Date Night

Just hangin' out by some construction OBVIOUSLY.

Collar? Popped.

Headless.

VRRRRRRROOOOMMMMMMM....

Jacket (Zara, similar here), Shirt (Work It via Urban Outfitters, similar here), Skirt (Forever21- hollah!, similar here), Shoes (KORS Michael Kors, similar here), Necklace (Dogeared), Bracelets (Asos and Urban Outfitters, similar here) 

I wore this cheeky little number to Cotogna recently, on a date with my lovely sister, and I’m thinking I might take it for a spin again for Valentine’s Day with the man. The Rain is only one of the best songs (and videos!—seriously, garbage bag jumpsuits?!) EH-VAR and probably one of the only things that made 6th grade bearable, now that I think about it. The fact is, this shirt, and its Missy references, does nothing but make me inordinately happy. So why not wear it out for a happy occasion like a date with your man, or a stuff-your-face-til-you-want-to-cry rager of a dinner with your sister?

I think wearing a white T-shirt out “for a night on the town” is a bold move, and one that more people should attempt. The key is not wearing a hooded sweatshirt or TOMS—for god’s sake NO TOMS—also. Pair it with extra shmancy pieces in luxe materials, like a metallic jacquard skirt that screams NYE or high gloss (and high heel) patent leather strappy sandals. (Sidebar: if you’re looking for more inspiration, or instruction as it were, on tee styling, Zara does a phenomenal job of styling T-shirts in all kyna ways, especially for the dressed up affair.)

Oh and incidentally, I, in fact, got the keys to the Jeep. (No really, I drive one.)

Photos © Rose Garrett

Potato, Poh-tah-toh: Rumble in the Jungle

Zara Leopard Print Ankle Boot Sandal (here), Jimmy Choo + Rob Pruitt Difuse Glitter-Finished Zebra-Print Sandals (here)

I. LOVE. ANIMAL PRINTS. I have not one, not two, but SEVEN pairs of leopard print shoes (of various heights and styles) in my closet, and that doesn't include my dalmatian-print pumps or my giraffe-print loafers. So when I saw these Jimmy Choos, naturally I wanted them—the zebra print, the fashion/art harmony, the 5 inch heel, the lace-up styling, the fluorescent, sherbet-colored sole —and also naturally, the price tag made my face hurt.

But of course Zara is there, as it always is, to deliver designer dreams at real-life prices right to my doorstep, and make my face pain go away. And honestly, part of me actually prefers the Zara pair, if not only for the leopard print—Look at my face when I tell you this: A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY LEOPARD PRINT SHOES—but also for the fact that they do not include glitter. (Seriously, glitter is the WORST.) 8 pairs of leopard print shoes and counting...

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