mismatched bridesmaids part four

I really like the idea of printed bridesmaid dresses. I think, even if everyone is wearing the same dress, prints have a way of making the look slightly less traditional. Take that one step further, and put all maids in a different print for a real departure from taffeta and dyed-to-match shoes. That being said, I did make all the accessories for this look the same color because with different prints and different colored dresses, different colored necklaces and shoes just became a lot to orchestrate! I did include one additional through-line for the look: a fun pair of purple stud earrings for a contrast pop of non-sunset color. 

(l to r): 1. polka dot dress, necklace, slingbacks
2. ruffled neckline mini, necklace, peep toes
3. cap sleeved dress, necklace, fringed sandals
4. ruffled neckline midi, necklace, almond toe pump
5. double dot dress, necklace, wedge sandals
earrings

Average outfit total: $171.37

dressed down sequins

As someone who always buys too many sparkly things for the holidays, I really love the trend of dressed down sequins for every day wear. This skirt from Asos is only 23 bucks! AND it doesn't look like a tarty tube top (some of the inexpensive ones do). Another thing I love is layering, which is obviously all over this site. This particular set of layers is a little more realistic for me personally because it features a sleeveless collared button down with a tshirt over it. I'd love to be able to layer shirts-under-sweaters-under-jackets-under-etc, but I have a little body mass of my own, and sometimes  that just looks bulky. This gives the look of layers without adding much heft (and it's cooler for spring, as well). Taking it out of the silver/black/brown neutral world, I've added some pops of purple and blue to finish off this casual sequined look. 

sleeveless chambray shirt, polka dot boat neck tshirt, sequined skirt, necklace, bangles, flats

Outfit total: $122.12

lace and stones

I like the juxtaposition of textures when putting a look together. The soft chiffon and lace with a leather crocheted belt and lots of stone jewelry create a balance and keep this from looking like a wedding dress. Light colors are paired with bold accessory colors. And speaking of color, this marks my last post where I accessorize with coral and turquoise jewelry. They are my favorite colors, and apparently I use them as accent colors a LOT. I can't promise how long the strike will last, but I'm going to try to explore new jewelry colors! (See how I put those yellow and pink bangles in there? Working on it ;) 

lace tshirt, chiffon skirt, leather crochet belt, necklace, sandals, turquoise bangles, coral bangles, multicolor bangles

Outfit total: $139.99

goin' dotty

I've been working on a project this week, and the client wants bright colors and kicky prints. Since it's spring, those things are everywhere-- but there is a catch. The clothes are promoting a diet product, and so everything has to be body-conscious. I found so many cute floaty tops and flowy skirts that just wouldn't do. These two polka dot looks are inspired by combinations that the client wouldn't have wanted. It's my outlet! The mini skirt is tight, but paired with a boyfriend t and blazer for a looser look on top. For the other, the proportions are flipped: tight sweater on top, flowy pleated skirt on bottom. 

(l) boyfriend t, jersey blazer, mini skirt, sandals, pink necklace, black necklace
(r) tank, open knit sweater, pleated skirt, pumps, green necklace, gold necklace

Left outfit total: $139.44

Right outfit total: $82.95

menswear: a little bit of prep

I may be turning over a new leaf when it comes to men's short sleeved shirts. I mean look at those little gingham cuffs! Cute. Cool. Whatever dudes want to be called. These are all great pieces to add to a man's repertoire. They might be a bit more fashion forward than some clothes in an average guy's closet, but nothing so crazy that he couldn't get on board with some new, slightly preppy duds. Crisp cuffed shorts, dark denim, a color blocked sweater, my new favorite short sleeved shirt, and these huaraches-meet-sneakers make great spring/summer staples. 

sweater, shorts, jeans, button down shirt, sneakers

Outfit 1 total: $178.11 (half of this is those 90 dollar shoes)

Outfit 2 total: $165.85 (half of this is those 90 dollar shoes)

j.crew copycat

photo via J. Crew

I needed to do this post before it gets too hot to style sweaters. I've seen this photo repinned over and over on Pinterest, which is why I'm copying it now, and not from the 2011 J. Crew Christmas catalog from which it came. Meaning, you can't exactly buy these pieces at J.Crew right now, so copying is all you have. (Sorry guys, I'll try to be more on top of my copy-catting in the future). The crew neck sweater and collared shirt combo might not be your thing, but suddenly when it's all in the same color family, it gets cool. And bright and funky! Well, as funky as sweaters, jeans and brogues can be, I guess. The best part is, the whole knockoff look costs about as much as the necklace alone off J.Crew's site. It is a really cool necklace though... 

sweater, collared shirt, jeans, brogues, necklace, earrings

Outfit total: $144.28

menswear: 2 ways to wear stripes

Asos* is having a sale right now, and among their hundreds of sale items are these two cool striped tshirts. I like these, not only because they make me think of sailors and France, but also because you can pair solid pants and minimal accessories and still come out with a fashionable, current look. On the left is a more traditional approach with tan chinos, and the right is a little saucier with a wraparound watch and skinny burgundy cords. 

grey stripe shirt, chinos, grey sneakers, canvas strap watch
navy stripe shirt, burgundy corduroys, navy chukka boots, wrap around watch

Grey outfit total: $141.76     

Navy outfit total: $158.16

*All items except the chinos are a part of Asos's sale. All the chinos I saw on Asos's site have this weird drop crotch I haven't been able to get on board with. 

spring strip-down: menswear edition

A friend of mine was telling me recently that he felt like a much sharper dresser in fall and winter than he did in spring and summer. I told him that I thought that was true for most guys: I love a man in layers, and the warmer it gets, the more difficult it is to layer. Truthfully, I don't even really like it when guys wear short sleeved shirts. I realize this is crazy, and also that there have to be some nice short sleeve options out there. One solution I've found is cuffing the sleeves. It changes the proportion of the sleeves, so no one has to look like Dwight Schrute as the weather warms. Top off navy chinos with a grey belt and canvas desert boots for a versatile spring look. 

plaid shirt, chinos, jacket, belt, desert boots, scarf

Outfit total: $149.76

strike a cord

This outfit combines two of my favorite things: high waisted pants and shirts with bows on them. High waisted corduroys are great because you throw them on just like you would jeans, but they add more texture, color, and polish to a look. I think that's why I like these shirts with the neck-scarf-bow as well.  They have a built-it primness: you put on what is essentially a tank top, but add a bow, and suddenly you're office ready. Dusty pinks with brown leather and mint jewelry make an easy but effective professional look. 

blouse, corduroy pants, blazer, earrings, bracelets, belt, wedges

Outfit total: $157.38

spring ikat

I love a good biker jacket, and I really like when they come in colors besides the traditional black. I saw this mustard one, and immediately thought of this ikat tank, which is full of similarly subdued, yet saturated colors. Paired with cobalt jeans and patterned sandals, this combo is a great springtime look. Especially when you're feeling springy, but it's just not warm enough for shorts yet.

jacket, tank top, jeans, sandals, necklace, stud earrings

Outfit total: $193.29 (I decided I'd make myself do a little math, in case anyone is ever looking to buy the whole shebang)    

mismatched bridesmaids part three

I threw my bridesmaid guidelines out the window and went instead and dressed these bridesmaids like a girl band. I think it's because a couple of these dresses remind me of the early days of The Supremes. The idea, essentially, is just variations on a theme. Sequined bodices and flowy skirts, metallics and beiges. The main thing I tried to do was keep a similar amount of sequins on each dress, regardless of color. I tried to keep the shoes neutral, but coordinated with each respective dress. With this much glitz going on, I didn't pick any jewelry, but a unified pair of earrings might tie this whole group together, if forgoing jewelry for chest glitz doesn't do it for you.

Dresses (l to r): one shoulder, tiered ruffles, midi length, taupe skirt, green bodice
Pumps (1 to r): gold, platform, ankle strap, platinum, blush

spring strip-down

I remember, growing up in the Midwest, the first moderately warm day of spring every kid would try to wear shorts to school. We were usually covered in goosebumps until the glorious sun would come out and warm things up in the afternoon, and then it was all worth it. I feel like every day in Los Angeles is kind of like that, and I swear that's why the whole Uggs+miniskirts combo became a fad: Uggs warm you for the cold morning, the miniskirt cools you off for the afternoon. It's a splitting-the-difference kind of combo. 

Layering is key. I find that if my feet are warm, the rest of me can handle the cool weather. I usually pair boots with a skirt, and then pile the rest of the layers on top. I have a cool option (a tank top), with a medium weight (chambray shirt) with a chunky sweater on top. Add a scarf, and I'm all bundled up for the morning. Then you can just remove layers as the day goes on! (Or if you are like me, you will continue to add and remove layers over and over throughout the day based on a cold front or a hot flash). 

tank, skirt, chambray shirt, cardigan, belt, boots, scarf, necklace

shirt discovery!

This smug and/or wistful lady is modeling one of Mossimo's flutter sleeve tops you can find in a variety of cute prints at Target. I have the black and white striped one, and I already had big plans for it as a normal flutter-sleever. Then today when I put it on, one of the sleeves was flipped up over my shoulder, and I liked it, so I flipped up the other. It was almost Edwardian. I tucked it into a high waisted skirt and belted it to hold those sleeves in place at my waist, and voilà! A whole new shirt:

this is why I can't have one of those personal style blogs with pictures of me every day.
I'm either too squirmy (1) or too stiff (r)

photos of Downton Abbey from Green House of Fashion

See what I mean about Edwardian, a little? Obviously not the short floral skirt, but we're talking about the shirt. Fine, maybe I'll just do a full on Downton Abbey-inspired post. Like everyone who has ever had a style blog. (But seriously, I probably will). 

skivvies

This is a fairly unglamorous post to begin with, and then I went and gave the models alien skin. But, as the weather gets warmer, these little shorties will be your best friend. I love wearing skirts and dresses in the summer, but I hate the feeling of my thighs touching each other (and I do maintain that my thighs would still touch if I did that workout that's all over Pinterest, so please don't send it to me :) My solution is the same as the one we used to hide our undies on the playground: shorts under skirts! 

A few of these are legit "tap pants": the loose-fitting woman's undergarment of a style similar to shorts formerly worn for tap dancing. The black ones in particular look like the skivvies of a flapper, which, obviously, is great. Tap pants are my undershort of choice because they feel the most like you are just wearing a little slip under your dress, but with that merciful extra panel. Little sleep shorts and lacy biker shorts are other good solutions, just depending on your preference, and length of your skirt. Here are a few of my favorites.

grey, grey with lace trim, stripes
nude, flowers, black with lace

dressed up sweats

This post is inspired by my cousin, Emmy, who recently gave birth to the cutest child I have ever seen. Emmy has always been beautiful, fit, and fashionable, and being a new mom isn't going to change that. I thought of her when I saw these J. Crew sweatpants which are described as a "high-low mash-up... [crossing] a drawstring sweatpant with a trouser silhouette." Trousers that feel like sweats? Sold. I rode with this theme of comfy-cute: something a new mom could wear and feel good, but still be comfortable enough to have a baby on the hip and not worry too much about spit up. A high-low hemmed, slouchy sweatshirt leaves room for a stomach without being a tent. The flats add a little sophistication, and the wrap around watch represents as the only piece of jewelry (much harder for a baby to pull on than earrings). A hair scarf serves both to cover up bed head and add a little more color to the look. Top it all off with a quilted diaper bag, androgynous enough that Pops can carry it too while Mom is twirling around in her new trouser sweats.

sweatshirt, sweatpants, hair scarf, diaper bag, flats, watch

mismatched bridesmaids part two

For blogger's block, I wanted to have a styling challenge I could always come back to. I've decided to revisit my coordinated bridesmaid guidelines (it probably won't be the last time :) First blue chiffon, now sunset colored laces. The textures are varied-- a different lace for each lady-- but they are grounded in similar colors and accessories. I've kept the bracelets and earrings simple to avoid competing with the lace details each of these dresses has. Finally, I had to take advantage of all these  kicky coral and beige shoes on the market, though simpler gold shoes would also finish the look nicely. 

bangles, earrings
dresses (left to right): tank dress, cap sleeve dress, short sleeved dress,
long sleeved dress, short sleeved sweetheart dress
shoes (left to right): wedge sandal, heeled sandal, platform t-strap, slingback, wedges

music festival staples

Coachella is just days away, and the rest of the summer's music festivals aren't far behind. Here are a few items to beat the heat and battle the elements of outdoor concerting: 

fedora, white tank, feather necklace, chambray shirt,
maxi dress, lime green scarf, black and brown sandals,
black sneakers, sunglasses, lime culottes, floral dress,
white polka dot dress, grey scarf, duster cardigan,
brown and white bikini, pink bustier bikini,
grey tshirt, grey culottes

• A fedora or other lightweight hat to shield face, prevent scalp and ear sunburn, and cover up unwashed hair.
• A trusty pair of sunglasses. Or a few. I tend to lose/break mine, so I stick with the cheap kind. No one wants to hear you fussing about your expensive shades getting lost in foot traffic.
• Flowy tanks and tshirts that can be layered over swim suits, paired with skorts. 
• Yes, I said skorts! You thought you left these skirt-short combos on the grade school playground, but they are perfect for a sweltering day when you are still trying to look cute. The two below look like breezy little skirts, but with that added shorts panel to keep your thighs from touching. (I know there are plenty of ladies at these things whose thighs don't touch, but the rest of you will be thankful). 
• A button down chambray shirt to throw over everything when your shoulders start to burn a little, or when the sun goes down and the temperature drops.
• Scarves to tie in your hair or around your neck to shield your chest from the sun. Also soak one in water and have a fashionable little cooler around your neck. 
• Both sandals and sneakers to rotate if you start to get blisters. Sandals fasten around ankle so you won't lose a shoe in the mud, sneakers are black since they'll probably end up pretty muddy too. 
• A couple of cotton dresses. You'll be happy you left the polyester at home for some breathable pieces that make getting dressed a one-step process. 
• A variety of swim suits. Since these will often serve as your underwear for the day, have a rotation of bikinis (easier for port-a-potties) to wear. Different necklines and silhouettes can help ease the pain of a strap over a sunburned spot too.  
• A maxi dress for a more-coverage option. Can be tied up in the front to keep it from dragging and to have a little more breeze around the knees. 
• A cardigan. I love this waterfall cardigan duster because you can belt it closed and wear it like a dress, wear it open as a swim suit cover-up, and wear it over everything else you brought. It is cozy, flowy, and breezy all at the same time! 

prom inspiration

April is what my friends in high school called "Magda Season." It was when high school girls started tanning so much that some resembled There's Something About Mary's compulsive sunbather, Magda. All in preparation for prom. Yikes. Feeling nostalgic, I went browsing websites' juniors departments to see what kind of prom dresses were on the market. I encountered another "yikes," and decided I might have a little more fun playing prom at Rent the Runway. Rent the Runway is a little out of my price range for regular events, but for formalwear, their model makes sense: rather than spend a couple hundred dollars on a gown you will wear once or twice, pay as little as seventy-five dollars to rent a designer gown instead.  Inspired by fashion icons real and fictional, Bianca Jagger and Jessica Rabbit*, respectively, here are a few prom looks that will keep you out of "yikes" territory. 

dark gold one strap dress, black earrings, black bangle, black sandals
gold one sleeve dress, coral earrings, gold turquoise bangle, coral slingbacks 

Jessica Rabbit by Diane Özdamar
black sequined dress, necklace and earrings, pumps
magenta satin dress, necklace, slingbacks

* I'm not sure anyone should really wear purple opera length gloves anywhere but a costume party, but I overcompensated with LOTS of other purple accessories. 

strategic halloween shopping

I don't really like Halloween (so much so that I have to talk about it in April...) I feel like most costume designers are either really into it, or really aren't. I fall in the latter category, and had been able to lie low in recent years until I started dating my boyfriend. His birthday is Halloween weekend, and inevitably someone throws a costumey birthday party for him. So I came up with a strategy to enjoy dressing up. For every costume I have to wear, I get to buy one piece of clothing that I would want to wear in a non-costume setting. This year, I bought a safari jacket to go as Jane Winslett-Richardson from The Life Aquatic. And I have worn the crap out of that thing. It creates a laid-back feel when worn over a dress and works as a versatile neutral with prints and bold colors. Who knew Halloween shopping could be so practical?

"Where'd you come from? You look pregnant"

safari shirt-jacket
shirt, jeans, toms, necklace
dress, necklace, sandals

business class

My day to day outfits for work have to be flexible enough that I can carry boxes and loads of shopping bags, be on my hands and knees pinning hems, or stand on a table to reach a high shelf-ful of hangers. Costuming is GLAMOROUS. It's not that you have to dress in sweatpants every day, but you don't want to ruin a lovely silk shirt snagging it on a work table. Which is why I am jealous of people who can work in offices and wear pretty little Peter Pan collar blouses and dramatic trousers and heels. This is my alter-ego-office-attire-professor outfit. Wearing a prim collared blouse and very tall shoes lets college kids know you aren't one of them, even if maybe you look like you could be...

blouse, pants, belt, wedges, earrings, bracelet

pebbles

I was really into the Flintstones as a kid. I think I've always liked a good animal print. This dress is appealing to me because it isn't a full-on Kelly Bundy leopard print. It is a small scale, Pebbles Flintstone kind of vibe. This hammered metal necklace reminds me of something Betty or Wilma would wear, and adds a nice pop of color to the browns and blacks of the leather jacket and boots. The ring and beaded bracelets keep this from being too costume-y, although if Pebbles is your thing too, you can finish off this look with a topknot. 

dress, jacket, boots, necklace, ring, bracelets

mismatched bridesmaids

I really like the trend in the past few years of having a variety of dress styles for bridesmaids. I am of the opinion that you love your friends for different reasons, and the more individuality they get to retain, the better. 

First look: dress, necklace, belt, peep toes
Second look: dress, earrings, belt, pumps
Third look: dress, peter pan collar, belt, sandals
Fourth look: dress, earrings, belt, wedges

If you try this approach, a few guidelines can be helpful:

• Pick a color range you like. If you are letting bridesmaids pick their own dresses (and forgoing actual bridesmaid dress companies), the probability that you are going to pick one color blue and everyone will find that color is low. Think more in terms of a paint color sample card. It usually has 4 to 5 similar shades of the same hue, and those colors tend to go well together. 
• Choose a fabric for all dresses. This approach can obviously work with a combination of fabrics, but one texture (in the case above, I chose chiffon), can make this mix-and-match idea a little more unified. 
• Stick to one accent color. Whether you go with a metallic or some bright pop of color, a single accent color can pull the variety of dress colors together. 
• Have a comparable amount of accessories on each bridesmaid. Maybe you love that your friend Suzy wears an armful of bangles all the time. Balance that out by making sure other friends are wearing a similar amount of bling (perhaps a statement necklace or earrings). A costume designer once told me that if you squint, and everything doesn't blur together, the item that isn't blurring will pull focus. 

This can be a tricky balance to strike, but it is a really nice, unique look if you have the time and patience (or just really trust your friends to take care of it). Another reward-- all of these dresses are under $100. Your bridesmaids will thank you for that.