5 Ways to Wear a Fringed Skirt

So I often buy pieces that I know I can wear for years because I'm rather petite, am not that hard on my clothes, and so buying new and exciting cheap clothes year after year seems to be a waste. However, I was browsing Zara's website and came across a beautiful, kind of hilarious, bright green (teal? seafoam? weird in-between color) fringed skirt and I just couldn't resist. Being me, however, this could not be just a one-off, with only one shirt and one pair of shoes that would actually look good with it, so here you are! 5 ways (and I could find more, trust me) to wear a fringed skirt!

1. Simple and Glam

For this look I wanted simple and refined. Every piece in this is saying something, but also working cohesively for a clean, effortless look. The skirt is the statement, but studs at the collar and cuffs of the shirt pull interest and really bring the clutch and earrings together, and the light pink offsets the bright green nicely. The earrings are a statement as well, but not overwhelmingly so. They work to frame the face wonderfully. The shoes are simply Old Hollywood glam and they make me feel like a movie star every time I put them on. I kept the makeup relatively simple, sheer colors, with a little extra on the lips.

Shirt: Zara, Heels: Aldo, Clutch: Coach, Earrings: Anthropologie.

2. Girly, but Bold

This look is sweet and playful. The blouse is sheer, floaty, and has a great bold floral which counteracts the skirt. The looser silhouette keeps it demure, but not stuffy. I only tucked in the front of the shirt and left the back out, which just adds more movement to the outfit. I chose bright coral patent pumps that I've had for years to keep it fun and a little punchy. The bag adds some much needed grit, with zippers, hardware, and denim piping. This keeps the outfit from being generically prissy. The necklace (that is hidden by my super lustrous locks and my coy shoulder) is another little piece of toughness, as a bulky chain covered in strips of burlap with some rhinestones and chains thrown in. The makeup is the same as the first look: bright, clean, glossy.

Shirt: H&M, Heels: Payless, Bag: Marc Jacobs, Necklace: American Eagle

3. Indie Rock

For this look I wanted fun and casual. I will take any excuse to wear a band tee shirt with anything and this was just too much of an opportunity to miss! The same, of course, goes for flannels! The black and white adds a graphic pop to the outfit, but the loose, easy silhouette keeps it casual and from being too intense when combined with the skirt. To lighten it up a little, instead of black boots, I chose my brown lace-ups with grey socks sticking out of them for a utilitarian, earthy vibe that makes this outfit less of a rebellion and more of a festival-appropriate ensemble. A topknot adds some more edge as well as matte, dusty red lips.
Tee Shirt: RAMONES - Newbury Comics, Flannel Shirt: Old Navy, Socks: Hue, Boots: Frye, Necklaces: Modcloth, Bracelets: Eden Arts, Earrings: Claire's

4. Easy Breezy

Since this skirt is very easy to dress up, and that's what most people would probably try to do, I wanted a couple of casual options. This can be a skirt that you toss on with the right pieces and just wear to class if you want to! Instead of going with a flashy little top and heels, try a rough button-down with a long sweater vest or cardigan. Just add in some high top Chuck Taylors, minimal jewelry and you're all set to go. For this outfit I wore very minimal makeup, nude lips, and a little shimmer on the eyes.

Flannel Shirt: American Eagle, Sweater Vest: LOFT, Socks: Hue, Sneakers: Converse

5. Refined Cozy

I love the idea of using this skirt as a statement transition wardrobe piece as fall, and then winter arrive. With this thought in mind I went right for my tribal print chunky sweater. the colors are so perfect, and in the same family as the skirt, so despite the clash in aesthetic, the colors keep it harmonious. With such a chunky top, I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit streamlined, which is why I chose my nude pumps. I also added some statement earrings to frame the face.

Sweater: American Eagle, Heels: Aldo, Earrings: boutique on Cape Cod, Bracelets: Eden Arts

All right peeps, I hope this gives you some newfound confidence to tackle an atypical wardrobe item! Hopefully, some bright green fringed skirts! Either that or I'll be the lone wolf...

Song of the Moment: Come Together performed by the Arctic Monkeys

Aurora

People should not have to fear for their lives when going to work, high school, college, on a plane ride, or the freaking movies. It's just not fair, and nobody deserves that. We should be able to enjoy life without constant fear, and the people who aren't enough in their right minds to know that, need to be given attention and care.

To me, a movie theater (any, really) is one of my top sanctuaries. It is a place where I can go to be alone and yet so wholly engaged with other people. It's sacred and I have many rituals that go along with seeing movies (enough that others can get a fair bit annoyed) and thinking about my safety is hardly one of them. Having to even consider that is blasphemous. This whole event frustrates, saddens, angers, and completely scares me. That we live in a world where this has happened on multiple horrific occasions is so many synonyms of scary-bizzarro that I don't know what to do with myself.

I don't know what causes random acts of violence like this. I'm not trying to understand this, because it won't be an easy matter of figuring out a motive, if a motive is ever really enough. I just know that all the way across the country, I can feel the tremors. To get past it, because I will get past it, I've gone to the movies... more specifically, The Dark Knight Rises, twice since I heard about the shooting. I figure if I dive in, I'll stop checking the exits every five minutes eventually.

I can only imagine the horror of those directly affected by this and I would just like to extend my deepest sympathies. My heart is broken for all of you, but I'm a firm believer that broken hearts can mend with time.

Nora

 “I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” — Billy Crystal to Meg Ryan in “When Harry Met Sally”

This is one of my favorite movies as are many of her other works. Nora Ephron brought so much intelligence about human nature to everything she did and I'm so sad to hear of her passing. All I can do is watch one of her movies and read some of her writing, in thanks to all that she gave. I hope there are people who can step up to the plate and fill the void left by her passing... who knows, maybe you'll be one of them (yes, I'm talking you YOU, (no, not you Robert De Niro) nonexistent reader of my blog).

I lost my favorite scarf.

This is old news, but it was quite devastating. My favorite scarf was a GIANT infinity scarf, purple and white striped, courtesy of American Apparel. I was just going through pictures from a few months ago and was suddenly hit with that horrid pang of realization that I no longer have that scarf. I try to keep it out of my head! I lost it after seeing Newsies in New York. I guess I was so overcome with the thrill and depression of seeing such spectacular dancing that I just forgot my scarf under my seat! Or it was so damn tight in that balcony that I could hardly get out of my seat much less remember to look under it. And seriously.... it was THAT scarf. The one that makes you feel a little more awesome, and pulls every outfit in just the right direction. Definitely one of my favorite things in my closet. THEREFORE, I urge my, well approximately zero readers, to go get one... or five.

Louboutin Illusions

So I definitely enjoy the new neon trend (though I haven't invested much in it, because, well, how long is neon really going to last, as much as I like it?), and recently Louboutin's Unbout Illusion Pump has gone to the top of my list of favorite neon pieces. (A list which includes chiffon pleated skirts and satchels). These are amazing. I've never been one for any type of plastic shoe - those jelly shoes, crocs, they all gross me out. These, on the other hand, are gorgeous and perfectly create their intended illusion. Seen on the likes of Emma Stone and Beyoncé, these arresting pumps are making a splash and completely stealing the show! If only, if only. These certainly could turn into a DIY project. If you find a pair of clear or even nude patent pumps, you could tape up everything but the toe and heel and then follow basic protocol for painting shoes. I've never done it myself, but the prospect of having shoes like these Louboutin's is tempting like nothing else!

Just indulge me for a minute...

The new window displays for Lanvin's Paris, rue du Faubourg St. Honoré store are so stunning, that when I was perusing Facebook, ignoring mostly everything, I stopped dead in my tracks! They're titled "Birds of Paradise" and boy are they! The garments (and purses and shoes!) are all flocked by the biggest, most beautiful feathers I've ever seen. What I love, is that while some are in the shape of actual wings, others are a bit more abstract, wrapping around the garments or acting as bright shoulder adornments. If this is what feather boas involve, count me in! Also, besides being an absolutely perfect and brilliant window display, the garments themselves and the way they're styled are gorgeous.
**Photos from Lanvin's Facebook page

A Day in the Park

Song of the moment: Who Knows Who Cares by The Local Natives