In Spades

Style... in abundance

Fashion Friday

As promised, I’m making a more permanent space for my weekly series, Fashion Friday.

If you haven’t seen the series before, every Friday I discuss what’s going on in the business world of fashion.  Important announcements, designer news and lots of fun fashion musings.  Since I geek out on this stuff, I would love it if you joined the conversation too.  What do you think of the fashion news I share?  What do you want to hear more of?

Let me know in the comments!

With haute couture kicking off in Europe, I dedicated this post to all things couture.

This Week’s Highlights
  • A 52-year hiatus from couture is lifted for one design house.
  • The transformation of one of fashion’s oldest luxury brands.
  • What is haute couture?
  • Behind the scenes stories of the women who actually wear couture (including my favorite story involving Oscar de la Renta)

Thank you for bearing with me as I figure out how best to film and share these videos on multiple platforms.

What I’m Coveting

There was once a time when skinny jeans reigned supreme.  Thankfully for me, this time has come and gone.

While skinny jeans still have a place in my closet, I’m officially a straight leg jeans convert.

I’ve chatted before about my love of denim and the 2 pairs of jeans every woman needs.  A good pair of straight leg jeans should be one of them.

Not only are they on trend, but they:

  • Won’t stretch out like skinny jeans
  • Look much better with boots (no awkward tucking)
  • Are super flattering on all body types, especially if your hips are the widest part of your body (99% of women)
  • Are surpassing skinny jeans in the amount of washes and styles available

Here are my absolute favorite straight leg jeans, ranked by price.

This brand has SO many great options.  My favorites are these (wearing them here) but this style has quickly earned a cult following.  Just be forewarned, they are ULTRA high rise.  For a good middle-of-the-road style, these are a classic.

Affordable Straight Leg Jeans

This brand is one of my favorites for straight leg jeans. I love the fit of these (I own them in 2 washes) and the distressed ones are super 90’s inspired.  The 90’s inspired pair also come in mid-rise and high-rise versions.

Medium Priced Straight Leg Jeans

For cult favorites, try this brand and this brand.  Both are an investment but will last a lifetime.  I find these run TTS while I had to size up in these.

Designer Straight Leg Jeans

 

ICYMI: last week I chatted about loungewear.

Shop the Post

Outfit Ideas: How to Wear Monochrome

Monochrome outfitMonochrome outfit Monochrome outfit Monochrome outfit

Raga ruffled sweater (similar here) // Club Monaco pants (similar here)
Janessa Leone fedora // Givenchy loafers

If you missed my Fashion Friday from a couple weeks ago, you know I chatted about style trends for the 2020’s.  While the last decade was all about maximalism – logo mania, print mixing, over-the-top everything (hello Dad sneakers) – the 20’s will be all about minimalism.

One of the easiest ways to rock a minimalist look is with a monochromatic palette.  When you wear one color head-to-toe, it creates a sleek, effortless effect.  You look put together, but not like you tried too hard.  In other words, instant it-girl.

There are a few things to keep in mind when going for a monochrome look.

How to Wear Monochrome

1. Change up your textures.
By mixing different fabrics, i.e. denim and linen, wool and silk, you eliminate the risk of your look falling flat.  When you’re only working with one color, it’s important to keep the eye moving.  Different textures achieve this beautifully.  Notice the ruffles on my wool sweater and the pleats in my pants.

2. Only color deviate with accessories.
It’s okay for one thing to be a different color.  But to keep your monochrome look consistent, you should only deviate with an accessory (like my hat).  And, make sure it’s just ONE accessory.

3. Try a Canadian tuxedo.
The oldest and most successful monochromatic look is double denim.  There’s a reason this look has a nickname.  Because denim has natural fading and wear & tear, there’s enough texture variation to keep the eye moving.

Shop my look below, including some great affordable alternatives!

Shop the Post

 

Weekend Packing List: Just the Essentials

Today I’m heading to Florida for a quick trip.  Normally, packing is a nightmare because it takes me days to decide what I want to bring.  For this trip, I was determined to fit everything into a backpack AND wear every single thing I packed.

Time to get lean, people!

Here is my list (and style tips) for what to pack for a weekend getaway.  Just the essentials!

Weekend Packing List

Bare Minimum Packing List

1.Backpack – no rolling carry-on here!  Backpacks double as a purse and are so much easier to schlep.  I love this one because it can be washed, is SUPER lightweight and looks chic.  It comes in 3 sizes (I prefer the large for weekend trips) and 7 colors.

2. Purse – a crossbody is the only way to go for a weekend getaway.  Hands-free access is essential in airports and while walking the town.  This one is my favorite (review here).  Try this one for a more affordable version.

3. Pants – I cannot say enough good things about these pants.  SUPER comfortable, polished look and go with everything.  I also have the wide leg version.  They run TTS and come in 5 colors.

4. T-shirt – I recently discovered this closed-loop fashion company.  Once you buy a tee, you are “in the club” forever.  They take back your old tees when you want to swap out, recycle them and give you access to sale prices for a new one.

5. Jacket – I recommend 3 options for weekend trips.  Either a leather jacket, denim jacket or utility jacket.  Depending on what activities you’ll be doing, choose accordingly.  I will be in meetings during the day and out to dinners at night, so I’m bringing my leather jacket.

6. Sweater – a must for freezing airplanes and an added layer for night time.  I’m taking this one, but also love a good cardigan to throw over a tee and pants.

7. Sneakers – I’ve talked about these ad nauseam, but for good reason.  You can walk all day in them and they look chic as hell.  Not all sneakers can be worn day to night and still look good.  These do!

  • Try this brand for a more affordable version.  I own a pair of low tops and they are divine!

8. Boots – these babies are SO GOOD.  They come in 3 colors.  A weekend trip requires a flat shoe and a heeled shoe, IMHO.  This one gives you some height but it still comfortable.

Odds & Ends
  1. I always hit up my favorite beauty store for samples before a trip.  I NEVER take full-sized bottles.  Even most travel-sized bottles are too big.  I truly try and stick with mini samples that will be finished by the end of the trip.
  2. I never bring hair dryers or styling tools.  I wash and style my hair the morning I depart and use hotel hair dryers to refresh my hair each day.
  3. I pare my makeup bag down to just the essentials.  For me, it’s foundation, concealer, blush, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow and brow gel.  I leave the color options at home and just stick to “one look”.
  4. Clothing color palette – I choose one palette and stick to it.  Either black and grey or black and tan.  The same goes for hardware color – either gold or silver – so my handbags, jewelry and shoes can be interchanged.

Of course you can’t forget about pajamas, socks and underwear.  Adjust the quantities above, i.e., bring 3 t-shirts for 3 days, depending on your weekend getaway.

Shop the Post

What I’m Coveting

New series alert!

This year I made a commitment to increase my posting schedule.  And what came out of that were several new series ideas.

Thus, I bring you… What I’m Coveting.

Each week I’ll be sharing a product that I’m on the hunt for.  Sometimes it will be practical, sometimes it will be dreamy.  Sometimes I may purchase it, in which case it will likely debut on my Sunday Series.

I hope my research sheds some light on products you’ve been considering too.  At the very least, have fun window shopping with me!

Track suit

First up, sweatpants.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.  Sweatpants?!  But if I’m honest, I am in loungewear the majority of the week because I work from home and have a small child.  I want to be comfortable yet still look stylish.  Since athleisure continues to be a top-selling vertical year after year, the options available are amazing.  Loungewear is actually chic.

I’m so over leggings.  Seriously, if I see another person wearing leggings as pants (in a setting other than to work out) I might have a fashion meltdown.

Sweatpants and track pants are totally 80’s so you know I love the vibe.  It could be argued that they’re no better than yoga leggings, so I’ll just reference the photo above.  Imagine if I were wearing yoga leggings instead.  It wouldn’t work!

I got these a couple months ago and while they’re super comfortable, the material is too thin to wear out in public.  I’m on the hunt for something more substantial.

What I’m Coveting

Here are some sweatpants I’m coveting.  Paired with my favorite sneakers, a vintage tee, cardigan or even a  leather jacket, they’d look amazing.

I recently discovered this brand and am obsessed.  They are currently part of the Net-a-Porter sale, and I’m so bummed they don’t have my size still in stock!

These sweatpants look so versatile and chic and I’m dying over these joggers.  They look like trousers thanks to the zipper closure but are made of 100% French terry.  Another option is to go with a cropped style.  The vibe is super stylish and I love the option for warmer months.

I just ordered these.  They are a good price point and the quilted vibe is so Bottega.  Sign me up!

Finally, this brand has me smitten and their sweatpants and joggers are 50% off.  I ordered these pants plus matching hoodie and can’t wait to share them with you.  Check out these joggers for a more loose fit.  They’re also on sale and come in 10 colors!

Shop the Post