Fashion Blog

Ahhh…another weekend getaway to San Francisco has come and gone, and I have returned full of inspiration! Well, kind of. I will report that there was a fluke heat wave going on over the weekend and the city folk were out in flip flops and tanks. Not the kind of fashion I’m wanting to see…but there was some good stuff going on as well. While in town, I popped into my favorite vintage store in the Mission–The Painted Bird to see if I could round up and recycled findings. Luckily, I scored a pair of Italian made leather ankle boots with some ethnic looking stitching on the sides, and they were only $19.95!

I also took home a little ivory colored sweater vest which will be perfect for layering over dresses when it finally starts to cool off down here in L.A. The two gals that run the place are super sweet and very original. One girl was wearing super skinny washed black denim pants, a long sweater (it had cooled off that morning) and three inch suede open toe wedges with thin striped socks! How much did I love this look when my eyes saw it!! Socks and wedges are no new trend, it’s just completely a surprise when I actually see someone doing it in the right way. I vowed at that moment to find the perfect pair of thin striped black and white socks and a cute pair of open toe wedges to copy this look with, and one of these nights (when fall arrives officially) be brave enough to wear. Well, I found the socks…but to my dismay, the black and white ones were gone already! I settled for a different pair:

Free People Striped Over the Knee Socks $18, freepeople.com

You could go either way with the shoes. I would pick something with a full wedge, one that extends under the toe. The chunkier the wedge, the more this look will make sense. And try to stick to either a suede or leather wedge, one in a neutral color. My two picks are these Boutique 9 “Idalia” T-Strap Wedges on sale now for $98, bloomingdales.com…

….and these Deena & Ozzy Cut Out Lace Up Wedges $68, UrbanOutfitters.com.

If you really want to go crazy, these Sam Edelman Studded Wedges (at Urban Outfitters for $99) would be pretty amazing…

You might think I’m crazy for encouraging this look, but it can look really neat if you promise to wear it with only solid, simple colors. Just think, super skinny jeans in a dark color, an oversized shirt, and a long drapey sweater. Hair down with some long earrings and a big, chunky ring. Can anyone say…dream outfit?!

Shop for more knee socks and women’s wedges.

I’m not the biggest fan of deep purple.  I often think it looks lovely on other women, but on me…not so much.  Sometimes a certain shade of purple gives me a goth look, especially when I pair it with black.  This look I definitely try to avoid.

I was drawn to this Free People ‘Faint Ash’ Ruffle Dress this week.  The color caught my attention immediately because it is a shade of purple that I would wear.  There are about four different color variations in this dress…all in the purple spectrum, and that is something I think is very chic about it.  No lavender unfortunately (and I do love lavender…) but the dress is just as cute without it.  This is a fantastic dress for summer and can even be worn into late September.  To embrace the summery look, pair this dress with some chunky sandals, flat sandals will look just as good, but since the dress is so short, some chunky heels will balance it out.

To carry into the early fall months, combine this dress with some dark grey or chocolate brown tights.  Even dark olive colored tights would work seeing how green and purple are complimentary colors to one another.  Layer tights under the dress and pair with some really cute ankle boots!! Another perfect pairing since the dress is a mini length.  Ankle boots or knee high boots would work too.  Throw a cute boyfriend blazer on top and you have one awesome outfit!  One dress…two seasons!

Free People ‘Faint Ash’ Ruffle Dress: $128

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more women’s dresses.
Discounts on women’s ruffle dresses.

With the weather cooling down and the summer heat giving way to falling leaves and thunderstorms, your clothing has to make a transition, and a statement. Just as you were putting the finishing touches on your halter-top tan and bikini lines, October is here and that means no more excuses: it’s time to make some Fall fashion statements, and nothing combines your summer tan and carefree, flirty ways like the romantic fall dress. Fashion inspiration for this week comes from The Notebook’s Rachel McAdams.

Go for a vintage look with this button up dress by Free People:

                                                                 Double Collar Dress: $108 

Or find yourself looking for romantic sleeves and a subdued color to transition into fall:

                                                                Flapper Monhair Dress: $145

It may just be a blanket, but Rachel McAdams knows how to pull it off:

Cuddle up in your own wearable blanket with this waffle weave dress from Gap:

                                                  Waffle Knit Tunic Sweater: $49.99 on sale

Find at Smarter.com:  Buy tunic sweaters. 
                                        Shop through all dresses.

Image Source: RottenTomatoes.com

The term “comfort clothing” usually brings to mind oversized pieces and unflattering silhouettes, with visions of big, shapeless t-shirts and floppy velour sweatsuits.  But, this season, there’s a new way to be comfy… and chic.  One of my favorite fall/winter trends is the sweater jacket, which offers all the perks of a sweater (the cozy knit hug affect) and all the benefits of a blazer (the tailored, put together affect).

A sweater jacket works the same way a blazer does, so pair one with everything from jeans to dress pants and skirts.  They also add a little something to slim-fitting dresses.

J Crew Merino Alice Sweater, $158

Free People Colonel Sweater Coat, $98

Worthington Sweater Jacket, $49.99

Free People Russian Trapeze Jacket, $148

Graham & Spencer Cashmere Jacket, $429

 Click here to see more sweater jackets.