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Each holiday season the same style elements get trotted out for their few weeks of glory. With more parties between now and January 1 than in the rest of the year combined, you will need to have as many outfit ideas as possible in your closet to get through the festivities. Here are a few new ways to wear the holiday classics that have year-round appeal.
• Plaid- During December we see a lot of plaid. Most of it is a tartan or some other festive red and green number. This year try one with a little more contrast and a simpler color scheme. You can pair it with a sparkly top or a bright red sweater.
• Sequins- Christmas and New Years are all about the sparkle, one of the many reasons I love them so much. Rather than opting for a sequin covered dress or a shiny mini, how about wearing sequins in a casual, everyday way? Try a comfy sweater, breezy tee or a pair of flats. Look for sequins in a soft neutral color like ivory instead of the usual silver or black.
Football season is in full swing and I figure we are due for a refresher on how to dress when you attend a football game. I was going to skip over this post this year, but then I went to the Panthers game on Sunday and realized it was once again needed.
If you are on the hunt for some fun jewelry you can wear to Panthers games and on an everyday basis, check out my latest piece for Charlotte Magazine.
Go Panthers! Go Heels!
I love Charlotte, but its lack of certain stores is something I had to get used to (H&M, anyone?). I am from right outside of Dallas, and therefore never knew what it was like to not have every retailer within driving distance. Not only did we have every store you could think of, we had them in multiple places. One of my favorite such stores is Zara. I love Zara. Their clothes hit each season's trends without being overly expensive or overly trendy.
Imagine my glee when I read a while back that Zara was going to finally launch e-commerce on their website. Well, the wait is finally over. Zara e-commerce launched earlier this month and it is everything I hoped it would be. So go check it out to find some of fall's best trends. Below are a few of my favorites from their fall collection.
From Left: Patent Leather Boots ($89), Dress with Flared Skirt ($79.90), Polka Dot Shirt ($79.90), Evase Coat ($159), Grosgrain Ribbon Hat ($49.90), Two-Tone Dress ($59.60)
Even better? Shipping and returns are free. Shop on!
If you are like me, you probably get into a bit of a rut when it comes to your shoes. Try to branch a little this fall. Mary janes aren't a big departure from your typical pumps, but they do add a bit of interest to your look. There are a lot of different options this year including rich colors and fun textures. Play it safe with a nude patent that you can wear to the office or try a brightly colored suede to liven up your fall and winter staples.
Details and prices after the jump . . .
Last year I raved about capes and their polished style. If you jumped in to the trend and bought a cape, you are all set this fall. If you didn't, no worries because there are tons of options in the stores right now.
If you are in need of a new coat this winter, try a cape instead. They are surprisingly warm and are so easy to wear. They also bridge the gap between casual and formal, which makes them ideal for travel.
For an everyday, casual look pair your cape with some skinny cords and boots. Capes also look fabulous over cocktail dresses, so don't freeze through all your winter weddings.
Bold color is very in for fall. And we aren't just talking about wearing a colorful top. This season is about cranking up the volume on your color. And the most popular hue? Red. From scarlet to cardinal, it is all there. This season red makes a statement in pants, booties and blazers.
This trend may seem intimidating, but don't let it daunt you. Think of it this way: you are taking classic pieces and just saturating them in a great color. There isn't anything scary about a blazer or a maxi skirt. In a bold shade of red not only will they be a statement, but they will be surprisingly versatile.
Details after the jump . . .
This weekend marks the end of summer. While I am a little sad to see it go, I am mostly relieved to finally get into my fall clothes and not be burning up constantly. The next few posts here on Hanger Envy will be dedicated to getting your closet up to date for the new season.
As I mentioned in my last post, lace is one of fall's most ubiquitous textures. You will be seeing it everywhere. So why not join in on the fun? You aren't relegated to sweet little dresses when it comes to lace this season (although there are some great options there too).
The best thing about lace? It is on trend for fall, but it is really a classic. So buy these now and wear them forever.
Details after the jump . . .
If you are like me, you have been drooling over fall clothes since February when the new collections walked at Lincoln Center. Even if you aren't a fashion dork, you have been seeing fall clothes in your magazines since July issues hit stands in mid-June. I know it is nuts to be thinking about sweaters and boots when it is literally 100 degrees outside, but I honestly can't help it. So I have started incorporating a few fall trends into my summer wardrobe. Here are a few ideas on how to be a season ahead without dying of heat stroke.
• Incorporate Fall's Big Colors.
This fall there is going to be a lot of rich magenta, ruby red, cobalt and teal. All of these colors can be pulled off in the summer without looking out of place. Try wearing a red silk shirt with your white jeans. Wear a cobalt blue pump with your favorite dress. A magenta skirt is surprisingly versatile in the summer as well.
• Pile on the Jewelry.
When it is really hot out we tend to go for the easiest look possible, which means not a whole lot of jewelry. If you are craving the layers of fall, start with your jewelry. Have an arm party (a term I learned from The Man Repeller) of bracelets and bangles.
This post isn't about your hair, although knowing your best haircut is also important. Doing your research so that you are fully aware of which clothes will look best is a vital step in having a closet full of clothes you love.
Imagine how much easier your next trip to the mall would be if you knew which clothes had the best shot at looking great on you. You know to look for a red wrap dress that falls just above your knee. You know that red looks great with your hair, that a wrap dess makes your waist look tiny and a hemline at your knee makes you legs look spectacular. See how awesome that sounds?
Here are a few ways you can gather your own bests:
• Cut Stuff Out of Magazines. If you feel drawn to something in a magazine, there is probably a reason why. Chances are it is a color you love or cut you subconsciously want to try.
• Look through old pictures. Find you favorite photos of yourself. You most likely look awesome in them. Take note of what you are wearing and use that as a starting point.
• Try on your favorite clothes. There is a reason they are favorite. The cut of the dress you always want to wear is probably one you should look for in new dresses. Your favorite jeans are most likely your best fit as well.
As you may know, I am a big fan of Nordstrom's yearly Anniversary Sale. I look forward to it for months. Unlike most sales, everything is brand new for fall. You get to outfit yourself for the new season early, for a discount.
I know some of you out there insist on being practical, even during the Anniversary Sale. There is something you can save on at Nordstrom right now, even if you are tragically sensible. And of course there are tons of fabulous, slightly less versatile options for those who are a little less pragmatic with their shopping. Check out my practical and not-so-practical picks after the jump.
