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.

Yes, it’s true, sandal season is upon us…but flip flops aren’t exactly what I have in mind.  Spring is a good time to begin shopping around for fancy footwear that reveals your feet without getting too beachy.  Wedges are cool for spring fashion, and you can definitely carry them into summer when it arrives, sporting them with shorts, skirts, and jeans. I personally love the look of wedges with shorts, flowy blouses and a little jacket when it cools off in the evenings.  I would also opt for this style over traditional three-inch heels since they are going to be more comfortable and not so hard on the balls of your feet.

The Miz Mooz ‘Gizmo’ Platforms ($129.95) are one of my personal picks this week. Not only do these wedges look comfortable, but they are huarache-inspired with their tan woven leather and wooden platform.

Being obsessed with vintage inspired pieces that particularly look like they could have come from the 1970’s, my eye was instantly drawn to these shoes.  I would wear these with some cropped, fitted jeans that are cut right above the ankle.  This is a unique trend I noticed while in San Francisco, but I always wondered…how do you find pants that length?  Well the answer was simple after I began taking my jeans to a tailor to be altered.  This is a fun style for the warmer seasons if you’ve ever just been too hot to wear long jeans and kind of wanted to go for a 1950’s chic look. Try it…you’ll like it! Now, back to my remaining picks…

For months now I have been neglecting and rejecting stylish handbags, and instead resorted to hauling around a Marc Jacobs canvas tote bag instead.  As far as purpose goes, canvas totes are great, but they aren’t always very cute when you’re gettin’ dolled up for a night out.  So, I finally emptied mine out and bought a new purse.  A real purse again!  My choice was a fairly inexpensive vintage leather bag, simple with good color.  If I would’ve had a little more dough to work with I would have splurged on the L.A.M.B. ‘Darjeeling’ Small Flap Shoulder Bag, $345, Nordstrom.com

This bag is so mod! I love it. The colors and hardware are also very nautical inspired making it great for the summer months.

And now, my final personal pick for today are these stunning Stephen Dweck Agate earrings, $395, Neimanmarcus.com

These are so beautiful! They would look fantastic with a casual long dress, but I personally like wearing fancy items like this with a worn in t-shirt and jeans with some little gold ballet flats. Combining a slightly rugged look with such a delicate accessory is a fashion risk worth taking.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more women’s platform sandals.
Discounts on L.A.M.B. handbags and Stephen Dweck earrings.