While the New York and London Fashion Weeks have concluded, Milan and Paris have yet to come. Since we are half way through, here is a break down of the five most recurring trends on the runway thus far. Take note of these trends now as current winter wear goes on sale so you can shop smartly!
Fringe Everything
Pleated Pants and Skirts
Robe Coats
Embellished Skirts and Dresses
Deep V-Neck
Welcome to Part II of 5 Tips to Dressing Professionally on a Budget. This shopping guide abides to the previously set ground rules: stick with a uniform of neutral colors and classic shapes, and buy fewer, high quality things.
Pants
For workwear, well-fitted pants are my go-to. Because I’m short, I prefer trouser cuts that are cropped at the ankle or just above. There are a LOT of work-appropriate pants out there, but the cheap ones are often baggy in weird places and are made with uncomfortable fabrics. While I know I’m not offering much variety as to brands, J.Crew is hands down my favorite place to buy pants for work. At J.Crew you can always find classic shapes, neutral colors, and the fabric is just the right amount of stretchy so you can handle sitting at your desk all day. As the weather heats up, a cropped trouser will allow you to show off fun footwear (boots with work pants looks awkward anyway), and you can wear it with either heels or flats.
With boot cut pants for instance, if you wear them with heels they should just barely hover off the ground. There’s nothing worse than seeing one inch of a three inch heel peeking out from under the pant hemline. The trendiest of the choices here would be a wide-leg or culotte-style trouser. This look made waves in fall 2014, and was all over the fall 2015 runway as well. It’s safe to say this trend is not going anywhere soon. Note: I find that J.Crew pants run way big, so buy online with caution.
J.Crew, New Campbell Capri Pant in Bi-Stretch Cotton.
J.Crew, Ryder Pant.
J.Crew, Cropped Patio Trouser.
Tibi, Beatle Menswear Cropped Pants.
Tibi, Pleated Culottes.
Anthropologie, Verso Wide-Leg Trousers.
Shirts
Referring back to my professional dress advice, always buy classic shapes if you’re on a budget. Even if you have to spend a few more dollars to get the classic shape instead of settling for the trend du jour, it is always worth it in the long run. In my opinion, peplum is so out it hurts, and button-downs can always save the day. Button-downs are so versatile, and appropriate in almost any situation or season.
Anthropologie, Lana Buttondown Tunic. Note: Leave it unbuttoned over one of the conservative pant choices above to add some interesting layers and dimension to your look. Add a structured blazer if it’s cold.
Anthropologie, Ashby Buttondown. Cloth and Stone have the best shirts. They are otherworldly soft, have a relaxed fit, and often have a fun structural detail (such as these tails) in the back. I’m warning you now, it’s hard to find a button-down like this that’s loose without looking bulky and unfitted.
Vince, Sleeveless Mixed Media Overlay Blouse.
Dresses
Looking towards spring and summer, the best kind of dresses to invest in now are shirt dresses or wrap dresses. These pieces are easy to layer with a blazer and leggings when its cold, and can be worn with bare legs and flats later on.
Gap, Marled Ribbed Sweater Midi Dress. A knit pencil skirt that hits just below the knees is both comfortable and easy to style. This is a great piece to wear in transitional weather.
Gap, Worker Shirtdress.
Gap, Pleated Shirtdress.
Madewell, Button-Down Shirtdress.
Madewell, Abroad Dress.
Coats/Blazers
No winter or early spring outfit is complete without some sort of jacket. Even if a preppy blazer isn’t your style, a sharp jacket always pulls a professional ensemble together. The perfect blazer is not only a great sartorial investment, but can be key in transforming your outfit from office- to happy-hour-appropriate.
J.Crew, Regent Blazer in Linen.
J.Crew, Quilted Cropped Jacket.
Madewell, Lycée Drapey Blazer.
.
Topshop, Petite Double Collar Blazer.
Last month, one of the styling story requests I received was about dressing professionally on a budget. This, my friends, is a fantastic question. I have to admit that I’ve never officially had to dress “professionally.” The majority of my internships took place either online (pajamas required), or in some fashion-related environment, in which the kookier you dressed, the more respected you were. One summer however, with no internship prospects in sight, my dad graciously hired me as an intern at his investor relations firm. On my second day, I wore hot pink chinos, and on my second day, I quit (partly because no one complimented or respected my awesome pants – a very novel feeling).
That discouraging professional-dress-history aside, I still have some professional dress suggestions thanks to my good friend Olivia Pope. The vote is in and everyone agrees – Olivia Pope is the baddest bitch in the world of professional dress. The actual clothing pieces she wears are designer-made, but simply shopping for work clothes or getting dressed with her style in mind will put you leagues ahead of everyone.
Tip 1. Uniform. Find a professional uniform that works for you. Don’t wear skirts often to work? Don’t buy them anymore! It’s more important to have a smaller selection of high quality things that you wear at least once a week, than an expansive closet full of things you rarely wear. While Olivia has a team of stylists behind the scenes dressing her in beautiful pieces, she definitely has a uniform, and it involves a lot of wide-leg pants and blanket coats.
Tip 2. Color. I realize that not everyone loves neutrals as much as I do, but sticking with clothing in a small range of colors makes it much easier to arrange new outfits. If you do as I do and lean towards black, gray, navy, white, and cream, don’t feel as though the tones need to match. Take a hint from the J.Crew lookbook and pair together stark white pants, an off-white sweater, and a cream jacket. That sort of tonal mix and match works, and in fact looks chic, but a mix and match of red, black, and blue will have you looking like a mess.
Tip 3. Classic Structure. One of the largest lessons in dressing professionally is buying classic things to build your uniform. If you’re considering buying a $40 peplum blouse vs. a simple $60 blouse – go for the simple one, you’ll thank yourself later. Believe me, you won’t want to be wearing a painfully trendy shirt in ten years. As my other good friend Karl Lagerfeld said, “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.”
Tip 4. Tailoring. Some of the best money you’ll spend on clothing is having it tailored. This goes back to the few expensive things vs. more inexpensive things – you get what you pay for. If you find a pair of nice pants on the Neiman’s sale rack, but they are a bit too baggy in the butt and too long at the bottom, but have a nice overall shape and high-quality fabric, buy them and take them to the tailor. Your tailor will be able to make the pants look perfect on you in a way that you’ll never be able to buy right off the rack, regardless of where you shop or how much you spend. With a high quality fabric, the piece of clothing will last forever if you treat it right – think of it as an investment.
Tip 5. Prioritize. There’s no way around it – high quality clothing is expensive. To avoid the fast-fashion rut (those times you go into H&M, blow $80 on seven things, and then have to replace those seven things two months later when they fall apart), you must prioritize – something I find nearly impossible. If you know you’re in need of a new handbag, keep in mind that every time you give into your baser instinct and go wild at H&M, you’re that much further away from buying that beautiful satchel you’ve been eyeing. So prioritize – set a goal for what you want and when you want to make your big purchase, and don’t let any quick buys distract you.
I’ve probably just given you the exact advice you didn’t want to hear – buy less at more expensive prices – but thus is the motto of adulthood. However as much as I’ve come to love neutral colors and classic shapes in my clothing, I can’t seem to leave the house without a touch of something accidentally ridiculous in my outfit. So what are the approved fun work buys to balance out the rule following? Shoes, knit shirts, and scarves.
Fun Buys: Shoes are like cars, the second you take them out for a spin, their value decreases. I love beautiful, expensive shoes, but the truth is, they are touching the ground everyday, all day long. Buy shoes from a brand that produces a reliable product that will get you through a year or two, but there’s no need to go designer on them if you can’t afford it. As for knit shirts, in my experience, the shirts I get at Gap hold up much better than the knits at higher-end stores. If you can get a Breton stripe at Old Navy for $10, and a shirt with the exact same look from Vince for $120 – the choice seems obvious. Save that extra money and put it towards that beautiful handbag we were talking about. Lastly, scarves. Scarves are a must-have for any work outfit especially in the cooler months. You don’t have to have an Hèrmes scarf (though you should eventually save up for one!) to look like a stylish Parisian. Sometimes vintage clothing stores have a whole basket full of vintage silk scarves for next to nothing. If you’re unsure about wearing a completely black outfit for instance, tying a vibrant scarf around your neck will quell that fear. For an added dose of fun, don’t forget a swipe of bold lipstick, and a trendy hairdo.
Stay tuned for Part II of Dressing Professionally on a Budget, which will include shoppable links!
Now that the Valentine’s Day extravaganza is over, we can wrap our heads around buying something other than chocolate, roses, jewelry, and lingerie. This month, it’s important to buy transitional clothing, because even though it’s cold now, warm weather cometh. For February, step up your accessory game, and consider adding some new classics to your wardrobe.
These shoes make me weak in the knees – they are part loafer, part mule, and a whole lot of cute. I imagine that Jay Gatsby would have greatly enjoyed wearing them, as they are totally prohibition glam. On the Urban Outfitters website, the reviews are extremely positive, they are supposedly comfy and fit true to size. If my size was still in stock, I’d buy several pairs to make sure I was never without.
Urban Outfitters, Bass Leather Mule.
Ease into the spring season by first swapping out your accessories. Shoes are of course very dependent on the state of the weather, but a classic handbag in a spring-appropriate cream, light gray, or pastel is welcome even this early in the year.
Kate Spade, Cedar Street Hayden.
I desperately need to change out my phone case. The one I have now has been on my phone for over a year – it is battered and bruised to say the least. A new case makes you feel like you have a brand new phone, and it’s an easy, feel-good buy. My go-to for phone cases is Sonix. If they are good enough for Beyoncé they are good enough for me.
Sonix Cases, Fido (Clear).
TOPSHOP, Sleeveless Jacket.
The sleeveless jacket is a highly versatile new classic and perfect for in-between weather. Layer a sleeveless jacket underneath your heavy wool coat for a put together look inspired by the boys, or wear it unbuttoned over something simple like jeans and a button-down when it gets warmer. A sleeveless jacket is great for adding an element of structure to your ensemble, while still allowing your arms to be free.
The fall trend of wide-leg pants is here to stay through spring. Everyone knows how flattering flared jeans are, and I think wide-leg trousers have the same effect. These pants in particular can be worn at the office or at home. Not only is the shape flattering because it accentuates a small waist, but with wiggle room through the legs and a forgiving waistband, you’ll never want to take them off.
Madewell, Ibt-Ibt Feed Trousers.
Valentine’s Day is here – but what to wear? My outfit suggestions for those going out this Saturday night, under romantic pretence or not, are as follows. This year don’t go for the obvious sartorial choice, that being short and tight, but choose something romantic and grand. These ensembles will have you feeling your personal best, even if the whole flowers, chocolates, love note thing doesn’t pan out as you expected.
Category 1: Dressed-down formal wear. I have a ton of formal dresses hanging in my closet – some are remnants from high school homecomings, others are vintage dresses I simply couldn’t live without. Unfortunately, I don’t get a lot of wear out of these dresses nowadays, so on occasions like Christmas Eve or Valentine’s Day, I try to make them work. Make a formal dress work for you, even if you’re just going to dinner and a movie, by pairing it with a leather or jean jacket, and unexpected shoes. If you’re daring, put a thin long-sleeve tee under a strapless dress, or a pair of tight jeans under a highly textured, leg-baring dress.
Category 2: Full tea-length skirts. Few outfits are more romantic than those involving ’50s inspired skirts. These types of skirts that are fitted at the waist, flare out, and hit just below the knee are universally flattering, and visually harken back to a bygone era. These skirts are extremely easy to style, and can be worn with anything from a casual t-shirt to a button-down. Extra vintage points for those who incorporate polkadots, t-strap heels, faux-fur stoles, and glossy red lips.
Category 3: Pants. This is a perfect choice for the Valentine’s Day cynics, whether you’re in a relationship or not. Stay mildly festive with traditional Valentine’s Day colors, but opt for tight pants and a structured jacket instead of some painfully girly ensemble. Not only will this combo keep you warm (it is still February after all), but you’ll feel comfortable and chic, too. Note: A pantsuit requires cool accessories and an awesome hairdo.
For those who are lucky in love this Valentine’s Day, prepare accordingly for after-dinner activities. That’s right – the lingerie reveal. Don’t be caught dead in last year’s get up, nor some tacky polyester blend ensemble purchased at Victoria’s Secret. While the VS Angels are beautiful humans, the products they model aren’t so great. No matter how many sheer nightgowns or 5 for $20 underwear combos you buy, you will not morph into Doutzen Kroes. Do both yourself and your loved one a favor and invest in something a little more upscale this year. I promise you’ll want to wear these lovely things even after the sun rises on February 15th.
Lonely, Lulu Strap Bra and Brief.
Lonely, Cyd Underwire Bra.
Negative Underwear, White Sieve Balconette and Thong.
Heidi Klum Intimates, Committed Love underwire stretch-lace bra.
Fleur de Mal, Satin Bullet Bra, Satin Hiphugger, and Garter.
Triumph Dusky Glow Bralette.
Stella McCartney, Carmine Balconette Bra and Bikini.
It’s mid-way through winter. You’ve already worn all of your favorite cold-weather clothing and there’s still no sign of warmer days ahead – at least for my northern friends. Cold weather demands layered clothing, but layering can be tricky, and discouraging. Nobody wants to be mistaken for a hobo with a mismatched (but warm) outfit, nor does anyone want to appear 10 pounds heavier stuffed into layers and layers of bulky sweaters. Get sartorially inspired by the following easy-to-do layering tips to stay warm until spring arrives.
Last month, perusing my Facebook feed, I was stopped mid-scroll by this New York Magazine article headline: “All My Trash Fits in a Single Mason Jar.” While we live in a country in which the average person produces 4.4 pounds of trash per day, this was no click-bait voodoo, but a legitimate, and important exposé. Lauren Singer is a 23-year-old New Yorker who in the last two years has produced so little un-recyclable waste that it all fits into one mason jar. Inspired by a particular incidence during her time at NYU, Lauren vowed to herself to live a trash-free existence in 2012. Read on to learn how she gradually made this change, and how you, too, can make small, but significant changes to positively impact the environment.
Twyla Shelmire: What inspired you to practice a “light footprint” lifestyle?
Lauren Singer: Everything started around 2012 when I was an Environmental Studies major at NYU. I was in my senior culminating course for my major, which every environmental studies major has to take, and there was a girl in my class who everyday would bring in plastic bags and a plastic container of food and a plastic water bottle. I would watch her every class throw all of this into the garbage. I would get so frustrated, because here we were, we’re in the Environmental Studies unit, about to graduate knowing about sustainability, and she was making all of this trash! One day I was particularly upset after watching her do this, and I went home to make dinner, and I opened my fridge and saw that I had so much plastic in my fridge. Literally everything that was in there was in a package in one way or another, and I felt like such a hypocrite, thinking oh how bad are you, when I was just as bad. So I decided in that moment to stop using plastic. And it wasn’t just a one time decision, it is a gradual process, I had to learn how to find alternatives for things that were already packaged in plastic like deodorant and toothpaste, so I had to start to research those kinds of things. As I was researching, I came across a blog called the Zero Waste Home by a woman named Bea Johnson out in California, and she lives a totally waste-less life with her husband and two kids. So I thought if a family of four can do it, I can do it. So yeah, over two years and no trash!
TS: What was the hardest change you had to make?
LS: There wasn’t a hard change, but there definitely was a learning curve for me. For instance, I didn’t know how to make toothpaste, I didn’t know how to make deodorant, so I had to try out a lot of recipes. It’s a lot of trial and error. It’s definitely typical to get frustrated, but now that I have everything that I use, and I know all of the recipes that I like it’s super easy.
TS: How long would you say the transition period into a trash-free lifestyle was?
LS: I feel like I’m still in a transition period, I never believe that I am done – we can always be better.
TS: What are some necessities to live trash-free?
LS: I like to have organic cotton produce bags to go to the market, a mason jar, a stainless steel straw if you’re going to get something like iced coffee, I like to have a stainless steel container to bring lunch really easily, a washcloth instead of paper towels or napkins. There are so many different alternatives, and I list them all on my website. There isn’t like one thing, you acquire them over time.
TS: Can you list a few immediate changes that anyone could make today to cut down on the amount of trash in landfills?
LS: I have three things that I like to suggest, and these are for anyone, not just for someone who wants to live a zero waste lifestyle. The first is look into your garbage can and see what your garbage is because you can’t solve a problem until you know what the problem is. So the first is doing an audit on your trash. For me it was a lot of food packaging, plastic packaging, and organic food waste, like orange peels and stuff like that. So I learned how to reduce the amount of packaging, like buy in bulk, and I learned to compost. By doing those two little things, I eliminated all of that trash that I was producing. So that’s the first one, look in the trash, see what it is, and then learn how you can reduce it. The second one is changing things in your everyday life, small things – instead of getting a plastic bag at the supermarket, you can get a reusable one. Instead of buying a plastic water bottle, you can bring a glass one. Instead of getting a paper cup at the coffee shop, you can bring a mason jar or a reusable to-go cup. So just little things that make a big difference. The third one would actually be the DIY, so learning how to make your own toothpaste and moisturizer.
TS: Do you make all of your own beauty products?
LS: I do.
TS: What are some of your favorite DIY beauty recipes?
LS: My favorite DIY recipe is for toothpaste, it only takes me 30 seconds to combine and it’s three ingredients. For deodorant, I use coconut oil, arrow root powder, baking soda, lavender oil, and tea tree oil.
TS: Does practicing a light footprint effect the kind of clothing you can buy?
LS: Yes, I shop exclusively secondhand.
TS: How can you minimize the amount of trash produced by pets?
LS: If you have a backyard, there is absolutely no need to pick up your dog’s poop with a plastic bag, you can compost it or bury it. And as far as food goes, there are a lot of places that you can buy in bulk or in larger containers as opposed to buying little bags in dog food. You’ll also save money by buying larger bulk size containers of dog food.
TS: At this day in age, everyone is always wanting the latest and greatest in electronics – which all end up in a landfill once they are replaced. What’s your advice on electronics and the recycling programs in place?
LS: More than recycling, I’d say just try to take good care of your electronics. I think people treat their electronics not that well because you can always get a new one. But by not throwing it everywhere and taking precautions you won’t have to get a new one. And before you recycle it, try to do something like sell it on eBay or Craigslist to try to get some reuse out of it. Because recycling it takes a lot of energy and resources.
TS: Tell me a bit about the detergent you’re making and The Simply Co.!
LS: My detergent is a recipe that I’ve been using since I began this lifestyle. It has three ingredients, baking soda, washing soda, and castile soap, it’s really effective and you hardly need any at all to get your clothes clean. And I like it because imagining chemical manufacturers and cleaning product manufacturers don’t have to tell you what’s in the product they’re selling you, so a company could easily say it’s a green cleaning product when they are really filled with dangerous things, and I don’t think that’s fair to the environment or to the consumer. And so I wanted to start a company that gives the consumer the ability, and what I believe is right, to have a choice to choose what they are putting on their body, in their home, and eventually into the environment.
TS: Do you see yourself adding other product offerings to The Simply Co.?
LS: I hope to have a whole line of cleaning products. So that’s definitely a goal of mine – the options are limitless, we’ll see what happens!
TS: Lastly, would you encourage people to practice a no-trash lifestyle if they aren’t morally invested?
LS: I don’t encourage people to do it if they aren’t morally invested. It takes time and effort to change any habit, even if it has nothing to do with the environment. I would never suggest to anyone to live the way I live unless they’re invested in it. But if they are invested in it, it’s a really simple process when you do it – it’s baby steps, little by little. Transition one thing out at a time, do one thing per day, or one thing per week. It’s saved me a lot of time and money, buying in bulk, buying unpackaged foods, buying clothing second hand is a lot cheaper than new things or packaged things. Generally I’m happier, I feel like the byproduct of living this lifestyle is worth the transition period.
Unless you’re a rodeo regular or visiting Texas from overseas, odds are you probably don’t want to look like a ranch hand each time you slip into your cowboy boots. Cowboy boots are a great alternative to completely unoriginal Fry boots, but unfortunately are overlooked because they carry such heavy western connotations. Before I explain the non-caricature way to wear cowboy boots, here are the things not to wear with them (at least in the beginning). By all means, once your cowboy boots become a staple, please break these rules – except for #4 that one is a non-negotiable.
1. Blue jeans. I don’t care if they are dark wash, light wash, skinny or bootcut, if you’re self conscious about looking like a rodeo queen in your cowboy boots, the first thing to do is avoid pairing them with blue jeans. After all, blue jeans have a higher attendance at the rodeo than cowboy boots. Unfortunately, this also goes for blue jean jackets.
2. Chambray or suede. With chambray or suede pieces, you’re getting into the same territory as above. There’s nothing a legitimate cowgirl loves more than pairing together thick blue jeans, a chambray shirt with pearlescent snap buttons, and a nice suede topper. Resilient fabrics are a must for cowgirls – so your job is to avoid them at all costs when the cowboy boots are on.
3. Graphic tees. Do not wear a graphic tee with cowboy boots, I’m just telling you now, you will look like a country bumpkin (regardless of how cool that concert was you went to and bought a t-shirt at).
4. Mini skirt, jean shorts, or skater dress. Please don’t pair cowboy boots with a denim mini skirt, cut off jean shorts, or with a cutesy skater dress. So 2004. So embarrassing to be seen in.
5. Big belt buckle. Even if it isn’t a particularly western belt buckle, and doesn’t show a longhorn or any sign of bedazzlement, if you wear a thick belt with a noticeable belt buckle in an outfit with cowboy boots, people will assume you ride your horse to school.
Now that the ground rules have been explained, I’ll give some suggestions for how you should wear cowboy boots with items that are already in your closet. When you’re planning an outfit with cowboy boots, try to dress like a New Yorker or a Parisian – think neutral colors, streamlined shapes, and practical pieces. When your outfit is too overworked, too thought-out, it’s painfully obvious. Try to get dressed as you normally would when you wear calf or knee-high boots, but replace those tired Fry’s with some sharp cowboy boots.
BOTTOMS:
1. Jeans. I know I’ve nixed thick blue jeans, but at this day in age, there are a plethora of colors and textures to choose from. Instead of blue, go for black, gray, or even white jeans. Instead of thick, or loose jeans, go for jeans that are ultra-thin, maybe a little ripped at the knees, and formfitting. Tuck the jeans into your boots so they get as much attention as possible. As much as I adore my boyfriend jeans, pairing them with cowboy boots is not for the faint of heart. If you need a belt to hold up your jeans, make sure it is clean, discrete, and has a classic belt buckle. Also, if you’re pants-intolerant as I am, leggings are allowed. However not just any kind of leggings, they should be of the thicker variety, absolutely no neon colors, and not made of a material that is so obviously intended for working out.
2. Skirts + Dresses. If you fancy yourself a bohemian, try wearing a long skirt or dress with your cowboy boots. Nothing too cumbersome or thick, but think lots of thin transparent layers. This is obviously a little more difficult to do than sticking with jeans, but if you’re a Free People obsessive, you’ve probably got it under control.
TOPS:
3. Button-down shirt. The most professional, dressed up choice would be a crisp white, gray or black button-down – cotton, linen, doesn’t matter, but should have some structure to it. If you’re wearing leggings, this button-down can be a little larger so it covers your butt. With oversized button downs, leave an extra button undone at the top (with a tank underneath) and the cuffs rolled well (this is imperative, see tutorial). If your button-down is fitted, tuck in the tails, at least in the front.
4. Knit shirt. If you’re not a button-down enthusiast, this is your option. I personally like wearing my three-quarter length boatneck t-shirt, or thin, draped neck long sleeve tee. If your pants are tight, you can get away with a knit shirt that is a little looser, but if in doubt, go with something fitted. To keep the focus on the cowboy boots, make sure that your knit shirt is again, in one of the neutral colors (black, gray, white, oatmeal) and doesn’t have a lame graphic on it. Little embellishments, i.e. beads on the sleeve, are okay as long as they are relatively discrete, but a distracting print or huge graphic is going to take your outfit down a notch and make it look less expensive.
5. Jacket. Regardless of whether you’re wearing a button-down or a knit shirt, you’ll probably need a jacket to complete the look. Avoid any kind of jean or suede jacket, and instead opt for a luxe blazer or black leather jacket. A blazer in a novelty fabric such as satin or velvet would be particularly dashing. Coattails and awesome buttons are optional.
ACCESSORIES:
6. Jewelry. When you’re playing up your cowboy boots, it is important that you don’t wear glaring statement jewelry. When you wear too many showstoppers at once, you look out of control. Stick with your everyday jewelry, or if that isn’t solidified, simple, dainty gold jewelry will do – a thin gold necklace or two, your clunky watch, understated studs.
7. Other. Adding a scarf to the mix is always a good idea, whether it’s a chunky knit or a square silk one. My only advice is not to tie it like a bandana around your neck. Note bene: For the love of god, please avoid the monogramed accessories your sorority sister gave you, any and all headbands or hair bows (particularly those produced by Lilly Pulitzer), and nail art – you never needed chevron stripes on your nails.
8. Cowboy boots. The best cowboy boots are always the vintage ones – not only are they broken in, but they lend an air of authenticity. In Dallas, my favorite place to find vintage cowboy boots is Dolly Python. If you’re not in Dallas or visiting anytime soon, look online for a new pair. Keep in mind – Nordstrom etc. does NOT sell cowboy boots, they sell fashion cowboy boots and that is in no way the same thing. For authentic, stylish boots, check out Cavender’s, Old Gringo, Ariat, and Lucchese. My favorite cut is the snip toe, which has a sharp toe as opposed to a rounded or square one. Sure, some pairs are pretty pricey, but they will literally last a lifetime if you take good care of them.
Ride on!
January isn’t a particularly fashionable month. Regardless of the e-commerce site you fall victim to in your downtime, all of them seem to have relatively slim pickings in this dreary lull between Christmas and Spring Break. Before you get angrily caught up in a vortex of last season’s clothing, use this time to refresh and reboot your closet. First, do the impossible and get rid of the clothing that you either don’t wear, or that is in bad shape. Take the nice things to resale to earn a few extra bucks, and drive the rest to the Salvation Army. After you’ve done all that, reward yourself by stocking up on winter classics and everyday essentials. What the hell, you deserve it.
Top 5 January Picks:
Shade Garden Leggings, $98.
My love affair with leggings continues. Anthropologie has recently stepped up its game in the activewear arena and, not surprisingly, I’m all over it. These leggings (and others in the same category) are practical enough to wear while working out, and cute enough to wear with ballet flats while running errands.
NIKE Flyknit Lunar2 iD, $185.
Pink, gray, and personalized? I’ll take three pairs.
Cotton Cashmere V Neck Sweater, $29.90
A V-neck sweater is a staple year in and year out. Invest in one in a neutral color if you haven’t already. Wear it as one of many layers this month, and then pair it with your favorite pair of jean shorts, a cotton scarf, and fancy flats come spring.
Tissue Turtleneck Tee, $34.50
I’ve disliked turtlenecks for as long as I can remember. And then, about a month and a half ago, I decided I’d do something out of the ordinary and get over myself. After all, a turtleneck is a Jenna Lyons must-have according to the J.Crew lookbook. I am now the proud owner of two tissue turtleneck tees and LOVE THEM. The trick to not hating a turtleneck is getting one that is thin enough, so it doesn’t feel as though it is slowly strangling you.
FEED 1 Bag, $80.
An amazing thing happened two weeks ago – Dallas started charging five whole cents for every plastic bag you take home from the store, in hopes that people will bring in reusable totes. While for some this feels too little too late, as the frivolous dissemination of plastic bags has caused irrevocable harm to the ecosystem, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Celebrate this development by investing in a FEED bag, which is an amazing cause in and of itself.
melancholicmagpie 