Pull out the plaid this Fall and Winter season. It’s no longer just a fabric to be worn only around the holidays. Right now… play with it! Plaid is classic, funky, and fun. We’re showing two ways to wear a fitted plaid dress.

Look #1

To wear it from the office to dinner, pair it with a feminine coat, some lace-up pumps, textured stockings, and a clutch. Pop on some pearls before you leave for dinner, and you went from day to night in seconds. It’s classic with refreshing & current pieces.

classic tartan pieces in Look #1:

Look #2

To play up the funky side of things, add rock and roll edge. Think Gwen Stefani. Gwen has embraced plaid for years, and has given us a new perspective on how to wear it. Truly, she could be the reason plaid has a funky side. Although, I’m sure there are a few on King’s Road in London who would say they started the trend, I’m giving the honor to Ms. Stefani - she brought the look to the masses. To get her playful punk meets rock look : The plaid dress should be the center piece, try not to overwhelm it too much. Start by wrapping a studded leather belt around the waist, a vintage denim jacket, unrefined leather boots, and some bold textured stockings. This outfit is fashion forward with downtown edge.

funky tartan in Look #2:

The long cardigan is one of the biggest and most versatile trends of the season, not to mention an ideal transitional piece for your wardrobe. There are countless looks and ways to wear this fabulous piece - enjoy!

If you’ve got a longer, leaner physique, go for the lengthiest of the lengthy cardigans - one that shoots straight down to the floor. Underneath, toss on some wide legged pants to create a beautiful silhouette. If you’d like to enhance or create an hourglass look, simply wrap a skinny belt around your natural waistline. To bring a shine to the look, incorporate some long, layered necklaces.

long items in this observation:

For women who are not as tall, look for a cardigan that falls above the knees. Choose a petite, simple dress that will serve as an under layer and keep the cardigan open. Make the outfit pop, and enhance your figure with a striking belt around the whole ensemble. Toss on some neutral colored heels to lengthen your legs and a patterned neck scarf to add some ‘flava’. Voila! A combo that you probably never dreamed of wearing suddenly makes you look fashionable and fabulous.

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preppy hipster chic items in this observation:

If you’d like to tap into a glamorous version of this long cardigan look, choose a piece that is intricately draped. The long cardigans with great detail are best worn with simple accessories, such as opaque tights or skinny jeans and some sexy heels. (Only go for the tights look if the cardigan is knee length or longer)

glamorous items in this observation:

We usually associate Fall with colors like brown, red, green, and deep yellow. This year we’re seeing shades of purple appear in Fall collections across the board. A color that was once associated with royalty, wealth, and power is now to be worn by woman everywhere. It’s commonly thought that people who embrace the color purple are creative, eccentric, independent, and mysterious. This intriguing color brings sophistication to our usual measure of fall colors. It works beautifully with grays, blacks, and denim. It’s a quick way to update your wardrobe for the season, without having to spend a fortune. Try to work at least one piece of purple into your story this season, even if it’s only a scarf. Be a bit mysterious, and let out your inner royal. Let the majestic color work magic on you!

purple items in this observation:

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Bottom Row

It’s crisp, refreshing, and an All-American look. Nautical inspired pieces make an appearance every summer. It’s a consistent, classic style that women always seem to welcome. Jackie Kennedy pulled this look off brilliantly. She looked great in a blue and white striped shirt with white pedal pushers and her signature giant sunglasses. There are so many ways to wear this style, we’re going to show you four. The first look is perfect for cocktails on the boat. White linen pants with sailor buttons, a yellow and white stripe tank, a bag made from recycled sails, an anchor necklace for added detail… and, of course, yellow aviators. It’s a relaxed casual chic that doesn’t come across as trying too hard. The next look is perfect for a day of boating. You’ll need your suit to catch some rays, a wide blue and white stripe is a classic. You might get cold after water skiing, so throw on a cute pair of anchor sweats, and a pop of red with a hoodie. Don’t forget your boat shoes, and a navy tote to hold your towels and ipod. The third look is great for everyday running around. A sailor tunic, paired with leggings or denim shorts. A boat bag that makes a great tote, and a pair of flat espadrilles. Add some fun jewelry, like an anchor necklace and a rope bracelet. You’ll look good and feel comfortable all day. The last look is a bit dressier. A white skirt with sailor button detail, mixed with an ocean colored striped sweater. Pop in a denim luxury bag, and tie an anchor scarf around the handle for effect. It’s the perfect outfit for an evening poolside or party on the beach. Even if you’re not near the ocean, this is a great style to embrace. Trust us, this style will be around for a long time, so it’s a good place to invest in important pieces. All aboard!

items in this observation (clockwise):

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Bottega Veneta is known for their woven leather bags; it has practically become their label. If you haven’t noticed, Bottega doesn’t have any conspicuous labels on their bags. The identity of the brand has become synonymous with their specific woven leather. If you want this luscious leather, though, you’re going to pay for it. Their bags range from $1200 to over $5000. If you can’t afford that hefty price tag, we have the bag for you. Banana Republic has made a few bags that more than resemble the unreachable Bottega Veneta. They even have a similar sandal that blends beautifully. You may have just found your perfect summer bag! It’s big enough to take to the beach, structured enough to take to work, and comfortable enough for everyday. No matter where you go, or what you wear, this bag brings it to a chic level. How can you beat a reasonably priced, well made, fashionable, designer look-alike bag? We don’t think you can beat it, but we do think you should go for it!

items in this observation (L to R):

Is it possible to put together a great looking outfit for under $250.00? The answer is, unequivocally, yes! We’ve selected pieces that have designer appeal without the sticker shock. All the items in this outfit can easily be mixed with other pieces in your wardrobe. They are basic in nature, with modern design. When you want to update your look without spending a lot of money, stay basic on most items. Try not to go overboard on “of the moment” patterns or prints. In six months those pieces will serve only to date your look. Clean lines always look fresh and current. If you want to introduce a trendy print or piece do it subtly. A print shirt over white denim, a clutch that dabbles in color. Keep it simple. Accessories that are neutral are always your best bet. They have a longer shelf life, and can go with a number of different ensembles. For example, a muted gold or silver shoe is one of todays best neutrals. It’s the shoe that walks with all kinds of outfits. That is truly how to get more bang for your buck. Kimora Lee says it best: “Be stingy with your money! Don’t splurge at the mall, … and definitely don’t give it to your boyfriend.”

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