GUEST POST // TOP PICKS FOR A FALL WARDROBE

Hi Ladies! As the temperatures begin to drop and the Yard starts to look more beautiful than ever, we must ask ourselves one question—and no, it isn't "When am I going to finish this p-set??" More  Equally importantly, it's "What two or three pieces am I going to add to my wardrobe for fall?" Well, since we like fall here (had to do it, sorry ;) ) I'm bringing you four—that's right, four, just in case you're feeling spendy—great pieces that'll take you through fall (and winter with an added layer or two). Enjoy! :)

1. Dress with Faux Leather Appliqués, Zara $79.90 - This dress may be a little bit of a splurge, but it's definitely a wardrobe investment. An LBD (little black dress) is a closet essential and this one is pretty perfect, especially at this price point. The hemline is long enough to take you from a fancy dinner to an office interview and the leather paneling at the shoulder, which is right on trend this season, makes this LBD anything but basic.

2. Silk Summersong Top, Madewell $49.99 - The color palette in this watercolor floral top is perfect to layer with your existing fall basics:  navy sweaters, brown boots, slim gray trousers...the options are endless.

3. Brown/Checked Blazer, H&M $59.95 - The equestrian-inspired trend is one that never seems to go out of style for the colder months. With that being said, you'll probably have this blazer for a very long time. Bonus: it is definitely one of the easiest ways to dress up a pair of dark-wash jeans and flats.

4. Neda shoe, Aldo $70 - A midnight-blue, suede flat that is beautifully embellished. Need I say more?

Happy browsing, ladies!

And to see how I style myself this fall, CHECK OUT MY BLOG: The Fashionesta

Love, 

Erika

RACHEL'S REVIEW // THE PEPLUM

Trend alert: peplums are in, in case you haven’t noticed! What’s a peplum, you ask? We were wondering the same thing at the start of the season, since the last time peplums were in fashion was before our time in the 80s (and before that, the 40s!) The word “peplum” comes from the Greek word for tunic, which aptly describes the garment in its many forms today - as a skirt, a dress, a top, a jacket… and even pants (what will McQueen think up next?): 

From the left: Badgley Mischka, Jason Wu, Cushnie et Ochs & Rodarte (source: Stylebistro)

The peplum’s sweet shape grows on you, especially once you realize that its clean lines and feminine figure help accent your curves and add a little bit of class to any outfit!

Alexander McQueen (source: Saks Fifth Avenue) 

_______________________



FOR YOU:

So maybe most (okay, none) of these designers are within your budget. We feel you. Thankfully, the peplum has been embraced by designers and commercial retailers at every level. Check out some deals below!

ONE (DIY):  This is easy. Grab one of your blazers that nips in at the waist, and belt it with a stylish belt you already own! Voila, a blazer a la Alice + Olivia below.

TWO ($): Forever 21 always has your back (or at least mine) with a grey top at $8.99, with H&M as a runner-up with a printed top at $17.95!

THREE ($$): H&M for $49.95. Fall semester is about to start, and with school come formals and date events…

FOUR ($$$): Anthropologie, j’adore! Though $78.00 is a bit pricey.

[This is a post by one of our fabulous interns, Rachel Davidson.

Can you believe how awesome she is? We can.]

WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN PEPLUM TOP?

CLICK HERE FOR OUR OWN DIY TUTORIAL!

GUEST POST // CHARLENE'S CONTEMPLATIONS

Spending the summer in the Cambridge across the pond has been fantastic. From the friends that I've been blessed with and the amazing old libraries I've gotten to study in, to punting in the Charles River and the bi-polar weather, every moment has been meaningful. One thing I've been struck by in particular is the fashion sense in Britain. Now, I don't claim to be an expert, but even from a layman's perspective I notice just how comfortable everyone is in their own skin. I haven't had many conversations with Cambridge locals about clothing, but every time the subject has come up, I've gotten rave reviews of good sales and bargains and plentiful comments on the make of the clothing itself, but the mention of clothing size has been an extreme rarity.

I'm not a statistician either, so I won't attempt to say that the United States is more focused as a whole on the media ideal of bodily perfection than Great Britain is. What I will say, however, is that since I've been here in the United Kingdom, I've felt that the media and local community have noticeably never made me feel pressured to look a certain way or fit into any certain size. Television shows, for example, feature actors of all shapes, colors, and sizes, and no one is left pandering after a silly ideal of perfection that's unattainable by most of the world's population. 

Anyway, as we're about to start school soon (in the United States), I will take with me this small reminder that's made up a short but significant lesson I've learned here in the UK: it is so true that everyone is beautiful, and a person is most beautiful when they're being themselves. Here's to a new year! 

Cheers,

[Charlene is one of our new & fabulous interns...isn't she so cool?]