I’m a sucker for classic style, especially when it comes to staples like an LBD, pointy pumps, pearl studs, & the list goes on. One summer must-have is a shirtdress, especially in white, a look that Cinderella & Downton Abbey star Lily Jameshas mastered in a Ralph Lauren Collection design (shopsimilar here@Farfretch). She’s paired the crisp dress with gilded gold platforms sandals (shop similar here @Net-A-Porter), adding some sparkle to the chic Hamptons-ready ensemble.
One of the biggest bag trends for spring is the bucket bag, perhaps for the variety of fabrics, patterns, material, & detailed straps that can go into the spacious accessory. Although bucket bags have been around for quite a while, celebrities have been toting the bag around since last year. They’re perfect for traveling, when you’re on the go, or headed for out for lunch with the girls.
Just for fun, I wanted to share some gorgeous luxury bucket bags, which come in many forms, with many strap varieties, buckets, studs, & ties. Of course, these gorgeous & high quality bags are investment pieces, but when you’re shopping on a budget, they’re pretty steep when it comes to price tags.
And for those Style Darlings who are looking to upgrade their accessories collection for less with an affordable bucket bag, I’ve found these six picks, for $25.00 & under!
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.
One of the biggest jewelry trends to hit the red carpet, runway, & stores including dazzling ear cuffs & sophisticated front to back earrings. I’m crazy for earrings, especially because I have five piercings in each ear, but for those who don’t dare to go under the gun, an ear cuff is the perfect solution. Also, when a stud needs a little something extra, a front to back earring is both delicate & trendy.
Also, when it comes to front to back earrings, Hollywood’s chicest celebrities wear them for day & evening occasions. This includes style icon Sarah Jessica Parker, actress Lupita Nyong’o, former House of Cards star Kate Mara, & red carpet regular, Emma Watson.
Both jewelry trends can be obtained & styled to your heart’s content, especially for a budget shopper. Not only do they serve a date night outfit, but they can instantly dress up a daytime look with details like pearls, rhinestones, flowers & leaves, spikes, & flirty shapes.
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.
Maybe you’re done with your holiday shopping… or maybe you’re not, but either way, there’s lots going on in the fashion industry, entertainment world, & with pop culture, so I decided to take a little break from the trials of online bargain hunting to share with readers the latest news in Haute Headlines. What stories are you following this week? Happy Styling!
I just bought this summer-friendly white a-line skirt with side button @Target ($11.48 on clearance- $22.99 online). I’m so excited about it & trying to get inspired on how I can mix it up with other fun pieces. It really pays off to shop those sale racks! Not to mention that I scored an extra 20% off by checking out Target’s coupons from their website. I printed it out & got an even better deal than I expected. Happy Styling!
I was so happy with the feedback that I received from my last Polyvore-centered post, I just had to create another set. Most of the items featured here are under $50 & worth so much more since they can be mixed & matched with a variety of polished, feminine looks! For more sets, follow me on Polyvore! Happy Styling!
During a recent breakfast date with my uber-stylish friend Laurie, the subject of blazers came up since she’s in search of a jacket with enough flair to dress up a going out look, but one that can also be worn for a daytime casual look. Because a black blazer is such an essential item, I thought I’d turn to some of my favorite celebrities for some inspiration on the different styles of blazers for a number of different occasions.
First off, we have Olivia Palermo in a velvet Giambattista Valli mini dress with brogues from Zara & a Mango clutch. She tops her look with a button-embellished jacket for a more polish at a Macy’s event. Fergie attended an affair for Black Eyed Peas in a feathered & gold skirt with a satin-trim blazer & Christian Louboutins. Rachel Weisz paired her velvet jacket with leather leggings at the DVD launch for Deep Blue Sea. At the premiere of Sandra Bullock‘s latest film, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, the Oscar-winner donned an Alexander McQueen suit with a plunging jacket & corset-inspired belt. Jessica Alba went out for a stroll in West Hollywood, pairing a single-button jacket with a high-neck white dress & black tights. Lastly, Kristen Bell played down her cropped pink trousers with a Rachel Zoe tuxedo jacket & satin pointy toe pumps.
When looking for a blazer that works for you, there are a lot of factors to take into account like fit around the waist, where the sleeves fall, & details like trim & structure. Since jackets are investment pieces, these bargains are a little higher in price, but totally worth it if you find one that works best for your shape. I picked out a variety of jacket suggestions to be worn casually with shorts & tights, with your favorite dark denim jeans & a button-down top, over an LBD, or over a sequin cocktail dress.
The classic two-button blazer ($59.99) from Gap ranges in sizes 0 – 20 & has been marked down from its original $98.00 price tag. There’s plenty of room here to add a fancy antique brooch if it looks too office-ready for a going out ook. If you’re looking for something with some built-in personality, try the zebra stripe textured blazer ($32.80) from Forever 21. A dressy option for a jacket comes from JC Penney, the MNG by Mango tuxedo jacket with satin trim ($60.00) is just enough to wear over a blouse or with a jersey dress & metallic belt. If details like buttons are your thing, the H&Mblazer ($59.95) is not just available in black, but also light pink & bright blue. A classic single-button stretch jacket ($48.96) like the one from New York & Company adds confidence to a t-shirt & jeans look, especially with knee boots & hoop earrings. Lastly, I remembered my recent post about Kmart’s Sofia by Sofia Vergara collection & the velvet tuxedo blazer ($31.99) came to mind, especially if worn with a slinky cami & skinny pants.
During all the big sales for the 4th of July last week, I took advantage of a coupon from JC Penney which was $10 when you spend $25 or more. Of course, I’d been shopping in the store a little more often than I usually do, knowing that there was no possible way to fit anything else in my closet, including another skirt, but I went ahead & checked out the store anyway. I’d been very successful in finding cute a-line, pencil, or sateen. This skirt by east 5th popped out at me, especially since I’m trying to get away from the darker colors.
It was originally priced at $36.00, but was on sale for $19.99. I picked up a few super cheap clearance items to make my coupon eligible. These items included a graphic printed floral skirt with some illusion ruche details & a black scoop neck pullover, both under $7. When I walked out of the store, the super long receipt read “You saved $69!” I couldn’t believe it. Aside from that, at the bottom of it, there was a provided website address where I cold fill out a survey about my shopping experience & get a 15% off coupon for my next purchase. I’m super stocked b/c I also know that JC Penney often has sales where you get 15 % off just for using your JCP credit card, so that’s already 30% off & all I have to do is show up for the sale! If you’re a skeptic about all this sale stuff & think JC Penney is just for frumpy old ladies, well, you’re wrong. With brands like I Heart Ronson, Nicole Miller, Mango, & a.n.a, you definitely can’t go wrong!
Even though I’m a skirt-aholic, you can find just about any & every stylish design of a well-structured skirt at the store. If you’re looking for a reliable black pencil skirt, or need something floral & whimsical like this one, check out their entire skirt department. I don’t think I’ve ever walked in there when there wasn’t a sale going on.
I’m looking forward to wearing this skirt not jut for the color, but b/c even though it’s a seriously bold floral print, I could try to pair it with some black opaque tights & suede peep toes. Also, I have a pair of pointed toe pumps in the same teal color in the skirt. If I find the right olive-green cardigan, it could make for a well-coordinated look. Any suggestions on how to wear this skirt? Have you had any super crazy fashion finds at this store? Leave some comments! Happy Styling!
