Pattern Mixing

What I'm Wearing: Shorts Joie | Top Joie | Shoes Chanel

It's fun to experiment with mixing prints and patterns. It's especially easy when done with neutral colors so you can avoid the whole "do these colors work?" dilemma. And simple prints are going to be easier to mix too, so basically stripes + anything can most likely work. But obviously it will take some trial and error to get it just right.

Guest Post: Go Bold or Go Home

Spring Fashion Trends 2014: Go Bold or Go Home

Spring is here and has brought with it an array of fresh new fashion trends. It is time to lock away those winter woollies and don something vibrant, as we head into the pre-summer party that is the spring season.

Of all the fashion trends of this season, we have to say our hearts lie with the bold trend. It’s fresh, it’s fun and it’s what spring is all about, getting out of hibernation and throwing off your cosy winter shell to reveal a beautiful, colourful flower in bloom! So let’s take a look at how to achieve the bold look this season:

Colour Me Vibrant

So the very basis of the bold trend is found in the colours. And you guessed it, that means big, bold and bright colours are the best way to show what you’re made of this spring.

Think high saturation, bright and solid blocks of blue, pink, red, purple, yellow, orange. Any colour you like, just make it as big and bold as you can!

And mixing colours to create a distinct contrast is in, but beware the clashes as they don’t do the look justice. Try to pick shades that contrast but in a complimentary way, such as a lime green bag with a bright purple dress.

If the shades look a little clashy when too close together, then why not opt to keep them apart, for example opt to keep bright orange around the feet area when paired with bright pink up top. The indirect contrast works much better!

Dare To Accessorize

Bold doesn’t just have to be about the items of clothing. You can go bold with your accessories too! We love to dress up a simple staple like a crisp white t-shirt or vest and rich blue jeans with some bold accessories. Big jewels and colourful adornments are in, so think chunky necklaces with a rainbow of colourful gems in them, dangling earrings with flashes of colour and multiple bracelets/bangles to layer up the colour on your wrists.

This interchangeable watch with multiple straps from Michael Herbelin is the perfect accessory for any outfit, as you can opt for the bright and bold red or purple straps to make a statement, or keep it simple and sophisticated with the classic white strap.

Pretty In Print

Another favourite way to go bold is with prints. You can go for the classic and timeless animal print, the 60’s inspired paisley, bold geometric, or some of the even more daring patchwork prints, which incorporate more than one print at once.

The options for prints are endless and the great thing about prints is wherever you go they will always have something new or different. Every designer has their own take on the basic print’s elements, and this is visible all the way to the high street, as different brands take inspiration from different catwalk designers.

You can also choose to take the bold prints a step further by encompassing the vibrant colours of the trend. Bright colours really highlight the print’s elements, and make for a truly eye-catching look that is daring to pull off but looks stunning when done right!

Thanks to Sarah Atkinson and Michel Herbelin for this post. Shop some of my bright, fun, spring picks below:

NET-A-PORTER.COM Necklaces · Alice + Olivia Tops · NET-A-PORTER.COM Scarves & Wraps

Wanted | Flats

This week what I am wanting is shoes, shoes, and more shoes. Whether it's a traditional flat, a smoking slipper, or a slip on sneaker, I want it. Not only are flats on trend, but they are always a great comfortable alternative to any shoe. I actually just bought the suede Vince slip-ons and I am in love, I cannot wait to wear them. But I'm also really loving all the printed versions available. Why not make a statement with your feet? Or add to a simple outfit with a pop of prints on your shoes. And I am totally eyeing the black pointed-toe Vince flats, too good. Shop these flats below:

Givenchy Sneakers · Saint Laurent Sneakers · Marc by Marc Jacobs Sneakers

Clothes For Thought | Effortless

Okay, so I'm introducing a new feature to the blog Clothes For Thought. Basically, it's a peek into what inspires me. I keep a journal full of collages filled with magazine cut outs and quotes and I thought I would start to share some pages with you. This feature will be on the blog every other week, alternating with my wish lists and trend reports, which have also been renamed, Wanted. So, I hope you like this glimpse into what goes on in my head and inspires and intrigues me. I fell in love with this quote from a Nasty Gal catalog and was instantly inspired by this sort of effortless fall style. Leather, thigh-high boots, quilted skirts, prints, beanies, killer booties, and of course it-model Cara Delevingne embody this sort of effortless cool in my mind. Oh and of course piles of Chanel accessories, as seen on the model in the smaller picture, never hurt anyone. Shop some of my picks inspired by my collage below:

AllSaints Leather Jackets · MICHAEL Michael Kors Leather Jackets · AllSaints Pants

(Photos above (left to right) BCBG Catalog (first 2), All Saints Feature in Bloomingdales Catalog, Elle Magazine August 2013, DKNY Ad)

Wanted | Camo

First of all, I'm going to apologize in advance for no outfit photos this week. I got my wisdom teeth out on Friday and I still look like a chipmunk, so no photos will be taken until the swelling goes down. But I still do have a couple of exciting posts planned for this week, don't worry. Now onto the clothes. I'm not sure why but I've been really into camo lately. I don't own any of it, but I've found myself shopping for the perfect camo piece. I just love how it's a print made to blend in but pair it with the perfect outfit and you can definitely stand out. Shop my favorite camouflage picks below: 

Camo Petite Jackets · Equipment Jackets · Rag and Bone Distressed Denim

NYFW Street Style

New York Fashion Week has ended. It's sad, but now I can look through my instagram without feeling intense jealousy every few pictures from those who were lucky enough to attend. One day, one day I will be there. But until then I stick to viewing the collections online and living the experience through some of my favorite bloggers. And while the actual collections are the reason for fashion week it would be way to difficult to try to narrow down my favorite pieces from all the amazing things I've seen. (Rebecca Minkkoff, Alice and Olivia, Tibi, and BCBG were some of my favorites) So instead I decided to find my favorite street style from NYFW, also a difficult task since there's so much good style, but definitely easier. It's clear that I do love a good monochrome, but I do appreciate good use of color, especially that burgundy color. And prints on prints is almost always good in my book. Plus pairing a blazer with some dressed up sweatpants, I'm amazed, it's just awesome. 

(Photos from Refinery 29)

Printastic

What I'm Wearing: Shorts Clover Canyon | Tee Red Haute | Sandals Kurt Geiger

Summer is not over yet. And while I cannot wait for fall style, at the same time I'm still not quite ready to give up summer. There's just something so casual and laid-back with summer style that I don't want to let go of. Like these crazy printed shorts, they're the essence of summer style. I previously wore them (here) and dressed them up for a fun summer night, but they work so perfectly for a daytime look too. Paired with a cute black tee and the perfect pair of studded sandals, it's easy summer fashion.

Vroom Vroom

What I'm Wearing: Jeans Free People | Shirt Rag & Bone | Shoes Ted Baker | Sunglasses Jimmy Choo | Bracelets Marc By Marc Jacobs, Alex and Ani | Ring Frey Wille

I am absolutely in love with my new motorcycle shirt. I also have motorcycle printed denim shorts that will be blogged about soon, and possibly even worn as a full motorcycle outfit. I can't help it I just love how cute the print is. But for today I decided to wear it with my black and white printed skinny jeans and I love how it looks. I feel like it's almost a little bit like 90's grungy with the print of the pant, but then my super girly flip flops and all my jewelry make it more modern and fun. 

Perfect Prints

What I'm Wearing: Shorts Clover Canyon | Tank Michael Stars, Similar | Blazer Aqua | Heels Steve Madden

I'm in love with these shorts. Seriously though, I've admired Clover Canyon's clothing for awhile, the way they mix colors and prints is unlike anything else. Unfortunately, though, the brand comes with a high price. So these shorts are all I own from the brand, but that's enough for me, for now. What I love about these shorts is that you can wear them during the day with a t-shirt and some flip flops or you can put on a blazer and some heels and rock them at night. But make sure you can walk in your heels, because as you can see in the first picture, I had some issues balancing. 

Simple Chic

What I'm Wearing: Jeans AG Jeans | Shirt Gypsy 05, Similar | Blazer Aqua | Shoes Kate Spade | Bracelets Alex and Ani | Ring Frey Wille

First of all, I took all the pictures for this week last week when the weather wasn't so nice, so sorry for the disconnect with weather and the clothes I'm wearing. So I took one of my favorite tops in my closet and borrowed my mom's blazer (I tried to steal it) and just put it with a pair of skinny jeans and my favorite new flats, and here you go. It's a really simple look but i think a blazer can really add some chicness to any outfit.