Heels&Socks

Its as if high fashion has embraced the classic, school-girl look. Lacy socks paired with sultry pumps adds a touch of red-hot appeal to any darling dress.  Play with different colors, fabrics, and textures to get the look you want.  Knee-high socks, crew socks, ankle socks, or even thigh-highs in any fabric will make you fall in love within this chic trend.

Anxious to get started but need some tips? If you’re too nervous about leaping right into this look, try neutral colors first just to get the feel for things.   Any type sock can be worn, it just takes the right outfit and body type to pull it off properly.  Unfortunately, socks visually make your legs shorter, so this trend may not be best for some people.  I would still try to work it out though by keeping the sock worn on the thinnest part of your ankle or calf.  As for fabrics, I would personally go with a nylon blend since it is lighter and won’t tend to sag or slip down like a regular cotton sock.  Now go get yourself some socks and haute heels and try this trend out!

XoXo

DIY American Flag Shorts!

Patriotism or just another fashion trend? The American flag has flown its way into the fashion world and caught my eye! It has imprinted itself onto denim, shirts, sweaters, accessories, and even shoes. I feel it is about time to add some trendy patriotism into my wardrobe, so the American flag denim short is going to be my next summer DIY project! Scroll down to find the materials and steps!

DIY AMERICAN FLAG DENIM SHORT:

* Denim cutoff shorts

* Felt adhesive stars

* Painters tape

* Fabric spray paint

The procedure is a bit self-explanatory (placing the stars and tape on the areas you do not want any color and spraying over it).  However, to create a more faded, vintage look, wash the shorts a few hours after painting (but do not forget to make sure the paint is completely dry to keep the colors looking brighter). These were quick, simple, and easy to make. See the picture below for more details!

 If you want to try a different look (like this new picture below), I would recommend all the same materials but advise paint instead of spray paint. Make sure you buy paints that will not bleed and read these Fabric Painting Tips to ensure you will get the best results for your shorts!

The stars and tape can again be used to mark the areas you do not want to paint at the moment, but making sure the paint stays on afterward (preforming the correct heat pressing and washing techniques) is the most important part! Again, see Fabric Painting Tips, they really help!

Once you are complete, welcome to the world of the ‘flag fashion’ trend!

J'adore Peplum!

Peplum: Forever 21, Skirt: Express, Shoes: Forever 21, Bag: Steinmart

I've previously written about peplums with their rising popularity and flattering shape, but I just simply cannot get enough!  With an eventful evening ahead, I paired soft, neutral colors like camel, black, and creams to accentuate my hair and skin while also complementing the warm, summer atmosphere. Camel is another trending color this spring and summer as well. I chose a soft, suede camel color for the shoes because you simply can never go wrong with browns, and going just a few shades lighter is perfect for the sunny season.  Finally, the subtle contrast of the pastel, pink bag gives a feminine, flirty touch to this achromatic outfit.  

The shoes I am wearing have been extremely anticipated.  I remember seeing Jeffrey Campbell booties last summer while shopping at Nordstorm with a friend who is majoring in fashion design.  Being naive and completely oblivious to anything high fashion, I thought they were probably the ugliest shoes I had ever set my eyes on, but my friend was entirely obsessed with them.  However, now my perception of the fashion world has turned a whole 180 degrees, and I have been looking for a pair of Jeffrey Campbell knock-offs for quite some time now.  When I found the shoes above in a local Forever 21 store, I became obsessed with them.  They are 1/5 the retail price of Jeffrey Campbell booties, and although they do not portray the signature double platform that his designs so often possess, it was still one of my most beloved and sought after purchases.   

As for the peplum, I am absolutely in love with them, so I am going to splurge a bit on why they are so great.  Because of the brilliant combination of being cinched at the waist and flared out towards the bottom, peplums give a the loveliest silhouette to any shape.  They are flattering, flirty, and chic: the perfect combination.

Enjoy! XoXo

Sunkissed

Dress: Forever 21, Clutch: Charming Charlie's, Shoes: by Jessica Simpson

Today's look reflects the warm, summer glows and soft breeze that are so persistent this season.  I have become quite fond of asymmetrical trends in dresses, skirts, and even shirts.  Because of the cut and light, sheer material, this dress seemed to glide everywhere I went and gracefully settle in the most beautiful and flattering manner.  It is also a very fun cut, adding a little depth to an average gown.

  Since the material is so light, it is perfect for this summer heat.

My favorite part about this dress would have to be the fact that it can be easily dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion at hand.  Add a simple clutch, belt, and pair of strappy heels to play up this elegant, summer look or pull on some cute flats or sandals to create a more beachy, laid back look.  Either way, this fashionable, summer trend is bound to have anyone looking flawless.

Hype this look via lookbook! 

Enjoy! XoXo

Love Poppy!

Dress: LOVE Coral Scuba City Dress, Heels: Steve Madden, Socks: Forever 21, Clutch: Charming Charlie’s

After the sadness of yesterdays tragedy, we could all use a little cheering up.  So todays outfit I am wearing a vibrant summer dress that has longly been anticipated upon arrival via airmail.  The heels and socks idea was inspired by the rising trend of a new twist to the classic heel.

I personally love the combination of coral and gold!  The bright coral is happy and perfect for summer, but the gold balances it out with its elegance and charm!  The dress also came with a thin belt to cinch at the waist, accentuating a fun, flattering shape that leaves the dress flaring out towards the bottom.  

Hype this look via lookbook! 

Enjoy! XoXo

History Repeats Itself

History repeats itself as the high-waisted short, skirt, and pant are brought back from decades ago in a new and improved way. This is one of my absolute favorite styles, particularly because it cinches at the waist and creates a poised, hourglass figure.

Dressed up with heels and tights or dressed down with something as petty as an old t-shirt, the high-waist proves itself notable for the twenty-first century. Not from this decade but definitely never outdated, the high-waist is a necessity. I believe every woman should own at least one article of this clothing!

Asymmetric Trends

High in the front and low in the back, I thought this trend was ridiculous looking. I felt it was as if the designer was torn between choosing a floor length or a shorter length. But when two of my good friends pulled this look off extremely well around campus, I began to see this cut a little differently.

Breezy, flowing, and portraying a flawless, edgy look, I have not seen any skirt like this yet.  Perfect for a warm summer or even a crisp fall, it is chic, classy, and extremely stylish.  The high-low skirt comes off to me as a bit of a tease: it shows just enough leg without being too revealing.  This cut is breathtaking and I believe it has the potential to render some speechless. I am very eager to purchase my own, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing this trend around more often.

Pretty in Peplum

PEP·LUM/ˈPEPLƏM/

noun:

A short flared, gathered, or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman’s jacket, dress, or blouse. (in ancient Greece) A woman’s loose outer tunic or shawl.

I went to a fashion show last week that the each senior fashion design major hosted for the University. This was my first fashion show and hopefully not my last! My friends and I sat at nearly the front row, behind the reserved seating for the designers and their families.

One of the senior fashion majors showcased her work inspired by the streets of Paris. Each of her five pieces were gorgeous and flattering in every aspect, and the touch of soft, pastel colors gave each article of clothing just the right amount of classy and reserved yet preppy personality.

The peplum seemed to be the reoccurring, trendy item displayed throughout the show.  This was the first time I’ve seen a design like that flattering every body type. This design portrays a sophisticated look with a bit of endearing character.

The most suitable aspect about the peplum is that it is a separate piece, so it can be either dressed up with a fitted skirt and heels or dressed down with a pair of skinny jeans and flats. I am going to have to invest in some of these styles shown below! 

Stripes&Solids

I have recently been infatuated with the classic, simple combination of stripes and solids!  In the majority of the photos, the stripped pattern is emphasized with a bright solid pant, blazer, or heel.  I really enjoy how adding the pop of a bright solid can be used to express the individuality or mood of each person, and can be either dressed up or dressed down.