Laid-Back Evening

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Pants:  Target (old)
Top:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

I love black and navy worn together.  The navy provides a subtle shot of color while the overall effect is a bit gothic glam.

The blazer provides structure to balance the slouchy fit of the pants and crossover top.  The statement necklace, silver accents, and heels create a feel that is just right for evening.

Clutch:  The Limited (old)
Necklace:  Target

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I love this look - it's SUPER comfortable and feels effortless and cool.

What about you - Would you wear black and navy together?

For these pants in other looks, see here and here.
For this top in other looks, see here and here.

Only a few more days to vote for your favorites in the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  Style Cassentials is nominated in the categories "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook."  Click to vote here once a day until 9/16/13.  Thanks for your support!!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Peplums

Peplums continue to be a major trend this fall. And why not?  They're super flattering and can look retro and feminine or sleek and modern depending on the particular styling.

Blouse: LOFT Petites (Similar here)

Blazer:  The Limited

Today, I paired my lace peplum top from last fall with a simple pair of black pants.  

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Purse:  Express

I like how the basic pants and champagne tuxedo blazer downplay and streamline the overt femininity of the blouse, making it a great balance for work.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Peplum looks from the runway:

Prabal Gurung Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Calvin Klein Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Kate Spade Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Bracelet:  The Limited

Do you like peplums?  Which runway look is your favorite?

More on the peplum trend here

To see this blouse in other looks, see here and here.
To see this blazer in another look, see here 

Cassential Links, 9/7/13

How to wear harem pants

Target is offering up one of their best fall collections in years.  I've already nabbed several pieces from their Mossimo selections, and the 3.1 Phillip Lim collaboration hasn't even hit stores yet!

What does the appropriation of twerking by whites and inclusion of "twerking" in the Oxford Dictionary tell us about race relations?

I am often in a fashion struggle between what looks best on me (in the traditional figure flattery sense) and what kind of fashion I love.  At the end of the day, I think it is possible to have both.  Allie from Wardrobe Oxygen offers some great tips for achieving a look that feeds your soul AND flatters your figure.

Love this pink flounce-hem skirt.  Chastity makes it so edgy and cool!

This blue and black outfit is absolute perfection.  The moto jacket with tweed detail is so chic! 

Red, white, and black is always a classic and chic color combination.  While it looks great year-round, I usually think fall, like in this outfit.

St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards Official Nominees and People's Choice Awards

Source:  StLouisFashionWeek.com

The Official list of nominees for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards is in, and I'm nominated in three categories!  Thank you to all of you who nominated me!

You can vote at http://www.saintlouisfashionweek.com/bloggers/st-louis-fashion-blogger-awards/ for People's Choice Awards winners in each category!  

Please take a look at the nominees, and if you think I'm the best in my categories, I'd appreciate your vote!

Vote once a day through September 16th.  

Meet the bloggers of St. Louis Fashion Week here.  Many of them are nominated!  It's always great to discover new blogs.