Visual Vacation In Luxury

Everybody knows that winters in the Northeast aren’t pleasant. It’s bone chilling days like this that make me fantasize about the warm spring ones that are soon to come. Until those April showers bring the May flowers, this outfit will just have to do:

MOSCHINO CHEAP AND CHIC shirt / HAUTE HIPPIE jeans / COMME DES GARÇONS jacket / FREE PEOPLE backpack / ISABEL MARANT sneakers / RAIF hat / LINDA FARROW sunglasses

The semi-sheer, silk top is on trend and has a pretty graphic that instantly stirs thoughts of 76 degree weather. I love the floral pant and graphic shirt combination, which is a play on the trend of mixing prints. The stripes on the letterman jacket add another layer of texture and print giving the outfit plenty of depth. The quirkiness of this look is what makes it so great for me. It almost doesn’t work, but after five minutes of analytical staring I ended up falling in love with it.

Sneaker wedges are another trend I love. My favorites are Giuseppi Zanotti (left) and Isabel Marant (right):

You can find the Giuseppe’s at FarFetch.com and the Isabel Marant’s at AlwaysFashion.com. The great thing about sneaker wedges is you don’t have to have a ton of money to buy a good looking pair. These are two of my less expensive favorites:

The black and white are by Steve Madden and cost $150 and the green pair is by Jeffrey Campbell and is on sale for $115. The perfect in between option is by Ash. I love the design of their shoes. They are very streamlined and more reminiscent of an actual heel than most of the other sneaker wedges I’ve seen:

You can find these at ASOS.com. Come back tomorrow to check out a similar look fit for a smaller budget.

Denim Shirts

A good denim shirt can do wonders for your style. It can transform an outfit from uptight to urban within seconds (if worn correctly.) It can send the message that you just don’t give a f*ck and looks a lot cooler than a cardigan. But most importantly, it’s versatile.  A button down denim shirt can last you years if treated kindly.

Free People is selling a vintage Wrangler denim shirt that would be a great addition to any wardrobe:

Here’s an example of how a denim shirt can elevate a look:

WILDFOX tank / SEVEN jeans / BOY. BY BAND OF OUTSIDERS chambray shirt / REPOTTO shoes / PRADA bag / EDDIE BORGO ring / RAY-BAN sunglasses

Although the outfit can stand on its own, it’s nice to have a little something to throw on if you get cold.  A cardigan would not fit with the rest of the ensemble and a jacket would be too heavy.  The denim shirt is light enough for this outfit to transition into summer.

Here’s a different take on the denim shirt look:

SEE BY CHLOÈ top / J BRAND shorts / JEFFREY CAMPBELL booties / FRENCH CONNECTION clutch / REED KRAKOFF cuff / MULBERRY bracelet / THE ROW sunglasses / KATE SPADE earrings

Subtract some buttons, add some ruffles and you end up with a completely different look with just as much of an edge.  The ruffles add a girly touch while the black, brass and heavy booties maintain a grungy vibe.  The wooden bag is unexpected and adds some softness to an otherwise hard outfit.

This outfit has more of a girly feel:

RALPH LAUREN top / AUSTIQUE shorts / MOTO denim shirt / MODERN VINTAGE booties / MIU MIU clutch / VAN DER STRAETEN earrings / WILDFOX rings

The silk tie-dye shorts are on trend and add some feminine flair to the menswear inspired denim shirt and booties.  The simple white top keeps the outfit looking clean rather than overdone.

Here is a cheaper version of the denim look for fashionistas on a budget:

OBEY tank $75/ MONKI shorts $31/ JEFFREY CAMPBELL booties $350/ URBAN EXPRESSIONS clutch $30/ HOT TOPIC bracelet $13/ SIDNEY MICHAELS earrings $24/ PAYLESS ring $10/ 80S PURPLE sunlgasses $12

I know…it’s just a different version of the same Jeffrey Campbell bootie…but I am a firm believer that one should invest in their shoes.  Cheap shoes are easy to spot and hurt your feet, so my advice would be to save up for a quality pair of shoes rather than a $200 pair of jeans.  And these shoes really do complete the look.  Thank you Jeffrey Campbell…we all love the Lita.