Look I Stole: Spring Style Options

Today was the day it FINALLY felt like spring in NYC. The temperature rose to over 60 degrees and New Yorkers all seemed to have a skip in their step. I wore leggings, my Kelsi Dagger snake thigh high flat boots (seen here), and a light Zara sweater thinking it was a great transition outfit.....boy was I wrong. I need to break out my lighter wardrobe options, unless I prefer to sweat to death as we head in to summer. I noticed a few key outfits I can easily recreate on some stylish celebrity ladies. LC, Charlize, and Lo all know where its at for warm weather chic. Throw on a linen or lightweight cotton button down and jump on the trend wagon of black or dark indigo flare jeans just like LC, I can wear my favorite Old Navy cargos (seen here) with a blazer and oxford pumps for Charlize's look, and the (hopefully mine soon) $59 Paperbag Waist Trousers from Urban Outfitters to complete Lo's relaxed fit style.

Ok, 3 days of outfits decided and months more to go......

Inspiration Board: Wide Leg Jeans

Hello loyal readers! Miss Frivolous has taken a short blogging hiatus as she visits the holy land in search of a husband. She asked me, the sister referenced mockingly in several previous posts, to keep you updated in her absence.  Let's get right to it, shall we?

To get a feel for how we sisters differ, consider the ultimate model family: The Kardashians.  While Miss Friv considers Kim her would-die-to-be-mistaken-for, I gravitate more towards Kourtney and her classic, mature style choices.  That's why when I saw this picture appear back in November, I squealed with delight:

*image from officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com

Because I knew this could only mean one thing: wide-leg jeans are back.  Curvy girls rejoice! When done correctly, there is no more flattering casual look that we can rock.  Pair some flares with a tucked-in shirt, a slim belt, and some sky-high heels, and you will have all the eyes in the room on you! Witness:

 *image from people.com

 *image from people.com

*image from officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com

While a higher-rise can be flattering, if you are short and had too many Girl Scout cookies these last few weeks, steer clear of the super-high-waist, lest you find yourself looking like this:

*image from chicainc.com

Hate to drag this back out Jess-- as Miss Friv always says, Big girls need love too.  Just making my point and then we will put that mom jeans photo back in the vault! 

If you are anxious to perpetuate this trend but haven't gotten your hands on a pair yet, consider purchasing these two celebrity favorites: 

The J Brand "Love Story" and the 7 for All Mankind "Georgia Jean"

Inspiration Board: Stylish New Yorkers

StyleCaster.com listed the 50 Most Stylish New Yorkers today and the article was the best thing to ever happen to me during a work day.  I spent 20 glorious minutes poring over each photo of the painfully cool (and probably take themselves too seriously) New Yorkers that have access to designer duds among fashion's elite.

Jeff Laub, owner of The Blind Barber. Rawr, hey sexy.

Andrew Mukamel, formerly of "Kell on Earth," I miss you on my tv set each week.

Jenne Lombardo is everything I wish to be. I love her tough, goth style and attitude. The fact that she shaved her head in the middle of a photo shoot, awe-inspiring.

South Carolina's finest Kwesi Blair made the cut!! Cutie patootie and well deserved.

Olivia Palermo, need I say more?

Leandra Medine, aka The Man Repeller. That bow feels very Rachel Berry chic.

Reece Soloman, designer of Reece Hudson handbags. Her hair is how I dream mine to look as I grow out my highlights and pretend I'm tapping into the ombre trend, instead of too cheap to pay for another round of foils.

Inspiration Board: Graphic Tee and Blazer

I have recently become a fan of Jane from Sea of Shoes, and one of her latest posts featured an outfit of a concert tank under an amazing gold blazer with jeans and YSL tranny heels. I love the easy glam of this outfit, seeems like its something I could pull of when I feel its a jeans kind of night out. I'm usually not a proponent of graphic tees (my love of Jersey Store cast not included), but the fit of the tank with the blazer just works. Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters have some cute ones, but remember that the key component here is revealing a lot of clavicle to up the sex factor. I wondering if I am ballsy enough to purchase this top or that top to play with this outfit at home. Thinking with my velvet blue Ali Ro draped blazer or Leopard H&M jacket, I can put my cleavage to good use while retaining a level of comfort (a rarity in New York nightlife). 

*image from SeaofShoes.com

Imitation is the Sincerest Form Of Flattery....Right?

In the fashion world, the same debate arises every few seasons from high fashion design houses about lower end brands stealing ideas and peddling them for less. The conundrum is oh so relevant for this generation of internet fiends, when free ideas are continually put out in to the world every second. How do you claim ownership of ideas and creativity? Personally, I think we are all inspired by and/or imitating someone else, great minds think alike, however I do understand the problem when Steve Madden puts out the same shoe as YSL just two months after a show. Steve's shoes usually hit the mass market months before the YSL seasonal collection will even hit stores. That being said, I LOVE me some designer copies or inspirations. I don't have money to burn on my favorite $600+ Christian Louboutin or Stella McCartney shoes. If mass market designers can wait 6 months to a year after the designer shoe debuts and is swept off the shelves, I'm happy to let the cheaper version trickle down in to my eager and less fortunate hands. One brand I love is Miu Miu, but most of their whimsical, 70s inspired styles are too rich for my blood. I am totally down to spend more $$$ on a great, sturdy pair of shoes I can wear to death, but can't justify spending my hard earned paycheck on shoes I can only wear with one or two outfits a year. Instead, I oogle them online and on style sites, envious of the high fashion girls who can interpret them as normal into their everyday wardrobe.

 

Like take this Miu Miu platform Mary Jane for instance. They were from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection. I have now seen two styles in the same vein as these shoes, but without the granny cat print and a little more everyday. My thoughts are, since the season is over and the shoes are no longer in stock, let the legitmate businesses like Forever 21 and Aldo have a field day with the chunky heel, platform versions. In the end all I care about is putting on a sexy pair of heels to bag me a man.

Forever 21Suedette Platform Heel-Strap Heel, $25.80

 

Aldo Basinski, $84.98 on sale

ASOS River Island Ponyskin Block Heel Court Shoe, $129.28

 

Inspiration Board: Holiday Party Outfit

I was recently perusing the BCBG website and saw an outfit featuring a lacy top with black slim pants. Seemed simple enough, but I immediately fell in love with this idea for holiday party dressing. I have decided I'd like to rebel this winter and banish my tights for a more comfortable look. No more cold wind cutting underneath my dress or constant sucking in to be sure my dress lays flat. I love the idea of a fancy top with simple black pants at a Christmas party, unexpected like a women wearing a tuxedo to the black tie affair. I have a gold top with a large collar that often seems too garish to wear for just another night out. I was drawn to the flash but rarely pull the trigger when dressing. Happy to say this image has convinced me the top can shine like a true star come Thursday night for my holiday fiesta.  Add some giant stud earrings and a cuff, or a huge statement necklace, and all eyes will definitely be on you. Enjoy that fifth glass of champagne in comfort AND style, my friends.

Last Minute Gifts

I tend to wait until the last minute for everything and have to remind myself day after day to do something, like get a dress hemmed or go grocery shopping, until I have one day its too late and I have to basically go naked or starve to death.  But when it comes to gifts, I am the WORST.  I never know what to get someone, and put it off because I always pick something I want rather than thinking about what the recipient likes (usually my sister bears the brunt of this problem).  But I think I have done it this year, I found things I totally dig and honestly believe others would want them, not just me.  As we round the corner to the last few days before Christmas, I'm sure more than a few of you haven't bought gifts for co-workers, siblings, parents, etc. Below are a few great and affordable gifts that are easy to buy in person, since shipping is tough now that you waited so late (I feel your pain....). Just burn rubber in your car or sprint to the subway to pick up these great gifts. Also, if you are Jewish like me and never got anyone anything for Hanukkah (it happens, we have no designated foliage to leave presents under), these are a good "after-thought" gift for someone.

Container Store Gold or Silver ipod dock - $19.99

Perfect to use on the desk at work, in your bedroom, or when traveling 

iTunes gift card

Get it at the Apple store (obvi) or local drugstores and Walmart for $15, $25, $50, $100 Guaranteed anyone you gift this with will use it, even my 63 year old dad has an ipod

Scarf from Zara, $39.99

They make a bunch of great scarves with different textures for a low price, girls can always wear another scarf

Fujifilm Instax 210 Instant Color Camera from Wal-Mart, Target, or
Best Buy, $79

Fantastic gift, fun to use and unexpected!

J. Crew jewelry
Every girl loves all that J. Crew has to offer, and both sparkly items pictured are just $95

And lastly, if you're willing to forget the stores and just want overnight shipping...

Pantone® Mugs in 28 colors, $14.99 each

Mugs from original Pantone colors are pretty coveted, I have heard multiple friends comment on them. I love the idea of sending someone a pretty set of 4 or 6

Cover Up To Hang Out

I saw this picture of Dakota Fanning a couple of months ago as she was leaving the airport, and I can't help thinking how chic she looks in that poncho sweater. Yes I know it's a shapeless shift, but it looks amazingly cozy. I understand we should always aim to dress in a way that's flattering to our bodies and not hide behind fabric, but sometimes a girl gets an unfortunate "food baby" and a curve hugging top is not our friend. In the winter when everyone is layering against the cold, I say feel free to hide behind a cute cape/poncho sweater and go to town on a yummy meal. Follow Dakota's lead and show off your legs in skinny jeans (I suggest adding knee high boots for a more everyday look), or you could do dark flare jeans to balance out the top (the flare style tends to make any backside look bangin') and wear with heels. Below, I have picked a few versions for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Personally, I own a heather grey cape jacket from Susana Monaco that I break out with a black tutleneck and jeans and it never fails, people always tell me its a great look.

ASOS, Military Knit Cape $62.06

Gap, Knit Poncho $79.50

Nanette Lepore, "Get a Clue" Cape $199 on sale

Inspiration Board: Hilary Duff

I mentioned in an earlier post that I am trying to incorporate more scarves into my wardrobe. I look at pictures of my girl HDuff and she has the right idea. Scarves have become her signature look - she throws on the accessory and voila, girl's got an outfit. She's all about the big accessories to slim down the body and I like her thought process: big earrings, big glasses, big scarf, big purse deflect from anything busting out on that hourglass figure.

You could go with the a skinny scarf, the traditional long scarf wrapped around, the oversize square scarf or an infinity loop (the latter two are new favorites of mine). Trust, this is so easy to pull off and seem stylish. I wore a red square scarf tied around my neck with a long black GAP tank, Uniqlo black boyfriend blazer, dark J Brand Lovestory flare jeans and black booties and was told multiple times how cute I looked. And it was so PLAIN, the scarf is just what pulled it all together. So go forth, my children, and invest in a scarf from H&M or Urban Outfitters and you too can be as stylin' as me and HDuff.

 

Inspiration Board: Sarah Stanley

I promised I would show street styles that have me obsessed and ready to copy. Turns out my first real life inspiration came from my own friend, Sarah. This little cutie just threw on her outfit for a day of watching football and I was immediately jealous.

Her vest absolutely made the look and I couldn't stop complimenting her. You can purchase the vest here, and I think it is an amazing investment for fall/winter outfits. You can keep it casual cool like Sarah with tough boots, a tunic (her tunic was only $14.95 from H&M!) and shiny American Apparel leggings, or go for other options: polished for the weekend with skinny jeans or velvet leggings and wedge lace up booties, over a dress and tights, or step it up for a more work appropriate look with black pants and a silk neutral or patterned blouse (my favorite Express Military silk button down would definitely be perfect with this).

   

Aldo Tauret in Black - $80;  J Brand Velvet Leggings - $179;  Forever 21 Chiffon Dress - $22.80;  Tucker for Target blouse - sale $20.98 

Inspiration Board: Mixing Patterns

I came across this article from the November issue of Marie Claire about creating a look with stripes, florals and patterned shoes. I'm not a fan of mixing too many prints and although people like Olivia Palermo can pull it off, I aint no Olivia and New York is not my personal red carpet. BUT I was intrigued by this since I recently bought leopard loafers from Zara. Even though my new shoes kill my poor feet, I can't stop wearing them. I am trying to find ways to incorportate them into outfits constantly e so thought I would give the combo a try but nix the floral skirt. Copying this might seem ridiculous to you, but for me I have a hard time making outfits for work every morning and take all the help I can get. Decided to wear a yellow and cream striped sweater with my navy paperbag waist skirt, skinny brown belt, and the prized leopard loafers. My coworker, and the only person here in my cube today, gave the thumbs up. Happy with the choice.