Fashion February 5, 2019

Styling My Newest Zara Haul

I have a problem with clothes. I have a huge closet full of them, plus a chest of drawers, plus two more drawers, plus a box of clothes I never wear but am holding onto “just in case.” It’s safe to say I probably don’t need any more, and if I do get anything new, I should probably part with some of my older stuff (I’m looking at you, giant box of clothes I might still maybe need someday for some reason). But I don’t, so here we are!

Whether my desire for new pieces to flesh out my wardrobe is an addiction or a passion isn’t the topic of this article (although, maybe it should be). I’m here to show off my newest selections from Zara, which over the past year has become my favorite place to pick up interesting blouses and dresses at a reasonable price. I picked up this most recent haul during one of their online sales, so it was all at least 50% off the original price, which is pretty much the only way I’ll buy anything from a fast fashion brand, since the pieces lack the quality suggested by their original price tag.

I’ve styled three looks using my latest pieces, all channeling a different vibe. Check out my picks below:

Simple and Polished

When I first ordered this dress, I was really skeptical that it was going to look good on me because they didn’t have the size I needed, so I bought a size up. But man, did that work out because it gives the dress that endearing, oversized fit that I love so much. The ruffled, tweed-esque, grey dress is attached to the crisp, white shirt which looks so chic and makes crafting an outfit so simple! I’ve paired it with a pair of gleaming combat boots and a red lip for just a little bit of edginess, but with a pair of oxfords it’s ready for the office!

Dress: Zara. Boots: Urban Outfitters.

Soft and Flowing

If you’ve been keeping up with this website, then you know I’ve been super into layering lately, which is why this flowing, pastel blue, sleeveless top caught my attention. Not only is it nice and easy breezy like I prefer my clothes and tops, it also makes a great layering piece over long-sleeved white shirts, like the ruffled, high neck one I paired it with here. And layering gives the top high rewearability value because there are so many options for what to do with it! I finished off my playful outfit with a denim mini skirt (that does a great job at highlighting my legs) and some chunky, white, rockstar boots.

Blue Top: Zara. White Blouse: H&M. Denim SKirt: Loft. Boots: Forever21.

Pretty Pinafore

I’m pretty much obsessed with pinafores, or dresses meant to be worn over something else (duh, layering!), so I have to pick them up pretty much anytime I come across one that gets my fashion juices flowing. I loved the long length of this one- it makes me look like the tallest woman in the world!- and the ruffled hem makes it more trendy and interesting. I was even drawn to the mousy brown coloring because it’s so versatile. Paired here with the plaid top and a pair of now suddenly trendy cowboy boots, it looks country, but can easily be dressed up with a slinky blouse and some heels. Because the vibe of it will change depending on what top you wear underneath, the possibilities are basically endless!

Pinafore Dress and Plaid Top: Zara. Boots: Cavender’s.

I hope these outfits gave you a few ideas on how to inject some fun into your wardrobe this week! Keep your eyes peeled for next week’s shoot, which will be themed around that one love holiday that might be coming up soon, so stay tuned!

Runway February 3, 2019

Ronald Van Der Kemp Gifts Us Couture Sportswear Made with Recycled Materials

If you’ve followed my website or Instagram for long, it is probably not surprising to hear that I am a big advocate for sustainability and recycling in fashion- practically half of my wardrobe is thrifted and thrifting is one of my favorite activities. Because of this, I have a bit of cognitive dissonance regarding the fashion industry. I love getting new clothes and seeing all of the creations that designers send down the runway, but I hate the impact that the industry has on the environment because people get new clothes every season and get rid of their other, perfectly good pieces just because they are suddenly no longer en vogue. Enough is enough!

Enter Ronald van der Kemp. His wasn’t a name I became familiar with until, like, last season and I was only drawn to it because Ronald isn’t a name that seems all that ~fashionable~ if you know what I mean. While I enjoyed his designs, they didn’t seem all that special or interesting, and they didn’t spark something in me, because I didn’t know the full story- Ronald van der Kemp is exactly the icon I’ve been looking for because he makes all of his couture creations using recycled and “second choice” materials- adding a layer of impressiveness that made me want to know the story of each and every piece.

This couture season, he created a wholly practical collection starring a plethora of sporty chic looks that will make every Cool Girl want to take note. A few of the most notable looks included an 80s-inspired color block tracksuit that is sure to spark interest in men and women alike, and a delightfully daring BDSM-esque belt bustier paired with a cape and some jeans.

I flipped through the collection before ever knowing about van der Kemp’s knack for transforming secondhand materials and I would have never guessed that this collection was made from the fashion industry’s scraps- including a wedding cape made from an old, embroidered bathtub covering and a floral dress made from leftover lampshade materials. It’s seriously inspiring to see him polish trash into this season’s treasure, even if a good amount of his looks channel a strong, kitschy, 80s vibe, which isn’t exactly everyone’s thing (but I can appreciate it!). It’s safe to say that he’s found a new fan.

Check out a few of my favorite sporty looks from the show below:

Fashion January 31, 2019

Walk the Aisle In Style- Why I Want to Skip the Wedding Dress and Buy Designer

I think every woman must have, at some point during her life, imagined what her wedding might be like someday- a magical ceremony where, dressed in a luscious, gleaming white gown, you march down the aisle toward your forever-sweetie, who eagerly awaits to receive you, tears streaming down their face. This is your stereotypical vision of a wedding, and according to pretty much every facet of western pop culture, your wedding day is supposed to be one of the most blissful, special days of your entire life, which means people pour A TON of money into each little aspect of it- including the dress. I’m talking thousands of dollars here, just tossed at the nearest bridal boutique for a dress that will be worn exactly once (and maybe more if you have a daughter someday and they happen to want to wear your dress on their wedding day).

I used to have a very particular vision for how I wanted my wedding dress to look, which was something out of a fantasy- a ball gown of epic proportions that would make Cinderella swoon at the site of the dramatic, sweeping skirt. I imagined myself all wrapped up in a veil, carrying my flowers in front of me like a corpse in a coffin, all stiff-armed and painfully formal. And I might have been content with that, if I didn’t end up working in the bridal industry, working with bridal collections and staring at bridal dresses from different designers day in and day out- it’s ruined all of my bridal hopes and dreams.

Gucci white wedding dress fashion style bridal designer runway — I love the idea of wearing a unique, designer piece to my wedding (like this dazzling Gucci gown), rather than a traditional wedding dress that has no personality. Source.

All of this to say, if I have learned anything from my current position as an account manager at a company that creates websites that list products for bridal and prom retailers across the world, it’s that all wedding dresses look the same. I’ve become absolutely desensitized to all of the satin and tulle and lace and Mikado silk and beaded embroidery and floral appliques and mermaid silhouettes and A-line skirts and bateau necklines and illusion backs and and and… it’s so tiring, yet equally amazing to me that these designers can all repeatedly create the same overused styles each season and still sell so freaking many! And for so much money- the average bride will spend between $1,300 and $2,00 on the dress for her big day.

Here’s the deal- I made a decision after a straight year of basically injecting all things wedding dress straight into my veins on a daily basis, that for my wedding, I would avoid “wedding” dresses altogether. It just seems to me that since our culture has constructed this narrative around ~being a bride~, women are willing to shovel their cash into buying something just because it has the “wedding” label attached and they get to experience their own As-Seen-On-TV “Yes Moment.” Well, I’m not going to buy into it. Instead, since wedding dresses are so expensive anyways, I decided I’m going to indulge in my love of fashion and just buy a white dress from a designer I love. That way, instead of looking exactly like every other bride out there wearing a dress sanctioned by the bridal industry and marked up to match this arbitrary distinction, I’ll be wearing a unique, designer piece that allows me to show more of my personality. After all, isn’t that what your wedding should be about? Celebrating yourself and your partner and all of the things that made you fall in love with one another in the first place. No “wedding” dress required.

I briefly looked through a few of my favorite sites that carry luxury designer labels and chose my favorite white dresses that I think would work beautifully for any wedding (trust me, I’m an expert!). Check out my picks below:

Products, from left to right in rows:

Row 1:
Valentino, $6,700
Rosie Assoulin, $4,995
Roksanda, $2,475
Row 2:
Emilia Wickstead, $5,775
Alex Perry, $2,542
Peter Do, $2119.23
Row 3:
Fendi, $4,966
Alexander McQueen, $4,218
Rochas, $3,334
Row 4:
Erdem, $4,562
Parlor, $1,540
Alice McCall, $650
Row 5:
Huishan Zhang, $3,107
Gucci, $11,223

Fashion January 25, 2019

For the Love of McQueen

alexander mcqueen couture runway fashion style avante garde — *McQueen at work backstage, 2001. “I want to empower women. I want people to be afraid of the women I dress.” -Lee Alexander McQueen. (Photo by Anne Deniau.)*

If you dug deep enough into any fashion lover’s past you would probably find the one designer that started them on the path to total fashion addiction. Maybe they don’t even realize who it is right away, but if you ask me, I can give a definitive answer almost immediately- Alexander McQueen.

I didn’t always stay up to ungodly hours in the morning clicking through runway show after runway show, saving my favorite looks for inspiration. I also didn’t always voraciously tear through any fashion magazine I could get, looking for material to create elaborate collages to memorialize my favorite trends, models, brands, and editorial photo shoots. I didn’t always construct elaborate fantasies and compelling characters from the simple combination of garments.

I used to just be in love with the idea of clothes and putting them together in ways that made me look good, but everything changed when I discovered McQueen. I started to love the idea of clothing and fashion as an art form, the idea that entire stories can be weaved into every fiber of a piece of clothing. Because of McQueen, the entire world of fashion opened up to me and my mere interest in looking good for school transformed into what I want to spend my life doing.

In my honest and obviously biased opinion, Alexander McQueen is one of the greatest designers of this generation because he went beyond the purpose of fashion, to sell clothing, and made his shows into art exhibitions and works of living, breathing poetry.

As Jaden Trahan, my boyfriend and also an avid fan of McQueen, states, “Alexander McQueen was never like ‘I’m going to sell so many of these dresses made entirely of flowers.’ No. He wanted to bare his soul in that one dress.”

I think what I’ve always loved the most about McQueen’s clothing and his shows is the fact that they tell stories. Each piece sent down the runway clearly has a character in mind and I can’t help but feel transported into a world of fantasy when viewing everything.

“It’s pretty much an objective fact that [McQueen’s] pieces are art,” Jaden said. “His pieces transcend generations and trends. A hundred years from now, people will still think it’s beautiful and that it’s art.”

Jaden and I aren’t the only ones to think that McQueen’s work functioned as art, as many of his works were displayed in an exhibition entitled “Savage Beauty” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 2011.

Of course, being the obsessed fangirl that I am, I HAD to have the book from the exhibition, which Jaden so graciously gifted me. I spent hours flipping through the pages, crying tears of absolute disbelief at how this man transformed fashion from simply the clothes you buy and wear, into masterpieces that held so much meaning. I eagerly showed each image to Jaden, who became an avid McQueen fan overnight.

I was devastated to find out that in 2010, McQueen took his own life. Although he has passed away, his influence and legacy still live on. Sarah Burton, a designer that worked closely with McQueen throughout his career, took on the role of the new head designer and creative director of his line. Throughout the past five years, she has kept the same fantastical romanticism that was present in all of McQueen’s work.

Lee Alexander McQueen and his surviving brand will always hold a spot in my heart as the catalyst that started me on this incredible journey into a passion that I hope to carry for the rest of my life.

I recommend that anyone and everyone should discover some of his work and truly appreciate it as art and not just clothing to be mass produced and marketed the world over. Clothing isn’t just for the practical purpose of wearing- it can be art that tells a compelling story in a way that no other media could, and it’s important to me to help others learn that- so much that it’s one of the central purposes of this site.

Thank you, McQueen- I don’t know what I would do without your gorgeous creations. Rest easy.

Runway January 24, 2019

The Embodiment of Childhood Wonder with Schiaparelli Spring 2019 Couture

Just when I thought I was finally catching up on all of the shows I have yet to see, couture season begins. Gosh darn you, fashion industry! The cycle never ends! But I freaking LOVE couture, because- in my humble opinion- couture is really where fashion shines. It’s not the practical stuff that someone might reasonably wear on a day-to-day basis. It’s the fun stuff that often leaves people not as keen on the art of fashion scratching their heads and asking “who would ever wear that?” (a sentiment that never fails to make me roll my eyes an entire 360 degrees). So here is the first of the couture collection I’ll be covering this season- Schiaparelli Spring 2019.

Usually, I choose the collections I would like to cover based on photos I have already seen of the collection, and while the first look in the collection did appeal to my whimsical sensibilities, what really hooked me was the Vogue review (yes I read these!) which included the quote from Elsa Schiaparelli that the collection was inspired by, and it was so dreamy and sweet, I fell in love with the collection before even seeing the rest of the finely-crafted looks.

Lamenting on how plain she thought she looked as a child, Elsa Schiaparelli had the imaginative idea to plant flowers in her ears and said:

To have a face covered with flowers like a heavenly garland would indeed be a wonderful thing! …
And if she could make flowers spread all over her face she would be the only woman of her kind in the whole world.
ELsa Schiaparelli

fun whimsical couture fashion style girly pastel schiaparelli spring 2019 couture — My favorite look from the collection- so sweet! (Photo: Vogue.com)

So, the collection was inspired by childhood wonder and the magic of nostalgia that makes us long for the days of fairy tales and imaginary friends- displayed in a gorgeous arrangement of dresses fashioned in vibrant colors and embellished with constellations and lush gardens of romantic florals. Everything was soft-edged and fluffy, much like the world of a child should be- adorned in feathers and rendered in rounded silhouettes that accentuate the natural waistline and the curve of the hip.

One of my favorite looks is a matching blazer and shorts combo that features a precious cloud print that looks like it would be at home painted on a the wall of a nursery- perfectly sweet. Another detail I found strangely appealing was the addition of star-spangled cowboy boots that added the right amount of quirk, and almost evoked how a young girl might look if she put her daddy’s boots on.

And, as if to bring home the collection’s childhood sense of freshness and innocence, the final look was worn by an eight-months-pregnant Erin O’Connor, who looked absolutely stunning in the over-the-top, layered tulle dress. I love it, all of it.

Check out my favorite looks from the show below:

All photos from Vogue.com

Runway January 14, 2019

Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2019’s World of Sheer Etheriality

I’ve been absolutely obsessed with layering lately, and not just because it’s winter (though that has at least a little to do with it). Layering lets you reinvent your clothes and outfits in new ways each time you wear them, like adding a turtleneck under a dress, or a sheer, mesh shirt over a worn tee. Adding different layers to a look adds more dimension, substance, texture and style- so, needless to say, I am into any collection that presents me with new layering ideas, which is just what the Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2019 did with a collection that included all kinds of warm-toned, incredibly-wearable looks sprinkled with whimsical, sheer dresses layered over various pieces, all inspired by artist Sonia Delaunay.

Scrolling through this collection, I was absolutely delighted by all of the use made of these dainty, ethereal dresses- layered over briefs with knee socks or knee-high boots, layered over turtlenecks acting as a second skin, layered beneath jackets, adorned with gold and gorgeous, fairy tale-esque embroidery- my inner fashion fiend was practically salivating at all of the different ideas presented in this collection. Not to mention, it was all very romantic with a lot of throwback charm (which directly speaks to my old-fashioned asthetic), but made modern with the sheerness and the styling (isn’t the bare leg just so chic?). And it’s nearly all black, which I don’t usually gravitate towards when it comes to fashion shows, but works really well with all of the warmth and dainty detail of the collection.

I’ve always been a sucker for sweetness and fantasy, so these intangible-yet-tangible, dreamy dresses hit the spot and make me crave a good, sheer dress for my own wardrobe. Check out some of my favorite looks featuring sheer dresses and skirts below:

All photos from Vogue.com, courtesy of Christian Dior.

Fashion January 10, 2019

Outfits to Wear When the World Is Ending (Or Feels Like It Is)

One of my favorite aspects of fashion is the story behind it. After all, it’s a visual art form just like painting or theater. The stories that can be told and the characters created with a simple combination of pieces of clothing is amazing, and it’s so much fun to image who might wear an outfit when I put it together.

The inspiration for this collection of outfits I styled comes from my deep love of sci-fi and dystopian literature. Sometimes we feel like our world is crashing down around us because our lives aren’t going exactly as we planned, which is why it’s fun to escape into universes where the world IS ending, so we don’t feel so bad anymore. Plus, it’s really interesting to see other artists’ and authors’ ideas on what they think the future may have in store.

Check out the outfits I created, which I paired with short stories to get your imagination flowing:

When the World Is Destroyed By 1000 Nuclear Bombs

The world is a wasteland, the air absolutely un-breathable. You walk through the wastes with two outer layers and a scarf to cover the back of your neck so the relentless sun will give your tired skin a break. You don’t have a gun, but your trusty knife always has your back, and a good pair of boots will always take you where you need to go. In the new world, there is no room for luxuries, you take what you need to survive and you do just that.

winter outfit ideas zara nuclear wasteland fashion style

All pieces from Zara: Tweed Jacket With Metallic Thread, Cable Knit Coat, Ribbed Top With Smocking, Pants With Side Stripes, Animal Print, Leather Cowboy Boots, Fringed Soft Scarf, Cat Eye Sunglasses, Matching, Velvet Gloves,Pleated Crossbody Bucket Bag

When You Live In a Perfect World Where Everyone’s the Same

You wake up to the sound of your television screen telling you it is time to do your morning calisthenics. Every morning the same, you take your ration of “vitamins” and wait for the blonde instructor to start her graceful movements. The girl next to you does the same, blonde hair up in a tight bun. The girl next to her is the same. They assign you colors to differentiate you, yours is blush pink. Your necklace keeps track of you and your bracelet bears your name, so you and the other identical girls in your wing can be told apart. You smile until your cheeks hurt, your arms unfurled, ready for the day to begin.

dystopia pastel fashion style futuristic

All pieces from Nordstrom: Gunnar Necklace (Martine Ali),Engravable Linear Friendship Chain Bracelet (Monica Vinader),Halogen Bow Back Ponte Shift Dress, x Atlantic-Pacific Stretch Ponte Dress (Halogen), Ulana Knee High Boot (Marc Fisher), Satin Bow Headband (CARA), Medusa 56mm Shield Sunglasses (Versace)

When the World Is No Longer Habitable, So You’re Travelling the Galaxy to Find a New One

They sent five ships out into the abyss, equipped with enough concentrated rations to last the rest of the crews’ lives. Their only objective was to find somewhere else humans may call home, as Earth is quickly becoming desolate. You dress warmly, carry a gun in the rare case you may find intelligent life that isn’t too fond of you. Your only personal possession you allowed yourself was a bracelet your mother gave you before you left and you never take it off, lest you forget about where you came from. Home.

All pieces from Net-A-Porter: Christian Louboutin Bag Bootie, Cable-knit wool-blend mini dress (Alexander Wang), Paneled embroidered shell-jacquard track pants (Alexander Wang), The Snowbird metallic quilted down ski jacket (Cordova), Studded leather harness (Alexander McQueen), Leather backpack (Proenza Schouler), Star sapphire, diamond and 14-karat gold bracelet (Sydney Evan), Bremen leather and gold-tone choker (Ellery)

It took me a surprising amount of time to style these looks and create the images, but it was also a lot of fun! I really want to keep creating these unique looks with fun stories, so keep an eye out for the next one!

Fashion January 8, 2019

Hot or Not: The 2019 Golden Globes Edition

It’s freaking 2019 people! And that means award season is once again upon us. While I hold the genuine opinion that awards shows are insufferable in general (they bore me), I usually take a cursory glance at the red carpet looks because fashion or whatever, so I figured I would compile a list of my favorite and least favorite styles of the night just for fun!

Red carpet glamour is supposed to be one of those things that the average person gets to see only but a few times a year, which makes it really special and fun to talk about. HOWEVER- now that I work at a company that makes websites for prom and pageant retailers, a lot of the dresses just look like overpriced prom dresses to me, so the red carpet has lost its appeal, to say the least.

But, enough with all that ~negativity~ – without further ado, let’s take a peep at these looks!

HOTS

Lady Gaga in Valentino Haute Couture and Tiffany & Co

Of course, my number one would be Lady Gaga in her incredible, custom periwinkle (there was some talk of lavender or “lunar blue” but P.P. Piccioli confirmed it is, indeed, periwinkle) Valentino Haute Couture gown. Just look at it! And that diamond necklace! The sleeves! The train! There is nothing I don’t love about this, except for maybe the hair. Anyways, Lady Gaga will always win in my heart!

Leslie Bibb in Schiaparelli

I love this look because it’s so simple- the straight hair styled with the neutral makeup pairs perfectly with the nude, tulle dress with black lace foliage cascading gracefully down. I would wear this to prom if my prom didn’t happen like five years ago!

leslie bibb schiaparelli golden globes red carpet 2019

Allison Janney in Christian Siriano and Roger Vivier

This dress makes Allison Janney look incredible! I love the sleeves and the classicly-draped neckline. She looks like an old Hollywood starlet, but the fresh blue makes it modern.

Allison Janney Christian Siriano and Roger Vivier golden globes 2019 red carpet

Gemma Chan in Valentino and Christian Louboutin

There is something so refreshing and appealing about this bright red lip paired with the rich, deep blue and luxuriously-draped dress paired with shorts under the skirt. She must have been a little chilly though!

Gemma Chan Wearing Valentino and Christian Louboutin golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Lucy Boynton in Celine

All that glitters IS gold in this chic look. I think my favorite part is her piecey, platinum bob with that crisp center part. As someone who recently joined the bob club, this look is major inspiration for sure!null

Lucy Boynton Wearing Celine golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

Sleek, sleek, sleek! Saoirse shimmers in a silver gown from one of my faves. It’s not surprising that she’s on my hot list, though. She always manages to look great at every occasion! null

Saoirse Ronan Wearing Gucci golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Indya Moore in Louis Vuitton

This dress is going galactic with its space-age inspiration and styled with the bod, red lip, everything pops! I love seeing stars choose looks that are a little more unconventional for their red carpet struts, and this look definitely has an interesting story to tell!

Laura Dern in Valentino

I’ve already written about how much I like the Valentino Pre-Fall 2019 collection, so I won’t bore you with the details. The red is just so crisp and cutting, and I love the texture of the skirt and sleeves- it’s so decadent that my eyes are lucky they don’t gain 10 pounds just by glancing at it!

Laura Dern Wearing Valentino golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Judy Greer in Alberta Ferretti

This look is my entire 2019 mood- power, power, power! I love the proportions of the jacket paired with the pants. It’s definitely a fashionable take on a menswear staple and she looks incredible!

Judy Greer Wearing Alberta Ferretti golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Cody Fern in Maison Margiela

What can be said about Cody Fern that hasn’t already been stated by pretty much everyone else in the world? These are the kinds of champions we need in men’s fashion today. He dismantled the old expectations of the suit with high-waisted pants and a shirt with sheer panels to show some skin. And that hair? Simply fabulous.

cody fern maison margiela golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

NOTS

Amber Heard in Monique Lhuillier

Nothing against Amber Heard, this dress just goes down to such an awkward place and squishes her boobs up in such an unflattering way. Her smile looks gorgeous though!

Amber Heard Wearing Monique Lhuillier golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Lili Reinhart in Khyeli and Christian Louboutin

As I said in my intro, I’m not too fond of dresses that look like prom dresses to me, so this poofy, tulle gown just didn’t strike my fancy. I do like the color, though!

Lili Reinhart Wearing Khyeli and Christian Louboutin golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Marin Hinkle

I don’t mean to sound rude, but there’s really nothing to like about this dress. The green seems a bit out of place and the gown itself lays in such a way that it looks poorly constructed. But her hair looks amazing!

Julianne Moore in Givenchy Haute Couture and Chopard

I freaking love Julianne Moore but this dress looks a bit matronly, especially in the way it fits in such an unflattering way. I do think she looks great in white though, to contrast her vibrant hair!

Julianne Moore Wearing Givenchy Haute Couture and Chopard

Julia Roberts in Stella McCartney and Chopard

Apparently a lot of people liked this look, and that’s all well and good. At the end of the day, I just found it bland, and it didn’t look like something special enough to wear on the red carpet.

Julia Roberts Wearing Stella McCartney and Chopard golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Okay, hear me out. I adore Emma Stone and this look definitely isn’t bad, I just had some qualms with it. It seems like it doesn’t fit her well enough because it’s hanging loosely like a night gown, making it look cheaper than it is. That’s pretty much my only issue though, I love the color and the shimmering embellishments!

Emma Stone Wearing Louis Vuitton golden globes 2019 red carpet fashion

Well, I think that rounds out my list! Is the concept of having “Nots” too mean spirited? I can’t decide. I try to be constructive only in my criticism of the looks and would never attack a woman or her body, only the clothes! Until the next award show, this is Anna signing off!

Runway December 31, 2018

Boho Marries Prep in Chloé Pre-Fall 2019

chloe pre-fall 2019 preppy boho 70s fashion runway — I love the way this collection layered classic, preppy pieces like a sweater vest, over flowing, boho styles, creating titillating combinations that delight the senses. (Photo: Vogue.com)

There are few things I love more in fashion than seeing two styles that are usually kept in separate realms or genres of clothing come together to form something altogether unexpected and incredibly satisfying to view. The Chloé Pre-Fall 2019 collection not only struck me with all of its crisp, gorgeous, 70s-inspired pieces that match my aesthetic perfectly, but also in the way that it so naturally paired prim, preppy charm with free-flowing, breezy boho beauty.

While the flowing, print-laden styles synonymous with bohemian fashion have never really piqued my interest, this collection made me realize that there is so much more you can do with it, like pair a flowing, printed dress with a structured blazer, or throw on a lush, velvet dress over a clean white blouse and slacks duo. There is so much playfulness and freedom in these combinations- including the rich juxtapositions of deep colors and lively prints- that it excites and delights the senses.

The details of these outfits weren’t lost on me, either. The tiny, box bags have so much charm paired with the snakeskin block-heel boots and fluttering neck bows. Some of my favorite looks included high-necked lace collars that may have enticed Shakespeare himself, which is what caught my attention in the first place.

Everything about this collection screams “eclectic,” which is exactly what we’re all about- new and exciting marriages of styles, thoughts, ideas, art forms- there is no limit to what we can create and I appreciate that this collection reminded me of that.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos from Chloé via Vogue.com

Fashion December 18, 2018

Winter Style Is Like an Onion – It Has Layers

If you’re living in the Northern Hemisphere at least one thing is probably obvious to you: It’s December and that means it’s winter around these parts and even if you live in a hot and steamy locale like lovely Texas, and winter might not be as cold as your mental image of a white winter, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get just a little chilly occasionally (think- those days where you walk outside and you don’t instantly start sweating). And when it’s chilly, layers become an integral part of your style choices because they give you the option to add or subtract warmth as you go, which can be very convenient if you traverse in and out of doors with frequency.

I happen to love fall and winter fashion precisely because of the layering. The more layers, the more possibilities- and one of my favorite things to do is figure out ways to wear my clothes that I’ve never thought of before. I put together a few outfits that make creative use of layering to celebrate the colder weather. Check out my creations below:

Velvet and Faux Fur: A Match Made In Heaven

Velvet is one of the most indulgent materials of the winter season and it pairs so well with the shabby-chic vibe of my thrifted, faux fur jacket. Plus, I layered a sheer, high-collared shirt underneath for an extra layer of detail that really made this fancy look pop.

Festive (?) Black

Are you questioning whether or not black can be festive? This is an interesting question, one that perhaps deserves a separate discussion. For now, check out the way I layered this flowing velvet/satin shirt over a high-collared, vintage Victorian shirt which I thrifted in high school to play an 1800s rich woman on the go at our annual art gallery event. A red plaid jacket, some glittery sock boots and a gold key pin worn directly over the heart finish off this otherwise understated look with festive flair.

Sexier-Than-Normal Librarian

When I first styled this outfit, I was really skeptical that it would actually look good, and to be honest, the jury is still out. I paired my long, thrifted plaid, pleated skirt (honestly a dream find that has been rotting in my closet since high school before I rediscovered it) with a velvet mock-neck top and a funky loose-knit blouse. Some dangling tassel earrings were the finishing touch. Perhaps the best part of the outfit are these cute little block heels- they remind me so much of Barbie shoes that they never fail to make me smile!

Bombshell Ingenue Looking For Love

Honestly, I might have saved the best for last. Just look at how cute this ruffled, green dress is layered over a mock-neck, short-sleeve sweater. And with a black peacoat on top, I look like I belong in a romance novel, searching for love during the loneliest season of the year. Of course I added a white rose to the look, just to drum up drama. Why not?

If you liked these outfits, thanks! I appreciate it! If they’re not your thing, that’s totally fine because most of the fun of fashion is having different perspectives and learning and collaborating with each other! Stay tuned for even more styled shoots in the near future!