How to layer like a pro!

While we are dreaming of spring... many of us are still dressing for winter. (wah wah.)  Some days it's enough for me to throw on a sweater and call it good, but others I seem to be chilled to the bone and one layer just won't cut it.  Here I stacked (and stacked some more) some simple and stylish layers for keeping warm.

Granted all of you won't want 5 layers - so simply take one or more out of the equation... the formula works with as few layers as you like... or all of them!  Plus... all of the items (except for the two * items) are UNDER $100!  So snap up these winter bargains while it's still cold out!

(featured, top to bottom: hat, scarf, army jacket*, striped blazer, white sweater, cardigan, turtleneck tee, oxford top, grey tank, white camisole, dark jeans, white jeans, black boots, brown boots*)

(featured, top to bottom: hat, scarf, army jacket*, striped blazer, white sweater, cardigan, turtleneck tee, oxford top, grey tank, white camisole, dark jeans, white jeans, black boots, brown boots*)

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Fashion Formula: how to wear a statement sweater!

Have you noticed the fun "statement" sweaters popping up in stores lately? If you are like me, their quirky attitude and penchant for 'fun' draw me in... but then I am left wondering, is it too much? how could I style a piece like this? 

I've got answers!  You don't want to take the fun and bold statement out of the 'statement' sweater... but here are a few ways to style them without shouting to the world your love of sheep, frenchies or stylish Parisiennes. (well, you actually do... but you can kinda play it cool here)

Start with a simply ADORABLE statement sweater...

(above: houndstooth, 'la parisienne', French bulldog, sheep)

Layer over or under a neutral (or two, one over and one under) to tone down the 'statement'.

(above: striped turtleneck, chambray top, peach silk top, deep red blazer, denim vest, grey moto jacket)

go for a simple and classic basic bottom.

(above: cream cords, boyfriend jeans, leggings, skinny cords)

Then finish off with a few simple and neutral accessories!

(above: arrow ring, wrap bracelet, handbag, flats, boots, loafers)

Are you going to be rocking the 'statement' sweater this fall and winter?

fashion formula: bold blazers!

Got your eye on a fun bold blazer this season, but not sure how to style it? Well, my friends... look no further.  Today I pulled together a fun 'fashion formula' to put the pieces together for you.  While there are likely a million ways to style a blazer... I went with simple wardrobe basics and plenty of neutrals to make styling a snap and hopefully using items you already own!

From top:

aqua blazer, pink blazer, orange blazer

striped top, polka dot tank, floral top

left, outfit: jeans, clutch, ring, earrings, flats

right, outfit: white jeans, bracelets, purse, wedges, nail polish

p.s. check back later today to see how I styled my own bold blazer... I took a different spin on it... I'll give you a hint: monochromatic!

fashion formula: denim on denim!

About two years ago (sheesh, how long have I been blogging!?!?) I started a little series called fashion formulas - it's a fun little series to give you tips on what goes with what.  I haven't done a fashion formula post in for-eva - but I thought it would be fun to bring it back!

Today I have denim on denim (or denim on chambray, whichever you prefer) - it's quickly become one of my go-to outfits and I love that it's a blank slate for styling.  Start with a simple denim or chambray top, add a pair of super dark jeans (for contrast) and end with amazing shoes, bold accessories and extra layers.  Here's how...

denim top

skinny jeans, wide leg jeans

blazer, earrings, clutch, leopard pumps

faux fur vest, necklace, ring, wedges

Stay tuned later this week to see how I recently wore denim on denim!

Fashion Formula: Maxi Dresses!

It's been waaay too long since I have thrown a "Fashion Formula" your way, no?

Today we are going to layout the formula for what I think is one of the SIMPLEST and CHICEST looks for spring and summer. The maxi dress. This dress works with all body types and for many different occasions.... they are instant chic!

So without further ado... let's dig in!

Simple & Bold Accessory

(from left to right: Starfish Necklace, Target, $39.99, Chandelier Earrings, Bloomingdale's $25, Scarf, Topshop, $32, Stone Cuff, Fossil, $42)

Maxi Dress

(left to right: Ruffle Maxi Dress, Arden B, $69, Drawstring Maxi Dress, Old Navy, $29.50, Knit Dress, Urban Outfitters, $68, Cross Stitch Maxi Dress, Forever 21, $29.80)

Strappy Flat Sandals

(from left to right: Gladiator Sandal, Madden Girl, $29.95, Studded Thong, Cynthia Vincent for Target, $24.99, Wedge Gladiator, Urban Outfitters, $38)

So will you be sporting a maxi dress this spring and summer! I have a couple waiting for some sunny days in my closet... can't wait to whip them out!

fashion formula: Fair Isle!

Who's the fairest of them all? Fair Isle, of course!

Like cross-body bags remind me of junior high, fair isle brings me right to college. And since that was, ahem, over 10 years ago it doesn't seem so unlikely that the trend is back. Word to the wise though... hop on this colder weather trend stat, because come April it will be sayonara to this style as we prep for warmer temps. Which leads me to my next point... while some wardrobe pieces can be carefully and stealthily transitioned from one season to the next, fair isle does lose it's fair-ness (shall we say) come spring!

Here's how to keep fair isle fresh and not frumpy this winter:

Fair Isle Sweater

(from left to right: Patterned Cardigan w/ Tie Belt, Forever 21, $32.90, Hooded Toggle Cardigan, Forever 21, $36.90, Fair Isle Cardigan, Forever 21, $34.90)

Fitted Bottoms

(from left to right: Fab Leggings, Forever 21, $4.50, Stud Rider Pant, Forever 21, $17.80, Real Straight Jeans, Gap, $59.50)

Casual Boots

(from left to right: Leather Flat Boot, Charlotte Russe, $34.99, Frisco Vintage Style Boot, Bronx, $76.49, Ruched Suede Boot, Me Too, $89.95)

Awesome Handbag

(from left to right: The Marseille by Marc B, Topshop, $70, Emma Satchel, Endless, $95, Blondie Shoulder Bag, Big Buddha, $89)

Fashion Formula: Edgy Preppy!

JCrew exudes a new trend in dressing that I call "edgy preppy" - all the preppy aspects of styling are there (think: cardigans, layers, blazers, poplin) but with a wrench thrown in to the outfit in the form of something completely unexpected (think: sequins, tough jewelry, distressed denim).

(photos above via JCrew)

Here I'll try and tackle the edgy preppy from one angle, however, the options are limitless and the more layers and unexpected details you can add, the better. With edgy preppy more = more.

Layer One: Embellished Top

(From Left to Right: Rosette Pleated Top, $22.99, Polka Dot Petal Top, $21.99, Sequined Petal Top, $15.80, Matte Sequined Top, $19)

Layer Two: Blazer/Cardigan

(choose one or two)

(From Left to Right: Twill Buttoned Blazer, $32.80, Wool Pleated Silk Chimera Jacket, $99.99, Military Sweater Cardigan, $22.80, Always Cardigan, $29.50)

Bold Necklace

(choose one or two)

(From Left to Right: Faceted Stone Bib Necklace, $9.99, Multi-Strand Necklace, $14.50, Multi-Chain Necklace, $24, Crystal Vintage Necklace, $19.50)

Distressed Denim

(From Left to Right: Distressed Always Skinny, $69.50, Destroyed Matchstick, $98, Destroyed Skinny, $58)

Fashion Formula: Bold Flats!

Earlier this week I was swooning over these flats (they are for the record still sitting in my "shopping cart" waiting for a moment of weakness). And it got me thinking about a little theory that I have (and I do believe I've mentioned it before) on bold flats. That theory is that these days bold flats paired with neutrals can be the "it" factor of the entire outfit.

Need an example? Here is your fashion formula for bold flats!

Denim

(Left to Right: Current/Elliot Distressed Boyfriend, Gap Nautical Jean, Rerock Straight Leg, Blank Denim Skinny Jeans)

Neutral Top

(Left to Right: Anthro Saffi Pullover, F21 Paillette Mesh Top, Silence and Noise Dolman Sweater, Boyfriend Long Sleeve Top)

Bold Flat

(Left to Right: Steve Maden Kelli Gladiator Flat, Mia Hepburn Suede Flat, Kimchi Blue T-Strap Skimmer, Steve Madden Embellished Jellies)

I feel a "weakness" coming on. How do you feel about the bold flat?

Fashion Formula: Mostly Black.

Last weekend I pulled together an outfit on the fly and after my husband, my son and a few people I ran into that day complimented me on it, I knew I had a winner. I even had my hair pulled back (which always seems like cheating, but heck, apparently when you are rockin' a great outfit, no one looks at your hair, who knew??).

When the weather turns chilly, I turn to black clothing.

To me it is comforting, comfortable and always chic (unless it's faded, let's just not go there, k?)

Here's a recreation of the outfit:

Oversized Black Sweater

(Left to right, Diesel, $65, Old Navy, $25, Shae, $98)

Super Skinny, Super Dark Jeans

(Left to Right, Rich & Skinny, $59, Charlotte Russe, $29.99, Banana Republic, $98)

Knee-High Black Boots

(Left to Right, Steve Madden, $89, Unlisted by Kenneth Cole, $70, Hive & Honey, $149)

~~~

With this super neutral, yet super chic look... feel free to add an accessory that is over the top and frivolous!

(Left to Right, Glasses: TopShop, $30, Ring: Betsey Johnson, $35, Cuff: M&J Savitt, $179.99, Watch: Adidas, $60)

Fashion Formula: Faux Fur Vest!

Faux fur vests are HOT for the fall and winter. A la Rachel Zoe, we saw them popping up very sporadically with the high-end retailers. But as always, it doesn't take too long for the trend to reach the affordable genre. And lucky for us! (I found some great faux fur vests below... but I also saw some really great ones at Target yesterday - unfortunately I couldn't find images online for them, but DO check them out in person! I wanted to snag one myself... but remembered I already have a faux fur vest, I was almost sad I did!)

Faux fur vests follow another unspecific trend for the upcoming season that is "big on top, small on bottom". So, go billowy or fluffy on top and skinny jeans or leggings on the bottom. That is exactly what today's Fashion Formula features....

Basic Fitted Tee

(left to right: Grey Tee, White Tee, Black Tee)

Faux Fur Vest

(from left to right: Belted FF Vest, White Shaggy Fur Vest, Brown FF Vest)

Skinny Jeans

(from left to right: Free People Skinny Jeans, Arden B Destroyed Skinny Jean, Urban Outfitters Classic Skinny Jean, Arden B Rip Skinny Jean)

Will you be rockin' the faux fur vest this fall? I will be FOR SURE!

Introducing: Fashion Formulas!

I'm excited about this new series I have been brainstorming on lately: Fashion Formulas.

It's based on my simple theory that our closets should be mix and match-able. I always aim to do this with my wardrobe consults and now I've found another fun way to deliver it to you.

Fashion Formulas will give you the basic outline for great outfits... you just fill in the blanks with similar items in your wardrobe!

Ready? Here we go...

~~~

An up and coming look for this fall/winter is pleated bottoms... I know, I know... It's so 80's. Well. It just so happens it is also going to be SO "2010" - so get over it!

Today I showcase a really simple way to integrate pleats into your fall wardrobe!

Pleated Bottoms

(Left to Right: Linen Harem Pants, Pleated Linen Trousers, Pleated Cuff Shorts, Pleated Mini-Skirt)

White Tee Shirt

(preferably tucked in)

(Left to Right: V-Neck Tee, Layering Tee, Ruched V-Neck Tee)

Bib Necklace

(Left to Right: Flower Pearl Multi-Chain Necklace, Beaded Sequin Bib Necklace, Jingling Leaf Necklace, Rhinestone and Faceted Bead Bib Necklace)

Look those trends dead in the eyes ladies! You can do it!

(any trends or outfit ideas you would like to see featured on an upcoming "Fashion Formulas"? Email me!!! goodlifeforless @ gmail.com)