Before we get into what’s going on in the world of celebrity style, I’d like to wish everyone a very happy & stylish 2016. I took a much-needed break from the blogosphere where I finished my thesis (a full-length memoir) & I’m on track to graduate with my MFA this May! Also, I tackled a busy holiday season of working 2 jobs (whilst finishing said thesis) & getting sidelined with 2 cases of laryngitis. However, in keeping with good news, I’m happily part of a new relationship, which is motivating me more to conquer 2016 with all things positive & stylish. I’ve learned that the key to any passion project (I’ve transitioned from thesis to blog) is to make sure your life is in order & in a good place before you can successfully dive into it.
In my absence, A LOT has happened when it comes to celebrity style & wow-worthy red carpet moments. With today’s major snowstorm (shutting down part of Long Island, at least), I finally have the opportunity to indulge in some fashion eye candy, catching up on the latest trends & getting inspired when it comes to a chic winter wardrobe. I scoured the web for this winter’s best red carpet & street style looks, planning on how I can add some sparkle & pastel to my regular rotation, as well as playing with monochromatic looks or menswear inspiration.
Oscar nominee Alicia Vikander’s monochromatic magenta included a satin cami crop top with a pair of culottes & satin Stuart Weitzman sandals (shop similar here @6PM) at the 31st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. How To Be Single star Dakota Johnson looked minimalist at the AOL Build Speaker Series for her latest film in a sleek white off-shoulder crop top, pair of black trousers, Jennifer Fisher cuff, & black sandals (shop similar here @Dune London). Model Gigi Hadid kept cozy in Paris with a slouchy cowl-neck ivory One x OneTeaspoon sweater with destroyed cropped jeans (shop similar here @Old Navy), mirrored aviators (shop similar here @Charlotte Russe), a furry camel Katie Ermilio coat, & lace-up pumps. Mogul / actress Jessica Alba attended the Who What Wear x Target launch party in designs from the collaboration with a striped tee (shop here @Target), bold floral pencil skirt (shop plus size here @Target), moto jacket (shop here @Target), black clutch, & silver Brian Atwood pumps (shop similar here @Macy’s). Model Jourdan Dunn dazzled in a pearl & silver iridescent silk organza Ralph & Russo bustier dress with a pair of silver satin Ralph & Russo pumps at the Zoolander 2 premiere.
Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale showed her street style chops headed to the SiriusXM Studios in a black & powder blue flared look with a multicolored woven coat, an ear jacket, a color-block tote, & black pumps (shop similar here @Forever 21). Bond girl Naomie Harris went nautical in a sheer-sleeved white blouse with high-waist buttoned Burberry trousers (shop similar here @Dillard’s) at a party for Louis XIII ‘100 Years’. Style icon Olivia Palermo made the rounds at Couture Fashion Week in a black cowl-neck Iris von Arnim knit, nautical-inspired wide-leg pants, an olive fur stole (shop similar here @Bluefly), & matching mini top-handle purse. Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz sparkled in a custom gold chainmail Atelier Versace gown with a matching Versace clutch, sandals, & Chopard jewelry at the Zoolander 2 premiere. Oscar nominee Rachel McAdams wore a graphic Jonathan Simkhai little white dress with beige pleated Christian Louboutin shoes at the 31st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Which celebrity is wearing your favorite look? Whose style inspires you the most? Which trends are you talking about this winter? Thanks so much to all of my readers for your continued support during my blog hiatus, especially on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, & Pinterest. Happy Styling!
One of the biggest colors to hit stores in anticipation of fall is mustard, a rich gold hue that’s perfect for transitioning from summer to a cooler, crisper season. It’s not as tricky a shade to pull off as one might think, especially when there’s so much celebrity inspiration to consider when it comes to dresses, separates, outerwear, & accessories that will redefine how you look at mustard, making your outfit pop. This is evident with the always perfect Blake Lively in a leather dress during Milan Fashion Week, Scream star Bella Thorne‘s street style in corduroy overalls, The Twilight Saga actress Ashley Greene‘s casual look in a boyfriend cardigan, & The Honest Company entrepreneur Jessica Alba in a midi length skirt paired with feminine black extras.
If an all-day mustard look just isn’t your thing, then take some inspiration from bold outerwear pieces on American Idoljudge Jennifer Lopez & reality star Kim Kardashian West, as well as statement footwear on pop singer Taylor Swift whose pumps pop against her black & white outfit & socialite / designer darling Olivia Palermo for choosing to dress down her leather leggings with slipper flats.
Now comes the shopping possibilities with plenty of options for Style Darlings of all shapes & sizes, as well as smart shoppers on a budget, looking to get the most use & flare out of their wardrobe.
Actress Chloe Grace Moretzmight only be eighteen years old, but her sense of style exceeds her age. She’s a designer darling & can do no wrong, while still looking youthful & sophisticated when hitting the red carpet & making appearances for press events. This week, she made a splash supporting Coach in the brand’s sheer collar tee & leather mini skirt with a navy crossbody bag & sleek ankle strap sandals at the Coach 2015 Summer Party on the Highline. This effortless luxury look is easy to duplicate, especially for a Style Darling on the a budget. Without cutting out your favorite tee for a collarless look, I recommended the below affordable outfit, including a pointy beaded bib necklace to dress up a staple tee.
This has been a season of leggings, especially for those us who have been feeling the sweet consequences of the holidays & blizzards in the north-east. However, that’s no reason to get lazy about your style, especially when leggings come in all prints & patterns. Floral leggings are a stylish play on stretchy bottoms & the possibilities of outfits are endless, thanks to my friend, Kristen, who came to me with this idea. In my latest Fabulous in 4 Ways post, instead of styling just one pair of floral leggings, I sought out four must-have & affordable pairs to wear for day, work, date night, & weekend looks.
When headed out on daily errands, coffee with the girls, or planning your next dinner party, floral leggings work, allowing for a mixture of textures to enrich your daytime look.
Depending on your office environment, floral leggings are also a possibility for your work look. When it comes to casual Friday or a business casual dress code, try leggings with a mini dress, boyfriend cardigan, or long blazer.
When it comes to date night, instead of a classic LBD, try floral leggings with some metallic detail, which instantly dresses up your look. Pairing them with a pop of color & luxe accessories is the perfect way to dress to impress.
I love weekend looks because they present a combination of casual & chic. If you’re going to a B&B, traveling to a vineyard for a four-day weekend, or reading a good book & drinking hot chocolate, layering cozy separates in lightweight fabrics can transform the way you enjoy your down time.
Among keeping your resolutions for the new year, something else & perhaps more stylish to look forward to is the Pre-Fall 2015 Collection lookbooks that hit the web last month & continue to send fashion critics & bloggers in a tizzy! I couldn’t help but gush over the recent images released by Project Runway winner Christian Siriano. The collection features any & everything luxe with lace details, metallic foil fabrics, fierce fringe, stunning coats, & timeless silhouettes that are sure to attract consistent celebrity clients of the designer, including Sarah Hyland, Christina Hendricks, Solange Knowles, & Mena Suvari. It’s hard to resist anticipating some of the formal pieces in the line for this season’s awards shows, especially when flawless nominees like Emma Stone, Amy Adams, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Viola Davis, & Lizzy Caplan are about to his the red carpet looking their best to celebrate an amazing year in entertainment.
In a world where reality stars (sometimes unfortunately) rule pop culture, there’s one who’s made an everlasting mark on the fashion world. That’s reality star-socialite-style-icon-fashion-blogger, Olivia Palermo. She’s been on the fashion radar for years & there’s nothing she can’t wear. Whether it’s mixing prints, playing with texture, donning luxe furs, bringing back the belt, taking risks with pops of color, & experimenting with every type of shoe under the sun, her style & beauty is utterly flawless.
The designer darling is a favorite on the red carpet & of photogs’ when it comes to street style. Her level of sophistication is equal to haute couture gowns at the Cannes Film Festival & a casual day walking her dog in skinny jeans & ballet flats. Ever since I started gathering fashionable photo galleries on Style Darling’s Facebook page, I couldn’t help but think about Olivia’s masterful style strategy for taking over the web with one frock at a time.
Check out the gallery below, along with the inspiring slideshow, which can influence any tired wardrobe looking for a change. Rethink a metallic belt, statement necklace, chic coats, lace-up booties, peasant skirts, & a classic tote when putting together your ensemble with basics like a printed scarf, white button down, leather leggings, sparkly LBD, suede knee boots, & tortoise sunglasses. Not to mention that her effortless expression through fashion goes beyond trends since she can wear anything, including menswear, boho chic, minimalist, classic Hollywood, beachy, preppy, bombshell, city casual, utilitarian, girl next door, & ultra chic- all in the same week!
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Since there’s just so much style-wise to examine about Olivia’s constantly gorgeous looks, I’ve put together some affordable ways to upgrade your style with go-to pieces that she wears, & isn’t afraid to be seen wearing out & about more than once, making her wardrobe function for multiple occasions!
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.
Even though I’m stuck in the thick of winter, along with the rest of the east coast, I’m still looking ahead to spring for some style inspiration. One of the favorite trends that started coming up during the winter & is making its way into stylish spring wardrobes in the lace sweatshirt. The feminine combination of elegance & casual makes for a fabulous way to reinterpret what it means to be chic. This is an essential separate for a casual Friday at the office, which can also be turned into a night our piece with leather leggings & ankle boots or skinny jeans & stilettos.
Keeping a budget in mind for any Style Darling shopping the sale rack, I wanted to direct your attention to a pair of lace sweatshirts, in different price ranges.
The lace sweatshirt ($110.00) to the left is from White House Black Market, & while it will make an investment in quality craftsmanship, it’s not exactly budget-friendly. However, on the right, the floral lace front tee ($44.50) @LOFT, which is a lightweight option, but still shares the same idea. To maintain the classy look of this shirt, mix these up with various accessories, like a string of pearls, stud earrings, & a headband, especially with modern bottoms like distressed jeans & ballet flats, menswear-inspired trousers & studded boots, or cigarette pants & ankle strap platforms.
What trends are you looking forward to this spring? What looks caught your eye during New York Fashion Week? Which pieces are your favorites to mix & match? For more fancy sweatshirts, check out designer duds like these from Tory Burch @Nordstrom & Valentino @Net-A-Porter! Other more affordable shopping options include sweatshirts from Delia’s, Macy’s, Bluefly, & Kohl’s. Happy Styling!
Black Friday is all about getting the best deals on holiday gifts, but why not treat yourself to something special this season? The perfect go-to look for upcoming parties, family celebrations, & gatherings with friends is a little black dress, much like these flirty & elegant choices worn by A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lopez in DSquared, Kristen Bell‘s cut-out zip-up dress, & Natalie Portman‘s red carpet Dior look.
While shopping around the web, I couldn’t help but fall in love with these designs, perfect for every style & budget. They can be styled in so many fabulous ways with a sequined blazer, embellished bolero sweater, or cardigan, along with accessories like a statement necklace, chandelier earrings, & a cocktail ring.
The world has its eyes on the one & only Kate Middleton, especially since her post-baby appearances have not only inspired new moms, but because her red carpet & street style are continuing to wow fashion critics. Just last week, the Duchess of Cambridge showed her sporty support at a SportsAid Athlete Workshop, wearing a striped Ralph Lauren top, Smythe blazer, J Brand skinny jeans, & Stuart Weitzman wedges. However, the nautical-inspired stripe trend isn’t just for summer & Kate shows this by repeating her look this season.
The fall take on stripes recalls a Parisian look, making any casual separate like a pair of dark denim jeans, skinny pants, or pencil skirt a little more elegant. Some suggestions to pull off an autumn-friendly striped outfit include the following three tops: the Alice + Olivia striped stretch jersey long sleeve top ($40.97) in black & white from Bluefly, Forever 21‘s striped baseball tee ($12.80) in navy & cream, & the striped button shoulder top ($34.00) in navy from Dress Barn (available in sizes Small – 3X).
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!
During my recent trip to Italy, I passed two different Miu Miu storefronts, one in Florence & another in Venice. The brand has been on my mind lately, especially after seeing the gorgeous window displays of the luxury designs, as well as seeing an image of Oscar nominee, Rooney Mara, at a recent press event in Berlin, promoting her career-making film, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, wearing a Miu Miu design.
However, I wanted to check out some of the latest styles from the brand & fell in love with these black patent leather t-strap platform pumps ($1981.00) available @Bluefly. They’ve been reduced in price from their original $2467.00 tag, but are still a little out of reach for me.
Black & white never goes out of the style & even though I don’t own or wear t-strap shoes, I can see these perfectly paired with a number of different looks. While the weather is a little chilly, the patent leather would pop against an opague tight with an art deco-inspired sheath dress. Also, these are darling for a cocktail party in a halter dress, or even for a more polished affair with a pencil skirt & cardigan- very sexy librarian!
Do you have your eye on a Miu Miu piece? Do you like t-strap shoes? What would you wear these with? Happy Styling!
Part of what I love about fall fashion is how stylishly we can embrace texture! Wearing leather is a fabulous way to upgrade any cotton button-down from day-to-night, but when it comes to leather pants, we have some really awesome celebrity inspiration for a number of very fashionable looks. Leather pants can certainly be made into an item for any style & it’s a great basic, if worn the right way.
If you’re preppy, add a gray cableknit sweater with some patent leather mary janes. Or let the diva in you show off a lacey bustier top with your skinny leather pants & some major platforms. Leather pants aren’t necessarily just for a rock & roll look, but they definitely add that extra splash of edge with a blouse, tweed jacket, or tunic top.
Jennifer Lopez is on the set of her latest music video, wearing Balmain leather pants with a metallic sweater from H&M & studded Christian Louboutin pumps. With extra zipper details & stacked bangles, this look is very high-profile for day, but also party-ready for evening. Fergie takes in a day of travel in caramel colored leather leggings, a Balenciaga printed top, gold sandals, oversized shades, & hoop earrings, all while sporting a tight bun, perfect for letting your outfit get all the attention. Ciara leaves a New York City hotel wearing destroyed Rag & Bone trousers with a shirt by Equipment, Louboutin platforms, & tote by Givenchy. She looks effortless & veyr natural, not pairing her rich pants with anything too flashy. Gwyneth Paltrow made an appearance on The Early Show, doing a cooking segment while promoting her new cookbook, wearing straight leg motorcycle pants by The Row & finished off her look in a printed silk top & feminine ballet flats.
I went on a hunt to find affordable leather / faux leather pants to upgrade the bottoms in any Style Darling’s wardrobe. My main goal was to find something $100 or less & I came pretty close to that with these chic finds. @Victoria’s Secret, the pencil pants in black are $59.50. You could take a cue from the model in the picture & try on this style of leather pant with a heavy knit. What makes leather look even more luxurious is the combination against neutral shades like gray or cream.
For $66.00, head over to Topshop for these faux leather skinny trousers which would look perfect with a graphic tee & menswear vest for day. If you already wear knit leggings or jeggings, then you’ve got to have leather-inspired bottoms like these! Marked down from $130.00, Bluefly has on sale the BCBGeneration faux leather skinny pants for $77.35. These slim fit bottoms are especially stylish for a girl’s night out or date night with your beau.
Of course, I haven’t forgotten about my plus-size Style Darlings who can take advantage of the Jessica London leather jeggings @One Stop Plus. These are available in sizes 12-28, but range in price from $119.99 – $139.99. Considering that leather pants are a must-have basic, investing the money in just one pair will last you a long time & can be worn just about any season (but be careful on sticky, humid summer days!).
Since our celebrity-inspirations were also wearing leather pants in the brown family, I searched high & low to find affordable look-alikes, but could only come across the rich brown leather pants from Jamin Leather for $55.00. Break out your favorite black tank, metallic accessories, & pointed toe pumps to dress these up & you’ll be on your way to a very luxurious fall!
Who do you think wears leather the best? Would you wear leather or faux leather pants this season? How much would you spend on them? Do you think the leather leggings trend is over or just getting started? Happy Styling!
At this week’s Comic Con, Twilight star Kristen Stewart showed off her edgy / casual style in a tissue tee by Market, with a black bra, skinny jeans, & her favorite pair of Converse sneakers. I wouldn’t recommend this look for most Style Darlings, but lately, the actress has been pulling it off, looking a bit softer & feminine than usual. Anyone agree?
Endorsing a $47.99 tee isn’t my usual way of style blogging for a bargain, but I came across this see-thru tee from Bluefly that would replicate this look perfectly. If you alternate this enough with other items you currently own, it will really begin to earn its value. Also, I choose this plus-size top from Old Navy, which is only $8.00 & available in nine other colors. If you’re looking for some color in a look like this, then that’s your best bet! As for jeans, I stuck to Old Navy with Flirt skinny jeans for $19.97 & Plus braid-trim skinny jeans for $39.94.
Kristen keeps it simple, but sexy with a black bra underneath & what better way to buy a black bra, than to get a white one with it for practically free! This duo set is only $32.oo @Victoria’s Secret. I’ve actually used coupons for this item & it’s been an essential part of my undergarment collection & you can’t get any better than Vickie’s! A rectangular ring is all that she wears & here’s a great silver pick from Forever 21, costing barely $5.00! Lastly, while brand-name Converse sneakers run up to $90.00, I found high top look-alikes from Payless for $29.99 by Airwalk.
All & all, this look will cost you anywhere between $98.73 to $118.75, which really isn’t bad for one outfit that can be mixed & matched to follow the latest trends. For more on Kristen’s style, check out Red Carpet Review: The 2011 Met Costume Institute Gala & In Style’s Star Finder to see all her red carpet looks. Happy Styling!
Leighton Meester, the newest face of Vera Wang’s Lovestruck, looked super stylish & accessible in a pleated blush blouse, paired with some seriously sexy leather leggings at the fragrance’s London launch party. A departure from some go-to black trousers, this look is incredibly easy to translate into your everyday life. Not to mention that the Gossip Girl star is wearing some killer Brian Atwood sandals & a special leather-looking Dannijo bracelet. These are essential for when you head out to the bar, for an interview at a trendy office, or an after work event.
I’ve turned this look into two comparable outfits, giving a shoutout to my plus-size Style Darlings! While I couldn’t find a pleated blouse (I’m sure they’re out there in soft blush, nude, & gray hues), here we have a tailored ruffle top from The Limited, as well as a smocked button front shirt from Avenue. On the bottom, try out leggings with a faux leather panel, or plus-sized Baby Phat leggings, which can also be paired with basic tees & a vest, or dressed up even more with a corset top or a belted tunic top.
The best lavender strappy sandals that I could find are these fun t-straps by Type Z @Zappos for $53! They’re perfect for underneath a floral maxi dress or to add a pop of color to an LBD. The only accessory that you’ll need for this look is a bejeweled mesh cuff by Candie’s, available @Kohl’s!
Style Darling has technologically come a long way, but take a look at the last time we featured Ms. Meester as a Darling of the Day. If you love all thing stylish about Leighton, check her out on In Style on their Star Finder to see who she’s been wearing on the red carpet & for special events! Happy Styling!
Everyone has differing tastes in wallets because you have to consider size, functionality, & appearance. Something neutral & textured like a black croc wallet is perfect for any time of year with any look (except for something glamorous like a ball, naturally). Here we have two very similarly looking wallets, however one is genuine leather & goes for $135.00 by the luxury brand Furla, sold @Bluefly & its retail price is $225. Whereas, the other just as stylish & lovely affordable faux leather (animal friendly!) wallet costs a mere $10.80 @Forever 21! Happy Styling!
When in doubt, you always have a little black dress for any cocktail occasion. Audrey Hepburn solidified the classic black dress with Breakfast at Tiffany’s & since then, designers have created little black dresses in every which way. While this spring is all about the LWD (little white dress), I came across this Calvin Klein design (left) with some special pearl beadwork, sold at Bluefly. It’s simple & elegant, perfect for an after work affair with a stack of bangles & metallic heels, however the $80+ pricetage may set you back. The dress on the right is a Studio 1 design. I bet you’re thinking, who is Studio 1? Well, it’s a designer of women’s clothing sold at KMart. Before you judge or skip reading the rest of this blog, keep in mind that it is a look-alike item for a fraction of the cost, at $12.59, on sale now marked down from $59.99. You’re not very likely to come across a price like that for a Calvin Klein dress. You can even get some sexy lace tights & strappy heels from Payless & not even come close to the $80 of the first dress. For some LBD advice, take a look at In Style‘s Find Your Little Black Dress Style, as well as Elle‘s profile on Jennifer Aniston’s LBD choices! Some of my favorite LDB looks include Victoria Beckham, Zoe Saldana, Demi Moore, Scarlett Johansson, & Heidi Klum. Happy Styling!!
Talk about sexy in menswear! Although Cate Blanchett can sometimes be mistaken for an androgynous male alter ego (I’m Not There anyone?), she’s certainly one of the most versatile & respected actresses of today with a killer sense of style.
At a recent red carpet event, she wears a Dries van Noten pantsuit in classic black & white, but with white trousers & a black jacket. How daring is she for winter? With a hint of a peep toe & pink lips, she puts fashionistas half her age to shame! A sharp look like this needs no other accessory (well, maybe a pair of studs doesn’t hurt!) than some attitude & confidence!
For more on Cate’s one-of-a-kind style, click here.
QUICK NOTE: I’ve become quite blog savvy in the last few days, what with inspiration from my trip to Italy thus making me a more ambitious writer & lover of style, so I’ve added a bunch of new features to my blogs, starting with this one. If you grace your cursor over the image, you’ll see where the item is from & how much it costs, saving a great deal of text to what I hope is a more professional looking article.
While I continue to focus on celebrity looks, I will also endeavor to provide more style details about this history on the red carpet & so forth. Any comments, questions, or suggestions, send them my way! Happy Styling!
Oscar nominee Alicia Vikander’s monochromatic magenta included a satin cami crop top with a pair of culottes & satin Stuart Weitzman sandals (shop similar here @6PM) at the 31st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. How To Be Single star Dakota Johnson looked minimalist at the AOL Build Speaker Series for her latest film in a sleek white off-shoulder crop top, pair of black trousers, Jennifer Fisher cuff, & black sandals (shop similar here @Dune London). Model Gigi Hadid kept cozy in Paris with a slouchy cowl-neck ivory One x OneTeaspoon sweater with destroyed cropped jeans (shop similar here @Old Navy), mirrored aviators (shop similar here @Charlotte Russe), a furry camel Katie Ermilio coat, & lace-up pumps. Mogul / actress Jessica Alba attended the Who What Wear x Target launch party in designs from the collaboration with a striped tee (shop here @Target), bold floral pencil skirt (shop plus size here @Target), moto jacket (shop here @Target), black clutch, & silver Brian Atwood pumps (shop similar here @Macy’s). Model Jourdan Dunn dazzled in a pearl & silver iridescent silk organza Ralph & Russo bustier dress with a pair of silver satin Ralph & Russo pumps at the Zoolander 2 premiere.
Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale showed her street style chops headed to the SiriusXM Studios in a black & powder blue flared look with a multicolored woven coat, an ear jacket, a color-block tote, & black pumps (shop similar here @Forever 21). Bond girl Naomie Harris went nautical in a sheer-sleeved white blouse with high-waist buttoned Burberry trousers (shop similar here @Dillard’s) at a party for Louis XIII ‘100 Years’. Style icon Olivia Palermo made the rounds at Couture Fashion Week in a black cowl-neck Iris von Arnim knit, nautical-inspired wide-leg pants, an olive fur stole (shop similar here @Bluefly), & matching mini top-handle purse. Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz sparkled in a custom gold chainmail Atelier Versace gown with a matching Versace clutch, sandals, & Chopard jewelry at the Zoolander 2 premiere. Oscar nominee Rachel McAdams wore a graphic Jonathan Simkhai little white dress with beige pleated Christian Louboutin shoes at the 31st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
During my recent trip to Italy, I passed two different 
However, I wanted to check out some of the latest styles from the brand & fell in love with these 
Part of what I love about fall fashion is how stylishly we can embrace texture! Wearing leather is a fabulous way to upgrade any cotton button-down from day-to-night, but when it comes to leather pants, we have some really awesome celebrity inspiration for a number of very fashionable looks. Leather pants can certainly be made into an item for any style & it’s a great basic, if worn the right way.
At this week’s Comic Con, Twilight star Kristen Stewart showed off her edgy / casual style in a tissue tee by 
Leighton Meester, the newest face of 
Talk about sexy in menswear! Although 
Style Darling Daily 