Ashley

In the vault

STAPLE TEXTURES

February 10, 2016 2 Comments

Leather. Denim. Knit. Fringe. These are pretty much my holy grail staple textures whenever I have no idea what to wear. By pairing two or more of these fabrics, I’m always guaranteed to walk away with a chic and casual look that can get me through the day. All of the pieces used for this look have been in my closet for at least a year and never seem to go out of style. I have quite a few leather jackets in various colors, but in my opinion a classic black is always your best bet, especially if you’re in a rush. My second fave is distressed denim. Like leather jackets, they seem to just get better with time and wear. I’ve had these since high school (believe it or not) and still can’t seem to let them go! Since we’re still facing the cold temperatures chunky knits are almost always a must. I love this one because it is one of the few non-oversized sweaters in my closet and the thick collar provides extra warmth and style. Fringe is a texture that was introduced during the summer months in relation to the 70’s trend, but can definitely be incorporated into all seasons. I’m truly a fan of it because it adds movement and interest to any outfit. Along with these classic pieces, I finished the look off with a timeless red lip and was on my way. Chic looks don’t always have to be complex, you know. Until next time! 😉

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Urban Outfitters

Sweater- J BRAND (sample sale)

Jeans- Fossil- Similar

Sneakers- Topshop

Backpack- Topshop

In ASM Shop

LONGLINE BLAZERS

February 4, 2016 2 Comments

After styling my latest blog post, “Sophisticated + Tailored,” I think longline blazers may have become one of my new go-to layering pieces. Especially for those transitional periods that don’t require too many extra layers, this garment is the perfect piece of outerwear that can completely elevate your look in an instant! While causal wear is great, a few “smart” items never hurt anyone’s wardrobe. (Don’t forget to click the images below to shop my pics!)

In the vault

SOPHISTICATED + TAILORED

February 2, 2016 3 Comments

As much as I do love a casual and cozy look, I’ve been challenging myself to create more tailored outfits that can show off my sophisticated side. For this “smart” look, I kept the foundation simple with an all-black base. When styling tailored pieces, the cut and fit of the garments are most important so these cropped trousers were absolutely perfect. I love them because they can easily take you through various seasons depending on the footwear you choose, and can automatically elevate your outfit to keep you looking chic. Whether you’re in the office or just getting dressed up to grab drinks, I think every fashionista should own a pair of pants like these! I recently purchased this bodysuit as well, and it has already become one of my favorite pieces. Along with keeping the look sleek, it is also an amazing piece for layering considering we’re still in the cooler months. Currently, I have also been slightly obsessed with the color combination of navy and black. While they are both dark colors, there is something very appealing about them together in my opinion. To emphasize the pinstripes on the over-sized blazer, I finished the look off with my nude pumps and black chain link bag. I am aware that this look is slightly out of my typical comfort zone, but it definitely felt nice to switch things up. To be honest, I think I pull off the “professional look” quite well. What do you think? Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Topshop

Bodysuit- Topshop

Trousers- And Other Stories

Heels- Jeffrey Campbell

Bag- Zara

In ASM Shop

WINTER DRESSES

January 28, 2016 No Comments

I am a huge believer of versatility in my style and I don’t believe that just because the temperatures drop, we should be confined to only wearing pants or leggings. Dresses can actually be a great layering piece for winter looks and can look quite chic with the right boots underneath. Here are a few of the dresses I would personally style for the winter. Let me know in the comments below, are you a fan of dresses in the winter or do you prefer trousers? Either way, happy shopping! (Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks!)

In the vault

LOTS A’ LAYERS

January 26, 2016 2 Comments

It’s absolutely no secret that during the winter season the best remedy for keeping warm and looking chic is layering. My personal formula for executing layering successfully, is starting with a neutral base and then gradually building upon it with heavier pieces that are among the same color palette. This is exactly the method that I used for this look. I was getting quite bored with feeling obligated to wear pants just because of the brisk temperatures, so I went on a hunt for a thick midi dress that I could wear with tights and my thigh high boots. Once that mission was accomplished the rest of the look came together quite easily. I’ve really been loving the taupe and grey tones this season so those were pretty much the colors I stuck with throughout the look. I loved the look of the ribbed knit texture of the dress against the heavy tan wool and leather on the coat. To add a bit more texture and dimension, I added my cropped fur vest and my favorite scarf. Another crucial tip when it comes to adding layers is taking full advantage of accessories. Hats, scarves, sunglasses, and bags are all easy pieces that you can grab to take your outfit to the next level. With that being said, I finished off the look with my leather cap and go to cross-body handbag. With layering like this, you are guaranteed to stay looking fashionable and feeling warm.

Outfit Details & Links:

Hat- OATW

Scarf- H&M

Coat- Zara- similar

Vest- Fossil- similar

Dress- Forever 21

Boots- Aldo

Bag- Dooney & Bourke

In ASM Shop

STAPLE KICKS

January 21, 2016 No Comments

By no means do I consider myself to be an individual that would be classified as a “sneaker head,” but I am indeed a fan of casual street style and the idea of incorporating sneakers into fashionable looks. Personally, I love looking on Asos for my kicks because they carry a variety of different brands and simple selections that can easily be worn with every day looks. With that being said, I have rounded up a few pairs of trainers that would be staples in my closet and what I would wear on an effortlessly, chic day. (Don’t forget to click the images below to shop my picks!!)

In the vault

COURT CHIC

January 19, 2016 2 Comments

This honestly may have been one of the most fun shoots to date. After a gloomy, rainy day, we decided it would be fun to go to a local court and shoot, while shooting…(get it..basketball?). Anyway, we took advantage of the empty space and changed up the dynamic by adding some intense action to our usual photo shoots. The concept actually came together quite nicely since I decided to wear sneakers, (something I’ve been surprisingly doing quite often) and had a very casual vibe going. Looks like these are pretty much my weekend uniform. They allow for you to still be on trend, with the textures and accessories, while also remaining comfortable if you decide to run errands or simply grab coffee with friends. I’ve mentioned before that I love nothing more than a chunky knit sweater during the fall and winter months. They bring such a cozy vibe to any look and provide a great foundation to build upon. Though I wouldn’t classify myself as a “sneaker girl,” I like to have staple kicks in my wardrobe that go with everything, and these Hurraches have become my new favorites. Obviously, you can’t go wrong with black, but they are also extremely lightweight and stylish. So if you like to be weekend casual like me, comment below and tell me your must-have pieces. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Hat- Express

Sweater- Zara

Leggings- Zara

Sneakers- Nike Hurraches

Backpack- Topshop

In ASM Shop

SWEATER WEATHER

January 14, 2016 1 Comment

I don’t know about you guys, but personally, sweaters become my go-to item during the winter months. Whether you’re out and about or just chilling inside, there’s nothing quite like a warm chunky knit to keep you cozy and of course, stylish. Here are some of the chic sweaters that have caught my eye recently from a few different retailers. (Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks!) Stay warm!

In the vault

WRAPPED UP

January 12, 2016 6 Comments

To be honest, I pulled this outfit together at the very last minute; but like most spontaneous things, it ended up coming together perfectly! This look portrayed the three emotions I was feeling on this particular Saturday; casual, comfortable, and edgy. Though it was a fairly gloomy day, I still wanted to pull out some statement pieces, and this grey leather wrap skirt happened to be exactly what I was looking for! I’ve been lusting over this skirt for over a year, so when it finally came back in stock, I knew I had to grab it; and it has become one of my new favorite pieces in my wardrobe. Because the skirt has some length to it and I’m not the tallest girl in the world, I decided to balance it out by keeping the top form fitting with a mock neck, ribbed sweater. To stick with the casual theme, I opted for my white leather converses and threw on my black expletive beanie for a bit of drama and interest. Pretty much any bag would work with this look, but in efforts to keep things minimal I decided on my favorite black leather tote. I must say, I was quite pleased with this look. While it is not something that I usually go for, I may have found a new style worth experimenting with. But that’s what fashion is all about! Taking the time to evolve and break out of your comfort zone to see what looks suit you, brings a world of endless possibilities! Until next time! <3

Outfit Details & Links:

Hat- Dimepiece

Top- Forever 21

Skirt- Asos

Sneakers- Converse

Bag- Baggu

In ASM Shop

COZY COATS

January 7, 2016 2 Comments

During this time of year it is crucial to stay warm; but who says you can’t look chic and trendy while doing it?! Here are some of the fashionable coats that have caught my eye recently. (Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks!) Enjoy!