Bell Sleeves & Boho Vibes

Dress: Forever 21 / Hat: Nordstrom / Booties: Dolce Vita / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff / Jewlery: Bauble Bar / Nail Polish: Zoya 'Casey'

Another fabulous, pre-fall look that I can't wait to layer up come chilly temps. My love for boho style can be seen throughout all the seasons in my outfits, so when it comes time to layer up, I will add on a suede moto jacket, a fringe bag, and my brown suede knee-high boots that lace up the front for a boho-licious look. Another way I will style this is with a long sweater, lace-up flats and a hat! Bell sleeves are a huge trend this fall, and while the boho look is pretty much always in, this year I'll be channeling a chic, laid-back '70's prairie-rocker chic vibe.

Craving fall and all it's layering glory, I will be putting together a collage of the standard pieces I go to for my fall wardrobe, coming soon!

xo

Make a Statement

 Clockwise from top left: No Cardio Tank / Baseball Tee / Eat Tee / Sorry Tank / Keep it Real Tank / Boss Sequin Tank / Killin it / Basic / Gypsy /

So I saw a sick workout tank on Betches.com that said "my favorite workout is running my mouth" and it instantly spawned an idea to do a post on statement graphic tees. I love a good witty line, especially if my top is saying it for me. I have my own little collection of statement tees and what I like is that there are so many different choices that I can find one that reflects my mood or personality. Sorting through all of them was fun, but above are the ones I would rock with a moto- jacket and boyfriend jeans, or with my workout leggings, a cute baseball hat and my Nike's. Shop these options above!

xo

Mix & Match with Polished Peices

Grey off the shoulder top // fringe sweater jacket //blush moto jacket (my fav) // knit cropped turtleneck // front-tie crop top // lace peplum top // wide-leg pants // drapey culottes // olive joggers // white peplum tee // woven wedges (comes in cognac too) // denim jumpsuit // lace dress // grecian maxi // envelope clutch (comes in lots of colors)

Ever been told at 25 that your too old to have your wisdom teeth out? How about at 27 when they start lecturing you that you're pushing 30? Well here's some freaking wisdom for you, DONT WAIT TILL YOUR PUSHING THIRTY TO GET YOUR WISDOM TEETH OUT. Seriously, this is the shits guys, and not in the cool way. I guess my youth is gone, and with that my mouths ability to heal at a normal pace. Balls.

Well while I've been in a not-so-pretty slumber thanks to my good friend Vic, I've at least had the ability to use my hands and put them to use by online shopping (well, window shopping that is). With spring in the air comes that feeling that I want to purge my closet and start anew, this time with grown-up chic pieces that are playful, polished, easy and able to play well with others. Nothing about me is simple, but I am feeling easy silhouettes in light fabrics. While I want to get away from the cutesy looks, I am definitely gravitating towards rompers and jumpsuits this spring that can be layered a bajillion ways for day to night with extras like sneaks, wedges, hats, sunnies, and the perfect moto jacket (obsessed with all things moto jacket). Shop above my current favorite picks!

 

xo

Metallics, Faux Fur, Leather, Ruffles and Fringe, Oh My!

 

 

Look 1: Nasty Gal // Look 2: Top: Chicwish, Pants: Nordstrom // Look 3: Faux Fur: Forever 21, Jumpsuit, Nordstrom // Look 4: Banana Republic, Shoes: Asos // Look 5: Zara

I love sequins. I love them so much, I usually try to find ways to incorporate them into looks all year round for a subtle glam. For New Years, however, I feel it is a perfect night to hit refresh.

Above, I posted a couple non-sequin party looks for New Years Eve, no matter how you celebrate. Don't be afraid to rock fringe, feathers, metallic, lace, faux leather and fur and bedazzled accessories. This winter (if you can call it that, I am loving this California winter in Cleveland!) I'm really feeling the moody, dark, romantic glamour with lace midi dresses with ribbon chokers; luxurious, royal baroque fabrics in a current fashion-forward cut (any Reign watcher's out there? Nasty Gal is rocking the royal dress and crown look), estate-sale looking vintage earrings, and party shoes that are embellished with furry poufs and gems (Asos has a great collection).

 

This NYE, I plan on rocking a second-skin lace slip dress with a faux-fur jacket and killer heels. Hopefully these looks have inspired some other party appropriate inspirations for choosing your NYE outfit. Start 2016 with a fresh look- mini, skin-tight sequin dresses are tired : )

 

xo

Trend Spot: Wide Leg Crops-A do or a don't?

 

(all images via google search)

 

From left to right: Nordstrom, Forever 21, Nordstrom

 

So while scrolling through my daily shopping websites lately, I have notice a silent trend pop up, no doubt taken straight from the runway and adapted into norm core retail stores. This would be the cropped, wide leg pants (side note, also known as culottes, a style that dates back to the French Revolution and saw a resurgence in the 60's).

 It started this summer with the influx of the cropped flared denim that we saw styled by many sartorial street stars during fall fashion week. That was a trend that I would not try to adapt as I know my personal style and that is a little too far reaching for me. Then, I started to see a different spin: pants, cropped higher than the ankle, in different fabrics, with larger flares. WTH. This is what I think of whenever I see those pants on stores sites:

 

The Flashback of the Gaucho Pants-circa 2006!!! (cue horror music)

 

Eek! I never owned a pair, but one night borrowed my roommate's, I'm not sure why. This is me in my college freshman glory, that being overly-bronzed face, blue contacts and accessories from Charlotte Russe to match every outfit.

The trend eventually died out a few years later thank goodness until now we see a different spin on this style; updated, grown-up and chic I guess you can call it. But I'm simply not feeling it.

The piece is meant to be work appropriate, somewhat tailored chic, and says you don't take yourself too seriously, but are still fashion forward. So how to wear them? Street style stars and bloggers alike style them with cropped tops and jackets, a oversized top, a tucked in romantic blouse, a sporty bomber jacket, a sexy bodysuit. Footwear can be anything from mules, platforms, d'orsay pumps or sneakers. Even though I am short in stature, I think I could pull off a tailored pair that hit mid-shin, and wasn't too wide with bulky fabric. I could wear them to work, or a function with cocktails if need be. But in my life, I would feel out of place, so this trend is a thumbs down in my book. So how much length of time goes until they come back again? As it is, this currently is a time in fashion where all styles are being recycled.

Tell me, what do you think? Would you try rocking a pair of these? Did you love gauchos back in the day? I'd love to know others opinions!

 

xo

Tonal Stripes

 

 

 

 

 

Turtleneck: J.Crew // Vest: Forever 21 // Denim: Old Navy // Shoes: Zara // Bag: Kate Spade // Sunnies: Nordstrom

 

 

Yes, this vest again! Love this oversized turtleneck, it goes with everything. It will definitely be on repeat for many layering outfits this season. These jeans are old but so perfectly worn it. They have a lot of stretch in the them and have not lost their shape! They are the Rockstar jean at Old Navy; if you haven't tried them yet, you need to. I have the Rockstar's in tons of different washes and they are hand down one of my favorite fits. Total stretch that never loses its shape. Sounds great to me!

 

xo

 

 

All photos by the lovely Rustic Light Photography

 

Forever 21 Grows Up

 

 

 When was the last time you purchased from Forever 21? For me, it was just about a month ago. I never go in the store though (too much for my anxious self) I shop entirely online. I remember the first time I ever shopped there, my parents drove me 1 hour to the closest store location, and I left with bags stuffed with goodies over an hour later of pillaging and treasure hunting.

 

Fast forward to today where I prefer to purchase high quality items I can re-wear over and over. But one day, I wanted just a cheap, breezy dress I could wear to work and sit comfortably in a chair all day and I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute peasant dress at F21. I purchased it regardless of my negative feelings towards their return policy, from a new section on their website called Contemporary. When I got the dress, I was obsessed. It fit perfectly, did not look cheap and was so cute. I wore that darn dress more than any other last summer/fall. Since then, my go-to for quick pieces that I want to anchor an outfit is Forever 21 Contemporary.

 

Here is my first purchase from the Contemporary line:

 

 

 

 

What else do I love about the Contemporary line? It is on-trend, without being the typical cliché trendy clothing that other fast fashion stores seem to back-stock. The quality in my items have been wonderful. The fit is great and this is important: if you ask most late twenties women what they think about F21, I bet you the first thing they would say is the clothes don't fit right for anything other than a little teen body. Contemporary is cut for an adult body shape. I am comfortable and therefore confident in the way my items fit me.

 

Remember this beautiful dress?

 

I was shocked when I tried it on. The quality was superb; side zipper, fully lined, no pulling. The embellished neck line was just as described. The low v-back was sexy but sweet.

 

 

 

This vest has been worn to pieces since it arrived a month ago! I love that it looks so chic and can be adjusted in the waist. This is sadly sold out, but Anthropologie has one very similar here.

 

 

This white basic tee was another recent purchase that is a winner. Linen/cotton blend front, and cotton back with side split and a longer back hem, this basic is better fitting and looking that a usual tee.

 

Right now, scrolling down the Contemporary pages I see a lot of Zara inspired pieces, some H&M similar silhouettes, and even a couple Nasty Gal inspired items. Below are a couple of items I am loving now:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All currently available on Forever21.com/contemporary


Impressed yet? If you still need convincing, the Wall Street Journal and WhoWhatWear both also recently published great articles on the face of this store and the ways it is changing and adapting to the fashion consumers of today. You can find those articles here and here,, respectively.

So tell me, have you purchased from the Contemporary line or are you planning too? I'd love to see your picks!

xo

 

Embellished Vest & Top Knot

 

 

So I put a sneak-peek of this shoot on my Instagram (you can follow me @ closetedfashionblog) and literally within 3 freaking seconds my best friend Andrea texted me, "what in Gods name is on your head? is that a nest?" When I replied it was a topknot, her response? "Oh no. It's got to go. Like now"

 

I can always count on her to make me laugh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Vest: Nordstrom // Tee: Forever 21 // Denim: Treasure & Bond // Booties: Go Jane // Bag: Chicwish // Rings: Nordstrom // Earrings & Bracelets: Swarovski // Sunnies: Nordstrom

 

When I saw this vest, I wasn't sure what I would wear it with, but I knew I needed it. It since has been worn in place of basic blazers and denim jackets. You can see how I wore it over a boho floral dress Here It adds a touch of edgy polish to any outfit, especially a basic jeans and tee!  I needed a basic white tee that was nicer, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this white cotton-linen tee with a linen back that has a longer hem. I kept the vest as the main statement, added a pop of color and some funky hair, and I had a fierce and fun outfit!

 

xo

 

All photos by Rustic Light Photography

My Fall Haul!

Each fall I get in the "back to school" shopping mode and need a closet refresher. I am definitely one of those people that invests more in fall fashion than in spring or summer clothing. The layers, the textures, the feeling of warm comfort, chic accessories, hoarding boots for every outfit; what's not to love? And let's be real, as a female, it is easier to get dressed up for dinner in fall than it is in summer- short/barely there outfits, pale ,need-to-tan skin, manicures/pedicures, etc. Summer dressing is actually a lot of work when you think about it! That's not to say dressing in the colder months means laziness, I think it means more ease with endless chic options. Below are some new styles I added to my closet this fall that can be styled so many ways!

A new twist on the military vest + olive trend with a cinched waist and large lapels is perfect for layering. A fitted moto jacket in Pantone's color of the year, Marsala, adds extra spice to an outfit in place of a black one.  

Vest: Forever 21 (sold out) // Moto Jacket: Nordstrom 

The ideal lightweight long cardigan is perfect for a woman of any height, I'm only 5'3 and it does not overwhelm my frame at all. A sweater-jacket with overlapping lapels literally looks good with everything (this was a steal during the Nordstrom sale and I've worn it a hundred times already)

Cardigan: Target // Sweater Jacket: Nordstrom 

A swingy 3/4 sleeve dress in olive green is limitless with scarves, vests and jackets. A cozy flannel shirt dress with a cinched waist for a more feminine look is a staple. 

Dresses: Nordstrom (sold out) Similar here and here

The two pieces of denim I added to my collection this fall was a chic mid-rise, straight leg style with light distressing to wear with pumps and an over-sized button-down, and high-waist flares with stretch to conquer my inner 70's child. 

Straight Jeans (called boyfriend online, but are not) Nordstrom // Flares: Gap (obsessed)  

A beautiful twist on the classic white button down shirt from Banana Republic features a soft, silky material and layers of chiffon pleats. This top is long so it is perfect for wearing over leggings. 

 Top: Banana Republic (no longer available) 

A floaty bohemian top with over-sized bell sleeves for a chic peasant vibe

Top: Zara

These Fushia suede pumps are "ahhhhh!"  

Pumps: Sam Edleman

Hat: Nordstrom similar

And of course, the wear with everything hat. Hat styles can be tricky, but this one can be boho, city chic, street chic, etc. 

As I get older,I take on a "less is more" approach with my accessories. I mentioned in my previous post about the factors I use to pull the trigger on a designer bag, but even if it is something as inexpensive as this hat, I still want a chic style that can be re-mixed often. I own tons of jewelry and other accessories, but if you notice in most of my outfit pictures, I wear only minimal jewelry and add-on's these days. In fact, I usually wear the same couple pieces with every outfit, no matter the style or event I wear it for (and I realized I just said "I" like 20 times and I hate doing that, apologies). 

What are your must-have's for fall shopping? Do you tend to go all out with clothing, or are you more excited for beauty buys or accessories? I'd love to hear your favorites so I can check them out! 

xo