change of heart

maybe it's the 9 years i spent wearing a dark green plaid skirt in grade school, but i've never been a huge fan of plaid. it's always just seemed overly preppy and a bit stuffy, especially on traditionally-plaid pieces like cardigans and coats. 

however, the latest surge of plaid has been anything but traditional. when modern pieces like skinny pants, platform boots and oversize button-downs are done up in colorful plaids, the pattern suddenly looks undeniably fresh. these new plaids feel a bit retro collegiate, maybe even a little english-girl punk rebel... do you catch my drift? no? ....
for a hint of the pattern, try a bright plaid scarf, boyish blazer or patterned bag, or for something a little more daring, layer multiple plaid pieces! the scarf & jacket look perfectly un-perfect together.

{ clockwise from top left: forever21 scarf, j.crew jacket, tory burch bag, jeffrey campbell boots, forever 21 bag, etoile isabel marant pants, h&m blouse }

II emily

fall uniform

fashion week may have all of us in a spring tizzy, but j.crew's immaculate fall looks should be enough to bring you back down to earth. bright pants, slouchy sweaters, silky blouses, effortless layering... not to mention highly-enviable hair and makeup. they're nailing it i say!

II emily

christian siriano spring 2012

you may remember christian siriano as the adorable & brilliant winner of project runway season 4, but as of late he's joined the ranks of {major} designers like prabal gurung, jill stuart, and alexander wang.  
i personally can't get enough of his latest collection - between the soft taupes, dreamy fabrics, pops of neon, sweeping skirts and unexpected details, his show was strong, fashion-forward, and refreshingly not over-the-top.

{ all images via style.com }

II emily

spot treatment

is it me, or is dalmatian print slowly replacing my beloved leopard? these tiny black-and-white spots are popping up everywhere, from cozy sweaters to old-school dr. martens. and i kind of love it. they're like polka dots with an added edge! what do you think -- super chic? or too cruella deville?

{ zara pumps, blair of atlantic-pacific, dr. martens boots, f21 blouse }

II emily

seeing red

it may not be a brand-new trend, but i'm having a major red jeans moment.  i'm unreasonably excited for the temperatures to drop so i can wear the red skinnies i got at zara this summer; they're surprising versatile and add just the right amount of punch to even the simplest of outfits.  they became my london uniform with slouchy tees, light jackets and colorful shoes. and they looked especially great in front of this particular restaurant...

below are some of the best red jeans on the shelves so you can get the look, too -- plus some super-easy styling tips:

{ pairings from top to bottom: zara skinny trousers, reiss roll sleeve top // ae jeggings, j.crew striped jacket // zara crops, madewell scarf // current/elliott jeans, sam edelman loafers }

II emily

denim on denim on denim

so tempted to order myself these madewell jeans.  i've been looking for some seriously skinny jeans and these seem like they'd fit the bill- plus, they promise to be super soft, perfectly worn-in, and shockingly figure-flattering, too. (and they're on sale!!) 

the fact that their catalogue & website are impeccably styled helps, too:

{the inspiration}

1. rolled cuffs + bold colors + desert boots + suspenders = modern prep //

2. winter's version of the striped breton tee, worn with inky skinnies //

3. wear white after labor day with a mix of rich colors & different textures (like a silk shirt & suede booties) //

4. the most perfect cable sweater - slightly loose, incredibly soft, and effortless with dark blue denim. //

5. the 'denim jumpsuit' actually looks chic here, thanks to a relaxed faded shirt and super-dark skinnies. //

II emily

some things never change...

like my obsession with gold accents. 

gold studs, gold glitter, gold spikes, gold sequins, gold chains, gold leather.... you get the picture.

{ clockwise from top left: gap shoulder bag, gap studded clutch, j.crew loafers, ban.do heart clip, j.crew chain bracelet, forever21 studded bracelet, forever21 spike bracelet }

II emily