Clever Cardigan

I’ve had quite a few women approach me &/or message me to do a post about the appropriate styling of cardigans for the coming Fall season. With layering at the top of it’s game during this chilly season, teaming the right sweater/cardi with the right top can be tricky. Here are my fool proof rules & stylings to perfecting the best cardigan looks for your lifestyle & body…

Layering: one of my favorite ways to pair a few contrasting items together for warmth, comfort & an effortlessly chic outcome. Pair your cardi with a leather moto jacket & a great pair of denim & you’re ready for a breezy night out in the city.

Belted: sometimes cardigans can be woven with intensely heavy knits & add unwanted bulk. Choosing light to medium knits for this style is ideal; belt high on the ribcage [with a decorative belt knot] for a beautiful hourglass shape.

Overstated: as mentioned above, cardigans are often made with heavy knits & fabrics, which make for a wonderful weather deterrent, however, I advise only my petite babes to rock this style, as adding unnecessary bulk to any body type is difficult to manipulate in a positive way. Team with a white tee & a sexy pair of jeans & you’ve got yourself an effortless night in with your loved one.

Swept: one of my absolute Fall favorites this year; the floor length cardigan is so elegant & adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit. I’m loving this wardrobe staple paired with distressed shorts, an awesome top & casual booties or even a super sexy stiletto.

Buttoned Up: for my preppier babes, this look is amazing with a collared shirt layered underneath. Higher, round necklines work best, but even buttoning a cardigan & wearing it without a top underneath can be sexy & edgy.

Tucked: sometimes cardigans can feel overly lengthy & can often give you grief throughout the day. One of the best cures is the cardigan tuck; simply tuck the ends of your favorite cardigan into a pencil skirt, denim, or high-waisted slacks. This gives the body & hips a nice silhouette, but be mindful of your sweaters fit- slimmer is better.

Draped: best worn with straight-legged denim or pants & a tank or styled cami, the draped cardigan is one of the most on-trend looks for Fall. This piece is perfect for layering necklaces & a great big boyfriend watch. Note: less is more with such a stylized item.

Fall is almost upon us [thank God], so start getting creative & make it a point to perfect your own layering styles this season. Your body [& stylist] will thank you.

Xx.

Brunch Wear

Please excuse my absence as of late, I’ve been working like a maniac on the website so I can finally launch & start better assisting my fashionistas one on one. But for now let’s keep rollin like this…

I’ve been approached a handful of times this week about brunch wear. You know, that time between breakfast & lunch when we meet up with our girlfriends or double date & nine times out of ten sit outside on a gorgeous patio & drink bottomless mimosas until we’re completely sunburnt & sideways? No? Not how you do brunch…? Hm, anywho…I love me a good brunch, but I love it even more when I feel beautiful & presentable. Let’s break it down…

1. Come Prepared: I don’t care where you live, the weather can change at any time, so layering is crucial for this event. Chambray is one of my favorite wardrobe pieces because it layers with everything, adds a structured dimension to any outfit & is much lighter than adding a sweater or jacket. I always recommend, when layering, putting together three major items: a tank or tee on bottom, a chambray or light layer between & a heavy jacket [usually leather] on top. This gives you plenty of options & versatility throughout the elements of your day.

2. No Money Shots: dresses are [visually] ideal for a brunch, especially the ones showing up all over stores, given it’s Spring & florals are the ‘it’ pattern. However, chances are your group will be bustling around an oblong table or climbing over one another to get to the restroom, so be wise. If you do opt for a dress, remember to wear a nude biker short underneath or a cute pair of Hanky Panky’s to prevent from flashing your Britney to the entire restaurant. I almost always recommend my clients wear floral print dresses to this event, because they’re age appropriate, effortless & the patterns can be incredibly unique. Just be practical about your event & it’s whereabouts & your outfit will follow suit.

3. Opt Out: if you decide that dresses aren’t for you & you’d rather sport a cute pair of boyfriends jeans or shorts, just be sure to add feminine pieces & colors. Brunches are much like a garden party; think florals, pastels & sunshine, & your outfit should play off of these themes. You don’t have to go super-fem to feel super-sexy; throw on a funky, bright heel & tease your tresses & you will feel as beautiful as ever.

4. Burnt Up: if you are anything like my boyfriend, you leave the house nearly every day without your sunnies & find yourself turning around three miles from home to grab them. Don’t. You will need them more than ever on this day; sitting outside, roasting under the early afternoon sun. Plus, sunglasses are the perfect addition to an outfit. They’re like the tiny, but perfectly red cherry on top of this day & you mustn’t forget them. I’ll be doing a sunnies styling post in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that! But for the time being, trust yourself & your taste. You know what shape, size & style is right for you, so honor it.

5. Hats Off: a hat is always a good idea. Not crucial, but a fun addition. Not to mention, I can’t even count how many times I’ve left a brunch with a burnt scalp due to #hatproblems. I’ve linked a few of my Spring/Summer favorites here, so be sure to check that out & find the perfect head piece for you.

6. Hydrate: ok so you can’t wear this item [or I guess you could, but it would turn into a weird wet-tee shirt…let’s just not], but it looks good on everyone! Hydrating is such an important part of beauty & fashion, & no one wants to be the downer on this day because they drank too many mimosas or sat too long in the sun without consuming any H2O & get a migraine. Play smart.

& ultimately, have fun. Events with friends & family are times for us to slow down & enjoy the company of one another. We are some of the hardest working creatures to ever exist & we deserve a break sometimes. Trust these guidelines, drink & eat responsibly & love on one another & you’ll have the perfect brunch date. I promise.

Xx.