Trends For Less: Peacock Jewelry

Trends For Less: Peacock Jewelry by theclosetbychristie featuring a button down shirt

Nice to see you again, Friday! I hope everyone had a nice week and is ready to celebrate with another edition of Trends For Less. Who told you money bought sophistication? Maybe no one in particular, but there has always been this notion that elegant and beautiful looks can only be achieved with money. It's simply not true! You just need to have a keen eye for style and some patience.

In the above set, I featured a light grey and silver statement skirt paired with a classic white button-up collar blouse. I love this because the skirt is trendy, yet it has the look of a classic due to the neutral color palette. I can't explain why- but white, silver, and light grey always look expensive. You can't go wrong with those colors as far as I'm concerned! I accessorized with  Charlotte Russe silver bow flats and an Aldo brown hobo bag. The hobo bag really pops because the color stands out on the palette even though it's a neutral and although the style is different, it works.

Lastly, I used peacock inspired jewelry. I'm loving everything peacock these days! I love the rich colors and gorgeous feathers. I chose jewelry from Pier 1 Imports; a turquoise and gold drop necklace, chandelier earrings, a peacock ring, and enamel bangle. Pier 1 is a favorite store of mine for household decor, but I don't usually think to go there for jewelry. Everything in the store is gorgeous, so it's no surprise the jewelry is too! But the real kicker is that it's reasonably priced- can't beat that!

The grand total here is just $192 for the fully accessorized outfit! What's your favorite piece in this look? Have you shopped Pier 1 for jewelry?

Crazy For Spring Week: Coral & Straw Floppy Hats

Coral Crush by theclosetbychristie featuring ballerina flats

Floppy hats are my latest nice weather obsession. It adds an instant elegance to any look! It's an Audrey Hepburn inspired look-at-me-I'm-fabulous kind of look. It's truly fashionable and functional, in that it actually does a wonderful job at keeping the sun out of your eyes. Now that's what I'm talking about! I always love fashions that serve a purpose.

In the above set, I featured my favorite accessory for the warm weather: straw floppy hat. You can never go wrong! This type of hat comes in so many different colors and styles and no matter what, always looks fabulous. For the outfit, I used a pleated floral skirt and coral ruffle blouse. The blouse is especially nice because we all know I'm a sucker for ruffles and the black accents really give it an added something. I accessorized with a coral patent leather bow flat and Michael Kors camel bowling tote. Lastly, I added a brown and leopard print bangle set, gold heart studs (love!), and J.Crew gold feather ring (must-have!).

This is the perfect look for a frolic in the sun type of day; an afternoon picnic, a walk in the park, shopping at an outdoor mall. Where is your favorite place to wear your  floppy hat?

Crazy For Spring Week: Pastel Lovin'

Pastels For Spring by theclosetbychristie featuring leather pumps

Pastel colors are everywhere this spring. We're seeing a lot of pastel floral skinny jeans and blazers, pale pinks, and powder blues. It's quite a jump from the neon color palette that took over the summer, but I'm loving it. It's so gorgeous and elegant!

In the above set, I featured a pastel horizontal stripe pencil skirt. That's right, horizontal stripes aren't going anywhere this spring! What was originally a fashion no-no (it was rumored to make people appear wider) is now a huge trend in back-to-back seasons. If you ask me, I would say that horizontal stripes are here to stay! I paired the pencil skirt with a white Armani button-up ruffle blouse, a modern spin on a classic piece, and a blush Chloe blazer. I accessorized with a blush and black J.Crew colorblock handbag and metallic pale pink heels. For jewelry, I kept it nice and delicate with a silver diamond bracelet and blossom studs. I absolutely love this look because it is so sophisticated!

What do you think of pastels for spring? Are you loving it like me? 

Crazy For Spring Week: Silk Dress & Wood Handle Bag

Marigold & Navy by theclosetbychristie featuring a flower handbag

I don't know about you, but I've had it with winter! Despite the recent blizzard we had in New Jersey, the weather has been improving and last week we had a tease of spring-like weather. So this week in blogland, I'm celebrating spring with Crazy For Spring Week! We can all dream, can't we?

In the above set, I featured a marigold and navy floral three-quarter sleeve silk dress. I love this dress because it has such a gorgeous, flattering silhouette. The pattern is nature-inspired and fun, but not too bold. The navy and marigold colors really compliment each other, too. I accessorized with canary bow heels and wood handle flower handbag. The heels are nice because they add a pop of color, but not too much since it matches the accents on the dress. The handbag screams spring! The wood handle and natural flower makes this a great accessory for spring or summer. Lastly, I added navy jewel and pearl studded earrings and a yellow, gold, and blue bangle set. These tie in the colors while adding gorgeous accents of their own. I would wear those earrings every day if I could!

Are you as excited for spring as I am? What new trends are you looking forward to trying out?

Trends For Less: Leopard Print & Bows

Trends For Less: Leopard Print & Bows by theclosetbychristie featuring chiffon tank tops

Want to learn more about how to save on your favorite trends? I have been getting a lot of great feedback on my Trends For Less sets because lets face it, we're all not rolling in dough! Many young women are discouraged by the implication that you must spend top dollar on every item in your closet. That's simply not true. Everyone and anyone can enjoy fashion. You just need to know where the deals are! I always say save on trends, splurge on staples.

Lately I'm just crazy about leopard print! That's why I featured a Dorothy Perkins leopard print handbag in my set above because it's just gorgeous. I'm telling you, leopard print is the new black. You heard it here first! Next, I chose a berry bow chiffon top paired with a pleated white belted skirt. I love the top because it has the perfect combination of my favorite things: bows and ruffles. Everything about this top is fantastic, right down to the color. 

I accessorized with a J.Crew salmon cardigan, Payless nude flats, Betsey Johnson heart studs, and gold bangle set. The J.Crew cardigan is more than a great deal; it's a steal! They have great quality and prices that are normally not quite so affordable. This cardigan was on sale for just $30. Another steal was the Payless nude flats. Payless is a wonderful trend-spot because their prices are low, they have great sales, and the quality isn't terrible. Flats are easy to find cheap, but you want to find one with a good sole so your feet don't suffer. This pair appears to have a good structure.

Today we came in with a grand total of just $186! That's insane for a fully accessorized outfit! This is proof it can be done. What's your brag-worthy shopping deal? What items do you like to save on?

Valentine's Day: How To Style Guide

Be Mine by theclosetbychristie featuring tory burch handbags

I bet you're sitting around wondering 'what should I wear to work tomorrow on Valentine's Day?'  I know I am! Valentine's Day is about so much more than a significant other; it's about having gratitude for all of the loved ones in your life. That includes parents, siblings, children, and other family members. It's important to be festive for a holiday to communicate that you are acknowledging and celebrating the joy that a holiday brings. But where do we draw the line between being cheesy versus festive? You certainly don't want to show up dressed in black from head to toe. That's a real downer! But you don't want to look like Saint Valentine threw up all over you either.

In the above set, I featured a look that I would definitely wear to work tomorrow for Valentine's Day. I took a less obvious path by using different shades of purple and pink, instead of the ever popular reds. The pastel pink long-sleeved button-up is a favorite staple of mine because it maintains such a clean, polished look. It brings some simplicity to a "statement" skirt or cardigan. I paired it with a purple and pink high-waisted skirt. The color pairing, purple and pink, is the latest up-and-coming color trend. It tends to be a difficult combo to style but when it works, it really works. I added the black and white heart cardigan for some extra Valentine fun. It looks adorable and it's not too bold due to the classic black and white color set.

For the accessories, I kept it pretty simple. I used a plain black handbag and pale pink suede flats. Lastly, I added Kate Spade jewelry (have I mentioned she's my favorite?); matching pink stone cocktail ring and studs, along with a signature gold bangle.

What are you wearing tomorrow for the big holiday?

Hippie Chic: Aztec Cardigan

Hippie Chic: Aztec Cardigan by theclosetbychristie featuring a lace dress

Bohemian has always been a favorite style genre of mine. I love the romantic, free-spirited look of flowy tops, floral print, fringe, and other like-trends. That's why I'm crazy about the aztec cardigan trend! The fun, bold prints really add an extra bit of flavor to any outfit.

In my above set, I featured an oversized aztec cardigan paired with a white lace dress. Worn by Elle Fanning at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Jennifer Lopez at the Chanel fashion show in Paris, white lace dresses are number one on style watch these days. The material originally noted as innocent and girly can now be styled in many different ways, including sexy or sweet, and can even be transformed from day to night. Next, I accessorized with a Lauren Ralph Lauren leather messenger-style bag, metal cap-toe flats, and a coral floral statement necklace.

I love this look because it brings out my inner-hippie. What do you think of aztec cardigans? Do you think white lace dresses are the next big thing?

Fashion Challenge: Leopard Loafers

Leopard Loafers by theclosetbychristie featuring forever new

It seems like loafers have taken over as the new shoe of choice for 2013. I personally don't own a pair (yet!), but I can't wait to find the right pair and rock them! I've seen them jeweled, tasseled, neon accents, patterned- the possibilities are endless! I've featured loafers in several of my other sets and I simply cannot explain what it is that I like about them. Considering it's a staple in an elderly person's closet, I never would have guessed this to be a current trend. But hey, that's what fashion is; recycled, revamped looks from the past. Every once in a while you'll see something totally new and innovative but more often than not, it's something that was in a decade ago and has now been modernized to look new. On the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show last Friday morning, Web Girl Kathleen insisted that loafers are not cool and said the trend should not have been brought back. Well Kathleen, I accept your Fashion Challenge!

In my above set, I featured a pair of navy leopard loafers. I absolutely love these shoes! I like them because they're not your standard tasseled loafer. I love that they used a different color than the classic beige leopard print. The black on navy is nice because it's subtle and kind of blends in so it's not obnoxious. Next, I paired a navy, white, & green horizontal stripe skirt with a navy bird-pattern button-up blouse. I like this pairing because we mixed prints but made it work by matching colors. I then added a classic navy blazer for a professional, clean balance.

For the accessories, I started with a mahogany Tory Burch crossbody bag. I can't get enough of the crossbody bags these days! Lastly, I added some fun accents with Kate Spade jewelry. I've been loving her products lately because they are so bold and fun. It really makes for great accent pieces! I chose her green geometic studs and gold & white spade bangle bracelet.

So Web Girl Kathleen, what do you think of these loafers?

Trends For Less: Jeweled-Collar Dresses

Trends For Less: Jewel-Collared Dresses by theclosetbychristie featuring rhinestone rings

The latest must-have trend is jewel collars. Who doesn't love a little bedazzling? I love anything that has a little sparkle. This is a particularly convenient trend, in that the jewelry is essentially built in to your outfit! You don't have to waste time sifting through your necklace collection and finding just the right one. 

In the above set, I featured a black and white jewel collar dress. The collar is lined with jewels and pearls. Another gorgeous aspect of this dress is the skirt section- it's a print, which gives it a really nice, subtle textured look. I paired it with a cream boyfriend blazer, a cream crossbody bag, and rose glitter-bow flats. I then accessorized with Michael Kors pink sparkled studs (a splurge), Charlotte Russe pink bow rings, and Laura Mercier pink nail lacquer. The light color palette gives it a sophisticated look and the black collar and skirt adds contrast.

This is yet another example of how you can put together a beautiful, completely accessorized look for less. I definitely splurged on the Michael Kors studs, but I think that was totally worth it. You can weigh and choose where you want to save and splurge. It's fun to buy something expensive every once in a while, however, I recommend saving on trends and splurging on classics. Those studs are going to get a lot of wear out of them! I could wear them every single day if I want to and you know the quality will last because they're Michael Kors.

What's your favorite item to splurge on? What pieces do you like to save on?

Prabal Gurung For Target!

Prabal Gurung Pencil Skirt by theclosetbychristie featuring crossbody handbags

Prabal Gurung is a Nepalese-American fashion designer that emerged with his debut collection in 2009 and has since been noted as "Best Designer" while at Parsons School of Design, 2010 Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award recipient, and 2010 CFDA Swarovski Womenswear Award nominee. Many noteworthy celebrities have been seen in his designs, including Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lawrence, and Michelle Obama- just to name a few. His styles are known for being both bold and colorful. I'm excited to announce that he's now following in the footsteps of Missoni and Jason Wu by collaborating with Target for a one-time affordable line for the popular retailer. Prabal Gurung For Target is launched this Sunday, February 10th!

In the above set, I featured a Prabal Gurung printed pencil skirt. I can't get enough of this item! I love the yellow, gray, black, and white color palette and the pattern is gorgeous. It reminds me of palm trees and gets me excited for summer! For the rest of the look, I remained fairly simple and neutral. I paired the skirt with a black sleeveless studded blouse. Studs are really "in" now and it adds just a bit of style to an otherwise plain top. I finished off the look with a cream boyfriend blazer, cream tote-style handbag, and black pointed-toe heels; all neutral classics. Lastly, the black art deco-style earrings (my favorite!!) are fabulous and look great with the color scheme. 

I encourage everyone to check out the Prabal Gurung For Target website for a sneak peek at the featured designs. There's a lot of great pieces in the lookbook that I can't wait to get my hands on. I'll be there first thing Sunday morning! Who else is going?

Emerald: Pantone's Color of 2013

Emerald by theclosetbychristie featuring dorothy perkins

Emerald green is the color for 2013 and has been announced as Pantone's Color of The Year. I absolutely love color so whenever new color forecasts are released, I'm always all over it. This is a gorgeous shade of green that emotes relaxation, rejuvenation  and peace. It particularly goes well with a nature-inspired look, in my opinion. I like it with a brown/gold palette, but you can really pair it any way you like. 

In the above set, I started with an H&M navy belted dress. As I've previously stated, you can never go wrong with a belted dress. It's the utmost flattering for all body types! I'm all about dressing for your body type, opposed to fitting into that "right" look. Fashion comes across better when it's genuine, not faked or forced. My two Emerald pieces are the oversized spiked cardigan and bow-jeweled flat. I really like both of these items because they are modern-spins on classic looks. The oversized cardigan has been around for a while, but the spikes were a trend reserved for the punk-rock scene. Now spikes have reached the mainstream and add a little edge and boldness to the look. The flats are inspired by a loafer design, but the jeweled bow is an updated accent instead of the standard tassel. I finished off my look with a tan tassel handbag. I really like this because it's neutral and ties it all together.

What do you think of this new Emerald color? How would you style it? 

Collared Shirt Dresses

Collared Shirt Dress by theclosetbychristie featuring cuff jewelry

A shirt dress is not a shirt being passed off as a dress, although that's exactly as it sounds. It's a dress design that has been influenced, or inspired, by a shirt. There's many different types (flannel, t-shirt, etc), but I prefer the collared. This can be a difficult look to wear, as it can appear frumpy. Fear not- with the right style for your body type, you'll look great! But I must repeat-- a shirt dress is NOT transforming a shirt into a dress. With the recent onset of a DIY culture, many young women are out there teaching others how to transform flannel shirts into dresses. It makes an adorable shirt, but I don't recommend using it as a dress. It's just not long enough. You may appear to be without pants and trust me on this ladies, that's not a good look.

In my above set, I chose a collared shirt dress. This particular dress has a lot of great aspects to it. It has a turquoise on dark turquoise pattern and it is belted! Monochromatic patterns and belted-waists are very flattering for most body types. The belt fabric matches the pattern, which makes it difficult to even notice the belt. So you don't have as much the "belted-look" as the gorgeous accentuated waist. Some friends may look at you and say, "hey you look great! what'd you do?" I paired this with a Lauren by Ralph Lauren brown chevron blazer. I love anything Ralph Lauren. They have such a classic, clean style. It matches with mostly anything.

I accessorized with a mahogany vintage satchel and mahogany loafers. These add an antique charm to the look. Lastly, I finished off the look with teal square faceted earrings and a DANNIJO jeweled cuff. Each jewelry piece is very trendy right now- geometric and tribal-inspired statement pieces- and really add a special flair to this look.

I personally consider the collared shirt dress to be a timeless piece. Something that flatters that well will never go away. Do you think the shirt dress is here to stay?

Trends For Less: Mixed Prints

Trends For Less: Mixed Prints by theclosetbychristie featuring loft shoes

Mixing Prints is a popular trend now. As this trending occurred, many people were wondering 'how do we wear this?' This is the type of thing that defines fashion today; rule breaking. In the past, it was all about the rules. No white after Labor Day. Don't pair black and navy, or pink and orange. Now we're all about breaking rules and rocking it. That's what I love! I love having the freedom to mix and match my way. They say the key to mixing prints is to match the color. I say if it looks right and it's worn with confidence, then you can wear it! If you have a special eye for design, then you'll instinctively know what looks right. Follow that gut instinct!

In the set above, I did match my colors on my mixed prints. The sky blue polka dot button-down is paired with the floral skirt. Although the skirt is various colors on a black background, the sky blue stands out on the skirt and ties in the top. I kept my accessories fairly neutral. I used a plain tan cardigan, dark brown vintage tote, and tan bow flats; all classic pieces. These classics really bring the outfit back to planet Earth and helps pull it all together.

This entire accessorized outfit comes in at a grand total of $261! This shows that you really can afford to keep up with the trends if you shop in the right places. I often get on 'quality' kicks because I really value nice quality clothes. I'd rather invest in having nice things than waste money on garbage. The popularity of stores like Joyce Leslie and Charlotte Russe really gets on my nerves. But the truth is, how long are you really going to be wearing that ombre skirt? You don't need that skirt to hold its value because before you get the chance to blink, it's out of style and you're onto the next big thing. The best advice I can offer is to splurge on basics and classics and save on trends. With that motto, you'll always be able to keep up with the next thing financially. The above items are all reasonably priced without throwing away quality.

What's your favorite store to shop trends? My top shop is Kohls. They always have great coupons and decent quality. Target is another hot spot. Shoppers often underestimate their fashion-sense. However, with all of their top designer collaborations over the past few years they've really proven themselves.