dress – Page 3 – A Styled Mind

In the vault

SUMMER LAYERS

August 28, 2018 1 Comment

As we are quickly approaching the final days of Summer, getting dressed can become tricky when it comes to styling looks appropriate for the constantly fluctuating temperatures. To alleviate this stress and still look put together, layering has proven to be the most popular solution; and for this look I did just that! It’s so funny to see trends from my childhood and other decades past continuously resurfacing in 2018. For instance, this satin ruched slip dress pays direct homage to 90’s fashion. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of frocks like this one styled under blazers, and though I do like that look, I wanted to create an even more toned down effortless ensemble. I found a cropped white hoodie and while it may be too warm for it now, the juxtaposition of styles really made me that much more excited for the Fall. While I wouldn’t generally pair these two fabrics together, I felt that they created an interesting silhouette and seamlessly brought both masculine and feminine elements to the overall look. The simple structure of the sweatshirt and flowy-ness of the dress made for great foundational pieces but I still needed a few accessories to tie everything together. I could’ve easily thrown on a pair of sneakers to complete this outfit, but I wanted to bring a bit more elevation and interest. To my surprise, I stumbled upon a pair of multicolored pumps that had a very eye-catching firework-like design. At this point the look was nearly complete but I felt there was still room for a bit of edge. Belt bags and fanny packs have also made their way back from the 80s and I am a huge fan of the hands-free alternative. After finding one that I felt suited this ensemble best, I was ready to take on the world! During these transitional times of year, I love pairing minimal garments that can easily be layered and transformed into a variety of looks throughout the day. For example, if wanted to ditch the hoodie, add a light denim jacket, a cute pair of mules, & a clutch I would be ready for a casual happy hour in no time—and this my friends is the beauty of styling basics. Let me know in the comments below if you’re excited for Fall and how you plan on tackling your looks for the upcoming seasons. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Hoodie- Zara

Dress- Zara

Heels- Zara

Bag- Zara

In ASM Shop

LEOPARD PRINTS

August 17, 2018 No Comments

Leopard print is a popular trend that reoccurs every year especially as we approach the Fall and Winter months. I personally view animal prints as more elevated types of neutrals and love incorporating them into my wardrobe all year round. I’ve rounded up a few pieces below that have caught my eye and I could definitely see myself styling this season. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks; until next time!

In Collabs

ASM X REEL

August 8, 2018 1 Comment

Can you believe it’s already August?!?! The Summer is flying by and it won’t be long before we’re all transitioning into our layered looks and craving pumpkin lattes; but let’s enjoy the moment, shall we? I purchased this white frock a few weeks ago and honestly had no immediate plans of styling it. I simply loved the minimal nature of this piece and how it combined the classic elements of the collared shirt with the modern twist of an asymmetrical hem. Finally, the right moment presented itself and I knew that I had to act fast if I wanted to showcase this tunic before the season came to an end. It’s no secret that I prefer heels to flats majority of the time. That said, if I’m going to wear a flat shoe chances are it is a neutral sneaker of some kind. I now have three pairs that I rotate within my day to day wardrobe and they are all either black, white, or a combination of the two. After a few months of contemplation, I bit the bullet and decided to jump on the Van bandwagon. I was initially hesitant because I wasn’t sure if this style of sneaker would suit me or work with my personal style– needless to say, I was completely wrong. Funny enough I felt like such a “cool kid” wearing them, I couldn’t believe I had waited so long to give them a try! With my look nearly complete it was time for accessories. I recently collaborated with the brand called Reel which is a platform designed to promote guilt-free shopping while helping you save for the items of your dreams! I tried this service out for myself and couldn’t have been more pleased with my experience. I loved that I had full control over the amount I was putting aside as well as the length of time I planned to save for. This truly made for a low-stress and pressure free environment to spend at will. I decided to save for a new card holder and with constant email updates every step of the way, I had my luxury item in my possession before I knew it! I highly recommend giving Reel a try and for some added incentive you can use my code ASM15 for a $15 credit on any Reel of $100 or more! To really show off my new gem, I thought it would be fun to have it displayed front and center through this vinyl clutch. To further coordinate with the clear accents, I added a pair of rounded sunnies which really tied the look together and solidified the effortlessly casual look I was going for. I hope to get in a few more Summer looks while the weather allows it, so stayed tuned for what’s to come! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Vans

Bag- Zara

Card Holder- YSL

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

In ASM Shop

DARK FLORALS

July 27, 2018 No Comments

When styling prints I’ve always had a preference towards darker florals. They always seem to create eye-catching moments while still remaining neutral enough to wear in a variety of ways. Below I’ve rounded up a few pieces that have caught my eye lately. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks! Until next time!

In the vault

FOREVER FLORAL

July 25, 2018 2 Comments

While I consider my style to be pretty versatile, there are a few pieces that I tend to repeat and can’t seem to get enough of. I’ve never been one to shy away from prints; the most prevalent in my wardrobe probably being florals. I honestly don’t know what it is about a dark floral pattern that always seems to pull me in and immediately want to style whatever item they are featured on. Most commonly, and probably the easiest garments to style would have to be dresses. I don’t think I need to reiterate exactly what makes them one of the most effortless pieces you can wear, but it’s no secret that a floral frock can have you looking put together in a matter of minutes! This one for instance had all the eye-catching elements I would look for when purchasing a focal piece; so much so that I barely had to put in any additional effort to complete the ensemble. The patchwork print, scoop neck, and neutral buttons down the front really made this dress everything I could have asked for and more! The only detail that I was not so keen on was a sash that came tied around the waist. In my opinion, the idea of a belt for this look was totally unnecessary and slightly overkill. Luckily, it was removable so I decided to use it as an extra accent on my bag strap to further compliment the dress. I wanted to keep the Summery feel while still adding a bit of edge, so I felt like this structured wicker and leather cross-body was the best option. I then completed the look with my favorite minimal mules and was out the door! While I do love dressing up, every now and then I like to style easy looks that require minimal thought and easily come together without a lot of fuss. This outfit is the epitome of that and I was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out! I’m also looking forward to styling this dress with thigh high boots and a leather jacket in the Fall, so stay tuned. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Free People

Bag- Free People

Heels- Topshop

In ASM Shop

BARDOT DRESSES

June 28, 2018 No Comments

Whenever I think of the Bardot silhouette, the romance of Spanish culture comes to mind. There are very little styles in fashion that look flattering on a variety of people, and this is definitely one of them. Below I have rounded up a few frocks that I would definitely enjoy styling this season. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks. Until next time!

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 ASM Shop

WHITE DRESSES

May 18, 2018 No Comments

White dresses have recently become increasingly popular and have slowly made their way onto the list of “wardrobe staples.” Especially during the warmer months, these frocks can easily be swapped in as an alternative for the LBD and worn in a variety of settings no matter how casual or formal. Below I’ve rounded up a few variations that I could definitely see myself styling around the city, in the upcoming months. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks; until next time!

In the vault

L.W.D.

May 16, 2018 1 Comment

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

In the vault

MODERN MATCHING

April 18, 2018 4 Comments

There’s something about the combination of feminine and sporty that I’ve really grown to become a fan of. I think it’s something about the juxtaposition of pieces that adds an unexpected twist to any ensemble, leaving it slightly more intriguing than a look containing one cohesive style genre. I came across this particular dress during one of my visits to see my parents and knew instantly it would make for an incredible blog post. The bold color, dainty floral pattern, cut and fabric, really checked off every box for me in terms of being an item I knew I had to have. Though I didn’t leave with the gorgeous frock that particular day, I made sure to pick it up as soon as I got back to NYC! Upon trying it on, I was instantly drawn to the romantic feel of the piece as well as the effortless movement the dress created as I walked. That being said, since it was such a feminine item, I knew I wanted to incorporate something that was a little different; however I wasn’t exactly sure how it would manifest. After a few trials of different heeled shoes that were either too obvious or in my opinion underwhelming to the look overall, I remembered I had also just ordered a few pairs of shoes (thanks dad) that would be coming in the mail soon. After receiving the different styles of footwear, it wasn’t until the day of my shoot that I decided to take a chance and finish off the look with a pair of bright tomato colored sneakers. For me, this was a risky move because I wasn’t sure if the ensemble would become over-saturated with color; yet to my surprise, it was the perfect touch! At this point everything was pretty much to my liking but I wanted to add something that would complete the look as well as break up the red hues. The round ring-handled bag I chose was the best accessory I could find as it pulled out the cream shades in the dress’ print and really gave the outfit the pop I felt was missing. With so many favorites to choose from it would be impossible to rank, but this look may definitely take the lead for the Spring/Summer seasons. Comment below your opinion about mixing clothing styles and if you would try a similar look yourself. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Topshop

Sneakers- Cole Haan

Bag- Zara