Celeb Style Steal: Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo is one of my top favorite fashion icons.  Her sense of style is impeccable.  She is what I like to call a "master mixer"--meaning, she knows exactly how to mix pieces to create the most breathtaking ensembles.  I am completely obsessed with just about every outfit she's ever worn!  After further examination of Olivia's style, I've discovered a few repeating themes that I'd like to share so that the rest of us can become masters of mixing too.

A Few of Her Signature "Mixtures"

Leather and Fur:

Besides the fact that leather and fur are the perfect combo for retaining warmth, together, they create contrast--something hard against something soft--a perfect juxtaposition.  This is a look that Olivia can been seen wearing all throughout the brisk, and many times icy, fall and winter months in NYC.

(images sourced from Google)

My Take:

 ~Steve Madden fur vest (similar), Urban Outfitters sweater dress (similar), BeBe leather leggings (similar), Pink and Pepper boots (similar), Michael Kors Purse (similar)~

 Tailored Jackets and Flirty Mini Skirts:

Olivia is constantly playing with shapes.  The creative combo of a structured jacket with sharp lines and a flouncy skirt with rounded edges gives such depth and interest to her outfit.  With this look, one can embrace her feminine side while still looking sophisticated and downright fierce. 

(images sourced from Google)

My Take: 

~Forever 21 bomber jacket, American Eagle crop top (similar), Target circle skirt, Michael Kors purse (similar)~

Bold Patterns, Colors, and Textures:

In my opinion, one of the hardest things to achieve in fashion, is mixing pieces that the average person wouldn't assume to be cohesive.  However, Olivia seems to manage just fine.  When she mixes loud patterns, colors, and textures, they come together beautifully.  For her, it seems the trick is starting out with a base color that will hold the look together and then build around it, adding in neutral pieces whenever things start to stray too far from reality.

(images sourced from Google)

My Take:

 

~Forever 21 fur coat (similar), Ray-Ban Aviators, Old Navy Button-down (similar), Forever 21 jeans (similar), Steve Madden purse (similar/similar), Julianne Hough for Sole Society pumps~

Do you crave her style like I do?

XOXO, 

Jess

Amazing Find: Vintage Coach Satchel

Last March, while my mom was visiting me in Chicago, we stayed with my aunt and grandmother in the suburbs for a few nights.  One night, my grandmother, excited to spend time with her only shopaholic granddaughter, suggested we swing by her favorite consignment store before grabbing dinner.  And boy, am I glad we did.  

I went straight for the rack of wool sweaters as there seemed to be no sign of spring at the time.  After trying a few on, I found one I fancied enough to purchase for a whole $5.  As I proceeded to the checkout, my mom grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a rack of purses that I had bypassed on the way in.  There, before my very eyes stood a whole rack of mint condition Coach bags.  I was ecstatic, as Coach is one of my favorite handbag lines.  After oooing and ahhhing for a good while, I chose a beautiful black satchel that, at the time, looked BRAND NEW.  The best part, I got it for just $65-- what a bargain.

I think it's safe to say that this bag is definitely my favorite I've ever owned.  I can't get over how well it suites me.  It's simple, sophisticated, and timeless. I love its structured shape and clean lines, not to mention, it's the perfect size.  I think I'd be perfectly satisfied if this was the only bag I carried for the rest of my life--that's how much I adore it!

Do you have a favorite purse?

XOXO, 

Jess

OOTD: Thanksgiving Dinner

No matter who's coming over for Thanksgiving, I always dress up.  I mean, why not, right??  I just love the cozy sweaters and sparkly accessories that define the holiday season.  Here's what I wore on my turkey-free Turkey Day with the fam.

~Target jacket (similar), H&M sweater , forever21 shorts, and DV by Dolve Vita booties (similar/similar)~

XOXO,

Jess

OOTD: A Day of Shopping on my Birthday

The 26th was my 20th birthday.  And, to celebrate, I wanted to go shopping (of course).  So, I spent a lovely day with my family spending my b-day cash on some amazing goodies (possible birthday haul coming soon?).

For my outfit of the day, I went out on a limb, and decided to wear this pastel colored dress.  I've been seeing winter pastels nonstop, and I just thrifted this amazing Coachella inspired dress a couple days ago while dreaming of attending the festival next spring.  The bell sleeves, lace details, and overall flouncy fit of the dress are very reminiscent of the sixties--my favorite fashion era, and just time period overall.  So, on my birthday, I thought, "What the heck, I might as well get some use out of this amazing dress!"  Plus, here in Southern California, where it can reach 80 degrees in the fall time, why wouldn't I go for it?  I paired the dress with some black western inspired booties, a cute elephant pendant necklace, and my go-to purse of the moment--my Coach satchel.  Here's how the look came together.

~ark & co. dress (similar), Rampage booties (similar), forever21 necklace (similar), and vintage Coach satchel~

Personally, I believe Coachella fashion can and should be rocked all year long!  What do you think?

XOXO,

Jess

How to Rock: Boyfriend Jeans

I am a slave to the boyfriend jeans trend.  They've been everywhere recently, and I've noticed many girls finally branching out into the unknown land of loose fitting denim.  So exciting!  However, figuring out how to wear the "boyfriend jean" can be somewhat intimidating.  Here are a few tips on how to ensure you're rockin' those jeans the right way.

First of all, fit is key.  You don't want your jeans to swallow you up, or you'll just end up looking like frumpty dumpty--figure. lost.  Look for a pair that are slightly looser throughout the thigh and knee region and more fitted around the waist and the mid-calf region.  This fit will still give the effect of slouchy pants without actually looking like you stole your boyfriend's dad's painter pants from the 80s.  Definitely not a good look.

Here's how mine fit:

~Gap boyfriend jeans (similar)~

Now, how to style them?  Boyfriend jeans work best when balanced with a slimming top--this is not the time to wear a baggy t-shirt.  While there are a rare few who can pull off the whole "relaxed-fit throughout" look (I've tried it myself), the rest of us need not conceal our feminine silhouette.  Your best bet is to go for a top with clean lines and somewhat neutral colors.  This will allow the eyes to smooth over your top half and draw focus towards those sexy boyfriend jeans.  I also love to add a few feminine touches like slipping on a pair of strappy heels or wearing some dainty jewelry to balance out the androgynous quality of the jeans.

How I style my boyfriend jeans:

Look 1: Boho & cool

Here I've paired my boyfriend jeans with a raspberry colored blouse.  With a blousy top, you can either wear it as is, or go for the "half-tuck" to give you more shape.  I then paired the ensemble with a pair of black ankle booties and a my favorite fringe purse.  These give the outfit that "laid-back California girl" vibe I was going for.

 

~Nordstrom blouse (similar), Rampage booties (similar), Gap jeans (similar), and American Eagle purse (similar)~

Look 2: Classy & chic

I love the look of boyfriend jeans with a plain white button up.  It brings a subtle sophistication to the look.  Then, to add in a little femininity, I went with my favorite nude pumps of the moment (very reminiscent of the amazing Valentino "Rockstud").  Nothing makes me feel more cool and confident than a pair of ripped up jeans and some strappy heels.  I felt ready to take on the world!

 

~Nordstrom BP blouse (similar), Julianne Hough for Sole Society pumps, and Gap Jeans (similar)~

And here are some ways that celebs like to sport their favorite bf jeans:

The cropped-tee route-
Selena Gomez and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley show off just the right amount of bare midriff to offset the baggy fit of their distressed denim.  The two pieces come together to form quite the flattering look.

(images sourced from google)

The tailored blazer route-

Olivia Palermo and Jessica Alba give a chic twist to an otherwise grungy outfit by adding a structured blazer into the mix.  Such an effortless look appears so seemingly put together.

(images sourced from google)

Remember, sometimes you're going to have to play around with an item to find your perfect look.  Fashion should be fun!  Don't take it too seriously.

XOXO, 

Jess