My Favorite Fall 2013 Trends - Punk

You know a trend is going to be hot when Chanel shows it on their runway. One of my favorite Fall 2013 trends is punk. Some are calling it grunge but in my opinion, when you add spikes, studs or saftey pins, it's punk. The key to a trend is making it work for you. Is a studded jacket out of your comfort zone? Try a studded clutch instead. A ripped safety pin t-shirt not you? Try ripped jeans. If the punk trend still isn't you, don't worry there are plenty of others to try.

Punk Chanel Style

There are lots of ways to wear the punk trend.  Shoes, jewelry, jackets, shirt, and even jeans. Here are just a few ways I would wear the punk trend.

Click on the photos for buying info.

One of my favorite things about this trend is the amazing DIY options.  Instead of buying a pair of distressed jeans, create your own from an old pair or buy a pair at the thrift store for distressing. This blog has a good tutorial. Turn an old t-shirt punk by adding a few cuts and some safety pins. For just a couple dollars you can have an on great t-shirt to wear with your favorite leather jacket. Want to add some studs or spikes?  You can buy them here or here and add some punk to a jacket, a collar or even a cell phone cover. Even create your own safety pin necklace. Looking undone or self-made is part of the toughness that is punk.

If you're lacking inspiration, check out these photos of 80's London street style and music icons Wendy O'Williams, Siouxsie Sioux and Sid Vicious, as well as fashion designer and icon Vivienne Westwood.

 

Even the Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrated punk's influence on fashion with an exhibit this summer titled Punk: Chaos to Couture.

Met Gala 2013 - The Good and Bad

The Met Gala is the annual anything goes gala.  It's a who's who of celebs that gives them a chance to wear avant-garde ensembles. This year the theme was Punk: Chaos to Couture.  Frankly I was surprised there weren't more outlandish outfits.  Here are just a few of the highlights, good and bad.

Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere

Giselle Bundchen in Anthony Vacarello

Jamie King in Top Shop

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana

Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte

Madonna in Givenchy

Mary Kate Olsen in vintage Chanel

Sienna Miller in Burberry

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon (dress) and Philip Tracey (hat)

Ashley Greene in Marchesa

Florence Welch in Givenchy

photo credits: Getty Images

Moment of Lust - Valentino Rockstud Ballerina Flats

Shoes are hands down my favorite accessory. They look great, always fit and you can change the feel of an outfit with the right pair of shoes.  Even Marilyn Monroe said, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world."  Since spotting the various versions of the Valentino Rockstud Ballerina flats, I've been in love.  These shoes fit my personal style to a T. They are tough but pretty. The perfect combination. At prices ranging from $595 to $1,595, they aren't in my budget. The Ballerina flats and the ankle strap flats are my favorites.

While doing some online window shopping this week, I spied these beauties at Forever 21.  They are almost a perfect duplicate for the Valentino flats and they are only $24.80!  They come in three basic color combos, black and tan with silver studs, nude and tan with gold studs, and pink and nude with gold studs. I wondered if they would look good in person. I snagged a pair on Saturday at my local Forever 21 store.  There were only 3 pairs left in the whole store and only one was in my size. I got the nude and tan with gold studs but I'm going to order the black and tan with silver.  They fit great and they'll go with lots of outfits. SCORE!

Here I am sporting the pair I snagged.

I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Peplum Tops

I've had an illusion most of my life, that curvy girls can't wear peplum tops.  It began in my teen years, back in the 80's, when peplum tops and dresses were popular (the first time during my life). I was told over and over, you have hips. You can't wear a peplum. It will just make you look bigger. Well I call Bu!! S#*@!!!! I think they look great on all types of women.  And I love them. Here is my proof. Beautiful, curvy women wearing peplumss!

These ladies are some of my favorite bloggers and fashion gurus. From the top left (going clockwise): Girl With Curves, Heart, Print & Style, Grown and Curvy Woman, and Ashley Falcon. 


There are so many fantastic versions and options available.  I'm on the hunt for a leather peplum top but in the mean time I will settle for sequins, color and studs.

Inspiration - Embellished Collars

For some time, I've had an embellished collar shirt and a detachable collar on my DIY list.  I created this beauty and this one a while ago, they were simple cuts with no embellishment.  I still wear them often. I love all of the creative collars I've been seeing and I am dying to put my own twist on some collars of my own.

So many creative options and great ways to style this fun addition.  I can't wait to create a few for myself.  Studs, pearls, crystals, sequins, metallics, fur and even hardware, the possibilities are endless.  If DIY isn't your thing, you can grad a fun collar from your favorite online retailer.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Marni south sea pearl necklace / ASOS stud collar / ASOS sequin collar necklace / Karl Lagerfeld collar necklace / 3.1 Phillip Lim / Karl Lagerfeld / AKIRA Black Label Brown Faux Fur Collar in Leopard / AKIRA Detachable Collar in Black / Bugle Bead Diamond Shirt Collar / Faux Pony Leather Collar

It's so hard to pick a favorite but if I had to choose, I'd go for the studded collar from ASOS and the Faux Pony collar from Top Shop. 

I know I'll be making a few of these very soon. Stay tuned.

I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Spiked Necklaces

A little while back I spied this pearl and spike necklace by Joomi Lim in Lucky magazine.  It is so cool, I couldn't stand it.  The contrast of the lady like pearls with the big spikes is fantastic!! At $178 it costs a bit more than my budget allows for a glass pearl necklace (even Swarovski).

Pure Expression Choker with Small Pearls and Short Spikes $178

I started hunting and found some amazing spike necklaces in all price ranges. There were so many styles including those with chains, pearls, crystals, in all metals and colors.

Martin & Ricci Gunmetal Plated Feist Necklace $105

Throw in some chains and pearls with the spikes and you have this necklace from Urban Outfitters.  I deconstructed combination of tough and pretty.

Pearl and Spike Choker from Urban Outfitters $19.99

 
I love the chainmaille and spike combination of this choker. It's Medieval looking and it's available on etsy for only $25!  There were lots of other amazing spike necklaces on etsy but this one is my hands down favorite. It's by Eternal Elf Creations.

Spike and Chainmaille Choker by Eternal Elf  Creations via etsy $25

The spike and crystal combination of this pendant is funky and cool. At only $12.80 it's a steal! It's from Forever 21's new Alex and Chloe collection.

Spiked Pendant Necklace from Forever 21 $12.80

I'm also thinking of just purchasing my own spike beads and doing a jewelry DIY.  Then I'll have a great necklace that will truly be one of a kind.

Every Girl Needs Some Sparkle

I got this skirt in the spring. I was thrilled to find it because I thought it was no longer available. One of my favorite bloggers, Sarah of StyleIT was wearing it in a post and I thought it was fantastic. It was no longer available on the website and I thought it wouldn't be mine.  Luckily, during a shopping trip with my mom I found it on the sale rack at Avenue for only $9! I wore it a few months ago to a fundraising dinner, all dressed up with a tuxedo jacket and heels. I love the skirt so much that I had to wear it for day. I couldn't let it collect dust in the closet waiting for a special occasion. Sparkle always brightens my day.

Shirt - Converse One Star for Target, Skirt - Avenue, Shoes - Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's,
Belt - Target, Earrings - Gift, Bracelets - JewelMint and Saks off 5th, Ring - JewelMint

I caused a bit of s stir in this outfit. During the day I had someone comment on my sparkly skirt, everywhere I went. It definitely makes you feel good to get positive comments about an outfit or part of an outfit. When I got home, it had started to rain and I rushed to get photos before the downpour started. I just couldn't let this outfit go by without sharing it with all of you.

L to R: Sienna Bracelet - JewelMint, Stud Cuff - Saks off 5th, New Wave Ring - JewelMint

I wanted to toughen up the sparkle with some hard jewelry. I've had the studded cuff for a while and love to stack it with other bracelets.  The Sienna bracelet is one of my favorite JewelMint pieces and the New Wave ring is one of my latest JewelMint acquisitions.

How do you spice up your every day outfits? 

Do you want your own New Wave ring or Sienna bracelet?  Or would you like to see some other great JewelMint pieces? If you have never ordered from JewelMint before you can get 50% off of your first piece from JewelMint with the special link and code below.

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I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Balmain (Studded and Punk)

I lived through the original punk revolution of the 80's.  I definitely wasn't a punk but I've always loved the fashion and the rebelliousness of the culture.  When I happened upon a fashion spread on Balmain in this month's W magazine, I was in awe. The magazine keeps calling me back to look at the clothes. Maybe it's because they are by no means practical for my daily life. I can't imagine walking into a government building dressed in that jacket or t-shirt. Especially the agency that I work with. It's the complete opposite of the punk ideal.

A few of my favorites from the collection...

Studded Leather Jacket with Strass - $12, 565

I would definitely need supermodel legs to wear this skirt.

Leather Studded Skirt with Paint

Destroyed T-Shirt with Pins

The beauty of dreaming and obsessing is that you can dream up a big bank account. 

Inspiration - Tough Girl Chic

My love for tough touches to pretty outfits is no secret. In fact, next week I'll be posting an outfit photo showing you exactly what I mean.  I can't be accused of being a tease, because I will deliver. Teases, just dangle the bait and leave you hanging. I, my friends, am no tease but you'll have to wait a few days.

I found these great pictures the other day and they just further fueled my desire for more studs and hardware.

In this one you can also see her awesome Minx nails in silver.  Minx nails are only done at a salon and are very pricey (about $40) but there are several companies that have made them easy to do at home. Sally Hansen, Incoco, and Sephora all make versions you can purchase at stores in your area. They range in price from $7.99 to $15.00 and last about a week. I've tried the Incoco and Sephora versions and found them easy to use. It's like putting a sticker on your nail. They come off easily with polish remover.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I hope that gave you some weekend dressing inspiration.

photo credits: STREETFSN

Moment of Lust: Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffle

The Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffle has been the "it" bag since Mary Kate Olsen began carrying it, before it was available. It's also showed up on the arms of other NYC and Hollywood fashionistas. I've heard there is a waiting list of 400+ at Barney's in NYC. This bag is proof that fashion girls will eat ramen in a recession, if the right bag comes along. It retails for $850. The black leather version is sold out everywhere. There are options available in other colors and materials.





I love this bag because it is both classic and edgy. The satchel style is timeless. The studded bottom gives it a punk edge that is fun and unexpected. Other fabrics and colors can be purchased on the Alexander Wang website. I personally like the gray denim, which isn't actually denim but distressed gray leather.

If, like me, neglecting to pay the rent or power bill isn't an option. There is a chic and lower priced alternative, thanks to Steve Madden. The BSTUDLEY bag is very similar and about 1/10 of the price at $88. It also comes in white.



You can order this bag on the Steve Madden website. Happy parsimonious shopping!