HOW TO WEAR WINTER WHITE'S

One of my very favorite styles during the winter is the winter white trend. It's easiest to start with white jeans as your base, so pull them back out of storage and try these tips for wearing this chic and cozy combination!

1. Wear obvious winter pieces. If you're wearing cotton or linen, your outfit feels summery. Choose white pieces that are obviously winter pieces, like sweaters, coats, scarves, cardigans, wool hats, and turtlenecks. They'll automatically make your outfit feel cozy. I chose this pretty oversized sweater from Nordstrom, and I love the button details on the back.

2. Play with various shades of white. Cream, gray, camel, tan, blush....these are all good choices that pair well with crisp white and make them feel more winter-y.

3. Keep your accessories and shoes in the same color family. I like to wear darker shoes, like these gorgeous brown ankle boots from Nordstrom, because the dark piece helps ground the outfit. A pair of gray or brown over the knee boots would look gorgeous with this outfit too.

4. Play with texture. I have a knitted sweater, button details, raw hemmed jeans, a leather bag, and shoes with perforation details. You don't have to go overboard, but if you have a variety of texture in a monochromatic outfit, it has a lot more interested.

SWEATER (wearing size small)  ||  SIMILAR JEANS  ||  ANKLE BOOTS  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES 

For a dressier look, you could start with a white dress or skirt as a base and add cozy neutral layers like an oversized cardigan or a cream wool coat.

There are so many possibilities with this style. Think you can wear it??

Also I've rounded up some of my favorite cozy neutral pieces that would be perfect for those winter white outfits!

thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post
photos by rad and happy 

HOW TO MIX FEMININE AND MASCULINE PIECES

sponsored by zappos

LOOK 1:  SIMILAR SHIRT  ||  JEANS  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES  ||  HEELS

LOOK 2:  DRESS  ||  SIMILAR LEATHER JACKET  ||  SNEAKERS  ||  BAG c/o GIGI NEW YORK

One of the biggest styles that I saw over and over at New York Fashion Week this year was menswear inspired. I think it's such a fun style for any woman to try, and today I've teamed up with Zappos to share two ways to wear it.

1. Boyfriend jeans and heels. I love the look of boyfriend jeans paired with heels, and for this look I took it a step farther and wore them with a white button up -- another piece that feels a little masculine.  I've tried a lot of boyfriend jeans over the years, and this pair is my absolute favorite. They're so comfortable and are perfectly distressed (I have a tutorial on how to patch the thigh hole if you need it).

I paired them with these velvet heels that I had to have the second I laid eyes on them. They're stunning and so great for fall, and make a statement with this very basic look. I added a large, simple bag and some funky sunglasses, and feminine/masculine outfit number one is complete.

2. Sneakers and a dress. If you've read my blog or followed me on instagram for the last year or two, you know how obsessed I've become with sneakers. They're an absolute closet staple for me. I wear them with everything, including dresses, because I love the mix of masculine and feminine that it creates.

Typically I choose shorter dresses to pair with my sneaks, but this midi dress looked so great with my velvet superga's that I just couldn't say no. Add a leather jacket for a little bit of edge, and you have one of my favorite outfits ever.


Zappos has such a huge selection of sneakers, dresses, jackets, accessories -- you name it. They're definitely my go-to for great pieces in my closet. And now with their new free VIP rewards program, you can earn points every time you shop. Check out the program and sign up right here!

photos by rad and happy

BODY CON DRESSES + THE BEST SHAPEWEAR

DRESS  ||  HEELS (less expensive version here)

With the holidays approaching, we're heading into party season. I love a good party dress, but along with all the holiday treats, I also like some good shapewear to make sure those dresses look the best they can. 

Shapewear is tough, so I did the grunt work for you today and tried out a few different brands and styles to tell you all the pros and cons of each!

Every woman should have at least one piece of shapewear in her closet, so do yourself a favor and pick one up now so you're not scrambling at the last minute when you're headed to a holiday party and that dress just isn't laying quite right. 

There were three styles that I tried: slip dress, bodysuit, and shorts. 

BRAND #1: Commando. 

I hadn't ever tried this brand, but I tried both the shorts in a small and the slip dress in a small, both in the "nude" color. I really liked the color -- it was a good, natural nude so it wouldn't be obvious if it showed. They had no hems, so the bottom laid flat against my legs and didn't create a line under my clothing. 

The fabric on both of these were really lightweight but gave great control. You could wear these all day and night and never feel constricted or uncomfortable. The shorts were great for tummy control, and smoothed everything out nicely without being tight. The slip was the same -- great smoothing capabilities, and I liked that it came all the way up over my bust, rather than cutting underneath. It even gave my bust a little lift which I'll never complain about ;) The length is a little longer, which gives great coverage and shaping down your leg, but not great for shorter dress hemlines. It hit me a few inches above my knee and I'm 5'6".  

The price on the Commando brand is very reasonable -- the shorts are under $60 and the slip is just under $100, and based on the fabric they are sturdy and will last for many, many wears. Definitely recommend. 

BRAND #2: Yummie. 

I tried both the slip (in x-small) and shorts (in x-small/small). The slip was definitely more of a standard slip, but in a strange plastic-y fabric. It claims to smooth and slim, but honestly it was so paper thin that it did nothing for me, and the straps felt like they were going to snap because they were so thin. And even in the x-small it was slightly loose. I don't recommend this one. 

However, the shorts were great. They were thick and very fitted -- a little more challenging to get on, but comfortable once they were on and had great control. They do have a hem though so if you're wearing a dress with thin fabric, the hemline could show through. It had built in silicone dots at the waist for no-slip control. I actually liked these quite a bit, and these are a great price point. 

BRAND #3: Spanx. 

Of course Spanx is the most commonly known brand of shape wear and has become a proprietary eponym (have you ever looked up a list of proprietary eponyms? So interesting). Since it's such a well known brand, I was excited to see how it stacked up against these other brands. I tried the high waisted shorts in a small, this bodysuit in a small, and this bodysuit in a small. 

The shorts were my least favorite of the three Spanx pieces I tried, and definitely not as good as the Commando or Yummie ones. You can't tell from the product photo, but the nude is more of a gray color rather than a true nude. Also the tummy was very tight on me, while the legs were normal. Probably great if you're a pear shaped body type. 

I liked both of these body suits -- the one with the open bust was very thin and comfortable and a good nude color (although fairly light), but if you carry weight in your tummy and have a large bust, this cut-out will probably cut you off in the wrong way, and the next one will probably be better. 

The second bodysuit was perfect. Great color, super comfortable, sucked everything in, and I loved that it had built in shaping elements you could actually see. Plus it had chest support and, like the Commando one, gave my bust a little lift. 

Shop the post here:

photos by rad and happy

HOW TO STYLE BERMUDA SHORTS

SIMILAR TOP  ||  SIMILAR SHORTS HERE, HERE + HERE (I'm wearing these ones but they're no longer available)  ||  SIMILAR SANDALS HERE  ||  BAG

Can we all agree that bermuda shorts are hard to style? Yes? Ok, good. But shorts are a necessity during the warm months, and those of us who need the extra length in shorts are presented with a challenge -- to make them look good. 

So today I’m dedicating a whole post on how to style them and where to buy them. 

There are three basic kinds of bermuda shorts: boyfriend (usually oversized and distressed), fitted (these are usually cut from jeans and cuffed, or store-bought with a nice hem), and chino shorts. 

The key when wearing any of these shorts is to make your outfit look pulled together and purposeful. By nature, bermuda shorts aren't super flattering to your leg because they cut off right in the middle. So throwing on a basic tee is going to make your entire outfit just blah. So we need to learn how to make an outfit with shorts look stylish, pretty, and flattering. Two things -- wear the right top, and accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. 

Here we go.

First up, boyfriend shorts. 

• How to wear them: 
• With a fitted top. I’d recommend this only if you have a slim rectangular shaped body. The looser fit on bottom will accentuate any fullness in your lower body. It looks best if your fitted top is tucked into the shorts. 
• Knot your tee. Tie a little knot into your tee to tighten it up and create a contrast against the looseness of the shorts.  
• Feminine tops. Balance out the masculine feel of the shorts by wearing a feminine top, like I did here. Something eyelet, lace, ruffled, pleated, or lace up is perfect. 
• Structured tops. A crisp button down offsets the casual boyfriend shorts, and creates a really clean and modern look. Loosely tuck it in for an effortless vibe. 
• Which ones to buy: 
• I really love this pair and they're only $30.
• These ones are a little more fitted, but you could go up a size for a looser fit. But the distressing and length are both good, and they're on sale. 
• These ones are super light wash, but they look good. 

Next, Fitted Cut-Off Jeans or Fitted Hemmed. 

•  How to wear them: 
• These are the hardest pair to style because they can easily get frumpy really easily. Avoid super basic tees, and instead go with a button down, a blouse, or another shirt that looks purposeful. If you want to wear a t-shirt, go with one that has some shape and a cute pattern, and then thrown on a hat or a pair of wedges to complete your look. 
• These also look great with a belt and a looser top tucked in, or a top half tucked. 
• Which ones to buy. 
• For cut off ones, just hack up an old pair of jeans and then cuff the bottoms. Easy peasy. 
• For hemmed ones, this a great white pair that are currently 40% off.
• This is a good dark wash pair for only $30!
• Here is a lighter wash pair for $30.
• Another good white pair that is super lightweight!
• Here's another good white pair!
• 
  

And lastly, Chinos Shorts.

• How to wear them:
• Wear casual tops. These shorts, especially when they’re long, can look matronly, so keep your look younger by pairing them with a slouchy tee and some sneakers or sandals.
• Try a preppy look. Pair it with a lightweight pullover sweater, or a short or long sleeved button down. Then add a pair of pretty flats. 
• Which ones to buy: 
• These ones are so cute. And they come in a bunch of colors!
• These are a good classic pair, or this pair that is a little bit longer in length.
• These ones are also a fun option with a wide leg. They would look great with a tailored button down, or a fitted top tucked in and belted. 
• The fit on these ones looks really great. 
• Love this striped pair.

What not to wear with bermuda shorts: 

• Don’t wear long tops, like this one. You want to keep your proportions balanced, and long shorts and a long top will make you look you clothes don't fit properly. If your shirt is a little bit long, half tuck it into your shorts waistline to help elongate your look.

shop all my favorites here:

Did I miss anything? Leave any additional questions or styling suggestions in the comments!

photos by rad and happy  ||  images borrowed via pinterest

4 WAYS TO STYLE A WHITE SKIRT

Happy Memorial Day! Now that we can all officially wear white (even though I've been wearing white jeans and skirts for months...those fashion "rules" are so silly) I'm sharing a few ways to wear a white skirt. A white skirt is a classic piece that is perfect for spring and summer. I recently bought this white eyelet skirt from Zappos and I've been wearing it a ton -- it's easy to dress up or dress down, and the eyelet adds some pretty detailing and texture. It's a little higher in price, but this one is similar and only $25!

There are a million possibilities when it comes to styling a white skirt, and although I photographed only four, I'll share a few more ideas as we go through each of the four, plus I'll share a few of my favorite white skirts so you can add one to your closet!

1. WHITEOUT. You guys should know by now how much I love the whiteout trend. It's such a crisp and summery look, and would be perfect for a bridal or baby shower, an outdoor summer party, or church during the warm months. I styled mine with blush and rose gold to add a feminine touch!

RUFFLE SLEEVE BLOUSE (on sale for $18!)  ||  NECKLACE c/o SWAROVSKI  ||  EYELET SKIRT  ||  SIMILAR BAG ||  SIMILAR HEELS

2. BLACK AND WHITE. Black and white is such a classic combo, and here it creates a dramatic combination. You could wear just a black tee or black blouse, but I added a leather jacket for a little edge. 

SIMILAR BLACK TEE  ||  SIMILAR LEATHER JACKET  ||  WHITE SKIRT  || HEELS (less expensive version here)

3. BUTTON DOWN.  A freshly pressed button down is always a good idea for summer. I have a ton in my closet -- chambray, white, striped, gingham, etc -- but I chose gingham for this look because it feels so summer. You could tuck it in, but I think having it tied in the front gives it more of a casual feel, rather than more of a business attire feel. I also added casual wedges to complete the summery look. 

GINGHAM BUTTON DOWN  ||  EYELET SKIRT  ||  WEDGES  ||  SIMILAR BAG 

4. WITH A TEE. This skirt in particular is a little more dressy, but can still be dressed down -- just add a casual t-shirt and flats! Since it's still cool here in SoCal, I added a jacket, but chose denim because it matches the casual feel. You could also do a graphic tee or a striped tee! 

SIMILAR DENIM JACKET  ||  GRAY TEE  ||  EYELET SKIRT  ||  SIMILAR FLATS HERE and HERE  || BAG

And if you're looking to add a white skirt to your closet for the summer (which you should), I've rounded up a few of my favorites in the widget below. This one is 40% off and is a good simple option, but this one is has lots of detailing is stunning (and only $25). I love the subtle details on this one, but this one is only $30 and is such a simple one that will go with everything.  I also love this one with pockets!

Shop all of them right here by clicking the images: 

A FRESH NEW WAY TO STYLE A MINI DRESS

FREE PEOPLE TUNIC  ||  JEANS  ||  BAG  ||  FREE PEOPLE ESPADRILLES (so comfortable, and on sale!) 

Mini dress are some of my favorite pieces to wear. But since I don't wear super short dresses, I always style them with jeans underneath, creating a simple and easy outfit combination that's great for dressing up or dressing down. I have tons of these mini dresses in my closet, both casual and dressy, and they're definitely some of my most worn pieces.

Free People makes the most gorgeous mini dresses with impeccable detailing and prints. I spotted this one from across Nordstrom the other day and was instantly drawn to it. The prints are sort of loud and wild, but together they somehow work and make a really stunning top. Plus I'm such a sucker for the lace-up necklines -- I think they add such a pretty, feminine detail (and here's a tip -- just wear a nude cami underneath if the lace up is too low for your liking).

Lately I've been trying to find new ways to give pieces in my closet new life, and I realized a simple little knot in a mini dress gives it a whole new silhouette. This works best on really lightweight fabrics, like the fabric for this dress, and not only does it elongate your legs since you can see more of them, but it also gives your style a little modern twist. This trick also works really well with maxi and midi dresses! Think you'll try it??


Below I've linked to some of my other favorite tunics, like this embroidered babydoll style dress (it comes in a few colors, but the red is my favorite!), and this simple mini shift dress that comes in a ton of colors. I have and love this dress in red (you can see me wearing it here), but it's gorgeous in cobalt blue, and it also comes in black! This one has such gorgeous detailing, and would look killer with white denim and black or nude heels! This one is cute, and perfect for a little hem knot as well!

created in partnership with Nordstrom  ||  photos by rad and happy