Lana

Stay Cozy and Stylish in Faux Fur Jackets this Winter

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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Lana

Embroidered Denim Jackets for Spring

First off, this is a bit of a crazy week for me, since my yearly April destination, Lucidity Festival, is this weekend! I won’t be posting again until sometime next week (maybe later, to allow for a little decompression). It’s definitely a much-needed vacation, and a great time to enjoy welcoming in the Springtime! Also, I’ll be DJing this time around, so I am super excited!

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Lana

Limited Edition Glitter Jeans at Topshop

Limited Edition Glitter Jeans at Topshop

Image: Topshop

With denim being an art form in its own, it’s only reasonable for the occasional limited edition piece to pop up now and then among our favorite brands. Sometimes it’s boldly announced through an expansive marketing campaign across the internet, and sometimes it’s kept a bit more quiet, to be discovered only by the brand’s most loyal fans. Whether you participate in purchasing these special pieces or not, it’s still always kind of exciting to me to see these shining examples of the creativity that truly exists in the denim industry being released every now and then. It’s not unusual for regular run product to feature paint, embellishments, glitter and other adornments, but it’s not often to see something that might actually be too nice to actually want to wear out!

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Lana

She’s Folk Rock Collection at Topshop

She's Folk Rock Collection at Topshop

Image: Topshop

I’ve always loved the hand-in-hand relationship between rock n’ roll and fashion, but it seems after visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago, I’ve gained an even stronger attraction to it! Somehow now so much more of it is coming out of the woodwork (that is my inbox). I’m not the biggest folk rock fan, but I definitely appreciate how genuine, spunky and unique it is, including the fashion. Topshop and Nasty Gal are two of the shops that come to mind when I think of folk rock style, but Topshop is the subject at hand here! I’ve been a fan of the brand ever since I saw them in the UK in 2006 (when I first heard about them), but they’ve actually been around since 1964, collaborating with high profile faces such as Kate Moss and Christopher Kane. They also partner with various charities and are always highly involved in London Fashion Week.

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Lana

Patched and Embroidered Denim for Fall

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?

Patched and Embroidered Denim for Fall - Asos

Images: Asos. Glamorous Petite Embroidered Girlfriend Jean (Petite or Tall) and Glamorous Tall Boyfriend Jean With Embroidered Leg

Lana

Reworked Straight Leg Jeans from Topshop

Reworked Straight Leg Jeans from Topshop

I remember when the straight leg jean was basically a skinny jean…back before skinny jeans became super skinny! In a way they were skinny jeans for those who didn’t want their pants to fit like a glove, and were a lot more comfortable at the time because this was prior to all of the amazing stretch recovery technologies and fabric blends that now make luxuriously legging-like fits much more possible. It seems that because of this quick emergence of stretchy styles, many brands stepped back a bit and pushed forward with vintage-inspired lines again, and jeans made of the classic 100% cotton (or close) fabrics. The “straight” name makes sense though, as they are made to fit more straight up and down than to contour to the curves of your legs, especially below the knee. Not everyone likes the super chic butt-hugging jeans, and I can completely understand! Vintage denim is already a huge, huuuge part of denim fandom anyway. Even with me and my obsession with super skinny jeans, I welcomed the explosion of boyfriend jeans last year and have switching up my collection with more of them, along with bootcuts and flares. It’s nice to be able to mix it up a little bit more, and some of these more vintage styles are really growing on me.

Topshop‘s collection of straight jeans are reworked and modernized a bit, with a lower waist and slimmer leg, but still fitting like a classic relaxed jean. Most of these are 100% cotton or at least 99% cotton, 1% elastane, and the collection also includes a few petite and tall pieces. To me, at least as seen on the models, they look a bit more like the straight jean had children with boyfriend jeans! But they are all so chic in their own way, and look so comfortable…and they are flying off the racks! I’m especially fond of the MOTO Laser Panel Straight Leg Jeans, which happen to also be made of authentic selvedge denim! Many of these are, which probably explains why they aren’t staying in stock for too long! Check out some of my favorites below and shop soon to grab your new favorite pair!

Shop Topshop’s straight jeans collection here!

Lana

Topshop MOTO Leigh Jeans in Bleach Stone Review on Denimology

Topshop MOTO Leigh Jeans in Bleach Stone Review on Denimology

Topshop MOTO Leigh Jeans in Bleach Stone Review on Denimology

I remember being in London in 2006 and seeing Topshop stores throughtout my 6-week stay in the UK. Shopping was so fun in that city! It seemed like there was such a wider variety of fun styles and looks…granted I never really actually entered a Topshop store, since it was cheaper to shop at H&M at the time (thanks, exchange rate), but I’ve always had the brand on my mind as a unique yet basic contemporary shop for those who are just looking for something different. When I was given the opportunity to review Topshop jeans, I was excited to finally check out this brand a little bit more close and personal. Since the summer months are approaching, I singled out a pretty bleached pair, and now I’m bringing you a Topshop MOTO Leigh Jeans in Bleach Stone review!

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Lana

The Obligatory Festival Style Post

Festival Outfit 1

Fringe Kimono – Topshop, Red Ottoman Wrap Skort – Topshop, Flower Bralette – Topshop, Astrix Platform Lace-Up Boots – Topshop, Leather Mix Fringe Duffle Bag – Topshop, Black Sheer Knee High Socks – Topshop, Multi Row Beaded Bracelet – Topshop, Amazonian Day Necklace – UrbanOG

The Obligatory Festival Style Post

I think it would be a little insulting of me to scream “HEY everyone, it’s FESTIVAL season!” as if nobody has noticed yet…it’s kind of hard to avoid the barrage of media attention and fashion blogs and brands bringing up post after post after post about what to wear to Coachella and unless you’re living under a rock, you know that’s what this time of the year brings. But something else stood out to me instead amongst all the hype…it seems at one time, these festivals were all about your individual style, and yet so many of these getups all look a bit cookie-cutter now. Think “festival” and your mind probably jumps to high rise, crotch hugging, frayed diaper shorts, bodies covered in all sorts of crochet and heads adorned with feathers and oversized sunglasses, right? Is it just me or is everyone conforming to the same festival look, and simply trying to outdo each other? I mean, unless you’re Vanessa Hudgens and are paid to show up with your own team of stylists to follow you around dabbing off your sweat beads to keep you looking fresh around the clock, there’s probably not much competition. Granted, it’s hot out there (weather wise), and there’s only so many ways to dress lightly under the scorching sun while dancing your tush off to your favorite band or DJ…I’ll vouch for that myself. So, after diligently avoiding this subject for long enough, I figured I’d post up my take of the whole thing, with some items I’d wear from American Eagle, TopShop, UrbanOG and Lucky Brand. I hope I’m not being too hypocritical here, because of course these outfits have that festival look to them…but this is what I’d rock out there if I were headed to Coachella this year.

Festival Outfit 2

Circular Collar Necklace – Lucky Brand, Gimmicks by BKE Cardigan Duster Sweater – Buckle, Floral Multi Embroidery Belt – Lucky Brand. Topshop Underwired Bandeau Bra, MOTO Ripped Washed Black Jamie Jeans – Topshop, Alaska Harness Boots – Topshop, Suede Backed Mini Backpack – Topshop

And just because, I let my inner early-20-something out and crafted something for the younger crowd…

Festival Outfit 3

Rugged Lace Front Boot – American Eagle Outfitters, Wild & Free Trucker Hat – American Eagle Outfitters, AE High Rise Striped Shortie – American Eagle Outfitters, LST & FND Mickey Mouse Muscle Tank – American Eagle Outfitters, Festival Utility Belt – CosmicCelt (Etsy), Link Reaction Necklace – UrbanOG, Native Boogaloo Bracelet – UrbanOG

Shop links:

Outfit 1 – Topshop:

Fringe Kimono
Red Ottoman Wrap Skort
Flower Bralette
Astrix Platform Lace-Up Boots
Leather Mix Fringe Duffle Bag
Black Sheer Knee High Socks
Multi Row Beaded Bracelet
Amazonian Day Necklace – UrbanOG

Outfit 2 – Topshop, Buckle, Lucky Brand:

Circular Collar Necklace – Lucky Brand
Gimmicks by BKE Cardigan Duster Sweater – Buckle
Floral Multi Embroidery Belt – Lucky Brand
Underwired Bandeau Bra – Topshop
MOTO Ripped Washed Black Jamie Jeans – Topshop
Alaska Harness Boots – Topshop
Suede Backed Mini Backpack – Topshop

Outfit 3 – American Eagle Outfitters, Etsy, UrbanOG:

Rugged Lace Front Boot
Wild & Free Trucker Hat
AE High Rise Striped Shortie
LST & FND Mickey Mouse Muscle Tank
Festival Utility Belt – CosmicCelt (Etsy)
Link Reaction Necklace – UrbanOG
Native Boogaloo Bracelet – UrbanOG

Lana

How I Dress Saint Patrick’s Day

StPaddys- American Eagle

From L to R: AE Cropped Dolman T-Shirt and Skinny Trouser, AE Honeycomb Earrings, AE Perforated Bucket Backpack, AE Pretty Printed Scarf, Open Waterfall Cardigan made in Italy by AE, DV by Dolce Vita Clark Bootie

How I Dress Saint Patrick’s Day

In honor of National Wake Up At 6am And Drink Because We Can Day (actually no, you will rarely see me up at 6am for anything that isn’t necessary because…just no), I figured I’d gather together what I consider my personal style to be once I do finally roll out of bed and decide to go grab a beer or two to celebrate with friends. Living in a college town, it always gets rather interesting…not just in terms of the myriad of drunk arrests at 10am while I’m still trying to decide if I feel like going out at all amidst the craziness, but it’s fun going out and people watching and observing everyone’s personal take on this “holiday” in terms of style. I’ll throw on a shiny beaded necklace or two if the mood hits me but in terms of apparel, I’m not much different than I am day-to-day — I just have more fun color coordinating. Here’s a few examples of how I’d dress if I got to raid the warehouses of American Eagle (my longtime favorite that I can’t ever seem to grow out of), Topshop, and Zara (swooooon) before hitting the town to celebrate my freedom to celebrate.

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