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.
One of my favorite designers of all time is Marchesa, the epitome of glamour & elegance when it comes to ornate & timeless red carpet gowns, as famously seen on the red carpet on celebrities like Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Blake Lively, & Kerry Washington. The brand’s newest Pre-Fall 2015 Collection is everything & more to expect, including lots of brocade, lace, metallic textures, & just-right ruffles. Of course these designs are perfect for the upcoming awards season, likely to be seen on red carpet favorites like Big Eyes star Amy Adams, American’s sweetheart Jennifer Garner, model-turned-style-icon Kendall Jenner, & Girls actress Allison Williams.
It’s awards season, which means that it’s time for the stars to weigh their red carpet options & many, many press appearances promoting the best films of the year. One line that’s sure to grab the attention of A-listers is Badgley Mischka‘s Pre-Fall 2015 Collection, which is why I’m sharing it first. It includes luxe gowns that are perfect for the red carpet, as well as chic frocks & sheath dresses for those token interviews & events leading up to the big night. The collection tells a lovely story with lace details, delicate architecture, fine lines, & classic silhouettes. These pieces would shine on a Style Darling of any age, including this year’s nominees like Into the Woods star Emily Blunt, awards season favorite Julianne Moore, & Game of Thrones heroine Emilia Clarke.
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!
If there’s one actress to watch, it’s Anna Kendrick who has a total of eight films coming up, including Into the Woods, where she plays a very complicated Cinderella. Anna appears on the cover of the December 2014 issue of Marie Claire, talking about haters who throw shade on her unconventional looks, her 2010 Oscar nomination for Up in the Air, & her ambition. Among those are the highly anticipated sequel Pitch Perfect 2, costarring Rebel Wilson & Elizabeth Banks.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Anna’s supposedly drunk interview, showing her lovable personality quirks, beauty necessities, & other fun quotables! Not to mention Anna’s ability to wear ANYTHING, including flirty separates, sequined gowns, & preppy ensembles, while pulling off an effortless elegance that makes her one of the most interesting A-listers to watch on the red carpet!
Jennifer Lopez is not only one of the most beautiful & stylish women in the world, but she continues to set trends that are changing the face of fashion. Her latest style adventure includes wide leg pants, & she’s pulling them off like a pro, with statement tops & pops of color. While out & about promoting her new book, True Love, she’s been making headlines with her fabulous outfits as well.
While appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman, Jennifer rocked a head-to-toe all-black look in a Milly crop top & wide leg trouser by Paule Ka with a cape by Noon by Noor & jewelry by Norman Silverman. In full diva fashion, Jennifer mixes up the middle look with a gold beaded Naeem Kahn top with pleated Alice + Olivia gauchos & jewelry by Melinda Maria. Lastly, she showed off her abs in a kelly green monochromatic ensemble by ICB with Christian Louboutin caged booties (shop here) & an Hermes cuff.
To interpret Jennifer’s wide leg pants look with your own wardrobe staples, I found the following comparable styles: Culottes in ruse @Forever 21 ($32.90), Pants in black @H&M ($59.95), & Pants in forest green @ASOS ($66.33).
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.
One of the most innovative, yet consistently classic designers I’ve ever seen is Carolina Herrera. Her designs are always flirty & feminine, yet there’s a modern element that shows her relevance among the top players in fashion. Her latest presentation of the Spring Summer Ready-To-Wear 2015 collection for this season’s New York Fashion Week(#NYFW) was just that & more. In her own words, the line explores “full bloom,” using the technology of digital prints with bold flower inspiration over seemingly watercolored floral details on each look. Also, the soft blend of pastels against luxe & dramatic separates make this a truly beautiful runway experience, one that I would’ve loved to see in person in motion.
As you an see fro the video, as well as the gallery & slideshow below, there’s an effortless blend of futuristic mosaic cuts with paneling & refined grace that exists in the collection. Sometimes florals can be matronly, but this show appeals to Style Darlings of any age who seek elegance with high style. It’s no wonder why Herrera has a loyal celebrity following that includes Renee Zellweger, Emmy Rossum, Jordana Brewster, Camilla Belle, Olivia Palermo, & many more!
Emma Stone is always a favorite on the red carpet, showing off her playful & sophisticated side, which always makes her one to watch! Just this week, the actress debuted a new cropped ‘do, along with a chic black top + pants & heels look when making public appearances. So, it’s not wonder that this girl next door is today’s Darling of the Day!
When arriving at the Venice Film Festival, the actress wowed photogs in Sandro sweatpants (shop here), an effortless black top, & multicolor pumps. Also, during a photocall for her upcoming film, The Birdman, she showed up in Proenza Schouler separates & embellished pumps. These looks are perfect for inspiring Style Darlings on a budget all over the world to transition their summer wardrobe into fall with a few tweeks.
For example, we all have tons of black tops in our closets, so it’s time to break them out, but if you’re looking to spruce up your basics, try the sleeveless tank top ($17.99) in black from Target (available in XS – XXL) & New York & Company‘s dolman sleeve pullover sweater ($14.99), which is currently marked down from its original $44.95 price! Also, have fun this season with unexpected pants, which will certainly amp up your day-to-day style, with the loose fit pants ($6.95) in black/patterned from H&M & the marled knit pants ($17.80) in grey/white from Forever 21 (for similar Plus size styles of both, click here & here).
Lastly, Emma finishes her looks with a great heel. Since you’re working with a basic color palette, experiment with texture & embellishments to make your ensemble really pop. I choose the snakeskin print runway heel ($41.94) from Express in multi (currently 40% off!) & GOjane‘s ‘Point Well Taken’ stiletto heel ($20.89).
While trying to catch up with the latest music burning up iTunes, I’m guilty of surfing around YouTube to see what some of my favorite & the most talked about recording artists are up to these days, especially since it’s been a while since I posted music videos on Style Darling. One thing has been made clear: Female empowerment is a strong message in so many of the most current pop & rap hits, from well-established artists, to the most controversial ones, & to the up & comers who are certainly making headlines of their own.
Of course, I need to talk about style here too, so here goes. First & foremost, I am obsessed with newcomer Meghan Trainor & her positive body image-themed booty shaker “All About That Bass,” which I’ve shared with so many friends in the last two days. Then, my favorite Aussie Iggy Azalea teamed up with Brit singer Rita Ora for a Kill Bill homage in the music video for “Black Widow,” where the duo look sleek battling against the likes of villain Michael Madsen. Katy Perry‘s party pop song “This Is How We Do” takes fans on a modern art museum tour, making references to pop art, as well as the more geometric side of artists like Mondrian (at the same time celebrating the carefree party lifestyle in a rainbow of wig choices & latex outfits). Taylor Swift‘s uber-pop debut single off her upcoming 1989 album, “Shake It Off” shows the former country crooner as a quirky dancer sporting a tutu, cheerleader uniform, daisy dukes & mega hoops, a letterman jacket & pleather skinnies, as well as an all-black Audrey Hepburn-inspired ensemble. Lastly, the most buzzworthy of them all is Nicki Minaj‘s ” Baby Got Back” reboot, “Anaconda,” which glorifies a healthy rear end in the most explicit & aggressive ways possible, but I say that if she’s got it (which she totally does!), she should flaunt it.
There’s still a chill in the air here in New York, but it’s finally starting to look like spring. There’s change in the air & I know I’m really excited about it- & not just for my change in wardrobe. However, speaking of spring fashions, the go-to print of the season is florals & I couldn’t turn my back the trend, especially when I’ve been seeing it everywhere! For example, A-list celebs have been wearing florals even during the winter, ushering in the warmer season. Miranda Kerris all smiles in a floral skirt with a leather Prada tote while taking in the day in Sydney. Elizabeth Olsenmixed her floral top with a mustard coat & skinny jeans. Actress Diane Krugerattended a press event for Farewell, My Queen in a 10 Crosby Derek Lam ensemble.
Not to mention that there have been plenty of florals hitting the runways this year, including luxe vintage from Valentino, 80s-inspired rocker chic designs from Betsey Johnson, youthful & bright patterns from Tracy Reese, Lanvin‘s elegant & sophistication, & Erdem‘s playful & refreshing angle on flowers.
Whether it’s on clothing, accessories, or mixed & match (which I only recommend doing with caution), I made a few selections from some of my favorite stores to share how you can wear the latest floral pieces on a budget! The best piece to start building the perfect spring wardrobe is a dress, like the Merona sleeveless tulip wrap dress ($19.00) from Target, which has recently been marked down from its original $24.99 price. The flattering wrap shape is perfect for accentuating your shape & the navy background adds a regal touch is paired with basketweave espadrilles or bright ballet flats. Next is the LC Lauren Conrad floral ruffle tank ($25.20) from Kohl’s, which is a feminine topper piece to wear with dark denim jeans, white skinny pants, or a denim skirt.
Don’t be afraid of florals on your bottom half, especially with the 4 1/2″ belted printed flat front shorts ($32.94) from Express, which add some tropical flair to your look & will dress down a lace blouse. I love the idea of sequins with florals & this skirt ($34.95) from H&M is a stylish marriage of both. This will pair nicely with a chambray button down shirt for a fashionable day out & about or with a solid pullover & pointy toe pumps for a date. Lastly, floral pants are also one of the biggest trends this season, especially in a looser cut to provide plenty of flow & movement, which is why I choose the Full Tilt skinny harem pants ($24.99) from Tilly’s. The chic black, gray, & white color combination is understated & can be coordinated with pastel pieces like coral or mint.
As for accessories, these bright colors will make your outfit pop, especially since they’re so effortless to match with wardrobe essentials. For example, the sequin tulip print pumps ($27.80) from Forever 21 are flirty & will add extra dimension to cuffed jeans & a ruffled top. Also, for a more subtle floral shoe, the novelty ballet flats ($39.95) from Gap. The soft pink & red tones in the shoe can offset any striped tee & jeans look in a ladylike way.
Part of what I love about spring is that I can still wear scarves, which can bring a lot to a look, like the ground floral scarf ($14.99) from Payless for a denim jacket & LBD with ankle strap platforms or a maxi dress & cargo vest with gladiator flats. Lastly, I’m not really a hat kind of girl, but in some cases, you need to protect your face from the harsh rays of the sun, especially this early in the season, which is why I picked the pop floral baseball cap ($8.99) from Charlotte Russe.
Style Darling Daily 
