Maxi skirts are a summer staple, & they’re especially perfect for any size when transitioning your wardrobe from season to season. While fall fashions are hitting stores, right now is the best time to invest in summer must-haves like maxi skirts. There are so many online right now available in all sizes & styles for such great prices & today’s post features designs for under $25! To start off, I wanted to take a look at celebrities in maxi skirts, rocking their chic street style & making memorable red carpet appearances to inspire some maxi skirt envy. This includes Miranda Kerr, Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Roberts, & Beyoncé.
I couldn’t just pick five styles, so I went with the following affordable picks, which are perfect for that weekend barbecue, a lunch time picnic in the park, or night out for frozen yogurt with the girls.
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.
As much as I’m a fan of dresses, especially this summer since I’ve worn a dress most days of this season, I’m always pro-skirt, especially when it comes to transitioning from one look to another for a variety of occasions. This fall, I’m headed all over the place: the classroom, my academic job, my retail job, an internship in NYC, & wherever my personal life takes me. I turned to some of the most stylish celebrities for a little skirt inspiration, both on the red carpet & when they’re showing off their street style. This includes Miranda Kerr‘s emerald green & violet matching separates(shop here) by Escada at the Escada Joyful event last month, supermodel Chrissy Teigen in a printed crop top & pencil skirt (shop here) by Milly with nude ankle strap sandals, & Lily Collinsin a head-to-toe mix print look by Chanel while attending the label’s latest fall/winter runway show.
While I was flipping through the first wave of September issues of my favorite magazines, I came across a few ads that caught my eye & was suddenly inspired by skirts for fall. Here are a few of my top picks that are sure to work with your current wardrobe staples, as well as make a new statement about your fall style. Below, said skirt that inspired this post was the Worthington long pencil skirt ($19.99) in blue geo print from JC Penney, which I could imagine worn with a crisp white button down, a black t-shirt, or a cobalt pintucked blouse. To bring out your softer side, I choose the brushstroke print A-line skirt ($22.80) in black & cream from Forever 21 because it just screams Charlotte York to me!
If you’re really looking to mix things up, try this metallic skirt ($29.95) in silver from H&M, which is a great investment for any time of year, paired with a pastel blouse (like that shown in the image above) or an embellished sweater for the holidays. The assymetrical zip skirt ($24.99) in black from Target is a modern twist on the classic, all-purpose pencil skirt, especially if you’re headed to an interview at a trendy office, or looking to dress up your favorite rocker tee. I’m also a big fan of this because it’s available in gray & sizes X-Small to XX-Large. Lastly, to work the menswear trend this fall, I picked the plaid pencil skirt ($30.00) from Dress Barn, which has hints of so many different colors that you can pop it with a regal purple top or make it work-ready with a navy cardigan. Also, this skirt is sold online & in-stores in plus sizes.
This week, actress Nikki Reed, of The Twilight Sagafame, hit up Justin Timberlake‘s Target-sponsored release party for his latest album, The 20 / 20 Experience, in a long-sleeved white blouse with stud embellishments on the collar, curve-hugging black skinny pants, towering platforms, & added a bright pop of color with a turquoise clutch. Her look is hitting all the right notes here & I love the simplicity in her menswear-inspired outfit with some trendy touches that any Style Darling can pull off. The prove my point, I went seraching for similar items to complete an affordable outfit that a woman of any size can sport.
This includes the pyramid stud collar blouse ($22.80) from Forever 21, as well as their plus size studded collar Georgette top ($24.80), which is available in sizes XL – 2XL. Both of these tops can work perfectly with a textured pencil skirt at the office, under a blazer with leather leggings for a girl’s night out, or with dark denim jeans & ballet flats for a chic day out on the town. I turned to Old Navy for the bottoms & happily found the Diva skinny jeans ($29.50) in Black Jack, which are sold in sizes 0-20, with short, regular, & tall inseams, & in different washes including dawn, authentic, & rinse. Of course we know that the darker the wash, the better the look, but I’m always excited to share Old Navy’s selection in sizes when it comes to staples like skinny jeans!
Lastly, the final touch to this look is Nikki’s rings which are always a fun way to accessorize any outfit, especially when there are so many subtle details like the collar & on the bag, which is why I thought the Jennifer Lopez silver tone simulated crystal stack ring set ($16.80) from Kohl’s was a good investment if you like to mix up your digit decorations.
What better way to start off the fall than with a fur vest? AND whenever I talk about fur, it’s always faux fur! As soon as I saw Rosie Huntington – Whiteley‘s look while strolling through Beverly Hills on In Style, I knew this was going to be a Darling of the Day post!
The Victoria’s Secret model sports a casual white tee under an Isabel Marant fur vest with skinny jeans, Burberry aviators, gray booties, & a tote by Alexander Wang. This is the best sunny day look as the seasons are changing, mixing your favorite basic tee & clean skinny jeans with fall favorites like booties & a vest.
To get this look, take a top like the kiss tee ($24.50) from Victoria’s Secret, which can be paired with a leather mini skirt or cigarette pants with a bib necklace or hoop earrings. Skinny crop jeans ($44.99) from Gap can easily go from day-to-night by switching up wedges with knee boots or a tunic top with a dolman blouse. @Forever 21, this very affordable vest ($37.80) is perfect to also make an LBD & gladiator sandals a little more edgy or with a maxi dress & cowboy boots!
My favorite part of this whole look is the gray faux leather shooties ($29.00), which can be found at Old Navy, marked down from $32.94! They look just like a beloved pair that I bought from Payless a few winters ago! Aviators are everywhere & the silver & black pair ($5.80) is cool, timeless, & sporty. As for a bag, @H&M, this spacious shoulder bag ($17.95) in rich golden brown is a functional & fashionable option to carry around all your favorite belongings. It’s neutrality is what you need for a day-to-day basis & it’s the ultimate piece to rely on when jet-setting around the globe any time of the year!
All the pieces can be alternated with so many other excellent pieces in your wardrobe, so investing in skinny jeans, booties, & a vest like this makes for so many different looks! For more on Rosie, check out Basics for a Bargain & Red Carpet Review. Also, to get more dish on how to dress like a celebrity, check out previous Darling of the Day posts featuring Jessica Biel, Anna Paquin, & Kristen Stewart! Happy Styling!
Pippa Middleton is making her second appearance here on Style Darling in a week (previously featured wearing a denim dress in Basics for a Bargain), so you know there’s some serious stuff going on with this famous British sister! Pippa was caught out & about in May, strolling around London in a super hip, yet easy ensemble which includes a basic black blazer, red top, & skinny Hudson jeans. She accessorized her look with Gucci sunglasses & a Modalu handbag.
During my search for comparable & affordable items, I was able to out together two looks for both Women’s & Plus Sizes. These include blazers from Target & Torrid, tops from Bebe & One Stop Plus, & lastly, skinny jeans from Express & Torrid.
These are the basic items that are the foundation to any great outfit. She remains classic, chic, & very cool in this look that can be worn for a casual day at the office, running errands on the weekends, or even if you’re headed out to a quick meeting at a trendy cafe. I recently had the argument about cardigans being so much more fabulous than blazers, but here is where the opposite is true. I love how adding a blazer to a primary-colored top & basic pair of jeans (any style- flared, skinny, straight, or wide), adds a little more polish to the typically casual outfit. Be sure to check out more Darling of the Day posts, including 48 photos of the Style Darling, courtesy of In Style’s Photo Gallery! Happy Styling!
At a recent benefit dinner for Chanel, the very lovely Drew Barrymore stepped out in this season’s most fashionable colors: navy & white. Looking every bit a Style Darling, she added a glamorous bib necklace to her white top & navy textured skirt, all by the very stylish brand. The pieces were matched with cork-heeled wedges by Christian Loboutin. With just the addition of a flowered bib necklace, the look instantly went from casual to dressy. Not to mention her polished black & white clutch. Or maybe it’s navy also? I can’t tell.
Because Drew is one of those actresses adored by women of all shapes, styles, & sizes, I decided to do something a little different by selecting items that are both Misses & Plus Size friendly, as per the request of a very close friend who made a good point on Style Darling’s Facebook group page.
Here we have two very basic, but flattering white tops (from Macy’s & Avenue) that can be mixed & matched with virtually any item in your closet. Of course it was quite the task to search for two non-peasant looking navy skirts, but here we have ’em from Dillards & the other from One Stop Plus. A look like this can also be accessorized with a wide textured belt & platform sandals if you don’t have navy wedges. The wedges are currently on sale @Steve Madden for under $34, which is an awesome deal if you wear a lot of summer dresses in white eyelet or linen. Something in red would actually look really cute with these wedges too!
Speaking of accessories, the bib necklace is very affordable from JC Penney, along with a cocktail ring from Forever 21. While I couldn’t quite find an evening clutch worthy of this blog, I did come across a black one & a white, from Express that are just as versatile & affordable! Check out our previous blog on Drew in a Darling of the Day post from back in April, showing off some rock star chic! Happy Styling!
What better way to start off the fall than with a fur vest? AND whenever I talk about fur, it’s always faux fur! As soon as I saw Rosie Huntington – Whiteley‘s look while strolling through Beverly Hills on 
Pippa Middleton is making her second appearance here on Style Darling in a week (previously featured wearing a denim dress in 
At a recent benefit dinner for 
Style Darling Daily 