fringe – A Styled Mind

In the vault

XMAS 2022!

December 25, 2022 No Comments

WOW! We’ve made it to yet another holiday season and I couldn’t be more grateful and blessed to be where I am in this moment. Of course, not everything went according to plan, but the fact remains that everything happened the way it was supposed to and all I can do is appreciate how far I’ve come. While Christmas is my favorite holiday and I like to partake in as many festivities as possible, it’s also a time of much needed reflection and introspection. With less than a week until 2023, it’s all about strategizing and planning how to make the most out of the new year while striving for bigger and better all around. On a lighter note, I did obtain quite a few standout wardrobe additions in 2022 and showcasing them was an absolute must! Two of my favorite brands did a highly anticipated collaboration and I refused to let it pass me by without making at least a few pieces mine. While this bold fringe dress is honestly a bit out of my comfort zone, I knew that I would regret not picking it up so I did what needed to be done! These thigh-high patent boots were also a recent purchase and one that has truly exceeded my expectations. I’ve been weighing my Winter footwear options for quite some time and though I had already ordered a similar pair during the Black Friday sales, I immediately shipped them back as soon as I received these beauties. Everything from the fit and heel structure to the overall quality had me sold, and with NYFW right around the corner I knew they’d be worth the investment! Because we are still in the midst of the festive season I had to throw in some sparkle and opted for a black embellished earring to compliment my shoes and bag covered in the most beautiful rhinestones. Lastly, I completed the ensemble with a sleek pair of sunnies and was more than happy to paint the town RED! I hope you all are enjoying the time spent with your loved ones and are making lasting memories that you’ll cherish for as long as possible. Until next time!

In ASM Shop

FRINGE PIECES!

January 20, 2021 No Comments

Fringe, though not a new detail, has definitely become a more trendy accent on almost every type of garment recently. From jackets and coats, tops, shoes, bags and more, this chic characteristic does not appear to be making its exit in fashion any time soon! I’ve rounded up a few pieces below that I’ve personally had my eye on lately! Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!

In the vault

COLOR-BLOCK CHIC!

January 14, 2021 No Comments

Happy 2021! I feel like every Winter/holiday season, I end up accumulating one specific item without even intending to. This time, there happened to be 2 different items; candles and boots. Statement boots to be exact. In the process of moving, I definitely got rid of a lot of clothing and shoes, however there wasn’t anything in particular that I was trying to replace. That said, between the Black Friday and pre-Christmas sales, I kept seeing different styles of boots that were unlike anything I already owned and I just couldn’t help myself! I already know what you’re thinking, “It’s a pandemic, there’s nowhere to go!” While this may be true for the time being, I certainly plan to get my cost per wear out of these new wardrobe additions as soon as the world resumes some sense of normalcy. One of the first pairs I ordered was a knee-high, color blocked style. Initially, I was partial to the cream and beige color way, but after some consideration and assessing what I already owned, I figured I would give the tan and black a try. After receiving them, I was still a bit skeptical as they are slightly out of my comfort zone, but after styling them with a few different looks I was sold! Because the boots made such a statement, I knew I wanted to pair them with an all black outfit and I had the perfect pieces in mind! My Christmas gift to myself this year was simply a black coat. I’m honestly not sure how I survived this long without one, but I was thrilled when I received this chic fringe number. Since I knew I wanted my footwear to be on full display, I opted for an understated baby-doll frock, despite the frigid temperatures. (Sidenote: For practicality, I would 100% wear this ensemble with sheer black tights!) I buttoned the dress completely for a more sophisticated flair, and decided to compliment the outfit with gold jewelry. As final touch, I grabbed my new crossbody bag featuring chain-link detailing and was on my way! Despite the striking details, I felt like this monochrome look was extremely smart and timeless. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Coat- All Saints

Dress- Zara

Boots- Looks Like Summer

Bag- & Other Stories

Earrings- Simone the Label

Necklace- & Other Stories

In the vault

FESTIVE FRINGE!

December 24, 2020 No Comments

When I think of fringe, the first thing that usually comes to mind is Western-inspired styles and motifs. Lately I’ve been seeing this detail adorning a variety of garments such as leather and suede jackets, flannel shirts, and even boots! Though this particular feature has not come up frequently in my own wardrobe, I unintentionally decided to give it a try. As most of us are well aware, “shackets” have probably become the most popular piece bought this year. I never jump on the trend bandwagon immediately, but instead make a note of it and wait to see if I come across an item that aligns with my style. To be honest, I had seen quite a few of these garments in color ways and patterns that I liked but for some reason I was still hesitant to pull the trigger; that is, until recently. During an impromptu mall trip, I stumbled across this plaid over-shirt and knew I had to have it. Unlike the others I had seen, the fringe accents really stood out to me and I instantly thought of the dimension and movement it would add to any ensemble I paired it with. Because this was now the standout piece to my look, I wanted to compliment it with simple items that would easily coordinate without taking away from it’s glory. I’ve recently been accumulating a lot more thin knits for layering and I may actually be obsessed! These turtlenecks are one of the easiest things for me to style this time of year, and I probably wear them at least 3 times a week. I’ve also really been into neutral colors like mink an beige, so when I found one in that color, I knew it would be a perfect match with my new outerwear addition. Since the top half of my outfit was already pretty eye-catching, I chose to ground the bottom half with an old pair of faux leather paper bag waist shorts and my OTK (over-the-knee) boots. As a final touch, to compliment the silver studs on my belt, I grabbed my favorite clutch and some simple earrings for a bit of sparkle. I would absolutely consider this a more casual holiday look especially for those (which should be most of us) celebrating this year’s festivities from home. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Shacket- H&M

Turtleneck- Zara

Shorts- (similar)

Boots- Zara (similar)

Frames- Asos

Clutch- Dior

In the vault

BLACK OUT

November 29, 2017 2 Comments

Is there such a thing as wearing too much black? To be honest, that was the question I struggled with most when composing this look. Black is moody, edgy, chic, and all around timeless, however I still found myself debating whether the shade was enough on its own. I purchased this stunning ribbed midi dress and though I loved it, I completely underestimated how difficult it would be to style. In my opinion, this item is equivalent to a white tee– a total staple that leaves room to create an endless amount of ensembles. I wasn’t sure whether to dress this piece up or down, add a pop of color, or play off of it’s understated minimalism. Being that I had no real direction, I just browsed the shops until I found items that “spoke” to me; and this cross-body bag was definitely a winner! The fringe and stud details added a rocker-chic vibe that provided an eye catching element to the look without taking away from the classic frock. At this point, while I liked the items I had, I was beginning to wonder whether I needed to somehow break up the darkness. As I continued to shop I found the cutest socks that I knew could add a playful element to not only this outfit, but to so many more in my wardrobe! Finally, I had made a conscious decision to find a pair of shoes that could compliment the pieces I had already gathered but most importantly, were not black! Long story short, I was not successful. As much as I tried to steer clear of it, everything that caught my eye during that particular outing happened to be the same dark shade. I finally decided to give in, and realized that despite the pieces being the same color, they all brought different elements to the look and complimented each other wonderfully. The metallic accents on the bag and shoes made for a nice feminine touch, especially as we approach the holidays, and the socks gave a quirky chic feel that made the overall outfit more interesting. That being said, I totally encourage wearing all-black and when all else fails, a bold lip or nails can never hurt! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- All Saints

Socks- Zara

Heels- & Other Stories

Bag- Zara

In the vault

TWEED TALES

November 14, 2017 1 Comment

It’s becoming more frequent during my shopping trips, that I go in with an exact item in mind that I plan to purchase and leave with something that was totally not on my radar. The skirt I ended up styling, though stunning in its own right, was not the item I was set on buying at the time. In my mind, I planned to style a look that juxtaposed a satin more “Spring-like” skirt with a chunky knit and some form of boot. However, that all changed when I tried on the piece and was displeased with, well…everything. From there I was back to the drawing board and was just about to leave the store when I spotted something that was unlike anything I had ever seen. It took me a while to comprehend the beauty of this rare gem as it had so many unique elements, but after a quick trip to the fitting room I realized it was absolutely perfect! It’s no exaggeration when I say this skirt is unlike anything in my wardrobe. The thin tweed-like fabric, frayed hem, and A-symmetrical shape really make this a standout piece that completely encompasses the Autumn/Winter seasonal vibes. With so many colors to choose from given the multicolored striped pattern, I could’ve paired this item with a few different tops. That being said, I opted for a lightweight charcoal grey turtleneck which really helped to make the various tones in the skirt pop without clashing. I chose to keep my footwear simple as well with my staple minimal black mules. For this ensemble I decided to forgo a bag or piece of outerwear as I wanted to keep all of the focus on this amazing skirt; though I did find a pair of geometric shaped earrings which provided an interesting final touch. All in all, I loved the simplicity of this look and the sleek silhouette I was able to create. It just goes to show how we should never be afraid to stray from our initial ideas, as there may be an even better outcome that we hadn’t considered. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Forever 21

Skirt- Topshop

Mules- Topshop

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

MUSTARD + MINI

October 12, 2017 3 Comments

As a style blogger, though we may often plan and hope to shoot in the most pristine conditions, there are times when that falls out of our control and we must roll with the punches. On this particular rainy day, I had to do just that and while it was not my most ideal situation, the show had to go on! Luckily, I was quite pleased with my outfits and got into my zone rather quickly, aside from a few missteps along the way. It’s no secret that Fall is my favorite season and though I love embracing the neutral warm tones this time of year brings, I never shy away from adding a bit of contrast to the mix. On a recent shopping trip I was surprised to find the top and bottom to this look rather quickly despite having no real direction. The cozy mustard knit served as a perfect Autumn staple, while the metallic skirt added an unexpected pop of interest that somehow gave the sweater a bit of excitement and luxury. In my opinion, metallic pieces can definitely serve as neutrals and of course, go-to items as we approach the holiday season. To be honest, the hardest part was trying to find a shoe that would marry these two items and keep the look cohesive. Given the time of year, I figured booties would be the best option and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the pair I found. The silver accents perfectly complimented my metallic mini and tied the look together in a way that was seasonally as well as stylistically appropriate. To further finalize this look, I added my minimal silver watch and black fringe backpack; two accessories that have solidified their places as staples in my wardrobe. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed styling this look and definitely plan to pair these pieces with other items in my wardrobe throughout the season. Let me know in the comments below if you’re a fan of Fall metallics or are more traditional, and prefer to bring them out only for special/holiday occasions. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- H&M

Skirt- H&M

Boots- Zara

Backpack- Topshop

Watch- Daniel Wellington

In ASM Shop

FRINGE BAGS

October 13, 2016 No Comments

I’ve recently noticed a common factor in a few of my handbags…FRINGE. I’m not sure what it is about this textured detail that elevates any ensemble but the subtle movement it brings, I simply cannot resist. Whether it be in the style of a crossbody, backpack, or traditional purse, I am totally here for this trend! Check out the bags I’ve gathered below and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks!

In the vault

FALL FLORALS

October 11, 2016 1 Comment

To be honest, this look was completely inspired by street style. I had been seeing so many trendy girls rocking midi-length floral dresses with leather jackets lately, I knew I had to add one to my collection. During the cooler months it’s easy to get stuck in the “pants-only” rut, so I decided to challenge myself and continue to style more feminine pieces for a bit longer. I’ve never been a fan of super bright florals so when I saw this pattern I was instantly attracted to the subdued neutral tones that were incorporated. Aside from that I was also drawn to the lace overlay and the eye catching cold-shoulder detail. All in all, this dress was everything I was looking for and I knew exactly how I wanted to style it! A few blog posts ago, I fell in love with the Stan Smith Adidas sneakers and since then I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of my own. While I didn’t end up getting that exact pair, I opted for the new “superstars” that are just as versatile and fit perfectly into my wardrobe. One color that I don’t typically accessorize with is grey, but I noticed hints of it in the dress and thought it would make for an interesting accent color to tie the look together. With that in mind, I finished the look off with my fringe crossbody bag and matching choker. This ensemble turned out to be everything I had imagined for the fall season and I can’t wait to style this dress again, maybe with some booties and a cute jacket. Who knows what I’ll come up with, but until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Adidas

Bag- Zara

Necklace- Aldo

In the vault

LADY LILAC

August 30, 2016 3 Comments

With September being right around the corner, I thought it was time to slowly start incorporating some fall pieces back into my wardrobe. While still remaining weather and season appropriate, I decided to pair this gorgeous tiered dress with my tortoise heel ankle boots. I absolutely loved the soft hue and fabric of the dress against the textured leather on my shoes as well as the fringe on my backpack. Because I wanted the movement of the pieces to be the focus of the ensemble, I kept my accessories minimal (per usual, lol). I’ve literally been wearing this thick, ribbon choker with everything and I have no intentions of stopping! Being someone who is not that keen on wearing loads of jewelry, I find that simple necklaces and rings that go with everything suit my everyday fashion needs best! I am also personally loving the idea of pastels for the fall and plan to definitely make them a trend in my closet this season. Overall, I feel like I’m off to a good start in terms of styling my fall looks, and I can’t wait to see what other inspiration I can draw from my favorite season. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Boots- Topshop

Choker- Urban Outfitters

Backpack- Topshop