Jessica Alba has always been one of my favorite celebrities to watch out for on the red carpet because several elements of her personal style mirror my own. She loves feminine, classic pieces, never straying too far into an architectural or modern aesthetic, but still appearing current & trendy. While the actress / entrepreneur has been promoting her new series L.A.’s Finest (also starring the always exquisite Gabrielle Union), as well as her brand The Honest Company, Jessica has been all about platforms. I couldn’t help but notice the chunky shoe under many of her dresses during her promotional tour, a choice that I would not personally make, but something I love to look at with her red carpet fashion, which has a very 70s & 90s glam vibe right now.
Below Jessica goes peachy in a Giambattista Valli Spring 2019 dress with beige patent leather platforms & an Alaia cropped shirt with a striped skirt in Jimmy Choo platforms.
Also, at the Monte Carlo TV Festival, Jessica wore an orange Silvia Tcherassi belted dress with a Mulberry bag & satin platforms. For her Honest Beauty Meet & Greet, Jessica looks heavenly in a Self Portrait midi dress with rust suede Salvatore Ferragamo platforms.For the budget shopper looking for trend pieces without breaking the bank, check out some of these affordable & stylish platforms out in stores & online now.
When it comes to summer, there are so many prints that make for a fashionable look, but among them, gingham gets top billing! The typical gingham button down is classic for a variety of outfits, but this summer is all about the trendy, off-the-shoulder, ruffle, or halter gingham top available for shoppers of all sizes! Celebrities even love gingham, as seen on Baby Driver star Lily James, style blogger Olivia Palermo, singer / actress Vanessa Hudgens, A-lister & fashion mogul Reese Witherspoon, & Shameless actress Emmy Rossum.
For a trendy, one-season item like a gingham top, you don’t have to break the bank. There’s so much fashion out in the world & online for shoppers of all budgets, but I do love checking out high-end designer duds for a little inspiration when it comes to finding something to write about, as well as putting together my next outfit. Here are a few examples that range in price from $88 – $265, but still worth keeping an eye on for an end of the season sale item.
The six gingham tops below are much more affordable & perfect for styling with white skinny jeans, red chino shorts, a denim skirt, or with bottoms in a bold pop of color like yellow, green, or orange.
Which summer trends are on your wardrobe wish list? Do you prefer the black, navy, or red gingham color scheme? Where are you shopping for summer favorites? Happy Styling!
This time of year is ripe with fashionable possibilities, which is precisely what makes it fun to get dressed in the morning, finding new ways to express your style and personality. Of course, there are challenges when it comes to putting together a chic & effortless fall / winter wardrobe, mainly because of the changing weather, but also, if you’re stuck in a style rut, there are five fall / winter trends that will help elevate your look without having to invest too much cash into passing fashion fads that only work for certain body types. These include: layers, sparkle, prints, jewel tones, & lace. The savviest of Style Darlings can even take some of these trends to create a detailed & unique outfit.
You know the old saying, “If you can’t stop thinking about it, buy it”? Well, that circulated in my head & heart all weekend… about a black pencil skirt. Mind you, I have a few black pencil skirts, all in different materials & cuts, but one particular caught my eye recently & I couldn’t stop thinking about the styling possibilities, especially for my next stylish photo shoot. It’s a staple for any Style Darling at any size, that’s for sure. This isn’t news in the fashion world. Magazines everywhere have been championing pencil skirts for every shape as a way to get the most out of a wardrobe without breaking the bank. Since I gave in to the “buy it” theory, I was simultaneously inspired to explore every which way a pencil skirt can enliven your style.
Pencil skirts aren’t just for the office either. Mix up your pencil skirt look with a graphic tee, peplum top, button down shirt, turtleneck, or body suit, for example. Wear one on a date night, going out with girl friends, or when running daily errands. The possibilities are endless for the basic bottom, especially if you’re looking to dress down something glitzy or elevate a casual top. Play with minimalism or menswear, perhaps even utilitarian or bombshell styles all when wearing a pencil skirt.
When it comes to the fitted skirt, look beyond a pump & to special details in your accessories. A black pencil skirt is a great foundation & neutral for any special extras, including playing with patterns, metallics, sparkle, cut-outs, & luxe textures. The suggestions below barely scrape the surface of what you can do with your ensemble, especially when you can wear a pencil skirt any season.Â
How would you style a pencil skirt? How often do you wear one? Where do you like to shop for staple wardrobe pieces? How much would you invest in season-to-season separates? Which celebrities inspire your everyday style? Happy Styling!
During a recent photocall for her new Broadway show Eclipsed, Oscar-winning actress & style icon Lupita Nyong’o made fashion headlines with a chic & modern combination of hard & soft in a floral button-down shirt, paired with a leather skirt & blue ballet flats. The sweet look is perfect for transitioning from day to night, going from the office to happy hour, as well as finding new ways to wear your favorite wardrobe staples while on a budget.Â
SHOP: American Living shirt ($38.99, was $49.50) @Macy’s, skirt ($22.90) in black @Forever 21, Tommy Hilfiger flats ($32.99) @6PM, & earrings ($5.00, was $12.50) @Icing. The total for this amazing look (before tax) is a whopping $99.88, an awesome bargain & inspiration for any shopper looking to pinch some pennies while not sacrificing her style. I’m always thinking about my readers of all shapes & sizes, which is why I also wanted to share some inspiration for a similar & fabulous plus-size look, including a Chaps shirt @Kohl’s & a faux leather Guess skirt @Lord & Taylor.
Model turned actress Emily Ratajkowski is a star on the rise, & no wonder. With roles in films like Gone Girl & Entourage, under her belt, the gorgeous star of the upcoming We Are Your Friends, alongside Zac Efron, Emily is making a splash on the red carpet, especially when she’s inspiring easy breezy summer-to-fall fashion transitions in monochromatic & single-color looks. Recently, she’s made a sleek appearance in New York City in blush tones with an Atea Oceanie top (shop similar here) & a suede Brunello Cucinelli skirt (shop similar here), paired with metallic Sophia Webster sandals (shop here).
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.
I’d like to start 2015 off right with some refined celebrity style inspiration & the year’s firstDarling of the Dayis none other than the always flawlessNatalie Portman who attended a celebration in a navy top, Dior tweed skirt (& matching jacket on the chair behind her), opaque tights, & satin pointy toe pumps. The Oscar-winner looks chic & winter-ready in her elegant ensemble, perfect to inspire any office look. These separates are wardrobe essentials & can be mixed up for a variety of looks, especially a tweed skirt to pair with a moto jacket or ruffled blouse when heading to lunch or out for a night of cocktails.
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.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Project Runway& was very happy with last season’s win for Dmitry Sholokhov, so when I found out that his debut collection hit the New York flagship store of Lord & Taylor, I was super excited to see the final product of all of his hard work. The line is full of the designer’s signature lines of structure, as well as feminine details like an above-the-knee hemline, waist-cinching silhouettes, delicate bows, modern cut-outs, & flirty lace.
Sholokhov recently shared with InStyle, “I received such an amazing response from my fans while on ‘Project Runway,’ and a million questions from different people about when and where they would be able to buy one of my designs… I tried to focus on every woman & every type of style… It’s my belief that each of my dresses offers something for everyone. My woman can be so different—she can be classy & chic, frivolous & young, sophisticated & elegant. She is happy with herself, ageless, always busy & full of energy.“
While the collection ranges in price from $259.00 – $329.00, we can hope that the expected success of such a well-received Project Runway winner can translate into a future collection for mainstream shoppers at Target or Kohl’s. Do you like the collection? Do you like Sholokhov deserved to win? Which is your favorite Project Runway season? Happy Styling!
To be completely honest, I haven’t loved this season of Project Runway like previous past seasons- perhaps its the constant struggle within the team dynamic. However, last night’s episode really got my attention as the designers were challenged to create a spring ready-to-wear look, inspired by the Lord & Tayloriconic American Beauty rose.
The winning look went to Michelle Franklin, which has been mass produced for sale in stores & online. What I love about the JS Collections chartreuse shift dress ($259.00) is the combination of neon silk with soft, yet unexpected details in the slate leather trim. This dress is so appropriate for this Spring 2013 season & it’s already selling out online! Only available in sizes 8-14, this is perfect to wear with strappy sandals on a day date, under a chic boyfriend blazer with pumps when headed for a fashionable meeting, or with ballet flats & stacked bangles for a sweet, mod look.
I was so excited in August to share one of my newest categories, Fabulous in 4 Ways, especially since the debut post was dedicated to my good friend Laurie, as inspired by her fabulous lace-up knee boots from Victoria’s Secret! Now, I’m talking about faux leather & pencil skirts, but before we dive into the outfits, I turned to some of my favorite celebrities to get some inspiration in how I would style such a classy & modern take on the figure flattering piece.
Kate Bosworth rocks a Proenza Schouler leather-trimmed pencil skirt at the brand’s New York boutique opening with a relaxed white blouse & strappy sandals. The First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a high-waist pencil skirt in navy with a cropped cardigan & purple top, while visiting a Wisconsin school. Mad Men bombshell Christina Hendricks mixes her old school glamour with a Dolce & Gabbana blouse, red clutch, & classic black pencil skirt.
Total Recall star Kate Beckinsale plays with colorblocking with a chic H&M tank, Diane von Furstenberg turquoise skirt, & spiked neutral pumps. Rashida Jones is polished & professional with a touch of menswear while making an appearance on Good Morning America, wearing a printed button down shirt & white pencil skirt. Aussie starlet Cate Blanchett showed her support for Givenchy in a head-to-toe look with Roger Vivier heels.
Yes, I’m a few days behind, but if any of you watched last week’s episode of Project Runway, then you saw the amazing 10th anniversary collection for Lord & Taylor than features 10 looks from 10 of the reality competition show’s favorite designers, including latest challenge winner, Christopher Palu. I’m featuring the fashion dresses from each season, which are currently being sold on the Lord & Taylor website. This is a pretty big deal for the show & its designers, especially b/c there was not a single flop walking down the runway, & the judges could not eliminate anyone.
I’m super excited to share the new about Zac Posen‘s newest collection of Z Spoke @Lord & Taylor. I’m featuring a gallery of the seven classic dresses that are definitely drool-worthy. The favorite designer of stars like Rihanna & Claire Danes has created timeless looks that are prefect for transitioning from day-to-night. These dresses are office-friendly with a blazer or cardigan, day-ready with ballet flats & a cropped jacket, delightful for a date with stilettos & hoop earrings, & cute for a cocktail party with a sequin clutch & strappy platforms. Although the dresses are just under $200, they’re still inspiring as spring styles are sweeping the red carpet in whimsical waves of a-lines & draping.
Ivanka Trump first made her mark in fashion with a jewelry line back in 2007, but the model-turned-businesswoman-turned-designer has launched a new collection with Lord & Taylor. The line features uber-feminine frocks, which draw on Ivanka’s classic taste in designers like Stella McCartney & Ralph Lauren. The prices range $50 – $240, but these certainly serve as inspiration for the new items that will enhance your new spring wardrobe. To check out more from Ivanka, check out her entire collection here & see the runway gallery below, courtesy of In Style! Happy Styling!
For the budget shopper looking for trend pieces without breaking the bank, check out some of these affordable & stylish platforms out in stores & online now.
Mix No. 6 Trima platforms @DSW
Madeline bronze platforms @Steve Madden
Chinese Laundry red Theresa platforms @Zappos
Design Lab black platforms @Lord & Taylor
Chinese Laundry Going Haute striped platforms @ModCloth
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