Luxury Look-Alikes For Less: A Fall-Ready Textured Jacket, Featuring Alice + Olivia Vs. Dress Barn!


Since my closet space is already limited & bursting, I only have a few must-haves on my fall wardrobe shopping list. However, when it comes to textured jackets, it kind of becomes an impulse buy only because I have a historical love affair with cardigans. But one such jacket has left an impression on me & I had to have it, which only made me happier for my choice upon the discovery that it was already a luxury brand imitation at a much more affordable price.

Bergdorg Goodman - Alice + Olivia Burma tween jacket $550.00. Dress Barn - collared shawl jacket $44.00.

At Bergdorf Goodman, one can acquire the Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet Burma tweed jacket ($550.00) to don the original design, which is a very beautiful combination of menswear inspiration & the sort of modern interest that affords staple everyday separates. My latest addition was the shawl collared jacket ($44.00) from Dress Barn, which I was happy to buy in one size smaller for a sleeker fit on my arms, without having to break the bank either. Also, for shoppers looking to save a little extra, use code jkt25 for an additional 25% off when ordered online. One thing that I love about shopping with Dress Barn is that there’s free shipping anytime your online order is shipped to a store location.

Now, I recognize that these aren’t identical designs, but the mixture of a heavy fabric that wears lightly is the main appeal, along with the endless styling possibilities for both day & the office, transitioning perfectly for happy hour cocktails. I choose the H&M crepe dress ($29.95) in black, accessorized with the Sonya dress bootine ($34.99) in black from Payless & Francesca’s Bailey coil belt ($9.99).

For a chic day out, pair the jacket with basics like the collared surplice blouse ($17.80) from Forever 21, leggings ($24.90) in black from Gap (available in XS – XXL), & the round flat over-the-knee boots ($40.99) in black from Charlotte Russe. How would you style this jacket? What textures are you most drawn to for the upcoming cooler season? What fall trends are you shopping for? For more stylish posts, be sure to check out the latest runway show from Diane von Furstenberg, Warby Parker’s new fall eyewear collection, the fashionable international magazine covers for September! Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: How To Style The New Warby Parker Fall Collection!


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

Warber Parker collection

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!

Warby Parker - Hardy Striped Pacific Day Look

My first outfit can be easily recreated with basic wardrobe staples so that the Hardy frames in striped pacific can be the star player. Keeping  a budget in mind, I choose a short-sleeve bike graphic tee ($14.99) in blue from JC Penney & Old Navy‘s flirt skinny jean ($22.00) in eyre. To top off the look, I love the luxe feel of the zippered faux leather moto jacket ($24.80) in camel from Forever 21. Additional accessories to finish off the outfit include the American Eagle ‘Boulevard’ brogue flat ($16.99) in cognac from Payless, Freemont zipper tote ($29.98) in black from Francesca’s, & the Jennifer Lopez textured concentric hoop drop earrings ($13.50) from Kohl’s.

Then switch things up in the evening with a blend of timeless pieces that can be mixed & matched with other separates, especially when paired with the 80s-inspired Coley frames in crystal. This includes the ‘Gorgeous Gems’ dress ($21.99) from Modcloth (now 70% off), cotton slub moto jacket ($39.00) from Dress Barn, & buckled faux suede booties ($29.80) in light grey from Forever 21. For some extra flair, since the Coley frames offer so much versatility, I styled the look with the Mossimo Supply Co. stud belt ($14.99) in grey from Target, a super cute novelty cat wallet ($14.95) in black from H&M, & lastly, Charming Charlie‘s fair & square earrings ($6.00) & big bash stretch bracelet ($10.00) in silver.

Warby Parker - Coley Crystal Night Look

 

For a professional & polished look when headed to work, I immediately thought of the Oliver frames in striped olive. The hue is spot-on for fall, & perfect for coordinating with neutrals like black, navy, chocolate, & charcoal. I was excited to style these frames with Dress Barn‘s solid cowl neck tank ($19.50) in olive, Jaclyn Smith’s tuxedo style knit jacket ($13.99) in black onyx from KMart, LOFT‘s ponte trouser pencil skirt ($69.50) in black, & DSW‘s Franco Sarto ‘Mumba’ pump ($29.94) in black.

Warby Parker - Oliver Striped Olive Work Look

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.  

Warby Parker - Annette Petal Tortoise Weekend Look

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:

Warby Parker Fall Collection frames

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.

Anne Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Neyo, Ryan Gosling, & Joseph Gordon Levitt.

Which frames are your favorites? How would you wear some of these new designs? What trends are you most looking forward to during this season’s fashion week? Who are your favorite spec-donning celebs? For more fashionable posts, be sure to check out Emma Stone’s Venice Film Festival looks, buzzworthy music videos from Iggy Azalea & Nicki Minaj, shoe inspiration from Tom Ford, & budget-friendly skirts as seen on Chrissy Teigen & Lily Collins. Happy Styling!

P.S.: Thanks to Warby Parker for the exciting opportunity to form a marriage of stylish eyewear with Style Darling! 🙂