Every season designers try to bring something new to the table. Sometimes it’s a mainstream hit, and sometimes, well, it’s not. (Think drop-crotch harem pants.) They’ll push a style for a few seasons and sometimes it’ll grow on people and become popular, but sometimes only a few people jump on the bandwagon leaving the rest of us to wonder, “Really? You’re really going to wear that?” I’ve noticed of few of these questionable trends lately, and I’m laying in wait to see which ones stick. I’m not opposed to new things, but at the end of the day, if it doesn’t make you look good, well, what’s the point?
Capes
Clockwise from top left:
Topshop Wool Buckle Cape, $160
Fidelity Sportswear Herringbone Long Cape, $320
ASOS Hooded Military Cape, $118
I know camel is the neutral that’s all the rage this season, but honestly, it’s not the most flattering color for my complexion—pale with yellowish undertones. There just isn’t enough contrast and I end up looking washed out. (Ladies with darker skin, you look gorgeous in camel. Keep it up!) Instead, I lean more towards darker tones, like caramel and, my new favorite, rust. I’m really drawn to it this season. I love it’s warm red-orangeness which really complements my coloring. In fact, I think rust looks good on everyone—light skin, dark skin, and everything in between. Not to mention there’s just something so utterly fall about it, no doubt because it’s part of the fall foliage color palette. So, if you’re a little bummed that camel isn’t quite doing it for you, or you just want to break away from the pack a little, rust is a great option.
Clockwise from top left:
Zara Woollen Jersey with Leather Elbow Patches, $90
Hidden Spectrum Peasant-Smock Dress, $315
Topshop Shawl Collar Tux Blazer, $135
Ettika Braided Bracelet, $59
Zara Buttoned Wedge Shoe, $100
RGB Cognac Nail Polish, $14
Schuler & Sons Sepia Saddlebag, $268
And if money is no object:
Madewell Cinch Sack, $198
I started wanting a bucket bag early in the summer, but then the style sort of fell off my radar. That is until I stumbled upon this little number from Madewell. It’s a good size—not too big and not too small, the two different strap lengths give you options, and the saddle brown pebbled leather looks especially nice and soft. But most of all, I love how versatile this bag is—great for now paired with dark skinny jeans, warm fall colors, and cozy sweaters, but also an ideal match for those relaxed, 70s-influenced billowy tops and gaping wide-leg pants that will be cropping up come spring.
So, needless to say, the bucket’s back on my list.
Much prettier than the bruise, don’t you think? Black and navy blue are one of those color combinations that can be a bit tricky because they are so similar. The main issue here is making sure it’s clear that you intended to wear the two colors together and not that, in your groggy, still-half-asleep, morning state, you accidentally grabbed something navy that you thought was black or vice versa. The best way to do this is to make sure you’re wearing more than one piece in each color. One piece could be a mistake. Two, well, either you dressed blindfolded or it’s intentional.
Since they’re both such dark colors, it’s a good idea to lighten them up with some white or ivory just to balance things out. If you want to inject a little more color, try adding a shot of something in the red-orange family—maybe a piece of jewelry or even just lipstick. Jewelry-wise, gold tones are a nice accent because they bring some warmth to an otherwise cool palette.
Obviously, these colors are preferable for cooler weather (unless you enjoy slowly roasting in the summer sun), so now is the time to start wearing them. The outfit below is perfect during these transition months when the weather wavers between comfortable and chilly. The layering of the blouse and blazer allows for adjusting to the weather’s whims and the leather shorts (oh, how I want a pair) can be worn as is or, for cooler temperatures, paired with black opaque tights.
Clockwise from top left:
Rachel Rachel Roy Batwing Blouse, $69
Club Monaco Alessia Leather Short, (price not available)
Gorjana Chloe Stud Earring, $35
Leonie Saliba Soft Leather Handbag, $85
Enzo Angiolini Rachey Boot, $79
American Apparel Passport Blue Nail Polish, $6
ASOS Boyfriend Blazer, $93
So, do you wear black and navy together?
(Or, My Big Bootie Roundup)
Labor Day weekend is here, which means fall isn’t far behind. I’m a little sad to see summer go, but the muggy days hovering in the 90s are making it easier to get excited for the cooler months ahead. The thing I’m most excited for though is cozy, closed shoes that I can wear with socks. Summer shoes and sandals with their bondage-like straps and rough edges against my skin destroy my feet every year. If I never see another blister (until next summer), I’ll be happy. I can’t wait to slide my feet into some soft socks (thigh-highs here I come!) and get ready for footwear that won’t slice and dice my feet into oblivion.
I’ve set my sights on booties to help me transition into fall. Their short stature makes them wearable when the temperature outside still hasn’t dropped very far. Light colors like beige and gray are particularly good for easing these into your wardrobe while it’s still warm out. I’m really drawn to suede this season. Maybe it’s because my tactile senses go into overdrive this time of year with all the chunky knits and nubby corduroys, but the soft texture is making me swoon. Reminiscent of the classic men’s desert boot, these are a little bit rugged, but still overtly feminine.
There are tons (TONS) of cute suede booties out there (so many that I really had trouble limiting myself to just a few), but here are my favorites:
Clockwise from top left:
Gap Suede Wedge Booties, $80
Ash Iman Cuff Suede Booties, $250
Seychelles Bismuth Ankle Boots, $120
Sam Edelman Effie Lace-Up Wedges, $130
Tory Burch Adrienne Wedge Suede Ankle Boots, $350
Madewell Suede Sandstorm Boots, $188
Have fun and may your Labor Day weekend be full of booties! Big ones!
Hi guys! Sorry, but there’s no real post for today due to some unforeseen drinking and a whole lot of coma-inducing food last night. I promise (PROMISE) I’ll have something good for you tomorrow.
In the meantime, I will leave you with these crazy Christian Louboutin Unique (oh yes, they are definitely unique) 140 boots to ponder:
Discuss amongst yourselves.
As you already know, last Thursday was my 30th birthday. Maybe it was to keep myself from dwelling on the fact that I was getting older, but I became a little obsessed with finding the perfect birthday party dress. I spent a good few weeks searching every single store that I could think of—both online and brick and mortar—and I was coming up empty at every turn. I wanted something special. Something that was sexy but sophisticated and a little bit outside my comfort zone. And I made one rule for myself: it could not be a little black dress. That would be too easy for me (and it was, because at each store I visited, I had to remind myself to step away from a black dress). It was an exhaustive search, but I finally found something (on sale no less) just a week before the big day.
Clockwise from top left:
Grayson Mae earrings, price available upon request
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent “Czar” dress, $298
MAC Russian Red lipstick, $14.50
Grayson Mae bracelet, price available upon request
Hive and Honey Lorna pumps, $40
Gold! Definitely not a color I would normally choose. And strapless, something else I’m only just warming up to for myself. I also tried something new with my makeup. I’m not very well-versed or experimental when it comes to makeup, but I’ve been seeing bright red lips all over the place and I thought this was the perfect time to try them out. I’m really sorry I didn’t try it sooner; I loved the look. Better late than never, right? I also whipped up a bracelet and earrings for myself and pulled out a pair of black platform pumps from my closet. Voilá, my birthday outfit!
And here’s me wearing it all:
Have you ever obsessed about finding the perfect outfit for a special event?
Yesterday was my birthday. Not just ANY birthday, but my 30th. The number doesn’t really bother me so much. It’s really everything I’ve attached to this age career-wise, family-wise, all-around-life-wise. It’s a big number to me, and it’s been stressing me out a bit as of late.
However, the upside to getting older is that it’s usually accompanied by gifts. This I like. My husband gave me this:
August is bittersweet for me. On the one hand, I’m sad to see summer dwindling away. On the other, I start to get a bit lethargic by mid-August, the sweltering summer days droning on and on. I’m eager for a change, something new.
It’s really no surprise then that I still associate the end of summer with getting ready to go back to school. There’s that same ambivalence: the excitement of starting fresh versus, well, having to go back to school.
Predictably, one of the things I loved was shopping for new clothes and school supplies. The one thing I never bought though was a proper school satchel to carry my books. Sure, I went through backpacks and messenger bags, but never anything as studious and scholarly as a leather satchel. The kind that looks better the more worn in it gets. I love the roomy, rectangular shape, the abundance of pockets to keep everything organized, and all the options for wearing them (crossbody, on one shoulder, or held like a briefcase). But, more than anything, I love the buckles. What can I say, hardware makes me drool.
Here are a few of my top picks for bringing back a little of that going-back-to-school kind of excitement:
Clockwise from top left:
Anthropologie Zipways Bag, $188
Sabina Fold and Buckle Bag, $89
Topshop Medium Buckle Leather Satchel, $100
ASOS Leather Twist Lock Satchel, $118
Marc by Marc Jacobs Saddlery Sophie Leather Shoulder Bag, $478
And if money is no object:
Mulberry Oversized Alexa, $1250
My office is “business casual”, but no one in my department actually abides by this ruling from HR. What can I say, we’re rebels. But if I did, I would happily wear dresses like this one from Gap all the time. You already know I love gray and I’m a sucker for anything and everything ruffled, so this dress really is a no-brainer. I also love the nod to the 70s/80s secretary dress with that floppy bow at the neck. I can almost hear the typewriter keys clacking.
A ladylike dress like this calls for some sexy but sweet peep-toes like these or these (I’m partial to the turquoise and corally red). Keep jewelry to a minimum because of the busy neckline; a simple, flirty bracelet and/or some delicate stud earrings are all you need. Layer on a little cardigan in a bright color and some opaque black or even dark plum tights to help carry the dress into cooler weather.
Color is key though. I don’t think I can emphasize that enough. Add some wherever you can, even if it’s just some candy apple red nail polish or a skinny mustard yellow belt. Don’t succumb to drabness. Between the mind-numbing fluorescent lighting and the bland institutional decor, the workplace is usually screaming for some life. Why not wake it up a little?
