An Ode to (P)Leather

In my opinion, leather is a timeless material that adds instant polish to any outfit, and it has truly been reinvented over the last few seasons.  Now, I am not one to seek out a lot of leather products because a) they tend to be very expensive if you want decent quality and b) they are not what you’d call eco friendly.  Modern vegan imitation leathers are not the shiny, plastic-like pleathers of the 80s.  Instead, designers are offering chic interpretations of the reworked fabric, which, when paired with appropriate pieces can look entirely acceptable for an office environment.  For the record, all of the"leather" items listed below are not real leather, but are, in fact, vegan, "pleather" options.

The Leather Pant

If you are rolling your eyes right now or groaning aloud, please don’t worry!  A leather pant (so long as it is not a pair of leggings and it actually has a legitimate button and zipper in the front) can look simultaneously edgy and polished when paired with a blouse and tailored blazer.  Simply add a pair of pumps for a modern look.

Blouse, Blazer, Earrings, Pants, Pumps

The Leather Blazer

Blazers are the way to instantly make an outfit work appropriate.  Doing a blazer in a chic vegan leather fabric is one way to transform an otherwise simple outfit.  Pairing this jacket over a floral, a-line dress will look both charming and elegant, and it is an easy way to make your summer dresses work for fall.

Blazer, Dress, Shoes, Earrings

The Leather Skirt

Leather skirts have been everywhere on the runway this season.  Since the pleated skirt is still going strong after last year’s collections, combining these two trends in one skirt will create the perfect look for fall.  Pairing the skirt with a sweet, printed blouse with a peter pan collar counteracts the edginess of the skirt and balances out the look.

Skirt, Blouse, Bracelet, Shoes

Fall Beauty Trends Under $25

One of my favorite things about the arrival of fall is the simultaneous influx of new and reinvented trends, palettes, and make-up tricks.  This season, rich and saturated colors have been popping up everywhere (an interesting contrast to spring and summer’s pastel and neon crazes) and they look particularly stunning when translated into the right types of make-up.  Below, I have compiled a list of three of my favorite trends that are easy, affordable, and certainly bold enough for the coming season.

Teal + Jade

These two colors have been popping up all over the runways.  They look sophisticated and flatter any skin tone.  One of my favorite ways to try out a new color trend is with nail polish.  It is the most practical and affordable way to see if the color is right for you, and if you want to incorporate more of the hue into the rest of your wardrobe.

Teal Polish in "Go Overboard"

Jade Polish in "Jade is the New Black"

Winged Eyeliner

I have been a sucker for a beautiful cat eye for many years now, and so I was thrilled to see this look make a revival in the fall collections.  This retro-inspired look is ladylike, and all it takes is a sweep of this black liner to instantly polish up your look and make a statement.  If you have always been afraid of liquid liner, now is the time to try it out.  Look for a product with a very fine brush (I love the Sephora brand liquid liner).  Trace the liner along your upper lash line.  Don’t worry about making mistakes!  This is what Q-tips were invented for.  Should you smudge the liner, simply dampen the Q-tip with a bit of water or make-up remover and brush the blotch away.

TIP: Take a credit card and place one end near your nostril.  Then tilt the card at about a 45-degree angle towards your eye.  That is approximately how far the winged part of the liner should extend past your eye.

Liquid Eyeliner in "01 Black"

Oxblood Red Lips

Unlike the red lips of this summer season, which tended to verge more on the red-orange side, a deep, matte oxblood is the way to go for the coming fall.  The color looks luxurious and so sophisticated.  It is the perfect way to transition your make-up palette from one season to the other, and it acts as a neutral with most outfits.  I love NARS lip products because they feel creamy, yet have a chic, matte look.

Red Lipstick in "Fire Down Below"

Winter Whites

What I love about the supposed “rules of fashion” is that they were designed to be broken.  It seems silly to impose limits on a form of self-expression.  And while sometimes these rules are justifiable for the sake of appropriateness (tube tops and flip flops do not belong in the office…EVER), other rules, such as “no white after labor day,” are just screaming to be broken.  White looks so fresh during the summer months, and a LWD (little white dress) is a great investment piece.  Do not worry about the transition into fall.  With the right accessories, the LWD can easily go from season to season.  Just keep this dress away from weddings (wearing a white dress at a wedding is not acceptable, and that is one rule that is better left unbroken!). 

The Dress

Spring/Summer

Sunglasses, Watch, Wedges, Bag

Since the dress is so simple, you are free to have a ball with the accessories.  Oversized sunglasses and a large carryall in a bright color, such as this yellow, complement the delicate eyelet lace of the dress and are perfect staples for the warmer weather.  A sleek watch and architectural, cutout heels make this dress feel modern and appropriate for a young professional.

Fall/Winter

Shirt, Hat, Boots, Tights, Earrings

Layering is the key to make this breezy dress cold weather friendly.  Slip on a long sleeve t-shirt underneath the dress in a saturated fall color, such as this cranberry.  Add long tights and lace up ankle boots for extra warmth.  The beige of these shoes works well because the color is not too overwhelming with the white of the dress.  A floppy felt hat in a rich tan color looks incredibly chic for fall, and it’s a deceptively warm accessory.  Finish off the look with a pair of dangly, feather earrings to really transform the vibe of the dress.  

How To: Pairing Prints

Mixing prints can be an incredibly tricky skill, and it can look horrendously inappropriate, particularly in the workplace, if done incorrectly. For starters, it is critical that the colors of the prints complement each other, or at the very least, do not clash with one another.  To help you get started, choose two separates that have at least one or two colors in common so the look will come together neatly.  If you are feeling more daring, choose two separates with deliberately contrasting colors so as to make a bold and unabashed statement with your choice of clothing. 

Floral + Stripes

Blouse, Skirt, Earrings, Pumps, Cuff

I love combining floral garments with striped pieces because the stripes seem to act as a neutral when contrasted with a more literal print.  Here, the blacks and whites in the blouse are echoed in the black and white of the stripes, so the outfit looks deliberate.  A polished pencil skirt such as this calls for lady like pumps, sparkly studs, and a modern, metallic cuff to really bring the look together. 

Geometric + “Animal Print”

Blouse, Skirt, Wedges, Necklace, Bag

Before you ask, yes, I am obsessed with bird print this season.  This hummingbird printed skirt is on trend, and the color is bright and fresh for summer.  Pair this “animal print” with a more abstract, geometric print to counteract the literal imagery on the skirt.  The white in both the skirt and the blouse keeps the outfit tied together, while the deliberate contrast between the blue and the yellow keep the look eclectic and youthful.  Add a pair of red wedges to emphasize the quirkiness of the outfit.  Finish off the look with a neutral carryall bag and a modern statement necklace.

The Maxi Dress: One Dress, 3 Ways

The maxi is a brilliant garment.  It can be worn for almost any occasion, it is versatile enough for day or night, and you can wear it and get away with not shaving your legs!  All those perks aside, I’ve put together three looks for different occasions all inspired by the ease and effortless polish of the maxi dress.

The Dress

The Weekend

Bag, Sunglasses, Necklace, Sandals

A pair of metallic sandals screams both summer and chic.  A leather satchel and a bold mixed metallic necklace are great options for the weekend.  Finish off the look with a pair of retro inspired sunglasses for a relaxed but feminine vibe.

The Workday

Blazer, Bag, Shoes, Necklace

As strange as it sounds, one of my favorite trends this season is matching the color of all of your clothes.  Layer on a navy blazer and navy shoes for a chic look for work.  Keep everything else modern by adding a metal, geometric necklace and a white bag with clean lines.  

A Night Out

Jacket, Shoes, Earrings, Clutch

Make this feminine maxi dress extra edgy with a black leather jacket, a pair of snakeskin pumps, and some metallic, dangly earrings.  Make a daring statement by adding a neon clutch that is bound to get you noticed.  

Style Inspiration: Pretty Little Liars, Part 2

Since I had so much fun putting together the last post, and since there are just too many great looks on Pretty Little Liars to choose from, I wanted to show off four more outfits that contain a number of trendy pieces that you can wear straight into fall.

Aria

This look effortlessly captures rocker glam without looking tacky or over the top.  The skull print on the blouse could very easily look childish, but when combined with higher end pieces such as a dark leather jacket and a pleated leather skirt, it can actually look age appropriate.  To really capture Aria’s complete look, pair the outfit with eclectic, mismatched jewelry, such as a medley of rings and a simple chain necklace.  Brown ankle boots and a dark shoulder bag are items that will easily transition into the fall and their simplicity keeps the look in check.

Blouse, Skirt, Jacket, Boots, Bag, Stone Ring, Silver Ring, Necklace

Hannah

A snakeskin blazer is so on trend for the season.  It is light enough to wear over a t-shirt and jean cut-offs during the summer, and it can be worn just as easily with jeans and boots during the fall.  Here, Hannah pairs it with a beautiful blue blouse and gold, dangly jewelry to keep her edgy look soft and feminine.  If you are going to mix the print with a loud color, keep the rest of the outfit simple.  The dark wash denim and grey ankle boots make the perfect statement!

Blazer, Top, Earrings, Jeans, Boots, Necklace

Emily

I love finding the perfect cozy sweater.  Emily has mastered a mixture of comfort and glamour.  Her red and black sweater works beautifully over a pair of black jeans and edgy combat boots.  The slouchiness of the sweater makes it the perfect fall staple, and the color keeps the look young and fresh.  Layer a grey tank under the sweater for extra warmth or simply to add visual interest to the outfit.

Sweater, Tank, Jeans, Boots

Spencer

Spencer’s preppy outfits never disappoint.  Her matching cloche and blouse in a warm, rich red scream fall.  I love how she mixed a more masculine oxford shirt and vest with a feminine lace mini skirt.  The skirt is another great basic that can be taken from summer into fall with just some boots and a pair of tights.  The knee-high socks and dark carry all bag are a perfect way to finish off the look.

Blouse, Cloche, Vest, Skirt, Bag, Flats, Socks

Style Inspiration: Pretty Little Liars, Part 1

If you are anything like me, you are still upset that there was no new episode of Pretty Little Liars last week and you are eagerly awaiting this coming Tuesday night.  However, I must confess that I watch the show for the clothes as much as I watch it for the plot twists.  Aria, Hannah, Emily, and Spencer are constantly my sources of fashion inspiration because of their youthful, trendy, and eclectic looks. 

Aria

Aria tends to wear the most avant garde looks in the group.  She is unafraid of mixing contrasting prints and colors, and her fashion risks create the most memorable looks. The shape of the dress is timeless, yet the combination of the leopard print with the metallic butterfly necklace is clever and bold.  Pair this dress with architectural wedges and an oversized bag for a unique look.

Dress, Necklace, Wedges, Bag

Hannah

Hannah’s outfits tend to be the girliest and the trendiest in the bunch. However, in this look, she keeps things classic with a dark blazer, white blouse, pencil skirt, and feminine flats.  The red skirt really adds some pop to the outfit, and the necklace adds a slight rocker edge to an otherwise basic outfit.

Blazer, Shirt, Skirt, Belt, Necklace, Flats

Emily

Emily’s style is the most tomboyish in the group, yet her clothes are a great source of inspiration for casual looks.  Her ripped jeans, motorcycle boots, draped vest, and casual t-shirt all add up to a relaxed and easily replicable weekend look. 

Shirt, Vest, Jeans, Boots

Spencer

Spencer’s preppy outfits always require impeccable tailoring.  Her looks are timeless and incorporate a mixture of masculinity and femininity.  A luxe, brown jacket works beautifully with a bird print dress and brown, leather boots.  Add a simple watch to really capture Spencer’s look. 

Jacket, Dress, Watch, Belt, Boots