contrast – A Styled Mind

In the vault

SKOOL-DAZE!

April 1, 2021 No Comments

Every now and then I come across pieces that truly bring me back to my formative years and this ensemble was the perfect example of that! The majority of my pre-undergrad educational career was spent in private school, so I was no stranger to wearing uniforms majority of the time. Once I got to college and really had the freedom to experiment with my personal style, I realized that while there were some garments that were drastically different than what I was previous used to, that “prim and proper” way of dressing never really left me. Cardigans have been making a comeback lately as a nod to the 90’s, and I was immediately drawn to this creamy beige version featuring a variety of novelty buttons. Initially, I had planned to wear it casually with jeans and a simple pair of mules but it didn’t take long before I received a piece that completely changed my course of action! There are a few brands I work with that generously provide me with “new-in” items whenever a collection drops or we enter into a new season. Most recently, I received this pleated leather skirt and knew I had to style it ASAP! What peaked my interest the most was the unique color. I’ve personally owned a few skirts in this style throughout the years mostly in black, denim, or light chiffon fabrics. It also looked much lighter on the website so I was pleasantly surprised to see that it came in the perfect neutral shade to match my sweater! At that point I knew I had to pair these items as a set, but something was still missing. After a few moments of thinking it over, I decided to try layering a white poplin shirt underneath to add a bit more dimension, and my “cool-girl” uniform was nearly complete! In efforts to add a bit more edge and balance out the preppy vibes, I added my AF1s and some silver jewelry to play off of the flashy buttons. Lastly, for a stark contrast, I threw on my newest black frames and was ready to skip class and head to the mall (KIDDING). In all honesty though, creating this outfit really brought back memories and gave me a sense of nostalgia that I will never forget! Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Cardigan- & Other Stories

Shirt- Mango

Skirt- BB Dakota

Sneakers- Nike

Sunglasses- Le Specs

In the vault

NECESSARY KNITS!

September 4, 2020 No Comments

Every now and then I stumble across a garment that is so obvious yet innovative at the same time, it completely baffles me! During my weekly web searches, never did I imagine that I would be so intrigued by a fraction of a sweater, I never knew I needed. Truthfully, the only initial thought that came to mind was, “GENIUS!” As influencers and style enthusiasts, we are constantly recommending trends, fashion hacks, and ways to get the most out of the items in our closets. That said, with a new transitional season right around the corner, pieces like this are the perfect way to bridge the gap between Summer and Fall staples. I chose to pair this knit with a ribbed crop top as we are still experiencing fairly warm temperatures, however this piece could also compliment a variety of sleeveless items such as dresses, jumpsuits, or even t-shirts. Since I was working with such a stark contrast, I chose to keep the bottom half of my look pretty simple with a pair of mid-washed denim bermuda shorts. For some this style may not appear to be the most flattering, and though I haven’t owned any in years, I was quite pleased with how chic they looked when styled with a stappy heeled sandal. Since each piece brought so much character to the overall ensemble, I didn’t even bother carrying a bag but instead opted for cat-eye sunnies featuring a light tortoise print and gold jewelry. It may be too early to say, but I do believe that this look could be in the running for my favorite of 2020! The juxtaposition of edgy and feminine, combined with the comfort of the garments, and coolness of the accessories checked all of the boxes that ultimately embody my personal style as a whole. Comment below your favorite part of this outfit and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- Zara

Crop Top- Urban Oufitters

Shorts- Zara

Heels- Topshop

Sunglasses- Asos

In Collabs

TORTOISE + LACE (ft. EGGIE)

August 8, 2019 No Comments

This look was a complete breath of fresh air because it seems like all I’ve been wearing lately are various forms of printed and/or slip dresses. When I was contacted by the Eggie team again for a second collaboration, I went in with the mindset of selecting pieces that represented my style but were also different than the frocks I had been gravitating towards. They sent me about 4 pieces, and I instantly knew that this white lace top was one of the first items I had to style. Despite the high Summer temperatures, denim was the first thing I thought of when imagining what I would pair with this piece. On a recent shopping trip, I found these loose fitting high-waisted boyfriend style jeans that I knew I had to have. They gave the most chill and relaxed feel that made me think of the 90’s and how without even trying, every girl appeared so effortlessly cool. I also felt that they created the perfect silhouette to contrast against the dainty, feminine garment I had been sent. Though the lace was delicate, the bralette that it came with created a sportier and more casual vibe that provided a nice balance for the overall look. As a wild card, I thought it would be interesting to incorporate a statement shoe and these chunky, tortoise-print heeled sandals were exactly what I needed to bring my vision to life. They are so incredibly comfortable I was surprised it had taken me this long to style them on my blog; I’ve literally been living in them! As a final touch to tie everything together, I chose an eye-catching pair of earrings featuring gold and wood accents. Though this was the only accessory I incorporated, I loved how much they complimented the color palette of my ensemble in the best way. All in all, though fairly simple, this look was the reset I needed to step out of the box and bring more versatility back into my wardrobe. Comment below your favorite piece, and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Eggie

Jeans- Zara

Heels- Zara

Earrings- Zara

In the vault

PLEATS + LACE

May 3, 2016 3 Comments

It’s no secret that I love having elements of contrast in my outfits and this look was no different. While I chose to stick with a very feminine, blush and nude color palette, the pieces themselves are quite different. The first item that caught my attention was this beautifully structured, accordion, midi skirt. I was mostly intrigued because upon first glance it appears to be a very dainty and “girly” piece, but it’s texture is surprisingly that of a more rigid fabric (quite similar to how I think of myself lol). Next, I was on the hunt for a top! I wanted to find something that meshed well with the skirt, but at the same time wasn’t so harsh to the point where it determined the color of my accessories; needless to say, this light peachy/cream blouse was perfect. Aside from the color, the lace detail on the sleeves brought a soft and elegant detail that nicely complimented the bottom half of the look. Because I ended up with a fairly monochrome ensemble, I had a lot of different ways I could have finished off this look; but I chose to end it subtly with nude heels and a matching cross-body bag. I am a huge fan of styling simple looks that require minimal effort, but have eye-catching detail, so that the clothes and the person embodying them constantly make a statement. I’d be lying if I said this look wasn’t yet another favorite…Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Skirt- Zara

Heels- Zara

Bag- Zara