What Do I Wear There? Fall Weather Fun
Last week, reader Jenny wrote in with this question:
“There is a theme park near where I live, and I go there a lot with my friends. I was wondering if you had any ideas of what to wear for a day out at a theme park or carnival- it’s difficult to know because I’m running round all day and any jewelry I wear is very irritating because I have to keep taking it off on a roller coaster.”
This got me thinking about other fun fall activities that we all may be running out to enjoy before winter sets in. Besides Jenny’s idea of going to a theme park or carnival with friends for a day, I also thought of going pumpkin or apple picking (yum!) and going on a road trip during one of November’s long weekends (which is absolutely the most fun in the fall with all of the leaves turning gorgeous colors).
So instead of only answering Jenny’s question, I figured I would come up with looks that would work for each of these events to ensure you have the best end-of-fall ever!
Look One: Carnival Clothes
Product Information: Plaid Flannel Tunic: Old Navy, Vintage Wash Jeans: TopShop, Bow Earrings: American Eagle, Studded Converse: Singer 22, Tinted SPF Moisturizer: YesStyle, Nail Polish: Forever 21
Comfort is key to having a fun day at a carnival or amusement park. You want your focus to be on having the loudest scream or keeping your arms up the longest on the roller coaster, not on whether your shoes or jewelry are going to fly off!
Therefore, I suggest going for a trendy but cozy flannel like the one above. You’ll be comfortable but still stylish. The flannel I chose is especially great for the amusement park since it has a tie around the waist. That way, you won’t have to worry about your top moving if you are on rides that turn you up, down, and all around!
Pair this top with your favorite pair of worn-in jeans that are comfortable whether you’re walking around or sitting down (since you will often be sitting for rides). Throw on a cute pair of sneakers to complete your comfy-cool look–Converse are always a great choice and the stud detail on these makes them totally stylish for this season. You could probably even DIY them yourself with an old pair of Converse – be creative!
As Jenny mentioned, jewelry is tricky when dressing to go to a carnival. You do not want to wear pieces that could dangle or get caught, and you definitely don’t want to wear anything you would be super upset to lose. (It happens!) Therefore, I suggest going for a cute pair of studs–definitely not dangling earrings–to add a little extra sparkle to your look. These bow studs add an unexpected girly element to an otherwise tougher look.
For your hair and makeup, keep it simple but be smart. And by smart I mean wear sunscreen! You’re going to be out in the sun all day and even though the strong heat of summer is gone, you are still susceptible to those harmful rays. I personally love tinted moisturizers with sunscreen, as they give you good color as well as SPF protection. Since this outfit includes earrings, pull your hair back to make sure it does not get caught on them when you’re on rides. And finally, indulge your inner carnival-loving child with some funky bright red nail polish (this color will work with almost any of the outfits in this post)! Red is a classic shade that’s perfect for fall.
Look Two: Apple/Pumpkin Picking Attire
Product Information: Knitted Sweater, Shaggy Scarf: TopShop, Jeans: Piperlime, Leather Gloves: JohnLewis.com, Black Boots: Piperlime, Pearl Bobby Pins: Monsoon.co.uk
Some of my favorite memories of fall are all the times I went out pumpkin picking when I was little. From the hay rides to the delicious fresh food and the actual pumpkin picking itself, there’s nothing more indicative of the fall season to an East Coast-er like me than trekking out into those fields. And luckily, this is one of those activities that only gets more fun as you get older! This is another situation in which you want to make sure you stay comfortable since you’re going to be moving around so much.
A great fall style that is perfect for this activity is the “boyfriend” look. An oversized, boyish sweater will definitely keep you warm and cozy, while a pair of skinny-fitting jeans will keep the look from being sloppy. Put on some durable black boots (I love the zipper detail on these ones) in case you have to stomp through some mud to get the best pick, as well as gloves so that you don’t have to get your hands too dirty (and because sometimes the trees/stems of these fruits can scratch you).
To add some extra warmth (in my experience, pumpkin patches are often windy!), add on a textured scarf in a dark color that will not compete with the pattern of the sweater. For your hair, I think a side braid or chignon would be a perfect way to tie the whole look together, especially if you hold it up with these adorable pearl hairpins.
Look Three: The Perfect Road Trip Outfit
Product Information: Tunic: Monsoon.co.uk, Dark Wash Jeans: TopShop, Sunglasses: ModCloth, Rust Shoulder Bag: Piperlime, Necklace: Missselfridge.com, Boots: Nyciwear.com
While road tripping with your friends is going to be fun all year round, taking one in the fall has the aforementioned advantage of having the best roadside scenery. Plus, what better way to blow off post-midterms steam than belting songs out the window with your best friends?
The only potential downside to a road trip is the amount of time you may be stuck sitting in the car. That’s why you’ll definitely want to pick out the most comfortable bottoms you have–my favorites are stretchy, skinnier jeans, but if you prefer a different style or even leggings, go for that! Put on a loose, airy tunic for a cool 70’s vibe on top, highlighted with a funky, multi-strand necklace.
I used those gorgeous fall leaves as inspiration for choosing the accessories, picking rich, chocolate brown boots and a deep, rust orange tote. And, of course, no road trip–or as far as I’m concerned, trip anywhere–is complete without the perfect pair of sunglasses. The geometric shape of these adds a modern aspect to the otherwise more boho look, and the shades should be dark enough to allow you to drive facing even the brightest sun!
What Do You Think?
Do you typically partake in these fall weather activities? What outfits have you worn for them? Did I miss any activities, clothing items, or accessories that are great for fall? What are your favorite pieces to wear in this fall weather? Share below!
And as always, if you have a “What Do I Wear There” question, leave it in the comments! You may be featured in next week’s article.
Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: carnival, Fall, Inspiration, road trip, Weather, What Do I Wear There?
Coupons & Sales: Week of 11/6/09
Fashion Deals & Coupons
Express‘ Friends & Family Event is going on today and tomorrow (11/7) only! You can save 20% off everything with promo code 4287. Don’t miss it!
Saks Fifth Avenue’s Exclusive Sale is going on now – save up to 40% on designer selections! Sale ends on 11/8.
Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale is going on now – save 33% or more on clothing, shoes, and accessories you’ll want to wear right now. They’ll also give you free shipping on orders of $100+. Use promo code HOLIDAY09 by 12/20.
Charlotte Russe will give you free shipping when you spend $50+, today and tomorrow, 11/7.
dELiA*s has a new promo code out – get $20 off your $50 purchase with code 20DEL50 (expires 11/13). Also, all jeans and pants are buy one, get one half off! Outerwear is also up to 20% off for a limited time.
Target will give you free shipping when you spend $50+ online! Promo ends on 12/19.
Bluefly has a special new coupon code for new customers. If you’ve never shopped Bluefly before, you can get $40 off your first order of $200+. Use code AFF40 at checkout before it expires on 11/30.
YOOX.COM has some new Fall Winter Promotions, with an extra 20% off tons of fabulous designer clothes and accessories. They carry all the big-name designers, so don’t miss out! Sale ends on 11/10.
Payless‘ BOGO event is still going – buy one pair of shoes, get a second pair for 50% off! Sale ends on 12/31.
American Eagle has a bunch of stuff on sale. Women’s flats are $5 off, while flannels start at $24.95. There’s also some great Aerie stuff on sale, as well as items for guys. Good while supplies last!
Alloy.com will give you 15% off any order from now until 11/12 – use code A15FALL. Also, all outerwear and sweaters are on sale right now – up to 25% off! Boots are also on sale, starting at $39.90 + 15% off (expires 11/13).
Shoes.com is having their Fall Clearance Event! Find markdowns of up to 60% off some of the hottest styles and brands. Event ends on 11/15. Also, for a limited time only, save an additional 20% off all sale & clearance items with code SALE20. The code is good through 11/9.
Steve Madden is offering 15% off plus free shipping when you spend $100+, or 20% off plus free shipping when you spend $150. Both offers expire on 11/11.
Pacsun.com is marking down new stuff, and giving you 30% off already-discounted items. Shop the sale now before it expires on 11/15.
Karmaloop has a brand new coupon out! Get a free $20 gift code when you make a purchase of $100+ with code SOLID. Offer is valid now through 11/30.
Macy’s is having a Veteran’s Day sale, with free shipping on orders of $99+ and exclusive 2 Day Specials on some great items.
Skechers has a new coupon code good for $10 off any $50 purchase. Use code FBONC at checkout (expires 11/15).
Beauty Deals & Coupons
Sephora.com has a two new money-saving promos going on. First, get 3 Benefit eye shadows for $10 ($54 value) while supplies last! Also, get 3 Dior mascaras for only $29! These are both great deals, so take advantage before they sell out.
Sally Beauty Supply has a coupon for $5 off orders of $25+. Use code 555202 to save. Code expires on 12/31.
The Body Shop is having a Buy One, Get One sale, starting this Monday, 11/9 – select bath & body products, holiday gifts, and home fragrance oils will all be on sale!
As always, post any sales, deals, or coupons we missed in the comments! Happy shopping!
Filed Under: Coupons & Sales / Tags: Alloy, Bluefly, Coupon Codes, Coupons, Delias, Nordstrom, Saks, Sales, Target
Hautelinks: Week of 11/5/09
Need some fall outfit inspiration? Refinery 29 did a great feature on real-girl fall fashion with outfits that are totally wearable.
WhoWhatWear’s November Editorial is along those same lines – tons of gorgeous fall/winter fashion inspiration!
Coveting the Stella McCartney for Gap Kids collection as much as we are? Check this out.
The ladies of UK fashion magazine Grazia do us all a favor by attempting to squeeze into some of the best pieces from Stella McCartney’s just-released collaboration with Gap Kids in this clip above. After exhaustive research, the team determines that the purple princess coat, the boys’ flannel button-down, the trench, and the boys’ gray cashmere hoodie are all wearable by adults (at least, petite adults).
Anna Wintour’s plan for world domination continues…
The Skinny is a brand new sample sale site that focuses 100% on beauty products! Don’t know about online sample sales? Read our post, The Ultimate Guide to Online Sample Sales for the 411, as well as some invites to the best ones.
Some call it “off menu” but “secret” seems so much more mysterious and exciting. We still aren’t sure if the undercover “menu” has been adopted by all the Jamba stores (yet), but we’ll let you know more as we find out.
Divine Caroline lists the Ten Worst Fall Fashions, which, um, aren’t really that bad. While it’s hard to argue that half-shaved hair is anything but awful, we don’t agree with most of these.. Peep-toe booties? Faux fur vests? So cute!
Aldo DIY is a really cool & interesting site with tons of DIY tutorials, all using shoes/boots from Aldo!
This is just weird – Lady GaGa’s Looks Kill Photographer. No idea if it’s true, but that outfit IS a little frightening..
Not fashion-related, but this is just really amazing.
Autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire has been hard at work this week drawing the Manhattan skyline from memory over at Pratt. He only took a 20 minute helicopter ride prior to getting started, “during which time he impressed on his mind thousands of landmarks, great and small.” He told the Brooklyn Paper: “My arm starts to hurt sometimes, but I push on.”
9 Things Every Guy Should Buy or Wear is an amazing list that should be required-reading for all boys.
Simple Pleasures from the Secret Society of List Addicts – sometimes it’s nice to appreciate the small things in life! What are your favorite simple pleasures?
Style.com did a great list of 21 beauty picks for fall that will help you escape typical fall beauty doldrums, including limp hair, dry skin, and all those cold weather woes!
How to Wear Colors Without Looking Crazy, via FutureLint!
This first look is something I like to call “The Anthropologie Effect.” Having never set foot in an Anthro (gasp! I know – what a bad fashionista I am), thanks to the interwebs, I am pretty darn familiar with their aesthetic… So here I am wearing turqouise and orange, two colors that most def don’t “go” but because the tones are subdued and the whole outfit is a bit whimsical thanks to the poof and fringe and t-straps (always whimsical!) it looks fine!
Still on the hunt for that perfect winter coat? InStyle has tips to help you choose the right coat for your figure!
Now that Halloween’s over, check out what the stars wore! FabSugar has photos from Heidi Klum’s Halloween party – it’s always totally crazy and over-the-top. Always last-minute with your costume? Why not bookmark a few ideas to borrow for next year?
Christian Louboutin helped design a stiletto-shaped champagne glass. How anyone can feasibly drink champagne out of it is completely beyond us, but it does look like a great collector’s item!
You can never have too many denim-buying tips, and Lucky Mag has some great ones.
If you find great-in-the-butt jeans with other fit issues, remember that a tailor can make adjustments to both the length of the hem and the fit through the leg.
Wearing low-cut tops can be tricky. Sometimes it can be tough to find the line between sexy and trashy. This series of comparative outfits by Cosmo really helps show the difference between what’s cute and what’s going too far.
The Business of Fashion is a must-bookmark blog if you plan to work in the industry one day!
College Candy’s list of Campus Traditions is really interesting and fun to read, especially if you’ve attended one of the featured schools. This one’s too funny:
Lauren H – The New School: You know you go to New School when there’s only one guy in your class and he’s looking for guys too.
Claire Thomson has amazing style, and dishes some great advice. And she wears Urban Outfitters! We love her.
If you need a sparkly dress for holiday parties, The Look 4 Less has you covered.
That’s all we’ve got for now! What were your favorite links of the week? Leave them in the comments so we can all check ‘em out!
Filed Under: Hot Websites / Tags: Hautelinks, Internet, Links, Websites
Holiday Outfit Ideas: 3 Ways to Wear One Fabulous Party Dress
In late November, the season of dinner parties for various holidays begins, lasting from Thanksgiving to New Years.
Every year, we look at our closets and say, “oh no, I have nothing to wear to this party!” But what if you had one dress you could wear, styled differently to at least three parties? To me, there is no fashion faux pas in wearing a dress more than once, so long as you style it differently and the parties are spaced out. After all, who can afford to buy a different dress for every event during the winter season?
It’s all about styling. Below, I’ll show you three ways to wear a single holiday party dress – no one will ever know you’re repeating the same dress!
Product Information: Pleated Bow Tie Dress, Charlotte Russe.
I picked this dress for two reasons: first, I love the brown-burgundy color, because it’s more than just the typical LBD; and second, I love the details – the bow is adorable and the ruched neckline draws attention to your face. This dress is perfect for parties, but could also be dressed down if need be!
And now, how to wear it!
Outfit 1: Edgy Holiday Party Look
Product Information: Snap Collar Leatherette Jacket, Forever 21. Wild Diva Jelena Gladiator Booties, Fly Jane. Torque Chains, Forever 21. Sequin wallet, Charlotte Russe.
For a holiday party with your friends, this would be a great edgy outfit.
I love the brown leather jacket paired with the brown dress: it creates a contrast and interest without being obvious or overly matchy-matchy. The purple clutch provides a pop of color and a little bit of sparkle.
I really love putting together multiple tones of a neutral into one look: the burgundy brown of the dress, the cocoa brown of the jacket, and the tan of the gladiator booties are all plays on the same tone. This is a formula that works for all outfits: when in doubt, shades of the same neutral will always look interesting and chic!
Outfit 2: Dinner with Family
Product Information: Mustard V-Neck cardigan, Peacocks. Macey River Pump, Topshop. Empress Hinged bangle, Forever 21. Dove Stud earrings, Juicy Couture.
Dressing up for a family holiday dinner can sometimes be difficult!
For this outfit, I decided to pair a mustard cardigan with this party dress, to dress it down a little bit. However, you could always choose another color based on what works with your skin tone: pink, red, bright blue, and green could work with this dress as well! Paired with neutral but interesting flats and a super cute bangle, this outfit will have you looking pretty yet relaxed at your family’s holiday get-together!
Outfit 3: Meeting the Parents
Product Information: Black cut out ankle boots, Debenhams. Houndstooth DB Jacket, Forever 21. Cabbage Corsage Clutch, Monsoon. Bella Rouge earrings, 1928.
The holiday season also means the possibility of being invited to a holiday party with your significant other’s parents – yikes!
I put this outfit together with that in mind. I love red with this dress and surprisingly, I think black accents look great against it as well. Some might say that wearing black and brown together is a “don’t”, but those fashion rules are outdated. These days, you can feel free to mix colors as you please. The red accents on the accessories I chose pop against the burgundy-brown of the dress, while the black helps you look put-together, which will impress those parents!
What do you think?
What is your favorite dress to wear to holiday parties and how do you transition it? What do you think about styling one dress in different ways throughout the holiday season? I love to hear from you guys, so let me know in the comments!!
Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Christmas, Dating, Dresses, Holidays, How To, Outfits, Party
Smart Fabrics: 6 Must-Wear Textiles for Fall/Winter ‘09
This is the second post in our mini-series on must-wear colors and fabrics for fall and winter. As stated in the first post on must-wear colors, we reviewed what smart (in a fashion context) means for this season: “stylish or elegant in dress or appearance…appealing to sophisticated tastes.”
Let’s review the 6 must-wear fabrics for Fall/Winter 2009! As with the first post, I hope you can find at least one fabric that you’d like to wear during the season!
1. Velvet
For this fall/winter season, velvet has received a makeover! The velvet of this decade is everything you liked about the 80’s/90’s versions, but simpler and more feminine. My recommendations for wearing velvet are to stick to one velvet piece per outfit and stick with darker, richer colors or black. Want more information/inspiration? Check out this great article by WhoWhatWear!
Picture/Product Information (clockwise from left): Balenciaga Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Kimchi Blue Velvet Bow Dress- Urban Outfitters, Stretch Velvet Long Sleeve Dress- American Apparel, Velvet Black Blazer- Forever 21, Velvet Ribbon Shrug- TopShop, Velvet Flats with Satin Ribbon- Newport News, Velvet Roses Skirt- Forever 21, Bodycon Velvet Skirt- TopShop
2. Knits (Chunky Knits)
Knitted garments are really in for fall and winter, specifically super chunky knits. The best way to try out this trend would be to try a chunky scarf! However, accessories aren’t the only way to go. Keep your eyes peeled for knitted dresses and sweaters! Cozy!
Picture/Product Information (clockwise from left): Julien Macdonald Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Chunky Knit Gator- Ann Taylor, Chunky Knitted Cardigan- TopShop, Topshop Unique Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Deena and Ozzy Chunky Blanket Scarf- Urban Outfitters, Design History Cable Knit Sweater in Wine- Bluefly.com
3. Lace
This season, lace will be an accent to artsy pieces. Lace for this season will manifest itself in one of three categories: chantlilly lace, richelieu embroidery, or sequined embroidery. Which look do you like best?
Picture/Product Information (clockwise from left): Christian Lacroix Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Cameo Lace Cardigan- Forever 21, Exposed Zipper Lace Skirt- Arden B, Lna Lace Back Top- ShopBop, Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Petite Lace Poplin Dress- TopShop
4. Leather
Leather and faux leather are back for another season! Throwing on a leather or faux leather jacket is definitely the easiest way to add a little edge to your effortlessly chic fall/winter look! However, if you already have a leather jacket, or if this type of jacket isn’t your thing, try a leather dress like Kate Moss!
Picture/Product Information (clockwise from left): Kate Moss during Paris Fashion Week- fashionising.com, Crinkled Faux Leather Jacket- Forever 21, PU Hooded Bomber Jacket- TopShop, Hermès Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Faux Leather Dress- Wet Seal, Leather Gloves with Faux Fur- Ralph Lauren, Women’s Ruffle Peep Toe Pumps- Old Navy, Faux Leather Tote- Windsor
5. Silk
This season, silk will be accompanied by draping and either subtle metallics or rich gemstone colors. Look out for both high sheen and eggshell gloss looks this season! These elements will add to the feminine undertone that silk naturally bears. I think silk is a great option for any fancier dresses you may need for holiday parties!
Picture/Product Information (clockwise from left): Haider Ackermann Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Tiered Silk Dress- Gap, Short Sleeve Tie Front Ruffle Top- 7 for All Mankind at ShopBop, Adrianna Papell Red Silk-Blend Pencil Skirt- Lord & Taylor, Plum Thai Silk Flat- Rocket Dog at Zappos, Michael Antonio Women’s Lea Pump- Endless.com, Poufy Party Skirt- Calypso St. Barth
6. Tweed
Tweed has a down-to-earth vibe this season. Much of today’s tweed is being generated by recycled yarn, so if you’re into eco-chic, this might be a good fabric for you to look into (depending on the manufacturer, of course). Tweed will provide a great back-to-basics look to your winter wardrobe.
Picture/Product Information (clockwise from left): Katy Perry in NYC- fabsugar.com, Tweed Cap- Armani Exchange, Tweed Classic Trench- Forever 21, Silence and Noise Tweed Funnel Coat- Urban Outfitters, Tweed Check Purse- TopShop, Tweed Evalyn Dress- Fred Flare, Rosalyn Tweed Jacket- Forever 21
What do YOU think?
Now that you’ve become an expert on smart fabrics, what do you think? Will you wear any of these textiles this fall or winter? Which is your favorite? How do you wear “smart fabrics” in your everyday wardrobe? Tell me with a comment!
Filed Under: Trends / Tags: knit, Lace, leather, silk, tweed, velvet, Winter 2009
