Distressed Denim: Rag & Bone The Skinny Jean

⦾⦾⦾

The Skinny Jean by Rag & Bone combines an effortlessly casual style with a hint of sophistication. The distressed detail on these jeans is very subtle and wearable. Placed perfectly at the knees, they are incredibly comfortable and have just the right amount of “give.”

These jeans marry well with just about anything – from oversized knits and boots to beaded blazers and pumps. While distressed denim is an easy DIY project, (How To – HERE) brands like Rag and Bone have taken the time to perfect placement, size and amout of distress in their pieces. The jeans will never look sloppy or overdone. Wear and tear your denim this season with Rag & Bone – The Skinny Jean.

Fall Flat: Loeffler Randall Natalie Studded Toe Flats

⎒⎒⎒

The cap toe trend is evolving this Fall with a little texture. From shiny gold caps to spikes, studs and rhinestones, the simple flat is getting interesting.

A great pair of flats that can be worn with both workplace-appropriate attire and casual weekend pieces is a worthy investment. Loeffler Randall’s Natalie Studded Toe Flats fit the bill – a sleek cap toe keeps the look on-trend but still polished, while the gold studs add texture and whimsy.

The Natalie Studded Toe Flats are the perfect hybrid of comfort and style. Traverse around the city or trek to work in shoes that won’t ‘fall’ flat.

How-To: Ombré Hair

⩥⩥⩥

The word Ombré is French for shading or graduating. Hair stylists have coined this terminology to describe a color technique used in salons. Ombré hair can range from a subtle and natural effect to really dramatic and edgy. For a natural “end-of-the-summer” look, color should blend from dark to light with no harsh transition line.

Ombré hair is great for many reasons: it’s highly economical, incredibly low maintenance, and works with any texture or tone.

Almost always, bleach is the key ingredient to create the ombré effect. This is the reason one should go to a professional. Find a stylist that specializes-in or has created this look before.

Ask your stylist for lots of beachy highlights concentrated on the ends, no higher than your chin in most places. Frame your face with a few subtle pieces that are only a shade or two lighter than your natural color and then go as light as you want on the ends. To maintain the look, use a color-safe shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner. Light ends can dry out, so use a nourishing protective oil from your chin down. Try these: Enjoy Haircare.

Love the ombré look but afraid to commit? Here is your solution…

‣ Purchase a set of hair extensions – Try these: Milani Hair Extensions

‣ Choose the color you want your ends to be – not the color of your hair. When coloring hair extensions – always dye dark, never light (bleach).

‣ Choose an at-home box color that matches your roots.

‣ Dye the tops of the extensions to blend with your hair.

‣ Clip-in and go. Ombré Hair

Tailor Time: Boyfriend Blazer

✫✫✫

Time for Spring Cleaning. Instead of giving away staple pieces in your closet, alter them. With a small tweak, these items can be born again.

Almost everyone has a black blazer in their closet. Give this blazer new life by simply adding material to the collar. Check out your local fabric store and look at different textures and fabrics; leather, pleather, suede, jersey, corduroy, sateen, velvet. Experiment with patterns and colors, maybe opt for houndstooth or brown distressed leather. The possibilities are endless.

When altering a piece of clothing, I suggest first asking your local tailor for two quotes – with and without materials. When happy with the price and materials used – you just created a brand new blazer.

To The Max: Pleated Maxi Skirts

◈◈◈

Add a bit of spring to your wardrobe… and step with a brightly-colored pleated maxi skirt. These pieces are popping up everywhere and are available in the most beautiful colors.

Wear these vibrant spring colors now by coordinating with bulky sweaters and cardigans. When the weather permits – transition effortlessly into spring with a simple tee or tank, sandal or espadrille. Wear a statement piece – necklace/earrings/bag/shoe – that plays with color scheme. Example – turquoise and red, royal blue and yellow, purple and lilac… 

The shape of these skirts can often camoflauge the waistline, to avoid this, wear a belt or find a maxi skirt with a different color waist band (yellow skirt pictured).

Topshop ~ Pleated Maxi Skirt: $40.00

Piperlime ~ Hive & Honey Pleat Maxi Skirt: $59.00

Bloomingdales ~ Alice + Olivia – Shannon Pleated Maxi Skirt: $396.00

Shopbop ~ Tibi Maxi Pleated Skirt: $330.00

Forever 21 ~ Pleated Maxi Skirt: $24.80

Back to Basics: Layering Favorites

✱✱✱

Layering articles of clothing is not only practical but stylish. The art of layering will create insulation to keep you warm but will also lay the foundation for a very versatile wardrobe.

Start with your favorite basics. When shopping for basics, buy for comfort and quality. This will ensure getting the most wear out of the article of clothing. Then… buy in quantity. If you love a particular piece – purchase in different colors, patterns or styles.

For instance,  H&M tanks and camis are great – they are cheap, come in an array of colors/patterns and are made long in length. It is quite difficult to find a good tank, long enough to cover the bum when wearing leggings or tights. These tanks will also layer beautifully under just about anything, without any added bulk.

Old Navy is another great place to find layering basics. I love the light-weight v-necks and crew-necks. They are soft, comfortable, inexpensive and come in great basic colors. I wear them everywhere from the gym to work. On their own, accessorized with a great scarf or layered under a sequin/leather/boyfriend blazer to create a textured-casual look.

When it comes to quality, Splendid and KAIN Label, are unbeatable. They both provide silk blend basics that are extraordinarily comfortable and styles that are continuously on trend each season. These are the best basic pieces to collect each season, that will last a lifetime.

What are your favorite basics?

Handbag Trend: Bright Neon

✯✯✯

Spice up dreary winter fashion with neon hues. Fluorescent-colored bags are radiating in stores everywhere. These high-wattage accessories can add a fresh and fun look to wardrobe staples.

Incorporate neon pieces into your closet this season. Paired with black, a pop of glowing color presents a more stimulating look. Vivid colors can bring-out tones and details in patterns, prints and florals and coupled with neutrals, neons with look sharp and modern.

The neon trend continues to glow year after year. This season create your own fresh take on the trend.

Net-A-Porter ~ Marc by Marc Jacobs: Neon Croc-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag: $495.00

Bloomingdale’s ~ The Cambridge Satchel Company: Fluorescent Satchel-Neon: $155.00

Barneys New York ~ Givenchy Medium Leather Nightingale: $2265.00

Neiman Marcus ~ Michael Kors: Gia Ostrich -Embossed Leather Clutch, Neon Pink: $450.00

NYE Outfit Inspiration #1: Pretty-Rocker

✯✯✯

New Year’s Eve 2012 is right around the corner. After weeks of holiday parties, a little fashion inspiration is welcomed. In the upcoming days, I will provide options and pieces to pull together the perfect outfit. Take separates and favorites from each pairing and form your own ball-dropping outfit.

This pairing is my pretty-rocker look. A party-stopping dress exaggerated with ankle boots and cropped tuxedo jacket.

Calvin Klein Collection ~ Meghan Cropped Tuxedo – Not Available

The Outnet ~ Rare Opulence Sequined Ruffled Tulle Dress: $230.00

House of Harlow 1960 ~ Black Cabochon Star Earrings: $45.00

Mango ~ Structured Clutch: $89.90

Pour La Victoire ~ Gianni:$210.50