texture – 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

ROSETTE ROMANCE!

July 28, 2023 No Comments

To trend or not to trend, that is the question! When it comes to items that seemingly become popular “overnight,” especially within the fashion world, there can be an increased pressure to fully dive-in and indulge. Over the years however, I’ve found that acting on impulse usually results in regret and a little extra thought can go a long way. When it comes to trendy pieces, I try to ask myself 3 questions: “Is this a need or a want? Does this truly represent my personal style? Will I still wear this after the hype dies down?” Now don’t get me wrong, not every decision needs to be this deep or require this much analysis but it can be a starting point. How we represent ourselves through clothing should be fun, experimental, and ever-evolving. That said, if you’re interested in trying something slightly outside of your comfort zone, finding a dupe at a lower price point could be a better alternative until you decide if it’s worth the full commitment. When I saw the explosion of the rosette applique, I went through the same process. I was definitely intrigued, but I wasn’t sure if this detail was really “me” or how much I’d actually wear it in the long run. Thus, I decided to wait it out and in the interim started knocking off other pieces from my wish list that I had been wanting for some time. I don’t need to rehash my love of denim, but I spotted this mini skirt last Summer and unfortunately it sold out before I could get my hands on it. The same was the case with this oversized ivory blazer, so when I saw them both restocked I jumped at the opportunity to finally make them mine. Knowing my intention was to pair these garments together, I just needed the missing link to bring my vision to life! As soon as I saw this textured swimsuit (yes, it’s a swimsuit LOL), I knew it would be perfect and it absolutely lived up to my expectations! With my ensemble nearly complete all there was left to do was accessorize. Since my color palette was fairly neutral, I chose to incorporate a striking pop of green with my footwear and a structured navy bag that had subtle neon piping to match. To compliment the hardware, I added some gold jewelry and my newest rimless frames that I’m utterly obsessed with! In my opinion, this look could not have come together better and I will be styling it again before the season ends. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

SOFT TONES!

June 3, 2022 No Comments

As the weather heats up, the more effortless my style becomes and with that, the more I gravitate towards my go-to “uniform.” While some may perceive me as quite “girly,” 90% of the time I’m actually in jeans/trousers. For me, especially when it comes to how I put looks together, I typically feel most comfortable with the top half of my ensemble making the statement while keeping the bottom on the more casual side. I purchased black pants in a similar design last year and when I saw that another brand offered them in beige, I knew they would make for another great closet staple! Unlike the previous pair, these were insanely long but I still managed to make it work for the photoshoot. After doing a bit more browsing online, I saw that the same brand also sold a chic open-back knit polo in a muted green shade. Once I received both items, it was clear that they were essentially meant to be worn together because of how well the garments complimented each other. The softness of the tones and slightly cropped hem of the top seamlessly grazed the high-waisted trouser and couldn’t have been more perfect! Because of the color palette I was working with, I immediately knew that black would be too harsh of a contrast. Instead, I opted for brown accessories which allowed for a more understated juxtaposition. After deciding on my footwear and sunnies, instead of incorporating a matching bag, I figured a white option would be a better suited choice in terms of adding interest and highlighting the unique fold-over detail. Lastly I threw on a few pieces of gold jewelry and was ready for my close up! Outfits like this show that you don’t need the flashiest pieces to stand out. Just a few unexpected design elements can really make your look one to be remembered without overwhelming the onlooker. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

In the vault

STAPLE TEXTURES

February 10, 2016 2 Comments

Leather. Denim. Knit. Fringe. These are pretty much my holy grail staple textures whenever I have no idea what to wear. By pairing two or more of these fabrics, I’m always guaranteed to walk away with a chic and casual look that can get me through the day. All of the pieces used for this look have been in my closet for at least a year and never seem to go out of style. I have quite a few leather jackets in various colors, but in my opinion a classic black is always your best bet, especially if you’re in a rush. My second fave is distressed denim. Like leather jackets, they seem to just get better with time and wear. I’ve had these since high school (believe it or not) and still can’t seem to let them go! Since we’re still facing the cold temperatures chunky knits are almost always a must. I love this one because it is one of the few non-oversized sweaters in my closet and the thick collar provides extra warmth and style. Fringe is a texture that was introduced during the summer months in relation to the 70’s trend, but can definitely be incorporated into all seasons. I’m truly a fan of it because it adds movement and interest to any outfit. Along with these classic pieces, I finished the look off with a timeless red lip and was on my way. Chic looks don’t always have to be complex, you know. Until next time! 😉

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Urban Outfitters

Sweater- J BRAND (sample sale)

Jeans- Fossil- Similar

Sneakers- Topshop

Backpack- Topshop

In ASM Shop

Leggings

November 26, 2015 1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving!!! With this being one of the most gluttonous days of the year, I figured leggings would be the perfect piece to focus on this week. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to feel when reaching for that second or third (or fourth) plate of food is discomfort. The beauty of leggings, aside from their marvelous elasticity, is the fact that they now come in such a variety of textures, prints, and styles that you can always look chic while still being able to breathe. So go ahead and break out your favorite pair of leggings and have a happy holiday with your loved ones! (Don’t forget to click on the images to shop the pieces below.)

In ASM Shop

Combined Shoes

October 29, 2015 1 Comment

As someone who is a lover of mixing and matching different textures when putting together outfits, this trend is right up my alley! Combined shoes of all styles have been popping up in almost every trendy retail store and pretty much every major designer from Dior to Tom Ford has a version. Aside from outerwear, I think adding dual textured shoes is the best way to add some interest to your outfit especially when facing the colder temperatures. So what do you think about this trend? I personally can’t get enough! 🙂 (Reminder: You can click the images to shop the shoes below!)

In the vault

BOLD N’ BACKLESS

June 10, 2015 92 Comments

I am a full supporter of pretty much any piece of clothing with an open back detail. Aside from the fact that I personally believe that the back is the sexiest part of a woman’s body to show off in fashion, I also love the bit of mystery that comes along with it. The idea of being able to walk into a room and appear completely covered, only to then turn around and BAM! An unexpected showstopper is what I like to call it, and that was the exact thought process when styling this outfit. This ensemble presents itself very conservative and preppy from the front while the open back detail of the top adds that hint of edginess that no outfit of mine would be complete without. I also thought the horizontal stripes in the top and the textured lines in the skirt made for a seamless transition. For the rest of the look I kept the shoes minimal by throwing on a low pair of heels with a wide ankle strap and my favorite statement necklace. Another fun fact about me is that I have no problem mixing metals when it comes to accessorizing. Because I am not a huge jewelry wearer as it is, I never saw it as an issue. Some may see this as a “fashion don’t” but it hasn’t stopped me yet! Lol. Do you have any unconventional fashion habits or is it just me?

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Urban Outfitters

Skirt- H&M

Shoes- Online

Necklace- Urban Outfitters

Bracelet- Nordstrom