What is a skater dress?

I’ve been noticing this term, skater dress, a lot lately while browsing around online. Skater dresses are perfect for women like me who are small on top with curves below the waist because that’s exactly how these dresses are shaped: fitted on top with an a-line skirt. These are great for work as long as you find a dress that’s not too tight on the top or too short. (Aim for a dress that is no shorter than 1 or 2 inches above the knee.) ASOS has a ton of skater dresses! I bought this blue lace ASOS skater dress a couple months ago..although I will say it’s a little too short for work, but I’m keeping it for a date night.

skater dresses for workcolor block Express skater dress / black White House Black Market skater dress / MinkPink striped skater dress / pink 3/4 sleeve ASOS skater dress

 

Budgeting Bloggers March recap

March was my first month joining the Budgeting Bloggers group and it was also my first month shopping this year. (Not because I was being good, but because I was dealing with a broken arm from mid-January to beginning of March only wearing baggy shirts and not able to drive). But anyway, as soon as I could wear normal clothes and drive again, I was back to shopping! Even with my random splurges (and thanks to a gift card), I stayed under my $200/month budget. Here’s what I got for $160.48 (thanks to the gift card!):

victoria's secret march purchaseFirst, a wrap cover-up dress and bikini from Victoria’s Secret – gift to myself for my trip to Cozumel, Mexico in a couple weeks! I also bought a few other pieces I don’t really want to share on this blog.. This whole purchase was covered by a Visa gift card I got for Christmas.

asos and target march purchases

And then various spring clothes from Target and ASOS. Can you tell what my favorite color is? The Mossimo Supply Co. floral denim pants are my favorite. I also really love the ASOS blue lace skater dress. I originally bought that for work, but it dips down in the back and it’s an inch too short for the office. Instead of returning it (like I did 2 other dresses I bought from them), I’m going to keep it for a date night.

Men’s fashion spring 2013: white on white

spring fashion trends men 2013

Hermes / Calvin Klein Collection

Ok guys – this is a risky one, but I had to share it since it was seen multiple times on the spring 2013 runways. Originally, I was going to write about a white pants trend, but then I noticed white pants with a white shirt was trending. I think it’s best to try this out with one piece – whether it’s the pants or the shirt – and then maybe build up to white pants with a white shirt. Although, I think the white on white would only work in warmer climates or on a hot day. What do you think of this trend?

men's fashion spring 2013 white

Paul Smith white pants

Reveal white contrast buttondown shirt

Armani Collezioni white dress shirt

Dockers white flat front pants

Like where this is going? Check out more men’s work wear inspiration!

Men’s fashion spring 2013: colored pants

men's fashion 2013 colored pants

Paul Smith / J. Crew

Colored pants is a trend many of my male co-workers have been incorporating into what they wear to work. I have one co-worker who has I think at least 5 pairs of Gap colored pants! I know the hardest part with these is figuring out what to wear with them. I’ll have to put together a future blog post about that, but for now you’re safe wearing black, white or gray with any pair of colored pants.

men's fashion 2013 colored pants 2

Green gap pants

Yellow Levi’s pants

Blue J. Crew pants

Like where this is going? Check out more men’s work wear inspiration!

Brittany Snow shows us how to wear a pretty pink blazer

I love Brittany Snow and it’s all because of the show American Dreams, which lasted only a few seasons, but I own it on DVD.  Yup..  She’s of course been in other things since then (John Tucker Must Die) and is all adult now with her cute new bob.  I love her in this pretty pink blazer – a really cute look for work especially as we get closer to spring. If you feel like splurging, I found a similar Stella McCartney blazer on sale for $519.  If you buy it, you have to send me a picture of how you style it :)

Brittany Snow pink blazer

Brittany Snow pic from Zara is the New Black

A guy’s guy on fashion

My boyfriend is a guy’s guy.  For example, in his 1 bedroom apartment he has 2 bags of ice hockey equipment, at least 3 hockey sticks, golf clubs, a bike, golf balls, tennis balls, and roller blades.  He dresses nice – his closet is full of polo shirts and button-up collared shirts, mostly in the color blue.

And as you know from this blog, I like fashion and like to think that I dress with style.  But I have noticed that my fashionable outfits don’t always translate to my guy’s guy boyfriend.  That made me think about why girls get dressed up.  When you get all excited about the trendy dress you bought, what is the guy thinking?  So this all led to my new blog post series, “a guy’s guy on fashion,” where I’ll post a picture of what I think is a stylish outfit I wore and tell you what a guy’s guy thinks of it, thanks to the honest words of my boyfriend!

We’ll start with this outfit I wore on Saturday afternoon for a casual day watching the Bruin’s/Flyers game at this apartment.  I’m wearing a black Asos tee, taupe lamixx sweater, gray paperdenim&cloth jeans, and pale pink BCBG girl flats (which you might remember from earlier).

(Yup, that’s his bike!)

Here’s what a guy’s guy thinks of what I’m wearing:

the bf: “What are you wearing?”

me: “What?”

the bf: “What are those shoes?”

me: “They’re ballet flats.  Like a ballerina.”

the bf: “They look like clogs.”

me: “Clogs??  Do you know what clogs are?”

the bf: “Wait, no, I mean crocs.”

Huh?  My shoes are not crocs, but he’s convinced they are.  He continued, “The plain and pastel flat dull shine makes them look like material crocs are made of.  They look like fancy crocs.  Like crocs hired Calvin Klein to make crocs.  The jeans look like you’re waiting for a flood.  I like that the jeans are tight, but they look like ankle waders.  I like the black shirt because it’s the most normal thing you’re wearing.  And from the side, the sweater looks like something a male college professor would wear.”

:)  Gotta love him!

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Pretty spring clothes from Fischer Clothing

If you were a fan of the clothing menu boutique when it was open, then you’ll probably recognize Fischer Clothing.  This Brooklyn clothing line just released it’s spring/summer collection, including light-weight feminine tops, floral and denim dresses, and skirts and shorts.  Watch the video below for a peek at the collection and buy the clothes at the newly launched Fischer Clothing online store!

PS – Fisher is a women’s and menswear line, so shop for your man also :)

Fischer S/S 11 from Kristina Angelozzi on Vimeo.

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san francisco independent designers

this week i’ll be out on the west coast for work, where i’ll hopefully be able to enjoy some sun and napa valley wine! there are a lot of talented san francisco independent designers that i’ve read about online, which makes me excited to see the style and maybe bring some of it back to the east coast.  here are 3 unique san francisco designers to give you a taste of the creativity from the city:

Christopher Collins started out in the luxury fashion industry making evening wear.  in 2008, he launched his own line of ready-to-wear designs inspired by his background of luxury, high-quality and femininity.

there aren’t many independent shoe designers, so i was excited to find Form & Fauna.  what makes these stylish shoes so great is that they are sturdy for everyday life and they are made of sustainable materials.

for a completely girly outfit, browse through Alyssa Nicole‘s spring collection.  it is very pretty in pink!

for more on san francisco fashion, check out sfindiefashion.com

independent ethical clothing line: Nixxi

Nixxi is an independent ethical clothing line that carefully picks fabrics that are from fibers not treated from pesticides and works with a local production company to make sure the work environment is fair for employees.  on top of all that, the clothes from Nixxi work for any woman’s wardrobe.  they are versatile, comfortable, and work great as part of a layered outfit.  find out more from Jada-Lee, the designer behind Nixxi in this interview with the clothing menu.

How did you get started creating your clothing line?

I’ve always had an attraction to details and lines, both artistically and practically.  Combined with my love for fashion, designing clothing was a natural fit for me. I started by taking existing pieces and revamping them and then from there, I began designing original styles to sell at the local market. I co-created a previous line for three years and then started Nixxi independently in 2007.

What three words would you use to describe your current collection?

edgy, organic, flirty

What do you think makes your designs different?

Nixxi’s aesthetic is mixing contrasts: draped silhouettes with structured lines; soft knits with textured wovens; taking contemporary shapes and refining them into versatile classic designs.

What do you see in the future for your collection?

Textile prints, accessories, and artist collaborations.

Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?

Mass-produced styles can sometimes lack a certain essence and quality. When I buy something from an independent designer, I treasure it so much more knowing that it is unique and that their heart was put into creating it.

fashion event in boston – this thursday!

what are you doing this thursday?  no plans?  then you should go to the cambridgeside galleria for the passport to style event.  bring some friends and enjoy a night of spring and summer fashion previews, including a a pop-up store from local independent clothing designer, Lily & Migs.  sounds like fun – maybe i’ll see you there!