When it comes to spring fashion, scarves don’t always come to mind first, but they do for me! That’s because I have an enormous scarf collection that I have found much use out of over the years, adding plenty of texture & interest in building a look with a denim jacket over a dress, for example. Scarves are not just limited to one’s neck & for outerwear accessorizing too! Most of the time, I wear a light weight scarf knotted or bowed around my purse to give said every day carryall a little extra splash of style. You can play up a floral scarf with the colors in your outfit, as well as matching other hues of your bag. Here are five examples, ranging in price, but each offers a little something different in terms of color combinations & styling possibilities.
To expand on my scarf-bag theory, here are a few combinations to consider when assembling your next spring outfit. This not only serves fashion, but utility as well. In case you’re chilly, but you hadn’t needed it earlier, it’s right there on your bag!
Do you wear scarves in the spring? Where do you like to shop for spring accessories? Do you coordinate with your purse on a daily basis? Happy Styling!
Aside from Fashion Week & the general change of seasons (which marks ankle bootie & rich textures like suede time of year), September means that our favorite television shows are returning to make us laugh, cry, sit at the edge of our seats, & of course, be in awe of the characters’ styles. In a first ever on Style Darling, I’ve undertaken a mighty 10 television shows returning this season & found their most stylish leading ladies (two, in some cases), & found pieces & looks to inspire your fall wardrobe. Naturally, we’re talking something budget-friendly, yet still true to the small scree goddesses that have bloggers everywhere in a fashion tizzy!
Scandal(airing Season 4 premiere on 9/25 @9PM on ABC) left Olivia Pope (played magnificently by the one & only Kerry Washington) washing her hands of the controversy & turmoil that she blames herself for in Washington D.C., especially because of her torrid love affair with the president. However, Olivia’s style was only elevated by such drama, sharing with viewers the importance of a luxurious coat collection, classic & statement handbags, as well as clean lines & neutral separates since Olivia is all about getting rid of the fuss in people’s lives.
New Girl(airing Season 4 premiere on 9/16 @9PM on FOX) will surely tackle that whole Jess-Nick romance, even though the adorkable couple ended things last season. Now that Zooey Deschanel‘s character has certainly settled into her man-dwelling apartment, she’s constantly battling life with one vintage look after another, & laughter is sure to ensue. Not to mention that Jess’s girlie girl style fits right in with her job as a teacher, always conservative yet cute for partying it up after hours.
The Mindy Project(airing 9/16 @9:30 on FOX) is one of my favorite must-see shows this fall, not just because the brilliant Mindy Kaling writes a hilarious ensemble comedy, but because the show is after the hearts of its viewers with the on-again-off-again love story with one Danny Castellano, played by Chris Messina. Yes, there’s laughter too, but I’m also super excited to see what Dr. Lahiri (Kaling’s character) will wear. She’s no stranger to bright colors, wild patterns, feminine florals, & layers of preppy chic style.
Revenge(airing 9/28 @10PM on ABC) is returning this fall & Emily Thorne (played by Emily Vancamp) is back & stronger than ever in her plot against the Graysons. I love that her style recalls the effortless ease of a modern day Grace Kelly, with a luxe twist on casual wear. She wears plenty of neutral colors & no-fuss separates so that she can easily slip into scheming mode with the movers & shakers of The Hamptons setting. I love watching out for the designer pieces on this show, especially on additional key characters like Victoria (Madeline Stowe), Charlotte (Chrsta B. Allen), & Ashley (Ashley Madekwe).
When I started assembling these pieces, I realized that they have various uses, for both day & night, as well as creating looks from season-to-season. While most of our lives won’t be centered around law-breaking revenge schemes, the closest we can get to the fabulous life of Emily Thorne is recreating her style with the colorblock roll sleeve shirtdress ($109.99) in cream puff @Ann Taylor, MOD.lusive ruched sleeve long cardigan ($42.00) in white @Nordstrom, v-neck blouse ($24.95) in powder beige @H&M, & true slim chino pants ($44.99) in khaki @Land’s End.
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Nashville(airing 9/24 @10PM on ABC) is the kind of show that not only inspires music, but also fashion. Southern style is loud & clear with this show, especially when it comes to an edgy look & a splash of rock ‘n roll. The show’s leading ladies Rayna James (Connie Britton) & Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) are constantly at odds, but one thing is clear, they know how to dress. I was especially inspired by the flashy stage looks & modern casual separates that can be jazzed up for a night of music. The last season ended with both divas in trouble, both professionally & personally, but I can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen next.
2 Broke Girls(airing 10/07 @9PM on CBS) combines two of my favorite things: cupcakes & fashion! The comedy’s stars Beth Behrs as the preppy / fashion forward Caroline Chaning & Kat Dennings‘ loveable bad girl Max Black make for the perfect modern day odd couple, just trying to get back. Caroline is always neutral clad, doused in pearls & body conscious dresses, whereas Max’s fashion sense takes on a tougher city vibe in bright primary colors & boots, with a touch of menswear inspiration.
The Good Wife(airing 9/21 @9PM on CBS) keeps raking in the Emmy awards, especially with a constantly compelling performance for the show’s lead, Julianna Marguliesas the powerful Alicia Florrick. Her wardrobe includes power suits & strong jackets, much like Scandal‘s Olivia Pope. In Alicia’s world, there’s no room for floral or fussy pieces. She’s all about structure & strength, so edgy embellishments have no place among the clean details & clean lines.
Modern Family(airing 9/24 @9PM on ABC) is a comedy must-see, especially because of the show’s female leads. When it comes to style, of course there’s always a cute outfit on Sarah Hyland’s character Hailey, but the real sex-pot changing the look of a stay-at-home mom is Sofia Vergara‘s Gloria. Gloria often steals the spotlight from her family members, especially when it comes to showing off her curves in wrap dresses, V-neck tops, & skinny jeans.
Elementary(airing 10/30 @10PM on CBS) is a modern day New York City-based take on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories & what’s extra awesome about this version is that the science-minded Watson is played by kick-ass actress Lucy Liu. Instead of John, she’s a Joan who develops an intense partnership with Holmes (Johnny Lee Miller) while they’re soling crimes all over the city. Aside from her brilliant mind, I love her on-the-go style which often includes dark, layering pieces, always with a chic pair of booties.
Hart of Dixie(2015 on The CW) is the last show that I’m sharing & it doesn’t have a set premiere date since star Rachel Bilson, who plays the quirky city doctor Zoe Hart, is expecting her first child & filming seems to be halted. However, I love her character’s edgy side with dark, modern cuts in tops & leather shorts, as well as dark colors in mini & maxi dresses. She’s an accessories queen with chunky necklaces, embellished details, & the highest heels in sandals & booties imaginable. Also, it’s hard to ignore Lemon Breeland, played hysterically by the one & only Jamie King. Lemon’s style is true to the Alabama debutante ladylike way. She loves florals, sparkle, & vintage-inspired looks with a bold lip & finger curls.
New York Fashion Week (#NYFW) is upon us (certainly my favorite time of year), but what’s also exciting is to keep an eye out for the newest collections at our favorite & affordable retailers that don’t preview their designs on a traditional runway. I know when it comes to accessories, I generally lean toward scarves & jewelry, but one important & oh-so fashionable accessory for both men & women is a chic frame of eyeglasses- especially styles from Warby Parker‘s new fall line of eyewear. Hey, guess what? It debuts today! Sporting frames just because you have to is a thing of the past! However, a brand like Warby Parker is a long-awaited trendy gift for those of us with eyes needing assistance. I’ve been wearing glasses for over 20 years & was psyched when I was approached by the company to showcase the new styles right here on Style Darling!Â
In getting to know the brand a little better, I learned so much & was especially impressed with the company’s target unisex audience: “those who own their style, exercise their wit, & add life to the party. Personality is what makes a good pair of glasses great.” Not to mention that investing in one of these 9 new styles (in titanium & acetate), you’ll be investing ($95.00 for a single vision pair) in a good cause since Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses to someone in need with the help of their partnered non-profit organizations. Click here for more info on this very worthy cause!
When I got a good look at the promotional shots & different styles, my blog-ready brain was eager to pair up some of my favorite designs with outfits for various occasions. This includes a relaxed day look for when you’re running errands & an evening outfit, á la Zooey Deschanel‘s lovable character, Jess, on New Girl. Also, I must share my vision for wearing chic frames to the office, as well as when you’re headed out of town for a weekend getaway of luxury & style!
Accessorizing when it comes to work looks can be tricky, especially when you want to impress your boss & colleagues, which is why I simply added the braided chain bracelet ($9.97) from New York & Company & the diamond texture full tights ($16.03) from Express. Both mixed metals & textured tights are staples for any fall wardrobe & allow for a sophisticated layered & interesting overall look. Â
Finally, my absolute favorite new design in the Wary Parker collection is the Annette frames in petal tortoise, which immediately makes me think of spectacle-wearing icons of old Hollywood. These are perfect for the weekend look since they capture the playful side of any Style Darling. I started building the outfit with the patterned cotton shirt ($29.95) from H&M, Old Navy‘s sweetheart gray super-skinny jeans ($34.94) in mudcave, & the Rocket Dog ‘Sayla’ vintage worn boots ($49.95) in mushroom from Zappos. For such a minimal outfit, I wanted to dress it up with some elegant & effortless accessories, which is what a weekend look is all about. For example, the gauzy crinkled infinity scarf ($9.99) from Charlotte Russe works well with the colors in the shirt. Also, I haven’t shared anything with pearls & here’s my chance with the pearl hinge bangle bracelet ($34.00) from BaubleBar & Ann Taylor‘s modern pearlized triangle studs ($29.50) in gold.
And since we’re still on the topic of glasses, I wanted to share some more notable designs in the collection, for their shape, colors, & androgynous appeal:
The above styles include (clockwise, starting at upper left) Baxter Ti in sugar maple, Chandler Ti in English oak, Durand in whiskey tortoise, Greenleaf in woodgrain tortoise, Annette in striped sassafras, & Eli in crystal.
And if looking like a real life Clark Kent or the (insert your hometown here)-equivalent of Tina Fey isn’t enough, here are a few other incredibly attractive famous people to help inspire your frames fetish for fall! Whether you’re trying to recreate a vintage look, sport some menswear inspiration, or play with different trends, eyeglasses are a must-have, as seen on actress Anne Hathaway, musician / singer Alicia Keys, No Doubt frontwoman & fashion icon Gwen Stefani, R&B crooner Ne-Yo, mega hottie Ryan Gosling, & talented boy-next-door Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Actress Jamie Chung couldn’t be any cuter & she’s certainly climbing her way up the style ranks. The actress known for roles in The Hangover Part 2, Sucker Punch, & TV’s Once Upon A Time hits the red carpet for the book release of Kitchen Revelry in a chic ensemble which includes the leopard jacquard flounce skirt ($89.00) from Ann Taylor.
Here, she’s playing with multiple trends, including leather accents on her top, as well as strappy sandals which successfully add a little edge to her feminine look. An elegant all-purpose clutch like this one by Gerard Darel is perfect for day or evening, putting the focus on Jamie’s sophistication. Of course, spending nearly $90.00 on a skirt isn’t always budget-friendly, but this is a stylish reminder to look to our favorite retailers & celebrities on the red carpet to continuously inspire our wardrobes!
The stylish actress talks in-depth about how her second pregnancy with boyfriend of two month Matt Bellamy (of Muse) strengthened their relationship. The pair are currently engaged & enjoying life with son Bingham, as Kate’s son with rocker Chris Robinson, Ryder. In addition, her new film The Reluctant Fundamentalist with Keifer Sutherland & Liev Schreiber comes out next month!
The neon trend just isn’t going away & why should it? With the latest trend in colored jeans, I wanted to play up the popularity of spring hues after my last Splurge or Save? post, featuring neon blouses. There were just so many different pinks to pick from & styles in skinny jeans that can work for so many looks.
First, I headed over to Forever 21 with the colored skinny jeans ($19.80), which are also available in four other neon colors to mix & match with everyday wardrobe essentials. Next up the price point ladder are the Sophie perfect fit skinny jeans ($30.00) from JC Penney, which can work for a casual day with ballet flats, a graphic tee, & a leather jacket, or for a night out with the girls in a sequin tank & strappy sandals. The jeans that caught my eye to inspire this post are the modern slim denim jeans ($59.99) from Ann Taylor, which have been marked down from their original $88.00 price tag. Not only are these perfect for any age, but I also love the look of Express‘ Stella colored jean legging ($79.90), which will punch up any casual Friday look at the office with a metallic belt & watercolor print blouse.
Higher price point pink jeans include the MICHAEL Michael Kors Guatemala skinny pants ($89.50) from Dillards, which fulfill any bubblegum pink needs that your wardrobe may have. The feminine color is perfect for neutral accessories like round toe pumps, a taupe jacket, or leather-accented top. Next, you can find the J Brand Jeans neon skinny jeans ($112.20) @Bloomingdale’s & the slim cigarette destroyed jeans ($198.00) @7 For All Mankind. If you prefer to spend more money on a well-known brand, consider your cost per wear & break down how much you’re investing into these 80s throwback bottoms.
Last year, I shared images from Kate Hudson‘s campaigns as a spokesmodel for Ann Taylor, once in July & another time in March. It seems that the success of her face for the brand has led to yet another opportunity to sport the latest spring duds, as well as inspire the Oscar-nominated actress to collaborate in designing  the first ever celebrity capsule collection for Ann Taylor, which will hit stores this summer. Kate tells InStyle, “Working with Ann Taylor has been a great creative experience and there is a really wonderful connection… Putting these outfits together has been incredibly fun—they have such youthful energy and flair!“
While the spring looks are all things feminine, crisp, & sophisticated, I’m excited that the new collaboration will be inspired by Kate’s very fabulous red carpet style, but reinterpreted for everyday occasions. Kate has even lent her opinion on the website with Kate’s picks, including a gown ($550.00), striped blazer ($98.00), blouse ($88.00), yellow jeans ($88.00), & a bangle ($34.99).
How would you style these shoes? Are you wearing animal-inspired textures on your footwear? How much do you usually spend on staples like booties, booties, pumps, & flats. Happy Styling!
Back in March, Kate Hudson debuted as the new face & body of Ann Taylor (see post here), sharing with the world that as a busy mom, she’s all about making it work without the fuss, especially when it comes to the elegant day & evening designs that are sold @Ann Taylor. For the latest fall collection, the actress shares with In Style: “Ann Taylor is about making sure women have one place to go where they can shop and still feel chic.“
In this same article, I’ve found some behind the scenes images during the shooting for the new campaign, including some fabulous dresses, tops, & skirts. If you’re an AT shopper, be sure to check out the newest arrivals to build your new fall wardrobe! Happy Styling!
I was super excited to see this new ad campaign for Ann Taylor, starring the one & only Kate Hudson! I’ve been on a major shopping diet, but seeing these new ads makes me very eager to get my hands on some beautiful spring fashions. I love the combination of delicate fabrics with feminine prints, especially with new wedges or strappy sandals. Lace isn’t just for lingerie or evening-wear, as seen in the flirty blouses and sophisticated pencil skirts sold among Ann Taylor’s new collection.
Recently, I saw this image of Katherine Heigl in her California-cool fall look, wearing a nude turtleneck sweater, skinny jeans, & a knit red scarf. She finished off with ‘Petra’ buckle booties ($248.00) in fawn from Ann Taylor. I instantly had to find them online, but was dismayed by the expensive price. Of course, I do know that Ann Taylor frequently has storewide 40-50% off sales on all merchandise.
Then I remembered seeing a similarly styled bootie, the ‘Fessup’Â from Nine West, which I posted about during the website’s Black Friday special. The ‘Fessup’ ($54.50) has been reduced even more from $109.00 & has the same chic feel in a neutral hue with a side zipper.
Of course, both are equally as fashionable & the buckle detail is especially nice, however when there’s a chance for a bargain, the luxury look-alike items always win!
Actress Kerry Washington recently made an appearance at Jennifer Klein’s annual Day of Indulgence party wearing a mix of affordable & luxury brands. The wild leopard short-sleeved blouse is from Ann Taylor which she paired with Express red jeggings. Last week’s guest judge on Project Runway was also sporting lace-up booties by Tory Burch & carried a Christian Louboutin clutch.
The balance of animal print here is very edgy, yet still elegant for a day event. Red is a sometimes risky color to pair with leopard, but here we see Kerry pulling off the look flawlessly with some feminine flair.
It was hard to find the original blouse worn here, but I discovered that it is currently out of stock, since it was an item from an earlier season. However, @Ann Taylor, you can find this leopard print trench blouse for $88.00. That’s a high cost for a top, but if you’re looking to stay as true to the inspired look, that’s the best way to go! I was able to recover the exact Zelda red jeggings from Express, which cost $69.90. These are also available in other colors & with embellishments like studding.
@Payless, Christian Siriano‘s new line for fall has arrived & this includes the modern harness ankle boot for $69.00. While this also may seem like a lot of money to spend on a pair of shoes, sign up at the store’s website to get coupons emailed to you & news on all the latest sales so that you never have to pay full price for a luxury pair of shoes like these!
The final touch comes from Kohl’s. The leopard clutch by Relic is a great deal for $31.90, marked down from $58.00. It’s a classic piece to wear with your favorite LBD or for something as chic & tailored as this day look.
For more on Kerry Washington, check out her two previous appearances on Darling of the Day from back in January @Sundance & in November in a sexy all-black look. In addition, if you’re an Ann Taylor shopper, check out my recent post about the brand’s newest spokesmodel, Demi Moore.
Finally, just to keep with the fabulousness of leopard (& all the other beautiful animals of the jungle), take a click on over to last week’s post about affordable animal-inspired accessories in Quickie Darling Deal & Steal! Happy Styling!
Ann Taylor has a new face & that’s none other than the sexy working mother of three, Demi Moore! The actress is no stranger to modeling, having also been the face of Versace a few years back. However, now Mrs. Kutcher is filling in the very fashionable shoes of the likes of Heidi Klum, Naomi Watts, Milla Jovovich, & most recently, Katie Holmes.
In a recent feature for the new ad campaign, In Style quotes Demi as saying, “The new Ann Taylor is for modern women who want to take on the world in style.” This is the perfect phrase that captures a very polished, professional, & feminine brand that mixes ladylike details with menswear-inspiration for women of the office, working mothers, & Style Darlings everywhere. Some of the designs at their regular price cost a bit much for me, but if you wait for the end of the season (LIKE NOW), you can find awesome deals on sale items, like sporty striped tees, sequined tanks, & delicate necklaces.
Calabasas has more going for it now than those pesky Kardashian girls. Here we have the very lovely star of Glee, Jayma Mays in an outfit straight off the website for Ann Taylor LOFT! I love it when celebrities wear affordable & relatable looks from places that we everyday people shop in!
The roll sleeve camp shirt is the perfect color for her complexion & would love paired with dark denim jeans for a casual day or a floral pencil skirt for the office. I love skirts that have contrasting stripes like this tie dye printed skirt, which to me, just calls for a bright yellow or red scoop neck tee tucked in with some white or neutral espadrilles!
This skirt is very flattering on her petite frame & would look really adorable on any size, especially with a belted over cardigan set & some layered beads! Also from LOFT is the knotted metal necklace, a classic easy touch to a look that already has enough going on with it, but frames Jayma’s face perfectly!
I was unable to find out who the shoes & ring were designed by (the ring probably being her wedding ring!), so I found these very cute options to help recreate Jayma’s look. These beaded strappy wedges by Clarks @Zappos are a little pricey for my budget, but get great rating son comfort & are very versatile additions to any summer look, including an eyelet summer dress or with leggings & a tunic. As for the last piece, I checked out The Limited & found this concave ring which is minimal & hardly even noticeable, but super cute to wear with virtually any look!
Of course we all can’t wear head-to-toe Dior like Charlize Theron, but a Style Darling can certainly dream…
However, it is possible to look as dreamingly chic as Charlize does in a textured party dress with a blazer in the real world. These were super easy finds at some of my favorite stores like Forever 21, Ann Taylor, & Kohl’s b/c adding that strong menswear touch to even the most frilly & feminine pieces makes for a seriously memorable style moment.
My featured sateen blazer was marked down from $158 to $99, which is a big drop in price & decent investment to make if you’re a blazer wearing gal! It’s a piece that can be dressed down with skinny jeans, a patterned blouse, & mustard platforms! Also a blazer like this one can be the perfect item to take your work look from 9-5 to happy hour!
Keeping with the all-black accessories, while Charlize is donning a watch by the Dior brand, I’ve found this really pretty crystal stretch bracelet that is fun for a striped maxi dress in the summer or with a cardigan for the office. To add a little more sparkle to this fun occasion, I came across a super affordable butterfly sequined clutch for under $13 that will match with virtually any cocktail look & really stand out in a regal & youthful way with your favorite LBD!
But my favorite part of this dress is the faux suede heels that really add more dimension to this already very polished ensemble, especially since they come from a store that offers BOGO $15 deals on shoes! Check out a previous Darling of Day post featuring Charlize, as well as the whole collection including looks worn by other stylish stars like Amy Adams, Sophia Bush, & Rihanna! Happy Styling!
To help recreate Sophia’s look, I searched for a few items at crazy reasonable prices, like a beaded cuff for under $5 & a delicate bow pendant necklace for under $7. This look is classic enough for any long gold pendant necklace, considering the graphic backdrop of the bold sheath dress. As for footwear, I’ve found these flirty clogs, perfectly neutral for looks with dark denim jeans, walking shorts, & a belted romper.
For more celebrity looks wearing the brand, check out In Style, which features stars like Kerry Washington & Rachel Bilson, just to name a few. Also, look back to an oldie but goodie blog of Hilary Swank from last year, wearing a look with piece’s from the Ann Taylor sister store, LOFT. Happy Styling!
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 At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Kerry Washington brings winter casual forward with a jacket from Ann Taylor, Hudson jeans, ring from Lia Sophia, & Rene Caovilla clutch. Her knee boots, hoop earrings, & lace top are items that most of us have in some form or another, but here at the premiere of The Details, she shows us again her effortless & trendy style. Nothing completes an outfit like a blazer, but the Lakeview Terrace star makes hers a little more special for evening. For more on Kerry’s chic sense of style, check out In Style, Cosmopolitan, & Fashion Indie! Happy Styling!Â
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SHOP: abstract floral scarf @Ann Taylor, fuchsia floral scarf @dressbarn, floral & print scarf @Target, woven floral scarf @H&M, & meadow oblong scarf @White House Black Market. 
SHOP: blue dew scarf @DSW, striped Dana Buchman Bella tote @Kohl’s, square tulip scarf @LOFT, bucket backpack @Charlotte Russe, floral fringe scarf @Gap, & faux leather white tote @Forever 21. 
Recently, I saw this image of Katherine Heigl in her California-cool fall look, wearing a nude turtleneck sweater, skinny jeans, & a knit red scarf. She finished off with 
Actress Kerry Washington recently made an appearance at Jennifer Klein’s annual Day of Indulgence party wearing a mix of affordable & luxury brands. The wild leopard short-sleeved blouse is from 
Calabasas has more going for it now than those pesky Kardashian girls. Here we have the very lovely star of Glee, Jayma Mays in an outfit straight off the website for 
Style Darling Daily 