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For this collaboration with Who What Wear, I was challenged to style one article of clothing 3 different ways. Though excited, as this isn’t something I typically showcase on my blog, I was also a bit nervous not because I felt incapable but because I wasn’t choosing the item myself. That being said, I was so relieved to see that the item chosen for me was right up my alley and a wardrobe staple that I could easily style in a variety of ways. This double-breasted, pin striped blazer is the perfect Fall essential for layering over transitional pieces and adding a more tailored element to any ensemble. For my first look, I decided to keep things very chic and sleek by pairing it with a turtleneck that I layered under a satin camisole, along with black skinnys and a pair of minimal black pumps. To me, this look gave more of a business casual vibe, or “boss babe” if you will. Overall, I loved the way this look turned out and it definitely made me feel strong and confident!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Who What Wear

Turtleneck- Mango

Top- Zara

Jeans- 7 For All Mankind

Heels- Zara

Sunglasses- QUAY x Topshop

I would say that my second look is for the more casual & cool girls out there. Putting this outfit together was extremely effortless and I think it showed in the way the pieces complimented each other. I chose to do a bit of print-mixing and found the perfect red, leopard print frock to do so. To keep things easy, I threw on some sneakers and a pair of mesh socks for a cute unexpected detail and was out the door. In efforts to add a few more accessories, I grabbed my black cross-body bag with silver hardware and cat-eye frames, which I definitely think helped play off of the edgy vibe without being too overpowering.

Outfit Details & Links: 

Blazer- Who What Wear

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Vans

Socks- Zara

Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Last but certainly not least, I decided to end with a trendy street-style look. As we are well into the Autumn season, I felt like I couldn’t finish this collaboration without incorporating a bit of corduroy. Luckily, I was able to find the most amazing flared trousers which made all of my 70’s dreams come true. To keep them as the focal point of the look, I paired the pants with a simple white t-shirt and added a some gold layered necklaces which I’ve been absolutely obsessed with lately. After throwing on my black booties, I completed this look with a dark vampy lip and draped the blazer over my shoulders for a final touch.  Personally, I loved all of these looks for different reasons and I feel like they reflected the versatility of my everyday style in the best way. Let me know in the comments which outfit was your favorite and if you would’ve styled this blazer in a way that I didn’t think of. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links: 

Blazer- Who What Wear

T-shirt- Topshop

Trousers- Topshop

Booties- Cole Haan

Necklace- Topshop

Sunglasses- Zara

It’s absolutely insane how fast NYFW always seems to creep up on me, take over my life, and then just like that come to an end like nothing ever happened. For me, this season started off pretty mellow with a fun show called “Texture On The Runway” which highlighted both fashion and hairstyles representative of the natural hair brands that wanted to showcase their creativity on the catwalk. This show was all about unity and embracing the unique features that make us all beautiful. I left this event feeling empowered and appreciated by a room full of men/women I didn’t even know, and I wouldn’t have chosen to start my hectic week any other way!

By day 2 the ball began rolling and I was ready to bolt out of work to attend my first official designer shows of the week. Because I have a 9-5, I have to be incredibly strategic with how I plan my schedule so that I don’t become overwhelmed, yet am still able to fit in as many shows as possible. The first show was by the brand, “Afffair,” and the pieces were stunning to say the least! There was a lot of intricate beading and sequins on almost every piece, paired with delicate textures like chiffon which really created a beautiful contrast of structure and movement on the runway. The second presentation was by a more modern brand called, “Athanasiou,” and honestly it was probably one of the most memorable for me. I loved how each piece came with an element of surprise which included either a cheeky slogan, or an elaborate portrait of what appeared to be Renaissance art. There were several pieces from this collection I could’ve easily seen myself styling and turning heads along the way!

Day 3 was my busiest day as well as my most anticipated because it started off with a brand that I was dying to see, “Taoray Wang.” I loved EVERY. SINGLE. THING. about this show! From the tailored co-ords, bright colors, funky belts, and blazers galore, this show displayed feminine chic in the best way possible! This was also the first day I was really able to connect and network with a few fellow blogger babes that I never really get a chance to see outside of this environment. While attending shows maybe the highlight of NYFW, meeting new people and sharing experiences is really the most important part, and what will keep your brand expanding in the long run.

If I had to give another crucial piece of advice for tackling NYFW, I would say, take advantage of the breaks between shows! While it is easy to get caught up in wanting to get the best photos and making sure you are seen as much as possible, forgetting to eat can quickly turn this chaotic time into a nightmare if you don’t make sure to refuel. I personally make it a point to set a budget for food expenses as well as travel because I engage in both more than usual during this time of year. [Sidebar: If you’re in the city I highly recommend trying BEC, whether its fashion week or not; your taste buds will thank me later!] My last few shows of the day were a part of a collective in which several designers (at least 4-5) showcase their clothing lines and/or jewelry on the runway consecutively. I enjoy these shows because you get to see a variety of brands in one location without having to worry about rushing to the next venue across town. The downside to these shows however, is that because there are so many styles coming at you at once, it can be hard to process all of the fine details. All in all, I was beyond satisfied with my first three days of fashion week and I look forward to recapping the following days in part 2! Until next time!

 

 

Recently, co-ords and blazers have really made a statement in my wardrobe and given the season we are currently in, it only made sense that I would feature a few with floral prints. Suits and separates are great because of the versatility that comes with them whether wearing them together or apart. Blazers in particular however, are definitely a timeless favorite due to their ability to make any outfit effortlessly chic when thrown over even the most basic pieces. Below I’ve rounded up a few styles that have caught my eye. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!

For my second Macy’s look, I was given a pair of denim shorts to style as my focal piece. With this came excitement as well as a bit of anxiety being that having such a simple item gave me free reign to literally take the look in any direction; but I was up for the challenge! Before even browsing the website, I knew I wanted to dress-up the look with more formal pieces and a blazer was the first thing that came to mind. It didn’t take long before I found this gorgeous printed piece that just screamed, “Summer chic!” The light blue base and abstract yellow floral design really embodied exactly what I was looking for, and ended up being the perfect contrast against the dark-wash denim. With such a bold piece of outerwear, a simple tank top or t-shirt was the only option that made sense to me for layering with this ensemble. Lucky for me, the night before my shoot, I was able to find a ribbed top that perfectly matched a pair of mules I had also purchased and swapped into this look at the last minute. In efforts to accessorize a bit, I thought it would be cool to compliment the gold hardware on my shoes and throw on a pair of clear aviator frames. Personally, while I didn’t think they were a necessity, I appreciated the quirky twist they added to the outfit overall. I was definitely pleased with how this look turned out and loved the versatility of the pieces I paired together. Let me know in the comments if you would’ve styled the shorts in a similar way or gone a completely different route. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- DKNY

Top- Urban Outfitters

Shorts- Levis

Mules- DKNY

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it’s safe to say we’ve all heard of the acronym “LBD,” and I’m even more certain most of us ladies have at least one go-to in our closets. The little black dress serves as a classic wardrobe staple that always comes in handy when we are down to the wire and can think of nothing else (or better) to wear. I mean what’s not to love; the LBD is usually slimming, appropriate for most events, and easily paired with just about anything. That being said, I’d like to think of the LWD as its increasingly popular cousin that is slowly becoming a clothing essential of its own. Initially, I saw the little white dress included on styling guides mostly geared towards vacation and holidays. Recently however, that seems to have changed as there are so many variations of this frock on the market; it has become an easy alternative to the traditional LBD. Especially during the warmer months, there’s something so refreshing and minimal about this garment it’s no surprise that it has slowly taken over the closets of many. When I came across this tuxedo inspired version I was instantly sold! The tailored style accented with flowing pleats along the skirt really made this piece the perfect marriage of structure and movement. Because this dress also appeared more formal in my opinion, I decided to play against that and make it a bit more casual and fun. To do this, the first accessory I grabbed was a pair of bright red retro inspired cat-eye frames. While I’m not sure how well this pair in particular suits me, I loved how they popped against the overall stark ensemble. On the more monochrome front, I kept it very simple and plain with probably the most worn pair of white sneakers I own (sidebar: tell me your favorite style/brand of white sneakers in the comments below!). Lastly, to tie everything together, I opted to finish off the look with a multicolored striped crossbody bag; which I am absolutely certain I’ll be styling a lot during the Spring/Summer months. So tell me, are you a LBD or LWD type of girl? Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Converse

Sunglasses- Zara

Bag- Zara

What’s one thing a t-shirt, jeans, a blazer, and white sneakers all have in common? Well aside from being articles of clothing, I think they also share the commonality of being wardrobe staples. In my opinion, both men and women should keep these 4 items in their closets at all times as they can easily be the foundation to any ensemble for most occasions. Check out the items I’ve rounded up below and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks. Until next time!

Outfit inspiration can come from anywhere whether it’s the runway, strangers on the street, an ad, or your very own friends and family. This particular ensemble was a recreation of a look I saw styled on a mannequin while out of town that I completely fell in love with! Overall, I loved the randomness of the mixture of items as well as the classic casual pieces that were thrown in for an effortlessly cool vibe. Track pants have been trending for quite a few seasons, and while I already have a black pair in a more tailored style, I thought it was time to finally get my hands on the real thing. I love these trousers because while they make an obvious statement with their bold red hue, they can also be worn in a variety of ways. For this look I chose to pair my trousers with black court shoes to dress them up and though I was initially looking for a blouse, ended up styling a graphic t-shirt for a more relaxed and playful look. So as not to keep the look too dressed down, I chose to finish off the outfit by layering a navy blazer for a “smart” and chic element. With so much going on, I didn’t want to incorporate too many accessories because I felt it would be slightly overwhelming for the already eye-catching look. Though fairly different pieces, I liked how the white accents on each article of clothing worked to create a seamless and cohesive looking outfit. I also thought the incorporation of primary colors (red, blue, & yellow) really made an unexpected statement that I’m not used to, but happy I decided to experiment with. Comment below if you’re a fan of incorporating athletic pieces into your everyday style or if you choose to solely keep them for the gym and other fitness related activities. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Topshop

T-shirt- Topshop

Pants- Adidas

Heels- Zara

***All featured items will be linked back to the post in which they were originally styled.***

 

DAY ONE:

It’s so crazy how even though I try to mentally prepare for New York Fashion Week, it always has a way of sneaking up on me. This season, I have to admit that I was VERY last minute in confirming events, organizing my schedule, and planning my looks– actually, I had no clue what I was wearing until the morning of (lol). One of the most challenging parts about fashion week in February, is figuring out the balance of showing off your look while still trying to remain as warm as possible. That being said, there are definitely some people that throw caution to the wind and just grin and bear it in the name of fashion; however, I am not one of those people. As this happened to be the coldest day I’d be out and about, I knew I couldn’t go wrong with layers. The foundation of my look was simple, with a thin cream colored turtleneck and my favorite pair of straight-legged denim. From there, I continued to add to the ensemble by adding a checked blazer and my white booties. As this was pretty warm toned overall, my footwear definitely helped add the bit of contrast I was looking for. Finally, I finished off the look with a vintage reversible suede and fur coat given to me by my mother, a pair of gold circle-framed sunnies, and my ring handle bag. I absolutely loved the outcome of this look and how all of the pieces complimented each other in the chicest of ways!

Top- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/switch-up/

Blazer- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/smart-choice/

Jeans- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/galentine/

Boots- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/60s-chic/

Coat- Vintage

Bag- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/if-the-suit-fits/

Sunglasses-NYS Collection

 

 

DAY TWO:

The next day, I was happy to see that the forecast predicted warmer temperatures; unfortunately, rain was also to be expected. While this look had less visible layers, I knew that if I styled them correctly I could get away with not wearing a coat and being fairly warm. I was actually baking at certain parts of the day, but it was definitely worth it as the night wore on. Underneath this chunky knit was a fitted tank top, as well as a thin long-sleeved bodysuit for extra insulation. I chose to pair this vibrant sweater with a multi-colored tweed skirt for an interesting mix of texture, and used leather accents with my accessories to add structure and edge. Though also planned on a whim, this look was quite the success in my book and one I would definitely sport again in the future.

Sweater- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/holiday-celebrate/

Skirt- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/tweed-tales/

Boots- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/teddy-cran/

Bag- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/galentine/

Earrings- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/tweed-tales/

 

 

DAY THREE:

My third look of the week was the hardest to come up with because the weather was horrible throughout the entire day. I played into the gloomy vibes and ended up styling a fairly dark look, however there were some statement pieces and layering that I absolutely loved (as with both of my previous looks). These 70’s style plaid trousers were love at first sight, and have continued to remain a staple in my Fall/Winter wardrobe rotation. To offset the bottom half of the look, I paired a lace top with an off-the-shoulder- white button down which gave an eye-catching illusion effect to the overall look. I then draped my suede and shearling coat across my shoulders and completed the look with black booties and my leather tote. Despite there not being any sun, there’s something about NYFW that allows you the pass to wear sunglasses in any and every scenario no matter what what the conditions are. I kind of liked taking a more lax approach to this year’s NYFW as it kept me on my toes and also allowed me to fully take in each moment as it occurred organically. I may do a few more events this season but for the most part, it’s a wrap for me until September. Until next time!

Coat- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/shearling-denim/

Lace Top- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/holiday-edge/

Button Down- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/summer-vibes/

Trousers- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/plaid-affair/

Boots- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/mustard-mini/

Sunglasses- http://astyledmind.com/the-vault/safari-chic/

Tote- BAGGU

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I figured I’d use this as an opportunity to pull out the newest bright pink item in my wardrobe. I was utterly shocked when I saw this vibrant magenta suit online during the holidays, and though I didn’t end up wearing it for NYE as planned, I knew it would come in handy sooner or later. Though I love the suit as a whole, I wanted to do something different; and because I haven’t styled denim in awhile I figured this would be a good excuse. These straight-legged jeans have quickly become one of my favorite pairs of denim to date! Recently, I found myself struggling to find a non-distressed pair of jeans in my wardrobe which ultimately led to my search to find these beauties. The cut and style of these trousers really make them a chic piece that will remain a timeless staple in my closet for seasons to come. Another new piece I wanted to showcase with this ensemble, was this amazing cross-body bag. As much as it was genuinely love at first sight, I was a bit hesitant to make the purchase as I have so many black bags already. That being said, after minimal convincing, I knew it was a piece that I needed and its eye-catching details elevated this look to perfection! Since I chose to wear the blazer as a top, I paired it with a dainty lace bralet for a bit of added texture. Finally, I finished off the look with a pair of leather sling-backs which beautifully emphasized the raw hem detail of the denim. All in all, this is absolutely a look I would wear whether out with the girls or on a date with that special someone. Comment below your plans for this year’s lovers holiday, and let me know your favorite piece from my look. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- H&M

Bralet- Topshop

Jeans- Mango

Heels- Topshop

Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Checked outerwear has become a huge staple for elevating ensembles especially during the Fall/Winter months. With such a wide variety of prints to choose from, anyone can rock this style and take on the smart and polished look with ease. Below I’ve rounded up some of the blazers that have recently caught my eye. Comment below if  you’re fan of this trend and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks. Until next time!