Caving to the Crop

I've been trying to figure out a way to get into the cropped sweater trend, and until now I honestly wasn't feeling it. Styles I've seen often appear too winged out at the sides, or in too thin of a fabric which (to me) come across as cropped for the sake of being flirtatious vs. legitimate fashion. (*If that's your thing though, rock it! It's just not for me.) Anyway, so when I saw the cropped sweater pictured above I thought, "Ah! I've found it!"– what I appreciate about this particular cropped style is the fitted structure as well as the heavy knit. 

I've paired this preppy and Autumn appropriate look with a casual up-do inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker's infamous character, Carrie Bradshaw. Keep reading to find out what other items I've pulled to style it!

Earrings: Etsy seller 'smallbluethings' Gold Hoop Earrings w/ London Blue Briolette Charm, $22

Top: ModCloth Crop Star Sweater, $54.99

Top: JCrew (Factory) Drapey Stripe Pullover Hoodie in Blue Stripe, $39.50 (*Sale)

Pants: Madewell Widelegger Jeans in Explorer Wash, $79.50 (*Sale)

Shoes: UO Kimchi Blue Wood Platform Pump in Brown, $49

Total Cost of this Outfit: $244.99

Almost $300 for a denim look? By swapping in a few of your own items, this look is certainly accomplishable for less!

• Omit the denim cost. While I love me some wideleg tailored-looking denim, a bootcut jean would suffice here as well. A skinny jean would also work, but I'd style them with riding boots instead– for visual interest.
• Omit the brown leather heel cost and swap-in a pair of brown heels, clogs, ankle boots or oxfords of your own.
• You could just as easily finish off this look with a simple gold hoop or statement earring of your own – be creative!

And maybe complete the look with a nice bronzey/brown eye like this one by TiffanyD: Tiffany's Everyday Smokey Eye Makeup.

Pretty in Pink

As I popped a grapefruit Halls Vitamin C drop in my mouth this morning– battling an on-coming cold, I had an idea for today's outfit of the day! I know, random... but I went with it. A preppy punch of pink to contrast what is a cool and grey day in Chicago (55º), and cozy high-neck cardigan paired with a casual pony inspired by Reese Witherspoon is the recipe for this cold medicine inspired look! :)

The Breakdown:
Earrings: Etsy seller 'PaintSwatchJewelry' Recycled Pink Earrings, $15
Top: JCrew Factory Perfect Shirt in Mineral Grey Plaid, $44.50 (*Sale)
Top: ModCloth Corner Coffee Shop Cardigan, $59.99
Belt: American Eagle Braided Leather Ring Belt in Brown, $29.50
Pants: Express Zelda Jean Legging in Spiced Guava, $69.90
Shoes: DSW Heaven Patent Flat in Taupe, $39.95
(*Cuff on model's right wrist: Express Sculpted Metal Cuff in Shiny Gold, $24.90)

Total Cost of this Outfit: $258.84 (not including the cuff).

Not terrible, but not great...

How to Save on this Look:

• Omit the fun paint chip earrings, and swap-in your own pair of solid silver of gold posts or hoops.
• Don't purchase an accessory if you have one that could do the trick! Therefore, use a brown belt you may already have.
• Same principal with the shoes– if you have a neutral flat, use your own!

By swapping-in your own accessory basics, you can accomplish a similar look for under $175! You could afford two more tops with the savings!

Sound the Alarm!

*Warning!: This outfit is a.) not for the meek, and b.) definitely a splurge.  Now, I know– red pants aren’t for everyone. Understandable. They most definitely make a statement! If they’re not really your thing, keep reading– I have a couple of solutions for you. Moving on from the pant: I’m obsessed with the sequin top paired with a denim looking button-up look!! It’s fun, and it’s a cool updated twist on a classic. Sparkle and flame need a cool down, so pair with a nude shoe and an easy going loose curl (pictured: Olivia Palermo) and a nude/pink lip. (*My fav lip product: MAC Lipglass in Underage, $14.50). Overall this ensamble commands attention and I would highly reco for any fashion fearless lady :)

The Breakdown:
Earrings: H&M 9-Pack Earrings, $5.95 (*bronze-ish pair shown)
Top: TopShop Sequin Tee in Bronze, $90.00
Top: JCrew Selvedge Chambray Popover in Dark Blue Wash, $98.00
Pants: Express Ultimate Double Weave Columnist Pant in Mars Red, $79.90
Shoes: (Bakers) Chinese Laundry Hotness Pump in Light Tan, $49.99

Total Cost of this Outfit: $323.84 (*Not including cost of lip product).

Kinda steep, but!– I did warn you… Still,

How To Save On This Outfit: 

As promised, a few solutions for the anti-red personality: This look could easily be chic and flirty with a khaki trouser or dark skinny denim.

• If opting for the denim route, cuff the bottoms 2-3” to expose the lighter blue, it adds dimension. Also go for a flat or pump that exhibits a pop of color– maybe bring back the red on your feet! 
• As for the khaki option, hint: the columnist pant also comes in khaki, but surely swap-in your own khaki pant if you own them already. As for a shoe to pair with khaki, I like this flat: Bakers Glitz Flat in Bronze, $29.99. Otherwise a pop of color in footwear would be appropriate here too.

By using pants and shoes from your own closet, you’re able to save $129.89– thus chopping down the total cost of this outfit to $193.95! No, still not inexpensive but again, I warned you this was a splurge statement ensamble.

I say go for it! Be fearless.

Gold Member

As the leaves have all pretty much turned their colors and fallen to the ground– they're the final punches of color this area will see for quite a while. In leu of celebrating the Autumn hues we all know and love, I present this change-of-the-season appropriate and flirty combo.

The Breakdown:

Top: LOFT Button Cuff 3/4 Sleeve Sweater in Oatmeal, $39.99

Jacket: TopShop Mustard Daisy Print Pyjama Style Jacket, $110

Necklace: Anthropologie Citrus Twist Necklace in Assorted, $38

Pants: Zara Trousers with Piping on Pocket in Black, $49.90

Shoes: Francesca's Collections Dancing on Air Flat in Black, $28

Total Cost of this Outfit: $265.89

As this look is composed of mostly basics, of course I have savings tips!

How to Save on this Look:

• Do without the black flats purchase and sport a low-profile black shoe of your own.
• If you own a pair of black pants already– wear those! Or perhaps you have a pair of black leggings(?)– those would work just as fine as well.

To clarify: What I mean by 'leggings' is skinny-fit black pants with spandex in them, not skinny-fit cotton yoga pants! Leave those for weekends. I recommend these, if you're looking for a quality legging: Zara Ponte Di Roma Trousers in Black, $49.90. And if you think a black legging is something you'll get more wear out of vs. a tailored black trouser– opt for an expense that's going to suit you/your lifestyle.

By swapping in your own shoes and pants, this look comes down in cost to $187.99. No, still not "cheap", but then again nothing about this look or the items in it are cheap; in the sense that they're poor quality and therefore not worth your pennies. I stress this point a lot, and I'll say it again: don't be afraid to spend a higher dollar for a quality neutral, because you won't feel compelled to replace it in a year. Things like blazers, jackets, shoes and accessories can be reoccurring purchases to freshen your look. 

Do The Twist!

Three considerations make the recipe for this buttoned-up boho look, each layer entirely dependent on the another(s). By selecting a minimal yet powerful pop of color (in this case, orange) and building it in two ways: one that compliments and one that contrasts, are steps 1 and 2. By layering in orange’s complimentary color (blue) in the necklace and denim you achieve contrast. By providing a neutral base for the colors via the button-up and shoes you produce a compliment. And the final ‘ingredient’, shape and texture: by mixing smooth with detailed and curves with strait lines you create a balanced, not too tailored and not too carefree ensamble.

The Breakdown:

Top: JCrew Stretch Perfect Shirt in Smoky Graphite, $29.99 (*Sale)

Necklace: Francesca's Collections Falling For You Necklace in Orange, $24

Pants: Levis Flap Pocket Flare Jean in Creased Pure Rigid, $45 (*Sale)

Belt: H&M Belt in Orange, $5.95

Shoes: Target Xhilaration Sandi Canvas Boat Shoes in Taupe, $19.99

Total Cost of this Outfit: $124.93

Roughly $125 is nothing to scoff at for a head-to-toe ensamble! But, I do have a couple savings tricks up my sleeve for you froogle females–

How to Save on this Look:

• Omit the $45 denim and swap in your own; though, I do recommend a flare, bootcut or even a wideleg.
• Save $20 and skip the faux Top Siders (shoes), and incorporate your own brown or neutral flat.

That's $65 in savings, bringing this look under $100!! That feels good!