Shift Dresses

I absolutely adore the look of a short shift dress paired with black opaque tights. First of all, this combination offer endless options for layering (cropped cardigan, turtleneck) and shoe choice (ballet flats, knee-high boots). Secondly, it is perfectly chic and classic while remaining "on trend" by channeling mod 60's-era vibes reminiscent of Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy. Classic black wins extra fashion points, but embellishment at the neckline or unique structural details only adds to the sophisticated-chic look.



Alice + Olivia Beaded Yoke Dress, $385
Milly Dot Wool Jacquard Colorblock Dress, $356



Milly Loop Shift Dress, $377

Plus, free shipping at Shopbop, and you know what that means - extra reason to go (online) shopping!

More Cozy Sweaters Plus an Update

To follow up on my previous post about cozy sweaters for winter, I decided to purchase the lovely Anthropologie sweater that all of you loved so much for myself! I also ordered the Theory sweater in the dark charcoal color as a Christmas present for a close friend. I think that they are both perfect wardrobe additions, because they are great winter basics that can be layered over tanks or tees, but at the same time they have interesting details all on their own.

I also continued my sweater kick over at J.Crew. Lately, I have been really into the bright, cheerful colors and patterns of their preppy sweaters and cardigans. Not to mention that college students get an extra 10% off in all J.Crew stores by showing their schools IDs! Extra incentive to shop!! (Not that I/we really need it though.

Wool cashmere argyle cardigan, $88 from $98


Striped Cambridge cable crewneck sweater, $80


Glimmer-dot merino cardigan, $95



By the way, does the last cardigan remind anyone else of this Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan? (Of course, the price-tag is a bit more forgiving!)

Kristi sweater cardigan, Shopbop, $258

Style Inspiration

Lately, I have been trying to be more creative with my wardrobe as far as mixing shapes and playing with proportions. I feel that my own personal style tends toward the "classic" end of the spectrum (i.e. I love the sophisticated-chic look of a great trench coat or the perfect pair of black ballet flats), but this does not mean that I do not also like to experiment with my outfits.

I happened to stumble upon this quote on the Shopbop website last night, and I think that it perfectly captures my prerogative on fashion.

Classic is no longer synonymous with boring. Tailored style has taken new shape in daring silhouettes and a fresh look at the suit. Trust in simply chic accessories. They last a lifetime.

With that said, here are some interesting outfit combinations that I find inspirational at the moment. Although I might not necessarily wear these exact combinations, I can definitely see myself picking and choosing certain elements in these outfits to highlight my own style.

Winter Fashion Necessity: Cozy Sweaters

Anthropologie, Wrapped Up Cardigan, $168



Theory, Verdana Sweater Coat, $295




J.Crew, Lofy Alpaca Shawl-collar Sweater, $88

Fashion Obsession: Riding Boots

I have been searching for the perfect pair of riding boots for quite some time now, and I believe that this stunning pair is the culmination of my search! Even though they constitute a major trend in fall/winter fashion, riding boots are truly a very versatile footwear style. Besides pairing them with skinny or straight-leg jeans, I love the look of riding boots with a shift dress or skirt layered with thick tights in grey or black. Not to mention that this pair from J.Crew is currently on sale, so be sure to order them ASAP if you're interested! (Tenley low-heel boots, $214.40 from $268)

By the way, please share your own ideas for working riding boots or other low-heel boots into your wardrobe this season. I am looking forward to putting together some interesting and creative outfit combinations incorporating these boots!

Theory

So, I confess to being a Theory addict. I can rattle off the names of the various styles of pants. I am familiar with the slight differences between the many shades of grey available. I have an entire section of my closet devoted to my collection of Theory. My newest addition is the Steffen W Dress ($285), which I am planning to "winterize" by layering it over a long-sleeve top and thick opaque tights, paired with knee-high boots.

After-Thanksgiving Sales/The Gap

Sorry for the lack of updates over the long weekend - I was home from college and spent the time visiting family and friends. However, I certainly did make time for shopping (!), and I'm very excited to share some of my finds.

I have to admit that I usually bypass the Gap in favor of various other stores, but I'm glad that I decided to have a look yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised to find a selection of chic shift dresses that I can definitely see paired with some stylish low-heeled riding boots. Not to mention that both of these lovely pieces were on sale, so I got some great bargains!



Colorblock shift dress, $64.99; Navy wool henley dress, $49.99