Colorful jeans are one of the easiest ways to integrate color into your everyday routine. I can honestly say I was never much for color in New York - one of my favorite things was pairing black and navy and feeling like I was somehow being totally fashion rebellious and breaking the status quo of never mixing the two. Now when I check into the NY Times Style section or Style.com for New Yorker street style - I see why I was so dark-driven, it’s just the culture - edgy, interesting, chic.
In the south, things are a bit different. Not one day goes by where I don’t feel totally overdressed, but I’m starting to get the hang of it a little more by pairing offbeat hues together that let me re-invent myself a bit, and step outside of my way too chic for Austin little box. It’s like living resort everyday - and you’ll be surprised with how many colors compliment each other in your wardrobe, without even pulling out the color wheel.
With yellow - think of pairing bold bottoms with royal blues & violets - and with tangerine, think yellows & fuchsias. The best way to experiment without coming out of it looking like Rainbow Brite, however, is to pair the jean with a chic white top, and layer on the color with seed bead necklaces or earrings that give just a hint of colorful contrast. Not so surprisingly, playing with color really makes you feel bright.
Delia’s $49.50 (BOGO 50%)
Element @ Lulu’s $62
Express $23.99
Akademiks $29.95
Case in point - compulsive online shopping. I have been on the hunt for a bevy of bottoms this Spring - from trouser to harem to pencil crop, and happened to be on a silk harem pant googling binge when I came upon Express and the insane online sales they’ve been having. A girlfriend of mine actually showed up to a party I threw a couple weeks ago in these, along with Chanel mary jane’s - and looked effortlessly chic. So, when I saw these silk tapered trousers online I had to ask - and yes they were Express. Not only do they read Wang - at $11.99, yes $11.99 - you can afford to buy 4 pairs to hold you over when you just don’t feel like pulling that iron out. I actually just received mine today - however when I ordered them they were $15.99, so my condolences go out to Express - gradually marking an $80 pant down to $11.99 has got to hurt. Regardless, I am ecstatic UPS delivery status was wrong and I got these a day early so I can wear them to the Austinist party tomorrow. Heaven sent.
Shop the silk tapered crop pant @ Express.com $11.99
So I had thought that Express was moving in a more refined and forward direction with their most recent Holiday assortment - but CLEARLY not with this unnecessary flash back to dorm life & pointy toed heels. I’m convinced that this camisole/négligée/boudoir wardrobe as ready to wear was a look coined by LA. This look was the “going out” uniform for all undergrads circa 2003, with some flare jeans and perhaps chandelier earrings thrown in to impress (for normal college kids - that cute, yet always hammered frat boy - but for FIT girls mostly a bouncer or old man who will buy you dirty martinis). Regardless of incentive, I hope it takes a lot more than Express to bring this trend back, especially to mass. It wasn’t that long ago, it doesn’t need to be resurfaced - and apparel has been moving in such a feminine and polished direction, I’d hate to see it go back to the days of glorified lingerie that screams beer pong.
Whether we like it or not – sequins are going to be a staple holiday embellishment in your closet for years to come. I remember about 3 years ago, the market was flooded with glitter, lurex, sequins, all over everything – you couldn’t find a basic top to save your life. It was right before I was leaving for Italy – was broke as a joke – but wanted some chic key pieces to bring over so that I could fit into a European aesthetic. Little did I know, before visiting, that Italy is swimming with embellishments – specifically Rome. The boys love it more than the girls – bedazzled hats, hoodies, sneakers…it was crazy. I was in Charles De Gaulle coming back from a weekend in Paris when I noticed the huge difference between my Alitalia flight’s line and the others – it was the most tacky line in the airport!
So – 3 years later I’m all about sequins, for Holiday strictly. I like my sequins in chic form, however, and the silhouette has to be absolutely condusive to that shine. I’m not into colors – I like my black or gold in small doses – and absolutely die for leather sequins (yes, it’s possible and they’re fabulous). Mini sequins are also a great alternative if you’re on the subtle side – it’s a less bulky, more drapable appearance and it looks more like a treatment rather than extra hardware. When putting together a look, don’t overdo it with fashion forward pieces - if it’s a sequin dress, pair it with opaque black tights and a subtle shoe – if it’s an accessory, make that be the statement piece, not your top or dress. Think Burberry circa Sienna Miller at the Met Ball – gold sequin shift dress, opaque tights, patent Mary Janes and a ponytail.
Bebe dress $89.50
Top Shop $55
Debenham’s headband $6
Express sequin leggings $98
Once again, can’t get enough of Blair’s pretty little Upper East side princess style. I often fight with my best friend about which one of us is Blair and which is Serena. It’s like Mary and Rhoda circa Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion. You would think somebody would want to be the blonde bombshell - but nope, we both argue why we’re more like Blair. Luckily I won by default - I lived on the Upper East! Beyond the gorgeous ruffles, dainty bows, and prim styling - I think she just has the best writer.
Asos $70
A’Gaci (San Antonio based) $32.50
Express $49.99
Express is definitely doing a bit of a Nine West in terms of elevating their assortment. Caroline Trentini has been in their new ads, and the pieces are much more fashion forward (less Long Island) - bubble dresses, painted prints - feels a bit more Top Shop or H&M. It used to be all about the editor pant - in my opinion the poor man’s Theory (I’m poor, no offense) - but I hate business casual so that never worked for me.
Thank goodness my PA editor scoped out this great promotion - buy one get one 50% off ANYTHING (even winter coats, which you know don’t usually start going on sale until January). Take advantage of the slagging economy and help stimulate retail at the same time - because we really need it. When you see sales like this, you know they’re not as concerned about making money (margin) as much as just staying afloat - and we don’t want Express to go away now that it got so much more cute!
Shop Express.com sale
Tiered rosette dress $128
Faux Snow Leopard jacket $168
Ombre knit gloves $29.50
Sequin pencil skirt $98
