Even though we’re always looking for the next stylish ensemble to wear out, every woman appreciates the essentials. We’re talking the tees, tanks, slip dresses—anything that makes for effortless style. There’s also something to be said for those “jeans and a tee shirt” days as well. There are so many companies out there that cater to the need for wardrobe basics, so sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming. Personally, I like to seek out the brands that take basics to the next level, like simple additions or cuts that turn a tee into a head-turning piece or anything that helps me still take a step beyond the rest even though I don’t feel like dressing up after dragging myself out of bed in the morning. Of course, if a brand meets that need for me and is sustainable, it’s a win.
New Velvet Pieces for Fall from 7 For All Mankind
Image: 7 For All Mankind
It’s just about that time of year again…where on Earth did Summer go? I know that sounds cliché, but for real…how is it already Fall? This year, to me, has gone faster than any other year, and I don’t feel like I’ve been all that more busy than previous years. Either way, as sad as it is for me to say goodbye to pool parties, catching a tan and wine tasting, I am always so excited for the cooler weather. Not only does Fall mean holiday vacations and family time (I guess I’m lucky to look forward to that one), but it also means all of my well loved, comfy layers get to come out of hiding again. It’s also fun to see what all of my favorite brands are coming up with for their new collections. Every year, one of the most common trends for brands to bring out is velvet. I have to say I don’t yet own a single velvet item apart from my BLANKNYC flares (seen in this post from 2016), but I’m always eyeing all the beautiful velvet skinnies that flood the denim market, as well as moto blazers and boots! Apart from the eye-catching, elegant appeal of velvet, this popular fabric also has a major cozy factor. Nowadays we all prefer effortless, comfortable style, right?
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Get Into The Groove with the 70s Edit at Revolve
Image: Revolve. Blue Life Gypset Jumpsuit
“’70s chic. It’s a thing.” I’m sure you’ve noticed, vintage styles have come back with a bang over the last few years. It seems the explosion of the popularity of music festivals and “boho style” certainly helped, but I prefer to stick with the idea that these classic styles simply re-emerged due to their versatility and timeless grace. Simplicity is often key in fashion, and less is almost always more. Maybe it’s the yearning for the golden days of yesteryear as we dive into more complex times, or just the realization that many of the fashions back then were definitely worth bringing back. Not only were they rooted in the notion of a free spirit, but they also captured femininity and playfulness. I personally love them, and they feel strangely nostalgic to me even though I wasn’t even around yet. Either way, I absolutely love ’70s style, whether we’re talking fashion or even home decor and architecture.
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Chic Rainbow Pieces to Welcome Summer from Revolve
I’m not really one to wear bright colors, unless I’m at a festival or themed party (and even then, I prefer to darken it with a little black). However, it doesn’t mean I dislike color—I am a creative and started off as a graphic designer, after all. When the warmer summer days come around, I enjoy being around or looking at brighter colors to up my mood after the cooler months and look forward to fun in the sun and the parties that come along with it. I don’t need a closet that’s all black (although about half of it is), and I like mixing in some other super creative pieces in to have fun with building outfits for fun occasions. I opened my usual REVOLVE newsletter a few days ago and noticed they put together yet another edit I enjoyed browsing through, titled The Rainbow Edit, which features all the colors of the rainbow. Yesterday’s newsletter featured another one under “Looks We Love.” Seems to be a thing!
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Fair Trade Bohemian Apparel and Accessories by Cleobella
Image: Cleobella. Wispers Dress
After all these posts I’ve been making pouring out my love for independent designers usually found at music festivals, I would be lying if I said I didn’t still peruse major retailers from time to time. Shopbop and Revolve are the top favorites, but because of being exposed to the little guys and the importance of more sustainable “slow fashion” efforts, I do my best to be conscious about what ethical brands might be available from those websites. Fortunately, there are several in the designer market that do care about humanitarian and earth-friendly practices. Last year I wrote about five sustainable brands found at Shopbop, one of them being Cleobella. I revisited this brand recently and figured it was worth highlighting them again!
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The Festival Vibes Edit by Revolve
Image: Revolve
In case you haven’t yet noticed, I’m usually not all that partial to the more mainstream “festival style” or “boho fashion,” and usually opt for more independent designers and artists (I like to call them “artisans”) found at transformational or conscious festivals like Lucidity or Lightning In A Bottle. Every time I see a more mainstream ad for festival fashion I often cringe a little, since so many of them to me seem fairly unoriginal and cookie cutter. Plus, I love supporting the small, struggling artists a whole lot more! However, I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t appreciate art in all its forms, and I also understand that my style of festival apparel may not appeal to everyone. So, when I received a newsletter from Revolve, one of the best online retailers for upscale contemporary style, about their latest Festival Vibes edit, I decided to give it a look and share my favorite pieces for those of you who may not connect with me on all of the hippie, nomadic stuff I love to share!
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Edgy and Flirty Night Out Looks by LPA at Revolve
I love dressing up to go out. Honestly though, I haven’t been out much lately, due in part to being so exhausted from the work week. When I do go out nowadays, it’s because I have a DJ gig, am supporting a friend’s gig or I’m somewhere seeing a favorite musician or band perform. In any circumstance where I find an opportunity to hit the town, I always like dressing on the darker side. Black is my taste, along with other dark colors: olive green, burgundy, and other earthy tones. Actually, this is pretty much me all the time, but I like to have a little extra fun when I go out with edgier and more unique pieces that I don’t often see just anywhere else. I also love to see how other people with similar tastes adorn themselves, especially at rock or metal shows, or clubs that cater mostly to the alternative crowd.
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Affordable Modern Style for Dark Tastes by Marigold Shadows
As a blogger, or any creative for that matter, it’s normal to run into writing blocks. If you’ve noticed, I’ve even switched up my writing schedule to fit more of a twice-per-week plan, and sometimes I don’t write at all, if I don’t find anything that inspires me. Brands or styles that spark my fancy ebb and flow, so I feel it’s better for my blog to reflect that, rather than forcing articles that I’m not really feeling. But I never really have to fear, it seems…as every time I feel like I may finally have seen it all, another brand pops up that makes me go “oooOOOOoohh!”
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Stay Cozy and Stylish in Faux Fur Jackets this Winter
Image: Forever 21. Multicolor Faux Fur Coat
Around the time the weather gets a bit colder, my shopping attention starts to shift a little bit away from jeans and onto outerwear! Hoodies and jackets are so much fun to shop for around this time, even if I unfortunately don’t get to use them as much as I’d like here in California. It’s been pretty darn cold at night here though, and I’ve already grabbed a supersoft, faux suede and shearling jacket from American Eagle (one of my favorite places to shop). I also love jackets with faux fur trim, but I’m never all that partial to full shaggy faux fur jackets. The only time I really wear a lot of faux fur is at music festivals when it gets cold at night, like those furry hoods you’ve probably seen floating around the internet over the last few years. But, because of that party spirit, I have thought of grabbing myself a fuzzy jacket to bridge the line between festival and real life, much like a lot of the apparel from independent designers I find at festivals, and on Etsy.
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Holiday Break Recap and Favorite Remaining Sales
Image: Joe’s Jeans. Shop through 9pm PST 11/29/2017.
I’m sure it was easy to gather I was M.I.A. because of this past holiday…I figured Thanksgiving would be a great time to take a bit of a break and focus on family and relaxation for a bit. While there were a ton of sales floating around that I usually enjoy posting about, I really didn’t feel much up to it this time. As much as I absolutely love supporting some of my favorite brands, especially the smaller ones, I feel we as a society have placed too much of an importance on holidays for the wrong reasons over the years. It’s funny as a blogger, trying to keep a healthy outlook on consumerism when sometimes it seems that’s all that a style blog is about. But as I’m sure you know by now, I have a true love for all of the amazing advancements in denim as well as the hard-working independent brands that strive to create a more sustainable future and live off their creative passions. Family and time off is also incredibly important, and sometimes it can also be a challenge for me to keep a healthy balance. When I find the opportunity, I realize the need to take advantage of it, and I do!