Leather Shorts (Cont'd) + Mossimo "Karensa"

The How to Dress Up Basic Black series is not over yet, but I wanted to take a break and post some pics that I took last Wednesday.  About a week and a half ago I told you guys that I'd bought a pair of leather shorts.  I asked what you guys thought of the idea of leather shorts after Mr. Fabrice told me they were tacky. Most of you agreed that it's all about styling.  Well, you all will be proud to know that I successfully changed Mr. Fabrice's mind and after seeing the complete look I put together he was a big fan...mmm hmmmm.  And not that I needed any convincing, but I was also a huge fan. I think I might be wearing these a lot this fall!

Top: JC Penny 'I Heart Ronson' (approx $15?) | Shorts: Dots ($14) | Tights: Target ($5) | Shoes: Target/Mossimo "Karensa" ($29.99)

So I decided pair my shorts with a feminine polka dot blouse that ties at the neck (although the tie gets lost in the pattern...lol). You can't really see the color of dots very well in these pictures but they are off-white, pink, and blue on a black background.  I really love this colorful dot print... so much so that I bought the skirt in the same print, too.  Don't worry, I won't wear them together...at least i don't think I'll wear them together. You never know. I am a firm believer in never saying never... belted with a blazer it might work in a printed dress kinda way....

 
I grounded the look with black tights, and added a little contrasting texture with these suede Mossimo "Karensa" pumps. I can tell already that these shoes are going to be a go-to for fall.  They are SUPER comfy, first of all, but beyond that they are just so darn cute.  Real suede...4" heel...hidden platform...fab little faux bow detail...$29.99...sold!  I'm calling them a pump, but on the Target website they're calling them a bootie. Eh... I guess they are kind of a bootie. I will call them a hybrid bootie/pump...

umm yea. I got some dust or lotion or something on the shoes, but don't worry I caught it in the pictures and cleaned them before I left the house! Lol :) Oh the joys of suede!

I threw in the pink bag for a little color... it complemented color palette of the dots in the blouse nicely and was a nice finishing touch on the look overall.  The croc skin brought in yet another texture, and one might have thought it would be too much, but I think it worked out well. What do you think?

So, if you were against leather shorts before... did I win you over? Would you consider giving them a try? or are you still looking at me shaking your head like "What was she thinking!"

I won Fab over and let me tell you, he's no easy sell! I will say this much...even if you are fundamentally against the idea of leather shorts, I think I successfully showed that when styled right, they don't necessarily fall into the "trashy" category, which is what I think most people are concerned about. You hear leather shorts, and you think thigh high boots, and halter tops...right? No, no, no, that would indeed be all wrong.  Here, the shorts are admittedly sexy, but by no means trashy! By pairing them with black tights and a feminine but slightly conservative cut top, they are truly just another pair of black shorts, BUT the leather fabrication adds visual interest and texture to the whole look and makes it special....

Or maybe, I'm delusional... Lol! You be the judge!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Double Denim, Chunky Heels & Socks

Monday night, the fiance and I headed over to the neighbors house for a little Monday Night Football! It was a last minute affair, so I tried to put together something casual, cute, and fun...but most importantly quick!  I saw this as an opportunity to try a trend that I love, but had not tried myself (at least since the 90's) -- Denim on denim, and while we're going down matchy matchy street, I decided to do a little polka dot on polka dot, too.

Denim Shirt: TJ Maxx ($16.99) | Tunic: Go Jane ($7) | Jeans: TJ Maxx ($16.99) | Shoes: Forever 21 | Socks: Target | Earrings & Necklace: Dots | Flower Pin: H&M

I realize that I've got a LOT of trends going on here, but it was fun and playful and that is the look I was going for...

Trend #1: Denim on Denim
I think this is one that is pretty debated in the fashion world. I'm sure some of you are thinking there is NO WAY you'd ever be caught wearing what is essentially a denim suit! What is this 1993?  Well, I love denim primary because it is comfortable... never too dressy... and easy! So needless to say, I was willing to give it a try and I actually didn't mind it. I think the key to pulling this trend off and dodging the denim suit bullet is to play with different shades and textures.  Here, I've paired a heavy jean in a darker wash, with a very light weight (almost chambray) denim shirt in a medium wash.. If I had a light wash chambray shirt, I would have been even happier, but the point is it is clear that the two denim pieces are NOT intended to match or be a set. They are complementary, but not a suit.

Trend #2 Chunky Heels
This trend also conjures up memories of the 90's. Hello Alicia Silverstone in Clueless! Unlike denim on denim, the chunky heel trend has been embraced by most.  Whether it be on a cute Mary Jane like these lovelies inspired by Miu Miu, a gorgeous lady like "Beauty Pump" a la Louis Vuitton....

Retails $2,580 on LV's website

...or perhaps you'd prefer a chunky heeled boot a la Alexander Wang's "Black Tasha Bandage Heel" boots... (LUST!!!)

Retails for $824 on Oak.com

 I don't know about you, but I'll take one of each, please!! Lol! Not that I'd want to trade in my stilettos but there are a ton of SUPER CUTE chunky heels out there this season, too! If you're skeptical about chunky heels, I'd say to just get out there and try a few on next time you're shoe shopping. I think you'll be surprised at how cute they are once you get them on.  Fabrice saw me putting them on and his thought was "those shoes are just so big" but I think he ended up liking them once they were on my feet, and let me tell you, every lady in the MNF party agreed!  I was getting compliments on the shoes as soon as I walked in the door...

Trend #3 Socks + Heels
This was another trend that I really loved, but was initially scared to try and you know what the most intimidating part was...figuring out what kind of socks to wear! Lol!  Finally, I just said forget it, and I tried it with my Sam Edelman lace-ups, pairing them with a pair of regular blue trouser socks.  You guys may remember the look here.  Ever since then, I've been fearlessly rocking the socks + heels look with everything from dresses & skirts to cuffed trousers & shorts.  I've stopped putting too much thought into it. This time, I threw on a basic pair of black ankle socks (the kind that come in a 6 pack from Target...yeah, those!) and viola! Ready to go! 

I was browsing Fashionably Black (one of my fave blogs, btw) and one of the Stylista's they featured mentioned that this was a trend she just COULD NOT pull off.  Well, as with any trend, you have to stay true to yourself, but overall I think this is a trend that anyone can have fun with.  As I browse magazines and blogs, I think the socks + heels looks that seem the easiest to pull off are monochromatic pairings of socks and heels.

  

So, now that I am looking at these pictures, I am realizing that the socks + cropped jeans + tunic is making me look a little short since they cut my foot off at the ankle! LOL. Oh well....I am only 5'4" after all...I should know better than to put together combos like this...not so flattering, but eh...still cute, in my opinion!

 

Have you tried rocking denim on denim?

Are you into chunky  heels?

Would you rock socks + heels?

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Leather Shorts: Yay or Nay?

Yesterday I picked up a pair of black pleather shorts from Dots (thanks for putting me on, Lexy!) for a whopping $14. I am pretty damn excited about them. Leather shorts were a hot trend for spring, but 1) I just can't get with leather in the summer time, even if Alexander Wang says it's okay (it's just impractical and hot!), and 2) as with all trendy items, I just didn't want to spend a lot of money on them.   Don't get me wrong, other leather goods such as skirts, pants, bags and shoes are a whole different story!  These items are totally worth investing in the real thing, but leather shorts, eh! We'll give them a test run and if I totally love them and wear them out, then I'll think about looking for a reasonably priced real leather pair. So alas, cooler weather is on the horizon AND I found a pair for less than $15. I'd say it was meant to be!

One of the things I really like about them is that they are not a smooth shiny pleather. They are actually a muted textured pleather, which to me looks less...ummm..cheap! :)

Anyway, I got the shorts and came home bubbling with excitement and Fabrice quickly burst my bubble with a disapproving head nod..."hmmm, I don't know how I feel about leather shorts. I think they're tacky" to which I replied "no, they're super cute, especially with tights. It's all about how you wear them." Of course, he is not buying it yet. I guess we'll just have to see...

Here are a few examples of how I envision wearing mine ...

Kylie Minogue rocks hers with a nude blouse and tights...HOT! - Photo Credit

 

Rachel Bilson rocks hers bare legged and topped off with an ultra feminine floral blouse...HOT! - Photo Credit

Now you guys KNOW I would rock this denim shirt + leather shorts combo a la Alexa Chung - Photo Credit

And here are some of the runway looks that inspired this fabulous (or not so fabulous to some) trend...

Alexander Wang Spring 2010 RTW - Photo Credit

Photo Credit

What do you think about leather shorts? Yay or Nay?

Yay? Great! How would you rock them?

I can't to wear mine! Of course, you all will get a full outfit run down when that day comes! I am definitely thinking shorts + blouse + tights + booties... which blouse, and which booties? who knows! I might even steal Alexa's bare legged look... denim shirt + shorts + leapard kitten heels??? hmmmm....

Thanks for stopping by!!!

The Denim Shirt & The Flower Pin

The Denim Shirt
I can remember the day that I bought this shirt. My dad gave me a TJ Maxx for Christmas last year and I decided so I'd make good use of it and buy gym clothes to accompany my new year's resolution to work out consistently. I spotted this shirt on the way to the checkout and I had to have it...$16.00...done and done. After all, a denim shirt was an absolute must have for Spring.  Well my new year's resolution lasted until about March (I know, sad, sad, sad!) but this denim shirt is still going strong on the heels of the fall season.  The denim trend, and the denim shirt will continue to rock our wardrobes in fall so if you've haven't invested in this piece yet, now is the time!  Personally, I am looking forward to rocking the denim + camel look a la Chloe' . Now, all I have to do is find an affordable camel coat, and slacks....wish me luck...

Chloe' Fall 2010 RTW Colletion via Style.com

I hate to say this, but considering my current lack of gym time, this shirt was more of an investment than those yoga pants...Lol! If you've been reading The Fashionsta Next Door for a while now, you've seen this shirt make MANY appearances... and this certainly will not be the last...

The Flower Pin (again!)
Okay, so I have a confession to make. I have worn my new flower pin EVERYDAY (except this weekend, since I was camping) since it made it's first appearance on the gray v-neck tee last week.  What can I say, except that this little diddy is clearly my new favorite accessory, and you guys know the deal...I will wear it EVERY DAY until I am tired of it.  Remember, the H&M bangle (which I am also wearing here)? In order to justify my accessory obsession of the moment, I like to say if Carrie did it, I can do it.  All my fellow SATC fans out there know that when Carrie found a new accessory she loved, she wore it out! In fact, I remember Carrie being obsessed with the flower pin back in season 3, too!

Anyway, I've got two more flower pin looks coming your way over the next couple days, so bear with me! And I can't promise that will be the end of it. Flower pins may just make there way onto a few more outfits this week.  Hell, maybe we'll make it a challenge out of it!

The Blouse
This was another one of  my H&M clearance buys (bought at the same time as the off-the-shoulder peasant dress, and another dress that I haven't worn yet).  I wish I had taken a picture without the denim shirt. This shirt is really pretty... first of all it's sheer, which is always a winner.  I also love floral print, and the v-neck has a really great embroidered detail.  This shirt is clearly a spring/ summer item, but when I bought it I actually had fall in mind.  I figured this floaty, sheer blouse would look great with skinnies and boots come fall...ooh, and a leather jacket!  So, at $10, this lovely blouse was a great transition piece! Much like the denim shirt, and the flower pin, I am sure you'll be seeing much more of this blouse.

The Skirt (that's really a dress)
I've mentioned a couple times that my fringe necklace (last seen here) isn't actually a necklace at all.  It is actually the detachable fringe for this gray dress, which I bought off the Planet Funk clearance rack back in February. Since I bought the dress I have NEVER worn it with the fringe. I have always worn the dress under blazer or cardigan, and I've always worn the fringe as a necklace.  I packed up most of my clothes, leaving out my fave warm weather pieces.  Since I have pretty limited options (relatively speaking) I am being forced to rework some of my faves, so today I thought why not layer my new blouse over one of my old fave dresses.  Originally, I was going to wear my thrifted pink blazer but when I put it on, I felt way too put together (if that makes sense...) but I knew that outfit needed a grounding piece to tie it all together so I reached for my trusty dusty denim shirt.

Denim Shirt: TJ Maxx ($16.99) | Blouse: H&M ($10) | Dress/Skirt: Planet Funk ($29.99) | Shoes: Jessica Simpson "Nolita" ($28???, Macy's clearance) | Bag: thrifted ($8.99) | Flower Pin: $3.95 | Other Accessories: Forever 21 & H&M | Sunnies: H&M (2 for $10)

The Shoes
I got these Jessica Simpson "Nolita" cracked metallic pewter pumps at the same time as the Rachel Roy "Oma" wedges.  Of course, they were on clearance, and we all know that Macy's clearance racks are always shoe heaven.  I have to admit these racks are my weakness. It is hard for me to set foot inside of Macy's without browsing the racks and 9 times out of 10 I can find a great pair of shoes for twenty-something bucks.  These actually come in gold too (see here for $39.99), and if I can find them at Macy's for the same price as the pewter ones I might have to pick them up.  I love metallics!  In my opinion, they function as a neutral so they can be worn with pretty much everything.  Gilded looks in particular are going to be a HUGE trend this fall, so adding a pair of gold pumps to my wardrobe would be a good move...

So, have you jumped on the denim shirt bandwagon?

If so, how do you rock a denim shirt?

What are your spring to fall transition pieces?

Are you into metallic accessories? (shoes, handbags, belts?)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Fall Floral & Denim Cutoffs

Like I said yesterday, I am dying for fall fashions. Well, today's outfit is my attempt to squeeze a little bit of fall into my life.  This look totally embodies one foot in the fall, and one foot stuck in summer! I paired a sheer floral print blouse in warm autumn hues with summer's go-to cutoff shorts, along with my Sam Edelman "Venice" lace up granny boots and navy blue socks (are you guys sick of these boots yet?).

On the Boots-Socks combo: I realize that this combo is probably the least flattering for my legs. I have very muscular legs and I am only 5'4"...which I guess is average height, but it's pretty much a fact that shoes that hit above the ankle bone cut your leg off and make them appear shorter and in my case even more muscular.  Adding socks in a contrasting color definitely doesn't help, but I couldn't resist! I just thought they looked so darn cute and were the perfect finishing touch for this look...

 Now, I have to be honest, the socks trend is one of the reasons I stand by the motto when it comes to fashion, never say never. I was NOT feeling it at all until this past spring. Ironically, when I started to see people rock socks with clogs (the most debated spring '10 trend), I suddenly got the whole socks thing. I know, very strange! Don't judge me, please. Seriously, it is super cute when it's done right.  Don't believe me? Check out this post on Work Your Closet. She highlights several bloggers doing their thing with socks + clogs, but this is one of my favorites...

photo credit

....and here is another inspiring pic

photo credit

Anyway, all the sudden I wanted to hop on the bandwagon but I wasn't quite sure how to pull it off. I mean I liked the socks and clogs thing on other people, but I'm a novice with the socks thing so I didn't want to go to crazy, too fast.  I also fell in love with the look of booties, and in particular lace-up booties with socks. So when I bought my Sam Edelman's, I also bought a pack of socks to go along with them and today I decided to break them out!  Not bad for my first try, right?

Aside from the socks and booties, I was also pretty proud of my little DIY cutoffs.  1) considering that I used to make cutoffs in Jr. High, I think it is pretty much unacceptable to pay anymore than $20...no $10 for them just because they are in style.  When I see them in stores priced at $172 (hello True Religion) I am pretty much disgusted. Are you kidding me? I get paying $200 for a pair of well made designer jeans that you are going to wear for years to come. But, cutoff shorts...seriously? No, I just can't justify that by any means. So, I decided that if I was going to wear cutoffs, they'd have to be a DIY. I found an old pair of Mossimo capri pants in my pile o' jeans and went to town.  I am sure you all know how to do this simple DIY, but in case you've never tried it here is a quick video, courtesy of The Haute Pursuit.



2) I have been wanting to wear cutoffs to work. I have mentioned before how laid back my office is so I was pretty sure that I could get away with it, but it is still a place of business and I don't want to push it.  There is a fine line between casual and inappropriate, and all it takes is one overboard outfit to ruin it for us all. I don't want to be the cause of our new office dress code, if you know what I mean.  So, by making my own cutoffs, I was able to make them a little bit longer than the average pair of cutoffs I've seen in stores.  I was also able to use a denim that was not too distressed.

Now that I had the perfect cutoffs, it was all about styling them to make them work for the office.  My original thought was to wear a blazer a la our stylish friend Megan over at The Frugalista Diaries, but I was also very inspired by our friend Ari over at La Catrina. She rocked a black sheer blouse with cutoffs for a look that I just adored. What I loved about both of these looks was that they dressed up the cutoffs, and that was the look I was going for today...

Blouse: ancient, no tag | Shorts: DIY (old Mossimo capris) | Belt: stolen borrowed from mom (thanks, mom!) | Shoes: Sam Edelman "Venice" | Socks: Hue (3-pack for $5 at Nordstrom Rack) | Clutch: thrifted | Sunnies: Target ($16.99) | Leather Cuff: farmer's market | Bangle: H&M ($3.95) | Earrings: Target

What's the dress code at your job?

Would you be able to get away with wearing cutoffs to work? 

Are you allowed to wear jeans to work at all? 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a gift card for a pair of jeans from Old Navy!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!! 

 

The Catsuit...Literally!

You either love animal print or you hate it! Clearly, I fall into the love it category. Remember the leopard print blouse I wore just last week? Well, I absolutely adore this leopard print "catsuit"! I only wish you could see pleating details on the pants and top. It is just fabulous!  Oh, and this is the jumpsuit I've mentioned a couple times that I picked up at the goodwill along with the blush pink blazer, a the yellow plaid blazer! I think it was like $7.99 or something ridiculous.  It was brand new with the tags on (and a size 10, damn vintage sizing!)  So I realize that animal print is not for everyone, and for those that are up for dabbling in the fun print, a full on jumpsuit might be too much! If you like animal prints but aren't quite sure how to pull them off, here a few tips.

1) Ground animal prints with neutrals or solid browns, blacks, or whites. Denim pieces like the jean jacket I'm wearing also work well as a grounding piece! Let's face it, I've got a lot of leopard going on, but the jean jacket cuts the look in half and keeps it from being too overwhelming, although I actually don't mind it without the jacket!

2) Add animal prints to your wardrobe in the form of accessories like animal print pumps, belts, scarves, handbags or even a headband.

3) Try a zebra print. The black and white stripes are little less "wild" if you know what I mean!

4) Stick to animal prints as outerwear! Leopard coats are totally on trend!!

Leopard print done wrong...

Leopard print done right...

The leopard catsuit... I personally don't care for Paris Hilton's look but I LOVE Kate Hudson's silky number...

 

What I'm Wearing

~ Leopard catsuit, thrifted

~ H&M L.O.G.G. jean jacket

~ Studded belt, thrifted

~ Nine West strappy sandals

~ Forever 21 necklace and hoop earrings

~ H&M bangle (Seriously, I'm gonna find a new bracelet. LOL!)

~ Kenneth Cole shoulder bag

~ H&M sunnies

So my fiance' hates this outfit! He literally shook his head at me and said "I don't like it." Lol! What do you guys think? Hate it or love it?

Please excuse the super long post!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!