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.

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

Winter Layering: The Double Coat


If you haven’t already guessed, Fall/Winter is my favorite season for clothing.  I’ll take a statement coat over an airy sun dress any day.  For today’s post, I want to talk about a popular layering trend – the double coat.  Not only does this trend look amazing, but there are several practical bonuses – added warmth, polished looks for both in and outdoors, and maximizing what’s already in your closet (hello, lower cost-per-wear!).

To recreate the look, consider the following tips:

  1. Mix prints and solids – unless you’re a master at pairing polka dots and plaids, I’d recommend sticking to one print and one solid as I’ve done with this window pane blazer and charcoal duster.  The visual differentiation keeps the eye moving and provides depth.
  2. Play with different textures – consider pairing a denim jacket underneath a corduroy topcoat, a satin blazer under a velvet duster, or marled wool with shearling.
  3. Pay attention to length – in general the more polished look is to keep the outer layer long, and the the inner layer short as I’ve done here.  However, for daring girls, I love the idea of pairing a long trench underneath a cropped bomber.  If you’re going to pair layers of the same length, make sure one piece is lightweight to avoid added bulk.  Here’s an example of how to layer pieces of the same length.
  4. Experiment with color – today’s look is monochrome, but the sky’s the limit!  Try camel + orange, pink + grey or black + purple for more of a pop.

Let me know in the comments what you think of this trend.  And, did anyone notice how much I look like John from the Breakfast Club with this look?

Acne Studios beanie // COS shirt (similar here) // Banana Republic blazer (similar here) //
Halston coat (similar here) // Madewell jeans // YSL bag //
Comme des Garcons Play x Converse shoes

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A la Annie Hall

Last summer I had a chance encounter with Diane Keaton.  During my weekly lunch stop at Le Pain Quotidien, she got in line behind me and we waited together for avocado toast.  I couldn’t help but admire the strong point of view in her individual style.  She was dressed exactly as you’d imagine, in a bowler hat, menswear jacket, vest and loafers.

When putting together this OOTD I was completely inspired by Diane’s spirit and went for my own take on Annie Hall.  There is an amazing resurgence of menswear as womenswear, as well as a practical shoe trend going on right now (think Birkenstocks, mules, loafers).  I picked up this blazer at a vintage flea market in Chicago.  I love its boxy shape and strong shoulders.  The color palette and fuzzy wool give it a ‘raid your grandma’s closet’ feel that I think it so fun.

My jeans are definitely the modern touch in this equation, but also a throwback in their own right.  Levi’s redesigned their original 501’s to have a slimmer silhouette and I’m totally obsessed.  For those of you looking to score a pair of Re/Done Levi’s without the price tag, I highly recommend this new style.  I can’t wait to get my hands on this wash next.

Finally, let’s talk shoes.  These loafers are truly the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.  Lined in the softest leather imaginable, it seriously feels like you’re putting on a sock when you slip them on.  I scored them during Moda Operandi’s Designer Sale (which I highly recommend you take advantage of) and could wear them for days.

Vintage blazer // Banana Republic leather top // Levi’s 501 Skinny fit jeans //
Mari Giudicelli loafers (brown sold out, leather available here)

Monochromatic Holiday Look

When it comes to finding the perfect holiday look, one of the key things I look for is comfort.  I want to be able to eat, laugh, hug and dance while wearing my holiday best.  If we learned anything from Cher Horowitz, it’s that our party clothes can be quite binding.  No one wants to spend the evening uncomfortable and counting down the minutes until you can slip into pj’s.  Each piece in this look is the epitome of comfort and I love how it all ties together in a sophisticated monochromatic palette.  The added bonus?  Unlike a super festive holiday dress, these pieces can easily be paired with a myriad of other things in my wardrobe, giving them a low cost-per-wear.

With it being boot season, I’m all about wearing them over pumps (hello warm feet) with my holiday outfits. These suede boots are from M.Gemi and come in a range of colors (I’m dying over this velvet pair).  Similar to two of my other favorite lines The Arrivals and Everlane, M.Gemi’s shoes are handcrafted by luxury artisans in Italy.  They are one of few companies that offer luxury goods at transparent pricing, so you’re getting the highest quality without the markup.  Their entire line has some great holiday pieces right now – I’m loving these cute flats, loafers and glitter heels.

Next week I’ll be sharing another holiday look with some added vamp perfect for NYE.

LOEIL sweater // Vince skirt // Madewell and Mejuri rings (c/o) //
Thatch earrings (c/o) // M.Gemi suede boots (c/o)

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