Dressed.

Posted in Fashion by C.

{Click image to enlarge.}

It’s on record that I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to embracing dresses. I fondly recall wearing them as a six-year-old, but as I moved toward adolescence – I stopped wearing them pretty much altogether unless it was for a very rare special occasion. I went through a lengthy period where I just felt more comfortable in jeans (read: covering my legs). In fact, it wasn’t until just a few years ago that I actually even started buying dresses again. (If I met me 10 years ago, I wouldn’t even know me!)

However, as I’ve gotten ~~old~~ older, I find myself accepting my femininity much more than I ever have. I’m not at all saying that being in a dress over a pair of jeans epitomizes femininity by any means, because it doesn’t; but because of my resistance to them – I’m attributing this recent development to finally giving in to the fact that I’m becoming more comfortable in my own skin.

I still don’t own as many dresses as a typical woman might at my age, but as I’ve hit a recent new chapter in my life, I’ve felt a sudden shift in my relationship to them. I appreciate the different shapes of a dress, the movement, the ease; and yes, even the new-found comfort that I get in exchange. While part of me will always be a jeans girl at heart, it’s nice to not have the waistband digging into your stomach (because you’ve had one cupcake too many) or experience the constraint that you just deal with while wearing a pair of cute skinnies in the name of fashion! Even better, I’ve come to love how a simple change in styling/accessorizing can take a dress from weekend casual to office chic (by easily adding a blazer). There’s an incredible versatility when you have a good dress in your closet.

And thus, I’ve been coveting a new dress (showing my legs and all) lately. Go figure!

In an ideal world, they’d all be in my closet ready to greet the sun and celebrate the warm days ahead. In reality, a post dedicated to getting “dressed” will simply have to do. Here are 15 of my absolute favorites, at a variety of price points – because let’s be real – who in the world can actually afford a $400 dress most of the time (and I hate when bloggers only showcase high-end designers).

Perhaps a splurge on at least one is in order in the very near future. From Forever 21 to Shopbop….here’s to getting dressed. xx

Sources/Links

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24Oct2012

Fall Uniform: Night Out On the Town

Posted in Accessories, DIY, Fashion, Fun, Handbags, Inspiration, Shoes by C.

Dressing up for a night out on the town is tricky as the climate cools. You want to look sexy chic, but don’t want to freeze your booty off or ruin a cute dress by having to cover up and wear a heavy coat. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve endured chilly temperatures in the name of fashion!

The look below came to me while experimenting on Polyvore.com. One of my favorite tricks when getting ready for a night out on the town during this time of year is to pair a dress with leggings and boots. You maintain great style AND added weather protection during those colder fall nights.

A sparkly dress paired with a blazer to keep warm works perfectly in my book and since the dress is quite “showy” I’d keep accessories very minimal and simplistic. Hoop earrings work best at drawing attention to your face, but not competing with the dress; and a small black clutch to hold your essentials adds the final touch for a polished look.

Here’s your fall uniform for a night out on the town with your best gals or that special guy with link deets on where to buy (hey that rhymes!):

Sparkling Masquerade Dress, Black Crepe Open Front Blazer, Leggings, Clutch, Hoop Earrings, Boots

8Oct2012

Fall Uniform: California Office & Interview Chic

Posted in Accessories, DIY, Fashion, Fun, Handbags, Shoes by C.

Admittedly, I’m not a fan of personally rockin’ the ultra tailored look to work because I don’t work in a law office (business suits – ugh!); but I can appreciate that high-powered, I’m a “bad-ass exec with my own assistant” look when I see it. (Excuse my French).

In general, L.A. is pretty casual with office wear, especially, if you work in the industry. It’s very common to see short sleeves, opened toed sandals, and jeans walking past women in the halls. Perhaps as I make my way up the professional ladder with my own assistant, my office attire will naturally grow a bit more more tailored (and hopefully I’ll build you a list with more Prada and Gucci and less H&M selections).

Don’t get me wrong, I very much like to look put together, professional, clean, and tailored; but with a casual edge, versus too structured. Thanks to Polyvore.com, I think I achieved an ensemble that screams “Hello Fall!” and would be something I would wear to a job interview or an important meeting at the office.

What I love about this ensemble is that you get to maintain a young fun look by building a base around black skinny jeans. I’ve always been a fan of black jeans to keep it casual (because you’re still in jeans!), but dressier because of the darker color choice. These black cap-toed pumps from H&M offer the perfect edge that prevents the look from being too stuffy. A simple ruffled blouse with a tailored blazer is always feminine and appropriate to easily accomplish a more polished look – but again, keeps it young and fresh because of the skinny jeans.

Jewelry should be kept to a minimum (save the chandelier earrings for when you already have the job!) with simple studs and a bracelet similar to the one I stumbled across from 1928 Jewelry (and is going on my must have list), this vintage silver lace stretch bracelet.

Finally, if you ever need an excuse to buy a new purse (NOT!) what better choice than a black satchel similar to the one from Big Buddha highlighted. This bag offers an expensive look without the price tag.

Either way, sporting this you’ll ace that job interview or kick butt in the staff meeting before you even have to open your mouth. Have a great week…

4Oct2012

Fall Uniform: Casual Saturday

Posted in Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, Handbags, Shoes by C.

Aside from the season 2 premiere of American Horror Story: Asylum, I’m very much looking forward to embracing all the fall fashion to come. I alerted my Facebook friends via a cleverly worded status update (patting myself on the back), and now my fellow blog glitterati, that I give mother nature and her P.M.S.’ing attitude 2 more weeks before I’m rockin’ the boots and scarves regardless of the harsh global warming temperatures that Los Angeles is being subjected to. To show her how serious I am, I’ve even begun the process of planning a series of perfect fall ensembles, complete with staples every girl needs (and likely already has) in her closet to channel that fall state of mind. “If you build it, he Fall will come.” We’ll see, Kevin Costner.

This week, a fail-proof casual look while out and about on a chilly Saturday afternoon. I’d wear this to meet a friend for lunch, window shop around town, or to see a movie.

You can’t go wrong with an amber-colored scarf (which I’ll be heading to H&M myself to purchase in the very near future), a long black cardigan, dark blue skinny jeans, a simple white fitted top, black boots, a brown tote, and gold hoop earrings to balance out the look.

I actually own the boots pictured personally. If you need a new pair of knee-high boots to add to your shoe rack, you can’t get anything more stylish, comfortable, and affordable than these from Diba.

“If you build it, he Fall will come.”