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Fabulous Faux Fur
I am all about faux fur. I may not be a devout PETA member, but I can say I am quite the avid animal lover.
If you know me, you’ll know I’m not an advocate of buying artificial replacements in lieu of the real thing. Ask my mother. At age 16, a fake Kate Spade just wouldn’t do – I wanted an authentic, original Kate bag. As a general rule of thumb, I think it’s important to invest in long-term, classic, quality pieces (that will be in your wardrobe for years to come) as opposed to buying trendy “of-the-moment” pieces on the cheap. However, fur would be the exception to this rule. ‘Faux’ fur is an excellent (not to mention, animal-friendly) alternative to the dreaded price tag of real fur.
One of my favorite style icons (not to mention, incredibly talented stylist) Rachel Zoe can be seen gallivanting around L.A sporting one of her go-to fur vests. I like how she pairs the vest over a black silk top and dark trouser jeans with a long, vintage-pendant necklace for a boho-chic look. My other inspiration comes from the lovely Olivia Palermo (another style icon I am obsessed with) who manages to effortlessly balance modern sophistication with timeless classics. Her black fur vest looks polished and glamorous worn over a feminine cream blouse paired with a two-toned black leather skirt.
image via here
image via here
Dressed up, dressed down – fur fests are au courant and versatile. So how do you wear one? Pair with jeans and a simple, long-sleeved white tee for fall, or over a knit dress with tights & boots. Another way I’d wear a fur vest is over a monochromatic outfit (black pants & top, or winter white pants & a camel or cream top). A fur vest is the perfect layering piece! Bring on those cool, fall nights out, or a tailgating party with friends.
My faux picks:
Tinley Road Faux Fur Long Vest, $69
Halston Heritage Faux Fur Vest, $375
Rebecca Taylor Faux Fur Vest, $395
So what about you? Do you prefer the real thing, or will you be sporting faux fur this season?
Regardless, stay chic.
Annie
Mad Hatter
One of my favorite accessories for fall is a wool or felt fedora hat. Easy, current, cool and totally practical. It’s casual chic and ready-to-wear for your day out shopping, running errands, or lunch with friends. This fall, details like studs and feathers are adorning some of last season’s more simple designs.
Some hats I’m mad over:
Eugenia Kim Wool Maxine Feather Fedora, $320
Birthday wish list? Yes, please. I a-dore this olive green number by Aqua, $48
Hollywood Trading Company, Vintage Hat, $264
Bop Basics Floppy Fedora, $78
Another reason I am loving the fabulous fedora? Hello, bad hair day. Throw one of these babies on and – voila! – instantaneous damage control.
What’s not to love?
Stay chic,
Annie
Mad for Military
I’m not one for focusing on “trends” on my website: I’d rather point my readers and clients to classic, timeless wardrobe essentials that will be in your closet for years to come. Having said that, I’m allowed to deviate from time-to-time for trends that I think are actually recyclable, right? One such piece this fall? The military jacket.
image via here
Marc Jacobs (image via here)
So how do you wear it?
A twill military jacket is perfect for fall because it’s a lightweight outerwear option. Versatile & cool, this jacket can be worn casually with jeans or black pants over a white, basic tee. Dress it up by wearing it over one of your flowy, summer dresses and belting it (yet another way to get a few more weeks of use out of your summer frocks). The olive color works as a neutral so you can use it in a multitude of looks.
My picks:
Burberry Prorsum Military Brass-Button Jacket, $1,795
Juicy Couture Twill Military Jacket, $298
Elizabeth and James Shrunken Military Jacket, $395
Phillip Lim Skylar Twill Military Jacket, $298 – such a chic option.
Sanctuary Military Jacket, $130 – The nipped-in waist and hip-length perfect accentuate and follow the contours of your body. I love the detailing! This is my favie.
All in all – a great piece for your fall wardrobe.
Stay chic,
Annie
Lady in Red
You might as well call me “the pink lady” – my makeup bag is filled with shades of raspberry, blush, hot pink, strawberry, and bubblegum lipsticks. Although these shades suit my cool undertones well, I’m always up for trying something new. Red lipstick is the exception, however; I’ve been reluctant to try it because who wants to look matronly, washed out, or goth? It’s so easy to get it so wrong.
Oh, but I’ve changed my mind.
image via here
I am head-over-heels for red lipstick right now, and to all my chic, stylish readers and clients out there – you can pull it off. Trust me. Here’s how to wear one of fall’s hottest makeup trends and make it work for your specific skin tone:
- A red lip speaks for itself. As such, keep the eye makeup minimal: a defined brow, some black liner on the upper lashes, and a couple of coats of black mascara will balance out the dramatic lip. I like a simple bronzed cheek to go with the look. Don’t overdo it with a smokey eye. Let the red lip speak for itself. (Notice how Hayden does this perfectly above).
image via here
- The key is finding the right shade of red for your coloring. Keep these tips in mind while shopping for the perfect shade. Blondes with fair to medium skin tones should look for a cherry red with blue undertones. Brunettes with medium to olive skintones should look for more of a true red (think fire engine or apple red). Lastly, if you’re very dark-skinned, you want to go with more of a merlot or brick red (very deep, rich, velvety undertones).
image via here
- Another trick: bring a piece of white paper with you to test the colors. You’ll really be able to see the undertones this way.
My picks:
Givenchy 39 Absolutely Irresistable Red (classic red), $28 (I’m doing a bride’s makeup in October, and this is what I’m using on her. She’s blonde/blue-eyed, with fair to medium skin).
Mac Russian Red, $14.50
Nars Jungle Red, $24
Red lipstick is tres’ chic and perfect for the urban sophisticate. A classic, yet modern, look.
Stay chic,
Annie
Resurrection: Jeans Jackets
Poll an audience of women on their opinions of jean jackets, and you might get mixed reactions. If you’re like me, you probably had quite a denim moment back in the late 90’s. Before you’re tempted to write off this trend as passe’, let me reassure you that the denim jacket’s return is not in vain. Simple and effortless, a jean jacket adds instant polish and style to any outfit. Not only will it carry your summer pieces into fall, but it provides just the right amount of coverage for cooler weather.
So how do you wear it and make it look modern this fall? A few ideas:
- Pair over one of your summer print dresses with tall brown suede boots. Or my favorite – wear over a sweet, simple dress with black tights like Cecile Cassel (third from left). She got the look right.
- Wear one over a tunic with leggings and flats or ankle booties.
- Take note from Rachel Bilson and throw it on over a simple top with black pants for on-the-go ease.
- Make sure you look for a more fitted silhouette, as opposed to shapeless; the jacket should follow the contours of your body. (Notice Emmy Rossum, 2nd from left)
- No khakis! You don’t want to look dated or matronly.
My picks:
Current/Elliott Snap Jacket, $136.99 (this is the one Reese is wearing)
Gap Classic Wash, $69.50
William Rast Jacket, $195
I’m loving the resurrection of the denim jacket.
Stay chic,
Annie
Celebrity photo credits, from left: 1 via here, 2 via here, 3 via here, 4 via here
Menswear: Camel Coats
A classic camel coat should be the crux of a man’s wardrobe. Handsome, regal and refined, a camel jacket is timeless and versatile, especially during the cooler months.
Gucci, $2,790, available at select Gucci stores, 800.456.7663 and www.gucci.com . From Fall 2010 Gucci show (above).
Fortunately, you no longer have to buy a coat that’s made 100% out of camel hair (which hikes up the price). Now you can find more affordable camel-colored coats at places like Club Monaco or J.Crew. I love this cool, casual corduroy blazer from Banana Republic for $198.
Garrison Wool Sport Coat, $1450, from Ralph Lauren
Two-Button Camel Sports Coat from Brooks Brothers, $548. 100% camel hair.
For a business meeting or boardroom, pair your camel coat with a button-up, coordinating tie, and a neutral slack or trouser pant (browns, deep grays, etc.). For a more casual, weekend look (or for a youthful look that’s less corporate), pair with jeans and a button-up, or over a sweater.
Jim Moore, menswear consultant for GQ magazine says (about the right shade of camel):
“Get the right shade: butterscotch, rather than overly reddish or caramel-colored—and you’ll have a piece that’s perfect for both the office and the weekend this fall.”
Look sharp this fall, guys.
Annie
Black Magic
When I think of fall wardrobe staples, one of the first essentials that comes to mind is a classic, well-tailored pair of black pants. Universally flattering and equally slimming, black pants are a fall must-have.
Let me introduce you to Gap’s Premium Black Pant Collection. With over seven different silhouettes/styles to choose from, this affordable line is worth checking out. My pick for fall will be the “True Straight Style” (seen below). The straight-leg pant is a curvy woman’s solution to the skinny-pant problem. Let me explain – full-hipped, voluptuous women with curvier thighs need to stay far, far away from skinny pants (yes, the trendy ones you all love). If you’re not naturally tall & slender and/or petite, or small and narrow throughout your hips and thighs, say no: skinny jeans/pants will only further emphasize your hips and thighs. Trust me on this one. My suggestion is to try a straight-legged pant, because this style cuts straight through the hips, thighs, and leg; the result is a much-coveted slimming effect. One long line.
The straight-leg pant is sleek, modern, and perfect for a night-out on the town, or for the workplace. My other suggestion is Gap’s Perfect Trouser Pant. The trouser pant is figure-flattering with a tailored fit and slightly flared leg, and always work-appropriate. Pair with high-heeled slingbacks or pumps, a classic white button-up or blouse, and a blazer or cardigan for a pulled-together “office-chic” look. The “Black Magic” line ranges from $49.50 to $59.50 – so there’s no excuse not to have a well-fitting pair of black pants for fall!
Stay chic,
Annie
Guest Post: Bootie Do’s and Don’ts
My cute and creative friend Blair asked me to do a guest post on her blog (which is adorable), Wild & Precious. I talk about this season’s ankle boots – what to wear them with, and some tips to keep in mind (as well as some big DO’s and DON’Ts).
To read more about booties, click here.
Stay chic,
Annie
What I’ve been up to: Stanfield Wedding
Recently, I had the opportunity to style, design & plan the wedding of a very, very dear friend of mine. Needless to say, I was in my element in every way. The bride wanted all the bridesmaids to wear different dresses in the same color palette, so I worked with her to pick out various dress options for the girls that would reflect each woman’s style & personality. The result? An effortless, simple and natural aesthetic – one that fit with the southern, rustic, down-home feel of the wedding. Each girl’s dress was a shade of cream or oatmeal, and although the styles & silhouettes were varied, the overall look was cohesive. I also helped style the bride (gown, undergarments & makeup), which was absolutely a delight for me – as you can see, Lauren is beautiful!
The photos below were taken by the oh-so-talented (and fellow UGA alum) Skip Hopkins (who, ahem, happens to be a celebrity photographer and now lives in L.A.). To see more of Lauren and Eric’s wedding at Wolf Den Farm (and to see more of his work) check out Skip’s blog. You’ll love the Alpacas, mason jars, burlap & pies at this wedding: we sure did.
Lauren is a minimalist when it comes to makeup, so I did a “fresh-faced” look for her. Pink cheeks and a glossy raspberry lip, soft browns, golds and coppers on her eyes (to emphasize those baby blues). Very natural, just like her!
I was very happy with the way all of the design elements worked together for this wedding. What a joy to have been a part of it! All my best to the happy couple, Eric & Lauren.
Stay chic,