Rachel Roy AW14 - Favorite Collection of the Season?

          New York Fashion Week just launched this morning and I think I've already discovered my favorite collection of the season. I know it's a little early to tell, but Rachel Roy's AW 2014 collection was everything I've ever wanted for a fall wardrobe. She contrasted beautiful lace with colorful leather. We all know I've become addicted to black leather, so why not branch out a little? Roy mastered the art of layering using one-piece dresses to create the illusion of a multi-garment outfit. This would make getting ready for a hectic day so much easier! Together, with her vibrant florals and brocade, structural and cozy outerwear, and just the right amount of edge, Roy's collection encompasses my style perfectly. This sets the wearability precedent high in my book for the week's upcoming shows.

photo credit: style.com

Latest Obsession: Jason Wu's Pre-Fall 2014 Collection

           Just as everyone is getting over the S/S14 collections, Pre-Fall pops up with a fresh perspective. While shorts and sundresses are far in the future for most of us, this handful of shows brings us back to the reality of layers and earth tones. We can actually apply the styling to our current outfits and gather inspiration for our winter shopping.

           That's why I'm loving Jason Wu's Pre-Fall 2014 collection. I has everything I want from a fall/winter wardrobe, by balancing thick knits and leather with thin lace and silk. He applied simple layering techniques that all of us on the East Coast can appreciate, like wearing a big sweater over a flowy dress. Nothing is too complex about his pieces, just clean, comfortable clothes that are beautifully understated. His gowns are divine! Who wouldn't want to wear one to a holiday party? And I'm all about his sweater and leather jacket combo. You get the rigidity of a leather moto jacket, with all the cozy warmth of a sweater.

            Another thing I really like, while subtle, is his pairing of neutrals. For anyone who doesn't believing in wearing brown and black together, Wu proves that it can be done. Breaking the "rules" can be refreshing, especially in the winter when your biggest concern is staying warm. Lastly, the pointed toe is here to stay and his double buckle, ankle strap heels and booties are a must-have.

photo credits: Fashionista.com

Brunch at Foothills

           This week has been one of those first fall weeks when it isn't quite cool enough to start wearing sweaters, but there's definitely a chill in the air. I've felt the need to make a slight transition from the carefree clothes I wear in the summer, yet I want to wear sandals for as long as I can. I recently added a lot of black to my wardrobe, although it was completely accidental. I wanted to add leather, edgier pieces to my fall wardrobe and it just happened that everything I brought to the register was black!

 Top - TJMaxx

Skirt - Charlotte Russe

Sandals - TJMaxx

Clutch - vintage

Ring - H&M

            This top was a recent purchase. I love it because it's casual and comfy but has leather at the shoulders to make it a tad bit more intriguing than a typical tee.

           These sandals were a $7 steal at TJ Maxx. I won't be able to wear them for long before they go into spring storage, but I sure wasn't going to let them slip away at that amazing price!

           I found this vintage, beaded clutch quite a few years ago and it's been the perfect little bag to take out whenever I need some extra class in an outfit. I've been looking for a chain ring like this one for a while, so I was happy to add it to my ever-growing ring collection.

View my outfit on Lookbook:

When Life Gives You Fabric...Make Clothes!

 

     At the beginning of summer, I transformed a frumpy 90's dress into a cute mini-dress (see the blog post here). I cut the hem so short that when I finished, I was left with enough fabric to make something else. I've never been one who can effortlessly think up great fashion designs, and if I ever get a design idea it comes on a whim, most of the time, right as I'm about to fall asleep. One night when my mind wasn't letting me sleep, I thought of a top to make out of the leftover fabric. Backless, feminine, and summery -- I wanted it to be something that would jazz up an ordinary pair of cutoffs. I also wanted it to be easy to make, so the main portion is just one piece of fabric, cut like the bottom half of a triangle. In the back, the two corners tie together, while the straps are set high to keep the main focus on the backless style. Sewing it all together took me a couple hours, the only problem I ran into being the fit in the bust. The neckline gaped open instead of lying flat against my chest, so I gathered it a bit in the middle. 

Who Belongs to These Shoes Vol. 28

The answer to the last week's pair...

Elle Fanning

The young starlet wore a Dolce & Gabbana romper with her matching floral

wedges at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards in California.

She even added clever, lilac eyeliner to her otherwise very minimal-chic makeup look.

Here with JJ Abrams, Joel Courtney, and Steven Spielberg.

Where to find shoes like Elle's:

http://www.shopstyle.com/action/viewLook?id=3442547&pid=uid5569-841663-94"  style="outline:none;border:none">http://www.shopstyle.com/action/spreadWidgetImage?look=3442547&size=Large" alt="Naturalizer, Moda Spana, Tommy Hilfiger, Chinese Laundry" style="margin:0;border:0 none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0">

http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/sandals/DSW-US##pid=uid5569-841663-94" style="color:#606060;background-color:transparent;font:11px Verdana,sans-serif;text-decoration:none">Sandals at DSW
http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/platforms/Chinese-Laundry##pid=uid5569-841663-94" style="color:#606060;background-color:transparent;font:11px Verdana,sans-serif;text-decoration:none">Platforms by Chinese Laundry

http://www.shopstyle.com#pid=uid5569-841663-94"> src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered.png" alt="ShopStyle" style="border-style:none;position:absolute;right:6px;bottom:6px;margin:0">

This will be my last regularly posted Who Belongs to These Shoes. I would like to focus my time on different subjects in posts, but I will still post these from time to time.

See the full WBTS archive here.