Styling together an outfit is all about mixing together complimentary patterns, textures, fits and colors. I don’t always mix more than one pattern in one getup unless they are similar enough without being overwhelming (maybe one is muted down a bit). However, when the same is all considered in the production of one garment, things can get even more interesting! Patchwork is one of those fun mixed-media ideas in terms of designing a piece, and perhaps brings a bit of nostalgia, either from grandma’s quilts or recycling fabrics to make a perfect pair of bell bottoms in the 1970s. It’s a cool category in the denim industry that is always around, but seems to poke its head out from time to time every few years as a new trend. It can be used to portray just about anything from a bold, rebellious street style to a laid-back, friendly aesthetic. It’s been awesome to see how brands get creative with all the ways to create a unique pair of jeans in such a saturated market, and patchwork is always a bright go-to when stuck in a style rut or when you’re just feeling stylishly playful.
An Evening in Articles of Society Flare Jeans
Top: Norma Kamali Kamali Kulture (sold out, resold here and here on Poshmark or here on Ebay), Jeans: Articles of Society Faith Flare Jeans in Rio Bueno, Shoes: Asos (sold out, similar here). Sunglasses: Blenders Eyewear
It’s been quite awhile since I’ve written about flare jeans…Probably back when I reviewed a totally fun pair from AGOLDE for Denimology back in 2016! Time flies…and all this time, skinny jeans have continued to dominate the market. I’d say they still do, but flare jeans are starting to make a comeback again. I was sent this rad pair from Articles of Society, the Faith Flare Jeans in Rio Bueno, to review for Denimology, and I say they are quite groovy! I love this added dark denim panel on the outside of the flares.
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The Popularity of Overalls is Still Going Strong
Image: Anthropologie. Levi’s Skinny Overalls
All of us remember the classic overalls from our childhood years, even if you weren’t someone who owned a pair. I did! At the time I didn’t care at all about fashion, and wore them mostly for the convenience and comfort. I still remember my short pair. As we all know, trends seem to pop up from nostalgic times of the past—just look at all the styles that have re-emerged from the ’80s and early ’90s over the last few years! In 2014, the overall made a huge comeback, and although its popularity wavered since then, it appears it’s still going pretty strong. However, it’s evolved a lot since that re-emergence, now coming in more refined, skinny and fashionable options rather than the typical frumpy outdoorsy workwear look. I’ll admit I do not own a pair, as it’s one of those trends that I’m not sure about personally. That doesn’t matter to me much though, because it’s still awesome to me to watch what gets released every season, and I will say that there are some people who truly can rock them (I’m looking at you, Kate Bosworth and Miranda Kerr)!
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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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Shop Sustainable Brands through ASOS Eco Edit
I’ve had a lot of favorite online shopping destinations throughout the years, but lately I’ve made a conscious effort to shop primarily through independent Etsy artists or sustainable brands I discover through my digging around for quality posts to share with all of you. I don’t really frequent many of the popular powerhouses, like Tobi, ASOS, H&M or Zara (I definitely stay away from fast fashion). However, it’s been nice to hear lately that H&M has actually been working towards more sustainable practices, and Zara released a sustainable collection last year. Just recently, while researching the next cool item to write about, I realized that all this time, ASOS has had their own eco-friendly collection as well, along with a fair-trade line. How on earth did I miss this?
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Patched and Embroidered Denim for Fall
Level 99 Allie Mid Rise in High Street (F/W 2016)
Patched and Embroidered Denim for Fall
The artistry within the denim community is one aspect that keeps me hooked. When ripped jeans first got popular over ten years ago, I started by buying my own pair and ripping them myself, then added rhinestones and patches all over them, based on a pair I had seen at either Abercrombie or Hollister (same thing basically…but can’t remember specifically). Way before that, in high school, I enjoyed putting embroidered patches all over my backpack, but hadn’t ever considered putting them on clothing. Jeans with cute embroidery have been floating around the market more than before now, and it’s so fun seeing all of the different designs available! It further pushes the notion that denim is like a canvas, ready for a designer (or designer at heart) to have at it and express their creativity, just like with painted jeans. A lot of them bring out a cool flower child-ish ’70s vibe which obviously fits me pretty well if you’ve been reading my blog long enough!
Fall is almost here already, and I think patched and embroidered jeans would be perfect to match the falling leaves and changing colors of the season. Springtime is also another season that I feel these embroidered jeans fit well within, but that’s a subject for a much later post! Here are some of the best I could find out on the market right now, starting with two beautiful styles that are part of Level 99’s Fall/Winter 2016 lookbook: the Allie Mid Rise in High Street (above) and Level 99 Amber Slouchy in Point Dume (below). Which is your favorite?
Level 99 Amber Slouchy in Point Dume (F/W 2016)
Image: Asos. Glamorous High Rise Mom Jeans With Floral Embroidery
Images: Nordstrom. Topshop Lucas Beaded Boyfriend Jeans and Topshop Floral Embroidered High Rise Crop Jeans
Image: Farfetch. The Seafarer Embroidered Jeans
Images: Level 99. Riley High Rise Embroidered Straight in Fulton Street and Alley Straight Leg in Berkeley
Images: Asos. Glamorous Petite Embroidered Girlfriend Jean (Petite or Tall) and Glamorous Tall Boyfriend Jean With Embroidered Leg
Images: Alice & Olivia and Neiman Marcus. Alive & Olivia Light Indigo Ryley Low Rise Embroidered Bell Jeans and Alice & Olivia Ryley Low-Rise Embroidered Flare Jeans, Cream/Multicolor
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The Little Red Dress
Dress: Banana Republic, Shoes: Boutique 9, Necklace: Kevin Main
The Little Red Dress
Don’t get me wrong, I love me a LBD…and honestly, in my opinion, red is often a tough color to pull off. It is at least for me…I have almost zero red items in my closet. I think I only have one red tank, one or two red tees, and a pair of red jeans. However, last year I was given a gift certificate for Banana Republic for my birthday, which was JUST after I began coveting a pretty, vintage-looking red dress with cap sleeves that was displayed delicately in the front window of the store. So, it wasn’t tough to decide what I’d use my gift for, even though I rarely ever go to Banana Republic. I love the simplicity and classic-ness of the brand, I guess I’m just not quite grown up at heart enough for it yet. However, I absolutely love this dress and love any nice occasion to wear it. Here I am sporting it in Vegas this last weekend at The Orleans!
