STYLED BY J.R.

INSTA-STYLE

Took a ride to Newport, RI with my friend today to scope out some cool shops and restaurants. It was a surprisingly urban environment even though I was expecting it  be more "small-town" streets. However, given that I am a city lover, that did not lessen the experience. The buildings were full of color and life, and I wish I had known how beautiful it was before my last week in Massachusetts. This floral shirt is my new obsession and I plan to wear it until the end of summer and through fall. 

Shirt, Banana Republic

Shorts and T-shirt, Old Navy

Belt, Tommy Hilfiger

In the next INSTA-STYLE, I will finally be taking on Manhattan.

INSPIRED BY...

Saint Laurent's Fall 2014 ad campaign. 

Get the look now! Hedi Slimane, in my opinion, has transformed this classic, iconic brand into one that modern cool girls can wear. The looks he has executed in the past two years embody Yves Saint Laurent's initial vision for the brand, while maintaining a certain freshness for today's fashion girl.

Silver Sequin Dress with Leather Trim, Paul Smith

Long Jacket, H&M

Lutino Knee-high Boots, Giuseppe Zanotti

Mini Paris Crossbody, Rebecca Minkoff

Asti Earrings, Zalando

Ring, Pedro Del Hierro

STYLED BY J.R. - Three Ways to Mix Prints With Sophistication

Going crazy with your prints became a popular trend for Spring, and has remained so for the upcoming Fall season. The best rule I can give to you is to choose one piece with a simple print. From there, you can build an outfit based on common colors, textures and patterns. Also, make sure your prints somehow relate to each other. For instance, if you have a cat print skirt, it is probably not going to make sense if you pair it with a dog print purse. 

Look 1 -

Jeanne Skirt, Stella McCartney

Madeleine Scuba Sweat, Monki

Polka Dot Leather Zip Pouch, Comme des Garcons

Classic Slip-on, Vans

Highlight Spike Drop Earrings, Noir

Look 2 -

Floral Print Bomber Jacket, 3.1 Phillip Lim

Lola Swallow Print Flippy Shorts, Boohoo

Striped Boy Tee, Rag & Bone/Jean

White Block Heel Wide-strap Sandal, Alexander McQueen

Gold-plated Circle Choker, Alexis Bittar

Look 3 - 

Printed Satin Pencil Skirt, Prabal Gurung

Sweatshirt, Dolce & Gabbana

Leather Pump with Silver Heel, Mai Lamore

Clutch, Alexander McQueen

Necklace, Maison Martin Margiela 11

Enjoy the rest of your summer in eye-catching prints, and insert them into your wardrobe when the temperature drops.

FROM MY CLOSET - The Shorts Suit

Whenever I see a suit that is set with a pair of shorts, I cringe a little bit. A blazer with matching shorts makes me think of something mothers put their five year olds in at weddings. I dissected the trend and added contrast between the top and bottom. This is best way to wear a shorts suit when you are an adult. Of course, I always say on this blog, it is the attitude with which you wear something that makes a good outfit. 

Look 1 - This is something I would wear to go out with friends at night. The Gray blazer over the white t-shirt makes it less formal and therefore less childish.

Blazer, Tommy Hilfiger

T-shirt and Shorts, Old Navy

Belt, Michael Kors

Look 2 - My day look has more earth tones in it. I switched out the t-shirt for an untucked button up to give it the same casual effect as the nighttime look.

Blazer and Shirt, J. Crew

Shorts, Tommy Hilfiger

INSTA-STYLE

When I have to go into work at 6:00 in the morning, my main goal is to look like I did not just role out of bed. The white button-up is the easiest way to go when you are making decisions that early in the morning. And of course, with that classic staple, you can really choose any color trouser. I chose these orange chinos because I will use any excuse to wear this wild color. 

To avoid looking boring in a white shirt, I opted for a criss-crossed tucked in look to give it a certain Parisian cool. The shirt gains movement this way, and therefore creates more flattering proportions. 

All clothing and accessories, Tommy Hilfiger

INSPIRED BY...

My favorite Fall 2014 trend, the sixties.

I must admit, the seventies is my favorite time period, at least when it comes to fashion. The turtlenecks, the flower power, the corduroy blazers, I could write about it forever. This Fall, however, it seems that I have to step back a decade and encourage chic '60s pieces for day and night. 

Metallic Wool-Silk Blend Mini-skirt, Moschino

Bow Monochrome Shirt, Mango

Fake Fur Jacket, H&M

Women's Collarless Faux Fur Jacket, DKNYC

Leather Anke Boots, Chloe

School Girl Satchel, Ezra

STYLED BY J.R. - Three Ways to Wear Rialto Jean Project's Splatter Jeans

Rialto Jean Project is a philanthropic denim brand that creates hand-painted one-of-a-kind vintage jeans to benefit the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Jeans come available in several cuts, colors, and styles, and the product of each one is something special. I have rounded up three pairs from ShopBazaar.com to show you how to rock this unique denim brand. 

Look 1 - 

Light Wash Splatter Boyfriend Jeans, Rialto Jean Project 

White stretch-cady blazer, Givenchy 

Short Jersey Top, H&M 

Pointed Leather Pumps, Gianvito Rossi 

Pia L, Helen Kaminski Australia 

Look 2 - 

Dark Wash Splatter Skinny Jeans, Rialto Jean Project 

Jessica Mesh-striped Cotton-jersey, Karl Lagerfeld 

9 karat blackened gold diamond piece, Cristinaortiz 

Asteroid Black Smooth, Verali

Suede Pumps, Gianvito Rossi

Look 3 - 

Splatter Wide-Leg Flare Jeans, Rialto Jean Project

New York City printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, Burberry Prorsum

Jersey Jacket, H&M

Shoe Cult Too Shy Platform, Nasty Gal 

Celestial Clutch, French Connection 

How can you not give back to this great cause when you get something so unique and beautiful out of it?

FROM MY CLOSET - The Nantucket Red Chino

These pants are probably the most popular trend in men's fashion right now. Even the most conservative of guys try to make this chino work. That being said, those preppy, traditional men are really the only ones who even try. The truth is, it can be very difficult to make this shade look cool. But, with a few gray and black basics, these pants can go from the horse race tracks to the nighttime streets. 

Look 1 - This cool and casual look allows the pants to do the statement making. Using the neutrals black, gray, and white helps the pants become a little less 'private school' and a little more 'public school.'  

Shirt and Pants, Tommy Hilfiger

Tie, Geoffrey Beene

Belt, Michael Kors

Look 2 - This jacket is something new that I have been dying to break out of my closet. It gives a punky edge to the soft red that comes with the chinos. Once I am in Manhattan - and there are actual places to go - this jacket will get me everywhere from class to clubs.

Jacket, Calvin Klein

Pants, Tommy Hilfiger

T-shirt, Express

Belt, Michael Kors

How will you where Nantucket red now that you see that it is not just for the classy and collegiate?

INSTA-STYLE

If I ever wrote a book, it would most likely be called Mastering the Art of Tucking in Your Shirt. I say this because this is something I think about literally every time I make an outfit. All in? All out? Half in? Half out? It makes me and most people around me crazy. My mother always asks "is it supposed to be like that?"

Shirt, Shorts, and Belt, Tommy Hilfiger

The answer is yes...most of the time.

INSPIRED BY...

My role model, Joanna Hillman.

Hillman is better known as the style director of American Harper's Bazaar. I have been following her career ever since her days at Teen Vogue, and in that time I have seen the most inspiring work come from this talented editor. It's no wonder that I also like to her call her my female style alter ego. Anytime I am at a loss for what to wear, I go to my Hillman dominated Pinterest board for outfit inspiration. Basically, I try to recreate the male versions of her street style looks. 

Figure Fit Jacket, H&M

Cady Straight-leg Pants, Chloe 

Boyfriend Tee Stripe, Edith A. Miller

Mirrored Splatter Print Scarf, Yakshi Malhotra 

Black Leather High Heeled Sandals, Jason Wu 

‘Beckett’ Envelope Clutch, Stella McCartney 

I must admit that Bazaar has remained one of my favorite magazines because of Hillman alone. In my humble opinion, she creates the most significant photo essays in that publication. I cannot wait to see where she goes on to work more of her magic. 

STYLED BY J.R. - Two Ways to Look Like a Grown-Up in a Denim Jacket

This will most definitely be the unpopular opinion, but I think the denim jacket has an age limit. That being said, I also believe that the limit depends on what one chooses to wear with a denim jacket. I cannot tell you how many women I see wearing classic denim jackets (like the one in look 1) and they look like they are fifteen years old. Look 1 is inspired by Brittany Murphy's character in Love and Other Disasters. This is one way to look like you are at least out of high school. 

Look 2 is a modern take on the denim jacket. With this piece, it is very hard not to look like an adult. And there lies another good piece of advice: update the style and cut of the jacket for your age.

Look 1 - Classic Denim Jacket

Vintage Denim Jacket in Melrose Wash, J. Crew

Irregular Hem Figure-hugging Sleeveless Dress, 6KS 

'Nerine' Suede Tassel Flatform Sandals, Jimmy Choo

Upsilon Large Chain Necklace, Christofle 

Antigona Medium Bag, Givenchy

Look 2 - Modern Denim Jacket

Basketweave Denim Jacket, Tibi 

Bailey Wool-blend Tapered Pants, Issa 

Thrasher Tank, Rag & Bone 

Simple Strap Heels, Daily Look 

Clutch, NLY Accessories 

Maybe that first sentence is an over-statement. But at least I proved myself wrong.

INSTA-STYLE

No outfit shot today but I had to share these black single monkstrap shoes I bought at G. H. Bass & Co. They have the best selection of shoes I have literally ever seen. Classic, but always with a special touch. 

The Vogues really help the composition, don't you think?