There’s a chill in the air, and you’re so tempted to throw on a fleece and a pair of Uggs. WAIT! There’s a better way to actually be cozy and look chic. It’s true! You just need to bridge the gap between comfy and sloppy. Leggings are really in fashion right now, and they happen to be pretty comfortable. Pop on a pair of dark leggings, with a knit tunic, or long somewhat fitted tee. You shouldn’t go too tight on top, you want to balance out the tight leggings on the bottom. This works as a good base, and now you can add accessories that will define the style. A pair of motorcycle boots gives the look a bit of a rugged edge. Atop the entire outfit with a long cardigan, or an unstructured coat. It should look relaxed, and easy. A scarf and a hobo bag completes the look. All the pieces in the outfit feel comfortable, but also look good pulled together. Comfort doesn’t always have to mean sweats and a tee, although I must admit I love to slip into my sweats at the end of a long day. In public, I try to keep my cozy closer to chic.

Items in this observation:

I learned early on the importance of an awesome coat. My mother always had a beautiful coat to complete any outfit, and always made sure each of the four girls had a nicely tailored camel overcoat. She was brilliant! She knew that in the Winter your coat would be the only thing people would really see. So, it makes sense to invest in one that works well with your entire wardrobe. Great advice! Thanks Mom.

Coats in this observations:

Gladiator sandals are one of the biggest trends of the season. Last month’s post on the Gladiator ignited a firestorm of questions: How do I wear them? We’ve put together three of our favorite looks to help you out.

Gladiator look 1

The first look has a tall gladiator paired with a summer cotton dress. The key to this look, is to keep the dress flowy and unconstructed. The cut of the dress will balance out the tall gladiator sandal, making your legs look slim. A big hobo bag completes the look beautifully.

Gladiator look 2

The second look has a short gladiator paired with shorts, a billowy top, bangles, and a textured tote. The key to this look is to lean toward the bohemian, not preppy. It should look relaxed and sophisticated. It translates into a perfect day to evening summer look.

Gladiator look 3

The third look is a more dressed up version of the gladiator sandal. Again, the dress is free flowing which helps to balance the bulk of the shoe. The gladiator we chose is metallic, and reflects beautifully as opposed to drag the outfit down. We paired the outfit with a linen bag with gold accents, to tie it all together. The dress becomes the focus, with very fashion forward accessories that don’t take over the outfit.

We hope some of these looks inspire some of your own creations. Have fun with it, and relax into a pair of gladiator sandals this season.