Monday, September 24, 2012

Week of Chic: Green with Envy

Last week I decided to be inspired by my favorite color green.  Each outfit last week is designed for a business casual workplace which includes a different shade or tint of green.  Below are a few ideas to incorporate different hues of green into your wardrobe.

Monday: Mint sweater
Monday I could slowly feel the cooler, autumn weather approaching, but I wasn’t ready to put away my pastel colors just yet.  Instead, I decided to transition my mint sweater into an outfit that mixes both summer and fall.  I recently bought a pair of navy dress pants and I thought this was a great opportunity to combine navy and mint together.  Since I thought white heightened the mint color and made it pop more, I wore a white tank top underneath and added white kitten heels.  To add more dimension, I wore a navy boyfriend blazer with a teal skinny belt to accentuate my waist.  This outfit transitions well from business casual to casual by just swapping the navy dress pants with a pair of dark-washed skinny jeans and some boats shoes.
 
 
 
Mint sweater (Charlotte Russe); Navy Pants (Gap); Navy Blazer (H&M); Teal belt (TJ Maxx); White kitten heels (Plato's Closet)
 
 
Tuesday: Kelly green café pants
Tuesday I woke up already wanting to wear my kelly green café pants with a top knot.  Since I think a top knot hairstyle gives off a modern edgy look, I decided to build my outfit around that theme.  To enhance the edgy vibe, I wore a leopard mock turtleneck sleeveless top with black western-inspired boots and a skinny black belt.  To keep the look more appropriate for the workplace, just add a black blazer which gives a tailored touch to the ensemble.
 
 
Kelly green pants (Express); Leopard top (Express); Belt (Target); Western-inspired boots (BCBGeneration at Dillards); Earrings (Gift)
 
 
Wednesday: Teal flowy skirt
Wednesday I wore my teal flowy skirt which can be altered for the cooler weather by complementing it with tan suede boots and a lightweight blazer over a purple tee.  I completed the casual chic look with a bracelet with teal, purple, and silver detailing.
 
 
Teal flowy skirt (Walmart); Purple shirt (Plato's Closet); Blazer (Target); Boots (Second-hand store) Bracelet (Kohl's)
 
Thursday: Olive safari shirt
Thursday I started my outfit choice with my new snake printed stilettos as my inspiration.  These heels have a hint of olive green in them so in response I decided to pair the shoes with an olive green two-pocket safari shirt. I wore a simple black bandage pencil skirt and layered a light khaki blazer over the shirt to reflect the colors of black and light tan alluded in the snake-print.  I finished the look with a silver skinny belt at the waist and silver necklace and earrings to imitate the light sheen on the stilettos.  Simple hair and makeup kept the look clean and tailored.  For a more casual look using the olive green shirt, go to Grecian Casual post.


 
Olive green safari shirt (Express on sale); Black power skirt (BCBG Max Azria); Khaki blazer (Target); Silver belt (TJ Maxx); Snake-print Heels (Target)
 

 
Friday: Lime green v-neck sweater
Two things I love about this sweater are that it can be worn with or without the white collar and the fabric makes it appropriate for cooler and warmer weather.  I felt inspired by the 1970’s decade after watching the movie Dazed and Confused.  Since jeans can be worn at my workplace for casual Friday, coincidentally, I paired the sweater with my high-waisted wide legged jeans and threw a big brown belt around my waist.  I coated the look with a pendant peace sign necklace and plum floppy hat as homage to the decade.   
 



Lime green sweater (The Limited); Jeans (Victoria's Secret Catalog); Belt (Borrowed from my mom); Peace Pendant (Forever 21); Floppy Hat (Gordmans)
 

 

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Schoolhouse Rock

This past couple of weeks, many students have been going back to school, rather it be middle school, high school, or college.  I remember this time of the year was not my favorite because it meant the end of summer and the start of homework.  Even though I loathed going back to school, it was an opportunity to see the up and coming fashions being worn and also the beginning of football season!  Below I have concocted three outfits suited for autumn which are collegiate inspired that references both the innocent and rebellious personas.

 
The Rebel with a Fashion Cause

 According to stereotypes from movies, anyone who wore a leather motorcycle jacket to school was considered a rebel.  These people lived by their own rules, especially how they dressed.  As a tribute to the rebels and t-birds of the classic teen movies, I added a black leather jacket to a classic collegiate plaid oxford shirt.  To keep the look rebellious, I stuck with black skinny cigarette pants a là the Pink Ladies of Grease and red stilettos to add a feminine touch.  A topknot keeps the look modern while having a rockabilly vibe.
 
 
Plaid shirt (American Eagle); Black pants (Gap); Leatherette jacket (Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohl's); Red belt (Target); Red Stilletos (Charlotte Russe)
 
The Class President
Displaying a clean, tailored silhouette, this look embodies an authoritative and sophistication woman, who is well-known for her involvement in school.  I paired the classic letterman cardigan sweater with tailored navy trousers.  The red tee and heels adds some youthful freshness to the ensemble, while the long pearls keeps the look conservative and classic.  This outfit would be perfect for a day at a business casual office setting.
 
 
 
Letterman sweater (Forever 21); Navy Trousers (Gap); Red tee (Kohl's); Red Stilletos (Charlotte Russe); Pearls (my Grandma's vintage jewelry)
 
 
The Innocent Bookworm
This outfit is paying homage to my Catholic school roots. Even though we weren’t required to blazers or skirts with knee-high socks, every prep school I have read in books or have seen in movies and on television, references these familiar items.  To recreate the innocent schoolgirl identity, I combined a wool pleated skirt with a cream turtleneck and knee high socks.  Brown oxford shoes, thesignature navy boyfriend blazer, and a headband polish the preppy look while a layered chain necklace gives it an edge.  Although, I’m not in school anymore, this outfit would be great for a day at the library or a café.
 
 
Cream turtleneck (BCBG Max Azria); Navy Blazer (H&M); Wool pleated skirt (Gap); Knee high socks (Target); Oxford shoes (Steve Madden at Dillard's); Chain necklace (a gift)
 
What do you think of these outfits?  Would you wear a collegiate inspired look?  How would you wear this trend?  

 
 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Spring into Fall

When you think of autumn and winter colors, you’re most likely thinking about deep hues, such as maroon, navy, or burnt orange, right?  I think of them too.  But I always feel sad for my pastel and neon/bright colored clothing, because they normally don’t get any loving during the colder months.  Well not anymore!  Every fashionista today knows you can wear white after Labor Day, so why not pastels and neons? There is no rule saying you can’t wear them during autumn and winter, you just need to know how to winterize your outfits with them. Below are different outfits with one item either being a pastel, bright, or neon and how that item can be transitioned from a summer look into a new ensemble for autumn.

Pale Pink Pleated Dress
Summer: My inspiration for this look actually came from my yellow wedges which contains a mauve and pink printed ribbon tied on top of the foot.  With yellow as being my complimentary color with the pale pink, I added a yellow cardigan and belt, and a vintage mauve necklace to keep the look bright and summery.  This outfit would be a great look for work or even a summer date (which is the occasion I wore it for).

Fall/Winter: To transition this look into fall, I paired the pleated dress with one of my favorite neutrals, khaki.  Of course you can pair this dress with black, but I thought khaki would be less harsh for autumn.   In creating this outfit, I was envisioning myself at a Parisian café drinking a latte. The khaki blazer adds some sophistication to the feminine pleated dress.  The oriental scarf, orange belt, and hat add an international flair while the suede boots enrich a cozy appeal.




Pink Pleated Dress(BCBGeneration);Yellow Cardigan(Express); Yellow Belt (TJ Maxx); Necklace (Vintage); Wedges (Charlotte Russe); Blazer (Express-sale); Orange Belt (Target); Orietal Scarf(Vintage); Suede Boots (Thrift Store)   

Neon Green Jeans
Summer: A colored jean is a must have for a fashionista.  Colored jeans can be worn numerous ways just as its normal blue jean cousin.  As a summer look, I went full blown bright with starting with my floral hoop earrings as the starting point.  These earrings have multiple colors, so I decided to choose a coral V-neck tee to compliment the neon green jeans.  Then I added a neon yellow belt to add more brightness.  I toned down the finishing look by wearing white wedges to match the base color in the earrings.  With a top knot as the ultimate hairstyle to show off those colorful earrings, I was ready for a casual date at the ice cream parlor.
Fall/Winter: One way to winterize neon jeans is by pairing it with black.  I chose a black and white striped sweater.  To make the look even cozier, I decided to add my black fur vest and black cowboy boots to embody the edginess of the get-up.  If you don’t want to resort to black, neon green also works well with navy, gray, or khaki as other neutral options.


Coral Tee (Target); Green Neon Jeans (Forever 21); Floral Earrings (Thrift Store); Wedges (Kohl's); Striped Sweater (Plato's Closet); Fur Vest (BCBGeneration); Cowboy Boots (BCBGeneration - Dillards)


Cobalt Blue Wide-Leg Pants

Summer: My inspiration for this outfit came from the bright combination of hues in a candy shop.  With the cobalt blue pants as my base, I decided to pair the color with hot pink with a neon yellow belt and hot pink heels.  What a great way to brighten up your wardrobe at work!

Fall/Winter:  This fall cobalt blue is a color trend this season.  Designers have been combining this color with black, so I decided to follow their lead and choose a sheer black blouse with a floral black belt to add more femininity to the ensemble.  Patent leather stilettos further the luxe romantic theme.



Cobalt Blue Wide-Leg Pants (BCBG Max Azria); Hot Pink button up (Gordmans); Neon yellow belt (TJ Maxx); Pink Heels (Wet Seal); Black Sheer Blouse (Vintage); Black Floral Belt (Wet Seal); Black Heels (Charlotte Russe)  

Mint Sweater
Summer: This past spring and summer, mint green has been a main color trend.  Paying homage to this pale green tint, I mixed the mint mesh sweater with crisp white skinny jeans and a teal skinny belt around the waist.  The white fedora and white kitten heels finished the preppy country club vibe I was visualizing.
Fall/Winter:  Transitioning mint into fall can be simple.  Mint can be paired with black (of course), but also navy, gray, and khaki.  However, I decided to be inspired by a certain ice cream flavor: mint chocolate chip.  I created a more casual look by pairing the mint sweater with chocolate brown corduroy pants and suede boots.  For accessories, a peace pendant necklace and knit hat works well in creating an autumn bohemian look.  Wearing these heavier fabrics, positions mint into a color that could be worn year round.    


 Mint Sweater (Charlotte Russe); White skinny jeans (Kohl's Lauren Conrad Collection); Teal Belt (TJ Maxx); White Kitten Heels (Plato's Closet); White Fedora (Target); Corduroy Pants (Gap); Suede Boots and Hat (Target); Necklace (Heritage)





Wednesday, June 6, 2012

One Red Blazer...Worn Three Ways

This coral red blazer from Express is one of my favorite pieces to wear! A bright pop of color can change any outfit.  Below are three different looks utilizes this one red blazer.


1.    Lunch on the Weekend – The blazer paired with jeans is a great combination for a casual lunch with friends and family.  Basic dark wash boot-but jeans with the jacket keeps the outfit tailored and sophisticated.  Don’t wear a lighter wash jean unless white or lighter colors are worn with it.  If you’re of an older age, please keep the jeans a darker wash because they make you look slimmer and darker jeans are more age appropriate.  Adding a coral necklace and an old gold shimmer top complements the look while keeping it fresh and modern.  Cage wedges and minimal makeup with a pop of a lip color help complete the ensemble.


Gold top (The Limited-sale), Jeans (Express); Wedges (Target); Coral Necklace (BCBG Max Azria)


2.    Polished at the Workplace – One way to wear this blazer for work during the summer months is to keep it simple and pair it with a crisp white oxford button-up.  During the summer, I enjoy wearing lighter colored pants and skirts.  A pair of khaki pants or even a pencil skirt is a great recommendation.  I paired this blazer with a pencil skirt to demonstrate the mixing of feminine elements (the skirt) and masculine characteristics (structured blazer).  I finished the look with white pointed kitten heels, red and white bangles, and a headband to add more feminine flair.


White safari button up (TJ Maxx); Bracelets ( a gift); Kitten heels ( Plato's Closet); Headband (Walgreens)

3.    Night out on the Town – This blazer is definitely a statement piece if worn at night.  I created a summer night out look using this blazer by adding some glitz underneath the blazer.  I love this spring’s art deco trend with embellished tanks, flapper dresses, and smoking jackets.  I incorporated this trend with an embellished tank and flashy chandelier earrings.  I then paired the tank and blazer with white skinny jeans to integrate into summer.  There are many different shoe options that can look great with this outfit, such gold strappy shoes, black wedges, or basic black pumps as I have shown.  Dramatic eyes with gold shimmery eyeshadow and glossy lips complete the look and you’re ready for a fun night!



Embellished tank (Charlotte eRusse); White Jeans (Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohl's); Black Pumps (Kohl's); Earrings ( Kol's); Envelope Clutch (BCBG Max Azria)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is coming up and what better way than to start the summer with a barbeque and the perfect outfit. This casual outfit gets you in the spirit of Memorial Day with red, white, and blue, without looking like a flag. The shirt adds a touch of western americana to a very patriotic look.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Peacock Chic

Dignity and beauty are two characteristics that describe a peacock.  With their colorful feathers of blues and greens, peacock feathers symbolize renewal and immortality according to early Christian beliefs.  I was shopping at Homemakers awhile back and their entrance interior settings displayed many peacock accessories.  This interior design display gave me inspiration for this particular outfit.  I already had a pair of peacock feather earrings, so I decided to start with those as a foundation to my outfit.  Since color-blocking has been a trend this spring, I wanted to integrate blue with green.  I grabbed my kelly green cigarette cropped pants and pair it with a royal blue scrub like top.  I styled my hair in a half-up hair-do to show off the peacock earrings.  I topped off the outfit with a pair of blue flats to keep the look mod.  This outfit became Peacock Chic.


Blue scrub top (BCBG Max Azria); Green cigarette pants (Express); Blue ballet flats (Target); Peacock Earrings (Heritage).







Coral Me Pink

As the weather starts warming up and spring arises, I enjoy wearing bright colors to match my colorful surroundings.  One particular color I enjoy embracing is a coral-pink which has been popular in early spring.  This coralish-pink hue looks great paired with numerous neutrals, such as basic black, brown shades, navy, and white.  It also complements well with turquoise and teal, tangerines and light yellows, as well as sea green and pale green.  For this outfit, my inspiration first started with my coral pink striped sweater.  This sweater has coral pink and tan stripes, so I focused on pairing coral pink with tan.  With spring coming full bloom, I paired this top with my espresso colored capris.  If you like to take risks, this sweater looks great with gold harem pants.  I added gold chandelier earrings to add sophistication to the ensemble.  I paired this outfit with my coral colored strap heels to add some playfulness and harmony with the sweater.  If coral colored heels aren’t your forte, then a comfy pair of nude pumps or even gold ballet flats are great substitutions.

Striped sweater (Express); Capris (BCBG Max Azria); Harem Pants (BCBG Max Azria); Coral  Heels (Rue 21); Gold Bangles/Earrings (Kohl’s); tan/gold ballet flats (Antonio Melani- Dillards)











Grecian Casual

The inspiration for this outfit came from two items: my tan/gold flats and a braided headband.  While looking at these two items, I thought they contained Grecian characteristics from the gold ribboning on the flats to the braid in the headband.  With this outfit I worked my way up from toe to head since I already had chosen the footwear.  To really showcase the flats, I needed to wear dark washed skinny jeans to make the flats pop more. Since this outfit was Grecian/Roman inspired, I started thinking other characteristics of this theme. Then I was inspired by Olympic Games which originated in Greece and winners would receive olive wreaths.  Olive wreaths then inspired me to choose an olive green shirt; I picked a lighter olive green button up shirt.  I added a khaki cardigan to match the khaki color in the braided headband and flats.  For my hair, I decided to wear the braided headband with a loose bun to emphasize the headband.  This look became Grecian Casual.

Green military shirt (Express on sale); Dark wash skinny jeans (Express); Merona khaki cardigan (Target); gold/tan flats (Antonio Melani - Dillards); Braided heaband (Walgreens).







Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Happy May Day!

In the United States, May Day is the holiday where children create May Day baskets filled with flowers and treats and leave the baskets anonymously on a neighbor’s doorsteps.  Even though May Day isn’t a prominent holiday in the United States, it is celebrated as a traditional spring holiday in many cultures.  The tradition of May Day dates back before the birth of Christ.  In some accounts, the Romans worshipped Flora, who was the goddess of flowers, during the month of May.  May Day is popular in England with the tradition of dancing around Maypoles, crowning of a May Queen, and Morris dancing.  In France, couples give their loved ones bouquets of lily of the valley or dog rose flowers.  Another custom referring to May Day is the making of the May garland.  Crafting a May garland symbolizes the coming of summertime.
           
As any other holiday, I enjoy celebrating it in my own way.  Although, I’m not going to be dancing around a Maypole (I think it would be a fun activity to do though!), I’ll celebrate May Day through fashion.  To engage your May Day spirit, here are a couple suggestions:

·    Wear anything floral – floral pants, blouse, dress, or even jacket, but keep the floral colors in pastels, paisley floral prints, or garden flowers, not bold tropical flowers.

·    If floral prints on clothes aren’t your forte, then wear accessories that represent flowers, such as a garland headband or floral printed scarfs which would be great accents with a crochet bohemian dress or shirt.


May Day
Polyvore.com


 



English Cottage
Polyvore.com




Wednesday, April 18, 2012

50's Youth Rebellion

One of my favorite trends this season is the revival of the 1950’s.  Even though the emphasis is more on the ladylike silhouette of that decade, I decided to create an outfit inspired by the 1950’s youth.  Different elements that I pulled inspiration from were pink ladies and t-birds from Grease, and rebel styles from James Dean and Marlon Brando.  I decided to wear my high waisted black capris and white and black stripe tee.  Since denim became more popular in the 50’s, I decided to incorporate denim in my outfit with a denim vest.  For shoes, I wore my basic black converse shoes to stay true with 50’s youth.  I also added my cat-eyed framed sunglasses and big white loop earrings to add feminity to the ensemble.







Items: white/black stripe tee (Express); denim vest and capri pants (BCBGeneration); cat-eye sunglasses (Atomic Gargage); converse shoes.

50's Youth Rebellion
Polyvore.com

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Tribal Sophisticate

I love the transitioning period from one season to the next because you have more clothing options to choose from.  You can still wear heavier fabrics from winter or lighter fabrics to transition into spring.  Before it became spring, I created an outfits that could be appealed to both the winter and spring season.  Below are the items that are added together to present such a look

 
This outfit includes a white safari style button up shirt, a tribal printed skirt, and a navy blazer paired with navy tights and western style boots.  My inspiration for this outfit was a safari, but transitioning it from late winter to early spring.  I first picked out the yellow printed tribal skirt and paired it with a white safari button up shirt.  It was too cold to show off my bare legs so I had to decide which colors of tights to wear. I went with navy because I thought black tights were too harsh with the lighter weight skirt especially since I was going to wear black boots.  I also wanted another color to complement with the yellow on the skirt.  Then I decided to add the navy blazer to make the outfit more tailored.  The look became tribal sophisticate. 







To check out more of my outfits and their inspirations, go to the Outfits & Inspirations page.