time to get ill

The menswear trend is a little stale at this point. To be clear, looks truly and artistically informed by men's fashion (such as a to die for 2 piece suit a la Victoria Beckham) can be gorgeous and powerful. What I tire of is designers making oversized items and declaring them "boyfriend" wear. Ideally, finely crafted m4w(men's for women) pieces should make you feel strong, fresh, and provocative - not homeless. Are you seeking that elusive sense of confidence and refinement that comes from wearing garments with equal parts masculinity & moxy but aren't exactly ready to slip into your tuxedo pants? Work in some menswear inspired accessories instead, like a fabulous bold faced watch with presence to spare. It's a dose of testosterone you won't regret later.

- M

La Mer

UO

Aldo

Kenneth Cole

Burberry

the warm and fuzzies

faux fur is here to stay, much to the smug satisfaction of those folks over at peta (not that i'm complaining, just caught off guard by this new common ground). since writing my entry about express, i've had fur on the mind and i can't seem to escape it, what a terrible dilemma. from old navy to anthropologie to marc jacobs, the trend is available at all price points. while the faux fur vest is without a doubt this fall's boho chic darling, its tendency towards boxiness doesn't necessarily flatter every figure or body type. but fear not, for those in need of an alternative faux fix there are other silhouettes to consider: the faux fur jacket itself as well as coats/sweaters with glamourous fur details. go faux. please scroll down now and forget i said that.

- m

JACKETS/SWEATERS

BB Dakota

Rezrekshn

Anthropologie

VESTS

Boston Proper

Jessica Simpson

Alice + Olivia

Rebecca Taylor

COATS

Topshop

(sorry to be sneaky but this is from last season - so no link.

if someone finds it, please let me know. i NEED to own this.)

Alice + Olivia

Free People

Rachel Zoe

Mood Monitor

When it comes to getting dressed in the morning, I am a firm believer that there should only be one real factor; your current mood.

The beautiful thing about fashion is the way it enables you to be anyone or anything you want; it would be silly not to take full advantage. Look at your closet as an endless possibility and suddenly it will be. Jeans and tops should be much more than inanimate objects; they should be a gateway into a whole new you.

That being said, it would be silly to deny the greatness of a few fashion staples. There are some things that belong in every girl's closet, no excuse. A long cardigan in a solid color may seem boring when you're checking out, but trust me, that super bedazzled dress only seems useful in fluorescent lighting.

All too often I have been out shopping, made what I considered an epic purchase, and then worn it a grand total of once before shoving it to the back of the closet. The key to creative dressing is not owning a million statement pieces, but knowing how to mix up all the basics in an interesting way. Belt a long cardigan with a super short dress and then leave it open with jeans; suddenly it becomes one of the easiest things in your closet to wear.

When shopping, it is important to think about how often you are going to use something. If the answer is more of a hesitation, don't buy. Unless, of course, it's completely impossible to resist.

xo,

Elise

legs for days

in years past, i have been more than a little anti legging. while i still don't approve of certain combo's, such as leggings with mini skirts or shirts that aren't tunics (excusing pocketed jeggings for this rule, of course), i have caught sight of of some show stopping pairs that i know i need and i'm sure others will want. what could be more chic for fall than a pair of kickass leggings, a funky tunic, a cardigan/blazer, and some beat up boots, cheeky shooties, or glammed out gladiators? nadaaaaaa. looking this put together has never been this effortless.

- mallorie

Kensie Smudgy Print Leggings

Missoni Space Dye Leggings

Moa Moa Lame Leggings

Forever 21 Marbled Leggings

Blue Juice Lovin LA Ruched Leggings

express lane

I'm not sure what rock I've been hiding under but apparently Express does have a point of view. I don't know how I established this opinion but for many years I have just assumed that they were just another overpriced store that perpetuated weak trends without making any statements themselves. Perhaps that evaluation was true and they have recently turned it all around, maybe they've been geniuses all along and I had no idea, either way I was pleasantly surprised when looking over their site today (online window shopping is my favorite form of torture when my paycheck is only a week away) and found a few must-have pieces: a geometric print sequin tunic dress, a BANANAS faux fur vest (a la RZ herself), and a sequin mini skirt. Why I suddenly think I am a stylist slash assume anyone cares how I would wear these pieces is a mystery at the moment but it seemed like a meaningful endeavor at the time. Also there is a moral here: no matter how much you die for something, if you can't imagine it as a component of an entire outfit (or several different outfits at that), you'll probably never wear it. With that, I will begin the looks and hope that this wasn't a complete waste.

1. geometric print sequin tunic dress: i almost had a panic attack when i saw this dress, i absolutely love it and could see myself in it no question. with that kind of immediate passion, i know i wouldn't be able to save it for a special occasion so, certain elements are necessary to dress it down. a levis jean jacket and dolce vita biker boots make for a very cool day look, i might even add some backseam tights or fishnets for a little extra edge. i adore playing feminine/sexy pieces against rougher/more masculine items - i think this look perfectly illustrates why.

2. sequin mini skirt: i know, the sequins are a little redundant but this look is completely different. skirts are a recent obsession of mine and this one is particularly beautiful. because the skirt itself has so much sparkle, i would wear a very basic slouchy black tee, like this one from forever 21, tucked in to make my legs look that much longer and off my shoulder to give me that rocker vibe. some people are so over the whole animal print thing, i know but i don't think i can ever turn down a good leopard so this jessica simpson platform was a given. i love that even though the print is unexpected, it plays up the glamour of the skirt while maintaining a little edge. to me, this screams hot club outfit.

3. faux fur vest: you know how earlier i said i didn't know why i suddenly think i'm a stylist? that might have been a lie. i have been watching entirely too much of the rachel zoe project as of late and i think the way i white-knuckled my laptop after seeing this beauty makes that obvious. just now realizing that all 3 looks have sequins . . . whatever, i'm a little too into embellishments but who cares - it's fabulous. back to the outfit. at first i was thinking an lbd with this vest, which could easily be done, but i think the grey is much fresher. the long sleeve mini from american apparel gives the dress enough presence that it doesn't get overpowered by the vest. and the shoes - do they really need an explanation? they are OOC(out of control for all you zoe illiterates out there) - cage wedges with chain detail? i mean come on, it's over. to all you wonderful people making those little pieces of heaven over at urbanog - genius.

- mallorie

Androgyny goes urban

When is comes to fashion, some things are just meant to trend constantly. No, I'm not referencing Twitter; what I mean to say is that some things are too classic to ever truly go out of style. Case in point? The Oxford style shoe. Originating in Scotland way back in the day, this shoe has been supporting stylistas everywhere for way longer than I would be willing to calculate. The greatest part about this shoe is it's versatility. From the typical flat to a cut-out version or even a heel, this shoe can take you anywhere you want it to. The Oxford is no longer just a hipster staple, ladies. Shorts, jeans, leggings, dresses; you name it and it works. A nice alternative to boring ballet flats, if you ask me. Big name designers picked up on the idea some time ago and now stores that cater to the masses are following suit; Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21 are just a few of the many stores who are putting this great style in stock. Back to school staple? I know it definitely is for me, in any case.

Cheers,

Elise

Anthropologie Cut-Out Oxford

Forever21 Traditional Oxford

Gucci Stiletto Oxford

like a fine wine . . .

some of our past style staples, however questionable in retrospect, only get better with age. in my tween days, i was quite taken with the quasi punk trends available at the time such as arm warmers, ties, and studded bracelets. it was all so very avril and consequently perceived as acceptable, by myself at least. while the sk8er boi look has undeniably become passe, one of it's components has caught my eye as of late. the studded bracelet, acceptable enough in its original, unmodified form, has evolved and really come into its own. now i'll admit that i rarely meet a spike or stud that i don't like, but i have stumbled across a number of variations on the angsty classic that are sure to garner the respect and desire of those fashionistas who don't share my particular obsession. so, if you're not quite ready to brave hot topic for a more authentic bauble, these cuffs should alleviate your need for chic.

-mallorie

Annie Hammer Studded Window Bracelet

Anna Beck 'Java' Studded Cuff

Givenchy Stud and Chain Brass Cuff

Burberry Engraved Studded Bracelet

Fiona Paxton Zetter Cuff

boring to badass

Most people who care about fashion even in the slightest talk about it as an art form; a way to express themselves. In fact, when it comes to discussion of school uniforms, this is usually the first argument a student turns to. "How am I supposed to be original/creative/myself if I look like everybody else?" A fair argument, in theory. The fact of the matter is, though, that many people end up looking exactly the same despite their desperate need to be an "individual".

Big trends make this easy. If you walk by a store in the mall and see a totally banging dress, you're not going to overlook it just because the girl down the street has one. At least, I certainly hope you won't. The trick is not to shop in magical places that nobody else knows about, but to use a trend in an original way.

To test this theory, I enlisted the help of my babelicious sister and my trusty SteadyShot digital camera. I took various clothes from my own closet to prove that something widely considered trendy can be worn in an original and interesting way. This is my challenge every morning when I go to war with my closet and I find it difficult to believe that I am the only one.

We'll start with the most basic outfit created in mankind; jean shorts and a basic tee.

As you can see, Erin is wearing probably the most basic tee in the most boring color EVER (beige, or fluorescent beige, a la Joanne from "Precious") along with some semi-cute denim shorts.

In this photo, we took the same shorts from the first picture and actually used them correctly. This happens a lot; people buy things, such as Katy inspired high wasted shorts, and end up using them in a boring way because they don't know exactly how to utilize them. Here, we chose a fairly simple route; brightly colored tank for summer and a hippy inspired crochet vest with a feathered headband to add some real pazzazz to the ensemble. In my personal opinion, fashion is always about risk taking.

In this next photo, we included one of my absolute favorite new trends; the ballerina skirt. I love it for the whimsical factor. Every single time i wear this piece, I feel straight from Alice and Wonderland or one of the many outlandish books I adored growing up.

Clearly, such storybooks were my inspiration for the updated version of the first ensemble. If you are attracted to a piece because of how whimsical it is, why would you not play that up as much as possible? The print in this top is pretty abstract; a good complement to the slightly daring but also solid colored ballerina skirt. Since I'm not personally into rocking the super girly look, I added some kickass black boots and a woven leather belt. The top hat may not be for everyone, but the ridiculousness factor of the whole thing was way too impossible for a die-hard like myself to resist.

Checkered shirts are one of my most beloved things. They are loose, comfortable, and extremely easy to wear. I confess to wearing them just as dully as the photo above on a semi-regular basis, but the important thing is for one to recognize that it is not the only way to wear them.

This outfit screams summer to me. The jean dress, another one of my favorite new things, paired with the light cotton just whispers "easygoing and chill". The same woven leather belt gives the outfit some true definition and shape; something that every girl definitely wants in her wardrobe. As for the absolutely huge flower headband, one must admit that it does add serious individuality to the look, something every fashionista ought to be striving for.

Indian print is flattering in many forms, but this skirt is one of my particular favorites. It's color scheme is just gorgeous and can make just about anyone's tan feel right at home. Paired with this beige shirt though, it's nothing spectacular and nothing to look twice at. And tell me, what good is fashion nobody wants to gape at?

No good at all, I say. This version of the same skirt certainly has the interesting factor. The clashing of prints is something that I am generally apprehensive about. Although I do love the idea, sometimes it just looks so completely tacky that I cannot even pretend to find it beautifully different. The trick that seems to work for me is to keep the patterns similar in both size and color. Here, we have two smaller sized prints with a fair amount of blue and black in both of them. The corresponding dark blue of the blazer ties it all together quite nicely in my opinion; rather than looking entirely outrageous, it comes off as deliciously different. The feather is more of a personal obsession; as you may have noticed, I have quite a fetish for hair accessories.

And so, there you have it, in just four short looks. How to turn something everyone has into something everyone will covet; but no worries, you'll be the only one who has acquired the exact ensemble.

Fair enough, that was ridiculously cheesy. But I'm sure you got the point despite how hard you may have been laughing.

xo,

Elise

british invasion

i know - it's been done before. but i prefer to think of our fashionable fixation with the brits as tried and true rather than trite. but this particular entry has little to do with the proliferation of the union flag (i recently learned that's it's only a union jack when it flies on a ship) or the reappearance of the iconic punk ensemble made (in)famous by the sex pistols. as all parents do, england seems to be passing on some of their more predominant traits to us over here in the us of a. but instead of receiving the family nose, we have inherited some of the motherland's fashion institutions. with the flagship american topshop in opening nyc, one can only hope that more brands will choose to make the transatlantic journey.

this transition is made all the easier when no physical relocation is actually necessary. such is the case with england's internet shopping phenom asos.com. still based out of the uk, the online store is soon to get a us sister site. it's hard to spin being on the bad end of the exchange rate, but the retailer is known to have some pretty killer sales in which the majority of prices are slashed to under 30 pounds (roughly 45 us dollars). in the name of investigative journalism, i perused the site for a bit and found some items that need a good home. namely, in my closet. oh, and my favorite feature? being able to see each piece go down the runway. this may work its way into my favorites bar along with nastygal.com and lookbook.nu

-mallorie

Elise, uploaded

Mallorie and I started this blog on a whim; we want to talk about anything and everything that we find inspiring, starting with fashion and ending just about anywhere. These first two entries are just to give you an overview about us. Who we are, what we like, what we don't like, etc. Our next entries could be anything from writing to video; we want to share as much as possible with whoever is out there listening.

Fashion Aesthetic Overview;

I am currently living entirely in the moment, fashion wise. That is not to say that I am mindlessly following some sort of handbook that is being shoved down my throat; I merely chose not to label my look with any specific references. Some days I feel like being a tribal princess, others a beach babe, others a resurrection of the rock and roll movement we have all embraced so vicariously as a new trend. Put together an assortment of beachy dresses, vicious shoes, bright hues, and assorted vests and cardigans, and my wardrobe begins to shape. By themselves, most pieces seem fairly ordinary; it is the careful pairing, layering, and whimsy that goes into them that completes my style.

Top 3 designers of the moment

1. Marc Jacobs

2. Karl Lagerfeld

3. Alexander McQueen

Top covets of the moment

1. Doc Martens

2. Mini Cross-body bag

3. Ultra bright colored cardigan, preferably in a red hue

Three least favorite trends

(personality disclaimer; I am best known for my scathing honesty.)

1. Peasant skirts; we are not gypsies, people

2. Bermuda shorts; if you’re over 12, just move up or down a few inches, mmk?

3. Tunics as dresses; it’s a long shirt, not a mini dress. Mini dresses are for hookers.

Three favorite bands of the moment

1. Vampire Weekend

2. Florence and the Machine

3. Paramore

Three favorite movies

1. Dazed and Confused

2. High Fidelity

3. The Usual Suspects

Mallorie: The Down Low

Aesthetic - At the moment, I'm completely obsessed with the resurrection of the grunge movement. I'm not exactly waifish or strung out enough for the whole look to be entirely flattering and/or convincing on me, but I'm doing what I can to incorporate it in the future. For now, you're likely to find me living in vampy cocktail dresses and blouse/skirt combos with decidedly rock n roll accents. If you add in a dash of bohemian tendencies, a penchant for ruffles, and a considerable amount of floral prints - my entire wardrobe begins to materialize.

Top 3 Designers:
1. Balmain
2. Elie Saab
3. Marchesa
(Honorable Mentions - Nina Ricci, Herve Leger)

Current Covets:
1. Doc Martens - classic black 1460's
2. Boyfriend Flannel Buttondown - for pairing with a body con dress and said doc martens
3. Layered Statement Necklaces

Not Cute:
1. JEAN MINI SKIRTS WITH LEGGINGS. In fact, I'm having a difficult time thinking of a scenario in which either of those things are ok, in any context.
2. The myth that things have to match. As stacy and clinton would say, "It's about going, not matching." & if you don't know who stacy and clinton are, this is not the place for you.
3. Denim on denim - not sure exactly when and why this became a trend, but I am NOT a fan.

Band of the Moment:
The XX

Current Favorite Movie:
Empire Records