Chunky Cable Knits

When my alarm is going off and I hear the winter wind whistling against my window, the last thing I want to do is get out of my warm, cozy bed and venture into the freezing cold. Rather than sleep in, try layering under warm, chunky cable knits.

BOY. BY BAND OF OUTSIDERS sweater / ERDEM pants / DKNY coat / MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA booties / PROENZA SCHOULER bag / COACH fur scarf

A simple white collared shirt would be perfect under this Boy. by Band of Outsiders sweater (and yes, tuck it in.) To add some trendy individuality (oxymoron?) you can attach collar tips like these ones from ASOS:

The modern feel they have works best with the outfit above, mainly because this look is a little bit more relaxed:

ROMWE sweater $80 / RIVER ISLAND jeans $55 / UNTOLD coat $76 / OASAP boots $63 / TOPSHOP bag $68 / WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET faux fur scarf $50

This sweater has much more of a lumberjack vibe, obviously made chic by the surrounding pieces. Nonetheless it would look foolish with a collared shirt layered underneath. It could also potentially make the outfit seem like it’s trying too hard to look good. This look is trendy enough with it’s mixed prints (floral and houndstooth,) yet still understated. Always a good combination.

Embellished Jackets

My new obsession is embellished jackets. They may sound expensive, and most are, but these more affordable British clothing companies, like TopShop (which has now taken over the US,) ASOS and River Island, are making it much easier to stay on trend and under budget. This ASOS jacket is amazing:

The white version runs petite while the black comes in regular sizes. For the price ($132) it’s a pretty gorgeous jacket. The best thing about it is that it can be dressed up or down. Throw it on top of jeans and a t-shirt and you’ll look effortlessly chic. Put it on top of a dress and you’ll be the trendiest girl at the party. Here’s one by River Island for $142:

It gives off more of a Park Avenue vibe, but still manages to maintain a bit of an edge. Of course, the neon drew me in (you know how I love neon,) but the embellishments are what make this jacket stand out. Here are two of my favorite designer embellished jackets:

The powder pink bomber is by Elie Saab and the black is by Matthew Williamson. I am absolutely in love with the Elie Saab. Not only is this color (blush) very hot for spring, but it looks amazing on all skin tones. It can also act as a neutral while allowing you to change up the black, white, brown routine.

If a whole jacket is too much embellishment for you, this Anna Sui vest is a beautiful alternative:

The colors of the jewels and the texture of the velvet work hand in hand to create a gorgeous, eastern inspired vest. The collar is very Asian and almost has a regal look to it. These next two jackets are stunning, a bit more ladylike and, again, can be dressed up or down:

The pink is by Prada and the black is by Miu Miu, and both need to get in my closet. If I had to choose, I think the Prada would be my favorite. I don’t know if I’m just in a pink mood today, but I think I would love this jacket in any color. The delicate details and clean lines are just gorgeous. Proof that you don’t need to be over the top to create something breathtaking (although sometimes a little over the top doesn’t hurt.)

Neon Green with Envy in Reality

I love a t-shirt with a seemingly meaningless symbol (though this one makes me think of Pink Floyd…anybody else?) It exudes an “I don’t care” attitude that so many well dressed people seem to possess. The heels don’t hurt either. 4 inch strappies with no platform that preferably have some shiny metal on them, are hot. Platforms are so 2011, and also very painful. So lose the stilts and throw on a pair of these. I find them equally as torturous, but if you’re going to be in pain, why not be in good shoes too.

COZBEST jacket $81 / CHEAP MONDAY jeans $90 / FOREVER 21 tank $15 / ASOS heels $79 / ATMOS&HERE bag $63 / DOROTHY PERKINS ring $11 / RIVER ISLAND necklace $19 / ASOS sunglasses $21

The jacket adds a pop of color, just like the Antonio Berardi blazer did in the luxury version of this look. The subtle jewelry is key to looking chic. You can’t look sleek with frilly jewels hanging everywhere, unless they’re really expensive nice. Instead stick to clean lines. Think modern and metallic. And again, the black and white motif really ups the trend factor. Of course, there is that pop of neon…seems I just couldn’t help myself. Here are 7 of my favorite black and white pieces for under $100:

1. H&M dress $32 / 2. NASTY GAL jeans $75 / 3. NASTY GAL maxi skirt $58 / 4. ALIAS MAE wedges $80 / 5. BARDOT crop top $53 / 6. MOTEL skirt $44 / 7. CHIC NOVA t-shirt $44

The maxi skirt gets even better once you put it on. The white stripe is bordered by zippers that can make one or two slits:

The versatility of this skirt makes it my favorite piece under $100, though the Bardot crop top is a close second. Which is your favorite?

Check back tomorrow to read about my newest obsession.

Faux Fur in Reality + Camouflage

I am seriously feeling camouflage right now. It’s so 80’s, grunge, “I don’t give a f*ck.” I have a vintage army jacket that I’ve been wearing a lot, but if that shapeless look is too much “I don’t give a f*ck” for your liking, try a skinny camo pant like these:

H&M faux fur $56 / ALMARI top $56 / KSUBI jeans $100 / JOHN LEWIS bag $62 / PROMISE booties $50 / TOPSHOP bracelet $25 / ROMWE earrings $12 / EBAY sunglasses $10

It’s a classy way to wear camouflage and, once again, mix prints. The safety pin earrings and spiked bracelet top off the grunge and the bag looks so similar to the Givenchy used in yesterday’s post, but will save you around a thousand dollars. I love velvet, especially in this kind of bootie. We’ve seen something like this shoe before here on Crave by Giuseppi Zanotti, and I still love the style. The sunglasses add some more texture and yet another pattern to mix and match. But let’s get down to the important piece: the faux.

This faux fur is from H&M and only costs $56. It’s fabulous, doesn’t look fake, although if you don’t take care of it I promise it will start to, and has a nice pattern to it. The structure in the top contrasts nicely with the rest of the outfit, which somehow manages to read as ladylike while sticking up the middle finger, if you know what I mean. I love outfits like this (especially when everything costs $100 or less!) Teenage rebellion meets full grown fashionista.

Leather Leggings with a Peplum in Reality + Mixing Prints

It’s not impossible to stay chic on a budget. All of these items cost under $100 and can easily be mixed and matched to make other fabulous looks. The shoes might be a little gaudy for some, but I love to make a statement. Even if that statement is, “I stole Snooki’s heels,” I don’t care. They’re fabulously obnoxious.

MISSSELFRIDGE top $50 / TOPSHOP leggings $76 / EFOXCITY faux fur jacket $42 / GOJANE heels $99 / H&M bag $21 / TOPSHOP belt $50 / VINCE CAMUTO earrings $29 / OCSHADES sunglasses $14 / RIMMEL LONDON lipstick $7

It’s not impossible to mix patterns on a budget either. Everything in this outfit, besides the shoes coming in at $130, costs pretty well under $100:

TOPSHOP FOR NORDSTROM Skirt $56 / TOPSHOP Top $16 / TOPSHOP Belt $60 / WAREHOUSE Jacket $64 / NLY Clutch $42 / T&J DESIGNS Necklace $58 / DUNE Shoes $130

This outfit might look a little off to some, but for me it works perfectly. That’s the beauty of mixing prints. You’re supposed to have fun with it! My advice would be to try different combinations until something just looks right to you. Don’t worry about how it might look to somebody else. How does it look to you? Dress for yourselves ladies!