Fall Inspiration

After looking through multiple fall runway shows, I am completely consumed with inspiration. I am noticing a lot of metallic mixed with brown, sixties influences, rich textures, heeled loafers, chic turtlenecks, layers upon layers, statement coats, sultry deep colors and luxurious fabrics. The inevitable glamour that results from your autumn seasons wardrobe is quite possibly the number one thing I look forward to. You can expect a multitude of velvet, suede, plaid, brocade, embroidery, fur and corduroy. Here are just a few of my current inspirations for fall fashion.

Akris, Mulberry

Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent

Mulberry, Akris

Mulberry, Carolina Herrera

Corduroy Lovin'

A great pair of corduroy trousers should be in every girls wardrobe for fall. Cords will go with your basic every day t-shirt to your favorite tailored blazer. In the fashion industry, everything always goes from one extreme to another. For corduroys, ankle length and bell-bottoms are the ideal styles to purchase. The ankle length is great to to wear with flats. Flared corduroys, like the one seen below from J Brand are perfect to pair with heeled loafers. The bright denim trend was fashionable for summer, but for fall, rich fabrics like corduroy will be getting a makeover with a variety of colors ranging from cognac to bright fuchsia. My favorite colors right now for corduroy pants are royal blue and burgundy. They are so unexpected, but perfect to pair with all your fall essentials. The best way to wear your cords is playing on a more casual ensemble. Tuck in your favorite black turtleneck with a blazer and bell-bottom corduroys for a polished 70's inspired look. Or, go all-out preppy. A crisp white button-down, leopard flats and a navy cardigan will pair hand-in-hand with your favorite brown cords. J Brand has some of the best corduroys on the market, so I suggest you purchase your favorite colors now because they are selling out fast!

Chloé, Mulberry, Lily Alridge for J Brand

J Brand Bright Corduroy Pencil Leg Pants $181, J Brand 'Ali' Flare Corduroys $218

Nordstrom

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Don't me wrong I love a big handbag, but lets face it, smaller purses are easier to manage. Summer style was all about no-fuss fashion making the cross body bag a must-have for A-list celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Nicky Hilton. With fall quickly approaching, don't think you need to stash that practical cross body bag. This purse will easily take you from season to season. It is highly versatile and fashionable with various sizes and colors to choose from. Michael Kors is my favorite designer when it comes to handbags, so when I saw his line of small purses, I knew I had to get my hands on the 'Jet Set' Cross Body Bag for all my tiny necessities. I take it everywhere from sporting events to running errands. If you're an on-the-go gal, the cross body bag is great for traveling. They are hands free and can carry your most important items such as your i.d. and credit cards, while keeping them orderly. Just note, it's best to find ones that are not going to hide your shape. If you're carrying a large messenger cross body bag, it's going to look like it's swallowing you. You want the bag to hit right at your waist. Find ones that are structured, simple and flattering on your body. The cross body bag is functional and adorable, what could be better than that?



Style Bistro

Style Setters

As I was looking through the August issue of Harper's Bazaar, I knew I had to feature Tommy Ton's latest editorial in the magazine, called Style Setters. The popularity of street style has grown tremendously and Tommy Ton is there to photograph it all. Check out his blog, Jak & Jil. This entire editorial is exploding with inspiration and highlights so many of the runways most coveted fall fashions, such as Burberry's orange statement coat and Jil Sander's lime colored cross body bag. I am in awe of the detail, color and style that was put into this editorial. The armful of jewelry to the intricate patterns on their notebooks really make these photos extra special. I love the fact that he didn't focus too much on photographing the models faces. It was refreshing to see fashion at it's finest. 

The Fashion Spot

Red Hot

Color always makes a big statement no matter what the season. Fall's new "it" color is definitely the hottest of all hues. Red is the perfect partner with leopard, navy, python, nude and camel, which are all fall essentials. For fall, incorporate a feminine red trench coat or a seductive red dress into your wardrobe. If you're feeling really brave, red leather pants are the perfect way to unleash your inner bad girl. My personal favorite way to wear this color has to be an all red look, with different luxurious fabrics such as velvet and subtle pops of leopard print. See the inspiration I chose below from Diane Von Furstenburg and Tory Burch. Many women love to stick to the basics, such as black and grey. This autumn season, try updating your look by adding red to the mix. If you're hesitant on wearing this bold color, luckily there are other color variations to choose from. Raspberry, burgundy and garnet colors are a bit more subdued. You can still get the effect, but toned down enough so you feel comfortable wearing it. If red really isn't your color, don't think you need to sacrifice the trend completely. You can add red accessories, such as this classic handbag from Ann Taylor or these affordable ballet flats from J. Crew. Don't let this fiery hue intimidate you. Red is the ultimate color to turn your fall staples into a show-stopping ensemble.

Victoria Beckham, Moschino

Diane Von Furstenburg, Tory Burch

Prabal Gurung, Burberry

Strut Your Cuff

Cuffs are a statement piece that every girl should have. Fall jewelry is all about chunky unique pieces that you can wear with anything in your closet. I love cuffs because they are an easy way to incorporate a little edge to your look. Silver is the metal of the season, but don't think you need to stash your gold jewelry for good. I love wearing both tones together to add some interest. Layer your cuff with bangles or wear one on each arm, for a futuristic look. Stay simple with your cuff. You don't need to go crazy with sequins or sparkles. I love a really great leather cuff to pair with my watch or a solid metal cuff to wear for a night out. Luxe statement pieces are exactly what you need for fall accessories. Modern, minimal and transitional. Cuffs can take you from season to season, but it's up to you how you wear them. So, strut your cuff!

Michael Kors Fall 2011

Michael Kors Fall 2011

Ann Taylor Fall 2011 Lookbook

Maryna Linchuk in Color Story featured in the September issue of Harpers Bazaar

Rachel Zoe Resort 2012 Collection

Rachel Zoe can conquer anything. Her new role as a mom has kept her out of the spotlight for awhile, but that doesn't mean she is out of the business for good. Rachel is the number one sought after stylist to the stars. She has currently added fashion designer to her growing list of accomplishments. She is the designer behind two affordable clothing lines, one on QVC and the other sold at high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales. Launching her own collection was just an added bonus to her already successful career in the fashion industry. Her fall 2011 collection was in such high demand, numerous high-end retailers wanted to pick it up. The simplicity of her Resort 2012 collection will definitely be a favorite among women everywhere. It's versatile and fashionable, which accurately describes Rachel Zoe's personal style. If you love seventies fashion as much as I do, then you're going to fall head over heels for this collection. I wouldn't assume anything else from Rachel, considering her entire wardrobe is a mix of the sixties and seventies. You can expect, floor grazing dresses, comfortable outerwear, chic bow blouses, feminine pant suits and sky-high slits. Here are some of my favorite looks from the collection. They also make for great outfit inspiration!

 

How To Wear A Shorts Suit

The shorts suit is a favorite among the guys, but that's all changing thanks to some of the most fashionable women in Hollywood. Kourtney Kardashian was spotted out and about in this shorts suit while shopping with sister Kim at Vera Wang. I am loving the casual combination between the pale blue color and off-white blouse. Her pop-of-color orange Hermés bag and nude heels were the perfect pairing. Zoe Saldana wore an aztec print Balmain shorts suit. The aztec print is quirky and edgy, but the classic white tee underneath keeps it simple. Poppy Delevigne chose a Chanel shorts suit, which she kept very feminine with ballet flats and a bold lip. Elisa Sednaoui wore the same suit, but chose an edgier approach. While I love Elisa, the leggings and motorcycle boots made her appear really masculine. It wasn't flattering, nor put together. If she wanted to stay conservative, sheer tights and flats may have been a better choice. These women are celebrities, but you can incorporate the shorts suit into your every day wardrobe. I wouldn't reccommend wearing the shorts suit to your office job. It's a modern spin off of your every day pant suit, but as you know, shorts are a little more revealing. It is definitely wearable during those warmer months. Keep it casual for a day of shopping or glam it up with accessories for a night out. Wear it with a simple t-shirt, like Zoe Saldana. You can also add a pop of color with flats or a handbag, like Kourtney Kardashian. The shorts suit can be a unique addition to your wardrobe. So, if you're feeling brave, embrace it and remember to keep your look simple and chic.

Kourtney Kardashian & Zoe Saldana

Poppy Delevigne & Elisa Sednaoui

Knot it Up

Lately, the trend of the summer has been to knot your tops. (Check out my article I wrote about knotting your tops.) One of the easiest way to turn a boring t-shirt into something a little more fun, try knotting your top to the side. I spotted Liz of Late Afternoon who knotted one of her maxi skirts and wore it as a dress, seen in the first picture. Vanessa Hudgens rocked a more bohemian vibe with her maxi tank dress knotted at the bottom and created a short funky dress, which was effortlessly cool for her Hurley event at the beach. She added a brown belt at her waist and strappy sandals to keep her signature boho aesthetic. It kind of reminds me of 80's fashion, when you tied all your shirts to the side with a hair scrunchie. Definitely won't be doing that again! However, I like the fact that you can cinch your shirt and create something more unique with any of your basic tops, skirts or dresses. What do you think of this look?

Style Spotlight: Olivia Palermo

Want to know how to get Olivia Palermo's signature polished look? I can tell you how, that just requires some super simple accessorizing. Olivia is known for having impeccable taste in fashion. Her ability to pair high and low priced items together makes her a favorite among girls everywhere. Her style is so inspirational, I can't help but be completely infatuated with everything she wears. I have written a few articles about her flawless style seen here, here and here. Below are some of my favorite current Olivia looks and how you can dress just like her.

Step 1: Sparkly baubles and vintage accessories. Olivia loves statement jewelry, whether it's her own line of bedazzled bib necklaces or stacking on vintage bracelets. Lulu Frost is among some of her favorite jewelry designers. But, you can find look-alike affordable jewelry at retail stores like J. Crew or Banana Republic.


Step 2: Cat-eye sunglasses. Olivia's sunglasses are typically the finishing touch to her outfits. She always wears cat-eye sunglasses, whether she's frolicking around the beach or walking to and from runway shows. Tom Ford and Wunderkind are designer frames she wears often.

Step 3: Manicured red nails. Olivia always has on bright red nail polish. Her favorite color is Lollipop from Essie. This classic color goes seamlessly with her super feminine style.

Step 4: Fashionable feet. Olivia's look has to be complete from head to toe. She is a huge fan of Charlotte Olympia platform heels, which she wears to almost every event. You can also find Olivia in lace up leopard ankle boots to chic ballet flats when she's running around the city.

Step 5: Tailored ensembles. Olivia's style is very feminine, but with a hint of masculinity. She loves her blazers and tailored pants, but knows how to dress her body type. She chooses to flatter her figure, even with a few tricks, like a waist belt to flatter her tiny figure. Her small stature is elongated when she wears structured pants slightly longer than normal. By pairing this look with heels, she easily adds a few inches and creates a clean silhouette.