Note: The Sale Guessing Game will be up @ 6:30 PM EST!
Inspiration is everywhere! For the latest post in Little Girl Big Closet’s highly entertaining Friends in High Places series Tara and I have chosen 5 style inspirations and created outfits around that influence. I love the Alice In Wonderland shot Tara created above. For the rest of her inspirations visit the full post on Little Girl Big Closet.
What a crazy year 2010 has been for fashion! Is anyone else as confused as I am? There were plenty of trends (and re-treads) to choose from. When Tara asked me to join this post I was excited, and then nervous to pick 5 style influences for the year. Initially I had a list of about 15 things — I realized I was thinking too macro. So I zoomed in 5 specific looks I loved and recreated those. I disliked many of the big trends in the first half this year. Neon for spring? No thanks. Short hemlines? I participated only because I could find no longer skirts. 80s and 90s redux? Dude, we were just there! Hunter chic for fall? Avoiding that one like the plague. In the later half of the year though things turned around nicely. My major fashion cues this year came from the equestrian, military and lace themes that the fashion world played with. Living in a city like New York it’s fascinating to see the trends interpreted. I tend to find inspiration mostly from within. These looks are where I create from.
I found plenty of outfit inspiration this year from the Fall 2010 fashion shows. Designers finally nailed some trends I like — soft and tough mixed together, military and equestrian looks all got their moment in the spotlight. My inspiration board is overflowing! One of my favorite designers to watch is Rebecca Taylor. Her designs feature variations on florals mixed with neutral browns and tough blacks. I was eager to see how she’d take on the Fall 2010 trends. My inspiration shot features a pretty dress with touches of tough around it. I love the proportions of this look, especially the cropped cardigan. The feminine print softly stands out against all the black. Sometimes though fashion is about working with what you have. Since I don’t have a flowery print that matched up well to the inspiration I subbed in an abstract leopard look instead. With my own booties and sparkly tights on I took a walk down my music corner runway.
In this outfit:
Old Navy Cropped Cable Cardigan (similar here, here and here)
United Colors of Benetton Leopard Print Dress (similar here, here and here)
Banana Republic Glitter Ribbed Tights ($19)
Miss Sixty Jaiden II Booties ($169)
Paradox Quilted Studded Leather Camera Bag ($90) re-purposed as a bag (bag version here)
Another brand I’ve been following closely is Burberry. I’m much more of a fall/winter lover than a spring/summer lover so their Fall 2010 captured my imagination the most. I love this look for its woodsy tones turned urban sportswear. When I think of leather and lace together I think of cheesy Halloween costumes but Burberry opened my eyes to turning the two into equestrian chic. Any time I can wear Earth tones together is a great time for me! This look is an updated version of the riding jacket, which Anthropologie interpreted well with pleats down the front. The inspiration has a definite girl about town feel to it. My look could go from work to night out or be a casual shopping look on the weekend. I love the versatility!
Anthropologie Rhea Earrings in gold ($32, still widely available in stores)
Anthropologie Pleated as You Please Jacket
Nanette Lepore Amore Mio Sheath (now $280)
Hue Opaque Tights ($13)
Eddie Bauer wide calf Boots (similar wide calf options here, here and here)
Anthropologie Geology Clutch ($198)
I draw inspiration from many style bloggers. One of my longest follows has been the lovely Chloe of The Chloe Conspiracy. I cannot believe that she and I lived in the same state at one point and never once crossed paths at one of the Denver malls! I was in college at the time and while I had friends that would shop with me on occasion I never found the fashionista friend I was hoping for. Something tells me Chloe would have been it. Luckily we met in the bloggy world and I love seeing the amazing looks she creates. Though we have very different body types (her: petite; me: not so much) I find plenty of ideas to incorporate into my own looks. I love the way she’s been wearing a sequin sash as a belt, a scarf, a hair tie, whatever and decided to give it a go myself. Her look still wins but I feel pretty cute in my right!
Ann Taylor Loft Sheer Scoopneck Sweater ($50)
Gap Floral Applique Top ($50)
AG Premieres (buy them here, here or here)
Ann Taylor Loft Natasha Bow Suede Pump (now $80)
J.Crew Sequin Sash (similar here)
Capes! Who doesn’t want to wear one? With becoming a superhero not really an option I went an entirely different route when I fell in love with Anthropologie’s Safekeeping Capelet late last summer. I realized it would make the perfect topper for my weekend trips to the Greenmarket. It has a bit of a back woods feel to it without being too woodsy kitsch. Well, maybe a bit kitsch. It seemed to fit right in though — I’ve been asked so many times where I got the capelet, and one weekend a girl who’d asked excitedly came up to me to show off the twin capelet she’d bought after seeing it one. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I guess?
Anthropologie Safekeeping Capelet (similar here, here and here)
Anthropologie Wind Rippled Tee (similar here, here and here)
AG Stevie cords from Anthropologie (now $100)
Max Studio Regina ($150)
Anthropologie Filigree Oval Earrings (similar here)
It was the trench coat that launched thousands of gasps around the country. In the fall of 2009 Robyn wore an amazing ruffled Burberry Trench on “How I Met Your Mother.” I’d been looking for the perfect trench forever and this was it! Millions of frill fans like me clacked away at our keyboards to find that coat. And when we did, most of our hearts fell to find that it was a $1,700 trench. Ugh. I knew someone would knock it off but I had no idea the best option would come from Anthropologie. I was thrilled with their interpretation in the Two Paths Trench. I love the double breasted coat with its touch of ruffly bulk. There have been other knockoffs since but none that comes close to this one. I like it better than the original and the price was much easier to swallow.
Anthropologie Two Paths Trench (similar here, here and here)
Anthropologie Soma Cubes Dress
Banana Republic Diamond Tights (similar here, here and here)
J.Crew Joley Pumps in Warm Brick (similar here, here and here)
J.Crew Lilac Triple Layering Necklace
Thanks so much to Tara of Little Girl Big Closet for the opportunity! This was such a blast to put together and I love collaborating with the community. Tara is so sweet and fun to work with. I would do this again in a second.
1 Comment