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These boots were made for walking…
…and that’s just what they’ll do.
Knee-high, ankle, suede, leather, cowboy, riding, flat, peep-toe, or lace-up – what’s your boot of choice?
The flat boot is a great everyday pick, and an absolute essential for your fall wardrobe. Wear over leggings with a sheer, flowy tunic and a jean jacket (yes, they’re back), over straight-leg/skinny jeans with a ruffled blouse & blazer, or over tights with a dress and a slouchy cardigan (that’s three of many ways to wear them). Comfortable, versatile, and stylish – the flat boot is here to stay this fall.
Stay chic,
Annie
Clockwise, from top row left: I want you bad, little Chloe Knee High Boots, $895; Cole Haan Oleanna, $448; Frye ‘Paige Tall Riding’, $348; Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan, $199 (on sale!)
First comes love, then comes marriage…
This past weekend one of my clients got married in Huntsville, AL, at the The Ledges Club with the amazing Joe Smith & Ilex for Flowers taking care of the floral arrangements and design.
As you can see, she’s a stunning bride (and an up & coming SAG actress in LA). Every curve was beautifully accentuated in her strapless silk faille “Aubrey” trumpet gown by Amsale. I am head-over-heels for the asymmetric neckline and vintage beaded brooch at the waistline – subtle, yet modern and sophisticated.
For those brides-to-be out there, shopping for your wedding dress can be slightly overwhelming with so many factors to consider: budget, fit, material, and the overall aesthetic and look of your wedding. Not sure where to begin?
My Nashville recommendations:
B.Hughes Bridal Formal (Harding going towards Belle Meade)
Romona Keveza (a long-standing favorite designer of mine), Vera Wang (so classic), Badgley Mischka, Oscar de la Renta, Reem Acra & Carolina Herrera are just a few of the exclusive designer labels this bridal boutique carries. (I have a special place in my heart for B. Hughes & Signature Events having worked there a few years ago). They also carry Vera Wang, B. Mischka & Watters & Watters Bridesmaids dresses.
The Bride Room (Bandywood)
This Green Hills bridal salon carries Amsale, Monique Lhuillier, Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Watters & Vineyard Collection. Bridesmaids lines include Amsale, Wtoo, Lazaro & Jim Hjelm.
If you’d prefer not to spend a significant portion of your budget on a designer gown, there are a myriad of other options for you! Though shopping high is tempting, it’s not always financially feasible for everyone.
Option 1: Buy used (yes, USED). Gently used, of course! Sites like Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses and Once Wed are a fantastic resource for those who want the designer look, but can’t afford the pricetag. I’ve known two friends to purchase almost-new, gently-used designer gowns for 1/2 the original price through the former. Tip: while returns are possible, keep in mind that most designer gowns come in European sizes. What’s the catch? Order two sizes up from your normal dress size. Trust me – a wedding dress size 8 is comparable to a street size 4.
Option 2: Shop sample sales! Stores like B. Hughes, The Bride Room, and Arzelle’s often have blow-out sales to get rid of older inventory (i.e. sample gowns in the store) in order to make room for new merchandise and lines. With a few alterations and delicate cleaning, these off-the-rack gowns will look like new!
Option 3: Designers like Jenny Yoo are now carrying affordable bridal alternative gowns. Sweet and simple, these gowns won’t deplete your wedding budget. J.Crew also carries a handful of beautiful silk and chiffon gowns for under $1000, for you budget fashionistas.
A Chic Critique can help you shop for the perfect dress and accessories, accompanying you on your special excursion. I’ll assist you with gown selection and help you pick out the perfect complimentary bridesmaids dresses, helping style your wedding party from head-to-toe. Contact annie@achiccritique.com.
Stay chic while you’re going to the chapel,
Annie
First two wedding images complimentary of Emmaline Bible; “Aubrey” gown via Amsale
How about a nice Birkin bag?
image via here
Image via here
Ah, the elusive and iconic Birkin bag, ala Hermes. Retailing at more than $10k for exotic materials such as crocodile skin, this exclusive hand-made bag with gold-plated hardware can only be found in limited quantities in certain Hermes boutiques. A favorite standard of celebrities such as Olivia Palermo (1st picture), Victoria Beckham (2nd), Nicole Richie, and Julia Roberts (to name a few), the exquisite Birkin bag is one many of us can only covet and dream about. If the price-tag seems a bit daunting, never fear: I have found a few look-alikes for those of us that prefer a more economical choice!
$198, via Brown Shoes This is probably the most similar in shape & style to the Birkin.
Michael Kors “Hamilton,” $398, black leather
Mulberry Bayswater, $950
An essential for every woman’s closet is a versatile, go-with-everything everyday bag. A tote (like one of these) is ideal because it can accomodate your keys, palm/blackberry/i-phone, day-planner, makeup bag, notebook, etc. while still being stylish & utilitarian. Perfect for work or play!
Stay chic,
Annie
P.S. Are any of you avid Broadway fans, as I am? If so, you’ll notice the title of my post was a line from a song out of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”
Fall Preview: Leather Jackets
With the impending arrival of fall, I find myself gravitating towards cropped leather jackets. With fitted and body-conscious silhouettes, these little leather beauties aren’t anything like your dad’s leather jacket. While initially an investment (yes, sometimes it hurts at first to buy those lasting, quality pieces), a leather jacket will be in your wardrobe for years to come: trust me. The perfect blend of masculine and feminine, this versatile style can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on what you wear it with.
Trouve Quilted Leather Jacket – ON SALE TODAY for $198 for Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale! Usually $298. This is my favie!
Juicy Couture Cropped Leather Jacket, $698
BB Dakota Jacket, $240, in cream beige, via Piperlime
Doma Asymmetric Leather Jacket, $310
What I would wear one with:
Look 1: boot-cut jeans + a white knit tee + layered chain necklaces = more casual look (running errands, lunch with friends)
Look 2: straight leg black slim pants/jeans + long, flowy, going-out top + cage sandals or booties = edgy look for a night out or date!
Play with proportions – a cropped jacket looks great layered over a longer top and straight leg or skinny jeans (depending on your body type).
I heart leather jackets – don’t you?
Stay chic,
Annie
My Fashion No-Nos for Men
As a stylist, I have a unique opportunity and obligation to be honest with my clients. “Does this look good?” “Can I wear this shirt with these pants?” Sometimes my answer is a straightforward and firm, “no,” (infused with tact and kindness, of course). I have plenty of fashion “don’ts” for women, but rarely do I get to share my “don’ts” for men. Do I have a list? Oh, you bet I do.
1. Ed Hardy Tees (or Ed Hardy anything, for that matter).
via Ed Hardy
Who decided skulls and spray-painted tees were ever fashionable and attractive? Yikes. Beware of falling prey to the too trendy trap (i.e. loud embellishments, graphic dragon prints), my friends. If you’re over 30, it’s absolutely, 100% a resounding negative. It’s not cool, trust me.
2. Logos (this goes for women, too) and incessant branding. Please suppress your urge to be a walking advertisement. One logo per wallet, dress shirt, and pant pocket is quite sufficient. I know you’re wearing a Ralph shirt – I don’t need to see POLO from a mile away. Literally.
Subtlety should always be the rule of thumb. Image via here
via inburberry.com
Is that a Gucci shirt? I had no idea.
3. Socks with sandals (you’d be surprised how many men do this). You’re not doing yourself any favors with this one. Don’t be that guy!
image via here
image via here
4. Anything American Eagle & Abercrombie & Fitch over the age of 23. You’re a college graduate and a professional now: don’t dress as if you raided your teenage cousin’s closet. Can someone say, “inappropriate”?
image via AE
5. Cargo shorts. We have all been guilty of trying too hard at times. Let me make it easy for you, guys: stop trying cargo shorts. This is one trend that needs to stay at home in the 90’s – especially if you weren’t born in the 90’s.
No, no, no, David Beckham. You’re not 17. You have flip-flops on. Your pants are falling off. Need I say more? image via sturtle
Whether you’re the Chuck Taylors & aviators type, or more of a Ray Bans & Brooks Brothers man, these rules are applicable to all.
To classy, quality styles for all you men out there, wherever you may be.
Annie
A Chic Critique offers menswear styling, wardrobe edits, and personal shopping for all you guys in Nashville & surrounding areas. Have an interview coming up that you’d like to kill? Need help updating your closet? Not sure what items to get rid of in your closet, and what sort of clothing staples to invest in? Fashion-challenged? We can help. Contact annie@achiccritique.com
Jeans for Every Shape: Hourglass/Curvy
Hourglass/Curvy Figure:
- Look for a contoured waistband (this helps reduce the dreaded gape-factor, especially for those with smaller waists). No more fear of bending over or sitting down!
- A boot-cut jean will balance proportions – minimizing wide hips. A straight-leg jean (not skinny) will lengthen legs.
- Opt for a mid-rise jean to provide more coverage for your backside (say ‘no-no!’ to low-rise, hip-slung jeans). This also minimizes muffin-top, which is the result of a too-tight, and too LOW-cut waistline. Save the muffins for breakfast, ladies!
- Stay away from stone-wash/bleached/distressed (light wash across the thighs & butt) washes as these will only highlight and emphasize fuller thighs and a shapely derriere. Dark washes are the most slimming (and happen to be the dressiest option).
- Wear a pointed toe shoe with boot-cut jeans, as this will elongate your legs. Rounded-toe shoes will actually truncate your legs and make you appear shorter.
- Stay away from embellishments & pockets on the back of jeans – these draw attention to areas you are trying to minimize! Another no-no.
My pick # 1 - Top right jeans: Joe’s Jeans Honey Booty Fit, $158-192, shown in Meg Wash
My pick # 2 – Bottom right jeans: Citizens of Humanity Mid-rise “Amber,” shown in Tempest Wash, $189
Other options for curvier gals to try:
Citizens of Humanity ‘Dita’; 7 for All Mankind ‘Lexi’; Siwy ‘Hannah Crop; Joe’s Jeans ‘Provocateur’
Where to buy in Nashville:
- Boutique Bella
- The Cotton Mill
- Posh Boutique
- Emmaline (Franklin)
- Macy’s
Favies for online shopping:
www.chickdowntown.com
www.revolveclothing.com
www.bluebee.com
www.shopbop.com
www.piperlime.com
Stay tuned for more blog posts on the best jeans for YOUR body type (still to come: flat/no butt, heavy lower body (pear shape), tall & lean, boyish figure, petite).
Trouble finding the best jeans for you? Not sure where to look? Need some help finding your best fit? I can help!
Booking appointments now for personal shopping & wardrobe edits! Contact annie@achiccritique.com for more information and/or to book your appointment.
Stay chic,
Annie
Peep Show
As we’re halfway through summer, I have my eye on transitional (i.e. season-to-season) pieces. Meet the perfect pair of warm-to-cool weather kicks: the peep-toe bootie. Pair with straight-leg or skinny jeans, a tunic and leggings, a floaty chiffon dress, or even a pencil skirt for work. Tip: to avoid truncating your legs, look for a low cut bootie (no higher than your ankle bone) when wearing with skirts or dresses.
A style for all seasons = a peep-toe shoe.
Images via InStyle
My picks:
This scoop cut-out Vince Camuto automatically lengthens your gams.
Oh, Elizabeth and James ($375), how I love thee. Suede, foldover bootie in nude? Go for it.
Stay chic,
Annie
obsessed: kendra scott
Lately, I have a slight obsession with Kendra Scott Jewelry.
Isn’t this pair of “Danielle” earrings just to die for? I love the oblong shape of the turquoise with the gold-plated rim detailing – so beautiful. At $60 (which is very reasonable, in my opinion), this style comes in an array of 12 colors (including cobalt, black & tigers eye) and are the perfect ‘drop’ of color for your ears.
Seen here in People Style Watch (my favorite mag, along with InStyle)
The other pair I fell in love with recently is the “Nyla,” earring (in hot pink, of course).
After seeing the Nyla pair in InStyle (spread below) this month, it’s official: I’m a fan of Kendra Scott’s exquisite, feminine pieces.
See them here in the July issue of InStyle:
Keeping with the trend of bold and bright colors for summer, KS’s pieces are the perfect accessories to compliment your white jeans and going-out top, cocktail dress, or jeans & simple white tee.
If you know anything about me, I adore earrings (specifically, statement earrings – the bigger, the better!), so I can’t wait to add a Kendra Scott pair to my collection.
Stay chic,
Annie
crazy for cardigans
A girl can never have too many cardigans (or little black dresses), in my opinion. Versatile, timeless, and the perfect layering piece for every season, a cardigan is absolutely an essential for every woman’s closet.
I love this season’s “shrunken” cardis, as well as the abundance of prints used. Perfect for layering over a sheath dress for work, with jeans and flats over a simple tee on the weekends, or dressed up over a silk blouse with a skinny belt (my favorite way to wear them) and a pencil skirt, cardigans are easy and stylish.
Look for cotton blends for summer, or even a lightweight cashmere blend, to stay cool.
My picks:
Sweet, demure ruffles, $88, via Anthropologie
DVF Ibiza, $171.50 (on sale now) at Shopbop
Two of my clients have bought this darling J.Crew cardi – a classic. On sale now for $49.50.
Perfect transition piece for fall! Love the European-inspired print. $98, via here
What can I say? I have a love affair with all-things leopard. $190, via here
Stay chic, and happy 4th!