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 

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Military

In both fall and spring, military-inspired looks were a major trend.  This look has continued into this fall and is a major source of all the green we're seeing on fall runways (see more here).

Here, I've taken the trend in a more casual direction. 

Jacket:  Old Navy (Similar here and here)
Dress:  The Limited (Similar here, here, and here)

Soccer mom duty has officially started back up, and I spent the day outside (and make-up free!) in 100 degree heat.  I kept the look simple and casual today to beat the heat, giving this sailor striped dress a bit of a bohemian look.  I like how the chain link necklace adds to the nautical vibe.

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  Torrid

Sandals:  Target

When the temperature cools down, I will definitely be wearing the look with my army jacket and booties.  I'll add black tights when it gets colder.

Here's a few of my military-inspired favorites from the runway:

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2013 look
Source:  HarpersBazaar.com

Prabal Gurung Fall 2013 look
Source:  HarpersBazaar.com

I have to get virtually everything altered to fit properly.  Sometimes, alterations aren't enough to get a perfect fit, but they definitely make a huge difference in how an outfit looks.

Here's a quick before and after:

Purse:  Express

I had the dress hemmed a couple inches.  To get a better fit on the jacket, I washed and dried it. Then, I had the sleeves taken in a bit for a slightly slimmer fit.

The result is loose and comfortable, but much more figure flattering.

Booties:  Target

Do you like the military trend?

For the army jacket in another look, see here.

Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

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.

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Grey is the New Black

Black continued to be a major color on fall's runways as did winter white; however, grey took center stage as the neutral for fall 2013.  While nothing can replace black as my favorite go-to neutral, grey is a wonderful and softer option that works well with many skin tones. 

Sweater:  Target (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Head-to-toe grey is super sophisticated, but grey also works well with black and white as well as camel, cognac, navy, and the gorgeous jewel tones that were all over fall runways.

Haider Ackerman Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.Com

Rachel Zoe Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Blouse:  The Limited
Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

I love this batwing cocoon sweater.  When I first saw the sweater, I thought it was so chic, but then I started thinking that maybe it looked a little like Dorothy on "Golden Girls."  Then, I decided that this is not a bad thing.  "Golden Girls" is an amazing show, and Dorothy is my favorite character.  So, hey, whatev...  :-)  

Shoes:  Target
Cuff:  The Limited

Necklace:  Target

The sweater is lightweight and airy, but it is still warm.  The black piping adds a cool touch. I have a few different outfit ideas for this sweater that I'm looking forward to wearing this fall.

Do you like using grey as a neutral?


Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Below-the-knee and Midi Skirts

This fall, hemlines generally are staying at or below the knee.  Below-the-knee and midi skirts are a big trend for fall.

Skirt:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Target

Blouse:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

I've never considered midi-length skirts to be flattering for someone as petite as me, but I was intrigued by the idea of changing up my hemline this season.  

DKNY Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Proenza Schouler Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

BCBG Max Azria Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

I found this faux-leather trim pencil skirt from Target, and I decided it would be a great choice for trying out this trend.  The slim fit of the skirt and heels create an elongating effect.

The faux-leather trim extends along the waistline, so it will look good worn with a tucked-in blouse and blazer for work.  Today, I decided to pair it with a flowy colorblocked top.

Cuff:  Express
Earrings:  The Limited

Shoes:  Target

I like the look of the high-low hemlines of both the skirt and top. I think it adds to the overall elongating effect of this outfit.

For more on the leather trend, see here.
For more on the green trend, see here.

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Over-the-knee boots

One of the biggest trends in footwear this season are over-the-knee boots.  I love this trend, and it is surprisingly more versatile than you might initially think.

Tibi Fall 2013 look
Source: HuffingtonPost.com

Chanel Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Over-the-knee boots can completely elevate a casual jeans and t-shirt outfit.  They can be worn to work with a dress or skirt that skims over the top of the boot.  With brocade, chiffon, or velvet, they are a stylish way to stay warm while still looking festive this winter.

Paul & Joe Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

I am on the hunt for a pair that works for me.  Buying boots is one of the great footwear challenges I have encountered being so petite.  The shaft of boots never hits in the correct spot, making it difficult to find boots that work.  Also, boots tend to simply too long for my legs.

If and when I find some boots that work for me, I'll be sure to share the info. with you all.  In the meantime, here are some possibilities:

Oasap.com

Call It Spring boots

What do you think about this trend?  Would you wear over the knee boots?

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Cassential Links, 9/1/13

Links I'm loving this week...

Inspiring self love...

Mary Lambert provides a lot of food for thought - so moving.  We are all worth more!

Lena Dunham looks beautiful...not that she needed a makeover. Her words relay the importance of parental socialization in raising children who have body confidence.

Yay for showing a diversity of models...so much more interesting to look at than the same image over and over.

Proof that nothing beats an LBD

These women make a powerful statement about sex trafficking.

Wear plus-size? Check out these great sources for fashion!

If the size on the label affects your self confidence, why not learn to sew?

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!