PUMPed up Kicks

So ladies, let’s take a minute and get real about heels…We all know the positives about them: they can give us an extra boost of confidence, and obviously they make our legs look great, but unless you have a designated place to sit for hours at a time, I believe the overwhelming majority of us would opt to say they do more hurt than good.   Basically, I think we can all agree that heels stink.  During my time in college, I’ve had the same pair of uncomfortable black pumps, and frankly, I cannot wait to get rid of them.  I have had to endure countless recruitments, chapters, interviews, and formals in these terrible shoes, I mean really, you name it and I’ve done it.  If someone gave me the option to not wear heels for the rest of my life, I think that I would be the happiest girl on earth.  But the bottom line is as women in the workforce we’re going to have to wear them.  Whether it’s with a suit, a skirt, or just wearing them to a company dinner, heels are a requirement, so why not try to find the most comfortable pair you can, even it means spending the extra dollar or two.  Looking back on it now, I have absolutely no idea why I decided to wait this long to invest in a good pair of basic heels.  Even though they can be painful at times, I do have to say, you can wear them with anything at anytime.  So after looking up what color most women feel are the best to start out their heel collection, almost all agree that black and nude are the two most optimal colors.  Given this, for this week’s steal, spend, and splurge, I have chosen pumps that come in both options!   So check out my picks for this week, and take your next step to building a fabulous closet :)    

For a pair of good pumps, Nine West is always a great option.  I love the added bow detail at the toe that takes a basic pair of heels from functional to fun!

If you're looking to take a little step up from Nine West, try these Pressley Patent Pumps from Michael Kors.  I have seen these in stores, and they are just as beautiful in person as they are on the website.  I would definitely buy these in a heartbeat!

For my splurge, I chose these Leah Mid- Heel Pumps from Tory Burch.  I love the timeless look of the round toe, and the mid sized heel is perfect for those busy days on the go!

Bundle Up!

It’s safe to say that this year has brought with it an unseasonably warm winter, but we all know that living in the south means dreading those frostbitten days every once in a blue moon.  I mean really, one day we’re wearing running shorts and a t-shirt, and the next we’re pulling out scarves, boots, and everything we own that will protect our fragile southern selves from the treachery that is an actual winter day.  So what’s a girl to do for those times when the temperature reaches below forty degrees?  Well I say to reach in your closet and grab that trusty pea coat.  I believe that the pea coat is a piece of clothing that is definitely, DEFINITELY worth the investment.  While my own cost me upwards of the triple digits, I have had it for the past four years, and I am not looking to buy another one any time soon.  It’s my opinion that while bright pops of color are in this season, starting off the coat collection with a classic black or winter white would be the best decision you could make.  These colors go with everything, and will never go out of style, unlike the, while rather fashionable, neon pinks and royal blues that everyone is looking to get their hands on this season.  So if you’re looking to invest in something a little more luxurious and cozy than your everyday fleece, check out my favorite picks for the always classic pea coat.  

My steal choice is a classic black pea coat from Target.  I love that it's double breasted, and the tie makes it very flattering around the waist.

I have been pining over this adorable pea coat from J. Crew Factory ever since I saw it on the website.  I love the added feminine detail of the bow and the ruffle around the mid section.

If you're really looking to spoil yourself rotten, you'll love the Miss Congeniality Jacket from Nanette Lepore.  This winter white coat is beautiful and would look great over a dress, slacks, or even just a pair of well tailored jeans.

LBD

“You can wear black at any hour of the day or night, at any age and for any occasion.  A little black dress is the most essential thing in a woman’s wardrobe.”

This quote, written by Christian Dior in 1954, is the essence of my second blog post.  The history of the black dress dates back to before the 1920s when it was inappropriate to wear black for anything other than a period of mourning.   So how did it come to be known as the one piece of clothing a woman should have in her wardrobe?  After Coco Chanel debuted the first little black dress in an issue of Vogue, it began to be seen as a piece of clothing that was accessible for every woman in every social class.  From Audrey Hepburn’s LBD in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Kate Middleton’s famous dress that caught Prince William’s eye, the little black dress has become a necessity for every girl’s closet.       

So this begs the question… Why do I not own one?  Yes, I own black dresses I can casually wear, but not one that can be worn to a fancy event, or for that matter, just a nice dinner.  So I’m taking my own advice on this blog post, and buying myself a little black dress before I enter the real world.  Having that perfect LBD is like having a safety net you can fall back on when all else fails.  It can be worn for any occasion, dressed up, dressed down, and made your own.  With the addition of the smallest accessories like a headband or necklace, the little black dress transforms into something you can feel great in the whole night!  I have found three that I particularly like, some a little more modern than others, but each classy in its own unique way.  So check out my steal, spend, and splurge choices for the classic, and definitely essential, Little Black Dress. 

This dress from Topshop for only $44.00 is definitely a steal for any girl coming straight out of college.  It's conservative in the front, but the open back adds an element of playfulness.

For more elegance, pick this dress from Modcloth.  It can be dressed up with a nice pair of heels, or dressed down with a fun cardigan and a pair of flats.

If you're going for the a timeless look this J. Crew Anita Dress is definitely worth the splurge.  Add a pearl necklace and black sunglasses and you'll feel just like Audrey!

Workplace (fashion) Woes

As a senior in college about to graduate a very important question has been lingering in my mind: What the heck am I going to wear when I get thrown out into the real world?  No more wearing my endless supply of t-shirts and jeans.  No more throwing my hair up in a messy bun every day.  Nope.  Instead I have sadly found that having a grown up job means, unfortunately, having to dress like a grown up too.  Obviously my closet has been stocked with the basics I need to get through the numerous career fairs and in office interviews we as seniors must endure, but when I finally do land that elusive job, how do I dress to impress?  After hours of research on fashion websites trying to answer my question, I discovered the connecting link: that basics are key.  It could just be a pair of pearl studs, or a nice cashmere cardigan, but if you stick to simple with a few cute accessories you can’t go wrong.

Over the next few months, I’ll go through what I think are the essentials for having a well dressed closet, and more importantly, a well dressed you.  Some of you are probably wondering how you’re supposed to afford these items, and trust me, I know all too well how you feel.  We have all experienced the end of the month torture of awaiting that deposit from our jobs or parents so we no longer have to worry about having less than a dollar in our bank accounts.  But there’s no need to worry!  Whether you’re pinching pennies or coming out of a co-op term rolling it in, there are always options when it comes to fashion, and that’s where I come in.  Each week, I’ll post a piece of what I think is essential to a successful, and  fashionable, working girl’s wardrobe with three options: a steal, a spend, and a splurge.  So whether you’re feeling especially thrifty or in the mood to pamper yourself, these options will give you the ability to spend (or save) as much as you like, and still end with a fantastic closet.  So get ready, get set, let’s shop!