FashInspiration: SJP as Carrie Bradshaw

Whenever I feel like I'm in a style rut and need some fresh ideas, there are many places that I turn to.  Magazines, Pinterest, Facebook style pages... but the one source I return to again and again is a little show you may have heard of: Sex and the City.  The show has been off the air for almost 10 years, but the fashion is timeless.  Carrie Bradshaw may be a fictional character, but she is very real to many of us.

The best thing about Carrie's style is that she figures out how to make anything work.  Tutus, crazy accessories, sky-high heels that make you say "HOW does she strut down 5th Avenue in those?"  She makes it work because she has the confidence to pull it off.  Confidence is the key to wearing whatever you want.  No one ever died taking a fashion risk, at least from what I can recall.

Here's a recap of my favorite Carrie Bradshaw looks over the years.  Whatever challenges she faced in love, she more than made up for in looking fabulous through the good times and the bad.  

When someone says "Carrie Bradshaw," this is the first outfit that comes to mind.  It's fun, frilly, feminine and fabulous.  I fell in love with tiered skirts and dresses, and embraced my naturally curly hair.

In this photo, Carrie lets the accessories do the talking.  I love the strands and strands of necklaces, and wearing her hair up really puts the focus on the pearls.  This is also when I learned that exposed bra straps are not the faux pas that I once thought they were.  Of course, if it's laundry day and you've got some ratty old bra on, no one wants to see that.  But Carrie somehow found a way to make bra straps look classy.

I love everything about this outfit!!!  This was when I first started thinking about mixing prints, and stripes and florals became one of my favorite combinations.  Both the jacket and the dress are fabulous.  Two items that you would never think to put them together, but when you see them on Carrie, they are so "YES!"  

It's all about the details here: sparkly top, skinny tie, fab clutch, sleek ponytail, and a cosmo.  I can't remember what she was wearing on the bottom here but I remembered thinking: "Sparkles aren't just for little girls."

Love love love.  This outfit is so smart and wonderfully coordinated.  You CAN wear red and pink together as long as you have one piece to tie it in.  Here, the colorful skirt makes it all work.  I must admit, I don't like the shoes or the bag, but this is actually the first time I noticed them because I was always too busy obsessing over the skirt/top/coat combo.  

It's all about the shoes: I learned that from Carrie from day 1.   These are my favorite shoes from the show.  She could have been wearing a burlap sack and these shoes would still land her on the best dressed list.  Of course she didn't wear a burlap sack...she wore a ridiculously stunning dress and coat.  Lace, ruffles, florals... again so feminine and fabulous.  Carrie embraced the girly-girl aspect of dressing up.  I can't remember many times that she wore pants.

She DID wear pants here, however...and I loved it.  A very simple outfit for Carrie.  She WAS going to jury duty, so you have to respect her for wanting to look refined.  High-waisted pants & suspenders: killer. 

Floral accent- don't leave home without it!  I remember when Carrie went through the big floral pin phase during the series, and I loved it.  They took it to a whole new level in the movie... and nailed it.  The dress is so fierce, you really don't need to accessorize. 

Ahhh...the day Carrie was "drunk at Vogue."  I'd forgive pretty much any behavior for this fabulous suit and pin combo.  Super glam, but true to herself with her signature "Carrie" necklace.  

Carrie definitely forgot the pants here...but she was too busy being a "non-model."  I LOVE the coat!  Leopard was and continues to be such a fabulous accent.  

I could go on and on, but I'll end this Carrie Bradshaw tribute with the super fantastic gown that she wore in Paris.  She never made it out of the hotel room in this beauty, and that's when I knew that Petrovsky had to go.  Who stands up this lady, or this dress?

Hope you enjoyed this little trip down Carrie Bradshaw Fashion Lane.  Who is YOUR style icon?

Accessorize, Accessorize

I'm a girly-girl, if you haven't figured that out yet.  I love pink.  I love florals.  I love high heels.  I love glitter/sparkles/bedazzles.  And I LOVE accessories.  Accessories are fun because they transform your outfit.  You can wear the same dress week after week, but if you mix up the accessories, no one will notice that you're a repeat offender.  It's all about working with what you have in your closet and in your jewelry box.  It's much more affordable to spruce up an existing outfit with a new $4 pair of earrings (I'm 32 and I still shop at Forever 21 for their jewelry selection!) or to use that old polka dot scarf as a belt.  Carry a different purse.  Wear flats this time instead of wedges.  The combinations are endless.

 My top 5 favorite accessories right now:

#1 Envelope clutches

http://us.asos.com/countryid/2/ASOS-Side-Metal-Bar-Clutch/y1skf/?iid=2156965&MID=35719&affid=2135&WT.tsrc=Affiliate&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-V5q6PYGfOFpv3.ja9iu5lQ 
I am notorious for carrying huge handbags, the ones that people pick up and say "oh my god, you're going to have back problems."  Nah, just ripped arms and I'm always prepared when you need something: gum, band-aids, sunscreen, change, nail polish remover.  It's all in there.  Clutches are great because they keep you honest.  You can't carry a phone charger, your Kindle, 6 bottles of nail policy, and a large paddle brush.  You take with you what you need: cell, wallet, lip gloss, hair elastic.  

#2 Statement necklaces

This necklace is probably my favorite costume piece in my collection.  It cost me less than $20 at TJ Maxx and I don't need much else to go with it.  A plain top and some small simple earrings (or no earrings) and the necklace speaks for the whole ensemble.  That's the beauty of the statement necklace... you can look effortlessly stylish by throwing it on before you run out the door, instead of standing there staring in your closet deciding on how you can be fabulous that day.

#3 Studs & spikes

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=25162777

http://www.sheinside.com/Lady-Peep-Toe-Spikes-150-Pumps-Black-Silver-p-82167-cat-1750.html

Yes, they can be girly.  Just throw in some glitter or rhinestones and you've got something that's both feminine and edgy.  No one's going to pick a fight with you while you're wearing this trend.  Even if you're rocking the florals with the studs- my favorite combo right now.  Not sure how to work it in?  Load up an armful of bracelets (see #4) and throw a studded bangle into the mix.  You'll know if it's right for you.

#4 An armful of bracelets

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Main.aspx?br=f21 
Seeing this trend all over Pinterest.  Forever 21 (again, super fab accessories and ridiculous prices) is your destination to load up on arm candy.  My favorite is the wrist watch/bracelet combination.  There are so many watches out there right now that are gorgeous enough to be worn as a bracelet, so why not add them to the mix?

#5 Big, printed sunglasses

Summer is coming to an end, sadly.  But you can wear your big colorful sunglasses until daylight savings time reminds you to hang them up until next year.  I never order sunglasses online because I like to see how they fit my face.  I always have the best luck at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  You can get a fabulous designer pair for a very reasonable price, and if they break or you lose them, it's not AS devastating.  Unless you lose these.  And then you're allowed to cry yourself to sleep.

http://www.shopthetrendboutique.com/blumohesuinp2.html?source=pjn&subid=2845

Here are some of my favorite accessory pins, courtesy of Pinterest:

Love the colors here, and also the bracelets.  This is a great transition style from summer to fall.  

Super cute... a lot of my favorite things going on here: lace, neon (and pink!), spikes/studs, and stacked bracelets.  Total winner.

Envelope clutch AND florals, paired with some netural colors & plain gold bracelets.  Love.

How fun are these???

Here's the statement necklace, again with simple clothing & colors, and a super fabulous clutch.

So the next time you're looking at your clothes saying "I've got nothing to wear" or "Ugh, I just wore that," think again and get creative with your accessories.  You'll be surprised...you've got more options than you think!

 

Mix & Match- What's the Catch?

Mixing prints: one of the biggest fashion risks you can take.  Let's face it: if you do it wrong, it's not like wearing one brown sock and one black sock.  People will think you got dressed in the dark.  But if you do it right, you've pulled off something that seems weird by nature but can work really well on so many levels.  

It's hard to wrap your head around the concept.  It just seems ridiculous to pair stripes & florals.  But when I see someone wearing it correctly, I ask myself "why can't I do that?"  I can.  And you can. 

As you can tell from my blog so far, I am a huge Lauren Conrad fan.  This link was posted on her Facebook page today, and it's totally one of the most important pages in the Style Bible.  This link tells you how to mix prints without looking like a crazy bag lady.

http://www.laurenconrad.com/post/how-to-wear-mixed-prints

Basically, you want to start with a signature piece that you build the rest of the outfit around.  This seems pretty elementary, we do this all the time. Whether it's a pair of shoes, or a top, or a statement bracelet, I'll plan the rest of my ensemble to fit the "theme."  It's also helpful to keep the color scheme similar between the pieces.  It will help tie everything together.  I do this all the time as well, and I'm sure you do too.  But instead of pairing a pink and black polka dot blouse with black pants, you're pairing it with a leopard print skirt.  Then further tie the patterns together with a solid piece (scarf, bracelet, cardigan, pumps, etc) that runs in the same color family.  LC's link goes into more detail and gives you some examples of mixing done right, but these were the takeaways that I found particularly helpful.

Here are some of my favorite mix & match looks from Pinterest:

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City.  I love this look!  The jacket has stripes at the bottom, so it's more of a gradual, subdued mixing of the patterns.  She kept her jewelry and hair low-key, and tied the blues together from the jacket and the dress with the shoes.

This is really a fun combo.... red really pops anyhow, so why not mix it up?  She went basic on the bottom with jeans, and rolled up the patterned sleeves of the blouse over the blazer sleeves to make it all seem like one piece.  This is a great idea if you're just easing into the trend, because it's seamless.  It looks like someone else mixed the patterns for you and you bought one piece, but you can take all the credit!

Again we have the stripes, which seem to be a pretty safe component to the mixing formula.  The blouse underneath has the navy but not the red, so she's able to pair it with a red purse without going over the top.  The shoes are a nice touch as well... she could have gone solid but the two-toned style really pulls this all together.  Big fan!

I LOVE this.  I can't tell if she's wearing mint jeans (where are my glasses?) but this is my blog so yes, she is.  If that weren't cool enough, she's mixed stars and florals.  What works here is that the star blouse is very busy and close together, but the flowers on the outer layer are spaced apart, so it doesn't look like she's trying to do too much.

Admit it....after looking at these photos, you're ready to head to your closet and mix & match it up!  Still on the fence?  My challenge to you this week is to try the mix & match look for yourself!  If you're too terrified to wear it to work for the day, wear it to the grocery store, or out to dinner.  I'll do it too and post a picture of the result, whether it's a smashing success or a ridiculous failure.  By mixing & matching, you create so many more options from the wardrobe that you already have! 

The Pin Pulse

Pinterest is a fabulous way to find out about new styles & trends.  From ways to wear certain pieces to links that take you directly to the product page, Pinterest can help you transform your style in a matter of clicks.

https://pinterest.com/theimproperchef/- This is my personal Pinterest page.  From recipes to fashion to DIY ideas, there really is something for everyone.  I recently stumbled upon the ultimate color combination for my own personal taste- turquoise & coral.  Never in a million years would I have thought about putting these colors together,  but it works!

Another great fashion area to explore on Pinterest is celebrity style.  What's Sarah Jessica Parker stepping out in?  What fabulous dress is Kate Middleton wearing?  Which hairstyle is the must-have right now?  You'll be able to find it on Pinterest, no doubt.

Another Pinterest-related obsession for many of the fashion forward? Polyvore.  Polyvore lets you create your own outfits and links you to the website where you can buy the items.  Items range from $5 to the tens of thousands, but you can put together something very reasonable, order the pieces, and then pin your creation to Pinterest to share with the world.

http://www.polyvore.com/flower_power/set?id=55950720

There are also lots of great DIY projects that are fashion related- from making your own leg warmers/boot toppers to adding sequins to your favorite scarf, to embellishing a boring old pair of flats with some glitter.  Many of the DIY pins link you directly to the project instructions, so you'll be on your way to creating your own signature style in no time!  I followed the directions to make some fabulous glitter flats- link & pic below (the picture is from the blog, not my personal project).

http://www.wearenotmartha.com/2010/12/make-your-own-glitter-flats/

So pour yourself a glass of wine, sit down at the computer, and start pinning!

To Neon or Not?

Neon is back in a major way, but not everyone feels like bright is right for them.  There's nothing subtle about neon, but you can wear it without making an overboard fashion statement.  The trick is to introduce it into your wardrobe here and there as a statement piece.  Example: a chunky bracelet, a skinny belt, a hot pair of shoes, a funky pair of earrings.  

 http://www.maxandchloe.com/Blu-Bijoux-Gold-Neon-Crystal-Beaded-Bracelet?PID=2687457

http://www.shopcalico.com/products/Skinny-Neon-Belt-%252d-Day-Glo-Green.html

 

http://www.polyvore.com/solipsism_neon_earrings/thing?id=51919316

The next trick is deciding what to wear with it.  You're already going bold with those hot pink pumps or those bright green earrings, so you need to balance it out with something a little more subdued.  Grey is my favorite color choice to mesh with the neon trend.  The other day I paired a classic Calvin Klein dress with a super fun pair of shoes, and added a few neutral pieces of jewelry.  The neon is going to pop all on its own, so unless you're headed to an 80s themed party, less is more.

The message here? Have some fun with color this fall....go bold or go home!

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

Kohl's has great designer names, and when they are having a sale, you can scoop up some fabulous fashion for a steal. 

Lauren Conrad is one of my style icons...girl always looks fabulous, and she makes it seem effortless.  Her line for Kohl's is no exception: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/ourbrands/lclaurenconrad.jsp

I picked up this adorable dress in pink for under $40!  It was on sale at kohls.com and then they offered an additional discount via coupon (coupon code: heatwave). http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/lclaurenconrad/dresses/PRD~1138661/LC+Lauren+Conrad+Dot+Mesh+Dress.jsp

The dress also comes in a vibrant blue-green, and a basic black.  Let's face it...you can never go wrong with the LBD! 

Lauren's dresses are highly rated on Kohls.com, with most receiving a 4 out of 5 star rating.  Currently there are dresses on sale for as low as $21.49, and that's before the 15% discount AND free shipping if you spend $75.  The prospect of buying as many as 4 quality dresses for under $75 AND getting them delivered to your doorstep is a fashionista's dream!

If shopping is your cardio, and you prefer to try your clothes on, you can find the same great deals in-store. Happy shopping!

Intro to Erica's Style File

Food & fashion are my two favorite topics to talk & write about, so I decided to start Erica's Style File as a fashion compliment to The Improper Chef.  It's all about looking like a million bucks without spending a million bucks.  I consider myself to be a professional bargain shopper.  It takes time, patience and dedication, but you can do it.  After all, why would you pay more money than you need to???

I'll be blogging about fabulous finds, trends, sales, you name it.  Style preferences differ from person to person,  but I am hoping that this blog will provide a little bit of something for everyone...whether it's shoes, bags, clothes, makeup, or accessories.

This season's hottest accessory? You!