In Spades

Style... in abundance

Off-the-Shoulder Bow Top

Citizen of Humanity jeans // Vocabulary boutique top
Prada mules (sold out, similar version under $40 here) // Banana Republic stacking rings
Essie nail polish in Petal Pushers // Clinique lipstick in Runway Coral

One week into spring and I’m ready to pull out my fun, statement tops.  Seen all over the runways, anything off-the-shoulder, deconstructed or with interesting embellishments is key.  When I saw this bow sleeved number, I knew it would be the perfect top to pair with jeans or skirts.  Under $60 and machine washable, it was a steal.

Another one of my favorite trends for spring: mules.  Such a funny word for a shoe, but I love them all the same.  Versatile and comfortable, they provide that sophisticated yet quirky element I look for in fashion.  I recently read an article about how your style choices change when you’re in  your 30’s, and flats or block heeled shoes replacing stilettos is one sign.  I honestly couldn’t agree more.  While I love a stiletto every now and then, the majority of the time I’m wearing slides or my favorite loafers.  These suede mules are from last spring, but I’ve linked some cute, affordable options above.

Denim on Denim


Levi’s Sherpa Denim Jacket // Everlane tanktop // Maison Scotch jeans //
Celine sunglasses // Valentino pumps

Today is the first day of spring and with it comes a new slew of trends.  I’ve talked about the Top 5 Trends you should look out for this season, but one of the fringe players is the idea of denim on denim.  Although it’s technically been around forever, the Canadian tuxedo is getting a reboot.

The key to this look is to have one piece that is oversized or slouchy.  Think boyfriend fit.  I chose this classic Levi’s sherpa jacket in their darkest indigo.  Rather than go for the women’s version, I opted for the men’s to ensure the sizing was perfectly oversized and effortless.

With proportion being the most important aspect of this look, I’d recommend sticking to opposite silhouettes – one half oversized, one half fitted.  Going slouchy on the top and bottom is too difficult to pull off unless you’re one of the lucky few that has a body like a supermodel – long and lean.  With double denim, flare leg jeans would look too Britney circa 1999 and skinny jeans with a slim fitted jacket would be way too Real Housewives of Orange County.

After the Internet went crazy over these clear knee mom jeans, I was feeling inspired to break out my patchwork pair.  Originally a straight leg jean, I cropped them just above the ankle bone for a refreshed look. The slimmer leg doesn’t distract from the patchwork and pairs well with the oversized boyfriend jacket.

What do you think of the denim on denim trend?

3 High Quality, Affordable Brands You Need to Know

Most of what I feature on In Spades involves statement pieces and rare finds. They are what I gravitate towards most, and I’ll be the first to admit this strategy of getting dressed is a tad backwards. While most people start with good basics and build a wardrobe from there, I start with the craziest pieces I can find and fill in where necessary – it’s a top-down approach rather than a bottom-up philosophy. Consider me Rule Breaker Numero Uno of Michael Kors’ wardrobe philosophy.

“70 percent of the clothes you own should be meat and potatoes.
30 percent should be icing and fluff—that’s color, pattern, shine, and accessories.
Too many women get the proportions the other way round, then can’t figure out why they can’t get dressed.”

That said, I wanted to get down to brass tax: what the heck do I reach for when running errands, working from home or packing for a quick weekend away? You know, the basics.

While Target and Zara are great, I’ve reached a point in my life where quality trumps quantity every time. I’m not interested in replacing sweaters every three months. I’d much rather spend $100 on something that will last me 5 years than $20 on something that will last me 6 months.

Here are 3 High Quality, Affordable Brands You Need to Know

Everlane
If you consider yourself a fashionista, chances are you’ve heard of Everlane. Built around the philosophy of using ethical factories and transparent pricing, they are my go-to for t-shirts, sweaters and loafers.

The average piece of clothing is marked up 8x before reaching the consumer, but not at Everlane. They tell you exactly what it cost them to make your sweater and how much they’re going to charge you for it.

They also have a “Pay What You Want” program, which is as lovely and amazing as it sounds. You pick your price.

Brand Highlights
Vibe: smart, savvy, fashion in-crowd
Hero pieces: t-shirts, cashmere sweaters and loafers
Price point: $16 – $365 with the majority of items under $100

 

Amour Vert
I teased Amour Vert during NYFW and if you haven’t yet checked out their line, now is the time. Committed to creating socially responsible fashion, they only manufacture in the US, have a zero-waste philosophy, use sustainable fabrics and non-toxic dyes.

What it means for you: eco-friendly clothing that will last.

Brand Highlights
Vibe: girly and eco-friendly
Hero pieces: silk tops, cozy day dresses
Price point: $38 – $288 with most items averaging $120

Cuyana
Where Everlane leans practical and Amour Vert leans girly, Cuyana is like your sophisticated big sister.  They make incredible silks and leather goods in soft, feminine color palettes.  Think ladylike pieces that will carry you from the office to an evening out.

Their motto is “Fewer, Better” which embodies the spirit of having fewer clothes with better quality.  Also committed to sustainable fashion, their “lean shipping” option includes a reusable bag with pre-paid shipping label that you can fill up with your old clothes.  Once received, Cuyana donates them to women in need. You also get a $10 credit for your contribution to helping others.

Brand Highlights
Vibe: clean and sophisticated
Hero pieces: silk separates and handbags
Price point: $35 – $495 with most items averaging $120

Canon Rebel Kit Giveaway

To celebrate the start of spring, I teamed up with a group of bloggers to bring you another amazing giveaway! The winner will receive a Canon Rebel Kit, Gold LE Eco Phone, Kate Spade handbag and Naked makeup palette.  To enter the giveaway, simply follow the instructions in the widget below. The more accounts you follow, the more chances you have of winning! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marc Jacobs x Julie Verhoeven

Marc Jacobs x Julie Verhoeven handbag // Sandro sweater // Hellessy pants // Amelie Pichard boots

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I’m a big fan of designer collaborations (who else is super excited for Victoria Beckham x Target?!) so when I found out Marc Jacobs had teamed up with artist Julie Verhoeven to design handbags, shoes and ready-to-wear for his S/S17 collection I was thrilled.  A fashion illustrator, Verhoeven has also lent her hand to Louis Vuitton and Versace and creates limited edition pieces that have ‘collector’s item’ written all over them.  This traditional saddle bag – a signature Jacobs’ silhouette – gets a whimsical and fresh twist with her starry night theme.  I love the deep navy color, the cheeky lips on the shoulder strap and how it’s the perfect size for my daily essentials.

Marc Jacobs has been on my radar of late thanks to his unconventional F/W17 show at NYFW.  Held at the Park Avenue Armory (the same location we saw Tommy Hilfiger F/W15) only 100 people were invited.  The ginormous space was stripped down to bare bones and simply contained a single row of folding chairs on either side of the runway.  Models walked in complete silence as the audience observed through their own eyes – the use of cell phones was strictly prohibited.  In his show notes, Jacobs’ talked about the importance of actually experiencing.  In this day and age, we spend far too much time documenting and never really living in the moment.  His F/W17 show aimed to change all of that and forced observers to focus on the real reason they were all there – the clothes.  As someone who has a love/hate relationship with social media, I couldn’t have been more pleased.

As we move into spring, another fashion element on my radar is the use of color.  While pink is the dominate hue of the season, I’m loving anything punchy and bright; this orange sweater being Exhibit A.  I’m super tempted to purchase this orange trench coat, so don’t be surprised if you start to see more vibrant color pops in future posts.