We’ve been having an awesome fall this year with weather to rival some of the summer days. Hence, the light outfit and sandals in the middle of November. Though, seeing the downpour outside as I’m writing this, I doubt I will get another chance to flaunt these shoes for another five or six months.

But back to the topic at hand… as much as I enjoy bright colors and crazy combinations, experimenting with subtle pieces could be just as fun sometimes. This dark navy poplin top has been one of my favorites lately. It feels like a classy structured shirt but the poplin style with lower back adds an unexpected touch and breaks up the ordinary silhouette.

Finding accessories to go with a navy top is a breeze since it is such an accepting shade! Personally, I would pick navy over black any day because it has a lot more depth as far as dark neutrals go in my opinion. I’ve worn this top with an array of colors in the past but I thought that pairing it with polished black accent pieces would add elegance and sophistication to the look. And my new furry pom pom is simply oodles of fun to play with – tons of colors to pick from, too!

Fall clothing tends to be more muted and lacks color on occasion but it often makes up for it with interesting and surprising textures. Mixing different textures is a great way to add depth to your outfit and create more variety.

I’ve been obsessed with an assortment of plaid patterns this season. The shirt I’m wearing here is by Rails,  a brand that’s an absolute master of quintessential plaid shirts. The softness of the fabric is divine and it is as comfortable as can be.  The mix of relaxed plaid and structured wool of the pencil skirt is a perfect combination of comfort and chic.

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New trends are quite funny. They are not really new because, let’s admit it, it’s hard to invent something truly unprecedented. For the most part, it’s a repeat of the same color or style with slight modifications. For example, “marsala” has been the proclaimed color of the season this year. The fact that we’ve worn burgundy, maroon or some other shade of dark red every fall is pretty negligible. The fashion industry announced “marsala” to be the new maroon so let’s just pretend to go with that.

So, what do you wear it with? One of my favorite color combinations this fall has been grey, navy and burgundy. I’ve already worn it a lot and plan on continuing with my navy/marsala outfits, which you’ll see plenty of pretty soon.

And before you start wondering whether the 80s are back – no, they are not, but color tights are! In all honesty, I’m a huge fan because it gives me another accessory to play with in a colder weather without having to invest into more expensive pieces. And you can still make it look professional 😉

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Diane von Furstenberg is a fashion legend and is very well known for her iconic wrap dresses.  Her clothing line, the DVF, is not limited to just dresses. As Diane herself says “the DVF woman is the woman that I wanted to become when I was young, the woman that I became, and the woman that I no longer am but still am a little bit.”  She created her clothing and accessories line for women who can do it all: women who smile and laugh, have careers, have boyfriends, lovers, and husbands, have kids, who drive cars, go out and enjoy life to its fullest (by Harpers Bazaar.)

I was lucky to find these DVF pieces on sale and it’s what I call a timeless classic. I hope you like the combination of blue in the  scarf and petal pink.

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If you are not familiar with the steampunk movement, the all-knowing Wikipedia defines it as a “sub-genre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.”

I always admired the complexity of steampunk outfits. The elegance of the Victorian era fashion blended with roughness of industrial elements and steam technology appeals to my love of style-mixing. And the attention to details in these costumes is really something to applaud. So this year I’ve decided to test my skills at putting together a steampunk outfit for Halloween. And few hours of work later, here it is…

Happy Halloween everyone!

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Every girl needs a “WOW” skirt. It should offer the flexibility to be dressed up or down depending on your mood while still maintaining its”wow” factor.

I’ve owned multiple skirts that were nice and looked good but nothing that I was in-love with. That changed when I saw this Anthropologie skirt! It has everything that I adore – bold color, unusual texture and flattering style. The skirt’s fabric is quite heavy so it’s perfect for colder weather, too.

I immediately went into crazy color mixing here. But it can just as easily be paired with a black turtleneck and boots for a more elegant and refined look. You can probably even wear it with a cropped navy blazer if you are looking for a more structured outfit. Like any other great piece, the skirt will adjust to your wardrobe and style.

I might do another post with it in the near future so stay tuned 😉

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Every woman has a classic black jacket in her wardrobe. It’s as versatile of a piece as it gets and can definitely be part of any capsule wardrobe. The idea of a mini “capsule” wardrobe is very dear to me. It’s a wardrobe made up of adaptable garments that you love and that make you look put-together when mixed and matched. It’s really applicable to any style, yet the result is always great . You typically need to update your capsule every season but the core pieces always work and save you time getting dressed. Black jacket is one of those all-season core pieces.

What I adore about the BCBGMAXAZRIA classic jacket I’m wearing here is the split sleeves option with zip closure.  Not only this jacket is versatile but it can really smarten any outfit.

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Hats. You either love them or hate them. Sometimes you love them on someone else but once you try it on, love turns into hate – definitely happened to me in the past. I always loved the idea of a hat but hated the struggle of finding something that loves me back (isn’t that always the case?) But this season I’ve decided to make an extra effort and find that allusive perfect hat… or if not a perfect one then a fun one for sure.

And now I am happy to present to you – my fun yellow hat!!!  (I do feel like a mad hatter writing about it, but oh well…) I can’t imagine this to be my practical hat that I’d wear on a daily basis but it certainly makes for a fun accessory!

What are your crazy accessories that you’ve purchased in the past? I’d love to hear about those and see if I can incorporate them into an outfit 🙂

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I’m wearing a very comfortable layered mustard and burgundy outfit today. Layering is really the best option for a colder season; even simple pieces will look interesting and put-together with proper layers. Many women stay away from layering due to common misconception that it makes them look bulkier. In reality well-layered pieces create an illusion of a more proportional silhouette. My personal layering tip would be to start with s lightweight base layer, top or blouse. Next add cardigan or a sweater; depending on your body type you can select either a longer piece or shorter boxier version. That second layer is a great opportunity to mix in bolder, brighter color and give your outfit more depth. Next, you can add an accessory-a necklace or a scarf, whatever sets the right mood. Lastly, grab your favorite bag and out you go! Don’t be afraid of playing with textures, mixing materials, and combine colors. Just have fun with it!

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A coveted trench coat –  most of us either have it or crave it. It has been a staple of style and elegance for many women (and men) around the globe for decades. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a “double-breasted raincoat with deep pockets, wide belt, and often straps on the shoulders”. But how many of you know that this particular garment made its way into our wardrobes from the actual trenches of World War I?

In 1879 Thomas Burberry invented fabric called “gabardine”, which was light yet waterproof. It was meant to replace the rubberized cotton that’s been used by the British Army for their long Macintosh-type coats that protected soldiers in extreme conditions. Rubberized cotton was heavy and unbreathable and the front line forces were in dire need of something lighter and more versatile, which Burberry and another company, Aquascutum, made possible before World War I. The new coat ended up being the outwear of choice of all British officers and then slowly started gaining popularity among civilians after the war ended.

The trench trend really took off when it became a favorite with Hollywood actors making it a desired coat of many.  Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, later Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and plenty of other actors brought a trench to the silver screens making it a modern classic of many generations, including ours in the 21st century.

So let’s wish the  trench coat many more years of long and prosperous life on major fashion catwalks as well as on the streets among us!

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