forever 21 – Page 2 – A Styled Mind

In the vault

BELTED

March 21, 2017 1 Comment

As I knew this was going to be my first blog post of the Spring, I wanted to make sure I styled something weather appropriate and fun. I like this look because it is composed pretty evenly of items that I already had in my closet, and a couple new pieces to freshen things up. I recently bought this shirt-dress and really didn’t think much about posting it on my blog; that is, until I found this belt. Within the last 6 months, I’ve really seen the corset belt trend take off. Whether paired over a t-shirt, blazer, or dress, you name it; this trend is definitely not slowing down anytime soon. Personally, I’ve never been much of a belt person but I also never shy away from trying new things. When I saw this piece during one of my shopping trips, I instantly envisioned this top and began building the ensemble in my mind. I decided on the white accessory because aside from moving into the warmer months, I felt like it provided more of a challenge than the usual black options. I kept the rest of the look pretty simple and sleek with black leather leggings and pumps. As we all know I love adding dimension with different textures, and the smooth matte finish against the lighter fabric of the top provided the perfect contrast. At this point, I knew the look was almost complete but I still felt like there were a few elements missing. I decided to play off of the navy stripes in the shirt as well, and added a dark denim choker for a bit of edge and a light puffer jacket as an extra layer. In all honesty I totally forgot about this jacket, which I’ve had since college, but the navy blue sheen provided the most amazing final touch to tie this look together. I must say, after shooting this outfit, I am beyond excited to see what inspiring style and trends this season brings. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Calvin Klein

Top- Forever 21

Leggings- Zara

Heels- Zara

Belt- Zara

In the vault

PLAID AFFAIR

January 31, 2017 1 Comment

You know, I’m really not much of a bargain shopper. Not because I don’t love a great deal, but because of the amount of effort it takes to rummage through a million items in a store that have been thrown around carelessly just because the retailer decided to put a huge “SALE” sign in the front window; but I digress. That being said, I have been trying to make more of an effort recently to take advantage of the semi-annual sales most stores are having and I must say, when you find a gem, it makes all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it. Okay, so maybe I was exaggerating a bit, but you get what I mean, LOL. On this particular shopping trip I was lucky enough to find these amazing plaid trousers! As soon as I saw them, I literally put down everything I had in my arms as the other pieces just seemed to pale in comparison. The length, color scheme, and zipper detail alone made them absolutely perfect in my eyes in addition to the major price reduction. I instantly knew that I had to create a look around them and was quite pleased with how this one turned out. For whatever reason, I immediately envisioned an off the shoulder Bardot top to compliment these pants and I couldn’t have found a more perfect option. The elongated sleeves and ruffled top seam, provided subtle high-fashion elements that I felt this look was missing. To add a bit of movement and dimension, instead of adding my typical black choker, I decided on a skinny scarf; that was originally attached to a shirt I haven’t seen in some time. To finish off the look I added a pair of simple, black heeled sandals and my “Rexy” wristlet for a touch of quirkiness. Despite the brisk winds, I really enjoyed styling and shooting this look. I felt very “artsy-chic” in this ensemble and it may be a style that I revisit more often in the upcoming warmer months. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- H&M

Trousers- Zara

Heels- Michael Kors

Scarf- Forever 21

Bag- Coach

In the vault

CLOSET TREASURES

November 22, 2016 1 Comment

It’s no secret to those who know me that I have a slight issue when it comes to departing with older pieces in my wardrobe. It’s not that I’m a hoarder (I swear) it’s just that the way fashion recycles trends, you never know when that older piece may come in handy– and that’s EXACTLY what happened. Statement footwear has made a huge impact on most fashion lovers in the recent months. From velvet to funky prints and patterns, I just couldn’t pass on experimenting with this trend and I knew that I had the perfect piece! I purchased these wild wedges about 3 years ago and sadly, have only worn them maybe twice before. However, there was something so unique about them that I was determined to keep them in my arsenal. I mean…who doesn’t love a shoe made out of your grandmother’s tapestry??? As soon as I pulled them from the depths of my closet I instantly knew that they would make an amazing featured piece. Because they are so eye-catching I wanted to keep the rest of the look simple, yet edgy. I purchased this t-shirt dress and long-line bomber jacket on a fairly successful trip to the mall and knew they would make a great pairing for this ensemble, but it wasn’t enough. I felt like something was missing and figured what better way to add an extra bit of interest than with fishnets. To be honest, these were beyond annoying to get on but they definitely helped complete the look. I accessorized with my go-to choker, leather tote, and new favorite aviators that I literally have not taken off since I bought them. This may actually be me my favorite post of 2016; but don’t quote me. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Forever 21

Dress- Forever 21

Tights- Urban Outfitters

Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell

Bag- Baggu

Choker- Urban Outfitters

Glasses- NYS Collection

In the vault

MINI ME

August 24, 2016 2 Comments

It honestly took me a while to take interest in the mini skirt trend. I’m not sure if it was because my last memories of that garment were being layered over leggings in the early 2000’s (a trend that for the record I NEVER participated in) or if I just wasn’t comfortable styling them. Either way, I have since gotten over it all and my skirt collection has been rapidly growing. It all started last fall, when suede and leather minis were popping up everywhere and seemed to match perfectly with my favorite pair of thigh high boots. Ever since then I was hooked and my obsession began. The skirt I styled for this look is actually my first non-leather mini. I was initially attracted to its bright colors and intricate stitching. I knew it would be a great garment for the warmer months and also useful as a transitional piece going into fall. Because this was the focal point of the ensemble, I kept the other elements pretty simple. I could have really gone with any color shirt, but I slightly stepped outside of my comfort zone and opted for a powder blue button up rather than the classic white. To tie in the dark background color of the skirt, I accessorized with my black minimal heels, a small cross-body bag, and a thick choker necklace. This chic look was perfect because while it is eye catching, it is also simple enough to put together for those sweltering days when even getting dressed is a hassle. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- H&M

Skirt- Zara

Heels- NastyGal

Choker- Urban Outfitters

Bag- Forever 21

In the vault

FLOAT ON

August 17, 2016 2 Comments

This post is sooooo long overdue, but I’m quite thrilled to finally be back in the groove of things! To be honesty floaty, and what I like to call “grandma dresses” really aren’t my usual style, but this season I have really taken a liking to them! This dress in particular stood out to me because of its daintiness, as well as the super feminine details such as the cold shoulder and open back. Needless to say, the moment I saw that it was on sale, it was MINE! Initially, I wanted to style this garment with some minimal heels and really play up the “girly” vibe. Yet, being the lover of contrast that I am, I decided to go in a different direction and instead throw on my chunky “birkenstock-esque” sandals. I much preferred this look with the flat shoes because it added an element of coolness that in my opinion was needed. In efforts to keep the emphasis on the dress, I accessorized very slightly with simple silver band rings and my aviator sunglasses. I definitely feel like this piece was beyond worth the money and who knows, it may be the start of a new style evolution for me. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see; until next time! 🙂

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sandals- Forever 21

Sunglasses- Similar

Rings- Primark

In the vault

COLD SHOULDER CHIC

June 7, 2016 1 Comment

The woman’s neckline and collar bone is one of the only parts of the body, in my opinion, that is always flattering regardless of shape or size. Luckily for us girls, the off the shoulder or “cold shoulder” trend is extremely popular right now. This horizontal cut has been showing up in most retailers in the style of tops, dresses, jumpsuits, and much more. Naturally, I had to find a piece that worked for my wardrobe, and I did just that! Ironically enough, I actually told myself at the beginning of the summer that I was going to steer clear of rompers as they tend to make me look shorter and sometimes, childish; but I found one that I just couldn’t resist! I love the layered effect of this piece and how the cut gives it a much more elegant and chic look, compared to the basic casual play-suit. I also love how the wide vertical stripes make a bold statement, while still being simple enough to be paired with almost anything. Being that this piece was the focal point of the look, I kept the rest of the ensemble neutral with nude heels and dainty jewelry. Just like jumpsuits, rompers are another easy all-in-one look that will keep you looking put together with very minimal effort. So tell me what you think about this trend in the comments below; love it, hate it, just don’t get it?? Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Romper- Topshop

Heels- Asos

Necklace- Forever 21

Sunglasses- Zara

In the vault

GREY SCALE

March 22, 2016 1 Comment

In my opinion, vertical stripes are probably one of the most flattering patterns you can wear. They work to elongate your features and make for a very clean and seamless look. Also, for the shorter girls out there like myself, culottes make for an awesome option when it comes to trousers; especially when your tailor isn’t near by. For this look, I wanted to go for something that was comfortable, chic, and simple. I bought this culotte jumpsuit last year and its easily become one of my favorite pieces. As we all know, I love pieces that require minimal effort and thought. I’m also obsessed with this garment because although it has such a simple color palette and pattern, it’s quite eye catching and will definitely have you standing out in a crowd. Because the Spring weather hasn’t been consistent as of yet, I decided to break up the darkness of the look and add a long sleeved grey crop top underneath for an added layer of warmth. This look, completed with a leather jacket, lace-up block heels, and my fringe backpack left me feeling all of the 90s vibes and I loved every minute of it! To me, there’s something to be said about an outfit that leaves you feeling confident and ready to take on any situation, and that’s something that I strive for when I’m creating looks. As I enter into the second year of having my blog, I want to remember to continue to follow my heart and do what makes me happy, and I encourage you all to do the same in all aspects of your life, especially fashion! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jumpsuit- Forever 21

Top- Asos

Jacket- Urban Outfitters

Heels- Topshop

Backpack- Topshop

In the vault

SUEDE + BOWS

March 1, 2016 1 Comment

In honor of the gradually rising temperatures, I decided to give my legs a little fresh air with this look. Forever 21 has really been surprising me lately with their pieces, especially those from the “contemporary” line (which is basically where this entire look is from). Since I chose to show a bit of skin on the bottom, I decided to keep the top covered to maintain a natural balance. For those who are just beginning to style and put looks together, this is a great tip to remember! While I wanted to bring a bit of color into this look, I still wanted to remain fairly neutral so I went for this olive green suede dress which I absolutely love! Being in between seasons, periods of the day can still get quite cool so don’t be afraid to continue to reach for heavier fabrics like suede and leather until the weather consistently heats up. As an extra layer, I paired the dress with a an elegant blouse that incorporated a neck tie detail and button sleeves. This Victorian style of blouse has become quite popular over the last few seasons and definitely brings a bit of chicness to any look. To keep the look fun and playful I threw on my fringe heeled sandals which look amazing when strutting down any street. I like this look because though it is fairly simple, the details in the different pieces seem to speak for themselves and come together quite nicely. Now if spring could just hurry up and get here all would be well! Has anyone heard from the groundhog???? Until next time! 🙂

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Forever 21

Dress- Forever 21

Heels- Zara

Bag- Forever 21

Sunglasses- Zara

In the vault

SPRING STEP

February 24, 2016 1 Comment

It feels like spring is just around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited! To be honest, I was feeling quite uninspired so I took the weekend to shop around and gather some new pieces that could lift my spirits. While it is no secret that I love a good monochrome palette, I felt like it was time to bring in some lighter tones and fabrics. On this bright and sunny day, I was finally motivated enough to bring out some new transitional pieces that put a little “spring” in my step. I’ve been looking for a loose fitting denim or chambray jumpsuit for a few seasons now and I finally found this gem at none other than Forever 21. For us shorter girls, pieces like this can sometimes look a bit unflattering or overwhelming so fit is everything, and a nice heel doesn’t hurt either. I was so happy to finally be able to ditch my coat and get away with lighter layers that I kept the look extremely simple. To add some movement and dimension, I added a longline, cream colored vest and my tortoise heeled booties. The bag that I chose has also quickly become a new favorite. I love that it fits all of my essentials and I can just grab it and head out the door. There’s really not much to this look other than being comfortable, casual, and chic. I am officially in a spring time frame of mind. BRING. IT. ON!

Outfit Details & Links:

Vest- Forever 21

Jumpsuit- Forever 21

Boots- Topshop

Bag- Forever 21