Remixed, Striped Dress

I'm really trying to be better about wearing pieces in my wardrobe more often. I find that months later i'll find a piece a wore once and wonder why I forgot it. With the reason being, that it may be a piece that's very specific to a certain season. This dress for instance, simple, horizontally striped, 3/4 sleeves and fitted. It's super comfy, and super thin, and because of that I tend to wear it in the warmer months. Well, I wanted to challenge that perception and save some money! And here are two of my results!

Jacket: Zara, dress: H&M, scarf: Urban Outfitters, bag: Forever21, wedges: Steve Madden

I absolutely adore the print mixing trend, I try to abide by it every day! Stripes paired with an ethnic print seemed like the perfect free spirited look for a rainy day. 

Jacket and skirt: Forever21, dress: H&M, belt: thrifted, pumps: shoedazzle, satchel: Urban Outfitters

Another one of my favorite trends, the monochromatic look, shades of the same color family. This is a fun way to revamp your dresses, wearing a skirt over it, adds a new feeling to it! Blue skirt and blazer, with accents of gold felt very appropriate for an afternoon brunch. 

As you have seen, the key to this thin, summery dress is layers. By adding or subtracting layers, one can turn any article of clothing into a summer or winter appropriate piece. By treating the dress as a canvas, I was able to variate the colors and prints to pair with it. Also, tights/ hosiery are your best friends through out the winter! 

Dear readers, what do you think of these looks? How would you style this dress?

Tomboy Chic

Marni Inspiration by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

With Fashion week, in New York, less than 3 weeks away, designers are releasing lookbooks left and right! It's an exciting time for fashion enthusiasts and connoisseurs because now is the time to stock up on all the fashion forecasts for fall and winter. 

One of my favorite designers, Marni, has a pre-fall 2013 collection like none other. The aesthetic of it is very masculine yet feminine, tailored with deconstructed touches, and sophisticated but with a tough edge!  The fundamental pieces of the collection, like the slouchy trousers, the double breasted coat and the parka look like they were picked out of a boyfriend's closet! The colors are very moody and subdued, tons of burgundy, charcoal, midnight blue with hints of pink, mustard, gold and copper. I absolutely adore androgynous styles, it's a fun way to play with opposites and figure out ways to balance femininity. The androgynous/ tomboy style is the best way for me to have fun with fashion, it takes a real risk taker to pair a pleated skirt with utilitarian parka or a printed sweatshirt with a metallic trouser. Not to mention the fringed loafers and chelsea boots, my absolute favorite fall style shoes! Marni's pre-fall 2013 edition is a concrete jungle!

Image via Karla Otto

Dear readers, what do you think of Marni's new collection? Who are you most excited about for this upcoming fashion week?

Sweatshirt Redefined

Lately there's been a lot of talk about wearing sweatshirts. I know, sounds a bit farfetched to wear your workout clothes in public and in a fashionable way. Well, i'm not talking about what you would wear to break out in a sweat, im talking about it's fashionable little sister! Who wouldn't want comfort and style all in one piece?

This sweatshirt in particular is a lot of fun! It has a black, faux fur body and black sleeves. It's as comfortable as a Northface fleece, which is perfect for this frigid, negative 1000 degree weather here, in the North East. Now I just need to find a pair of acceptable sweatpants to wear outside! 

Overcoat: J.Crew, sweatshirt, belt, and gloves: Club Monaco, jeans: J. Brand, necklace: Anthropologie, boots: Bakers

Dear readers, what do you think of this sweatshirt trend? Would you wear one, out in public?

Tastemakers, Yukimi Nagano

 By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

A warm October night, in 2010, my BF and I were making our way to the Susquehanna Center's seats, although I don't care much for sitting, at a concert. The opening act, N.E.R.D was currently on stage, their music is relatively chill, making the listener sway left and right, enjoying the music. A few songs later and the main show came to the stage, Gorillaz! I flippin' love their music ever since I was the ripe old age of 12. If you've ever heard of their music then you know, you have to swing your arms, recant the lyrics at the top of your lungs and jump up like a manic (you probably don't want to go to a show with me!). Several songs into the Gorillaz set list, this gorgeous woman stepped onto the stage wearing the most amazing sequin jacket! I had heard the song that was playing before the performance, via the album, Plastic Beach, but I never really looked into who "Little Dragon" was until that day! 

Images via Google

The vocalist of Little Dragon, Yukimi Nagano, is a free spirited beauty. She's all about wearing whatever she wants no matter how much it might make others cringe. Print on print on print! There's nothing wrong with standing out in a sea of conformity. I love her carelessness for fashion rules because we all know that those rules are meant to be broken! The same can be said about her music, it's unclassifiable, which is why she is absolutely one of my fashion idols! In many of her performances, she can be spotted wearing anything from, an oversized tee with abstract printed leggings, printed body con dress with an artfully, opposite printed legging or even an amazing cape.

Dear readers, what do you think of her style? Have you heard of Little Dragon?

Velvet Allure

One of my favorite trends for the Fall/ Winter 2013 season is definitely the velvet style! It is a fundamental fabric for the cold months, keeps you on trend while feeling luxurious like a goth queen in a full velvet gown! 

I love pairing fabrics and colors of the same family together to allude to a faux suit look. The bright contrast of the stripes help brighten up such a dark look. This schoolboy styled blazer combined with this indulgent fabric create an overall feeling of glamour!

The burgundy in the outfit are the understated accent pieces to support the ensemble. Navy and burgundy make a great pair, it's a color combination I've been spotting in a lot of retailers. 

If this is too much velvet for you, then start off with a blazer, blazers are an easy way to spruce up any look. It's the perfect way to get your feet wet, if you're willing to take the velvet plunge!

Blazer and snood: Club Monaco, top and trousers: J. Crew, booties: Shoemint, earrings: Jewelmint

Dear readers, what do you think of the velvet trend? How would you wear it?

A Blogger's Retreat

I recently attended an amazing event that was held at one of the coolest places in Philadelphia, URBN Headquarters. Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and Terrain are all centered at the industrial Naval Yard in South Philadelphia. It was a day filled with bloggers, [the best] vegan cookies, fashion, and networking!
The event was held at building 543, the meeting place, cafeteria, mailroom and just main community area for all the URBN buildings. Being at this building brought back so many memories of being in college. Designers working in their cubicles, eating at a cafeteria with your buddies and riding a bus specifically to your workplace. It was just so amazing! The blogger event was held by one of the Free People blog's writer, Shani, she knows exactly all there is to know about the blogging business! The day was filled with SEO technicalities, photography editing, how to be a social media maven, and blogging 101!
It was very cool to meet the ladies behind the Free People blog. You could hear the passion in their voices as they spoke about blogging for Free People. I love listening to people talk about blogging as more than just a hobby because that is exactly how I feel about it! They also took us on a tour to see the Free People building, BLDG 25. One word, inspirational! Everything from the decor to their desks was spewing creativity, it was just my kind of vibe. Everyone I met that day was so happy, perky and bubbly!
Also, if you follow Free People and Urban Outfitters' instagram, then you may have spotted me on their feed!

The "Goodie" bag!

           FP bloggers from left: Julia, Jemma, and Bridgette

Cute fountain/ pond with Koi in it!

All in all, great event! Getting to see the home office of one of my favorite brands has been on my bucket list for a long time. That's one to scratch off the list and many more to go! Plus the relationships built that day are unforgettable, met one of my favorite Philly bloggers and a handful of new and interesting ones too. Thank you Free People!