8/24/12 Darling Of The Day: Olivia Munn’s Geometric Dress From KMart!

Up & coming actress Olivia Munn has been making the rounds on the red carpet lately, especially having co-starred in this summer’s Magic Mike & The Babymakers, but also appearing on HBO’s The Newswoom doesn’t hurt either.  She’s getting  a lot of attention for her style, including this look which was spotted walking the streets of New York just recently, thanks to a post found on In Style.

She’s polished & on-trend with a colorful print, classic round toe pumps, & a confident smile, however what’s so great about this look is the fact that the Attention geometric print shirtdress ($17.49) is from Kmart! Look at the price on that dress & how effortlessly she’s wearing it.

Of course this can transition into fall with some dark tights & ankle booties, or even be worn these last few days of summer while running from the beach to a block party.  The dress runs typically for $24.99, but it currently on sale on the store’s website.  It’s available in sizes XS – XL, but also in an autumn orange color scheme as well.

Typically in my Darling of the Day posts, I find pieces to recreate the whole look, however I’m just so excited to share the dress that I will simply refer readers to Payless for the Brash Liv pump ($29.99), Forever 21 for the patent med shoulder bag ($29.80), & round sunglasses ($3.50).

What do you think of Olivia’s bargain dress?  Would you shop @KMart? Don’t forget that this isn’t the first KMart-related post to appear on Style Darling, since I’m a big fan of Sofia Vergara’s line, Sofia by Sofia Vergara & Selena Gomez’s Dream Out Loud collection.  Also, for more on Olivia’s style, be sure to check out the latest Top 10 Celeb Sightings post, images of her alongside Sarah Jessica Parker from I Don’t Know How She Does It, & an Express look from last year’s Darling of the Day! Happy Styling!

NYC Street Style: Brooklyn Bound Trends For Spring!

Since I’ve been living the life of a commuter, I’ve been witness to many a style-flub. However, this post is featuring some of the best trends that I’ve seen while I’ve been working in Brooklyn.  Of course I’m in the office for all of my work day & only get to see the culture & residents when I’m walking to & from the subway, but also, I’m inspired to start getting my own closet ready for spring. Not to mention, it’s been quite some time since I’ve featured a post in NYC Street Style!

We can start putting away those heavy knit tights, but still embrace fashionable hosiery with the double fishnet full tights ($11.83) from Express, which are perfect for adding a little edge to a pastel sheath dress, or for night when going out with the girls in mini skirt & one-shoulder top.  Also, these tights are currently marked down 30% from their original $16.90 price tag!

I’m all about flats these days since my hectic schedule isn’t high heel-friendly, but I’ve seen plenty of designer-inspired styles, much like the Holtan flats ($14.98) @ALDO.  They make me think of Dolce & Gabbana’s entire starry-print collection from last year!

A denim jacket never goes out of style & the ladies out Brooklyn & city commuters know it! On casual days, I see all sorts of denim outerwear around me, but there’s nothing quite like the classic & chic way this denim jacket ($49.50) pairs with a graphic tee & some skinny jeggings.  It’s from American Eagle Outfitters & if you check out their site today, there’s a 25% off + FREE SHIPPING special going on right now!

The sales & deals don’t stop, especially when you’re gonna need some sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harsh sunlight that’s making this spring feel so heavenly! I love The Limited‘s debut sunglasses ($26.90), but don’t be discouraged by the price since the store is celebrating the holiday weekend with a sitewide 40% off sale! I’ve seen so many different types of shades while in Brooklyn, but nothing beats an over-sized tortoise-shell!

Lastly, spring is all about pops of color & why not take advantage of that with your accessories? You can wear this Relic grommet striped belt ($24.00) from Kohl’s in place of a belt on a printed sundress, with a classic  & crisp white shirtdress, or with a cardigan, jeans, & wedges look.

For more on what’s hot for spring, check out previous posts from Quickie Darling Deal & Steal, Luxury Look-Alikes for Less, & The Stylish Five! What trends are you seeing on the streets of your local city? Which items do you like the most? Happy Styling!

NYC Street Style: It’s a Leggings World & We Just Live In It!

I spent part of this weekend in the big apple, celebrity the birthday of a fabulously stylish good friend, Stacey, whose only requirement for attending the karaoke festivities was to wear some time of funky, cool legwear- specifically leggings.  I showed up in leopard patterned tights under my skirt, but that was still very acceptable (I hope!).  However, because of my trip, I was inspired to post a blog, dedicated to some of the edgy & cool leggings out there on the market.  As I saw at the party, it doesn’t matter your shape or size, it only matters if you own it & walk confidently in your leggings.  This excellent message has brought me to consider some of these as options for leggings, especially with the coming holiday season where there will be plenty of outings with friends & parties to attend.

For starters, I’d like to point out the leopard print leggings & zebra ankle length leggings (both $10.80) from Forever 21, available in sizes 1x-3x!  They’re perfect for under a long tunic top or with a leather mini skirt!  Keeping with the animal-inspiration, the Material Girl leggings ($26.00) are from Macy’s & would jazz up any mini LBD or work with an oversize tee & bright heels. For something a little more preppy, perhaps under a sweater tunic top, the textured knit leggings ($14.99) in ivory from Charlotte Russe are sweet & soft in cable knit.

If you’re into the less traditional style of leggings, then check out Bluefly‘s Romeo & Juliet Couture black stretch cotton ripped side leggings ($36.79), which are marked down from $78.00!  To get ready for the holidays, a little sparkle never hurt, like with the sequin leggings ($98.00) from Express which are perfect for a chunky black sweater, a red one-shoulder top, or studded tank & leather jacket. Also, for something a little bit more out there, try the tie dye cotton spandex jersey legging ($27.00) in mauve & bright blue from American Apparel, which are marked down from $34.00 & also available in evergreen & green, as well as almost black & white.

My friends know that I’m a sucker for Hello Kitty & when I saw the intergalactic Hello Kitty leggings ($15.80), I went bonkers! Though I’m not sure when I would wear these, except for the comfort of my own bed or around the house when I’m having me / sleep time, but they’re super adorable for that playful Style Darling!

I recently posted about Pippa Middleton wearing leggings as pants & the blogosphere wet bananas b/c her bum was showing.  What’s you best leggings look?  Where do you buy your favorite leggings?  Are you a classic black leggings with boots kind of gal, or do you go for wild textures & patterns?

NYC Street Style: Fall-Ready Flats, Belts, Tights, Scarves, & Boots, Oh My!

I recently took a few trips into NYC, to see Catch Me If You Can on Broadway before it closed, & I attended a special advanced screening of The Lion King 3D before it opened this past weekend.  Good times were had with friends & plenty of wine was consumed, however, post-Labor Day street style has brought out some new fall pieces like flats, belts, textured tights, scarves, & boots.

I’ve been doing a lot of posting recently about what the stars are wearing & indulging in my favorite new category, Super Style Wishlist, but I have not forgotten the roots of Style Darling, style on a budget.  Seeing all the different combinations of belts over tunic tops or button downs with leggings & skinny jeans, paired with flats, there’s just so much to talk about!

I clicked through some of my favorite websites for affordable accessories & shoes & couldn’t decide what to pick, so I focused on items, on a store-to-store basis.  Where are you looking to get some new belts this season?  I recommend Forever 21, with prices ranging from $1.50 – $8.80 in the belts shown.  Sizes range from Small - Large, but if you click here for Forever 21+, you can find fashionable belts in the same price range that go from XL – 3X.

I’m loving the flats this season from Payless, especially the ones designed by Christian Siriano & Z London.  Post-summer styles start at $12.99 & newer designer styles go up to $49.99, but the prints are so versatile for your office look or weekend look.  Inspired by my weekend in New York City, you can bet a lot of the city going gals are pounding the pavement in these comfortable foot-friendly flats in croc, leopard, with jewel embellishments, or bows?!

My absolutely favorite part of this time of year is that I can now break out my textured tights.  The store that is selling the best designs is certainly Express.  I love florals, animal prints, polka dots, striped, & anything you can think of to go with my tweed, bubble, or pencil skirts!  The prices of these tights & many more on the website, range in price from $14.90 – $29.90, but if you are signed up to receive emails, you’ll get coupons & notifications of all the best sales.  Not to mention, if you’re a credit cardholder, you can receive a rewards card, like I did & got $15 off acute sequined top.  Now I wish I’d saved it & spent it on some tights, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out.  For my fuller-figured readers, check out Torrid for textured tights & flirty legwear, ranging in sizes 1X - 4X (styles not shown).

If we’re talking about fall fashion, you can’t leave out boots.  There weren’t many boots out & about during my two weekends in NYC, but a few did catch my eye.  I instantly went to DSW to see these sexy & polished styles, ranging in price from $19.94 – $39.94, from brands like Michael Antonio & Madden Girl by Steve Madden.  Everyone loves knee boots or over-the-knee boots, but at heart, I’m an ankle bootie girl, especially with the textured tights shown above!

Last, but not least, you can’t have anything to do with fall & not talk about scarves.  They’re that extra special touch of style that make your casual, dressy, or edgy look possible, especially with these finds from Old Navy! The store offers lightweight, infinity, & heavy knit scarves for whatever occasion may call for a covered neck, but stars like Sienna Miller, Nicole Richie, & Ashlee Simpson always rely on a scarf to avoid a chill.  The styles range in price from $8.94 – $14.94.  Those are prices you can’t beat, especially if you’re a cardmember b/c you’ll earn points for future purchases & get discounts like $15 off you next purchase of $50- which I received as a recent birthday gift from the store.

Be sure to check out my last NYC Street Style post for when I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibit before it closed!  Which trends are you spotting around town?  Do you have a favorite scarf, pair of tights, or flats that you’re looking forward to wearing this fall?  What’s your favorite accessory for when the weather turns a bit chillier? Happy Styling!

 

NYC Street Style: Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty Exhibit @The Met!

Here I usually post about the styles & trends that I see during my occasional weekend trips into New York City, but since the city was all abuzz over fashion, I decided to place this blog under this category b/c the streets will never be the same again…

Late designer, Alexander McQueen was honored this summer with a very special exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Featuring his unique vision with looks from the last decade or so, it was called Savage Beauty. The opening kicked off the Costume Institute Gala back in May (see Red Carpet Review & Gala pics here), where stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Salma Hayek, Gisele Bundchen, Christina Hendricks, & Naomi Campbell shared their love of the designer by wearing his gowns.

Upon the closing of the fashion event, crowds & crowds of fashionistas & art lovers drew into the thousands, wrapping lines from 82nd Street, all the way down to 78th on its final day. This was very notably comparable to when DaVinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ was temporarily housed at the Met in 1963 & everyone flocked to see the once in a lifetime exhibit in New York.

Lucky I was an early riser with the companionship of my stylish gal pal Stacey, to wait in line in the rain, preparing to be awed. Although no photographs were allowed once inside the exhibit (& btw: make friends on lines for places you really wanna get into b/c you never know if they can help get you in sooner.  Case in point: Stacey & Me!), I warmed up my ‘photo ninja’ skills & decided to share some of the greatest pieces of the exhibition with my Style Darlings.

Of course, I believe in the integrity of the exhibition, but how can you be there & not want to document everything? I turned off my flash & did manage to get some amazing shots in the darkly lit rooms of gowns, ensembles, head pieces, & jewelry, all of which I knew were especially blog-worthy. I’m simply doing my part so that everyone gets a chance to experience the wonder, darkness, & genius behind the lost, but not forgotten legend that is McQueen.

This tartan collection was especially amazing to see b/c McQueen was celebrating his Scottish heritage, trying to dispel any negative connotations about the culture. The last dress all the way in the back was the runway version which Sarah Jessica Parker wore while accompanying McQueen to the 2006 Costume Institute Gala, just a year before his death.

You think you’ve worn some crazy headbands?  Take a look at these!  In the wall display, there were pieces which recalled a very aggressive, but vixen nature, including a red lace mask like the one worn by Lady Gaga in 2009!

As soon as I saw this dress (sorry it’s blurry), I had to do some serious style thinking & eventually remembered that Debra Messing wore it to the 2002 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards.  She caused quite a stir, but helped make the fashion world see that McQueen’s designs were daring works of art.

These were two of my favorite dresses, so very visually interesting.  The one on the left is made from neck to floor from pheasant feathers. The leather bustier dress to the right had some much detail in the skirt, you get lost in it!

The first dress below to the left was part of McQueen’s final collection last spring.  The pattern may look familiar to those who saw Salma Hayek wear a mini on the cover of In Style, as well as at Vanity Fair’s Oscar party last March.  Also, Demi Moore wore his dress & shoes on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar last year.

For more on the history of McQueen on the red carpet & in fashion, check out In Style. Also, check out the official website to see where the future of the fashion house is headed, now under the direction of Sarah Burton (designer of Kate Middleton’s wedding gown)!   Happy Styling!