suit – A Styled Mind

In the vault

CRUSHED VELVET!

February 19, 2024 No Comments

I recently read quote that said, “a major part of manifesting is believing you’re worthy of what you’re asking for.” This resonated with me not only because I found it to be true, but because not many people talk about the mental gymnastics that are required to chase your dreams and build the life you deserve. Forget outside influence and the negativity of others who may cast doubt. Usually, it’s the inner voice that we all have at times that can be our own worst critic and deterrent in moving forward, past the fear and discomfort, that ultimately holds us back. It’s very easy to fall into this cycle of thinking especially when you see firsthand the amount of effort that goes into your passions, and it seems like you’re barely moving the needle. I personally struggle with this often, but I refuse to believe that all of this was fror nothing and choose to trust the timing of my journey no matter how frustrating it can be. We got this!

On a lighter note, I received this suit during the holidays and unfortunately did not have an opportunity to style it. Despite taking a break from fashion week this season, I still wanted to get out into the city streets and shoot some looks that I would’ve potentially worn had I attended. To no surprise, I was instantly drawn to the rich crushed velvet texture of this set. Everything about it looked so lush, and the added comfort and ease was simply a bonus! A close friend of mine recently said, “co-ords are the best fashion hack” and I couldn’t have agreed more! With both pieces, 85% of the ensemble was nearly complete so all that was left to do was add my personal flare and make it ASM approved! I knew that black would be my contrasting color based on the shadows that flowed throughout the pattern of the textile. I then chose to layer with a sheer ribbed turtleneck for a bit of juxtaposition against the heavier fabric, and ground the outfit with a sleek heeled bootie. For accessories, my go-to classic cat-eye sunnies were the obvious choice as they somewhat mirrored the geometric shape of my earrings. Lastly, I decided to stick with the angular accents by incorporating a croc-embossed bag that also featured silver hardware, effortlessly complimenting the rest of my jewelry. I loved the strength and power that this look emanated and I couldn’t be happier with the images that were captured. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

CITRUS CHIC!

June 24, 2022 No Comments

Now that Summer is officially here, the color trends are as bright as ever and I can honestly say it has forced me to step outside of my comfort zone even more! There aren’t many shades I completely dislike but if I had to pick one, at least in the past, it would’ve been orange. Personally, I never saw it as very wearable and for me, it always seemed to give an unnecessary nod to Halloween. That said, and to my surprise, I stumbled across a few pieces that peaked my interest and I couldn’t resist at least giving them a try! At this point we all know my infatuation with suits and co-ords is at an all time high so when I saw this tangerine number I decided to see if I could make it work. Outside of the striking hue, I was really drawn to the gorgeous tailoring of the blazer and split hem mini skirt which is right up my alley! Upon receiving the garments, I instantly fell in love with the fit and knew I had made the right choice. While I would usually try to offset the saturation with something more toned down, this time, I chose to take a risk and layered with an indigo halter style bralette. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m the best with color-blocking but this combination was one that I immediately adored! From this point, I began to get a bit stumped when it came to the accessories. I knew incorporating anything black would be entirely too harsh and for some reason my neutral items just weren’t cutting it. After giving it some more thought, I remembered that I had also purchased a beaded bag when I placed my initial order. As soon as I picked up the tomato-colored option I was extremely uncomfortable. Wearing this much color at once was definitely not something I was used to, nor did I think I could pull it off. However, after realizing I also had a pair of mules that were nearly a perfect match, I took a deep breath and committed to the statement making ensemble! I never would’ve guessed I’d style an outfit this bold but I quickly embraced it and it didn’t take long before I felt like myself again. To finish off the look, I threw on some gold jewelry and aviator frames which provided a subtle cool edge. I get so much enjoyment from experimenting with fashion and finding new ways to showcase my style. At the end of the day, if all else fails, you can just as easily take it off and try again! Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

In the vault

WORK MODE!

August 13, 2021 1 Comment

Life is unpredictable. There are periods of ups and downs and moments that will make you question everything you thought you already knew. What I’ve learned over the years is that while there is no way to prepare or plan for everything that is to come, if you stay focused, everything will eventually fall into place. At this point in my life, the time to put my all into creating my desired reality is now and I refuse to miss my opportunity! When styling this look, I didn’t know how much strength and power I would feel. It’s no secret that a suit is a classic garment that is normally structured and often worn with regards to business. That being said, I love the modern takes on tailoring and how even options that have more of a relaxed fit, or use lighter materials such as linen, can still command the same attention. When figuring out what color to pair this khaki set with, it all came down to my bag choice. After waiting MONTHS for this gorgeous leather tote, I knew I had to style it immediately! Recently, I’ve also found myself gravitating towards all/majority black outfits. Why I waited until the hottest month of the year to experiment with this is beyond me, but I have yet to be deterred. It’s almost as if the details on dark items pop more, especially in the Summer, when most people are staying far away from those shades. To complete the ensemble, I layered a cropped t-shirt featuring a tie-waist detail and a simple pair of mules. Another theme I’ve noticed in my wardrobe is my affinity for classic pieces that have unexpected elements to them; and I personally think this particular look conveyed that seamlessly! For one final touch, I added a neutral pair of chandelier earrings and couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. Wearing this, I was absolutely in “deal closing” mode and even more excited to put in that work! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

WOMEN’S MONTH!

March 25, 2021 No Comments

WHO RUN THE WORLD?!! GIRLS! I personally could not let March, better known as Women’s month, come to an end without dedicating at least one blog post to all of the powerful female influences that have raised me, shaped me, encouraged me, uplifted me, and continue to fight for me so that I can live my life freely today. I was honored to have been contacted by a fellow blogger babe, Gail, who suggested we collaborate on this shoot and it truly could not have turned out better! While we could have gone in a variety of directions, we decided to take a more classic approach and tap into our inner “girl boss” by showcasing complimentary styles in gorgeous pastel suits. What stood out to me the most were how much these shots truly captured the plethora of juxtapositions that all women possess. We can be soft, yet powerful, structured but also relaxed, bold and demure all at the same time. As women, we are such multi-faceted beings and it brought me so much joy to capture that essence while doing something I love. Because we are heading into warmer months and my suit was already oversized, I chose to layer it with a knit bralette and minimal tan heeled mules. As a final touch, I added my favorite chandelier earrings and a few gold rings for extra sparkle. Collaboration will forever trump competition and I look forward to making more magic with other incredible female creators, while hopefully inspiring others along the way! Happy Women’s Month!!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

Trousers- Zara

Bralette- Simonett

Heels- Mango

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

SUITED & BOOTED!

March 18, 2021 No Comments

If I had to choose one ensemble to reflect my personal style, a strong contender would definitely be a suit or co-ord of some kind. It’s no secret how much I love tailoring as well as matching sets mainly because they are always timeless and chic. For quite a few years now I’ve noticed how much suiting has really become a staple as we move into the warmer months, specifically in brighter colors. That being said, I’ve also greatly appreciated the more retro takes on these garments like the version I shared in this post. While I could have absolutely gone for a bolder shade, I was instantly sold when I saw the neutral option. This set was extremely reminiscent of the popular 90’s fashion trends, featuring a cropped jacket and mini skirt. I also loved that it came in a shade that would pair seamlessly with nearly anything! That aside, I still played it a bit safe and complimented the look with what seemed like the most obvious color option; black. I had been gifted a pair of tights that I was excited to try out mainly because they are made to be much more durable than the average pair; and for us long nail wearers, this was right up my alley! Additionally, I was also waiting on the perfect opportunity to style my new knee-high boots that I had actually been eyeing since the holiday season and just recently went on sale. To lighten up the look a tad, instead of layering a solid, dark top, I chose a striped fitted turtleneck instead. Lastly, for a subtle pop of color, I decided to complete the outfit with an olive green bag, my silver geometric frames, and matching jewelry. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

Skirt- Zara

Turtleneck- Free Assembly x Walmart

Tights- UNBRK

Boots- Mango

In the vault

CHECK-MATE!

July 16, 2020 1 Comment

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

Trousers- Zara

Crop Top- Zara

Sandals- Topshop

Sunglasses- Mango

There’s something about a lightweight suit in the Summer that truly makes you feel empowered, strong, chic, and ready for just about anything. What I love most about this look is the casualness that comes with such a traditionally structured garment. We often associate suits with the office, business, or formal events. Yet in the warmer months, they become a bit more carefree and a much “cooler” version of what we expect them to be. When I first came across this set, I was drawn in by the bold pattern, as well as the overall color scheme. At first glance, this may look like your average neutral checked suit; however after close inspection, there are fine lines of blue piping throughout which really make this set even more special. As a lover of contrast who also appreciates a good pop of color, it was a no-brainer for me to immediately pair this co-ord with my newest heeled sandals in a bright sapphire shade as well. In efforts to not overly saturate the ensemble, I toned things down with a knit grey crop-top for some added balance. To finish off the look, I threw on a large pair of gold framed sunnies and was on my way! This is yet another example of how versatile garments can be; so do yourself a favor and step out of the box! Just because something is labeled as being meant for a conference, doesn’t mean you can’t rock it to the park! Until next time!

In the vault

5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

March 20, 2020 2 Comments

My how time flies when you’re doing what you love! Exactly 5 years ago, on the first day of Spring, March 2015, the website for A Styled Mind was launched. At that time I was excited, nervous, and in no way prepared for all that I would learn along this journey. The challenges made for exponential growth, and the frustrations allowed room for me to hone in on my vision while planting the seed for what my platform could become. Seeing the evolution of my personal style, photography, and overall confidence in the fashion/influencer space has truly made me realize the importance of consistency, dedication, and quality work. While it would be impossible for me to try and predict what’s next, I can only hope for more accomplishments and opportunities, while I continue expressing myself through clothing. My mind is full of ideas and I still have tons of different content genres I’d like to expand the ASM brand into; menswear styling, fitness, cooking, and interior design to name a few.

Sooner than later, I’d love to work on building a team to support me in the expansion of my platform. As with any entrepreneurial venture, there are tons of sacrifices that must be made along the way, but with a strong foundation and loyal community, eventually the hard work will pay off and the fruits of your labor will be that much sweeter! Regarding future goals for the next 5 years, I’d love to have a capsule collection with a brand I am personally a fan of, run ASM full time, speak on a variety of panels geared towards the empowerment of women, have a feature in a global fashion magazine, and attend a luxury fashion show in either Paris or Milan. Though I don’t know where or how this journey ends, I am forever grateful for the support, kind words, and interest in my brand since the very beginning! Let’s cheers to 5 more shall we?!

OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS: SHIRT/JEANS/HEELS/BAG/SUNNIES

OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS: TOP/DRESS/SOCKS/SNEAKERS/BAG/SUNNIES

OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS: SWEATER/SKIRT/SANDALS/SUNNIES

OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS: DRESS/BOOTS/EARRINGS/SUNNIES

OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS: SUIT/BAG/SANDALS/EARRINGS

In ASM Shop

10 SPRING ESSENTIALS

March 15, 2020 No Comments

Transitional periods like Spring can sometimes be tricky to shop for. Because they’re typically not the longest, in my opinion, it’s important to shop smart and look for staples that can be weather appropriate for the current season as well as those to come. Below, I’ve rounded up my top 10 garments/trends that will surely have you set for Springtime and even year-round with a few minor adjustments. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!

Slide View: 1: UO Joanie Batwing Cardigan — CARDIGANS

Twill Shacket - White - Ladies | H&M US — SHACKET (SHIRT + JACKET)

In the vault

BACK TO BUSINESS

August 22, 2019 2 Comments

I find suits to be such staple pieces that truly never get the credit they deserve for being one of the most powerful, yet classic looks an individual can wear. Especially for women, they tend to make a chic yet strong statement when worn no matter what the occasion may be. While I do have a few favorites of my own, in a variety of styles, this one was definitely unlike anything in my current wardrobe. The fit itself, would probably make this co-ord the most feminine set I own. From the cropped skinny trousers and double-breasted jacket, I couldn’t help but feel like the baddest girl boss in town! Unlike most separates, suits allow the focus to remain on the accessories since the outfit is essentially complete from the beginning. Because of the eye-catching details, it was imperative that I let the pinstriped garments speak for themselves and not be overshadowed by the bells and whistles. To coordinate with the black button accents, I chose a sleek pair of mules as footwear. In efforts to brighten things up, since I was working with a fairly dark color palette, I didn’t hesitate to grab my baby blue studded bucket bag. It’s no secret that I love a good cross-body and this one in particular added the perfect pop of color to break up the ensemble and add some dimension to the look as a whole. Lastly, a pair of statement earrings never hurt, so I was more than happy to incorporate them and bring a more formal, glam element to the outfit. I loved how this look was the perfect balance of sophistication and edginess. On a more casual day, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw on a crisp pair of white sneakers to really incorporate some sporty elements as well. Let me know in the comments if you prefer more traditional, or classic styles of suits and how you would style them for the Fall. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Eggie

Trousers- Eggie

Heels- Steve Madden

Bag- Zara

Earrings- Aldo

In the vault

SHORT SUIT

September 5, 2018 1 Comment

I feel like I’ve been looking for a short suit for literally the longest, so it only make sense that I was finally able to get my hands on one at the end of the Summer– just my luck. Either way, I was thrilled when I found it and had zero hesitation when trying it on and bringing it to the counter for purchase. What I love about this particular separate is that although it’s bold and eye-catching, there’s something muted about the tones that really make this look wearable all year round, even if it’s just the blazer. With New York Fashion Week finally here, having a bold ensemble that requires minimal effort to style is also a significant plus when running around from show to show. Two things I was sure of when styling this ensemble is that I didn’t want the look to be too “matchy,” and I wanted it to appear as effortless as possible. To complete this vision, I decided not to coordinate with any of the colors within the suit’s print and instead opted for a bralette in a neutral cream shade. To me, this kept the look light and fresh, without taking away from the statement focal pieces. In a similar color, I had also purchased a pair of slip-on sandals that perfectly complimented the crop top and kept the look grounded, as well as slightly more casual despite the intricate details throughout. Last but not least, in efforts to add a final touch of interest and cohesiveness with the circular belt detail on the shorts, I chose a pair of mixed metal hoops to tie everything together and complete this look. For me, I couldn’t have picked a better outfit to end the Summer season and I am now officially ready to start embracing autumnal pieces and mentally preparing for the cooler temperatures we will soon be faced with. Stay tuned for what’s to come and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Suit- Topshop

Bralette- Zara

Sandals- Splendid

Earrings- Zara