Oct 5, 2010 | Fashion
Photos: Celebrities, ASOS.com; Runway Photos: Marco Madeira for FirstView.com; Scarf photo: Devon Jarvis for Elle.com; Autumn Cashmere Leopard Cardigan. Style It Chic! Array by me.
Another Monday Tuesday, another edition of Style It Chic! (Yes, this was supposed to post yesterday, but I just couldn’t get it done fast enough.) It’s now the beginning of my one of my favorite months of the year! In this post series I will be taking one item or trend and showing you how to emulate that look – for much, much less than what you might pay at retail. I’d love to hear your feedback on what you think of this style of post!
Fashion inspired by our furry little friends is HUGE this Fall with faux fur and animal PRINTS populating retail shelves and Must-Have lists across the ‘net. And a little pop of leopard definitely brings your Summer ensembles into Autumn with an amazing ease. Add a leopard-print scarf, booties, hat, or pair of gloves for a little…or go for a lot with a voluminous coat. I’ve donned a cardigan in my favorite hue of gray (Snow Leopard – yay!) [cardigan from Ann Taylor, scored on Ebay since they no longer sell it] and styled it 3 different ways below:
1. Eclectic Layered
(Hat: Christie’s Crown Series; Sequined Chain Necklace: Forever 21; Satin-Edged Cardigan: (worn underneath leopard cardigan) Old Navy; Mixed-Chain Cuff: Target (check the Clearance bin in-store!); 2 DIY feathered bangles; Hue reversible tights)
If your leopard layer is cropped or short-sleeved at all, go for the unusual by layering a cardigan or sweater underneath it. Ward off the chill of bare arms by covering up with leg- or arm-warmers or elbow-length gloves for a retro-style look. Pair pieces that are different colors and see what sticks – sometimes a mish-mash of hues works to your advantage!
2. Leopard-on-Leopard
(Leopard-print Bra: Warners, Twisted Chain and Rhinestone Necklace and Boyfriend Watch: Forever 21; Rough-Cut Quartz Heart Ring: gem & mineral tradeshow; Wire & Rhinestone Wrap Ring: Payless; Destroyed Jean Shorts: Hudson; Velvet Ribbon worn as belt; Hue footless tights; Steve Madden pointy flats; DIY Shoe Elastics)
Mixing and matching patterns is always a toughie – but what could be easier than going full-on double leopard? The rules: wear no more than 3 pieces and only use at most 2 different colors and sizes of the leopard print. Keep your other pieces in solid, coordinating colors to keep the eye focused on the print. There’s a fine line between looking like you got dressed in the dark and looking cute and intriguing. (And yes, I’m showing my bra – which I usually don’t do – but in this case it’s super-subtle since the similar prints fool the eye. If you’re not feeling as daring, then try a leopard camisole underneath instead!)
3. Downtown Cool
(Velvet Cord Necklace: bought at Michael’s in the jewelry section, Silver Bangle Set: Forever 21; Grommet Watch: Hot Topic; Lace-Edged Camisole: Target; Skinny Black Jeans: Alloy; Alloy Sia Wedge Booties – BTW there’s currently FREE Shipping for orders of $25+ with code AFS25A AND 15% off your order with code ALPW15B at Alloy.com!…if you can’t use both codes together at checkout online try ordering over the phone instead, I’ve had success with a rep allowing both codes to be used before.)
Sleek and chic is the name of the game. Use as a light layering piece – over another huge trend for Fall 2010: LACE! – and play with the fun of prints with a minimalist commitment. I’ve added a pair of skinny jeans and some super-wedges for an on-trend re-interpretation of urban chic.
Are you breaking out your animal prints now that Fall’s in full swing? How would you wear leopard?
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 20, 2010 | Fashion
Welcome another installment in my brand-new Style It Chic! series of posts. (Can it have been a whole week since my last one already??) In this series I will be taking one item or trend and showing you how to emulate that look – for much, much less than what you might pay at retail. I’d love to hear your feedback on what you think of this style of post!

On the heels of last week’s Denim Shirt 3 Ways, I decided to stay with the shirt theme and this time take the green army shirt for a whirl. Right now military-inspired trends are HUGE – just ask Lucky Magazine, Marie Claire, and Vogue for starters! For Fall 2010 designers such as Burberry, Fendi, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta filled the runways with chic trenchcoats, shirt-dresses, chino pants, and button-downs, all in camo-inspired hues of olive green, khaki, and camel. Paired with boots, shearling, and brass buttons their look is straight-laced uniform…but paired with some unexpected pieces it can be brought down to the streets and totally wearable. With a thrifted olive green men’s shirt (going to the Army & Navy Surplus store would have yielded more authentic results, but alas I only had my local Goodwill, where I chose a man’s button-down shirt in that coveted olive green color) here are 3 ways to wear the army shirt:
1. Urban Chic
(Skirt: DIY’d from a Forever 21 skirt, similar base skirt here; Ring: Handmade by me, Doorknocker Bag: Deena & Ozzy from Urban Outfitters awhile ago, Tights: Hue, Heeled Combat Boots: Forever 21 awhile ago)
Shirt buttoned up and tucked in to a flirty, silky skirt. A cross-body bag breaks up the mannish shape to the shirt. Finished off with warm tights and boots for walking, this outfit works perfectly for sightseeing or a day full of being out and about around the city. Collegiate casual at its best.
2. Layered
(Jacket: Jones New York which I’m selling here, Brooch: DIY, Ruffled-Front Blouse: Forever 21; similar here, Mirror Locket Necklace: Forever 21; similar here, Belt: Victoria’s Secret (came with a skirt), Shorts: Pineapple County)
Leave the shirt open and wear it under a structured blazer in a darker color. Wear a neutral-colored blouse dripping with ruffles and chiffon, and bare some skin on your bottom half. Vintage-style accessories sweeten up this uniform for a lady.
3. Trendy, Trendy
Trying on all the trends for Fall 2010! Shirt worn open with cuffed sleeves in place of a jacket. Leopard print scarf for a dash of the animal. Gold accessories – marine cap – fur at the ankles – there’s a whole lot going on – so maybe picking and choosing what’s best is the name of the game.;-)
I have chosen not to alter the shirt to fit my frame – though you can do so with yours by following my tutorial here.
So how would you wear the army shirt? Do any of these styles appeal to you at all?
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 13, 2010 | Fashion
Photos: Alexa Chung photo, Buzzworthy.mtv.net; Ashley Olsen photo, Scotty Wilson/BuzzFoto.com;
D&G and Chloe runway photos, Marcio Madeira/Style.com; Drew Barrymore photo, source unknown; Charley 5.0 denim shirt/Kitson; “…the denim shirt”/Topshop. Style It Chic! Array by me.
Welcome to the first of my posts in the Style It Chic! series. In this series I will be taking one item or trend and showing you how to emulate that look – for much, much less than what you might pay at retail. I’d love to hear your feedback on what you think of this style of post!
The denim shirt trend is still lingering as we head into the next season – and I love it! It’s been so long since light denim was “in” – and though I know I’m late hopping on this bandwagon, it’s amazing how versatile and chic this piece really is. I thrifted my shirt (who am I to buy new???!) and altered it to fit me better and look more flattering – which is essential in pulling off this trend well. (Tutorial coming tomorrow, chickees!!)
For now, here are 3 ways to wear the denim shirt:
1. Denim-on-Denim
As seen on the Chloe Spring/Summer 2010 runways. Shirt buttoned-up but worn loose, paired with jeans in a different hue. Sporty watch and retro sunglasses. Kind of 80’s, kind of Jay-Leno-cool (if that’s even possible??!) – it can look really masculine, so add some girly accessories and do that hair! (I, of course, didn’t – and you can see that the look is pretty questionable on me. What Not To Do! hehehe)
2. Cute Cowgirl
D&G – style! Fluffy, peasant-style skirt paired with the shirt (tucked in or tied, of course!) and brown suede or leather accessories. Western never looked this good.
3. Layered Edgy
(Chanel-style Tanktop: DIY [my quickie tutorial here]; Leggings: Forever 21. Shoes: Charlotte Russe from awhile ago.)
Shirt worn open with cuffed sleeves. Loose long tank, slick leggings, textural shoes. An edgy outfit provides the perfect counterpoint to the rough-and-tumble feel of the shirt.
So how would you wear the denim shirt? Is this a trend you’d prefer not to try? Or are you embracing it to the fullest?
xoxox
Carly
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