Polka Dots

If I were to truly evaluate my wardrobe, I think I'd find that I'm mostly attracted to a variety of solid colors, sometimes with embellishments, and the occasional crazy, bright print. Rarely anything in between (let's not spend too much time on what this says about me, OK?). Apparently, despite its usually girl-ier nature, polka dots are kinda becoming my thing (remember this post?). Next to conquer—colored polka dots, duh! 

And, just for fun...this is what happens when you keep trying to photo-bomb my shoot! (There are several teenage boys just outside the frame.)

Jacket (old, similar) || Otte Pullover || Acne Jeans || Sole Society Giuliana Boots

Street Vendor Scarf (from Italy!) || Lionette Necklace || Steve Madden Bag

Photos: Joey DeBenedetto

Not For Sale

 Thanks to a friend of mine investing in a leather jacket recently, I spent a lot of time both in the All Saints store and browsing online...which is how I discovered this tank, part of their Not For Sale campaign to support anti-human trafficking efforts. Not only do part of the proceeds support an excellent cause, I love the DIY-collage effect, which taps into my punk-kid roots (remember my plaid pants story? Yeah, that went even further). All this outfit is lacking are some pink or blue streaks in my hair—I bet you don't miss that, mom!

Jacket (similar) || All Saints Tank || Express Pants || Jeffrey Campbell Boots

Ray-Ban Sunglasses || Francesca's Collection Crossbody || Into the Night OPI Nail Polish

Photos: Jessica Sturdy

Style Anatomy: Wine & Leather

I can have a lot of trouble getting dressed in the mornings. Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to wear and it comes out just how I imagined, but more often than not I end up hating everything I own because combinations always look much better in my head than in the mirror. I forget about the little details-the fit, the hardware, the colors-that can make a seemingly perfect combination clash. I've found that if I focus on one piece I'd really like to wear and build up from there, it can (sometimes-not always) lead to a look I really love, like this one!

This look started with the leather accented oxblood top. I was heading to a show at Terminal 5 in the evening and knew I wanted something brooding, tinged with punk, so I added a pair of black skinnies and my favorite Jeffrey Campbells. Chilly fall weather calls for a jacket, and nothing says rock-n-roll like a leather one. Since I'm rarely without lip color, I opted for a dark wine-tinted stain. The final touches are, of course, all in blue. I picked up this hat a few weeks ago and had been itching for the perfect opportunity to wear it; the sunnies & scarf are regulars in my arsenal and happened to blend seamlessly into the rest of this look. Et, voilà! So many of my favorite pieces, working in harmony. 

Jacket, L.A. find (similar) || Top, Zara (similar) || Jeans, 7 For All Mankind

Boots, Jeffrey Campbell || Bag, Phillip Lim for Target || Scarf, Italian street vendor

Hat, Goorin Brothers || Sunglasses, Ray-Ban || Lipstain, Bite Beauty || Blue & Gold Necklace, Lionette

Photos: Ashley Manfred