stella b fashion

How to Wear | Cropped Leather Jacket

stella.b — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:18:08 +0000

So, you find this amazing lambskin jacket from Ann Taylor LOFT, and your first thought on how to wear it would naturally be: layer it for something a little more Fall-friendly. Maybe over a tunic that runs past the hem of the jacket keeping things proportionate. Then you streamline everything by adding in a skinny jean of course, right? Maybe and sure, that look works, but the product page shot on this cropped leather jacket inspired a different take on how to wear it. So I’m going to go with that…aka the dress:
(Click each image to start shopping)

When you’re talking leather, lambskin is as buttery and soft as it gets. It’s the kind of leather people touch in boutiques and immediately make that face, you know, the, “omg I cannot believe this is leather,” face. Super luxurious and you have to be careful around it because it’s thinner and less willing to put up with wear and tear, but usually it’s tough to find in a jacket at under $300.
This LOFT jacket (yea, it’s Ann Taylor’s reincarnation and push to hit a younger demographic; apparently it’s working) is spot-on when it comes to details. Check out the side zippers, the double closure on the front with snaps plus zipper, a collar that actually adds something to the jacket instead of just lying there, and just for good measure, there’s also tonal patch detail at the elbows.

Ok, so $298.00 may sound like a hit to the budget, but relatively speaking, you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck on this one. The price is also reasonable considering that, for a cropped leather jacket, it doesn’t hit the extremes on the trend, which means you’ll get more use out of it.
But enough on the actual jacket, time to get to the ‘how-to-wear’ it part…

Patterson J. Kincaid is a great name to become familiar with if you haven’t already. A lot of what I see from this label is on-trend, a little edgy, but wearable. Non-fashion speak: It’s something you can put on and people will not know where you got it, but they will definitely ask.
This snake print dress has a couple of details I love. The built in belt that cinches at the waist, and I’m all about the layering of the sheer black, almost tank-like, under ‘garment’ that pops out under the lightweight, serpent-inspired fabric. Super easy and a perfect color palette to wear back to the cropped leather jacket or alone for evening. The colors and cut lend themselves to a few different looks so versatility would definitely be a fair descriptor to use here:

I could have gone with a multitude of shoe options when thinking about how to wear the cropped jacket back to a slinky dress, but the clog-inspired sandal from Via Spiga won out. It’s safe to say that most of us have a love/hate relationship with clogs. Some of us are scared by the fashion disasters of the early nineties, while others associate the term immediately with the bright orange rendition, or ‘Crocs,’ and really, that’s never a good thing.
But the clog is going to be like the over the knee boot. Mark my words, and if I’m wrong then too bad, no one’s perfect. But, that said, it took a full season for people to come to grips with the idea that a boot reaching well beyond the knee would be considered more stylish than street-walker. Now, it’s a full-blown trend. Same with clogs. I think this Fall will be their reintroduction onto the fashion scene, in small doses, but next year these Swedish inspired shoes will be running rampant all over the fashion scene.

Via Spiga pulls off a toned-down version below with the ‘Astro’ sandal. I like the weight of this shoe back to the rest of the ensemble to complete the look. It wasn’t the first reaction I had when looking at the Kincaid dress since it’s pretty lightweight and femme, but the mixture of heavy with light, back to a little weight seen in the jacket plays well together:

Finally, a little accessory to tie it all together. With all of the blacks, beiges, and snake prints going on here, it was important to keep this part of the look low-key. This faceted onyx ring is bold, pulls together the black streak running throughout the look, but doesn’t go overboard on the shine factor like say, a gem encrusted statement ring would. It slips right into the ensemble effortlessly.
It’s perfect for this cropped leather jacket look, but can also be worked into a ton of other pieces floating around in the closet. It’s that ring you keep on the counter somewhere on-the-ready because you can add it on in a pinch to polish off a look.

So there’s one take on how to wear a cropped leather jacket for now. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, there are plenty of other trends to be figured into looks. Check out more of my take on how to wear the latest fashion trends out there.

Top Styles | The Wishlist

stella.b — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:54:05 +0000

My weeks are filled with pulling picks to use for all of those ‘how-to-wear’ posts, so inevitably, I find myself with some top styles that may not squeeze into a look, but deserve a cameo on the site nonetheless.
This week I’m showing love to six top styles that range from a maraschino red, ruffle detail wedge to, finally, a laptop bag that’s actually acceptable should you ever want to travel on-trend.

Here are the picks that made the fashion wishlist, or maybe just my own personal ‘stella b’ wishlist this week. Cue, the montage:

Free People Lightweight Fleece Trench
Nakamol Designs Gold & White Double Chain Leather Wrap Bracelet
Alexander Wang Jersey Dress with Slinky Combo
Rebecca Minkoff Virginia Laptop Bag
Ruby, Do Ya Know Wedge
Kensington Spy Girl Trench

It may seem early to think about coats, but in all fairness, the versatile and classic trench is a year round piece that deserves evergreen attention. I’m crazy about all trenches, and the below Free People fleece number won this round because of not only attention to detail, but also the feather light weight of it. It’s the perfect layering piece and fits well into this top style group. See that? This trench even plays well with others:

Top style wishlist item number two: For some reason, my focus has moved away from statement jewelry & bold cuffs and over to the softer side of things. Case in point, this white leather/gold chain wrap bracelet from Nakamol. I think it’s the size combined with the chain/multi wrap detail that brings me back to summer camp days and those string bracelets we all spent hours weaving on clip boards.
Whether it’s just full-on nostalgia, or a renewed appreciation for the philosophy that bigger isn’t always better, I’m all about these petite bracelets that pack a lot of look onto a small surface area.

It would be ridiculous if a name like Alexander Wang didn’t make it into the ‘top style’ wishlist right now, simply because his knotted detail, gathered dresses (amongst other gorgeous accessories, etc) are all over the place, and for good reason. Wang takes classic shapes, drapes, cuts, etc in jersey fabrications (or some other easy-to-throw-on-and-function-in, fabric) and always manages to hit the mark with them. It’s not necessarily new, it’s not really glam, but his eye for what’s both wearable and fashionably edgy enough to come across as an fresh, is unmistakable.
Ugh, enough with the gushing. This combo tank dress is a cross between two worlds. There’s the casual tank top that feels very laid back, while the bottom has pleated details that speak to a sophisticated day look (throw a jacket over it for work) that transitions easily into evening. Finally, the black seam along the waist (thereby drawing the eye to the most narrow part of the feminine silhouette) separates one world from the other, dividing but the proximity is still there. Love:

I can guarantee I’m not the only female out there who would love to get her hands on an actual designer bag made specifically for a laptop, that doesn’t cost over $1000. Rebecca Minkoff comes to the rescue with her ‘Virginia’ laptop bag, and I could not be happier for her fashion rescue efforts. The splattered print across the front is in your basic cream and black color way, but the abstract elements of the print make it anything but basic. Instead, it’s a laptop bag that actually qualifies as, dare I say, stylish:

This red peep-toe wedge from www.modcloth.com is so pin-up, I can’t even take it. I love the idea of it back to a casual summer look with olive green shorts, a classic and clean white tank, a neutral bag and a few accessories, all very tonal so the red pops like crazy. These wedges should be the focus of any ensemble they’re worn with, which won’t be difficult to achieve in that color. Give them their fifteen minutes, they’ve earned it:

All right, top style wishlist item no-brainer below: First of all, BB Dakota is a name I’ve grown to love in fashion. When I see the label I think on-trend and on-budget. You get a lot of ‘look’ with these pieces. This ‘Kensington Spy Girl’ trench, really cool name not withstanding, is no exception to that. This trench brings me back to the trench that got away. Cue fade out of scene and that hazy screen that they pull up when they show you someone’s memory in a movie…
I remember being at school in Boston, walking into a boutique on Newbury Street, and seeing a similar trench with a fur lined collar. I tried it on, cinched the waist, and fell madly in love.
The only problem was that I was a college student, and the price tag almost made me pass out. It went back on the rack and to this day, I’ve always remembered that classic coat.
Cut to present day, and this BB Dakota trench is essentially that memorable coat from Boston, reincarnated with a couple of changes. First, it’s totally affordable. Second, the fur around the collar is faux, and I’m all about that when it’s pulled off well (which it definitely can be these days; I would bet good money that the majority of the population would not be able to tell a real mink from a great faux replication; just sayin).
Anyway, this trench has come back into my life, and it will not get away from me this time. Lesson learned:

I love a good ‘top style’ wishlist where I can showcase my favorite fashion picks that may not have made it into the ‘how to wear’ posts, but still deserve their moment in the stellabfashion spotlight. Hopefully you enjoy it as well…
While some of the above picks didn’t get ‘face’ time elsewhere on the site, a few have made there way into looks created from my latest fashion picks. Part one is the thrill of the fashion find, but the second half of that equation, and the glue that keeps it all together, is when you get inspiration on how to wear it.

How to wear | BCBG’s Platform Sandals

stella.b — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:14:23 +0000

How to wear platform sandals? Here we go…
I BCBG’s ‘hooded’ black leather sandals the other day and thought two things: first, I REALLY, really am dying to see what these platform sandals look like on a foot. No, really. I was able to view only one shot from the product page on Lord & Taylor’s site, which is great if all I ever needed to buy a shoe was a glance of it at a forty five degree angle.
Second thought that entered my mind was actually a question, and that is, “since the views are limited, if I end up being my very own, personal shoe model, how am I going to wear them?” The ‘how to wear,’ answer is on it’s way, but first, time for a close-up:

It’s insane how covering the ankles with a leather ‘hood’ takes this sandal from cocktails/evening into a relevant, edgy day time time look, well, as long as your commute keeps you on flat, paved surfaces…

Here’s how to wear these BCBG babies:

Bcbgmaxazria Ladal Hooded Leather Platform Sandal
Leather Bomber Jacket By Giorgio Brato
Moschino C&C Black Pencil Skirt
MARC by Marc Jacobs Fantastical Tale KC Shoulder Bag
Free People One of a Kind Pyrite Cuff

Here’s the play by play on how to wear these black leather BCBG platform sandals…
Yes, I’m well aware the temp is hitting above 90 degrees below the Mason Dixon line, and the last thing you want to think about is leather, let alone a jacket. But really, since when do you let a little thing like the heat index get in the way of fashion, huh?
The leather on this Giorgio Brato bomber jacket is super thin, lightweight, and the ribbed accents along the hems and up the sleeves keeps the look fitted and comfy. There’s nothing worse on a woman than an ill-fitted, boxy leather jacket. If you want to look like you just spent 6 months on a cruise liner then, by all means, hit up that square-cut coat. I will tell you this though, a fitted upper arm on a jacket combined with an asymmetrical zipper, will instantly take that cruise weight right off. It’s almost like you never went…See what’s next in the equation on how to wear these platform sandals.

Pencils ready. Take note, these are three words that need to be a part of your core fashion vocabulary: black, pencil, and skirt. Every woman needs a basic, well tailored black pencil skirt, an item that fits into what I’d call your ‘forever’ closet.
It’s the magical closet with french doors that open to a land of no wire hangers (every time I say wire hanger all I can see is Joan Crawford’s eyebrows), cue the rotating closet from Clueless that puts outfits together, and let’s not forget the color coordinated shelves lined with classic investment pieces, that will last you, well, forever. Get it? And yea, maybe when the doors open you hear ‘Dogs Days Are Over’ by Florence + The Machine, just maybe (if you don’t know, I pasted the video below).
Here’s a perfect black skirt that will accentuate the feminine silhouette while streamlining. The perfect pairing with these BCBG platform sandals:

Back to the case at hand, how to wear these BCBG platform sandals. You can’t pull together a complete look without the bag:
Everyone loves a good fairytale, am I right? So, it would stand to reason that the world would swoon even more dramatically for a tale if it were, say, ‘Fantastical,’ right? Right. Enter: MARC by Marc Jacobs with his new and quirky embossed collection that, with the combo of the logos and gold chain, looks very proper and very ‘lady.’ Perfect for someone getting ready to jump down the fashion rabbit hole:

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny. Preeeeeeeeeeeetty. So here it is, pyrite in the shape of a teardrop, that’s speaks feminine, but only to a point, literally. The jagged edges of the stones restrained by a 14k gold plate wire on this cuff bring a touch of costume and glam into the fashion picture. Wear it over the ribbed knit material on the leather jacket to keep it front and center:

So…that is one take on how to wear these BCBG leather sandals, but there are so many other picks I’m dying to get posted before the dreaded ‘sold out’ pops up. My fashion blogging clock is ticking, ticking (cue foot stomp from Marisa Tomei)…

Forever closet song… take a little trip.

See more of the latest trends in fashion, aka my top picks, here, and check out how to wear them because fashion eye candy is always fun to look at, but if you don’t know what to do with it, then what’s the point?

10 Reasons to Shop Asos.com’s Sale

stella.b — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:15:21 +0000

I took a swing by www.asos.com a few days ago and hit up their sale. I couldn’t pick just one thing, so I went with ten, it’s a nice round number anyway.
Below are my top picks from their sale currently running.
Pop quiz: which piece did I buy? Take a guess…(you’ll see a product review once I get my hands on it)

ONE:
This is one of those tops that you buy on a sale whim (because you totally can at $11.79) and end up wearing more than anything else in your closet, wishing you had bought two when they were available. It’s lightweight, the ruching down the center is uber flattering, and the neckline can be layered with something underneath for day, or worn solo and transition seamlessly into evening.

TWO:
An amazing, oversized, slouchy hobo in a classic off-white fits perfectly into your summer agenda. Versatile too? Yep. This hobo can be worn back to practically any color you want to throw at it. Now $80.86 from $143.18.

THREE:
The babydoll silhouette on this comfy and cute top lends itself perfectly to a pair of skinny jean…just sayin.’

FOUR:
This crisp white leather bag with vertical seam ruching detail walks the fine line between ‘lady’ and relaxed resort moment.

FIVE:
How can one not fall in love with a peep toe suede bootie I ask you? It’s the best of both worlds, taking a classic boot shape, and opening it up, peek-a-boo peep-toe style.

SIX:
I’m seeing this blouse back to a body-con pencil skirt (tucked in). Or, keep things casual and pair back to your favorite ‘go-to’ jeans.

SEVEN:
This zip panel bowler from Matt & Nat is eco-friendly, not to mention gorgeous. It’s the poster child for green fashion and a line that I will keep coming back to each season, no question.

EIGHT:
I love a good v-neck tee with a graphic print. It’s my weekend warrior staple, but sometimes I deviate. Not too far apparently. Case in point, this 3/4 length sleeve, wide boat-neck shirt caught my eye instantly. It’s the perfect casual piece for when it’s short sleeve counterpart falls out of my Saturday/Sunday rotation, but don’t let that fool you. The addition of black skinny pants and some sky high pumps can take it right out of weekend and into workday mode.

NINE:
This nylon bag from Gap, sold by Asos (go figure) is actually a pick because it comes in olive green, but for some reason, my links aren’t wanting to cooperate so you get black. Click the image to check out the olive. Love the size, shape, and price on this big guy.

TEN:
Finally, this Dune ‘Darcy’ cuff and buckle two part sandal is great in a metallic, however, the black color is what really caught my eye (see it on the site by clicking the image). The heel height doesn’t make my toes recoil in fear and the cuff around the ankle is edgy, but also comes in handy should you not want your shoe to go flying off your foot while attempting to maneuver through your day without look like you’re running an obstacle course. Love.

See more of the latest trends in fashion, my top picks, and how to wear them here.

How to wear | An Oversized Clutch for Day

stella.b — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:48:35 +0000

How does one wear an oversized clutch for daytime? That’s the question, and there’s a relatively simple answer, but before I get there, take a peek at the inspiration behind this post:

I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a ‘bow girl’ at this stage in the game, but I can appreciate a little feminine detail just as much as the next bag-obsessed shopper. The fact that the bow is whipped together using a slick, waxed, caramel-coated leather makes it that much more appealing.

The ‘Sofia’ silhouette is Susan Farber’s signature, although, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it bears an uncanny resemblance to eighties fashion; Carlos Falchi sans-exotic skins anyone? Still, using the past as inspiration is definitely not a new thing, and if the end result is this oversized clutch, then by all means, go crazy with historical fashion references.

This clutch also includes a shoulder strap, but for now, I’m not going for the ‘no-hands’ look. The trick is taking what’s normally considered to be an evening handbag, flipping the fashion switch, and wearing it for day.
Here’s my take on how to wear this super-sized clutch when the sun’s shining:

Susan Farber ‘Mezzo Sofia’ Clutch
Three Dots Crew Neck Long Sleeve Tee
Paige Denim ‘Venice’ Cropped Jeans
Pierre Darre Platform Sandals
Sobral Flash Marvel Ring
Asos Chunky Wooden Bangle
AX Armani Exchange Over-sized Round Sunglasses

I’m loving the idea of this slick pleated oversized clutch fitting perfectly under the arm and right up against a loose, long sleeve beige top that moves with you while you walk. It’s this volume that will balance out the proportion of the skinny jean it’s paired back to. I went with the medium wash on this skinny jean courtesy of Paige denim, in order to keep the look relatively casual.
Note: Leave the distressed and slashed skinnies in the closet for this ensemble, and maybe a few others while you’re at it. Who said torn apart, acid washed denim needed to be one of those trends that would come back to haunt us anyway?

The platform sandals with patent straps play well with the leather on the bag. It’s not a rule that the bag and shoes match, well at least, not to me, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the color scheme consistent now and then.
Let’s not forget the towering heel that adds height and elongates the leg beyond the hem of the skinny jean that cuts off mid-calf. Strappy flats in a neutral brown tone would also be perfect here if you’re freaked out about a platform and the potential to break an ankle.

Finally, the finishing touches:
Usually I stick with one focal point when it comes to jewelry, but I liked the idea of the wooden bagle falling low on the wrist of the hand holding the clutch, while the Sobral resin ring (new label I’m obsessed with at the moment) adds another layer to the overall chunky, organic, textural feel.
The oversized sunglasses stay in line with the rest of the browns, creams, and neutrals going on in this look. Most importantly, these ‘sunnies’ keep the plus-sized accessory trend that began with the clutch, going strong.

So, now you’ve seen one approach on how to wear an oversized clutch, but that’s just the beginning. Click here to see more of the latest fashion trends and how to wear them.

How to Wear | Leopard Print

stella.b — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:33:10 +0000

So, how to wear leopard print without looking like you need to be confined to a cage? Hint number one: avoid the head-to-toe, gone off into the fashion deep end, look.
It’s safe to say that leopard print can be classified as a neutral in fashion these days, which is something of a testament to the extremely opportunistic hunting animal covered by such recognizable spots.
Here’s my mini-National Geographic moment:The leopard will basically consume whatever it can get it’s paws on (that was it, catch that wildlife lesson?), and the same goes for the print seen all over from runways to retailer racks. Simple put, leopard prints don’t discriminate.
Both classic patterns and new reincarnations of these signature spots can be seen covering a handbag just as easily as they can be caught splattered across a jacket, or platform pump for that matter.
It’s an equal opportunity print inspired by an equal opportunity cat.

So, back to how to wear this printed tank. Initially I was going to look for leopard prints on pencil skirts but got impatient when the only skirt I saw was over $1000 (thank you Dolce & Gabbana). In an effort to keep things realistic (I know, down-to-earth fashion seems like a paradox but it can actually happen) I moved into the next category and that was tops.
Enter: the silk racer-back leopard print tank from Simone at www.bluefly.com. I fell in love with the lavender/burnt caramel color combo that took the basic, run-of-the-mill black and tan spots, and warmed them up a bit.
I know what you’re thinking, “um, exactly how can I make a silk racer-back tank work into either a day or evening look?”

The ‘how to wear’ it part was actually pretty simple on this leopard print look:

What is more simple and classic than a pencil skirt right? Throw the plummy hues of the spotted tank back to a military olive green skirt with McQ skirt with zipper details and you have yet another definition of this all encompassing ‘military’ trend. P.s. it’s a serious markdown from $285 to $99.79:

I was looking for more of a strappy, platform sandal in a chocolate brown hue (the thought was tone on tone action with the brown seen in the printed tank) when I saw this platform sling-back, lace-up clog from Aldo (that description is a mouthful fyi; try typing that ten times fast carpal tunnel). Love the substantial heel on this clog back to the streamlined skirt and leopard print tank. Side note, it’s also a great take on how to wear a clog:

As I continued on the quest of how to wear this animal printed piece, my next stop was the bag. I’m not really a fan of logos splattered across the front of any accessory (i.e.: Gucci’s GG print or Fendi’s Zucca totes, you know exactly what I’m sayin’), but this ‘Fantastical Tale Elle’ embossed shoulder bag from MARC by Marc Jacobs is the perfect mix of ‘lady’ (cue structure and chain) and edge (cue embossed playing card shapes). :

Gorjana, Gorjana, Gorjana. It’s a jewelry label that popped up on my radar about a year ago and has yet to make an exit; I couldn’t be happier for the extended stay on my fashion hit list. Amazing looks that are original and creative yet subtle and chic combined with price points that don’t raise blood pressure, is the name of the game here. This ‘three bar’ necklace is feminine, but not to be messed around with, the perfect storm that pops back to the lavender leopard print:

Another name in jewelry, well watches if you want to get technical, that I can’t seem to get enough of, La Mer. This pyramid stud watch with it’s wrap around straps acts as both a bracelet and the perfect opportunity for you to embrace your very inner-Rabbit with his whole, “I’m late for a very important date,” spiel (if you don’t catch the Alice in Wonderland reference on that, I guess I’ll just spell it out for you; Curiouser and curiouser…):

So know you have one take on how to wear and effortlessly pull of the leopard print trend. Wear this tank and pencil skirt for evening as well as day, just throw on a cropped jacket or classic cardi, done.
For more on the latest trends in fashion, my top picks, and how to wear them, click here people.

Joan & David’s Suede Peep Toe Wedge | How to wear it

stella.b — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:42:20 +0000

I saw these Joan & David suede peep toe wedges and immediately knew I either, A. had to have them, or B., skirt around the issue and drool over them after giving them some post time on this site. Obviously I’m at option B right now, but things may just change, you never know right?

Why do I love these stunning suede wedges? They’re subtle in detail, the suede tones things down a little bit, and the zipper detail on the side is minimal. But the real appeal comes when I look at the overall picture and start imagining what these wedges would say if they could talk.
This isn’t the shoe that come at you down the sidewalk screaming, “check me out…I know right? Fierce, etc etc.”
This wedge is the more aloof player in the women’s shoes fashion game. I’m thinking the monologue would be more to the tune of, “um yep, hey, how’s it goin’? Sure, I’m completely on-trend, and yea, I know I’m hitting sophisticated style on the mark while having a little fun with it. But I don’t feel the need to publicize it.”

How would I wear this killer suede wedges you ask? I’m keeping it all in the taupe and jet black family for now, it just seems to work in an easy but chic way that could go either casual or slightly dressy.

I love the draping going on in this t-shirt from asos.com. The way it hangs has it speaking for whoever wears it, omg, here I go with talking clothing and accessories again. I need to move on…Oh, before I do, the verdict is out on the random pocket, but overall, I love the silhouette and the price makes this one a no-brainer addition for the look.

Love BB Dakota, and love a good pair of black skinny pants under $100. Be careful washing, it’s a blend fabric so yes, you will want to probably hang dry or even hand wash to get the longest wear out of them. Better than dealing with a dry cleaner (which to me is an oxymoron btw) right?

This suede/poly mixed metal ‘Buckle Tote’ is another pick from my besties at Urban Outfitters and falls right into the overall, suede wedge-inspired look that’s developing here. Go shoulder bag or cross-body with the longer strap on this one.

This cuff by Aurelie Bidermann caught my eye because it’s truly unlike anything I’ve seen out there. It’s more of a wishful thinking addition to the look at that price, but it hit the look I was going for perfectly. The leaf detail and criss crossing of the metals is subtle enough for the overall feel of the ensemble, but also different enough to keep things interesting. A gorgeous detailed cuff…

The suede wedges are meant to be worn out and about. Hence, these Ferrari mask sunglasses. I love the shield look but really anything could go well here from aviator to Ray Bans…It just pulls it all together.

See how to wear more of the latest fashion trends and product picks here.

Anthropologie’s ‘Elkanah’ Military Jacket | Review time

stella.b — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:48:16 +0000

Anthropologie’s ‘Elkanah’ military jacket is now officially a card carrying member of my color-coded (don’t judge) closet. I happen to be a sucker for epaulets and all things military, let alone olive, so I knew I had to dive right into the trend for Fall a little early this year…

I spotted this jacket a couple of weeks ago when I pulled it for the look I re-created from Balmain’s Fall runway.
One click of the mouse later and, boom, I had myself a military jacket and you, subsequently, now get a product review:

My thoughts on this jacket are all pretty positive and I’m apparently not alone.

What I likey:
The weight of the jacket is super light, perfect for those of us having to brave the stickiness of summer and then transition into an arctic office environment. So confusing, but made easier by having this military inspired jacket to thrown on or take off in the middle.
There’s tons of detail as well, from the tie around the zipper at the breast pocket, to tonal buttons all over, and slanted pockets that I can’t seem to keep my hands out of. I also happen to love rolling up a sleeve and its easily accomplished with this olive green jacket.

The seam at the waist travels from the front all the way around the back playing ‘empire’ waist and creating a pseudo-peplum in the back. What I’m really saying is, it draws the eye to the smallest part of the waist keeping the silhouette looking uber feminine.

What I am ‘iffy’ on, but don’t consider to be a deal breaker:
My preference is towards body conscious clothing. Always has been, nothing too ‘sausage-casing’ ish, but I do like it when clothing shows shape. Especially when it comes to jackets and blazers.
I’m sure you’re thinking I’m talking about other assets here when referring to a body-con preference, but just wait. I’m a huge style stickler for a fitted upper arm. Yes, upper arm. Go figure..I’ll explain.

I’ve lucked out with some couture purchases in the past that have spoiled me with their execution of flawless construction in this area. Once you try on a well made jacket, it’s difficult to go back, but there’s room to compromise. Anthropologie’s military jacket, although amazing on so many levels, is where this flexibility comes into play. The arms fit, but the structure isn’t necessarily there, nor (quite honestly) am I expecting it to be for the price. It’s a teeny tiny fashion trade off which works because I know there’s still integrity behind the product, aka the military jacket.

Recap:
Overall, I’m a huge fan of the jacket. It hits the trend spot-on, it’s easy to move in while giving off that structured, may-want-to-move-out-of-my-way, look that comes across more stylish than stand-offish, and is guaranteed to get a ton of use as Fall approaches (not soon enough in my opinion; did I mention I live below the Mason Dixon line).
This is just one way to wear it…The list is endless.

See more of the latest fashion trends, how to wear them, and product reviews here.

Faux Leather Handbag | ModCloth’s ‘Back in the Saddle’ Carryall

stella.b — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:52:05 +0000

When I’m not playing on this site, I’m busy working in the land of high-end, luxury fashion which always sounds more glamorous than it actually is. It’s a world compiled of big names, crazy words like ‘peplum,’ and leads to severe sticker shock for 99% of the population.
Just the mention of ‘faux’ anything may very well result in a ‘would-be’ cringe on the face of our clientele if the botox wasn’t already in there. But, there’s nothing wrong with vegan fashion, actually, there happens to be a lot that’s right with it.

I ran across this faux leather handbag while perusing the new arrivals hitting this week at ModCloth.com. They call it a ‘carryall’ bag, amongst so many other terms and descriptors interwoven between lines of their witty copy that lives and breathes on alliterations. You know, the clever creativity that keeps us style savvy shoppers coming back. Wink wink.

Moving on, this carryall/shoulder/messenger bag is pretty impressive for several reasons.
First and foremost, it’s a sizable and versatile faux leather handbag with plenty of detail going on at $59.99. The shoulder straps allow for just the right ‘drop’ (i.e. the length from the shoulder to the top of the bag under the arm; ah, memories of my handbag buying office days). Speaking of straps, you’ve got options with this bag.
You can go all-out shoulder bag, per above, or clip on the longer strap to make it cross body or messenger style, I still can’t pick one of those two terms for some reason. They both fit so I’ll double up.

And if you’ve been following me on this site, you’re well aware of my, what seems to be never-ending and somewhat fashionably futile, hunt for the perfect cross body/messenger bag. I’m thinking this ‘Back in the Saddle’ bag may be a contender. The color is also right where I want it, not too brown or too grey, but completely neutral.

After reading a few reviews (ps. I live off of product reviews before making any purchasing decisions and ModCloth gets a ton of them up there, good and bad which equals credibility in my mind), the majority have been overwhelmingly positive.
There is one however that continues to surface about the faux leather, and that is in regards to the lovely ‘scent’ it gives off.
I’m a huge advocate of the handbag ‘sniff’ test, especially when you’re dealing with faux material. Although there were a couple of negative points mentioned, the positive comments outnumber them enough for me to consider buying.

Another great part of this shopping equation is that ModCloth.com (I promise you I am in no way affiliated with the site, I just get all warm and fuzzy when I shop a site that takes customer service into account, it’s the retailer in me, oh, and customer too) also offers free returns and exchanges, but will also refund your purchase. Gold ‘stella’ star for the ModCloth peeps…Love it.

How I’m wearing this you ask? Good question…I also happened to find the perfect BCBG black dress along my web browsing this weekend:

The stretch jersey, cap sleeve, and slide on details make this perfect for the heat. The cinched waist, courtesy of the detachable belt, keeps it figure friendly ($82 from $136).

Finish it off with a pair of flat sandals and maybe a chunky black enamel cocktail ring, done and done.

I’ll follow up when I get the bag and let you know my thoughts. But for now, if you want to check out more of the latest fashion trends and see how to wear them, click here.

Statement Necklaces Under $100 | What to wear to a Boston wedding?

stella.b — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:26:44 +0000

It’s decision time and I have three amazing statement necklaces all under $100 to choose from for this weekend’s black tie wedding back in Boston…

The dress I scooped up a couple of weeks ago, aided by a mother who has twice the shopping stamina that I do at almost 30 years my senior, was an enormously lucky break. It was right at $100 and then patriotically (fourth of July sale) discounted by an additional 30% off. Check it out:

front: jersey material so it’s comfy, structural boning to support

back: loving the exposed zipper on this

bodice: close up seam detail

ruffle: one-sided ruffle action, a slightly eighties feel, but streamlined and wearable

All right, the dress is amazing. Enough about the dress. For the rest of the look, I wanted to keep it relatively simple. Before I touch on the search for the perfect statement necklace, here’s what I’ve pulled together:
A basic black t-strap sandal, I’m going for look and comfort here because there will be action on the dance floor guaranteed with this crowd. An exotic skin clutch with a little sheen over it, also all black keeping it tonal, is a simple and more formal option.

Now, the fun part. This sweetheart neckline is begging for a chunky statement necklace. I had a ton of different necklace ideas in my head from incredibly ornate, Cleopatra-esque pieces to chunky chains. I am also wanting to keep it on a budget so everything is under $100. Below are my three options:

First, House of Harlow’s Five Station statement necklace ($62) in the gold/cream leather combo. I like the geometric shapes happening here at a smaller scale and the fact that it’s long enough to cover plenty of surface area:

Next, a little lucite is in order, combined with some gold chain details. This statement necklace from Bloomindale’s line, Aqua, is by far the best deal at $38. It’s a whole lot of look for under $40:

Finally, and this may be the one for me, Kenneth Jay Lane’s short gold mesh and chain statement necklace. I am a little ‘iffy’ on the length approaching choker levels, but there’s some adjusting possible with the clasp. It’s a jumbled up mess of a statement necklace, and certainly trendy, which I normally veer away from, but I think it doesn’t go too far into the trendy deep-end and is a pretty versatile piece for a casual or dressed up evening:

The statement necklace verdict is out…
I’m still undecided at this point, and with only four days between myself and this Boston trip, a necklace needs to be chosen. I’m leaning towards the Kenneth Jay Lane, but taking any and all suggestions at this point.

To be continued…

To see more of the latest fashion trends out there and how to wear them, click here.