I love a sleek stiletto pump! I love a pump with unique detail that offers more interest & luxury to any outfit. I love a pump in an unexpected color. I love a point toe. However, I haven’t been wearing pumps much since early in the pandemic, even though I have purchased my fair over the last year. Speaking of pumps…
I’m crazy about this electric blue, though I wish it was also made in the same croc embossed texture as the black & white options. Additionally, a wide width alternative would be helpful, as well as other neutral colors, like tan, gray, & navy to wear with a sheath dress & blazer outfit, bow-neck blouse & pencil skirt look, & jogger jumpsuit ensemble.
Her return to spotlight is long overdue & demonstrates her consistent triumphant style, grace, & polish as she turned heads in an unlikely summer combination of velvet & Mary Jane heels (shop similar here). However, Keira nails the look, especially with bumper sunglasses (shop similar here), a quilted clutch (shop similar here), & elegant rings (shop here & here). See the photos below of Keira’s exquisite style, alongside her husband, James Righton, to inspire your next summer LBD outing.
Even though summer is a season all about colors & patterns, a little black dress for a variety of occasions is a timeless wardrobe staple, including these more affordable options to help a Style Darling live your best French-girl fantasy, whether you’re headed to a cocktail party, wedding, weekend brunch, or somewhere fabulous & fashionable.
Additionally, an LBD doesn’t necessarily demand coordinating black shoes, especially as seen on Keira wearing beige & black Mary Janes, but this season, black sandals come in a variety of strappy & mule styles that elevate any ensemble. Here are some suggestions:
It’s no secret that I love a bauble & sparkle, but I’ve been hesitant to get on board the fringe earrings trend. That’s only because I typically wear my hair down with big earrings, so I’m concerned that the fringe will get tangled in my hair or the extra flair will simply get lost in my tresses. However, as I scour the web for some fabulous, fashionable, & affordable holiday buys, I keep finding myself clicking on fringe earrings to consider as gifts for my most stylish friends.
Not only do they make a joyful statement for any outfit, they will instantly dress up a t-shirt & jeans, chunky knit & leggings, or a chic athleisure ensemble.
Do you like to wear fringe earrings? How do you style a look around them? Where are your favorite places to shop for jewelry? For more posts on affordable & stylish jewelry, click here, here, here, & here! Happy Styling!
Whenever I see a garment or item, the imaginative wardrobe archive in my mind starts churning out options of how to style it. I love considering how a statement necklace can be worn with both a dress and blouse, as well as how a jacket can transform other separates. It’s very rare that I invest in an item that I can only wear one way, although there are some outfits that I’ve repeated because it just feels perfect, which is usually the case, I find, with summer clothing.
I was immediately inspired by the jersey top with ruffles @H&M as soon as I saw it an email I recently received. I began to consider its styling possibilities. I love the subtle ruffle sleeve detail, which elevates it as a trend piece above other long sleeve tops. I was a little hesitant to share this one top specifically & singularly because it is only available in sizes XS – XL. I’ve been on a mission to blog about pieces that can reach readers of any size or shape, which is why I set out to find another trendy red & white striped top for plus size shoppers too. That’s how I found the Belle + Sky off the shoulder top @JCPenney, another unique & fashionable shirt that’s a step above the ordinary stripe tee & can transform your summer style.
However, when looking at clothes, I also like to consider how many seasons a piece is relevant for, which is why I’m styling both tops with affordable options for the summer (because there is still plenty of the season left to enjoy!) and fall (an exciting time to play with texture).
Stripes should never be feared by any shopper, especially when an off the shoulder trendy top is both flattering and versatile when headed to a night on the boardwalk or with a fall business casual ensemble.
This summer is a trendy season, where tops feature all sorts of the surprises like cold shoulders, off the shoulders, cut-outs, ruffles, pleats, & keyholes. The same goes for jeans with distressed details & that ripped effect. Trends come & go, however, a classic button down & a pair of skinny jeans will stand the test of time. Former Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively is proof of just that in her latest look while taking a stroll on Long Island with family this week. What’s especially inspiring about this outfit is that Blake combines the best of hi-low fashion in a pair of Old Navy‘s Rockstar skinny jeans with designer pieces from Stuart Weitzman, Fendi, Frame, & Jennifer Meyer.
The jeans are easy to find in order to recreate this look for a Style Darling on a budget. However, I found pieces that recall the essence of Blake’s effortless style with embellished details & sophisticated accessories, all of which are perfect for a summer day off.
Right now is a very interesting time for fashion & retail. Summer is here & thriving, the best seasonal styles are on sale, but also, the newest fall pieces are starting to hit stores. More than anything, I want to stay in a summer state of mind, especially since the weather has been beautiful, just sunny enough & not oppressively hot (at least here on Long Island). My eye keeps catching what’s next for fall, which brings me to this Roz & Ali lace bell sleeve sweater @dressbarn, available in both misses & plus sizes.
The lightweight top is both flattering & versatile when it comes to styling. The airy, feminine sleeves are my favorite part, inspiring me to think about other patterns & color schemes to experiment with. Since these summer evenings have been on the cooler side lately, this is the perfect top for now & next season too. Making the investment in future pieces that you can wear now is the best way to get the most use out of your wardrobe. However, I especially love the always classic look of black and white separates, which is perfect for Style Darlings of any age or size.
Styling the sweater with a pair of shorts offers a polished look for a weekend brunch with some sandals & drop earrings. A pencil skirt is party-ready with a statement necklace & strappy heels. For a relaxed feel, a maxi skirt is easy-breezy when paired with wedges & layering necklaces. Lastly, cozy palazzo pants are effortless & cool for a day of errands or casual Friday at the office with ballet flats & stud earrings.
When I’m styling other women, I always encourage them to try pieces that can not only be worn multiple ways, but also for multiple seasons. This ensures that the garment’s value is really worth it. While I don’t want to wish summer away, I can’t get over all the possibilities for this sweater. Here are a few more suggestions of how you can play up your best fall style when coordinated with any black lacy sweater for work, day, date, or weekend.
What pieces do you have your eye on this season? What fall trends are you most looking for to next? What staple items do you get the most wear from? Happy Styling!
Summer is all about no-fuss style. While I sometimes fuss & muss over what I’m going to wear in order to be comfortable when running from work to do some errands to going out with my beau, the temperature continues to rise. Effortless comfort is most important in the end, even when I want to wear a scuba dress & some wow-worthy high heels. However, what’s more fuss-free than a canvas sneaker? I know, some jaws might be hitting the floor at my mention of a sneaker here on Style Darling Daily.
I’ve never been much of a sneaker fan, only because I don’t find most sneakers attractive. I’ve owned the same one pair for years that I’ll break out for the occasional woodsy walk or hiking venture. Sneakers have an athletic function & not much of a presence in my life when I’ve found so many comfortable ballet flats that I can wear for work & while going about my daily routine. Aside from that, sneakers have just never equaled fashion to me… until now. Sneakers have taken on this whole new street style vibe, as seen on celebrities in Converse & tennis shoes, such as style icon Olivia Palermo, singer Rihanna, performer Dita Von Teese, as well as models Gigi Hadid & Karlie Kloss.
As a kid, I grew up wearing Keds-adjacent sneakers since the look-alikes at Caldor (remember Caldor?) & other bargain-centric stores were just more reasonable for my budget-conscious family. The white canvas material would only stay white for about a day until the remnants of nature, as well as the wear & tear of childhood stained the exterior. Honestly, I never quite looked back on that shoe style until today when I received an email from Payless about their latest canvas collection, featuring shoes in up to 17 different colors & pattern varieties, ranging in a limited time sale price from $10-$15, available in women’s sizes 5-13, with their summer-ready American Eagle Bal Sneaker.
When I ooo-ed & ahh-ed at these cute options, I began to imagine how to style these sneakers, especially with sweet & casual summer dresses. Of course, any of these dresses can be worn with wedges, sandals, or heels to add a little more dressy flair when headed out for a night on the town, but why not consider a sneaker if you’re going to the local carnival, on a sunset walk, or just enjoying a casual lunch with some friends?
The yellow-red combination might not be for everyone, but the primary color mix of the linen blend swing dress @Old Navy (available in sizes XS-XXL) with the bold red sneakers is a daring & summery way to play with color blocking, especially when paired with a denim jacket & layering necklaces!
White is the color of the summer & you really can’t go wrong with this ruffle off the shoulder dress @Express when looking at all the footwear possibilities. You could wear the purple eyelet or the dark blue stripe one day & then embrace the chambray polka dot sneaker the next! This look can be styled with some colorful tassel earrings & a basket weave belt too!
Some days, even in the summer, we just wanna wear black. Maybe it’s a New York thing, but here we can turn the dark hue into something playful & casual-chic with the plus cargo dress @H&M & the black eyelet sneakers. Try a gold chain choker & chunky ring to dress up the monochromatic look!
Lastly, use online coupon code 15CANVAS for an additional 15% off, expiring 07/09/17, because we could all use a little help when it comes to summer shopping! What’s your take on the summer sneaker-dress combination? What color combinations are you looking to try this season? Where are you shopping for your favorite footwear finds? Happy Styling!Â
For at least a good three weeks, I’ve been ready for spring. Here on Long Island, the weather has been so wishy-washy where there’d be an amazing sunny, spring-like day in the 60s, followed by a major yucky blizzard. This happened more than once recently too! My wardrobe has been feeling super bipolar as I’ve been wanting to wear lighter & softer pieces in pastels or florals, but there’s still a need for cozy layers to stay warm, especially since it’s been pretty chilly early in the morning… which brings me to today’s outfit. I don’t normally post a whole outfit that I’ve worn, partially because I don’t have access to a photographer (I live alone) on a daily basis. I’m lucky that my friends & coworkers at both of my jobs can spare a few minutes to indulge my style fancies & help me out with some spur-of-the-moment pics while on the clock, hence the sporadic sharing of whole outfit posts on my Instagram account (@MissAlissaL).
I absolutely love this floral fit-and-flare scuba skirt. It’s a style that I’ve been having a lot of fun with since last fall, one that’s perfect for tucking in with various tops, cinching in my waist & playing up a retro & ladylike vibe with modern flare. I’ve thought about styling this particular skirt in so may ways, pairing it with the different colors in the print, as well as with sparkly accessories. I’ve had the sheer dotted sweater in black (both pieces from @dressbarn) that I hadn’t worn yet. When I saw the two together, the sweater added just enough feminine detail at the neckline to counter the softness of the skirt without being too overpoweringly dark & black at the same time.
The accessories that I’m wearing in the picture above are no longer available (because I’ve had them each for quite some time now), but it’s easy to recreate a similar spring style with affordable look-alike coordinating statement jewelry, polished footwear, & a thin neutral belt.Â
What spring trends are you excited to wear this season? What pastel colors do you love? Which accessories do you build your outfit around? Happy Styling!
In getting ready for spring (because it still isn’t here on Long Island—though we experienced two very magical spring-ish days before massive blizzards hit), I’m looking ahead, specifically to the trends I can’t wait to explore. One of the easiest ways to get into the mood of a new season is with accessories. My goal is to turn to some staple & classic pieces that I’ve collected from past seasons for my own looks. However, for some inspiration, I love seeing what’s new & stylish in stores & online right now to get me even more into a spring state of mine. Since I’m always interested in ways to mix patterns & textures to create a detailed & sophisticated look, I love the idea of laser cut accessories, which are typically faux leather, modern & feminine, & created in soft & neutral tones, to offset bold hues, floral prints, & abstract color combinations, especially when it comes to handbags, shoes, & belts. To achieve an affordable & fashionable take on spring, I’ve scoured the web & some of my favorite go-to stores to find the chicest ways to elevate your outfit, as well as help Style Darlings to transition from these last remaining chilly winter days & into a brighter & lighter spring style.
What spring trends are you most excited to wear? Where do you shop to refresh your wardrobe from season-to-season? What neutral accessories do you like best? Happy Styling!
My biggest style obsession this fall & really for 2015 is earrings, as seen in detail with my Instagram posts (Follow Style Darling Daily @MissAlissaL). I’ve rediscovered my love of the blingy accessory, especially since I’ve recently cut my hair, showing off my collection of studs, chandeliers, hoops, dangles, drops, front-to-backs, & jackets for the every day runway that is life. In an effort to save some cash, but still treat myself here & there, shopping for budget-friendly earrings has been my simple solution when it comes to transforming a look & when I’m in need of some retail therapy. Before I share some of my favorite & elegant picks for not just the season, but really any occasion, I loved the idea of seeking out some extra special inspiration from celebrities who are lucky enough to rock the real thing during red carpet appearances. Celebrity inspiration for killer earrings comes in many metals, colors, & shapes, including some jaw-dropping duds for movie premieres, awards shows, & a slew of other special occasions. Get inspired to upgrade your street style with Jennifer Lawrence, Cara Delevingne, Kerry Washington, Olga Kurylenko, Chrissy Teigen, Angelina Jolie, Bella Thorne, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, & below on Jessica Chastain, Sofia Vergara, Chanel Iman, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Demi Lovato, Sarah Hyland, & Diane Kruger.Â
Of course, there are tons of retailers to select discounted fashion jewelry from, including multi-metal hoops that’ll take your blouse & skinny jeans from day-to-night, oversize studs from work to happy hour, clustered stones from a date to brunch, & other genius possibilities. What’s even better is that the below deals are all under $15.00!
This isn’t the first time designer Victoria Beckham has surprised fashion critics with pops of color, & also her orange pants from 2013 have appeared again on the radar of bloggers everywhere. The former Spice Girls’ jet setting style has always looked flawless, especially when she models her own designs & now repeats favorites, showing that classic staples never go out of style. Get inspired by her sleek, clean look & embrace bold bottoms, topped with this season’s must-have accessory: a statement coat.
I love getting inspired about fashion when chatting up my friends, & today’s post is no exception. My dear friend Christine, styling it up in New Jersey, recently shared her concerns about finding comfy, yet stylish flats for the office & my brain went spinning with inspiration. Given my crazy day-to-day schedule between two jobs & grad school, I’m constantly on the go, which also means that my collection of flats has grown exponentially with fashionable possibilities for a chic, professional look. To get started, I sought out some images of the best dressed A-listers wearing elements that make up a great work look, especially with a fall wardrobe on the brain.These celebrities include: Angelina Jolie, Camilla Belle, Emma Stone, Emmy Rossum, Jennifer Lopez, Karlie Kloss, Mandy Moore, Olivia Palermo, Pippa Middleton, Reese Witherspoon, Taylor Swift, & Victoria Beckham. Flats are certainly not a cop-out, adding a little extra splash of femininity against a cardigan & shirt pairing, sleek menswear look, blouse & trousers ensemble, & sheath dress.
And for some affordable flats to amp up your office style, consider a few elements for an interesting look: pattern, texture, & shine, which will also help transition any Style Darling from day-to-night, as well as date & weekend.Â
The weather has finally taken its turn for fall here on Long Island, so it’s definitely time to break out those layers to keep warm & build a stylish look. This starts with toppers like capes, ponchos, & vests, which are perfect for transitioning some of your favorite summer separates for this season. These chunky knits, fine wool, & fringed pieces are not only popular on street style pros of the blogosphere, but also some of the most fashionable celebrities, including A-listers like Taylor Swift, Gwen Stefani, Jamie Chung, Kim Kardashian, & Olivia Palermo.
Here’s also an opportunity for Style Darlings of any size to play with textures & prints like cable knit, faux fur, stripes, plaid, & fringe to mix with solid basics, pops of color, and complimenting patterns.
When wearing a full, flowy topper, the best way to show off your shape & stylish flare is to select a fitted, slim bottom to create a sense of balance. Also, these shapes are perfect to coordinate with knee boots, ankle boots, & other suede footwear for a head-to-toe fashion forward fall look.
There’s nothing more classic than a crisp button down shirt. An extension of this is the chambray shirt for summer. While the season is at its height (let’s ignore fall for just a moment, please), a menswear-inspired chambray shirt is the perfect piece to get optimal use of your wardrobe for a variety of occasions, like day, work, weekend, & date, which is why it’s featured in my latest addition of Fabulous in 4 Ways.
This post is inspired by an equally versatile friend, Meghan, who works boho princess / bombshell prep street style like nobody’s business. When challenged with how to wear a chambray shirt, I advised my very favorite & fashionable friend that any way that a button down shirt can be styled is also any way that a chambray shirt can be styled (depending on the cut, of course). Here are some examples of must-haves tops to build an affordable ensemble at any size:
When it comes to essential basics to fill your closet, it’s always valuable to turn to some top A-listers for a little style inspiration, in the form of the button down shirts for anytime. This includes the flawless likes of Taylor Swiftwho takes the girl next door approach in a skate skirt, red oxford shoes, & retro sunnies. Curvy Kim Kardashian West dresses down her turquoise pencil skirt & ankle strap pumps with a tucked in, low-cut button down for a fierce day look. Draper James creator Reese Witherspoonis all buttoned up while traveling with mixed textures of black denim, leather pointy flats, & a pink lip. Style icon Olivia Palermo makes an appearance at a Kohl’s event in a knotted shirt over a floral pencil skirt with suede pumps.
Mixing chambray with similarly-hued denim isn’t a no-no, as seen on Rihanna who looked sporty & chic in a leather baseball cap & nude slingbacks. Salem actress Ashley Madekweis all about layering with a mini skirt, ankle booties, brocade blazer, & red chain link crossbody bag. Guardians of the Galaxy star Zoe Saldanakept her cool in head-to-toe blue with cowboy boots & aviators when out & about. Lastly, busy mom on the go Jennifer Garneroffers a laid back combo in a chambray pullover shirt tucked into a pencil skirt with ballet flats & a luxe navy snake embossed bowler bag.
Now comes the real-life outfit possibilities. Chambray is so lightweight to wear from week to week, especially if you like to reinvent your favorite pieces in new ways. I styled each look with thechambray shirt ($19.50, was $69.50) @J.Crew Factory because it was not only a bargain, but also the best foundation for a polished & flirty look. Try tucking the shirt in for day by rolling up the sleeves, but on the weekend, open it up & knot it when heading to brunch.
Depending on your job’s dress code, chambray can make a casual Friday a little more elegant when tucked into a minimalist skirt with edgy extras, but then knot it over an LBD for date night to keep cozy with colorful accessories to pop.
There’s always room in my accessories arsenal for some earrings (as seen in my various Instagram posts), which is why I have to share the latest BOGO 50% off sale on jewelry @Express. I’m crazy about the elegant & sophisticated fashion jewelry, perfect for day & evening, especially when there’s a coupon in hand. During my latest mall venture, I discovered & fell in love with the earrings below, which I already have lined up for very special outfits.
Chrissy Teigen is winning the internet right now & why shouldn’t she be? The model / TV personality is all things gorgeous & brilliant with her impeccable style, legs for days, & eff-you sense of humor- no wonder hubby John Legend keeps writing songs about her! However, Style Darling is posting today to share Chrissy’s effortless menswear-inspired separates that she’s been sporting this summer (& last year too!). Like most curvy girls, I’m a little skeptical about wearing shorts, but reinterpreting Chrissy’s shorts + blazer + heels style seems to be a feasible possibility. I’ve scoured the web to find affordable separates to recreate her looks in 5 interchangeable & fashionable ways!
Chrissy was flawless in a pair of gray high-waist shorts, a cream blouse, & shorts with jewelry by Jennifer Meyer & lace cap-toe Kurt Geiger pumps at the NASDAQ Opening Bell in New York City. Last year, she rocked a cream shorts, a white A.L.C. blouse, jewelry by EF Collection & Vita Fede, & white pumps. Also in 2014, Chrissy wasn’t afraid of playing with texture in leather shorts by Halogen with an ASOS blazer, Givenchy bag, Express necklace, & black pointed toe pumps. Then, she combined a white tee with denim cut-offs & an ivory double-breasted blazer with a taupe fedora, studded white purse, & neutral mules. For the Cannes Film Festival, Chrissy was carefree in white shorts with a plunging top, blush blazer, ankle strap sandals, & sunglasses.
SHOP: LOOK 1. blazer ($24.99, was $59.00) in gray @Urban Outfitters, top ($7.00, was $17.95) in white @H&M, shorts ($14.99, was $29.50) in white eyelet (also available in navy, shop plus size here) @Dress Barn, & shoes ($12.49, was $30.99) @Charlotte Russe. LOOK 2. blazer ($20.00, was $50.00) in black @Boohoo, top ($10.83, was $21.28) @Romwe, shorts ($6.99, was $12.99) in black (also available in taupe & blue) @H&M, & shoes ($15.00, was $39.99) in brown (also available in silver) @Payless. LOOK3. blazer ($24.80) in gray (also available in cream, burgundy, & black) @Forever 21, top ($4.99, was $29.99) in gray (also available in green, pink, & blue) @MANGO Outlet, shorts ($4.44, was $14.80) in khaki @Forever 21, & shoes ($35.00, was $70.00) in black @ALDO shoes. LOOK 4. blazer ($30.00, was $59.98) in nude @Missguided, top ($5.99, was $14.00) in black (available in other colors, &up to size 2x) @JC Penney,shorts ($12.00, was $26.94) in green (also available in black & white, up to size 20) @Old Navy, & shoes ($20.53, was $27.40) in taupe (also available in red & black) @GOjane. LOOK 5. blazer ($24.05) in white (also available in blue & peach) @ChicNova, top ($5.99, was $12.99) in blue (also available in white) @Charlotte Russe,shorts ($14.99, was $26.00) in black / white (also available in other patterns) @JC Penney, & shoes ($14.97, was $39.00) in black @Nordstrom Rack.
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.
With all the attention on awards season buzz, we can’t forget to catch celebrities at their stylish best even when they’re not on the red carpet or promoting their latest film. One such example of that is Reese Witherspoon who plays up a stylish winter-in-LA look with a mint green button down shirt, flirty black skirt, Ray Ban wayfarers (shop here, $165.00), & Jimmy Choo booties (shop here, $1,150.00)Â . This is a perfectly professional & preppy ensemble that’s very possible for a Style Darling‘s budget.
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!
Pastels don’t only belong to spring time. They’re the perfect color palette for winter, paired with metallics when you’re looking to avoid an uber-holiday-inspired outfit. Also, pastels this time of year isn’t such a crazy fashion risk when you think about cuddly sweaters against the outdoor snowy landscape.
Some of our favorite celebrities have turned to pastels when hitting the red carpet or making a street style splash. Fashion it-girl Olivia Palermo mixed a white Dior jacket with a ruffled pastel skirt & blinged out belt. Young actress Elle Fanning played with pastel hues with a houndstooth dress, blue jacket, & floral heels by Miu Miu. Scandal actress Kerry Washington was a knockout in a lace & brocade Oscar de le Renta gown & matching pink minaudiere.
Camilla Belle stole the spotlight in a pale green Gucci crop top & matching skirt with gold metallic sandals. Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o made a splash at Fashion Week in a pale purple Calvin Klein sweater dress with a gray clutch & matching strappy sandals. The always glamorous Victoria Beckham showed off a relaxed separates look in a white t-shirt & blue wide leg trousers by Malene Birger.
If that isn’t proof enough that pastels belong to the colder months, plenty of designers displayed Fall Collections featuring pale pink, periwinkle, lilac, mint, winter white, & yellow. This includes pastels featured on the runway by Reed Krakoff, Rebecca Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Ermanno Scervino, & Gucci.
I put together some outfits, inspired by some of the prettiest pastel colors in stores this season. Of course, there are other hues to make any Style Darling swoon, but the working pale blue, winter white, blush pink, & mint green into your winter wardrobe will make everyday staples like rhinestones & sparkles, as well as cold weather accessories really pop.
Lastly, to break up the monotony of this chillier season, add a splash of pastel to your wardrobe with a winter coat. While black & grays have their place in a classic must-have closet, mix it up with the paler shades in rich textures like wool & leather.Â
Sure, it’s still the beginning of November, but the holidays are upon us & it’s time to start thinking about how to translate the season’s must-haves into your budget-friendly wardrobe. There are plenty of luxe details to upgrade your basics with, including lace, embossed metallic, texture, & chains. Investing in smart, stylish accessories is an easy fix to any cold weather wardrobe rut, & what better way to do that than through the following picks, especially textured tights with an LBD & ankle booties, statement earrings to dress up a button down & skinny jeans, a minaudiere to transform a cardigan & pencil skirt from day-to-night, & a braided belt to make an embellished top with ballet flats pop for luncheon with the girls.
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.
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 21Â (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).
As I get back into the blogging swing of things, my search continues for designer look-alikes, especially when it comes to classic pieces. Shoes are always a favorite item to hunt for when clicking around the world wide web, & I came across varying designs of red peep toe pumps, which are naturally a perfect pop of color with a LBD, polka dotted separates, a chic denim look, or for a cocktail affair.
Obviously when you hear the name Jimmy Choo, dollar signs come to mind, which I’m sure is worth the investment if you have that kind of cash available. I found the Luna peep toe pumps ($625.00) in red from Nordstrom that are likely staples in any A-listers shoe collection. However, at only 1/4′ less in height, the Merona peep toe pumps ($29.99) in red from Target are just as chic & won’t set any Style Darling back in cost.
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