Personally, I’m thrilled that one-shoulder looks are taking center stage this season, because they’re often much more versatile than their off-the-shoulder cousins. Whether it’s a long sleeve top like the one I’m wearing today with one shoulder peeking out, or a sleeveless one-shoulder top like this one with arms exposed, the neckline can be dressed up or down with ease. Pair it with jean shorts for an easy weekend look or with skinny jeans and heels for date night. I particularly love sweaters like this one which make for super cozy toppers on spring and summer nights.
When it comes to asymmetrical bottoms, the first thing that often comes to mind is the common handkerchief hemline with sharp corners hanging down haphazardly. You’ll see a lot of those around, but this season, designers have come up with even more creative ways to incorporate asymmetry below the belt. Whether it’s the soft, subtle undulations across the bottom of a skirt like my navy midi in Tuesday’s post, or interesting detailing down one pant leg like today’s culottes, the options are endless and the styles feel fresher than ever.
While today is all about asymmetry, this look also picks up on another important trend for spring—ruffles. Whether they’re micro ruffles at the edge of a shirt sleeve or voluminous waves down the leg of a plant, this trend has been going strong for the past year and doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon. I actually just bought these ruffle-waist pants last night—how cute are they?! As you can see, I can’t get enough!
WEAR TO WORK
In more buttoned-up offices, opt for a sheath dress with a killer asymmetrical neckline like this dress or this dress (how stunning is that blue?!).
This pencil skirt with a sleek asymmetrical hemline is uber chic.
The color of this dress is breathtaking and the knee-length asymmetrical hem makes it perfect for the office.
Just like my pants today, this gorgeous skirt picks up on that asymmetrical ruffle for a little work-ready flair.
This stunning blouse with asymmetrical hem would be amazing over a tapered ankle-length trouser for the office, and easily dressed up for a night out as well.
BRB, OUT OF OFFICE
You may remember me sporting this top in Florida a few weeks ago (post here). It looked as good in the daytime around the beach as it did in the evening. The fit and fabric is superb and the fringed edges add the perfect finishing touch.
I also own this top and absolutely LOVE it. It’s safe to say you know what I’ll be wearing on Cinco de Mayo.
I’m going nuts over all of the killer one shoulder swimsuits out there. I absolutely love this one, and linked several more beauties down in the favorites section at the bottom of this post.
This blouse is currently in my shopping cart. I recently saw it on a friend and it’s SUPER flattering on.
I’m seeing tons of super cute asymmetrical minis like this one. LOVE.
Happy Friday, my friends! Trend Memo #5 is ready and raring to go, but some things on the backend technology side decided to call in sick. We should have everything up and running by this afternoon, so check back in later today! Better yet, sign up here for my newsletter and you’ll get an email when the post goes live!! Hasta luego!
P.S. Many of you have been asking about this trench from instagram and snapchat. It’s from Everlane, it comes in a couple other colors and it is the the actual bomb. Absolutely beautiful quality, at a price point somehow only the evil geniuses at Everlane can achieve. Run don’t walk.
SUIT: Mugler (similar suit here—JACKET, PANTS) | CAMISOLE: Cami NYC | NECKLACE: Argento Vivo (similar HERE) | SHOES: Saint Laurent (similar HERE) | BAG: Gucci
Day four of the spring trend memo series is all about PINK. Blush pink, bubblegum pink, hot pink, fuchsia—anything and everything unabashedly pink. Today, I’m giving you the skinny on why this vibrant hue is one of the biggest trends of the season, how you can wear it to work and play, and where to find the best pink pieces. But first, let’s chat a little about this polarizing hue, shall we? As a self-proclaimed anti-pink girl, I think I have a little ‘splaining to do…
My relationship with the color pink has been fairly complicated since high school. In fact, for the past many years, pink and I have been almost completely estranged. I could stomach some pale blush hues or even some vibrant corals, but bubblegum or fuchsia? Hell to the no. At some point in my young adulthood, I subconsciously decided that the hue was too saccharine, too frivolous, too GIRLY—completely at odds with the substantive person and professional I wanted to be. Add to that a thick blonde mane, and the idea of wearing pink conjured too many visions of Barbie for me, so my closet all but banished the hue.
Nevertheless, while pink has always held a prominent place in fashion branding, this season, designers unleashed pink in the brightest, boldest, baddest ways possible. So what’s it all about? Why is pink packing such a punch right now? Moreover, why do I hate to admit how much I am LOVING it?!
Part of the vibrant pink craze can be attributed to the return of super saturated colors across the board thanks to 80s influences and a rebellion against minimalist trends of late. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t note the socio-political connections as well which have a particular relevance to me and, I believe, any reader of this blog. The fashion world’s pink statement, as Megan Gustashaw aptly describes it, is two-fold:
For one, it’s a stand against the idea that women, if they want to be treated as equals to men, should dress like them. But it also represents a new take on the idea of “dressing like a woman”; a concept that all too often feels hyper-sexualized and downright inconvenient. Instead, fashion’s new take on unabashedly feminine clothes are commanding, comfortable, and very, very cool.
A few years ago I started this blog in an effort to show that great style is not in diametric opposition to a working girl’s life—in or out of the office. Ironically, my arch-nemesis-turned-new-best-friend (aka, the color pink) offers a nice reminder of these foundational sentiments. As a young woman starting out in my career, I saw so many of my female friends and colleagues struggle with how to dress for the workplace, especially those workplaces dominated by men. In many cases, I saw these concerns manifest themselves in the belief that women had to dress like men and downplay their femininity to have a seat at the table. Instead of resigning to a life of gray pantsuits, I was convinced that not only could a woman’s personal style and professional life peacefully co-exist, but that they could both flourish along with her identity and self-possession as a woman.
I guess it took about a thousand incarnations of Elle Woods stomping down every runway from New York to Paris for me to realize that some of my own anti-pink biases were just as backward as the misguided notion that women have to dress or act like men to succeed. It’s as if some part of me worried that wearing pink might remind my male counterparts that I was a young blonde female, i.e. intrinsically unqualified for anything cerebral. Clearly, wearing a color like blue completely disguised that! Thank goodness I kept my cover lest I show up in pink one day at the office and be greeted by men shouting, YOU MEAN YOU’VE BEEN A GIRL THIS WHOLE TIME?! Phew!
My love for menswear-inspired fashion runs deep, and by nature, I’m never going to be the girliest girl in the room. However, all of the powerful incarnations of pink on the runways definitely have me thinking differently this season. I’m not going to be getting rid of my pinstripes or brogues anytime soon, but I’m also not going to be shying away from the unapologetically feminine. As my pink power suit suggests, it’s high time pink and I become friends again because contrary to my former qualms about the color, it turns out that pink is the ultimate power move this spring, and (wo)man oh (wo)man am I on board.
WEAR IT TO WORK
I get it, head-to-toe fuchsia is tough to pull off in most workplaces. Opt for these amazing pants that come in both bright pink and a gorgeous blush tone and pair either with a classic white blouse. Alternatively, if you opt for the bright pair, style them like I did in this post!
Block heels are kind of a big deal these days, and these pumps (which I have in black) are as comfortable as they are trendy, adding the perfect pop of color to any spring or summer look. Also, you can’t beat that heel height during a long day at the office!
You may remember me wearing these blush pink wide-leg trousers from this post during fashion week. The refreshing hue makes for such an amazing addition to your work wardrobe in spring and summer. Wide leg pants also have the benefit of being much more comfortable during super hot summer days since they allow better airflow and aren’t suffocating your legs.
This vibrant pink blouse would look amazing with a classic black pencil skirt for a perfect everyday office look.
This is the prettiest blazer EVER. I have it in navy and it’s just such a perfect, classic cut. You can wear it with jeans, dress pants, layered over a sheath dress or even with jean shorts on the weekend. It also comes in petite, tall and regular sizing, sooooo yeah I’m buying it. DELISH.
This dress just makes me happy. I’m thinking about snagging it for an upcoming wedding…
These are the cutest summer totes I’ve ever seen. Several come in vibrant pink designs with tassels galore and are perfect for the beach, brunch, everything.
I’m not quite old enough to have lived through 80s fashion the first time around, so I am pumped beyond WORDS to see a resurgence of everything 80s this spring. Ok, ok. Maybe I don’t wish back eeevery 80s trend. I could probably do without the feathered bangs, mullets and those baggy short sleeve button-downs (usually in bright colors and geometric prints) a la Uncle Joey on Full House. Definitely not my favorite looks. HOWEVER, there is so much about 80s fashion that I absolutely love—structured longline blazers, cinched waists, tailored whites, oversized geometric jewelry, and pops of bold color—that have dominated the runways and street style set, and I can’t get enough.
While several trends featured in this series are indeed the creative offspring of 80s fashion (i.e. colorful geometric stripes and bare shoulders!), I felt that 80s redux deserved its own dedicated day of the series because of its widespread influence on style this season. 80s elements have been creeping onto the catwalk for the past few years, but never as strongly or literally as they did for Spring ’17. We’re talking everything from sportswear-inspired varsity jackets to acid wash denim to balloon sleeves, mom jeans, concert tees and loads more. Today I’m sporting a modern take on some of my favorite 80s-inspired trends, especially those that will be dominating my work wardrobe for the foreseeable future. I’m talking crisp, tailored whites, structured longline blazers, statement waistbelts, oversized geometric jewelry and bold pops of color.
When incorporating 80s elements into your wardrobe, the goal is to be 80s-inspired, not necessarily 80s-themed. The difference lies in having a modern interpretation of 80s influences, rather than looking like you’re in a Kelly Kapowski costume for 80s night at your local dive bar. For example, while I’m not about to go perm (or better yet, crimp!) my hair anytime soon, a deep side part and a little extra volume in my loose waves seemed to be the perfect compliment to this look. It’s a nod to the 80s hair flip without being too literal.
WEAR TO WORK
If you’re looking for a killer 80s-inspired pair of white pants, check out this pair. I absolutely love the high waist, the pleats, and the cool ankle detail that alludes to an 80s stirrup. Just ordered ’em!
The lightweight linen blazer I’m wearing today is going to be especially amazing come June when New York becomes a veritable sauna. Since it’s linen, it’s supposed to have that slightly wrinkled look, but if that bugs you, opt for a white oversized blazer like this one.
Similar to some of the dresses I was highlighting yesterday, this stunning short sleeve white sheath dress nods to 80s inspiration with its geometric neckline while still being perfect for a day at the office.
Care to keep it simple? Stock up on my favorite crisp non-iron shirts (I honestly own like 6 of these at least they’re the BEST) and wear them with high-waisted wide leg pants and a menswear loafer for a perfect 80s-inspired day at the office.
BRB, OUT OF OFFICE
Statement earrings of all kinds are having a HUGE moment right now, and I’m fully losing it over this pair. So 80s, SO GOOD.
Leopard has been back in full force in the last couple seasons, and this waist belt is the perfect 80s-inspired way to spice up any basic dress in your closet, or even a blazer like the one I’ve styled today!
You’ve been seeing me wearing earrings identical to this pair for the past many months, and I’m so excited to have found a similar set. Mine were a cheap Zara find and unfortunately, the metal started discoloring after only a few wears. I’m obsessed with this style though and can’t wait to snag this new pair.
On the weekends, pair your favorite oversized blazers with a sleek mini skirt like this one. You’ll get extra mileage out of your blazers and the combo makes for one of my favorite looks of the season.
It’s day two of my spring trend memo series, and today I’m giving you the low-down on all of the crazy necklines and unconventional shirting you’ve probably been spotting everywhere online. Keep reading for all of the details on this huge warm-weather trend, how to wear it to work and play, and where to shop the best pieces of the season…
What started last year as a widespread obsession with anything and everything off-the-shoulder has now evolved into a full-on assault of the neckline. Designers everywhere have been throwing caution to the wind, taking a scissors to the “normal” necklines you thought you knew. The days of classifying garments as v-neck, crewneck, boatneck, and the like are officially gone, leaving loads of completely fresh styles in their wake.
Often going hand-in-hand with these re-defined necklines has been the deconstruction of classic shirting and while no one has a more deep-seated reverence for a classic button up than yours truly, I couldn’t be more excited for these new creations. With cuffs, collars and buttons re-arranged Mr. Potato Head-style, many of these pieces look like they belong in the Cubism collection at the Met—a statement this art history lover means as the highest possible compliment.
My top today is a perfect example of this whacky-necked riff on shirting. In a classic menswear shirting stripe with wide cuffs and a winding trail of buttons, the top strikes that perfect classic-meets-cutting edge chord. Is it off-the-shoulder? Is it a one-shoulder top? Is it both? Am I the lone survivor of a plane crash which ripped off my shirt’s entire right shoulder and took a perfectly-proportioned smaller bite out of my left? No one has to know.
The great thing about this trend is that you can have one of those days where you wake up an hour late and show up to the office with your shirt buttons mismatched leaving your top all wonky, and everyone will just think you’re being #trendy. Major win for those of us who have complicated relationships with the snooze button.
WEAR TO WORK
Just when you think there’s no way to pull this trend into your work wardrobe, think again. This gorgeous periwinkle sheath dress shows how a little creative thinking around the neckline results in an uber chic office get-up that’s on trend to boot.
Similarly, this classic asymmetrical-necklined dress plays right into the trend without skipping a beat in the boardroom. With that elbow-length sleeve, this beauty works any time of year.
This blouse has the coolest wrap neckline and will be a fresh addition to your arsenal of summer work tops in (spoiler alert!) one of spring’s hottest hues.
The crisp oxford shirting and chic asymmetric stand-away collar makes this top as work appropriate as it is trendy. Needless to say, it’s in my shopping cart.
When it comes to funky skin-bearing necklines, don’t forget that blazers (or cardigans!) can be your BFFs during the workday. Throw a blazer over this top or this top during the day and once you hit happy hour with friends you’ll already have the perfect going out top ready underneath.
BRB, OUT OF OFFICE
If you’re looking for an insanely cute affordable alternative to the Self Portrait top I’m wearing today look no further than this beauty. Hands down my favorite of the bunch.
This short-sleeve shirt may have a regular crew neckline, but the slash-through detached sleeves play right into the deconstructed trend. Absolutely obsessed.
Can’t get enough of the slouchy sleeves and cuffed neckline of this top.
Love the color-blocking of this classic striped shirt. Wear it buttoned up like normal during the workweek and then undo some buttons and let one side fall off the shoulder with white shorts on the weekend.
MY FAVORITE RE-DEFINED NECKLINES FOR SPRING AND SUMMER
Today, I’m excited to kick off a new ten-part series that’s all about spring and summer trends! I can’t remember entering a season with more excitement about the latest trends that have emerged from runways and street style stars. This spring and summer is all about turning your closet on its head with loads of 80s influences and the most vibrant color palette we’ve seen in years. In order to give you all the details on dressing for the season and the full run-down on how to rock each trend from the boardroom to the beach, I’ve decided to break it down into ten comprehensive posts (with a surprise at the end… shhh)! Today, I’m kicking things off with one of my very favorite trends of the season: bold (and I mean BOLD) stripes!
Read on for tips on how to wear the trend at the office, how to wear the trend outside the office, and a complete shopping guide to all of my favorite striped pieces of the season!
Without a doubt, stripes of all kinds are taking center stage this season. You can satiate your inner sailor with a classic, nautical breton stripe, or opt for something a bit more au courant like the bold, graphic, super saturated stripes of my ribbed midi dress. Better yet? Wear ’em both at once! Basically, if your appearance mirrors that of a TV screen that’s displaying those crazy-colored vertical lines indicating a likely-fatal technical malfunction, you’ve succeeded. You may trigger PTSD flashbacks for those of us who are still mourning televisions loved and lost, but it’ll be so worth it. Promise.
The stripe hype is real, so let ‘er rip.
Quick note on the striped Opening Ceremony dress I’m wearing in these photos: For some reason the color of the dress in the images is showing up a little off and I can’t seem to fix it. The colors are so amazing, it’s bumming me out! For an accurate depiction of the near-neon hues of this dress check it out here. The top image on that page (not the subsequent ones and definitely not their video) is exactly how vibrant it looks in person!
WEAR TO WORK:
This gorgeous striped pencil skirt will work in or out of the office, and shows just how easily the bold stripe trend can translate to the workplace.
This striped top is sleek and simple, but with subtle back bow detailing, it’s just as sweet. Wear it with a classic black midi skirt or a coordinating floral pant.
If your office is particularly formal, opt for these sleek striped pants for a little spring in your step without raising any eyebrows.
This striped jumpsuit would look killer under a white blazer that can be whipped off for happy hour at your favorite local watering hole.
This striped blazer is equal parts playful and polished with a color palette that can’t get much prettier.
Ahem, I see you, above-mentioned cutest striped swimsuit ever, and raise you one cutest striped bikini ever.
I don’t think anyone can question the universal deliciousness of a chambray shirt. Better yet? A chambray shirt with tonal stripes. Still not satisfied? What if I told you it’s Rails (i.e. best shirt brand ever) and it’s inexplicably 50% off?
If there’s a more adorable striped dress for basically every occasion this spring and summer, I quadruple-dog-dare you to find it.
Lastly, if this striped beach towel doesn’t make you happy, then you have no soul.
