My goal, as of late, when it comes to my everyday outfits and sharing style tips on Style Darling Daily, is try something new. This includes combinations of separates that I hadn’t thought of previously, as well as only investing in special new additions that not only stand apart from other items I already own, but will also serve multiple purposes. I’ve realized that in the past, I’ve sought out dresses, shoes, & more that thrill me in the moment to add to my wardrobe, without considering their need in the long run. In order to better maintain my closet & finances, I’m being much more careful about how I approach styling.
With that, spring is underway & I’m trying to break away from my usual all-black or only black & white routine. Spring is all about soft, light colors, embracing pastels & brighter hues like nobody’s business. When I was recently perusing through my daily barrage of emails from my favorite stores, I saw a shoe trend that I just couldn’t stop thinking about. Normally, I’m not a trend chaser, sticking to what’s classic & works for my specific body type & daily needs. Ankle strap sandals have always been a little tricky. I haven’t been able to find a comfortable pair in recent years, though I’ve written much about the sleek & delicate style (here), but when I saw that so many different designers & retailers were pitching light blue suede ankle strap sandals for spring, my mind was racing with all the styling possibilities—with dresses, pencil skirts, cropped jeans, & so many more!
It doesn’t hurt to have a little celebirty inspiration when it comes to this particular shoe style, showing all the different colors & ways to wear them. This includes German starlet Diane Kruger, supermodel Kendall Jenner, Oscar-winner Emma Stone, blogger / actress Ashley Madekwe, Orange Is The New Black star Taylor Schilling, & pop star Rihanna.
We all have different styling expectations & budgets, which is why I wanted to share the six above pairs of shoes, ranging in price from $21 – $400, including some very well-known, quality brands, as well as more affordable options to try this spring for a weekend brunch, Easter with the family, or a fashionable date night look.
For more ankle strap sandals, check out these options in other colors & textures to expand your shoe collection & brave a new shoe adventure!
How much do you typically spend on trendy items? Do you like to try new colors from season to season? What’s your spring go-to shoe style? Happy Styling!
Jennifer Anistonis all over the fashion radar, promoting her newest films, Horrible Bosses 2 & Cake, the latter of which is generating a lot of Oscar buzz. However, during these appearances, our favorite Friend has been looking nothing short of glamorous, staying true to her go-to LBD style, as well as experimenting with bold colors & modern structure.
While hitting the red carpet for the comedy sequel in London, Jennifer stunned in a red & black Antonio Berardi one-shoulder dress with long earrings by Jennifer Meyer, an Irene Neuwirth cuff bracelet, & black patent leather pointed toe Christian Louboutin pumps (shop here). Also, across the pond, she played with separates in an ivory Bouchra Jarrar belted peplum top & a fitted black pencil skirt. Wowing in bubble gum pink, Jennifer attended a screening for Cake in a Calvin Klein frock, burgundy nails, & a pewter Christian Louboutin pointed toe pumps.
At an In Styleevent, Jennifer went mod in a plaid sheath dress, velvet knee boots, black tights, & chic black coat. She looked flawless in a Los Angeles in a black & white lace Zuhair Murad cocktail dress jewelry (again) by Jennifer Meyer, as well as the same pewter Louboutins. Lastly, wearing another lace embroidered dress by Zuhair Murad, Jennifer styled it with Irene Neuwirth earrings, a bracelet by Melissa Kaye Jewelry, & black patent leather pumps (again!) by Christian Louboutin.
Clearly, the actress has a favorite style of shoe, which is similar, if not the same as the Christian Louboutin Pigalle pump ($675.00) @Neiman Marcus. However, keeping a Style Darling shopping around for a go-to pump when making the rounds this holiday season, I’ve found a comparable & affordable alternative that won’t break the bank!
There were so many styles to choose from, but I especially found the Jessica Simpson Adeni pumps ($39.99) @6PM the best price & classic look for any street-ready, cocktail party, or office ensemble.
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.
Among all the celebrity sisterly duos, I have to say that the Simpsons, Jessica & Ashlee that is, are my favorite. While their musical careers may have lost their spark, it’s safe to say that the Texas natives are feeling good taking on fashion. The Jessica Simpson Collection has been successful with plenty of feminine apparel items & flirty accessories like platforms & sandals that are perfect for any wardrobe.
For the Fall 2013 collection, new mom Jess enlisted the help of her edgier rock & roll-esque baby sister, Ashlee, as the face of the latest line, which includes a stylish variety of casual dresses, date-worthy pieces, girlie jewelry, & trendy separates, as seen in the images above & below!
In a recent interview with People Style Watch, Ashlee shared that “I have a pretty cool sister with an amazing sense of style, and I was honored to get to do the shoot… We keep it in the family. Jessica’s a fun one to work with.”
On Tuesday nights, NBC’s Fashion Starairs its 4th episode, featuring designers who market their creations for buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, & H&M. These designers are under the watchful eyes of mentors Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson, & John Varvatos. The show is hosted by supermodel Elle Macpherson, & allows shoppers to buy the winning looks online after the show, as well as in stores the following day.
Take a look at some of the winning looks, which aren’t all available for purchase anymore, but I love how easy Style Darlings can access these designs right away. Even though I’m a super duper Project Runway addict, this show is happily filling in the fashionable gap for me. Check out the video posted below in case you haven’t seen the show yet!
Because I’m signed up to receive emails from the Jessica Simpson Collection, I learned about a very special discount code (25125) which allows shoppers a $25 discount on purchases of $125 or more. Yeah, that’s a lot of money, but when clicking around on the website, there were a lot of great items from which to choose that can total up to $125 & you’d be able to use that discount. In addition, the website offers FREE SHIPPING to all purchases over $100.
If you want to shop more from this brand, be sure to check out sales & deals at Macy’s, 6pm, Zappos, & Shop Style.
These six items total $125.94 & after your discount, that gives you a total of $100(ish) dollars, thus fitting into our $100 Challenge theme. Most of these items can either be found under the sale category or in the accessories. You can wear big cutout earrings with any day or night look, including a zebra print dress & banded sandals. Skinny jeans are always perfect with gold ballet flats or two-toned Mary Janes. Argyle tights add a sophisticated touch to any preppy look, especially with a feminine wool coat. A flirty bra & panties combo comes from this cute collection of sexy sets that will make getting dressed even sexier! Multicolored striped wraps just scream out nautical would go with a polka dot tee & duffle satchel. Even though winter is gone, keep a sequin beret like this handy for those snowy bad-hair days, especially with a leather jacket & suede knee boots. Happy Styling!
It doesn’t hurt to have a little celebirty inspiration when it comes to this particular shoe style, showing all the different colors & ways to wear them. This includes German starlet Diane Kruger, supermodel Kendall Jenner, Oscar-winner Emma Stone, blogger / actress Ashley Madekwe, Orange Is The New Black star Taylor Schilling, & pop star Rihanna. 
SHOP: 1. Stuart Weitzman nearly nude sandal @Stuart Weitzman, 2. Pelle Moda Bonnie sandal @Zappos, & 3. Steve Madden Carrson sandal @Steve Madden.
SHOP: 4. Jessica Simpson Monrae sandals @DSW, 5. Brash Houston sandal @Payless, & 6. ‘It’s Simple Really’ sandal @GOjane.
SHOP: Call It Spring wine velvet sandal @Macy’s, Fiolla pink suede sandal @ALDO, Mossimo Pamela sandal in black @Target, Michael Antonio Lovina sandal in pink @JC Penney, & ‘All Star Cast’ white patent leather sandal @Lulu’s. 
