Dope Ambition

While editors wearing Givenchy and Prada heels may get snapped the most, I find myself attracted to those who don’t take themselves, or their respective ensembles, too seriously.  Nothing says “trying too hard” like a mean scowl and a monochromatic outfit; fashion is supposed to be fun! And personal style is supposed to be, well, personal. Yours. Your outfit should be like your personality morphed into knits and silks and wools and wrapped itself around your body.

With that said, here are a few looks I loved from the past few weeks. While I definitely gravitate more minimal looks, I appreciate anyone who looks like they’re actually enjoying what they’re looks. Any favs?

images via:///1 vanessa jackman///2 facehunter///3 elin kling///4 citizen couture///5 and 6 mr newton for harpers bazaar///7 tommy ton for style///8 adam katz for elle///9 marie claire///10 william yan///

The statement necklace, while always exciting, is nothing new. In fact, “costume” jewelry as we know it dates back to the early 20th century, where rhinestones were set in metals like pewter, nickel and brass. Today, however, we’ve stepped up our statement necklace game when it comes to materials, with some necklaces costing upwards of a thousand dollars, boasting  semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and even leather, all co-mingling at the napes of our necks.

While the runway often shows draped, multi-strand necklaces dripping off of models’ necks, the pairing is usually a bit predictable; low cut evening gowns and silk tops with generous V necklines are to be expected. After all, these statement necklaces are often used strategically to make a statement about the clavicle or decolletage of a woman, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But this season, one of my favorite collections was relative newcomer Guillaume Henry’s Carven Spring 2012 show , where the hemlines were flirty, legs were ubiquitous, and cutouts at the chest and midsection gave the buttoned-up looks an extremely youthful appeal the label hadn’t seen in decades. The looks I was drawn to most also featured fun, arts-and-craft necklaces tucked neatly underneath the crisp collars of the buttoned-up tops (below).

But this is just one iteration of the topped off buttoned-up look. Neck deco can be as feminine, flashy or restrained as your tastes dictate; all look equally surprising under a crisp white shirt, slouchy chambray, or even a button up under a sweater, all fastened to the collar, necklace proclaiming itself against your shirt. In this way, no flashes of skin can compete for attention. All eyes are on your necklace, weather beaded, tangled or blingy.

Below are seven of my favorite looks that employ the buttoned up, neck deco look, followed by an ensemble suggestions in case you want the look like, yesterday. (P.S. that denim top is under $30!)

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1 - old navy denim pocket shirt

2 - rag & bone cropped mohair sweater 

3 - fiona paxton necklace

4 – asos faux croc clutch

5 - jeffrey campbell wooden oxford wedge 

6 - chuck taylor all star core hi 

7 - karen walker shades

8 - striped pencil skirt

Apparently, mint green/seafoam green are going to be MAJOR this season. It has to be true; Lady Gaga apparently predicted it! But if you know anything about me, you know this particular shade of green has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. The details on my site, many-a-mint-green-photo on my tumblr and my constant minty green fingernails would alert anyone with wit enough to notice that I am seriously mad over mint green.

Now that I’ve said the words “mint green” more times in a paragraph than I should be allowed to in a week, allow me to turn your attention to some covetable items in my favorite shade that are out there for the plucking. One of my favorites? The cozy, oversized Acne cable knit, which can be worn slouched over denim and Docs or donned with a prim skirt and collared shirt underneath. Sometimes, however, the surprises are best debuted in the details, as with tiny trinkets and bracelets that add an affordable injection of the color into your wardrobe without going all out, as they say.

If you don’t like this color, to hell with you! It is a divine shade of green and the world will soon realize it.

clockwise from left:

acne sweater /// 1

asos mint green backpack /// 2

essie mint candy apple /// 3

mint street style look /// 4 via dam style

fath vintage maxi skirt /// 5

need supply co ambrosia skirt /// 6

mint green bracelet /// 7

vintage round glasses frame on etsy /// 8

I will be the first to admit that I am a little obsessed with holidays and the entire season surrounding them. As soon as mid-November rounds the corner, Thanksgiving, my birthday (December 11!) and Christmas are automatically on my mind. Of course, I used to pine for the presents and stuffed stockings, but now, I yearn for the time away from a busy life here in New York. When I hop on a plane and head home for a week or two, I know I’ll be greeted by my family, whom I miss, and a nearly obscene amount of Christmas decorations, thanks to my eager mother. Our house is decorated with more snowmen and santas than I can count, and our stairs are wrapped in garland and lights. I can’t wait.

But every holiday season, I somewhat panic about what to bring home for the two weeks I’ll be away from it all. Sure, I want to be comfortable, but I also don’t want to slough it just because I’m at home. I need pops of color to liven up my casual uniform of a slouchy white button up and riding pants or denim. This season, the green color of Chirtsmas trees has tickled my fancy; every time I see the color, I ooh and ahh as if it were a fat baby smiling. I love its crisp quality, and yet its ability to add a luxe feeling to a simple ensemble.

I’ve been inspired recently by trainers paired with rather polished, structured ensembles. Susie Bubble’s post over the summerwas a fun take on the more refined, sporty ensembles seen on the runway in London by newcomer designer Thomas Tait and one of my favorites (another Londoner!), Christopher Kane. Pairing athletic shoes with glossy high fashion is an ironic pairing of practicality with the unaffordable. I like the idea, but would probably stick with the Nikes and opt for sleek pieces from places like Zara for some of the others. I also can’t help but gravitate towards neon in winter; it adds a bit of zest to the season’s usual drab palette.

Below are a few items I’ve been pining for; whether Santa considers me naughty or nice, well…I’m not keeping my hopes up.

marc jacobs laser cut floral shift

white topshop blazer

karen walker hot pink sunglasses

hot pink and black color blocked bracelet

blue envelope clutch

nike lunarfly 

I once wore hunter green, brown, navy blue and black all at once, when I was a teenager. I came downstairs to go to school, and my mom told me I looked “like a bruise.” I was mad, but I changed… I didn’t want to look like a walking “ouch.”

Navy blue and black, however, make for an amazing color combination for fall and winter. Monochromatic black can make you looked washed out, or like you just left an outtake of The Matrix. Sure, under certain circumstances, the colors can clash, but when worn simply, the color juxtaposition adds just enough variety for the eyes to keep them entertained. Are you feeling neon right now? Go ahead, splash some in there with a highlighter yellow belt or an acid green clutch. More into lush primary colors? How classy! Red heels add sophistication. An emerald green statement necklace? How Blaire Waldorf of you. You get the idea. Make it nautical, make it streamlined, make it sexy…your call.

So it’s safe to say, then: when mixing two closely related colors like navy blue and black, leave out tans and browns, and if you’re dying for a neutral color, stick to white. Here are a few street style picks, followed by some outfit inspiration. But don’t take it from me; try it for yourself.

street style photos via//01//02//03//04//

lace white button up – $200
dannijo mara necklace – $170
black tuxedo blazer – $64
black platform boot – $234
black Converse – $70
linen & jersey skirt – $201

Clashing colors? Sports team colors? Opposite colors on the color wheel? MADNESS!

But really though, orange against blue is one of the most appealing color palettes, but people tend to avoid it like the plague. The New York Knicks NBA team sports blue and orange, as do the New York Mets. While I will plead the fifth on commenting about the latter team (cough cough), there’s something to be said about New York’s love of the color combination: it’s bold, fierce, strong, and many other masculine adjectives that can easily be used to describe a beautiful ensemble.

Surprisingly, the color combo is wonderfully grounded by black accessories, though tans and neutrals always work well too. The Fall 2011 runways saw bold inserts of orange against rich navys, usually consisting of highly structured garments paired with more relaxed fits. One of my favorite looks was on Joan Smalls at Proenza Schouler (below), where a bold orange coat opens to reveal cool, loose-fitting belted trousers in a tribal pattern and a luxe leather shirt.

Feeling daring? Throw in a pop of a primary color: reds and yellows keep you from looking like walking color swatches. Here are some looks that I think nail it, and a little bit of ensemble inspiration in case you’re in need of it.

What do we think?

Fall 2011 RTW, Preen, Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander

street style images via// too cute mag,  marie claire, harper’s bazaar//runway images via//style.com

INSPIRATION//

orange silk chiffon tshirt – $185
marc by marc jacobs scarf - $90
leopard clutch - $34
tan and red contrast clutch - $35
kate spade “come full circle” bracelet - $58
black rope bracelet - $15
black buckle boot - $99
current/elliot denim – $175

I know what you’re thinking: fall is supposed to be a season filled with maroons and hunter greens and navy blues and lots of other rich hues. I get it, trust me. But what’s prettier than a bunch of cool pastelles against the reds and oranges of fall leaves? Think about the big picture: you, in all your minty green, sky blue glory, walking down a fall sidewalk looking like a dream amidst the rich colors of fall? Sound dramatic? It is! Don’t be afraid.

For those who know a little about me, they know this color palette is possibly my favorite. Something about seafoam green is so dreamy, and mixing these monochromatic pastelles with a neutral is the perfect way to sidestep the monotony of fall’s deep colors. My suggestions: don’t go overboard with matching, let your hair get a little unruly and throw some black details in. These colors can come off as prim under other circumstances, but of course, not with a badass like you wearing them. Am I right?

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three strand necklace – $85
mint green t - $26
buckled strap satchell - $60
vintage silk bracelets - $45
henley sunglasses – $12
rings - $100-$200
black ring – $2,400
lace up black booties - $158
alexander wang sweatshirt skirt - $215

Upon the first inclination of cold weather, we as creatures of habit most likely reach for our black pea coats and cream scarves and, perhaps, even our winter red, and we head out the door like a predictable page out of a winter catalogue.

Fall and winter are actually perfect seasons to get rid of your hesitation and dress with abandon. Just think: against the bleak grey clouded skies, you could on a burnt orange bag with a hunter green coccoon coat. Or, instead of your heather grey gloves, you could slip on a pair of mustard yellow leather ones to (not so much) go with your plum clutch. Oh the madness!

I will now begin posting color palettes everyday that I find particularly eye-popping for this fall and winter. Generally speaking, colors across from each other on the color wheel may seem like they clash, but they are actually perfectly appealing pairs, especially when injected with a dose of black, cream or hey, why not majenta pink?

First up: navy and yellow. This combo is a rather safe one when it comes to outrageous dressing, but let’s work our way into the mashups, shall we? Whether you opt for sophisticated tailoring or laid back cool with a chunky sweater, navy and yellow go to together like a more primary colored, inedible PB&J. So check out some of the ‘fits I created to help guide you along, oh brave ones.

chunky sweater - $72
modcloth a ray necklace - $60
asos lady bag - $104.76
romwe blue ring - $12.99
dolce vita sali sandal - $219.95 
erdem ruth pencil skirt - $710

ksubi mustard yellow skinny jeans – $170
comme des garcons Border T – $135
raf simons x linda farrow shades - $225
striped clutch - $20
jeffrey campbell tardy boots – $199

color wheel//