aldo – Page 2 – A Styled Mind

In the vault

BACK TO BUSINESS

August 22, 2019 2 Comments

I find suits to be such staple pieces that truly never get the credit they deserve for being one of the most powerful, yet classic looks an individual can wear. Especially for women, they tend to make a chic yet strong statement when worn no matter what the occasion may be. While I do have a few favorites of my own, in a variety of styles, this one was definitely unlike anything in my current wardrobe. The fit itself, would probably make this co-ord the most feminine set I own. From the cropped skinny trousers and double-breasted jacket, I couldn’t help but feel like the baddest girl boss in town! Unlike most separates, suits allow the focus to remain on the accessories since the outfit is essentially complete from the beginning. Because of the eye-catching details, it was imperative that I let the pinstriped garments speak for themselves and not be overshadowed by the bells and whistles. To coordinate with the black button accents, I chose a sleek pair of mules as footwear. In efforts to brighten things up, since I was working with a fairly dark color palette, I didn’t hesitate to grab my baby blue studded bucket bag. It’s no secret that I love a good cross-body and this one in particular added the perfect pop of color to break up the ensemble and add some dimension to the look as a whole. Lastly, a pair of statement earrings never hurt, so I was more than happy to incorporate them and bring a more formal, glam element to the outfit. I loved how this look was the perfect balance of sophistication and edginess. On a more casual day, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw on a crisp pair of white sneakers to really incorporate some sporty elements as well. Let me know in the comments if you prefer more traditional, or classic styles of suits and how you would style them for the Fall. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Eggie

Trousers- Eggie

Heels- Steve Madden

Bag- Zara

Earrings- Aldo

In the vault

SANTA, BABY!

December 12, 2018 2 Comments

I draw inspiration from so many different things when creating my looks, I honestly think it would be impossible to run out of ideas! For instance, with Christmas right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to style a look inspired by jolly ol’ St. Nick! What’s funny is that I really didn’t have this idea in mind until I started collecting the pieces. I saw this burgundy pinstriped blazer a few weeks ago and, though I didn’t purchase it initially, I couldn’t get it out of my head so it didn’t take me long to decide to go back for it. Everything from the rich color, to the belted detail and buttons truly had me swooning! I thought it would be the perfect addition to my tailored collection, as well as make a great statement piece for a sophisticated and chic holiday look. On an unrelated shopping outing, I had been on the hunt for a pair of leather gloves. For the past few Winter seasons I’ve wanted a new pair but always end up waiting too long and missing out. Luckily, this year I decided to jump on the bandwagon early and I’m so happy I did! In the midst of creating content, holiday shopping, and my regular 9-5, I also moved into a new apartment and suffered a minor injury in the process– and thus, the Santa look was born! Because I wanted to keep my wounded finger covered, the gloves were a no-brainer and everything else just seemed to fall into place. While the blazer did come with a matching pair of trousers, I was set on keeping things a bit more casual and styled it with a pair of jeans I had recently bought instead. To further stick with my theme, I figured a black bootie would suffice for footwear; and the lace-up pair I found with mesh detailing really helped to pull everything together. To compliment this accent, I also wore a sheer bodysuit to give my look a consistent edgy vibe. Lastly, in efforts to soften the look a bit, I added a pair of statement earrings to complete my modern Mrs. Clause vision! I’d like to think this is how I would look if I were to deliver gifts around NYC. Instead of reindeer I had my row of cabs and though they don’t fly, they certainly speed through traffic like no other, lol! In all seriousness, I really enjoyed shooting this outfit and would be interested in challenging myself to create more looks inspired by holiday characters. Let me know what you guys think of this idea in the comments below. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- & Other Stories

Bodysuit- Zara

Jeans- Levis

Booties- Zara

Earrings- Aldo

In the vault

NEUTRAL GROUND

June 26, 2018 1 Comment

After about a month’s break from my usual photo shoot routine due to recent collaborations, I’d say I was a bit nervous to get back into the swing of things. Per usual, I let my anxiety get the best of me and had a few doubts that I would be able to jump back into the groove and produce outfits that I loved. That said, the worrying was in vain and I was completely thrilled with the outcome! It’s ironic because I had been holding off on shooting at this specific location as well as styling this dress for a few months now. Luckily, it seemed like the “right” time finally presented itself and everything came together seamlessly. As I was working with a pretty neutral color palette, I knew I wanted to keep my accessories toned down without being overly “matchy,” yet still eye-catching. On a separate shopping trip however, I came across this brown cross-body with gold details; and it was then that I decided to coordinate with the metallic accents to complete the ensemble. I found a gorgeous pair of strappy heeled sandals that fully encompassed the dainty, feminine vibe I was going for. I was also able to make use of a pair of statement earrings from my own closet that pulled everything together with ease. I’ve mentioned in the past that I tend to go through phases where I collect a certain item of clothing or accessory with each season, and recently I couldn’t help but notice my sunglasses collection rapidly expanding before my eyes. Of course, with it being Summer, sunnies are pretty much a staple with every ensemble and this one was no exception! As soon as I saw this pair of tortoise cat-eye frames, I knew they’d make the perfect final touch for this look and I couldn’t have been more right (if I do say so myself, lol). I loved the way this look turned out and quickly regained my confidence with regard to this whole blogging thing. I think it’s important to take notice of our strengths and remember that while breaks may occur, talent will never waiver so long as the passion is there. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- WAYF x Nordstrom

Bag- BP. x Nordstrom

Heels- Zara

Sunglasses- Zara

Earrings- Aldo

In the vault

SHOWSTOPPER

January 9, 2018 2 Comments

I love this look because it’s a true representation of how I intend my 2018 to be: bold, bright, and all about business (with a little bit of fun sprinkled in of course, lol). This was an extremely fitting outfit to kick off the New Year as I actually did wear this on January 1st to a social event I attended. As I get older, I’m definitely learning to appreciate the value of a classic suit. In my opinion, it provides a sense of empowerment and sophistication that I don’t seem to find with any other pieces. I feel like in the past, suits were always associated with people who were boring or “stiff,” but lately I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the playfulness of the more non-traditional coordinates that experiment with various colors, textures, and patterns. Due to the harsh weather conditions we’ve been experiencing in NYC, I didn’t see myself doing that much for New Year’s weekend. That being said, I still wanted to secure a few looks just in case and this metallic number ended up being the perfect option! As we know, the holiday season is all about the glitz and though I wanted to be appropriately festive and stand out just as much, I wasn’t in the mood to freeze in a skimpy dress that I would probably never wear again. Though I opted to go the more “tailored” route in this silver ensemble, I still felt as though my look was sophisticated, chic, and eye-catching to say the least. Because the suit itself was clearly the “showstopper,” I decided to keep it simple with black accessories. I found an old leather cami which served as a modest and minimal layering piece for underneath my blazer and threw on the most comfortable heeled sandals I own. Its’s rare that I shoot looks with bags these days, but I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to showcase my new clutch which also doubles as a lipstick case and was definitely one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year! Lastly, for a final touch of glam, I added a pair of black and silver chandelier earrings which tied all the elements of this look together beautifully. Recently I’ve become more fond of these boss-like looks, and definitely plan to incorporate more of them into my style in 2018. Here’s to an amazing year of great health, style, and success; until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Suit Jacket- Topshop

Suit Trousers- Topshop

Top- Nasty Gal

Heels- Michael Kors

Clutch- Dior

Earrings- Aldo

In the vault

NYE!

December 31, 2017 1 Comment

Another year has gone by and it truly has been a whirlwind! With all of ups and downs 2017 brought, I can honestly say the amount of growth I’ve experienced in my personal and professional life has left me with a sense of accomplishment I can only help but feel optimistic about. Though no year is ever perfect, staying humble, focused, consistent, and positive are all I can do to ensure the good outweighs the bad. Surprisingly, I may actually be staying in this NYE however that doesn’t mean I don’t have several outfits planned for any last minute events. While I’m usually all about the glitz during this holiday, this year I decided to take a slightly more understated approach and traded my sequins for velvet. This cranberry colored jumpsuit was absolutely perfect for the vibe I was feeling for this New Year’s Eve: comfortable, sexy, yet classy. This piece is also very practical as I was definitely not too keen on the idea of facing these frigid New York temperatures with bare legs. Jumpsuits will always remain a closet staple for me because of how low maintenance they are. They also take the stress out of finding multiple items to coordinate together and allow the focus to remain on statement accessories. Because I still wanted to include a bit of festive sparkle to the look, I chose a pair of rose gold heeled sandals with diamante accents to add an element of glam. To match my footwear, I also incorporated some dainty rose gold studs which I thought added a nice elegant detail. Lastly, to finish off the look, no NYE outfit would be complete in my opinion without a faux fur! I’ve had this particular one for a few years now and it still brings that “sophisticated drama” that I love, whenever I wear it. I really can’t believe that this will be my last post of 2017 and what an amazing year of outfits it’s been! Whether you’ve been following my blog from the beginning or just recently, your support is greatly appreciated and I vow to continue to provide style inspiration and helpful tips well into the new year and if all goes as planned, many more to come! Cheers to 2018 and year 3 of ASM! Stay safe tonight, and see you next year! <3

Outfit Details & Links:

Coat- Topshop

Jumpsuit- Express

Heels- Aldo

Earrings- Aldo

In the vault

SAFARI CHIC

August 29, 2017 2 Comments

This look is easily in my top 5 blog posts of all time. Why, you may ask– because it came together so unexpectedly and ended up being the most perfect combination! I purchased this top on a separate occasion from the bottom two pieces and was hesitant at first to even leave the store with it. The deconstructed button down shirt is a wildly popular and trendy piece; and while I am a huge fan, I’ve been trying to train myself towards only investing in pieces that I know I will get longevity out of. That being said, I obviously don’t have much self-control because it didn’t take much convincing for me to realize that I “needed” this item. After getting the piece home I immediately started brainstorming outfit ideas and was leaning towards pairing it with what I thought would be the most effortless option…DENIM. For some reason though, I ended up putting the idea aside and continued planning other looks. During another shopping trip a few weeks later, I ended up scoring this amazing mini skirt, heels, and a few other gems. At this point, I’ve honestly lost count of how many minis I actually own but being on the shorter side, I figured I could never have too many (lol). Also, for more seasonal purposes, I thought the khaki fabric made this particular skirt a great transitional piece as we are moving into the Fall. Believe it or not, I was on the hunt for a bag when I came across these gorgeous heels and it only took me about 20 seconds to spot them, try them on, and realize they were on sale before making my purchase and being happily on my way. To be completely honest, I had 3 separate outfits planned for each of these pieces up until the night before my shoot. It was only when I began modeling my new items for my roommate (it’s our ritual, don’t judge lol) that I got the idea to try everything on together and she and I both confirmed that it was “the one.” In life, outside of just fashion and blogging, it always seems like the best outcomes are products of unplanned situations. For me, this was yet another example of why I need to learn to just let go sometimes and stop overthinking everything…however, I am still a work in progress, lol. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Shirt- Topshop

Skirt- Zara

Heels- Aldo

Sunglasses- Celine

In the vault

PVC VIBES

April 4, 2017 1 Comment

One of the perks of being a blogger, in my opinion, is that you have a permanent excuse to constantly shop. Even if it’s for something that you may only wear once or wouldn’t typically pick up, you can easily make a case for it. That being said, I try to only shop for pieces that I know I can feature on my blog and make permanent assets to my existing wardrobe. However, there are times when I am skeptical about an item but buy it anyway just to try it out; and this skirt was a product of one of “those” purchases. A few years ago, the PVC (or patent) trend was very popular in regards to body-con midi skirts and dresses. While I was a fan of it then, it’s been awhile since I’ve worn something of that particular fabric. All in all, there was something about this skirt that intrigued me and since it was also on sale, I decided to take the plunge. To be honest, this piece sat in my closet for about a month and a half and just as the regrets were starting to creep in I found the perfect top to pair it with. Since we’re finally diving into Spring, I instantly knew that this white embroidered shirt would make for a clean and effortless look. What I loved most about it, of course, was the Asian-inspired back detail that beautifully emphasized the rich red color of the skirt. For the Summer I would not hesitate to pair this look with some crisp white sneakers, but because it still gets a little chilly at times I opted for my go-to OTK boots. To accessorize I kept it very simple with a dainty silver choker to match the exposed zipper on the skirt, and my fringe backpack to keep things casual. This look definitely got me excited for the warmer months to come and I can’t wait to mix and match these pieces withe the other gems in my wardrobe. Let me know what you think of the PVC/patent trend in the comments below. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Shirt- Topshop

Skirt- Zara

Boots- Aldo

Backpack- Topshop

In the vault

SHEARLING + DENIM

January 24, 2017 2 Comments

I think I would have to say one of the trendiest pieces of outerwear this season is the shearling biker jacket. Many brands from luxury to lower-end retailers have all made a variation and I’m definitely here for it! With so many choices to pick from however, I had to really consider which coat would suit my wardrobe best. Though I was very tempted to go for an all-black leather option, I opted for a softer suede version with cream trim. Being an owner of many leather jackets already, I liked this piece because it was just as versatile, while still providing an element of contrast that I didn’t already see in my closet. In order to keep the focus on the coat, I decided to pair it with a denim shirt-dress. What I love most about denim is that it can easily provide another layer of dimension by mixing textures, yet remains neutral enough to go with everything and not overpower the ensemble. This piece in particular was also adorned with a few patches that I thought added a quirky lighthearted touch to the overall look. To keep things chic and weather appropriate, I grabbed my go-to thigh high boots that have remained a staple in my wardrobe for the last 2 years, and have definitely earned the title as one of my most worn pairs of shoes this season. For accessories, I opted for a small cream and gold box bag and my matching gold frames which perfectly highlighted the colors of my jacket. Since I felt like I was still missing a pop of color, I finished the look off with a red lip which I think always looks super classic against denim. I can’t lie, I was definitely channeling “off-duty model” vibes with this look and I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Coat- Zara

Dress- Zara

Boots- Aldo

Bag- Urban Outfitters

In the vault

RUSTY

November 1, 2016 1 Comment

I find inspiration all around me when thinking of new looks to style and in my opinion, the Fall season has the most unique elements to choose from. For this look, I wanted to create an ensemble reminiscent of the rich brown and orange tones in the leaves as they begin to turn. I have been longing to break out my thigh high boots all summer, and now is finally the perfect time! Over the last few seasons my mini skirt collection has also grown, and I knew this one would be perfect for an autumn look as soon as I picked it up. The soft suede texture and bronze hardware really captured the essence of this time of year and because it is pretty neutral, it left me a lot of room to find a matching piece. I honestly, don’t think I could have found a more perfect blouse to pair with this skirt. The warm hues in the floral print as well as the slight frills on the sleeves and around the collar, really brought this look together and added a softer feminine touch. As I wanted to keep the focus on the clothing items I hardly wore any accessories and just threw on an open front cardigan to add a bit more dimension and layering. I absolutely love the Fall and looks like these because they are very buildable. On a colder day, add some tights, a leather jacket, and a scarf; if it gets a bit warmer opt for a lighter denim jacket and short booties. I intend to make the most out of this weather before it gets too cold and cute (practical) outerwear is my only option. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Cardigan- Tobi

Top- Zara

Skirt- Forever 21

Boots- Aldo

In the vault

FALL FLORALS

October 11, 2016 1 Comment

To be honest, this look was completely inspired by street style. I had been seeing so many trendy girls rocking midi-length floral dresses with leather jackets lately, I knew I had to add one to my collection. During the cooler months it’s easy to get stuck in the “pants-only” rut, so I decided to challenge myself and continue to style more feminine pieces for a bit longer. I’ve never been a fan of super bright florals so when I saw this pattern I was instantly attracted to the subdued neutral tones that were incorporated. Aside from that I was also drawn to the lace overlay and the eye catching cold-shoulder detail. All in all, this dress was everything I was looking for and I knew exactly how I wanted to style it! A few blog posts ago, I fell in love with the Stan Smith Adidas sneakers and since then I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of my own. While I didn’t end up getting that exact pair, I opted for the new “superstars” that are just as versatile and fit perfectly into my wardrobe. One color that I don’t typically accessorize with is grey, but I noticed hints of it in the dress and thought it would make for an interesting accent color to tie the look together. With that in mind, I finished the look off with my fringe crossbody bag and matching choker. This ensemble turned out to be everything I had imagined for the fall season and I can’t wait to style this dress again, maybe with some booties and a cute jacket. Who knows what I’ll come up with, but until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Adidas

Bag- Zara

Necklace- Aldo