Tag Archives: fall fashion

Runway Rundown: Lauren Conrad’s Newest Collection for Kohl’s!

Posted on by

I can appreciate celebrity collaborations with fashion designers, as well as the special one-time only capsules with celebrity inspirations, but most of the time, the prices & styles aren’t necessarily accessible to the mainstream Style Darling. Clearly, there is an exception to that & that’s Lauren Conrad‘s new LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s collection. Not only is the reality star-turned-fashion mogul sharing a sneak peek on her website, but she’s also conducting a contest to win $100 to shop her collection at the department store. The designs are clean, feminine, & versatile for a variety of looks, which is why I love featuring her collections with my readers.

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Fall '14 Collection 01 LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Fall '14 Collection 02 LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Fall '14 Collection 03 LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Fall '14 Collection 04 LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Fall '14 Collection 05

For more details on the contest, check out the rules here. Which look is / pieces are your favorite? How would you style these separates? What’s your favorite Kohl’s shopping experience? Also, to check out some of Lauren’s previous collections, hit up the following links: July 2013 lookbook, Spring 2013 gallery, & the holiday collection! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown / Watch This Style: The Phillip Lim For Target Lookbook!

Posted on by

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Back in May, Style Darling reported on the upcoming collaboration between Target with luxury designer 3.1 Phillip Lim (see article here). The collection hits stores next month, but the entire lookbook has debuted online, featuring plenty of “morning, noon, & night” outfits that will make your office wardrobe, day looks, & evening ensembles a little bit more fabulous, especially since they range in price from $19.99 – $299.99 for apparel & $19.99 – $59.99 for accessories. Of course some of these prices are a little high for a bargain shopper, but if I learned anything from Target’s holiday collection with Neiman Marcus last year, it’s that when they go on sale, the clearance prices are insane!

I’m a big fan of the line’s color combinations for fall, mixing pastels with rich jewel tones, all while playing off of neutrals like navy & gray to create a polished pajama-chic meets preppy girl-next-door. Structured details with menswear inspiration is especially on trend for this season, with leather accents, jeweled necklines, & plenty of elegant basics to go around with any current wardrobe staples you’re looking to upgrade.

What do you think of the collection? Do you shop designer collaborations with mainstream retailers? What are your must-have pieces for fall? For more posts on affordable fashion, check out Forever 21’s fast food-inspired muscle tees, trendy ankle strap pumps from H&M, a perfect polka dot backpack for fall, & the Downton Abbey-inspired beauty line! Happy Styling!

Show Me The Shoes: Is It Too Soon To Talk Fall Booties?

Posted on by

I swear, I’m not trying to wish the summer away, but I’m already receiving stacks of August 2013 issues of my favorite fashion magazines, which have pages plastered with fall preview looks & accessories, & I knew it was time to repost in Show Me The Shoes. While clicking around for some style inspiration, I found the Kierce booties ($190.00) in green, black, & dark orange from Nine West.

Nine West - Kierce bootie $190.00

I’m kind of crazy about these shoes & definitely wouldn’t spend the bucks to add them to my own personal shoe collection, but I’m definitely excited to see suede textures, modern styles, & towering platforms for fall. I just had to share them, especially the dark green hue, which I already know would look great with any LBD, 70s-inspired, jumpsuit, or skinny jeans & tunic top.

For more fabulous shoe posts, check out look-alike shoes to recreate Sandra Bullock’s monochromatic look at the Sydney premiere of The Heat, studded gladiator sandals from Forever 21, Nicole Kidman for Jimmy Choo, & fall-ready cap toe pumps from Payless! Happy Styling!

Show Me The Shoes: Cool Cap-Toe Pumps From Payless!

Posted on by

Today marks the last official day of spring, even though here on Long Island, the birds are chirping & the sun is shining like it’s summer. Stores & online retailers are fraught with swimwear, summer separates, & plenty of little dresses to go around, yet I’m starting to see fall fashion sneak up on us. Yes, I said fall! That’s what usually happens so that shopper stay ahead of the game, but I don’t really start my fall shopping until the end of August when I start receiving all those amazing birthday coupons that I’ve signed up for!

Anyway, if we’re gonna talk about fall, we might as well talk about shoes b/c fall is my favorite season of shoes. That’s when we can start thinking about suede, ankle booties, & multiple textures to build a crisp, yet chic fall ensemble. One such example of a fall must-have is the Fioni ‘Icebreaker’ captoe pumps ($29.99) in pink, nude, & black from Payless.

Payless - Fioni Icebreaker Captoe Pump $29

These are perfect for transitioning summer favorites into fall. The rich texture of the suede exterior & metallic shine of the glossy cap-toe will make any floral dress & crochet sweater, button & trousers, & leather vest & skinny jeans look fall-ready. Of course, I’m going to wait for Payless’ next BOGO 50% sale to take advantage of these must-have pumps.

What shoes are you thinking about for fall? Which stores do you shop for the best deals on new arrivals? For more posts from Show Me The Shoes, check out look-alike strappy sandals like Taylor Swift’s, trendy flip flops at all price ranges, where to find ankle-strap sandals like Ashley Madekwe’s, & Katy Perry’s ALDO sandals & others in white with silver studding! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Dresses On Sale @HauteLook For Under $30!

Posted on by

I’ve been keeping my eye on HauteLook for quite some time now, but since Fashion Week, I’ve been bombarded with the urge to share galleries from the catwalk in Runway Rundown.  However, it’s been a while since I’ve spotted a great deal for Quickie Darling Deal & Steal that I just had to write about, especially since the barrage of fall favorites which have been trending all over the place.  I’ve recently started a new job where the dress code calls for business casual, but all of my years in a professional office hasn’t afforded me a business casual wardrobe. I’m trying to find ways to blend both worlds, but I always recommend dressing for the job you want, instead of the job you have.

I love mixing up my summer dresses with heavier knits & mixing feminine tights with suede booties.  It’s no secret that I’m all about the dresses, which is why my jaw dropped when I found these amazing deals @HauteLook for under $30.00. These 7 dresses scream summer fun, but with a few fabulous tweaks, these bargains can transform your fall look while at work, hitting up a bistro for lunch, or if you’re going on a date.

The Blu Pepper scoop neck sequin front dress ($27.00) in gold is currently 50% off & would look rich & flirty if paired with tights in a jewel tone & cut-out shooties. The sleeveless v-neck lace dress ($27.00) in navy is also available in ivory, but can look extra luxurious if paired with a sequin jacket or bolero, or can even be made work appropriate when worn with opaque tights, an embellished cardigan, & ballet flats.  The studded neckline dress ($22.00) is in an adorable orange, which begs for regal neutrals in your accessories like a patent leather belt, slouchy boots, & stacked bangles with beads.

The cutout back short sleeve print dress ($22.00) is a date-friendly frock that can be coordinated with other belts in your arsenal, encouraging its wearer to alternate complimenting hues for emphasis.  Also, trading in a corset-like belt will add some edge to the pretty pattern on the dress.  The pleated colorblock dress ($22.00) is the ideal canvas for any time of the year.  Colorblocking is one of the biggest trends & can work with multiple textures like embossed croc for a belt, argyle tights, & suede lace-up knee boots.  Reveal your feminine side with an ivory lace jacket & some drop earrings.

Don’t be fooled by the season since you can still get away with maxi dresses for the cooler days! Take advantage of these prints in order to reinvent your basics, especially with the sleeveless waist tie print maxi dress ($22.00) if worn with a bomber jacket & flat boots.  The spaghetti strap print maxi dress ($28.00) in olive will work with a tuxedo jacket & strappy platforms, as well as over a turtleneck with knee boots. Just look to boho chicqueen Nicole Richie for endless ways to make a maxi dress look chic.

Be sure to sign up with HauteLook to receive news on events & sales, & check out their Facebook page to see all the newest merchandise to add to your already stylish wardrobe for every season! Happy Styling!

Basics For A Bargain: Fall’s Faux Leather Forecast, Inspired by Jessica Chastain, Lucy Hale, Maria Sharapova, & More!

Posted on by

I’ve been on the prowl for great fall finds & one trend that keeps stopping me in my tracks is leather & it’s just not going away.  Why should it? The luxe, lush material adds an edge to a feminine blouse, contradicts a flirty skirt, makes you look like a rock star, or just helps any Style Darling stand out a little bit more.  Take it from some of our favorite celebrities, including Jessica Chastain, Kate Bosworth, Lucy Hale, Nicole Richie, Sophia Bush, Maria Sharapova, & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

My previous post about summer leather shared looks worn by Emma Stone, Alexa Chung, & Julianne Hough, but our calendars change to fall in just a few days, so why not start looking at ways to wear leather- or faux leather in this case, that can really spruce up your current wardrobe, as well as help welcoming the season.

At the recent celebration of New York Fashion Week, we saw lots of leather in recent posts for Runway Rundown, including Spring 2013 collections by designers Jason Wu, Holmes & Yang, Oscar de la Renta, & Michael Kors. Also, there was more leather to be found hitting the runway with metallic pencil skirts from DKNY, jackets by Marc Jacobs, pleated dresses by Tracy Reese, cut-out accents from Pamella Roland, & chic tops for Helmut Lang, as seen below.

However, when it comes to affordable fashion, it’s not always easy to find leather when you’re shopping on a budget. Enter: faux leather. You can’t forget that faux leather isn’t harmful to animals & is always less expensive.  It’s so easy to find faux leather separates, jackets, & dresses these days & I couldn’t decide on just a handful of items, so brace yourself… there’s a lot to look at!

What caught my attention to start posting about all these leather trends was a recent post made by Venus that I spotted on my newsfeed on Facebook.  These looks all include faux leather items, including (from left to right) the faux leather trimmed blouse ($36.00), faux leather mini skirt ($32.00), peep toe ankle strap heel ($39.00), sweater with faux leather ($18.00), faux leather leggings ($44.00), & faux leather dress ($64.00) in black. Of course, I couldn’t just write about items from one store, so here’s some more!

I should disclaim that I do not condone wearing any of these items with other faux leather pieces. You can take that risk if you’d like, but to avoid looking like a biker chick or appearing as though in costume, I’d recommend allowing for one item to be the standout & then mix with other fabrics to create a multi-dimensional & textured look.  First, the zipped faux leather denim skirt ($19.80) comes from Forever 21 & is available in plus sizes 12-20.  Underneath, you’ll find the essential faux leather shorts ($15.80), which are perfect for fall with tights & ankle booties.  Pair either of these bottoms with a fabulous blouse, studded tee, or menswear-inspired button-down.  The a-line skirt ($39.00) from Joe Fresh is cute for bringing to life the looks worn by Selena Gomez & Nicole Richie at the top of this post.  Also, add just a hint of leather with the zip back pencil skirt with (minus the) leather ($59.90) from Express.

We all know that leggings are all the rage right now, so to find the perfect pair for this edition of Basics for a Bargain, I turned to H&M for their leggings ($24.95) in black, which are also available in white, if you dare! Break these bad boys out with a chunky oversized knit & your fiercest pointed toe pumps, or help a graphic tee look less casual & top it off with a satin blazer.

I also found the plus size tee with faux leather shoulders ($34.99 – $39.99) from Jessica London & Antonio Melani Sardinia faux-leather top ($34.65) @Dillards which pair well underneath a suit for the office, or with dark denim pieces like jeggings or a mini.  If all-over leather isn’t your thing, then the touch of texture on the shoulders helps frame your face & becomes an accessory to your look. Lastly, the faux leather strapless cocktail club dress ($54.99) in black 2 cute 2 trendy crawls near the borderline of pinup, but with asymmetric zipper details, you could be working it just like Kristen Stewart or Brooklyn Decker do when making red carpet appearances.

Which leather pieces are your favorite? Which celeb looks the best in leather? Are you a fan of real leather or would you rather wear faux leather? How would you style your leather look? Happy Styling!

Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet: Topping Off The Season With Sparkle & Sass!

Posted on by

In my last post, I shared with readers my fabulous corduroy skirt find from Old Navy, but the bargains continue since I’ve used some special discount codes & gifts birthday coupons to help freshen up my fall duds.  If you follow me on Pinterest (@MissAlissaL), then you’d know that I’ve been eyeing some really chic tops lately that can do double duty for my wardrobe when I’m working & heading out for tea with some girl friends.

This includes the raglan sleeve Hacci top ($14.99) in silver from Charlotte Russe, which I was able to score for 20% less since I showed my student ID. I picked this since it can easily go from day-to-night & will work with any of my colorful layering tanks when I’m running errands with a scarf & jeans, or would like a polished look with a pencil skirt & statement pendant.

Next, LOFT‘s cotton sequin animal spot tee ($44.99) was reduced to $19.99 in stores, but thankfully I received a $15 off gift just for being a cardholder with the store.  The bill for this top (which ran big, so I picked up a small- who knew??) came to just under $5.50 (thanks Laurie!). I’ve already worn it to work with a white pencil skirt & neon yellow cardigan, excited to mix the metallic details with a few classic summer pieces that I want to wear one more time before the season is over.

Lastly, the long sleeve snow leopard burnout layering tee ($29.90) from Express was a lot of fun to try on since I usually gravitate towards zebra prints.  However, this black, gray, & white snow leopard is fun & will look great with dark denim jeans, colored leggings, & even some with a pair of satin shorts & tights for a stylish night out.  I bought this top for $10 less since I had a coupon & in doing so, I added some rewards points to my Express Next card for discounts on future purchases.

Which tops do you like the best? Are you more into sparkles, sequins, or animal print? How would you style these? Which stores offer the best coupons for birthday discounts? For more fabulous deals & to see what I’m wearing, check out previous posts from Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet & Quickie Darling Deal & Steal, including my favorite striped dress from The Gap for $14, feminine peep toe bowed pumps from Payless, & the best buys on leopard print flats! Happy Styling!

Splurge or Save… A Burgundy Blouse?

Posted on by

The color of the upcoming fall-winter season is burgundy & its related hues, including brick, deep red, maroon, oxblood, merlot, & so on. I have to say that this isn’t a color I wear often, but I can see the luxury in it, especially when it comes to classic & feminine pieces like a burgundy blouse. Lately, Style Darling has been all about what’s been going down at New York Fashion Week with manic posts under Runway Rundown, but if we’re going to look ahead, let’s talk about what we should be considering for updating our wardrobe this fall.  Even if you’re not looking to stay on-trend, the idea of a burgundy blouse is pretty timeless.  It will look lush & expensive against any black, gray, navy, cream, mustard (yes, I said mustard), or denim pieces that you already own & rely on for building your everday looks.  Keep with the jewel tones & add a splash of deep purple for some colorblocking!

I’ve found five similar blouses that fit the criteria for Splurge of Save?, ranging in price from nearly $400 to under $20.  Of course, when it comes to a blouse, you have to consider the care that you will take in cleaning it, if it’s hand wash or dry clean only, which will entail an extra cost & time spent going to & from a reliable dry cleaners. Also, let’s say that for the sake of variety, we’d be looking at wearing this blouse twice a month from September to April. That’s 8 months & 16 wears, which is how we’ll figure the always important CPW (cost per wear).

The most expensive, but perhaps my favorite of all these blouses is the Equipment Signature 2-pocket silk chiffon shirt ($398.38) from ASOS. The subtle polka dot print can also be mixed with other prints like a pinstripe pant or always fashionable houndstooth pencil skirt if you’re going for a real runway-inspired look.  At most, this comes to just under $25 per wear, which can always buy you a great lunch & dessert with a refreshing glass of wine when you’re out with the girls.  Next, the Joie ‘Marru’ pleated blouse ($198.00) @Neiman Marcus is a less conventional looking blouse, but the modern pleats down the front add texture to this flowy feminine piece.  Wearing this will cost you less than $13 each day, which doesn’t sound so bad, but for some, the sleeve-length may not be favorable.  This can always be remedied with a cool cardigan or heavy knit wrap sweater. ALso, keep in mind that light pieces like blouses can always soften up tough separates like a leather jacket!

Thirdly, the Calvin Klein roll sleeve shirt ($69.50) from Bloomingdale’s doesn’t necessarily fall under the blouse category, but if worn with the right separates, this shirt can be utilized for day or night, in the office or for a date.  The sporty sleeves are perfect for pairing with a menswear-inspired vest, but this can also be coordinated with faux leather leggings, tucked in with satin shorts & tights, or simply worn with distressed boyfriend jeans & flats.  Dress this up with an embellished cardigan & drop earrings, or keep it simple with a croc embossed belt & riding boots.  For just over $4 a day, this doesn’t seem like such a bad deal, but of course, every Style Darling knows to keep their budget in mind.

For those who love the retro look, consider the ‘Prepare to Bordeaux’ top ($49.99) from Mod Cloth, which recalls that sexy librarian / secretary vibe, while also donning an air of Old Hollywood.  With a metallic-accented brocade pencil skirt or sequined mini, this is perfect with a killer blazer or worn to show off the sheer sleeves.  Not to mention that the scarf-like knot at the neck draws attention to your face.  Not to keep getting too math-y, for just over $3 a day, this blouse is worth the investment.  Lastly, Forever 21‘s shirred high-low shirt ($19.80) is our least expensive blouse, costing barely $1.25 per wear & is also great for styling for day or night.  Take a cue from the pic above & try your favorite pair of colored jeans, or create a 70’s look with wide leg jeans & camel accessories.

Which blouse is your favorite? Are you getting into the burgundy trend? How would you style this look? What piece would you like to see next in Splurge or Save? Happy Styling! (Special thanks to graphic designer, Nino Vlacich <3, for his time & skills in creating the image above!)

Cover Craze: Victoria Beckham Is Glamour’s Sept Guest Editor!

Posted on by

Yes, this is my 2nd Spice Girls-related post in a day, however I’m writing about the always stunning Victoria Beckham who acted as guest editor for the September issue of Glamour.  I was so excited to flip through the pages & find out VB’s picks, style secrets, as well as read about her thoughts on what’s going on in fashion for the upcoming fall season.

Aside from the fabulous shots of the former singer wearing duds by Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Giuseppe Zanotti, & of course Victoria Beckham, I’m loving what she’s offered to readers, including hair ideas featuring Lily Collins, the best way to experiment with makeup, & how to wear brights for the upcoming season.  She’s had a very big hand in putting together the hefty 328-page issue alongside editor-in-chief Cindi Leive.

Also be sure to check out the video I scored below, featuring Victoria talking about her love of fashion, how she wants to empower women, & that at heart, she’s a real soccer mom.  What do you think of Glamour‘s choice in picking Victoria for the cover & to guest edit? Is she your favorite Spice Girl? What fall trends are you looking forward to? Happy Styling!

Watch This Style: A First Look At The Fashions From The Final Season Of ‘Gossip Girl!’

Posted on by

I’m excited to share with readers these sneak peek images of the latest & final season of Gossip Girl, which is currently in production.  Not only has the show been in the news with buzz surrounding the fabulous fall fashions, but British style import Alexa Chung is reportedly making a cameo in an upcoming episode, possibly playing herself.

As for the images, courtesy of People Style Watch, it looks like the cliffhanger of a downward spiraling Serena Van Der Woodsen has been resolved since the beloved character, played by the one & only Blake Lively, looks fresh, fearless, & fashion-forward.  For more fabulous news on GG & the cast, check out previous posts which include Blake’s Gucci Premiere commercial, video of GG‘s “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” featuring the cast, & a behind-the-scenes look at an episode from last season! Happy Styling!

The $100 Challenge: A Casual, Comfortable Chic Look for Fall (Dedicated to Erin)!

Posted on by

My friend, Erin, recently told me that she was troubled with finding a balance of comfort in her clothing, while still looking chic & casual.  Sometimes the fuss of too many accessories or a constricting belt & tight pants may make a casual look appear super stylish, but for the Style Darling wearing it, it probably doesn’t feel like the comfy sweatpants we all love to slip into after a long day working.  So, my goal for this edition of The $100 Challenge is to put together a look that could be described as comfy chic, dedicated to my favorite Mid-West dwelling Style Darling, Erin.

Since the seasons are changing & Erin is in Minnesota, she needs some layers to keep her warm, but at the same time, she’s a busy independent woman who needs to look stylish at all times. Some people look at ponchos are glorified snuggies, but this stylish poncho from H&M for $19.95 is adjustable, so you can show your figure, while taking advantage of the luxe, neutral shade to go with your jeggings or wide leg jeans.  If you’re not an earth-tone gal, the poncho also comes in black, available in sizes extra small to large. You can just throw it on when you’re feeling a chill, rather than trying to coordinate a jacket with a scarf & then adding a belt to cinch in your waist. Underneath the heavy knit is a draped sleeveless top from The Gap, which serves as a flattering base to any outfit with a blazer & pencil for a job interview, or with striaght leg jeans & suedewedges. The top is currently on sale for $18.99 from $29.95.

To me, when I think of comfy, I think of elastic. I mean, who wants to fuss with buttons, clasps, & snaps to fit into something, especially if you’re doing a lot of moving around?  Not I.  I’m not sure if Erin is a leggings girl (I am not, but I think they look really good with a tunic top of appropriate booty-covering length).  You can find leggings just about anywhere, but these black leggings from Forever 21 are only $4.50 & come in 8 other colors, including royal blue, navy, dark gray, & eggplant for your choosing. That’s a bargain & talk about variety!

I selected two different pairs of shoes, ballet flats & boots, b/c this look can instantly switch from minimalist preppy to polished urban depending one which shoe you go with.  The metallic flats cost $12.50, also available in all black, pewter, or navy. The patent adds a surprise pop of shine to the outfit, but also the delicate bow makes the look much more feminine & glamorous.  As for the plaid cuff boots from Payless, we’re heading into Sienna Miller / Alexa Chung style territory, for $39.99. You can tie them all the way up to cover the end of the leggings or fold them down to show off the plaid details.  Sometimes it’s all in the smallest details!

With so many big pieces going on here, I picked out two simple pieces of jewelry.  Since the poncho has some bulk to it & clearly doesn’t allow for a necklace, I picked out pearl studs with a rhinestone casing.  If you’re busy & on-the-go with your hair tied back, these soft studs will frame your face perfectly!  Also, the cutout flower ring adds some more detail & can be worn as a go-to cocktail ring for a variety of affairs.  Not to mention that both of these pieces only cost $3.80 each!

Part of what I love about the ring is how it’ll bring out the pattern in the CALYPSO St. Barth for Target tote.  It’s currently on sale for $6.98 (WOW!), marked down from $19.99, also available in turquoise. I thought that the brown looked a little more fall-appropriate & not so much like a beach bag.  The bag looks to be in proportion to the rest of the look.  Sometimes I hate seeing the skinny girls in their super tight jeans & tops carrying an oversized handbag, which looks to be weighing them down.

Of course the bag can also carry either pair of shoes that you choose, in case you need to switch, but I’ve done the math & if you only pick one pair of shoes for the outfit, your total will cost either $70.52 or $98.01, before whatever taxes exist wherever you are, of course.

Do you think this outfit is comfy chic?  What items of apparel do you own that you love to wear when you’re out & about & don’t want the fuss of heels & something form-fitting?  How much would spend on pieces like these?  What’s your fall go-to piece? Happy Styling!