STYLE INSPIRATION: THE ANKLE SCARF

The silk scarf has made a bit of a comeback in the last few seasons. We've rediscovered the fashion utility of bandanas, chokers, and essentially anything else wrapped around our necks, and the silk scarf is the polished, cool girl equivalent. While creating a turtleneck effect is the go-to for most fashion girls, some don't stop there. The silk scarf has opened up a world of accessory versatility, being knotted around wrists, through belt loops, and my personal favorite, around ankles.

Photo via Lisa Says Gah

I love the timelessness, class, and French inspiration brought about by the neck scarf. It instantly pulls together any outfit, and makes a sleek yet creative accessory. And who doesn't want to look like an artist off duty? 

Photo via They All Hate Us

Another way to incorporate this creative accessory is by tying a uniquely-patterned scarf around the wrist. If your outfit is feeling bare, this is a great way to mix things up by still avoiding the clunkiness of a bracelet.

Photo via The Zoe Report

The same outfit formula can get old after awhile, so try breaking it up by substituting your belt with a printed scarf. It adds a bohemian vibe to a very put together look, and makes your look instantly more laid back.

Photo via Bloglovin'

Photo via The Zoe Report

Ah, the ankle scarf. Plain old pants get old sometimes, and silk scarves add all sorts of flair to your bottom half. If you're looking for a way to draw attention to your fantastic shoes, tie a scarf around your ankle to draw the eye down your entire outfit and create visual balance.

NOW GET SCARF SHOPPING!

HAIR TRENDS

Back in high school dying your hair blue was reserved for the punk rock, rebellious kids. Now it's a style trend that can't go unnoticed. Most women under 30 have attempted gray, pink, purple and blue, and the trend doesn't appear to be going anywhere. Here are some other trends you should definitely consider embracing because, after all, if you don't like it your hair will always grow back, right? 

Gray is the new black. Hoards of young women are going gray... on purpose. This new hue can be seen on runways like Gucci and celebs like Hillary Duff or Rihanna. In fact, this hair color has become so trendy I bet you'll even be able to spot it on a hip 20-something at your local coffee shop. 

Sleek and twisted are two key words when it comes to this spring's hair trends. Maybe we can attribute it to the latest Starwars flick, but Princess Leia buns have never been so cool. 

If you can't be bothered to gel your hair back into a precisely parted and knotted bun, do not despair. This next trend barely requires you to brush your hair at all. Embrace bed head and the art of the undone 'do. Give your hair a tousled look with a rough blow dry and some sea salt spray and call it a day. 

If you've ever considered getting bangs, now is the time to take a leap of faith. Bangs are not only the ultimate fashion-girl haircut (Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell, Alexa Chung...) but they are in style and oh so much fun. Longer fringe is always a safe bet, but if you're feeling brave, take some inspiration from the sharp, short Rodarte bangs above. 

Images from Vogue.com. 

THE TRENDS OF NYFW F/W '16

Not to get ahead of ourselves (as it's merely warming up to spring temps), but after the New York Fashion Week shows this past week it's apparent that we have a LOT to look forward to for Fall/Winter 2016. NYFW is typically the most casual in it's Ready To Wear fashion, so it's usually the best indication of what we will actually be seeing on the shelves and the streets this August. While there were many standout shows, I noticed quite a few overwhelming trends that intrigued me... 

CLEAN SLATE

Minimalism is still going strong. Designers are encouraging whites for winter and giving us a nice selection of garments with clean lines from strapless flowing dresses to robe-style fur coats. As a stylist, when I see simple pieces like these I think of them as a perfect clean slate. My mind starts running wild with ways to accessorize them with funky jewelry or a bright shoe.

Brock Collection, Brandon Maxwell, Dion Lee

FLAPPER FRINGE

Bohemian fringe has a new counterpart, it's cooler older sister: 20's inspired flapper fringe. We're getting major Gatsby vibes from these looks and can't complain one bit. 

Rachel Zoe, Zimmerman, Jason Wu

PINK AND YELLOW

Being one of Pantone's colors of the year, it's no surprise that rose quartz is gracing the runways left and right. However, select designers are taking a unique approach by styling their pinks with shades of yellow varying from bright neons to subdued mustard-y hues. This traditionally spring/summer color combo works surprisingly well with F/W fashions. Who knew? 

Creatures of Comfort, Marissa Webb, Delpozo

PATTERN PLAY

Here to contrast the stark minimalism we're seeing in fashion, pattern play is full of whimsy and color. So why not throw a leopard print coat on top of your floral silk pajamas? J. Crew did it...

J Crew, Clover Canyon, Coach

ON THE GRID

Plaid is pretty much a no-brainer when it comes to fall and winter fashion. Although this season we'll also be seeing a lot of clean, gridded patterns. The grids are a little less hectic and look more modern than your traditional lumberjack plaid. 

Jason Wu, Michael Kors, Kaelen

All images from Vogue.com. To see more trends I am loving right now be sure to follow my "Trends I Love" Pinterest board. 

DRUGSTORE BEAUTY BUYS

Something about winter always makes me want to change up my look. Sometimes it's dramatic: dying my hair dark, chopping a blunt bob, or getting harsh bangs (never again, not for me!) but sometimes it's as simple as just adding a new product to my makeup routine. This route is sooo much easier and doesn't require quite the unwavering commitment. That said, this year I decided to add a red lip into my beauty rotation. 

I typically go for nudes and pinks when it comes to my lip color, so darker hues are a little more out of my comfort range. Personally I've never been a huge fan of a red lip on myself, but I absolutely love the instant glamour it can add to any look when executed well. This set me on a mission to find the perfect red lip color for the upcoming holiday season. Oh, and there's one more condition: The lip color must be under $10! That's right, I'm stepping away from Sephora and heading to the drugstore to find it.

The first lipstick that caught my eye was Loreal Paris' Colour Riche Lipstick in Zoe's Red. I wear a lot of burgundy in the winter, so I love this deep wine shade. I was especially delighted by this lipstick's silky smooth matte finish which helped to mellow out the dramatic color. Surprisingly enough, it also kept its rich color and crisp lines much longer than my favorite MAC lipstick. Way to go, L'Oreal! I'm sold. 

Next, I decided to try out Revlon's Colorstay Moisture Stain in Stockholm Chic. I usually steer clear of lip glosses of any sort because I hate when they feel goopy and sticky, but I've heard great things about lip stains and their lasting qualities so I decided to give this product a go. This lip color goes on with a glossy finish but doesn't feel sticky. In fact, this gloss is made with Vitamin E and Aloe so it's quite moisturizing. The color is a very orange-y red, but it plays nicely with the subtle gold sparkles in this lip gloss. 

The reddest of all reds is Boots' No.7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Glam. We're talking BRIGHT. A little too bright for me, but it would look super chic with an all black ensemble. Despite the color, the lipstick went on smoothly and has SPF 15 which is an added plus! 

Standing in the aisle of Walgreens, I couldn't say no to the beautiful cranberry color that is Maybelline's Color Sensational Matte Lipstick in Rich Ruby. This lipstick goes on creamy but dries matte leaving you with sophisticated and clean color. I think I'll end up wearing this color for the holidays and painting my nails a matching shade of red to complete the look. 

Lastly, I put Maybelline's 24 Color in All Day Cherry to the test. This lip color intrigued me since it was dual sided and included not just a gloss but a moisturizing lip balm, too. My lips always get dry during the chilly winter months so lip balm is my best friend. How convenient to have it built into the gloss! I love the dual-sided idea but was quite unimpressed with the lipgloss itself. It went on quite messy and I had trouble distributing the color evenly. This gloss might be nice in a lighter shade of pink, but I wasn't feeling it in red. 

This fun little experiment reminded me that I don't have to drop tons of money on prestige beauty products. The drugstore really does have some great options! If I had to choose, my favorites would be both of the matte lipsticks. With such a bold color I really do prefer the matte finish, just to tone down the color and give it an edge. I will definitely be wearing these all winter long.

What are some of your favorite drugstore beauty buys?? We want to know!

Fall 2015 Fashion Trends

Last week I talked about how to transition summer styles into fall, and while re-working pieces within your existing wardrobe is great, it's impossible to ignore the excitement of a brand new season and a whole new set of trends to experiment with. After scouring the Fall/Winter 2015 Runway shows and stalking all of my favorite street style stars, I've compiled a list of the 5 must-try trends for this fall.

70's Revival

featuring

brown leather handbags

Hat

Scarf

Jeans

 Blouse

Earrings

Sunglasses

Boots

Bag

Put on your favorite Fleetwood Mac CD and pile on the fringe, because the 70's are back in full swing this fall. We’re talking cinched waists, big flares, flowy bohemian tops, tonal patchwork, skinny scarves and suede galore.

70's REVIVAL (2)

Schoolyard Chic

retro shoes

Sweater

Hat

Backpack

Shoes (Similar)

Watch

Skirt

Take a classic school uniform, add some unexpected athletic twists, and a big dose of style for this next trend. There are quite a few elements which make up this look, and they’ll all be big players for fall: 1. PLAID. It wouldn’t be fall without plaid, would it? 2. Chunky Knits. (Turtlenecks are all the rage.) 3. Edgy yet classic accessories. Swap your everyday purse out for a sleek backpack, put a spin on loafers by opting for a pair with a lug sole, or simply break out your favorite baseball cap that’s been hiding in the back of your closet.

70's REVIVAL (3)

Caped Crusaders

urban outfitters jeans

Tee

Cape

Jeans

Boots

Sunglasses

Bag

Bandana

Hat

Who doesn’t want to parade around town in what is essentially, a giant blanket draped over their shoulders? Give your traditional coats a break this autumn and opt for the coziness and comfort of a cape. Choose between a blanket-like, poncho style for casual days, or a more structured version like the one above to replace your favorite peacoat.

70's REVIVAL (5)

Neo Victorian

by

alamilena

featuring

Topshop

Crop

|

Necklace

|

Clutch (Similar)

|

Earrings

|

Culottes

 |

Heels

Lace and ruffle aficionados rejoice because this next trend is taking us back centuries. Dabbling in different decades is fun, but this autumn prepare yourself for some major 19th Century drama. Neo Victorian has all the elements of classic Victorian elegance, only with a modern spin. Give it a try by matching a high-neck, lace blouse with edgy culottes and jewel-ridden accessories. If you need more inspiration, check out the

FW15 Alexander McQueen collection

.

70's REVIVAL (7)

Sky High Boots

by

alamilena

featuring

black high heel boots

Sunglasses

| 

Dress

|

Coat

|

Scarf

|

Earrings

| 

Bag

 |

Boots

Don't count this trend out just yet. When I say sky-high, I'm not referring to the heel height of the boots. More accurately, this fall's "it" boots are actually thigh-high, and typically flat or found with a chunky block heel. Longer boots are great because they allow you to continue to wear your shorter dresses without being bare-legged. You won't even need tights. (Although tights are having a big moment this fall, too.)

Which of these fall trends are you excited to wear? Leave a comment below & pin your favorite!