In Spades

Style... in abundance

Sultry Ruffles

Solace London ruffled skirt // Equipment button-down (similar here) // BCBG shoes (similar here) Pianegonda and Pandora rings

A couple of years ago I discovered a British line via Moda Operandi that immediately caught my attention.  Solace London was founded in 2013 and features expertly cut pieces in bold silhouettes.  Think high waisted pants, bell sleeved tops and figure flattering sheath dresses all with a sophisticated air.  Their manifesto focuses on “blurring the lines of statement making and wearability”.  In other words, exactly my cup of tea.

I saw this ruffled skirt in their SS17 campaign and promptly fell in love with it’s unapologetic moxie.  Wearable for day or night, the wrap effect is super flattering on my curvier lower half and really comfortable thanks to the stretch denim material.  When it went on sale, I scooped it up without hesitation.  If you’re in the market for this look, but want to stick to something even more affordable check out this option under $100 (more alternatives linked below).  And if you want to drool, check out Solace London’s lineup of sale items all at 60% off!

Whenever I get dressed, looking “sexy” is the last thing on my mind.  But with this skirt, I wanted to add an unexpected pop.  By leaving my menswear button-down open and adding a pair of Marilyn Monroe inspired heels the look took on a powerful yet sultry effect.  When I’m not channeling a modern day Marilyn, I’ll add a ribbed cotton tank (think old school Hanes), block heeled mules and a basket bag.

What do you think of this look?  Next week I’m going to transition from featuring summer skirts to the knitwear basics that I wear just about everyday.  Let me know in the comments what other OOTD posts you’d like to see!

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Early Access Picks

Today is the day many people calendar their summer around.  Early access for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here!

If you’re a Nordstrom cardholder, you can shop the sale starting today, July 13 through July 20.  This is a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of their crazy deals before they go live to the public on July 21.  I guarantee you, things will sell out long before public access begins, so now’s your chance to get in on the fun.

If you don’t have a Nordstrom debit or credit card, you can sign up for one on their website or apply in-store.  If you’re like me and don’t like having multiple credit cards, I highly recommend the debit card – it’s linked directly to your bank account so there are no fees or interest rates to worry about.

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is different from your normal end-of-season sale.  Rather than discounted prices on items that have been sitting in store for the past three months, everything in the sale is brand new and part of the upcoming fall season.

Thus, this is the sale in which you want to stock up on basics.  Leave the one-of-a-kind specialty pieces out and go for boots, outwear, denim, sweaters, workout gear and undies.  I’ve listed all of my Top Picks by category below.  I’m swooning over these shoes (so Saint Laurent but under $100!), these tulip hem jeans, and this olive faux leather jacket under $65 that also comes in black.  You’ll definitely want to jump on them because as I said, all of the good stuff will sell out by the time public access begins on July 21.

Shoes
Denim, Tees & Sweaters
Athletic Wear
Jackets
Accessories & Undies

Images via Nordstrom

The Power of Juxtaposition

Vince skirt // Ellery top // Mansur Gavriel bucket bag
Pianegonda earrings (similar here) // Givenchy loafers

My love affair with skirts continues.  In the past couple of weeks I’ve shared an ultra flattering style you can wear at the office, and how to infuse edginess into your standard party skirt.  Today’s look is my favorite of the three simply because it taps into my strongest sartorial preferences.  Part Olsen twins, part nod to the boys, I re-purposed this dreamy blush skirt for summer.

Juxtaposition is perhaps my biggest styling secret.  When putting together an outfit, think of what seems like the most natural fit and then do the opposite.  Take this skirt, for example.  It’s romantic vibe would lead most to believe a stiletto sandal and sexy camisole would be the best pairing.  Instead, the more interesting option (I think) is to cover my top half with as much draped fabric as possible and throw on a pair of menswear inspired shoes.  Not only does it still feel cohesive, but it allows the individual elements to shine.  The best of both worlds.

One of the greatest masters of juxtaposition was Yves Saint Laurent.  When he debuted Le Smoking in 1966 it hit the world by storm.  Initially received with a flurry of negativity, the ‘women’s tuxedo’ went on to become one of the most iconic silhouettes of fashion history.  It was his ability to play with ideas that most couldn’t even fathom at the time that turned “how dare he?!” into “true genius”.

As you look into your closet each morning, I encourage you: try something different.  I bet you’ll surprise yourself.

If you’d like to recreate my look, I’ve linked everything below including some more affordable alternatives.  Check out this bucket bag for under $55, this bell sleeved top and these pink oxfords for some amazing deals.

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Ultra Flattering Ruffled Skirt

Veronica Beard skirt // COS shirt (similar here) // Valentino heels // Pandora ring // Nu Evolution lip gloss

My summer uniform normally involves several pairs of cutoff Levi’s, but this year I’m really into skirts.  They’ve added a bit more pop to my everyday look and I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting with dressing them up or down.  This striped, ruffled number can go super feminine, but I wanted to pull in some masculine vibes with a banker blue button-down and power heels.  Think of it as your modern day version of Melanie Griffith’s Working Girl.

To make the skirt more casual, I’d throw on a simple cotton tank top and flat slides in a pop color.  It’d be the perfect look for a 4th of July BBQ or lunch al fresco.

The gathered ruffles flatter curvy and athletic girls alike, so I’ve linked some other options below.

Have a great 4th of July!

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Skull + Sequins

W Concept  skirt // Zara men’s t-shirt // Stuart Weitzman heels // Quay sunglasses

Anytime I can infuse a bit of an edge into my overall look, I’m game, so when this sequins skirt from my favorite underground shopping site went on sale, you know I didn’t hesitate.  The two-toned color palette and side slits lend more editorial than NYE party, which I wholeheartedly endorse.  You better believe I’ll be wearing it to summer parties and even during the daytime with silver brogues and an oversized light sweater (bonus points for being able to easily transition to fall!).

I get a lot of questions about these strappy sandals and wanted to pass on a more affordable version.  While I highly recommend the real deal for their superior construction and soft, comfortable leather, this pair is a steal at under $80.

With it being summer, my sunglasses game is on heavy rotation.  These babies are a beautiful $50 alternative to the super popular Audrey Celine frames.  The oversized cat eye is so flattering on any face shape and the matte black color is a nice alternative to the shiny finish we’re used to seeing on frames.

Finally, one of my favorite things to do while shopping is to take a cruise through the men’s section.  It’s a great way to infuse some inspiration and variety into your wardrobe especially when you feel like you’ve seen the same things online and at the mall over and over again.  This tee was part of the men’s section at Zara, and I was immediately drawn to it’s Alexander McQueen reminiscent skull.  When I touched the sequins and found they changed colors, I was immediately sold.  I love the versatility and how it appears to have been made for this skirt.

How do you incorporate edgy pieces into your wardrobe?

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