In Spades

Style... in abundance

10 Tips for Styling Blazers

Black satin blazer Black satin blazer Black satin blazerSerra blazer and tank top via Vocabulary boutique // Jean Atelier jeans
Polaroid sunglasses // Haider Ackermann boots (similar)

I promised you another look from Vocabulary boutique and this one is pretty much my lifelong uniform.  A great blazer, perfect tee, denim and boots.

This fall (and moving into spring ’22) is the year of the suit and I’m digging the satin material of this blazer.  It’s so comfortable and chic.  I love that I can easily roll up the sleeves without them falling down and the shoulder is just strong enough to add some edge to the otherwise feminine fabric.

Vocabulary has been killing it with their brand and product selection and this one makes amazing basics at an affordable price.  Check out their Friday Instagram Lives for their newest pieces and ways to style them.

When selecting a blazer for fall, think about fabric and cut.  Here are some of my personal style guidelines when it comes to blazers.

10 Tips for Styling Blazers
  1. Double-breasted blazers are best worn closed.
  2. Single-breasted/one-button blazers look great worn open or closed.
  3. A linen-blend can be worn year-round, but is best for warmer climates.
  4. Satin blazers are great options for evening.  If you want to pair a blazer with a dress, I’d go satin at night.
  5. Use hair ties around your forearms to hold sleeves in place if you want to wear them pulled up around your elbows.
  6. Experiment: Flannel and jacquard are great blazer fabrics for fall/winter.  You don’t always have to go with wool.
  7. Wool and heavier fabric blazers are best worn with minimal layers underneath.  Pair them with a tissue turtleneck or silk button-down.  You don’t want to add extra bulk to an already heavy fabric.  It won’t be comfortable.
  8. Cropped blazers are a great option with wide-leg pants and dresses because they give balanced proportions.
  9. Fitted blazers look best with a single vent.
  10. Oversized blazers look best with a double vent or no vent.
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Fashion Friday

A lot happened in the fashion world this week.  The close of NYFW, the Met Gala (LOVED dialoguing with you about this on Instagram), and the first feeling of fall.

Today I want to share a few pieces I’m coveting and one I just acquired.

100% Cotton Denim

I’ve been admiring Victoria Beckham and Khaite’s denim for years.  Victoria recently posted these jeans on Instagram and I immediately fell in love.  I’m also pining over this pair from Khaite.  In my switch to only 100% cotton jeans, I think one of them may soon be coming home with me.

Loafers

I wore Dr. Marten’s all throughout middle and high school and I’m thrilled to see this trend returning.  I already own 3 pairs of black loafer-ish shoes, so I’m hoping to add either a brown or olive pair into the mix.  I love these, but also just purchased these and think they’re fab.

Sweater Vests

I know, another 90’s trend but one I’m really loving.  Especially for those of us in warmer climates, this is a super versatile fall staple.  I have my eyes on this one, but also love a traditional solid-colored vest in a fun fabric like mohair.

YSL Handbag

I pulled the trigger on this bag in vintage denim and ADORE it.  Check out it’s 80’s inspired Reel on Instagram.

Mixing Statement Pieces & Wardrobe Basics

Serra t-shirtSerra t-shirt Serra tee via Vocabulary // DVF skirt (similar) // Polariod sunglasses // Isabel Marant sandals (similar)

I love a high/low moment.  Sometimes a statement piece needs a wardrobe basic.  Enter this super cute Vive Liberte La Femme tee.  I’d argue it’s anything but basic.  I love its moxie, so of course it had to be paired with animal print and a red lip.

This look is super comfortable and versatile.  Throw on a pair of sneakers and you can run around all day.  Add a leather jacket and clutch for a night out.

Cecelia of Vocabulary boutique introduced me to this brand, Serra, and their tees and basics are fabulous.  Stay tuned for more Serra pieces.

Whenever I mix statement pieces with wardrobe basics, I follow a few simple rules:

  1. Go monochrome – if your statement piece is a bold color or print, keep everything else monochrome like I did here.
  2. Contrast your fabric – statement pieces tend to be fabric other than cotton (silk, jacquard, taffeta, wool), so I always ground them with cotton basics like I did here.
  3. Let silhouette shine – if your statement piece is voluminous or has a unique silhouette, keep everything else simple like I did here and here.  You don’t want to get caught up in lots of layers or superfluous fabric.
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Fashion Friday

NYFW is in full swing.  The nostalgia of being there has me missing NYC, but I am happily watching the shows from home.  And there are so many good ones!

Let’s start with the trends.

What’s walked in NYC is mirroring what we saw at Copenhagen Fashion Week.  Suiting, knitwear sets, print mixing, and a heavy dose of color (specifically orange and lavender) are the main themes.

New York has also offered up a range of jeweled tones alongside those pastels, and the eveningwear is leaning towards cocoon dresses (which I love).

Hands down my favorite show so far is Peter Do.  This is the brand’s NYFW debut and they nailed it.

Suiting

Proenza Schouler SS22

Peter Do SS22

Adam Lippes SS22

Print Mixing

Ulla Johnson SS22

Tanya Taylor SS22

Collina Strada SS22

Cocoon Dresses

Prabal Gurung SS22

Christian Siriano SS22

What have been your favorite collections so far?

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Images via IMAXTREE

Life Lately

Advocate the Label Advocate the LabelAdvocate [The Label] tee // Pistola jeans // Banana Republic heels (similar)

Reminiscing

This week marked the return of NYFW and I’m feeling all the nostalgia feels.  While I had been prepared to move on from NYFW (more on that here), the return of something that was once a big part of my life definitely has me missing NYC.

Here are some of my favorite NYFW moments over the years.

I was recently interviewed by Net Influencer and shared more about my NYFW experience.

Learning

I recently had a fabulous chat with two of my dear friends Cecelia and Conni.  They both introduced me to Advocate [The Label], an ethical clothing line dedicated to supporting victims of human trafficking.  I encourage you to read more about this amazing brand.

I’m wearing their signature white tee here.  If you’re looking for the perfect white t-shirt, this is it.  Bonus points: Vocabulary boutique carries them.

Reading

I picked up Olympus, Texas at the recommendation of a friend.  It has a slow start, but I’m really starting to enjoy it.  A passage from the book really stuck with me.  It said that when we endure something, our brain is triggered for the need for reward.  I couldn’t help but think about how this relates to the world’s behavior amidst a pandemic.

Indulging

I tend to invest in a new designer handbag every couple of years.  When I laid eyes on the 80s-est of 80s handbags, I fell in love.  It was, of course, only a matter of time before it came home with me.  Stay tuned for an Instagram Reel reveal.