Spring Cropped Pants

Spring is officially here!  And A La Mode is going to try and do its best to get its act back together and start posting more.  The cropped pant is making a comeback and it's just in time for warmer weather.  Let the springtime breeze waft around your ankles!  Also, don't be afraid to try some crazy prints!

Summer Cropped Pants

Summer Cropped Pants by mangomolly featuring joie

Travel in Stye

When I travel I want to look stylish, but more importantly, I want to be comfortable.  You can never go wrong with a comfy pair of jeans but don't underestimate a skirt or dress with leggings.  Make sure your shoes are easy to slip on and off and not to wear too much jewelery so you can make going through security as painless as possible.  I do like wearing a watch so I don't have to keep pulling my phone out in the airport and to check the time when I'm on the plane and my phone is dead in my purse.  There are more and more cute backpacks coming out that make toting them around NOT transport you back to high school.  If I bring a tote, I like to make sure it's one with a zipper so if it falls down when I put it under the seat in front of me, all my stuff doesn't fall out.  Depending on your flight time, a full face of make up might be totally useless after awhile, so keep it simple with a moisturizing tinted lip balm like Burt's Bees, Revlon, or Clinique.  Happy travels!

Summer Cropped Pants

Embrace pants this summer!  If you live in a climate like mine, shorts aren't always practical for summer days.  You can still get that summery look with a cropped pant.  Invest in good basics, like denim or tan, but don't forget to have fun and grab a bold pattern.  Accessorize with a pair of cute sandals or flats and a pop of color!

Summer With Target

Ah Target, that mecca of affordable and trendy clothing.   You go in to buy face wash and you end up spending $70 on a whole new wardrobe.  These are all pieces that can be found at Target right now so what are you waiting for? 

That 70s Outfit

The 70's are back this summer in a big way and you're not hearing any protests from me.  Bring on the high-waisted bell bottoms and platforms!  We can boogie all summer long.  Make your outfit pop with a '70s accessory, like a little scarf or some big earrings or go full-blown.  The 70's embodies movements from the end of the hippie era to disco to rock n' roll.  Pick a genre and go with it! 

Tunics and Boots

Despite the 80 degree weather, I'm stuck in the library studying for finals and the library is about 40 below zero.  Thus tunic,leggings, and boots are very relevant to my life.  They're easy, breezy, and beautiful.  Leggings are comfortable all day and tunics are easy to put on in the morning (the waistbands are also forgiving to my finals diet - coffee and vending machine food). 

Meet You in the Library...

Sorry for the pause, all! Class has been crazy and finals are here. To "celebrate" (aka, distract myself from the mound of notes sitting next to me), here's a little inspiration for your library outfits. Just because you're sitting all day doesn't mean you have to wear sweats! In fact, I feel better when I know I'm put together. A tinted lip balm is a great way to keep it low-key but add a little pucker to your pout.

The Peter Pan Collar

I love the Peter Pan collar but most people see it as a fashion statement for children. Not so, say I! The Peter Pan collar can be girly, refined, retro, and even modern. If you're trying to avoid looking too young, balance it with some heavy boots or a pair of jeans. Also, I love those peter pan collar nails.

Raincoats

Follow up to the Rain boots post. Even though the sun is back out (this weather is crazy! Beautiful but crazy), I have a feeling that the rain will come back some other day. Be prepared and be fashionable with these raincoats!

Rainboots for Every Girl

After months of gorgeous weather, Mother Nature tried to make up for all the lack of rain in one night. All I could think about while walking through a monsoon fit for Indonesia was that I had a pair of water-repellant shoes. Regular rainboots always remind me of grade school but now they're taking the fashion world by storm. Still think your footwear for rain has to be yellow rubber boots? Think again. You want heels? Fun patterns? Wedges? Even cowboy boots? You can find them. Next up: the raincoat.

Work Appropriate

Just because you might work in a setting with a tighter dress code doesn't mean you have to fall in a black pants/white button down rut. Play with color or silhouettes. Throw in a dress! Stick to more neutral nail polish colors and simple accessorizing.

Inspired By: The 1910s

Fashion in the 1910s can be divided into two separate categories: opulent and simpe. The first half of the decade was characterized mainly by "orientalism" as American and British society were fascinated by Asian culture. The waistline dropped from empire to the natural waist. When WWI hit, the fashion turned more to the necessity of clothing rather than the intrigue of fashion. Women began to wear the hair shorter and, during the war, hemlines started creeping up. It all made way for the new woman of the 1920s.

Veterans Day

Today honors every single man and woman who has dedicated their life to our country.

Lazy Sunday

I wish I was in New York to get some Magnolia cupcakes. Also, I don't own the Chronicles of Narnia but I think my Lazy Sunday will be just as nice. As I am writing this I am still in my PJs but if I decided to get up and go into the public realm, I would wear something like this.

Creamy Indulgence

I love this color. Cream works on every skin tone since it's not as stark as pure white. I love the pairing with flowing skirts that will be perfect for the warmer weather. And remember, you can wear these after labor day. Technically, they're not white.

Fashion Tips: Skirts and Sandals

 

 

    One of my favorite shows to watch is What Not To Wear. Essentially, the show consists of two fashionable stylists, Stacey and Clinton, who ambush people who have horrible taste in fashion. They offer $5000 for a whole new wardrobe in exchange for permission to throw away the horrendous old wardrobe. I'm sure many of us DREAM of the day Stacey and Clinton ambush us in public and offer $5000, but until then, we can take some advice from these fashionistas.

    I've probably watched one too many episodes, but their tips are consistent from show to show. Some tips that really work for most women are the following:

 

1. When choosing a high-waist skirt, choose something that synches at the waist or add a belt, thereby defining the narrowest part of your waist. It's flattering and gives you an hourglass shape.

 

2. Skirts, for most women, are most flattering when they fall above the knee. This shows more leg and makes you look taller.

 

3. Metallics are neutrals. So, a metallic shoe, whether its gold, sliver, or bronze, will usually go with most outfits!

 

 

The sun is out and Spring is here, so try these tips and show off a little leg!

Have a Classy Halloween

Halloween is defined by the colors orange and black, but to try and wear them in a flattering way is often seen as a hard combination to pull off. No more, I say! Orange and black can be severely elegant and is not just for October 31st.