Borrowed from the (School) Boys

Distinguished.

 STOP. Hammer Time.

Those SHOES.

 Like a boss.

Blazer (Zara, similar here), Shirt (J.Crew, similar here), Tie (The Tie Bar via Nordstrom, similar here), Jeans (J.Crew, similar here), Shoes (Boutique 9), Watch (Fakety-fake-fake-fake $20 at BP. here)

In my not-humble opinion, there is nothing quite as sexy and empowering as looking better in a suit and tie than a man. There's just something about those sartorial signifiers of masculinity that can't be denied; they're imbued with a kind of power—SIMMER DOWN, FEMINIST READERS—that reads even on a woman (sometimes even more so than a man). What's more, appropriating classic menswear pieces like a tuxedo jacket or a tartan tie, and pairing them with more blatantly feminine pieces like a ferocious pointed-toe pump or a hip-hugging leather skirt, turns the entire aesthetic on its head, and transforms that power into something wholly and uniquely WOMAN. (Really I just like ties because they're fun to fiddle with during meetings. WHAT GLASS CEILING????)

While many might consider my aesthetic to be hyper-feminine—those people would be wrong, by the way—more acute observation reveals that I actually have a slightly (slightly) menswear-inspired slant to my wardrobe (blazers and button-downs 'til your face falls off). And this outfit is one of my favorite examples of that. Mixing plaids is fun, and wearing ties is even funner(?), and red patent stilettos are just OFF THE CHARTS when it comes to fun, and really, that's the key to a look like this: fun, or rather, playfulness.

Don't take yourself too seriously when incorporating some menswear pieces into your wardrobe. But above all, OWN IT. And slap on some 5-inch stilettos and you'll shut everyone up.

Photos © Rose Garrett

Dream the Dream: NYFW Outfit Inspiration

Huzzah! New York Fashion Week, and the month of Fall runway shows and related global fashion happenings that ensue, starts TODAY, and consequently, so does my bout of biannual longing. It's that time of year where I sit idly and frustratingly by, pouring over the latest fashion publications each morning, as I renew my status as an ogler and envious non-participant of this hallowed affair.

While other fashion bloggers are running—RUNNING!—Cannon EOS T3is in hand, gifted Minkoff clutches shoved up their armpits, pounds of clever invites jammed in their totes, to the tents and studio presentations and fabulous parties, I'll be watching back episodes of 30 Rock crying about how much I'm going to miss Liz Lemon, reading a British Vogue mumbling something to myself about Cara Delevigne's legs, and feverishly checking my Instagram for any and all FW tidbits and runway snaps.

But a girl can dream, and that's how I celebrate Fashion Week every twice-a-year—by drinking dreaming. That, and an unhealthy amount of aggro shopping. So here's what I would wear if I were attending NYFW (or any of the Fashion Weeks for that matter), and if I slept on piles of money.

Blazer (Lanvin), T-Shirt (Celine), Skirt (MSGM), Shoes (Tibi) Necklace (DANNIJO), Clutch (Lulu Guiness)

I said it was a "DREEEAM OUTFIT", okayyy??? In the meantime, I'll settle for a cheaper version that's just as chic and much easier on the pocket books: Blazer (similar here), T-Shirt (similar here), Skirt (similar here), Shoes (similar here), Necklace (similar here), and Clutch (similar here). KICK-OFF THE FASHION WEEK PARADE BY BUYING THINGS.

Flomo

Dress (Tinley Road via Piperlime, now on sale!), Blazer (H&M, similar here and here), Shoes (Nine West - I know, what?! - similar here), Necklaces (Dogeared and Dogeared), Bracelet (Urban Outfitters, similar here)

So Camouflage and Floral had a spunky little baby together, and they named it Flomo (obviously this is what Jay-Z and Beyoncé will name their next child), and last Fall we heard tell of this printbaby's coming in all of its conspicuous, statement-making glory. Ever since, Flomo's been making a sartorial splash all over the place, despite the fact that she's still got some baby fat on her. (Ok, I think I've had my fill of that baby metaphor.)

Anyway, this blazer is of course fantastic for Spring with all of its flower-obsessed trends, but the cooler color palette also makes it the perfect piece to perk up your Winter wardrobe. (PERK IT UP, LAYDEEZ.) And anyone who sees me on a regular basis will tell you that the last 6 months have brought to light my weird addiction to leather (and faux leather) EVERYTHINGS, and this dress is just one bangin' example of that. (I have a strangely leather-centric closet—I don't know what that says about me, if anything, other than the fact that I'm probably really ok with wearing dead animals. EEESH, sorry.) Also, these shoes: face is melting.

Photos ©Rose Garrett

Potato, Poh-tah-toh

Manolo Blahnik BB Fabric Watercolor Pump here, Charles by Charles David 'Pact' Pump here

Spring has sprung! (Well, at least for the Fashion World it has. In fact, the Fall 2013 shows officially start this weeeeeeeeek, so basically the year is already almost over...) And if there's one thing that Spring has always meant, since the beginning of time, it's flowers—or rather, florals.

The latest iteration of this much-loved perennial Spring trend is the digital watercolor print. Pixelated floral patterns were popping up all over the runway last Fall for the debut of the Spring lines, and lucky for us, now they're popping up in all of our favorite department stores. This pair of Manolos will run you about a month's rent—JUST KIDDING THEY'RE ONLY $650 BEFORE TAX—buuuuuut Charles David has our (my) back with this equally awesome pair for about 100 bucks. SOLD. (Literally, sold. I bought these last week.)

For more eye-peeling watercolor floral gorgeousness, munch on the complete lookbook for the Calla Spring '13 Ready-to-Wear Collection. BE INSPIRED.

Monochromama

Sweater (Forever21, similar here), Skirt (H&M, similar here), Shoes (Boutique 9—I DIE FOR THESE) Necklaces (Dogeared and Urban Outfitters)

In keeping with my (I told you it was tiresome!) habit of mixing prints, recently I’ve taken it to the next level by experimenting with monochromatic print mixing a la this.

The key to mixing prints, monochromatic or otherwise, is staying within the same color palette, or at the very least, picking prints that have 2 or 3 colors/tones in common, and going from there. This is usually a slam-dunk for not looking boring but also not looking crazy. And lately, because of all of the black and white monochromadness (how many different ways can I make a semi-formed play on the word “monochromatic”? got 2 in my pocket already!), it’s been the penguin [<-insert any other typically black and white thing here—penguin was the first thing I thought of] color palette that I’ve been drawn to.

The pairing of the bold, geometric checkerboard pattern of that nine-dollar sweater from Forever21 (gasp) with the more intricate, ornately scrolling mirrored motif of the skirt, works because the combination is playing with the proportion and scale of the prints, while staying within the same black/white/grey color family. I also love the contrast between the two equally bold, but very different kinds of patterns (scroll-y vs. square-y). And those metallic silver pumps make me squeal.

Go, henceforth and get your...um...monochrogaga(?) on. (3 in my pocket and counting..)

Photos by the lovely and talented Rose Garrett