Don Draper Approved: The ReInvention of The 1950s Man

What I love about the turning of seasons and the warmth of a new start is the fact that fashion is constantly updating and reinventing itself and pushing the envelope one step further into something we never could have constructed ourselves.

Over the past few years menswear has taken a jump into mainstream and has reminded the fashion world that is not only here for the taking but has the power to reinvent the universal male to the world. An embodied image that holds steady in a fast paced world and drives menswear forward and beyond.

I love the reinvention of the “Mad Men” era, particarly what Banana Republic has done and succeeded with; The Mad Men Collection embodies everything we drool over when it comes to the classic American working man, how a suit is a symbol for power, and how one fine tailored shirt sets you a part from the competition.

Thanks to Don Draper we can be sure that the classic American physique and style isn’t going anywhere for some time. This collection gives way to an old school New York appeal, a throwback to the good ol’ days when men wore 3 piece suits and layering your style was just as important as the job title you secure. Enter the New York Style Inspired Menswear Era:

The bow-tie has definitely won its way back into our hearts and in all colors and sizes- perfectly paired with a suit or fitted snug under a trench. Top hats have also made their comeback, adding a “GQ”-esque approach to men’s apparel.

Steppin’ out in style as well, Louis Vuitton embraces the classic look by going back to basics and celebrating the importance of a crisp fitted suit, a simple contrast of color, and a clean presentation.

This Spring you don’t have to just tune into AMC every Sunday to get your fix of classic menswear, hit the streets and take in the beauty of what menswear is transforming itself into with the months to follow.

XO-

Bre

A Little More Spring On Your Neck—Erm, Step!

Spring has popped up quite suddenly and brightly across most of the US and with the surge of heat beaming on our skin it’s only natural that we are jonesin’ for what will be the hottest Spring trends and the perfect accessory.

I’ve always been a scarf girl and when it comes to winter, I rarely go anywhere without my infinity scarf in tow—since the weather has changed its tune, I’m ready to update my look and share my favorite stylin’ techniques so you can find the perfect spring knot to complete your look:

Like the season, everything has gotten a little brighter—and with that said, so will your accessories—opt for a more whimsical shade when selecting your scarf and remember, unlike the necessary weight of a winter one, this scarf will be more partial to different knots.

What I also love about the sheer material of these pieces is how many different places you can wear them—use it as headband and you’ve embodied the perfect vintage ensemble; add another layer to your dress and secure one with a high waisted belt to add some more flavor to a look.  With so many patterns in your grasp, the possibilities are endless.

Not wanting to totally dress up while you’re running errands? Spring scarves will be your partner in crime all season because they add an extra layer of fab while also helping to dress up a plain white tee and pair of skinny jeans.  Keep an open mind when it comes to knots and play around with a few depending on your mood and personality—you’ll find yourself planning an entire outfit around one scarf soon enough! :)

XO-

The Emma Files: How to Score Looks Like These For Less

Lookin’ Fab Was Never So Easy

Thumb through any People Magazine or fashion spread and you’ll notice how celebrities have to keep their fashion fresh and new almost every day. Since they are photographed literally every second, it’s no surprise that celebs can change their looks drastically from one day to the next.  And of course we all want to mirror their picture perfect selections—but most of us are working with half the budget, right? Here are some similar items, decently priced, to help your closet look as fabulous as if you were one of Hollywood’s mainstream ladies. Two of my favorite celebs are constantly turning up the heat when it comes to their style and I’m always wanting to snag the same flair. Here are some tips I’ve found to help satisfy my fashionista needs:

The Emma Files:

Steal this look for less? We’ve got the solution:

What I love about Emma’s look is that she captures a classic look but also adds a vintage edge to everything she does. There’s still a youthful innocence in her style but with a more mature pulse, and who wouldn’t want to sport this ensemble on a night out?

Emma Watson:

I bow to everything Em Watson embodies and how she has grown up to achieve one of the best styles across the board—while still capturing her age and youth, she rocks out bolder colors, higher heels, and of course impressionable statements.

It doesn’t have to be painful for your wallet or your pride with these steals, all easily at your fingertips and all just as wonderful as the original!

Turn this look into…

*this* for half the price! Thanks to ModCloth for letting us have a pleathora of options at our fingertips, and dozens of new styles arriving daily.

In a world where fashion is constantly changing and we are forced to keep up with it, your budget will remain intact and your closet with look utterly famous. 

Who’s your favorite celeb and what looks are you getting for less?

XO-

Bre 

Be Still My MOD’ern Heart: How ModCloth Excels At Fashionista Interaction

“No matter what the current fashion trends are, pieces that make us feel like the very best version of ourselves will never go out of style.” -Susan Koger

Turn the page back seven years ago and you’ll hear the story of a young girl who started her very own vintage website, right from the comfort of her dorm room. A girl who was fascinated  with retro looks, unique pieces, and one of a kind apparel that not only transformed a style, but made an individual statement. Susan Koger recognized the power of thrift shopping and fused it with chic appeal to create the ultimate e-tailer business platform: ModCloth.

What separates Modcloth from other online retailers is that it has successfully established a website that’s full of warmth, excitement, and is constantly changing—which is key to keeping the attention and drive of customers coming back for more. Its business plan is keen towards new arrivals and constant surges of new stock sends a heatwave to all fashion lovers. Aesthetically, Modcloth has created a site that celebrates the individualism in us all and serves to show how many different ways you can transform one piece into so many different flavors of the week. It’s all a matter of style and personal touch. Constantly changing look books and style spotlights help to wardrobe, re-wardrobe, and then some.

Breaking down the structure of the site, Modcloth recognizes the many facets of every fashionista: the desire to have pieces that can create multiple outfits, the need to be surrounded with decor and gadgets that add to their personality, and the ability to have input into the styles that are selected.  Enter: the “Be the Buyer” program which allows anyone to act as their very own merchandising buyer, getting a sneak peak at what ModCloth is considering and having the ability to vote on which ones makes the cut. Having an insider’s look into the merchandising platform allows the user to realize the value of her input. ModCloth knows its customers celebrate what makes them unique and what pieces allow them to celebrate themselves.

It’s All In The Wording, Baby:

Ever sign up for newsletters/notifications from your favorite shops and realize you made a terrible mistake when your inbox is overflowing with email upon email, alerting you of the same sale or giveaway over and over again? What ModCloth has successfully done with its email alerts is to avoid the constant email bombardment with the same blah-filled, boring sale notification. As Business2Community mentions in its article Bending the Email Best Practices Rules, “their subject lines are conversational and fun (which matches their brand’s overall voice).” And who wouldn’t want a catchy song lyric or playful rhyme to liven up their 3 o’clock hour? With subject lines like “Don’t Stop Believin’..Wishes Do Come True,” I know I’m opening the contents of what’s inside.

After thumbing through countless magazines and somberly walking through major retail chains, ModCloth is that breath of fresh air that reminds us why we love fashion and what brings us back time and time again: unique pieces, countless new arrivals, and having the power to be a part of what makes ModCloth incredible. They put their customers on a pedestal and honor what is at the core of every fashionista. With features such as their ModStylists (who are available to help with any fashion question 24/7), their support of independent blogs and “Bloggers of the Moment,” and social media interactions that include countless giveaways and prizes, ModCloth has created an incredibly loyal fan base. It sparkles with a little quirkiness, thinks outside the corporate chain box, and refreshingly reminds us how rewarding the feminine style can be with just the right amount of humor and fashion to boot.

Have a personal ModCloth experience you want to share?

Xo-

Bre 

Cause We’re Leavin’ On A Jet Plane: Spring Break Out Edition

We’re almost through the tunnel and about to see the light—Spring Break light that is—and with the glitter of hope that winter is almost to an end, the tranquil thoughts of a beach or vacay getaway are the sure things to get us through the next three weekends.

For any traveling fashionista it’s important to keep in mind a handful of items that are sure staples for any trip you might have store. You may be still dreaming of an island getaway or a quick weekend out of these winter blues—but we’ve got the skinny of everything you need to survive this spring break-out time of year, so you won’t be caught a fashion mishap.

Hold Me Steady, Totes Away!

Whether it’s a weekend getaway to your favorite cabin in the woods, or a beach bound holiday with your favorites—this tote is perfect for any occasion and is durable to hold up to any of your needs. From a carry on to a beach bag, you’ll have all your necessaities right at your fashion finger tips! What I love about the oversized totes is that they not only serve as a convenient piece of extra luggage, they’re also the perfect vacation bag to store every last minute neccessity you can’t be without! Extra make-up? Check. Three wallets for all your extra cash? Check. Extra pair of clothing just in case luggage is lost? We got you covered.

Water, Water Everywhere

Skiing with the family one last time or underwater adventures, we all know the perils of make up that wears off after just one hour or can’t handle your vacation conditions.  Water-proof make-up, like above, will keep you glam and fresh round the clock and it will minimize the amount of time you’ll have to spend re-applying.  Three cheers for staying beautiful 24.7 and not looking like a sea creature beached onto land while you try shamelessly to flirt with the college boys paddle-boarding.  Beach make-up should never be over the top, and with the perfect waterproof mascara, and clean eyeshadow, you’ll score points on every level.

Oh, Fleece Me Over 

 Next to planning where you should go, the second hardest thing to plan is what the weather will actually be like upon arrival.  Next to always have a pair of jeans in your luggage, a cropped fleece throw-over, such as this Patagonia pullover. Whether you’re a traveler on the go or need something warm once the sun goes down. This piece is my go to item for any kind of traveling; it’s not only comfortable but still looks like I made the extra effort to dress decent even if I am trying to catch a 4 am flight.  Fittingly designed in a pleathora of colors, this fleece also offers a more feminine fit so you won’t look as though you stole your boyfriends favorite sweatshirt just to have something comfortable to wear mid flight.

A Floral Arrangement

Walk into any store these days and you’ll be knocked blind by the amount of floral that’s bombarding the scene, and lucky for us these colors are the perfect accent to any summer dress, or simple outfit.  Evening out on the town? These beauties even double as a shawl. The great part about spring inspired scarves is how much extra “oomph and ahh” they add to anything in your wardrobe. Only brought a pair of jeans and simply V-neck for the weekend? Add one of this and look how you’ve transformed you’re dull daywear into a Fashionista approved getaway.

Pucker Up Beautiful

Everyone knows one of the most critical necessities in your pocket should be gum and some form of lip balm.  And for the fashionista on the go I cannot stress how important it is to not only keep your lips fresh and shiny, but also give them some much needed color to spruce up your whole face.  Enter Lancome’s take on every women’s go to beauty item—their desirable lip gloss collection allows you remain subtle but fierce with a variety of colors that keep you glowin’ from head to toe. 

XO-

Bre D’Alessio

Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy: What We Can’t Get Enough of—Menswear Edition

Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Week was all a buzz with florals and prints for the ladies, but what was truly jaw-dropping were the menswear collections that sauntered down the runways.  Menswear has got it goin’ on these days and we can’t help but applaud these amazing looks:

Bold Colors:

  

Who says the girls are the only ones who can sport some spring in our step? This year the color scheme for men’s apparel has been turned up a notch—a rainbow notch—and has showered us with bold statements to boot.  The great part of this is how sleek a vibrant purple button down, or rich gold v-neck, looks paired under a dinner or leather jacket.  Varoom-Varoom, ladies?…why I think yes.

Flannel:

Maybe it’s the hipster-lover in me but flannel has come a long way since Lumber Jack donned it while cutting wood back in the day.  These days it’s hard to go anywhere without spotting a basic flannel button-down in an array of styles and colors.  Personally, I love what Gap has done with its menswear—adding little details to their pieces such as elbow pads and experimenting with brighter blocks.  The key is layering  these shirts, pairing them with a cowlneck sweater or quarter zip and we’ve got the perfect boyfriend look completed.

The Staple Leather Jacket:

 (Yuuuup.)

I feel as though this piece is so classic. What I love is how each year it’s reinvented in one way or another.  This piece will forever reign king to the most “badass” of all bros, and make any man stand a few feet taller. Personally, the fitted short leather jacket is what works so universally well on the male population; throw in some side zippers and pop the collar and we’ve just entered the ultimate fantasy land. The win-win situation here is the fact that this jacket looks good on just about anyone, short or tall, young or old.  And lucky for us it never goes out of style.

XO-

Bre D’Alessio

You Can Wear Your Cake And Eat It, Too: How To Style Spring Purchases Now and Still Love ‘Em Later

Walk into any clothing store these days and you may feel a bit bombarded with color—and quite possibly confused as to exactly what season it is. While it might feel like you’ve entered the twilight zone, stores know what they’re doing—they’re giving you just what you need to help rejuvenate you; a color boost to keep our winter-bitten souls thriving. Not just the right pieces to wear now, but also the same clothes you’ll be wearing in three months. Wha-Wha-What? you might fret—but honestly, it’s simple. It all comes down to your styling.

One of the biggest misconceptions people have when they are overloaded with “spring-esque” apparel during the winter months is that they feel there is no way they could or should they be purchasing these clothes because they’ll just sit in their closets.  But what people don’t recognize is that there are so many ways to style a sleeveless tank—and that coral knit dress you think we could be great on the beach? Well, envision it with black tights and a fitted boot. February just got a whole lot brighter, didn’t it?

 Situation: You Found A Plethora of Color in Multiple Items…

                                                     (Francesca’s Collections)

While every piece in this picture can be removed and made into its own separate story, notice how we layered it with similar colors to create a complete look. The skirt can could be paired with tights and a thick boot to maintain your winter status and the yellow silk top could be paired with jeans or leggings to offer a more casual look.  And do you really need a reason for a scarf? They’re just such great accent pieces!

So, for now:

 Top could be paired with leggings/boots, leggings/jeans or fitted under a skirt (like above) with tights to complete the look.

Skirt could be paired with tights and a thick boot or even an ankle boot for now; then strip off the tights to show off those legs once the summer sun hits your skin.

Situation: You’ve Just Found the Perfect Summer Dress…

 

This dress has a lot to offer and it’s barely February! The vibrant turquoise color does scream spring fling, but notice how perfect it is when paired with these leggings! Add a more sophisticated/darker scarf to dress up the entire ensemble.

I think it’s a no-brainer how well we can transform this for summer…

                                          (Francesca’s Collections)

Now, wasn’t that easy?

Situation: There’s this great vintage dress you think only works for summer…

                              (Urban Outfitters)

Urban Outfitters is giving us more bang for our buck. Notice how the dark sheer tights paired with the chunky bracelet create a more wintery look—if you took away the tights, added a longer necklace and a pair of sandals, you have summer perfection!

Adding a cardigan to any dress is so easy; if you want something extra, pair it with a fitted belt or a cute flat. This allows you to experiment with so many options!

 

No matter what you are picking out now, remember that anything you invest in will be able to translate later on in the season.  A few staple pieces like a fitted belt, a great cardigan, and a pair of leggings will go a long way as you stock up on spring trends and utilize them during the colder months.  And with a little bit of color in your life—isn’t it refreshing to know what you have to look forward to?

Be sure to share your stylin’ tips with us!

XO-

Bre D’Alessio