Runway Rundown: Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection!


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As if gawking at runways for Lanvin, Giorgio Armani, & Dolce & Gabbana wasn’t fabulous enough, I’ve decided that I just have to add one more to Runway Rundown & that would be the 70s, boho chic-inspired Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection from Yves Saint Laurent. I love the layers of blousy tops with flowy vests, mixes of wide leg & skinny pants, maxi skirts, & menswear blazers.  The line reminds me very much of Rachel Zoe‘s debut collection, Nicole Richie‘s style empire, & the occasional Jennifer Lopez throwback red carpet appearance.  Which looks are your favorite? Are you following the trends this fall? Which designers are you keep tracking of this season? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Chloe’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection!


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Everyday I’m checking out my newsfeed on Facebook & Elle keeps adding links to their latest runway galleries & it’s driving me crazy b/c I’m super excited about sharing those images with readers.  The latest that I’m adding to the slew of catwalk stills in Runway Rundown is the Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection from Chloé as seen during Fashion Week in Paris.  The collection includes ladylike pieces with ruffles, skirts, layers, & lush, feminine fabrics.  I’m eager to see the likes of newlyweds Anne Hathaway & Natalie Portman, as well as Rachel McAdams & Zoe Saldana in looks from this collection.  Which looks are your favorites from the collection? Happy Styling!

Fabulous In 4 Ways: A Metallic Faux Leather Pencil Skirt For The Ages From New York & Company!


I was so excited in August to share one of my newest categories, Fabulous in 4 Ways, especially since the debut post was dedicated to my good friend Laurie, as inspired by her fabulous lace-up knee boots from Victoria’s Secret!  Now, I’m talking about faux leather & pencil skirts, but before we dive into the outfits, I turned to some of my favorite celebrities to get some inspiration in how I would style such a classy & modern take on the figure flattering piece.

Kate Bosworth rocks a Proenza Schouler leather-trimmed pencil skirt at the brand’s New York boutique opening with a relaxed white blouse & strappy sandals.  The First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a high-waist pencil skirt in navy with a cropped cardigan & purple top, while visiting a Wisconsin school.  Mad Men bombshell Christina Hendricks mixes her old school glamour with a Dolce & Gabbana blouse, red clutch, & classic black pencil skirt.

Total Recall star Kate Beckinsale plays with colorblocking with a chic H&M tank, Diane von Furstenberg turquoise skirt, & spiked neutral pumps.  Rashida Jones is polished & professional with a touch of menswear while making an appearance on Good Morning America, wearing a printed button down shirt & white pencil skirt.  Aussie starlet Cate Blanchett showed her support for Givenchy in a head-to-toe look with Roger Vivier heels.

Also, at Fashion Week for the upcoming Spring-Summer 2013 runway collections, the pencil silhouette was everywhere, as seen in Runway Rundown posts, including Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, & Oscar de la Renta.  Also, these pieces were shared by more fabulous designers like Nina Ricci, Tadashi Shoji, & Salvatore Ferragamo!

To recreate a pencil skirt look, I’ve selected the faux leather bronze pencil skirt ($59.95) in metallic bronze from New York & Company, which challenged me to find a way to wear this for work, day, date, & cocktail occasions.  If you want to get the most out of your wardrobe for the office, check out the zippered contrast sweater ($24.80) in black from Forever 21 with the short tab sleeves top ($24.80) in teal available @Windsor Store.  The colorblocking & relaxed details tone down the metallic texture of the skirt, especially when paired with Express‘ diamond texture body shaping full tights ($22.90) & suede cap toe chunky heels ($21.50) in black from GOjane.

The look to the right (above) is fun for a day with the girls or feeling like mixing it up because of the contrasting details in Lord & Taylor‘s CK JEANS cable-front cotton cardigan ($29.99) in black over the tab-sleeve plaid-chiffon shirts ($29.94) in black combo from Old Navy.  Of course affordable pieces like these can be reworked with skinny jeans or leggings & chunky accessories.  @Payless, I’ve found the Dexflex Maye strappy boot ($59.99) in black & Minicci micro fiber tights ($6.99) in burgundy to add some extra dimension while playing with trends this fall.

Depending on where you’re headed for a date, this kind of pencil skirt is perfect for an elegant & upscale look, without breaking the bank.  I’ve chosen pieces with luxe details to put this look together, including the Jennifer Lopez pleated mesh overlay tank ($19.80) in tuffet from Kohl’s & glitter lace almond tow pump ($38.50) in champagne from Charlotte Russe.  To complete the ladylike feel, I’ve added the round stone drop earrings ($13.60) @Cache & The Limited‘s zip around wallet ($29.90).

Don’t forget that pencil skirts are perfect for building a sexy cocktail look. Of course, a dress will save you lots of time, but to get the most out of your wardrobe, why not play with separates in unexpected ways with the snake-print tiered bustier ($88.00) in amethyst from White House Black Market, paired with the Emma WP platform pump ($39.99) from Bakers Shoes.  Also, I love Forever 21‘s looped drop earrings ($7.80), which look red carpet ready, especially with the Mossimo basket weave print clutch ($16.99) in black & white @Target.

How would you wear this pencil skirt? Are you following the metallics trend? What are your favorite work, day, date, & cocktail looks? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Lanvin’s Spring-Summer 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From Paris Fashion Week!


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When it comes to fashion, you have to talk about Paris & Paris Fashion Week has been making headlines.  In my continuous series of gallery posts for Runway Rundown, I just had to include the looks from Lanvin‘s Spring-Summer 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection, which includes raven black tones, luxurious neutrals, & rich jewel hues that are perfect for transitioning from season-to-season.  Lanvin has always been known for its structure & blend of cocktail & evening attire.  With the red carpets unfurling for the upcoming shower of awards for film & television, surely the likes of Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Blake Lively, & Jennifer Lopez will don these frocks with their own personal twist.

Which designers are your favorites during fashion week? Which shows are you still talking about? Which are your favorite looks? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Giorgio Armani’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From Milan Fashion Week!


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The style just keeps on coming from Milan & you can’t talk Italian fashion without showing off the grandeur behind Giorgio Armani‘s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection. The line features an ice blue, gray, & black color scheme with plenty of jackets, blouses, skirts, pants, & dreamy dresses.  Of course, you can’t miss out on this gallery, with designs sure to attract the likes of red carpet a-listers such as January Jones, Emma Watson, Olivia Wilde, & Cate Blanchett.  Which look is your favorite? For more fabulous galleries from Runway Rundown, check out collections from Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry Prorsum, & Jason Wu. Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From Milan Fashion Week!


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So I wasn’t going to completely ignore the trails of Fashion Week throughout Europe after the polished & sophisticated duds that walked the runways in London.  Therefore, it’s time to look at what was going on during Milan Fashion Week! I know from first-hand experience that fashion thrives on the cobblestone streets of Italy, which is where a part of my heart is still beating. I’ve collected nearly 90 images from the tribal-inspired & somewhat controversial new collection from Dolce & Gabbana‘s latest Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear line, featuring a combination of polka dots & stripes, mashed in with literal burlap sack frocks & African-inspired decorative figurines.  Of course some of these over-the-top pieces will make a splash on red carpets for this upcoming awards season. For more galleries from Runway Rundown, check out Marios Schwab, Burberry Prorsum, & Christopher Kane! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Marios Schwab’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From London Fashion Week!


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I’m always checking out the latest in what celebrities are wearing & always manage to find myself looking at dresses designed by Marios Schwab, a London-based designer who just unrolled his latest Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection for London Fashion Week! I’ve put together a gallery of the collection, which featured details like pleated skirts, sheer fabric, & leather panels, as well as a strong color palette with red, blue, & black dresses. The edgy pieces include sequins & fringe, perfect for making a bold statement on the red carpet.  I can see celebs like Elizabeth Olsen, Chloe Sevigny, & Leighton Meester wearing some of these looks.  Which are your favorite pieces? Which designers have you been checking out during fashion week? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Burberry Prorsum’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From London Fashion Week!


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In keeping with the fabulous celebration of London Fashion Week, I knew I had to share the Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection from Burberry Prorsum. The sophisticated line includes metallic sheen fabrics, bright pops of color, lacy tops, peplum hemlines, reinvented trench coats, & plenty of figure-flattering belted looks! If you didn’t know Burberry Prorsum has been worn on the red carpet by celebrities like Olivia Palermo, Leighton Meester, Gwyneth Paltrow, & Kate Bosworth.  For more Runway Rundown galleries, check out the latest from Christopher Kane, Jason Wu, & Christian Siriano! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Christopher Kane’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From London Fashion Week!


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Of course, New York Fashion Week has ended, but that only means that the rest of the world is reeling with joy over the continuous wave of fashion, including London. The city is seeing lots of designers embracing the lightness of spring, as seen in the fabulous Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection.  Scottish-born designer, Christopher Kane, has been favored on the red carpet by celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Alexa Chung, Chloe Grace Moretz, & Shailene Woodley.

Take a look at the gallery to see the collection that’s filled with whites, pastels, & plenty of feminine flair.  For more looks featured in Runway Rundown, check out Jason Wu, the Season 10 Project Runway finale collections, & Holmes & Yang! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Jason Wu’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From New York Fashion Week!


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The fashion madness continues even though Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has ended.  We can all still clamour over the style galore that hit the runway, including in-demand brand, Jason Wu.  His Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection is jam-packed with leather details, menswear-inspiration, strong corsets (perhaps á la 50 Shades of Gray?), layers of tulle, & pretty prints.  Jason Wu, of course, has been popularized by First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as celebrities like Julianne Moore, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Camilla Belle, & Diane Kruger. Take a look through the gallery & share with us which looks are your favorites? Would you wear any of these separates?

For more Runway Rundown, check out previous posts including  Holmes & Yang, Oscar de la Renta, & Zac Posen. Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Your Spoiler Alert Sneak Peek At Project Runway’s Season 10 Finale Collections!


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I only got around to watching last Thursday’s episode of Project Runway last night & also just happened to come across a the All Project Runway blog on Blogspot, which shared the collections from the remaining 8 designers of the show who were still in the aired episodes, so as not to give anything away about who would be the final designers really showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  We saw Gunnar go home on Thursday after an unfortunate construction of his hands & bird print for the HP Challenge, but luckily, we’re able to see his designs one more time hitting the runway.

The gallery includes looks from Christopher Palu, Dmitry Sholokhov, Elena Slivnyak, Fabio Costa, Gunnar Deatherage, Melissa Fleis, Sonjia Williams, & Ven Budhu. Who do you think will make it to the top 3? Which past designers would you like to see back on the show? Which has been your favorite challenge? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Holmes & Yang’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection!


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Now that Katie Holmes is a single woman, she’s been everywhere, including New York Fashion Week, with friend & stylist Jeanne Yang.  The duo have been hitting runways together with their brand, Holmes & Yang, since 2009 & this season’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection can be added to that stylish legacy-in-the-making.  Katie often wears pieces from the line, which was created in an effort to create looks to be worn from day-to-night seamlessly no matter any age or time.  I’m sharing this collection which includes printed sheath dresses, evening & edgy jackets, trousers & shorts, as well as elegant formal looks.  Check out the gallery & share with us which are your favorite pieces!

Be sure to also check out previous posts from Runway Rundown, including collections from Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, & Michael Kors! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection From New York Fashion Week!


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As if talking about Michael Kors, Victoria Beckham, Zac Posen, & Rachel Zoe wasn’t enough… now I’ve gone & found the entire Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection designed by Oscar de la Renta! Runway Rundown continues to share with readers the latest from New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The fun & flirty collection features bright separates, a-line & pencil skirts, printed trousers, belted dresses, & show-stopping gowns, all of which are sure to be worn by celebrities hitting the red carpet, making promotional appearances, & while living it up at parties.  Which look is your favorite? Who do you want to see wearing these amazing designs? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Zac Posen’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collectoin From New York Fashion Week!


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Although New York Fashion Week has come to a close, Style Darling will still be talking about all of the glamour, elegance, & of course trends for the upcoming seasons.  I’m also going to keep posting galleries of some of my favorite runway shows, & Zac Posen is no exception! The American designer, worn by the likes of Rihanna, Claire Danes, Jessica Biel, & Kate Beckinsale, made more than the average Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week splash since famed models like Naomi Campbell, Angela Lindvall, Coco Rocha, Karolina Kurkova, Crystal Renn, & Hilary Rhoda appeared, lending their support to the brand, as well as showing off the unforgettable designs for the Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection.  With award’s season just around the corner, surely the stars will be donning these dresses which feature details like lace, mermaid hemlines, peplums, & sweetheart necklines. Click through the gallery & share which looks are your favorites!

For more from Fashion Week & Runway Rundown, check out Michael Kors, Rachel Zoe, & Victoria Beckham! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Michael Kors Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!


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To me, Michael Kors is the quintessential American fashion designer.  Of course, there’s Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, & even those Olsen twins & their brand, The Row, who are making American designers all the more competitive against those French & Italian types.  However, as a big fan of Project Runway, I’ve put MK above all the others since I love his sense of humor about fashion, but also the minimalist elegance that so many celebrities embrace in his designs, including Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Penelope Cruz, & Viola Davis.

When it came time to start sharing runway picks from New York Fashion Week, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t include his Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection, which features men’s & women’s looks, combining Americana with 80s hues, all in the name of quality fashion.  These pieces are fun to consider, exciting to watch, & probably darn amazing to wear.

For more galleries from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, check out the latest posts in Runway Rundown, including Rachel Zoe, Victoria Beckham, & Christian Siriano! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Rachel Zoe’s Spring 2013 Collection at New York Fashion Week!


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It continues! I’m all over this Runway Rundown with New York Fashion Week, offering up the latest images from Rachel Zoe‘s Spring 2013 Collection.  As you may know, I’m a big fan of the celebrity stylist-turned-designer.  Her eye for glamour never fails & she understands how to dress for success.  I’m super excited that she’s recently announced that her reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project, will be returning for its fifth season soon on Bravo! Take a look at the gallery to see Rachel’s retro / contemporary separates with a timeless glam factor.  Although we’re talking high-end fashion here, there’s no doubt that her designs fit so many different styles & the pieces are tangible enough to mix & match with any wardrobe!

For more galleries from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, check out Monique Lhuillier, Christian Siriano, & Victoria Beckham! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Victoria Beckham’s Spring Summer 2013 Collection At New York Fashion Week!


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I’ll never get tired of posting galleries in Runway Rundown, especially when there’s still so much to talk about from New York Fashion Week.  If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of any & everything related to Victoria Beckham. She was my favorite Spice Girl (mostly for her style) & she’s one of my favorite designers! Her latest Spring / Summer 2013 Collection for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was well-received, & why wouldn’t it be? The tailored combination of dresses & separates in crisp white, posh black, & radiant red made a splash on the runway, proving that the multi-talented Brit is still a powerful force in fashion to be reckoned with.  Take a look at the gallery & slideshow to see what all the fuss is about.  Also, be sure to check out previous galleries of the latest from fashion week, including Monique Lhuillier & Christian Siriano! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Christian Siriano’s Spring / Summer 2013 Collection From New York Fashion Week!


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I’m always (trying to be, at least) on top of what’s going on with my very favorite designers, including Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano, whose latest Spring / Summer 2013 Collection hit the runway of New York. I was super excited to feature this elegant & feminine line in the latest for Runway Rundown, so that my readers can get a taste of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Also, I’m happy to continue showing support to the talented Maryland native who never ceases to stun on the runway & when celebs wear his looks on the red carpet. What do you think of these glamorous looks? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2013 Collection @New York Fashion Week!


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Shame on me for not updating my readers about the fabulous on-goings of New York Fashion Week. Not only is that excitement happening, but I’ve just come off a multi-day celebration of my 29th birthday, which was super exciting since I decided to skip last year’s birthday. Of course, in the midst of the wine-drinking & dress-wearing, I’ve finally acquired a new job & decided to freshen up my wardrobe with some affordable new additions from the end-of-the-season clearance racks.

However, let’s talk business & I mean Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. The first collection that I’ll be featuring in this latest edition of Runway Rundown is Monique Lhuillier‘s Spring 2013 Collection. The line features feminine details like lace, ruching, slits, cut-outs, & peplum hemlines. Leave it to Monique Lhuillier to create a timeless collection that is sure to grab the attention of celebs like Eva Longoria, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, & Krysten Ritter, especially as the big fall / winter awards season is descending upon us.

Take a look at the gallery to ooh & ahh at the 45-piece collection.  Also, for more runway talk, check out previous posts, including the 10th anniversary collection of Project Runway for Lord & Taylor, shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood’s jaw-dropping 106-piece Fall 2012 collection, & Chanel’s dazzling & classic Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection! If you’re looking to shop these trendy new looks, Monique Lhuillier designs can be found at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, & Saks Fifth Avenue. Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: The 10th Anniversary Collection of ‘Project Runway’ for Lord & Taylor!


Yes, I’m a few days behind, but if any of you watched last week’s episode of Project Runway, then you saw the amazing 10th anniversary collection for Lord & Taylor than features 10 looks from 10 of the reality competition show’s favorite designers, including latest challenge winner, Christopher  Palu.  I’m featuring the fashion dresses from each season, which are currently being sold on the Lord & Taylor website.  This is a pretty big deal for the show & its designers, especially b/c there was not a single flop walking down the runway, & the judges could not eliminate anyone.

Take a look to see looks from Christopher Palu ($275.00), Bert Keeter ($328.00), Mondo Guerra ($248.00), Seth Aaron Henderson ($275.00), Gordana Gelhausen ($275.00), Korto Momolu ($275.00), Chris March ($348.00), Uli Herzner ($275.00), Nick Verreos ($275.00), & Jay McCarroll ($298.00). Which look is your favorite? Which past designer would you like to see more from? Happy Styling!

Fabulous in 4 Ways: Over-The-Knee Boots From Victoria’s Secret (Dedicated To Laurie)!


Attention Style Darling Readers: We have a new category alert! Fabulous In 4 Ways is my latest in offering the best style advice that I can, while keeping a budget in mind. Of course, I’ve had this idea (taking one item & showing how it’s worn in 4 fabulous ways) for a while now, just sitting away & linkless on my categories page, but just recently, a good friend has come to me w/ a deal on a killer pair of over-the-knee boots, asking for help on how to wear them once the temperatures cool down & heavy knits emerge from the depths of our closets.  Said friend, Laurie (who I’ve dedicated a total of 4 blogs to now- Jordana Brewster’s style, how to wear turtlenecks, & the best day-to-night blazers) has challenged me in a very good & very stylish way. Let’s take a look…

As I usually do in my Basics for a Bargain posts, let’s start off with some celebrity inspiration to see how some of the most photographed & stylish stars interpret their over-the-knee boot looks. The City star / socialite Olivia Palermo looks Upper East Side chic with her navy suede boots & fur-lined jacket, mixing neutrals with a sweater tunic. Mom-on-the-go Kourtney Kardashian wears her boots with a flowy blouse under a menswear-inspired blazer & floppy hat, keeping accessories like her bag matching in texture with her footwear. Supermodel legend Claudia Schiffer goes casual in jeggings & a cobalt cable knit sweater with a coordinating bag for her tan suede over-the-knee boots. Former Spice Girl / designer Victoria Beckham keeps her polished posh persona in check with ultra tight leggings, a black top, & satin-trimmed blazer while traveling through Heathrow airport. Lastly, Project Runway host Heidi Klum offers an edgy approach to her leather Jimmy Choo over-the-knee boots by completing her look with a graphic tee & abstract print blazer.

The boots inspiring this post are the Colin Stuart over-the-knee boots ($94.00) from Victoria’s Secret, which are on sale for less than their original $118.00 price tag (pictured below, to the left).  These are fierce confections of footwear meant only for the confident Style Darling (for example: Laurie!).  Even though these may seem much pricier than your average pump &/or ankle bootie, I can’t emphasize enough that this is an investment piece, especially one that you can dare to wear from the beginning of fall, all the way to the end of the winter.  Since we’re talking boots, VS is currently having a 20% off sale on all Colin Stuart boots, which you can shop here.

However, let’s get down to business in putting together these outfits wth some of the celebrity inspiration seen above.  Typically when I see boots, I think of sweaters & leggings b/c they’re both just so comfy & very on-trend for effortless fall looks.  My first ensemble includes the asymmetric hem sweater ($59.90) from Express, which is available in orchid, black, grey, & blue.  The loose fit is perfect for recalling that 80s off-the-shoulder bulky sweater look, as well as hugging your curves to show off your legs.  Just so you know, Express is currently having a mix & match BOGO 50% off sale this Labor Day weekend, so if you really love the look pictured, then check out the short metal stick necklace ($44.90) to go with the sweater. I’ve selected Forever 21‘s pebbled pointe knit leggings ($17.80), which will add some texture & shine against the rich suede of the boots.  Of course, any solid legging will do, but if you’re going for something with a print, keep it subtle since you’re dealing with a sexy lace-up detail in the back of the boots.

My second outfit is perfect for an office environment where jeans are allowed.  The Faded Glory jeggings ($12.88) from Walmart are a steal & can work with so many other wardrobe staples all year long.  The colored denim trend is obviously not going away & pairing it with White House Black Market‘s tweed trophy jacket ($188.00) is a professional & elegant way to dress up denim.  When shopping @WHBM, of course the regular prices are on the high side, but if you sign up for their seasonal catalogues, you can get discount codes, as well as earn points for reductions on future purchases. I find that comes in handy around the holidays when in a pinch for a cute cocktail dress.  For an extra feminine splash, I’ve selected the graphic checkered strips tiered cotton tank ($39.99) from LOFT to add some dimension- which also just so happens to marked down another 30% at checkout.

Look #3 required a little more attention since I wanted to find pieces that would work for more than just the over-the-knee boots challenge.  I started with this streaky knit t-shirt dress ($39.99) from The Limited, which has been marked down 50% on the store’s website. With a solid sheath-like dress as this, I immediately thought of a belt & found this duo of ivory cheetah & glossy black skinny belts ($10.79) from Bluefly. To keep warm during the cooler fall days, I picked out the basic, yet affordable Style & Co. three-quarter ruched sleeve cardigan ($14.99) in black from Macy’s. If you’re headed out to happy hour with the girls or going from the office to an evening function, this look is perfect with the boots, especially when the Minicci scroll weave tights ($7.99) from Payless are hiding underneath your layers.

Lastly, the forth look is my favorite, but perhaps not too far of a departure from the previous blazer look above.  When I saw the Merona tailored blazer ($34.99) @Target, I immediately loved the idea of mixing the plaid with the laces, as well as navy & black, along with integrating the fall’s best new neutral deep red hue with New York & Company‘s satiny roll-tab shirt ($39.95). Of course you can complete the look with skinny pants, but Style & Co. skinny stretch jeggings ($36.75) from Macy’s looked too good to be true in a classic dark wash!

What do you think of these looks? Would you wear over-the-knee boots? If so, how would you style your look with them? What boots are you shopping for this fall? Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown / Show Me The Shoes: The Entire 106 Piece Fall 2012 Collection By Nicholas Kirkwood!


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I talk about a lot of shoes here on Style Darling, but this is the biggest shoe gallery I’ve ever shared with readers- on top of this being my 600th post!  As I was happily surfing through Facebook & Twitter today, I came across a link to Refinery 29 which included a 106-image slideshow gallery of designer Nicholas Kirkwood‘s Fall 2012 Collection of shoes.  The line ranges in sandals, pumps, flats, & wedges- each sleek, flirty, fierce, & sexy for a variety of occasions. Here’s a chance for you to check out the latest trends in fall styles, including platforms & towering high heels that can match perfectly with so many colorblocked, solid, printed, or textured looks for the upcoming season.

For more shoe posts, check out Show Me The Shoes, including Lela Rose’s latest for Payless, Christian Siriano’s loafer pumps, & Prada’s fall runway shoes @Neiman Marcus! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Chanel’s Fall 2012 Haute Couture Collection!


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It’s been a while since I posted a runway gallery, & what better day to celebrate the fabulous styles of Fall 2012 Haute Couture than by featuring the latest collection from Chanel.  If you didn’t already know, August 19th marks the 129th birthday of designer Coco Chanel. In honor of the day, I’ve collected images of the 65-piece line from Elle, which shows a feminine & elegant homage to the legendary house of fashion.  In addition to tweed separates, stylish jackets, & feathered dresses all in hues of black, gray, & pink.  For more Runway Rundown favorites, check out looks from Lauren Conrad’s Fall 2012 collection for Kohl’s, Gucci’s 2013 Resort collection, & Stella McCartney’s Spring 2013 collection! Happy Styling!

Ad Madness: H&M’s Lana Del Rey Ads For Fall Are Finally Here!


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Lana Del Rey has been making headlines in the music industry for quite some time now, but her bombshell style & old Hollywood allure have been raising eyebrows in the fashion world as well.  Naturally, the talented singer has snagged herself a modeling gig for H&M‘s latest fall ad campaign.  Thanks to Fashionologie, I’m sharing these 10 images of Lana, photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin which H&M has recently released.

In addition, H&M creative director Donald Schneider explains, “Lana is totally unique, and we wanted to create a print and film campaign that’s just as special… The mood is very LA noir and is inspired by our Fall collection, which also fits with Lana’s own personal style.

Not to mention that the NYC-born chanteuse will release a music video covering “Blue Velvet,” which will also feature looks from the latest fall collection from H&M.  The style doesn’t end here either since the video will be edited down for commercial-length to appear on television.  Also, Lana’s relationship with the Swedish-based retailer will continue on into the winter with ads shot by photographer Solve Sundsbo.

For more celebrity-fronted ad campaigns, check out more from Ad Madness including Lily Collins for Movado, Blake Lively’s commercial for Gucci’s Premiere fragrance, & Kate Hudson’s latest as spokesmodel for Ann Taylor! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown / Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Lauren Conrad’s Fall 2012 Collection for Kohl’s!


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Former reality star-turned-fashion designer Lauren Conrad has been working very hard to set her image apart from her previous days at the face of MTV’s The Hills, or whatever show she was one.  The talented personality continues her relationship with Kohl’s creating a feminine, wearable, & polished Fall 2012 collection.  While the prices for some of the pieces in her line may seem high, keep in mind that Kohl’s offers so many sales & discounts that you’ll be saving much more than you’re spending! I’ve collected these images, courtesy of InStyle, & created a short gallery of what you can look forward to seeing the next time you’re in a Kohl’s store.  These items are hitting stores this month, so save up your Kohl’s cash & get your fall wardrobe ready for a professional makeover, date-ready duds, & cute casual essentials.

For more on Lauren’s collections, check out previous posts including the Paper Crown holiday collection & my favorites from last summer! Also, check out more cool collections in Runway Rundown like Rachel Zoe’s 2013 Resort Collection, Mischa Barton’s debut for Mischa’s Place, & Jennifer Hudson’s QVC collection! Happy Styling!