The Coat of the Season

Since this will be my first real winter (as in it will be colder than 50 degrees) I am excited about getting a really great coat! The past fall 2013 ready-to-wear collections featured a lot of oversized "boyfriend" coats which seem incredibly warm and stylish at the same time. Here is some runway inspiration:

Stella McCartney fall 2013 rtw (style.com)

Céline fall 2013 rtw (style.com)

10 Crosby Derek Lam fall 2013 rtw (style.com)

And here are some variations of the style, texture and color of the coat that I found online (I'm loving the collarless look as well):

A great royal blue coat from Topshop

 

A cozy wool coat from H&M

A collarless coat from asos.com

Still Into You

     It's been a little over a month since I left home for NYC, FIT and the pursuit of fashion and I cannot get Paramore's new album out of my head. A lot of the songs are about growing up and "being all alone" which is, well, exactly where I am right now. The songs that make up the self-titled album help me to have a false sense of confidence as I find my way through my first year of college, just when I need it the most. Paramore has long been one of my favorite bands and I've loved seeing how they have grown up and evolved throughout the years with their music as well as their fashion (despite the drama that has surrounded them in past, I just care about the clothes and the music.)
     Fashion and music are two different art forms that I believe go hand in hand and tend to influence as well as complement each other beautifully. If the clothing doesn't match the music or persona that we as fans believe is true of the band then we get confused and tend to be less loyal customers, of course this is not always true but us fans like it when things just make sense. For example: Paramore is generally pop punk/rock because a lot of their songs are upbeat and fun but have a definite edge and often sarcastic or bitter tone. The band as a whole has a sleeker look than they used to, more put together and sophisticated but while still staying true to themselves with quirky and fun elements, showing that they never do take themselves too seriously. Paramore has changed with the times but stayed true to themselves and true to their music.

The band in the earlier days (before departure of two members in 2010), young and a little confused it seems.

The band, new and improved (style-wise) in 2013.

Hayley Williams in the band's music video for "Misery Business", kind of all over the place.

Williams in the band's recent music video for their song "Still Into You", still fun but a little more polished.

The Art of Shopping

This week's post is about every fashion obsessed individual's favorite word: shopping. Contrary to popular belief shopping is not always as fun as it sounds, that's why so many people have turned to online shopping or have simply given up on their wardrobe because going to the stores is hard. So being a veteran shopper myself I thought I'd put together a list of tips to get you through your shopping experience:


-Successful shopping means knowing what you need or want. This one is probably the toughest but it is so important if you want to have a pleasant and productive shopping trip. Before you embark on your journey go through your closet and evaluate the situation: what is your wardrobe lacking and what do you need to make it feel more complete? Make a list and when you're out shopping keep that list in mind, sure they'll be some great items you find that are not on your list and you can absolutely get them, as long as you are satisfying you wardrobe's needs at the same time.

-Don't go with people who drag you down. This is an important one, you need to have the right shopping companion(s) or your whole experience will be ruined. I usually like shopping by myself because I like to take my time and go to about a million stores while most people don't enjoy that. But if you insist on going with someone else then make sure they are on the same page as you with their goals for the day.

-Look cute but don't make it complicated. Of course you want to look good while your shopping but it's important to wear something that is easy to take on and off and also try things on with. I usually go for a simple top (plain or with minimal pattern), sweater (not pull-over), comfortable shorts or pants and easy flats or boots (this also includes undergarments of neutral color in case you decide to try on anything that is somewhat see-through). If you wear a crazy outfit it will take forever to try everything on and you won't be able to see what some items will look like, you want to think of yourself as kind of a blank canvas when shopping so you can test different items out.

-Make sure you are drinking water and eating throughout the day. Going shopping can be very tiring and your body needs to stay hydrated and nourished in order to keep on searching for that perfect pair of jeans.

-Go for it but also know when to say no. Grab stuff and see how it looks, it's good to go out of your comfort zone sometimes because you'll never really know until you try. However, if you're unsure if you should buy something think of three ways you can wear the item (with clothes in your closet, not some imaginable closet you wish you had) and if you can't think of three don't buy it, you won't wear it. Then if you're still thinking about it later you know you should definitely give it a second look.

-Get opinions but yours is the most important. This goes with choosing the right shopping companion, you want someone who will give you their honest opinion but will back off if you feel differently about something. Always remember: you are the one who is going to be wearing it, no one else, so it's important that you feel confident about your purchases.

-Know your shopping limits. It's okay if you're burnt out and you didn't get to every single store you wanted to and it's also okay if you go to a bunch of stores, as long as your shopping companion (and your budget) is okay with it.

-Reward yourself after all your hard work. Shopping IS tiring so eat some pizza, take a bubble bath and maybe even a nap because you just found yourself a new wardrobe, that was hard. (I'm only half joking.)

Be True- The Next Chapter

  Since it's been maybe six months I figured it was about time I made a new post. It has truly been a very busy time for me; I got into college, finished my last semester of high school, graduated, turned 18, spent a month in Europe and am now a day away from my first day of classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Because I turned 18 this summer I decided I would get a tattoo and my tattoo is simply the words "be true". I chose it a couple of months ago and the short phrase became my mantra so by the time I got it, it didn't really feel all that crazy, it felt natural, it felt like a part of me. I need this art on my arm to remind myself every day to be true, to stay true to who I am and what I love, to not let other people or things get in my head but know that I am who I am, and I like who I am, so being true to myself is the best possible thing I can do. Whenever I feel weak I'll look at the words inked in my skin and know I am strong. It's only two words and the tattoo is very small but I don't need it to be any bigger to prove anything to anyone, I'm the only one who really needs to see it and it's absolutely beautiful to me. As I begin my next chapter of my life at FIT in this big city I will continue to remind myself to be true.
 

My overflowing closet in my dorm room! (The lighting in our dorms is not great quality, I apologize.)

(This year my goal is to really make these posts consistent but don't forget to check out my Instagram (@audstant) for a daily dose of fashion!)

A Woman's World

The powersuit is back (well without the shoulder pads of course) and women are ready to be empowered! I know that this trend has been talked about for many months now but it is just starting to become attainable to the average shopper (in lower prices!) and I am excited to attempt the suit. For inspiration, I've looked to a few stars who I believe have done it right:

Of course this Marc Jacobs one is not very practical but I love this look that Elle Fanning is rocking.

This velvet suit looks amazing on Elizabeth Olsen, very chic, but still maybe too much for day to day wear.

This suit that Amy Poehler wore to the Golden Globes is fabulous, I just wish that I had a big event to wear something like this too!

Now this is something I think I would be able to wear, a colored suit can be dressed up or down with the right shirt and accessories. Rashida Jones looks hip with hot pink heels and a graphic, collard shirt.

Sneaker Heaven

I've always loved wearing converse sneakers, I just had to replace my favorite pair of black, faux leather high tops because they were breaking from all the use, but recently I've become obsessed with designers that are taking the sneaker to a new level. I bought a pair of black sneaker wedges from Steve Madden about six months ago, then a beautiful pair of low-top, patent leather Miu Miu sneakers and a week ago I received my metallic Michael Kors high tops. I am in sneaker heaven.

Essential Items: Black Boots

Whether you have one pair or more than seven (like me) black boots are completely essential to any woman's wardrobe. Since black goes with everything black shoes in general are very helpful to own but black boots are extremely versatile. I can't get enough black boots because there are so many different styles you can have; heeled, tall, short, lace-up etc. but if you are going to buy one pair that will go with many different outfits and be of service to you for a long time, I would recommend getting a pair of simple, tall black boots that end a few inches below the knee, these boots can add a level of sophistication to any outfit.