessly put-together and chic. While I have seen this up and coming trend printed on blouses, skirts, and this sweater that I have my eye on, this Tibi dress is perfection. Though the peplum trend still seems to be going strong, this drop waist is a relief to waists everywhere, and it's little flounce on the bottom adds just the right amount of interest, as well as draws the eye down to add to a more complete look. 

Are you excited to try out this windowpane trend?

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.