One of the staples of a fall wardrobe is going to be a pair of dark wash (nearly black) skinny jeans (or leggings) paired with a white boyfriend shirt.

Take a look through your closet and see how you can inject one additional color, from my closet that would be red, and add a few pieces and accessories to give you lots of different looks.  You’ll soon find that this simple black and white pairing will become one of your most popular go-to outfits, as it’s easily adaptable for any occasion.

Take a look at what you can do:

Put something on the vest.  A chic piece of jewelry like the Swarovski star, a funky flower, or even a statement button.  Make it a classic, or make it fun, it’s all up to you.

Wear a hat.  Besides keeping your head warm, a hat can give a simple outfit a whole new take.  Keep it simple if you’re wearing a vest, or go for a more dramatic look if you’re wearing just the shirt and jeans.  Even a ski cap would work with this outfit.

Shoes.  Enough of the flat sandals of summer, add some colorful heels or an ankle boot.

Bag.  A satchel is a classic bag, and gives you plenty of room to carry everything you need for a shopping trip.  Or choose a smaller bag, that’s not quite as roomy, yet just as practical for a brunch, a lunch date, or Happy Hour.

Scarves.  This accessory is going to continue to big as we segue into fall, so you can put the ones you already have to good use.  Tie around (or wrap around) your neck and let it drape down the front of your shirt.  Choose one with fringe to take advantage of this hot fall style.  Tie it around the handle of your handbag, use it as a belt, wear inside the collar of your winter coat, or just pack one in your bag for a little extra warmth.

Jewelry.  Depending on what else you’re wearing, you can keep it simple or glam  it up.  If you choose a vest or scarf, wear some dangly earrings.  If you wear a hat, keep your earrings simple, and add a bolder necklace.  Some diamonds studs would always be appropriate, and a simple necklace gives the black and white look an air of sweetness.

How would you choose to wear this black and white look for fall and winter?  What could you pull out of your closet to mix and match?

Photo credit:  Polyvore

Post from: The List Maven

Yesterday I showcased some of the great fall scarves that will pull any outfit together.  But another great cold weather accessory is a hat.

Many people think that they can’t wear hats, but I’ve found that it’s just a matter of looking around to find the best shape for your hair, face shape, and personality.  It looks like this season’s hat are learning toward casual and fun, so if you’ve been put off my the structured hats of past seasons, this fall may the perfect time to give a hat a try.

Here are 4 great looks for your consideration:

Nordstrom Knit Cap with Paillettes:  A chunky knit cap infused with shimmering paillettes will keep your head warm without being too casual.  A fun cap for a casual weekend date, a trip to the country, or brunch at your favorite diner.  Stretchy fit will give you lots of ways to wear this.  On sale now, $19.90.

Nordstrom Water Repellant Cap:  A bit of shine sets off this water-repellant cap, and its BIONIC-FINISH provides for breathability, in addition to being quick-drying and fade-resistant.  The small brim won’t overshadow a small face, and the gathered elastic back helps give a snug fit.  Wear for any casual outing.  On sale now, $29.90.

Juicy Couture Military Cap:  Military chic, without the severity, this cozy cap will likely become a classic in your fall wardrobe, and will easily segue into winter.   Wear to the weekend football game for warmth and panache, or when bundled up on your way to work.  $55.

Juicy Couture Felted Wool Fedora: The most structured of all the fall selections, the fedora is a never-go-out-of-style hat.  This style borrows from the menswear classic, is great with casual or business wear.  Top off a trench coat, wear with a pants suit ala Katherine Hepburn, or add a funky pin or flower for an Annie Hall retro look.  $65.

Is a fall hat on your shopping list?

Photo credits: Nordstrom

Post from: The List Maven

An iconic piece of the standard attire for attending the Royal Ascot is the hat. Not just any hat, but an elaborate, one of a kind super special (and occasionally super quizzical!) chapeau.

My favorite this year? Princess Anne’s fashionable lace hat for day three of the races. And here’s why.

1. It actually looks comfortable, not like it’s weighing down her head or hurting her neck.
2. The lace and feather embellishments are classic and prominent…
3. …and the delicate shades of beige go perfectly with the rest of her ensemble.
4. Placed high enough not to cover her brow, it doesn’t appear this hat would get in the way of watching the races.
5. She looks completely at ease, which is so necessary to pull off such a bold fashion statement.

Image: Bauer Griffin

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Here are six choices that I’d wear to the Derby:

The ribbon-trimmed woven straw hat from Eric Javits can be folded and packed without distorting its shape.  Available in natural/black and bark beige.  $170.

I like a classic fedora, and I LOVED this sophisticated straw fedora with an oversized bow.  It’s from the Nordstrom label, and is made in Italy.  Very elegant, and available in black or mercury.  $148.

From Juicy Couture, this ombre ribbon hat has a locket-tipped tie, with the edge of the brim with a ruffled edge.  Available in black, white, and prepster (a pinkish-peach).  $75.

Another hat from the Nordstrom label is the two tone chain belt hat.  With tonal ribbons wrapped in woven chains as embellishment, this wide brimmed hat has both simplicity and style.  Available in rose copper or taupe toast.  $168.

From Helen Kaminski, the Melody wide brim cotton hat has a trapunto-stitched brim  and a large bow at the back.  Added bonus – it’s packable!  Available in white and black.  $75.

A flower fedora, from the Nordstrom label, has an organza flower that adds elegant style to the classic style.  This would make a lovely Derby hat.  Available in black, gold, and pearl grey.  $118.

Put on a hat and pick your favorite horse.  It’s Derby Day!

Photo credits: Nordstrom

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Most of us can’t afford to buy a new wardrobe each season, so we rely on a few accessories to extend what’s already in our closet.

Here are 5 must have accessories that will take you all the way through summer.

Sunglasses. Protect your eyes from harsh light and UV rays with a pair of fashionable glasses that offer 100% UV protection. If you participate in a lot of summer sports, you may need specialized glasses – especially if you’re on the water a lot. For everyday wear, however, choose a flattering style for your face, choose a frame color that is flattering for your skin tone, and most of all, the lenses need to have UV protection. Make sure they’re comfortable to wear in addition to looking good.  I like this pair with round frames by Versace. Available from eluxury, $190.

Versace round sunglasses

Hat. Another fashionable yet practical summer accessory, a hat will protect hair, skin, and eyes while still looking good. Save the baseball cap for when you’re playing ball, and find something that will look good when you’re out shopping, lunching al fresco, or spending an afternoon at a picnic. Try the versatility of this Squishee Bucket Hat by Eric Javits. The bucket hat is a popular style, is easy to wear, and this one looks like it’s straw, but is really made of a fabric that maintains its shape. Available at Nordstrom, in black, antique, or natural, $170.

Eric Javits squishee bucket hat

Scarf. Fashionable and practical, a scarf can add pizzazz to an outfit or serve as a little extra warmth when temperatures drop. Find one small enough to wear around your neck, and spend some time learning a few of the many ways to tie and wrap it. Choosing a larger scarf give you additional ways to wear it, and allows it to be wrapped about your shoulders or across your lap if you need a little extra warmth. You can also use it to quickly cover your hair if you need to rush into a building and need protection from wind and rain. There are lots of fun prints to choose from, including this leopard print by Himalaya Trading Company. Available at Overstock.com, $39.99.

Leopard print pashmina by Himalaya Trading Co.

Belt. Another accessory that can change the look of an outfit and extend its versatility, the belts seen on the runway have been both wide and skinny. You likely have a skinny belt already in your accessory wardrobe, so consider going wide this summer. Wear with a dress, over a jacket or sweater, or topping off a skirt. You’ll find lots of variety to coordinate with your wardrobe. I like this wide patent belt that comes in black and sable. Available from Ann Taylor, $59.

Wide patent belt from Ann Taylor

Tote bag. Yes, they can be oversized, but that’s the exact reason you want a tote – to carry around all the stuff that you need for a day about town. You can tie a scarf around the handle, stuff your hat and sunglasses inside, and keep all your other essentials handy. There are lots of fun styles and materials to choose from, so it will be easy to find one (or more) that fit your personal taste and budget. I’d love to add a little color with a tote, maybe something like this Dolce Gabbana shopper in red. It’s classic enough to be an investment piece, and can go with anything from a little black dress to jeans. Available from MyWardrobe, $724.50.

Dolce & Gabbana Red Estelle shopper

Check your favorite stores to find variations of all these summer accessories that will fit any budget. There are choices in every budget range, and if you choose carefully, you’re summer selections should take you into fall.

Photo credits: eLuxury, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, Ann Taylor, My Wardrobe

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Here are some must have items that will make you skip through the streets and jump over puddles like you’re a kid again.

Embrace the clunky rainboot style and have the confidence to pick a color that stands out from the crowd. Vans has a whole series of patterns and colors in their rain boot collection, including this Vibrant Yellow model going for $65 at Zappos.

While sporting your pretty new rainboots, you’ll need some protection from the elements for your hair and outfit. Lulu Guinness makes a lovely compact umbrella, including this stylish black Bellboy print version available for 25 pounds (yes, you’ll have to take the plunge and pay the shipping to get it to North America – or hopefully you know someone traveling abroad?)

It’s probably still going to be rather chilly out, so make sure you don’t let your hands get cold while making your way through the streets. These Juicy Couture double layer graffiti gloves are $55 at Nordstroms are a versatile choice. With the option of being one layer of bright and colorful, one layer of cheeky and fingerless, or two layers of ultimate playful, you can mix and match depending on your plans and needs.

While you’re shopping around Nordstroms, make sure you also pick up a slouchy beret to protect you from the frizzies with as little ‘hat head’ effects as possible. This Rubbish Cable Knit Beret is a steal at $14. Whether your hair is long or short, the top of your head will be snug and covered for when you arrive at your final destination.

But then, what to do about the rest of your lovely locks? Make sure you’re packing a styling product with extra hair calming ingredients. Frederic Fekkai’s Glossing Sheer Shine Mist will revitalize a damp head of hair without weighing it down.

Now you’re ready to tackle any rainy day with style and comfort!

Post from: The List Maven

How do you start putting together a wardrobe of hats?

Here are five fun hats that would make a good start for a new year of new fashion.

From Forever 21: 

This Cabaret Fedora Hat will provide a little retro glam look at very affordable price.  Paired with a classic trench, or a nipped waist suit, you’ll look like you just stepped off the silver screen.  The classic fedora, a basic in any hat wardrobe, is currently steal-priced at $6.99.

From Nordstrom:

A sheepskin urchin cap by UGG is lined with supersoft shearling, making this a fashionable and warm choice of headwear.  Giving the hat a bit of an urban edge is a leather strap framing the brim, and rivets and studs on the brim.  An urchin never looked this good!  $165.

From Kohls:

Another classic hat is the cloche, a structured bell-shaped design, popular during the 1920’s with the fashion forward flappers.  It’s enjoying fashion prominence again, and this red felt cloche is sure to turn a head.  Sale-priced at $16.80

From Village Hat Shop:

A beret is one of those hat styles that you’ll grow to love and want in a dozen different colors.  It can be worn many different ways, by both men and women, giving many different looks from just one purchase.  This one is value priced at $9.95.

From Ms Miller Hats

A derby hat (also called a bowler) is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown, and originated as a less formal option that a top hat, but still more classy than the soft hats worn by British commoners.  Today it is worn by both men and women, and is detailed with a grosgrain ribbon and often a little accessory like a bow, feather, flower, or jewel.

Post from: The List Maven