thigh high – A Styled Mind

In the vault

CONCRETE ROSE

February 7, 2019 1 Comment

I’m not sure what has gotten into me lately, but blush tones have really been tickling my fancy more than ever before. That being said, due to a certain hallmark holiday also creeping up on us, I’ve decided to embrace the feminine hues this month as it seems rather fitting. While my V-day plans are still to be determined, I wanted to try styling a couple looks that conveyed the romantic feel of the 14th, without being entirely predictable. So in efforts to put my own spin on things, it was inevitable that some form of contrast had to come into play. During my shopping trip I was met with the misfortune of being faced with every vibrant red and pink garment imaginable; and while this may have made the task easier for some, I was beginning to get concerned that I would have to leave empty handed. On my last lap around the store however, I noticed a slightly muted mauve toned slip dress that was honestly right up my alley! The gorgeous color paired with the elegant draping of the frock, instantly convinced me that I was moving in the right direction. However, because it was such a dainty piece, I knew I wanted to layer it with a few items that would give it a bit more structure and add some casual elements. After more hours of over-thinking and weighing my style options, I decided to take an understated approach and simply use a crisp white t-shirt as my base. On top of that, I decided to take the plunge and purchase a shearling jacket I had been eyeing for about a month now, and I couldn’t be more obsessed! The cut and shape of this stunning piece of outerwear is unlike anything else I own and can easily take me into the upcoming Spring months. Because the majority of this ensemble consisted of softer tones, I decided to add my grey suede thigh high boots for some added warmth and color richness. To complete the look, I thought it would be fun to give a nod to my 2015 self and throw on an embellished choker. This necklace alone, with its eye-catching rhinestones and overlapping black tie laces, really helped marry both of the edgy and girly components that made up this look. Let me know in the comments your favorite piece from this outfit and where/if you would wear it to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- & Other Stories

T-shirt- Topshop

Dress- Topshop

Boots- Marc Fisher

Necklace- Asos

In the vault

RAINBOW

October 3, 2018 3 Comments

Coming off the heels of NYFW, I can honestly say that I was truly inspired. So much so, that I wanted to challenge myself by incorporating the vibrant colors I saw on and off the runways into my current Fall wardrobe. I bought this dress in particular for a girl’s trip to Miami, and unfortunately ran out of time before I could wear it. Previously, I would’ve never thought I could style a wrap dress like this, let alone considerate it appropriate for the cooler months in NYC. That being said, I decided to give it a go and ended up being completely in love with the result! Clearly this frock was the focal piece, yet despite the various colors throughout, I decided to play off of the subtle black stripes in the design. Though we are still getting a few glimpses of Summer with the inconsistent forecast, I chose this as the perfect opportunity to dust off my leather thigh-high boots and see if they could still handle these city streets. Styling dark accessories can sometimes become overpowering and make an ensemble feel too weighed down. In efforts to prevent this issue, I made sure to space out the black accent items and find pieces that varied in texture. The belt bag I purchased, while incorporating leather, also had an unexpected suede layer beneath the clasp. Additionally, I also decided to add a hat– I know what you’re thinking, “SHOCKING!” I think it’s pretty evident that I have no problem taking risks with my style or stepping out of my comfort zone when I find a piece that I feel will suit me. The “baker boy” hat trend has been popular since the last Autumn/Winter season, and while I wasn’t the biggest fan at first, this vinyl version really peaked my interest enough to try it for myself. Quite frankly, I’m just happy I was able to make this dress work now instead of having to store it in the back of my closet until next year. With silk & satin also being popular fabrics at the moment, I’m already thinking of ways to re-style this dress for the colder months. I can already picture it with either a blazer on top and/or a thin turtleneck underneath for some extra layers. Let me know in the comments how you would style this dress, or if you have Summer pieces from your own closet that might make their way into your Fall wardrobe. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Asos

Boots- Zara

Hat- Topshop

Belt Bag- Zara

In the vault

PVC VIBES

April 4, 2017 1 Comment

One of the perks of being a blogger, in my opinion, is that you have a permanent excuse to constantly shop. Even if it’s for something that you may only wear once or wouldn’t typically pick up, you can easily make a case for it. That being said, I try to only shop for pieces that I know I can feature on my blog and make permanent assets to my existing wardrobe. However, there are times when I am skeptical about an item but buy it anyway just to try it out; and this skirt was a product of one of “those” purchases. A few years ago, the PVC (or patent) trend was very popular in regards to body-con midi skirts and dresses. While I was a fan of it then, it’s been awhile since I’ve worn something of that particular fabric. All in all, there was something about this skirt that intrigued me and since it was also on sale, I decided to take the plunge. To be honest, this piece sat in my closet for about a month and a half and just as the regrets were starting to creep in I found the perfect top to pair it with. Since we’re finally diving into Spring, I instantly knew that this white embroidered shirt would make for a clean and effortless look. What I loved most about it, of course, was the Asian-inspired back detail that beautifully emphasized the rich red color of the skirt. For the Summer I would not hesitate to pair this look with some crisp white sneakers, but because it still gets a little chilly at times I opted for my go-to OTK boots. To accessorize I kept it very simple with a dainty silver choker to match the exposed zipper on the skirt, and my fringe backpack to keep things casual. This look definitely got me excited for the warmer months to come and I can’t wait to mix and match these pieces withe the other gems in my wardrobe. Let me know what you think of the PVC/patent trend in the comments below. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Shirt- Topshop

Skirt- Zara

Boots- Aldo

Backpack- Topshop

In ASM Shop

HOLIDAY WISHLIST 2016

December 22, 2016 No Comments

With Christmas only 3 days away, I wanted to share the items that were on my personal wishlist. I try not to get too overwhelmed with whether or not I actually get what I “wished” for, and rather focus on the giving season while looking forward to the element of surprise. Either way, it’s always fun to write Santa a little list and feel like a kid again. Check out my picks below and I hope you get everything on your list as well! Don’t forget to click the images to shop the items below. Happy Holidays!!!

In the vault

RUSTY

November 1, 2016 1 Comment

I find inspiration all around me when thinking of new looks to style and in my opinion, the Fall season has the most unique elements to choose from. For this look, I wanted to create an ensemble reminiscent of the rich brown and orange tones in the leaves as they begin to turn. I have been longing to break out my thigh high boots all summer, and now is finally the perfect time! Over the last few seasons my mini skirt collection has also grown, and I knew this one would be perfect for an autumn look as soon as I picked it up. The soft suede texture and bronze hardware really captured the essence of this time of year and because it is pretty neutral, it left me a lot of room to find a matching piece. I honestly, don’t think I could have found a more perfect blouse to pair with this skirt. The warm hues in the floral print as well as the slight frills on the sleeves and around the collar, really brought this look together and added a softer feminine touch. As I wanted to keep the focus on the clothing items I hardly wore any accessories and just threw on an open front cardigan to add a bit more dimension and layering. I absolutely love the Fall and looks like these because they are very buildable. On a colder day, add some tights, a leather jacket, and a scarf; if it gets a bit warmer opt for a lighter denim jacket and short booties. I intend to make the most out of this weather before it gets too cold and cute (practical) outerwear is my only option. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Cardigan- Tobi

Top- Zara

Skirt- Forever 21

Boots- Aldo

In the vault

WINTER WHITE

February 16, 2016 2 Comments

On this snowy day instead of staying in and hibernating, I decide to take advantage of my surroundings and style an outfit to match. One of my favorite things about being a style blogger, is finding new (or forgotten) gems in my very own closet. I’ve had this white bomber for quite some time and the fact that I have never featured it on my blog was quite surprising to me. Nevertheless, I always jump at the chance to feature a “new” item, so this was my opportunity. Recently, I’ve been sticking to a pretty neutral color palette, (black, white, grey, navy, etc.) and letting the outfit’s fine details draw in the attention. For this look it was the sheer panels on the dress and the quilted design of the leather jacket. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about wearing white that has been really intriguing to me lately. While some see it as a huge risk, I think it is incredibly chic and while it is a struggle to keep my white pieces crisp and clean, it is a challenge I am willing to accept. Yet another casual look for the books I suppose. Until next time! 🙂

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Urban Outfitters

Dress- Urban Outfitters

Shirt- Zara

Boots- Aldo

In the vault

LOTS A’ LAYERS

January 26, 2016 2 Comments

It’s absolutely no secret that during the winter season the best remedy for keeping warm and looking chic is layering. My personal formula for executing layering successfully, is starting with a neutral base and then gradually building upon it with heavier pieces that are among the same color palette. This is exactly the method that I used for this look. I was getting quite bored with feeling obligated to wear pants just because of the brisk temperatures, so I went on a hunt for a thick midi dress that I could wear with tights and my thigh high boots. Once that mission was accomplished the rest of the look came together quite easily. I’ve really been loving the taupe and grey tones this season so those were pretty much the colors I stuck with throughout the look. I loved the look of the ribbed knit texture of the dress against the heavy tan wool and leather on the coat. To add a bit more texture and dimension, I added my cropped fur vest and my favorite scarf. Another crucial tip when it comes to adding layers is taking full advantage of accessories. Hats, scarves, sunglasses, and bags are all easy pieces that you can grab to take your outfit to the next level. With that being said, I finished off the look with my leather cap and go to cross-body handbag. With layering like this, you are guaranteed to stay looking fashionable and feeling warm.

Outfit Details & Links:

Hat- OATW

Scarf- H&M

Coat- Zara- similar

Vest- Fossil- similar

Dress- Forever 21

Boots- Aldo

Bag- Dooney & Bourke

In the vault

BURGUNDY BLISS

November 18, 2015 4 Comments

I feel like “burgundy” is the color probably most associated with the fall season. It almost happens on cue; as soon as the leaves begin to change, everything from lipstick and nail-polish to coats and shoes become this beautiful deep wine color. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m a huge fan of the hue and am certainly not complaining; which brings me to this look. I absolutely ADORE this 3-d patterned neck tie blouse, so much, that I decided to use burgundy as my primary color to accentuate it. In true “ASM” fashion, I decided to contrast the dainty top with an edgy, leather pleated mini skirt. In order to keep the look weather appropriate, I kept my legs warm with my thick cotton thigh-high socks and ankle boots. The booties were the perfect addition because they also contained hints of burgundy, just visible enough to tie the entire look together; and with a quick swipe of lipstick I was out the door! I have to say, while this was one of my more feminine looks, I quite enjoyed tapping into my “girly”side for a change. Without discrediting the olives, navys, rusts, and tans of the color spectrum, burgundy is definitely a favorite of mine when it comes to fall. What’s yours??!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Skirt- Urban Outfitters

Socks- American Apparel

Booties- Zara

Bag- Dooney & Bourke

In the vault

GOTH GLAM

October 23, 2015 6 Comments

Another one of my favorite fall trends is dark lips. So for me, it was only right that I build a look around them. After applying such a bold lip color I decided to stick with the “dark” theme and intertwine another trend, GOTH. The gothic look is one that has been popping up all over runways as a tribute to the culture for a few years now. Celebrities like Rihanna and Rita Ora wear the look often and seem to be in full support of it; so I finally decided to take a stab at it myself. Naturally, it would be obvious to include a lot of black pieces, and I did, but I also chose to soften the look by wearing a tunic with navy and white stripes. By doing this, it broke up the harshness of the leather jacket, shorts, and thigh high boots. Tall boots are a fall essential because you can get away with showing a little skin while also staying warm as the temperatures drop. Looks like these can also be modified for winter with a quick addition of tights and a heavier coat. So how do you like the look? I personally think it’s one that I will continue to experiment with, in the following months. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think! Until next time. 😀

Outfit Details & Links:

Tunic- Zara

Turtleneck- NY & Co.

Shorts- Urban Outfitters

Boots- Aldo

Jacket- Urban Outfitters