How to Style :: Punk Fashion

Hi all!

As most of you may know this past Monday was the Met Gala, a.k.a the Oscars of the fashion industry with a lot more flair and risk taking when it comes to the red carpet looks, because it's the fashion industry and that's what we do ;)

Rather than show you a handful of pictures of what the celebs wore and go over who I believed was best/worst dressed (I'll leave that to Jena over on ChiCityFashion, she's always on point when reviewing red carpet looks), I thought I'd have a little fun with the theme of the night Punk: From Chaos to Couture, and create some punk rock inspired looks. I don't have anything remotely punk in my closet, so I put together a few collages of how I would rock punk fashion.

I hope you enjoy as I had a lot of fun creating a character for myself and putting these looks together :D

*Shop: River Island Green Floral Blazer / New Look Ramones Tee / DKNY Leather Paneled Leggings / Cotton On Fringe Bucket Bag / Rika Feather & Tooth Necklace / Boohoo Spike Bangle / ASOS Metallic Flatform Creeper / Kevyn Aucoin 'Blood Rose' Lip Color

I'm actually really into this look and could see myself wearing everything except for the creepers, I just can't get into them. There are few people who can completely rock creepers and I am definitely not one of them. However, I think they totally make this look and if I were to see a girl walking down the street in this ensemble I would think that chick was B.A. and would want to be her friend so she can pass me some of her cool street cred, haha!

*Shop: Joie Behati Dress / Rebecca Taylor Denim Vest / NastyGal Spike Necklace / Forever 21 Studded Wrap Bracelet / Need Supply Co Spectrum Bag (on sale for $33!) / Urban Outfitters Skull Ring / Dr. Martens

You know I had to style a look with some Doc's and I couldn't say no to these bubble gum pink studded pair. I like how the white eyelet dress and pink Dr. Martens make for a more feminine look while the added spikes, studs, skulls, and denim moto vest make her super edgy. Don't get me started on that hair, so fierce.

*Shop: Calypso St. Barth High Low Tee / Maison Scotch Tie Dye Jeans / Zara Ankle Buckle Boot / New Look Stud Bucket Bag / Club Manhattan Cuff Bracelet / Dorothy Perkins Spike Headband / Zara Studded Leather Belt / Deborah Lippmann 'Billionaire' Nail Color

This outfit is something I would totally wear if I were going to an indie rock concert. I'm obsessed with the Zara buckle boots and the Maison Scotch tie dye jeans give great depth and texture to the overall look.

So what do you think? Did I style punk right or was it a totally flop? How would you rock punk style?

Just another friendly reminder that we're moving this week! We ran into a couple of technical difficulties but we're back on track and I'd say expect to see a whole new space come Friday! I'm so excited to share it with you all :)

Hope you're having a great week so far, thanks for reading!

Closet Essentials :: The White T-Shirt

Hi all! Happy Hump Day, hope your week has been going fabulously so far :) I've been a little m.i.a. as I've been working on a lot of home improvement projects both physically in our apartment and virtually for KATNP's new domain - more on that later!

Today though, I want to talk to you all about my new favorite, everyday basic - the white t-shirt. I've never been big into t-shirts, for me they were strictly for workouts, sleeping, or dreaded sick days. However, recently they've become a more everyday staple and not in a "i'm too lazy to figure out what to wear today" kind of way! I'm dreaming of the easy ways I can style them for summer. Pair them with shorts, skirts, jeans, even dresses, make them casual or dress them up for the night, the options are endless!

T-shirts are definitely an item you don't have to invest in, you can find really basic, inexpensive ones at department stores or even my heaven on earth - Target. However, I will admit, a quality white t-shirt can really make your wardrobe.

I did some online perusing and pulled some of my favorite tees from brands that make fantastic basics, which you can check out below. Also take a look at a couple outfits I styled with my new favorite closet item, one for a fancy occasion and another for a casual weekend play date, enjoy!

Click the photos to shop! :)

1. Splendid / 2. J.Crew / 3. Rag & Bone / 4. T by Alexander Wang / 5. Vince

*Shop Dress it up: Zara v-neck t-shirt / AllSaints sequin skirt / Charlotte Olympia court pumps / Heidi Mottram oversize clutch / Janna Conner rock crystal multi-chain necklace / OPI nail polish 'Glints of Glinda' / NARS 'Baby Doll' lip lacquer

*Shop Dress it down: Zara v-neck t-shirt / Norma Kamali cat eye glasses / Rag & Bone distressed boyfriend jean / Mango fringe handbag / Nasty Gal 'Pretty Prowl' flat / Tory Burch grosgrain fedora / Monsoon Olibia bangles / NARS 'Hot Wired' lip lacquer

Thanks for reading!

How to Style :: Print Mixology 101

Hi all! Welcome to the best (and, dare I say, most fashionable) class you'll ever take - Print Mixology 101! If you recall last week I put together an outfit that had a crazy mash up of prints. I gave you a couple of tips for creating your own print mash up, but I figured why not also show you a few examples for mixing and matching your prints. So if you're ready, let's get started!

J.Crew Nautical Stripe Boatneck Tee / American Retro Penny Dot Shorts / Leopard Animal Clutch Bag / ASOS Suede Pointed Espadrille Wedge / ASOS Nude Round Sunglasses / Pret-a-Beaute Raxevsky Bangle Set

If you didn't know, stripes and polka dots are the best of friends! There was never a stripe that a polka dot didn't like ;] They're one of the easiest and fun print pairings you can make. Add a little leopard into the mix and you've got yourself a party, as leopard gets along with everyone, seriously. :]

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How to Style :: Winter Brights

I've been feeling a tad under-the-weather these past few days, I think it's more allergies than actual sickness, but nonetheless it's annoying and has resulted in me being mopey and helpless around the house. It has also effected my outfit choices - blacks and greys and muted browns have been my go-tos, no one wants to pair neon pink with a stuffy nose and water eyes (a handful of tissues are my new 'it' accessory).

February, though the shortest, tends to be the toughest month every winter, you're officially off the high of the holidays, it's bitter cold and brings us most of the snow for the entire winter season, and your ultimate goal is to merely survive till the 28th. Who has time to think up fun, colorful outfits when it's 7 degrees outside, am I right? Well, today I want to help you (and me!) with some inspiration on how to easily add color to your winter wardrobe. Enjoy the collages below and I hope it encourages you to throw on that neon pink, I know it did for me :)

1. ASOS knitted turban hat 2. Boohoo 'Emma' cable pompom beanie 3. ModCloth 'Ring of Sapphire' hat 4. Topshop two tone zigzag beanie 5. Uniqlo crochet hat 6. Echo turban hat 7. Rag & Bone 'Dunaway' felt hat

1. Acne 'Pistol Shorts' suede ankle boot 2. 2 Lips 'Too Coupe' wedge bootie 3. Charlotte Russe slouchy western ankle boot 4. Madison Harding 'Fran' booties 5. Diba 'Char Rity' ankle boot 6. Michael Antonio 'Marty' bootie

1. Coach Classics City Bag 2. Kate Spade New York Grove Court Large Maise 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Natasha 4. Juicy Couture Frankie Crossbody 5. Tory Burch Robinson Mini Square Tote 6. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli

1. ChicNova Roseo Oviod Coat 2. ModCloth Cloud & Clear Coat 3. Oasap Woolen Caped Style Coat 4. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Zipup Coat 5. Diane von Furstenberg Bernice Coat 6. SheInside Yellow Lapel Epaulet Coat

Thanks for reading!

How to Style :: Inspired By Men

Happy Wednesday! Fun fact, yesterday morning it was a whopping 0 degrees in Chicago, probably even in the negatives with the combined wind chill. Luckily most of my day was spent at home in my fleece pajamas and doggy slippers (comfy and trend-setting). For the few minutes I did step outside, I can't even  begin to describe the bone-crushing cold that hit you within 3 seconds. And that's coming from a girl who lived in Alaska for 2 years. It could get down to 30 below (yes, that's -30 degrees), and while I'm pretty positive we never actually left the house when it got that cold, I don't remember it ever being as painful as this cold in Chicago. But I guess that's what living in the South for 6 years will do to your cold weather tolerance.

But enough weather talk. Ever since Monday's outfit post I've been obsessing over menswear inspired womenswear. I already have outfits planned for the rest of the week that have masculine touches, I've been online shopping the men's department of various retailers, and pinning up a storm of various menswear looks to try for myself. It's a full on addiction I'm dealing with here. And to bring you into my world, I've created three different looks inspired by a few stylish men to show how you too can incorporate menswear into your everyday outfit repertoire.

Rag & Bone Saffron Skinny Cords / Fred Perry Garner Bedford Brogue / Topshop Geo Patch Crossbody / Coach Boyfriend Bracelet Watch / J.Crew Perfect Shirt in Buffalo Plaid 

This first look is casual and simple, something to wear for a lazy Sunday brunch after an epic Saturday night. It doesn't scream menswear, but definitely gives it a sly wink. Add a red lip and cat-eye sunnies for a more feminine touch.

Madewell Charade Blazer / Ted Baker 'Fortun' Skinny Fit Trouser / Cocoa Brown Bow Tie / Theory Freja Wealth Blouse / Charles by Charles David Rockstar II Pump / ASOS Slot Through Envelope Clutch / Tokyo Jane Guntilde Bracelet / Oliver Bonas Ajala Bangle 

For a fancier affair, why not ditch your typical cocktail dress and go for a tailored 'suit-like' ensemble? A fitted blazer and skinny trousers would definitely make a statement. If the bright blue is too much too soon, a black, grey, or other neutral color would work just as well. Just be sure it's tailored and has clean lines. For more 'suit-spiration' (yes? no...?), take a few notes from Janelle Monae, the girl knows how to rock a suit!

Kate Spade Dot Scarf / J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt / Fossil 'Georgia' Leather Strap Watch / Coach Legacy 'Candance' Carryall / Rag & Bone Classic Newbury Ankle Boot / Mark. In The Trenches Jacket / Oasis Black Cherry Skinny Jeans / Banana Republic Panama Hat

Is you mind a little blown from this one? Don't worry, my was too. I actually really love Dapper Lou's look (and his blog!) and plan on trying to recreate it with items in my closet. This is an excellent example on the art of layering for both men and women alike. Simple separates that definitely work on their own, but really make a statement when paired together. And again, what will make this (and any menswear look) work for the ladies is finding that balance between masculine and feminine elements.

Hope that offered a little more inspiration on how to create menswear looks from your wardrobe. Don't be scared to go creeping searching through your man's closet for items, chances are he won't notice, and if he does it's totally hot for girls to wear their guy's clothes, am I right? Haha!

Thanks for reading!

Photos: 1 / 2 / 3