Posts tagged style
Heatwave Hairstyles for Summer
May 24th
Summer is a great time for experimenting with fun, bright new fashion trends. As the temperature gets hotter, I look for new means to work a sundress or a pair of cutoffs—and also to experiment with ways to tame my thick, long brown hair as the humidity takes its toll. I know I’m not the only one with heat wave hair struggles, so hopefully these new summer hair trends will help us rock flawless summer looks from hair to toe.
The first and most flexible hairstyle to rock this summer is an old standby: braids! But I’m not talking Pippi Longstocking pigtails—there’s so much more. The fishtail braid is a fun and easy style to try; I like pulling all of my hair to the side in a low pony and braiding it all into a fishtail. One of the greatest parts of a fishtail braid is that it looks great even when it’s a little messy, so it really takes no effort. Another great braid to try is a braid crown. For those who are a little more experienced in braiding, this style is definitely one to try. You can either braid part of your hair into a crown, or try your whole head of hair for a bohemian updo.
For those who want something a little simpler, don’t be afraid to play around with different buns! The topknot has been a favorite in fashion for a few years now, and it isn’t going anywhere. Take it to the next level by trying a topknot sock bun—the sock bun will add extra volume to your limp summer locks, and is the perfect look to take from day to night. For a gentler, more tousled look, try a loose bun at the nape of your neck. It’ll add some glamour to your look.
Finally, when it truly is too hot to deal with anything, you can always resort to a big floppy hat. It’ll hide your frizzies, protect your face from the sun, and requires no time or practice!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: vanessajackman.com, stylishboard.com, tumblr.com, defrumpme.com)
Four Spring Essentials Easily Under $100
May 15th
Gearing up for warming weather is fun, but it can also be expensive. Here are four must-haves for this springtime season that will help you look like a trendsetter on the cheap.
1. Stackable bracelets
This is a great trend that anyone at any age can try. If you like to mix and match your jewelry, go all out with different colored bangles in all different sizes and shapes, no combination is wrong! Should you want to coordinate your look a little more, go with a similar color palette – like black and gold – and just mix and match different textures, such as a black leather bracelet paired with a few solid gold bangles.
Shown here: Various bracelets at Second Time Around in Haddonfield, NJ (starting at $18, call 856-354-9400 to order)
2. Printed Pants
Think you need to work at a fashion magazine to pull off this look? Think again! With the right kind of print, this springtime look can be worn during a family weekend event or to the office (if you work in a more casual workplace, of course). For a weekend look, go with a lightweight sweater in a solid color – white works best for the fashionably conservative, while cobalt blue works great for style extroverts. To transform this piece for the office, pair it with a neutral top and matching neutral-colored blazer and keep accessories minimal.
Shown here: Ralph Lauren pants at Second Time Around in Boston, MA ($49, call 617-247-3504 to order)
3. Chambray Top
The new closet essential is hands-down the chambray button-down. Perfect with white jeans or a printed skirt, chambray has become the new neutral, replacing plain, white button-downs. Break it out at work under a blazer or with a skirt, then dress it down for the weekend with linen shorts for those extra warm days.
Shown here: Rag & Bone top at Second Time Around in Boston, MA
4. Bright Floral Accessories
Springtime is the chance to break out the flower power, and there’s no better way to do so than in bright, bold colors. While matching your shoes to your handbag is an outdated fashion rule, if you match with a fun print, your outfit will look modern and fresh. Since these accessories are in such a feminine print, you can balance your ensemble by wearing them with pants and a button-down, like the chambray top in #3. Pair these printed accessories with a solid-colored outfit to avoid being overly busy, and you’ll be the envy of your next workday or weekend get-together!
Shown here: Betsey Johnson flats and Stuart Weitzman handbag at Second Time Around in Boston, MA ($32 for the size 7.5 flats, $79 for the handbag, call 617-247-3504 to order)
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
Taking Festival Fashion to Daily Life
May 6th
Street style photographers assemble for hours outside of Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in the hopes of capturing the chicest outfits and most inspirational ensembles from the high fashion elite. However, with the rise in popularity of music festivals like Coachella, festival fashion has garnered its own notoriety. Those same street style photographers now crowd the barren desert campgrounds of Palm Springs, photographing hip concertgoers rocking the latest trends.
As a bit of a festival veteran (I, too, paraded around Palm Desert last spring for Coachella and have attended San Francisco’s Outside Lands festival a few times), I must warn you that festival fashion isn’t always the most wearable in day-to-day life. The desert heat and packed amphitheatres make crocheted crop-tops and high-wasted cutoffs seem okay—but that doesn’t really fly in day-to-day life. Here are a few tips so you can still rock those fun festival styles without hitting the desert.
1. Go Wild with Prints
Festival goers love their animal prints! Cheetah print tops, pants and jackets—you name it. Try this trend on the daily by switching up your normal blouse with a cheetah print one. Pair it with simple black pants and a leather jacket—you’ll be rocking festival style without being too outrageous. If you want to be a little more daring, choose a pair of animal printed pants or a wild leopard print jacket.
2. Crop It
I’ve never seen more crop tops than when I was at Coachella. While some of the girls paired their cropped tops with hip-hugging shorts or jeans, I don’t have that confidence. If you’re like me and just want to show a little stomach, try a crop top with a high waisted pair of slacks or a maxi-skirt (another festival staple). Finish off the look with a fun structured jacket or blazer.
3. Heavy Metal
The hardest part about rocking festival trends is that they’re not always appropriate for daily wear. However, the chicest festival goers always had one thing in common—awesome statement jewelry—which can be worn no matter the occasion. This trend is super easy to try and you can tweak it to match your own personal style. I like piling on the silver jewelry: numerous rings on my fingers, a solid silver arm party, and a spiky statement necklace. Make the trend your own by layering your own favorite jewelry pieces—the more the merrier!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: garancedore.fr, harpersbazaar.com, refinery29.com, obaz.com, dropdeadgorgeousdaily.com, mydaily.co.uk, studdedhearts.com, freepeople.com)
One Weekend For The One Fund
May 2nd
The events of the 2013 Boston Marathon hit us close to home. With our headquarters located in Boston, as well as three stores located on Boston’s Newbury Street, our hearts went out to the victims, the first responders, and everyone affected by the tragedy.
During the weekend of May 17th – May 19th, 10% of all STA sales will be donated to The One Fund, benefitting the Boston Marathon victims.
We are proud to be from Boston, and we celebrate this one weekend in honor of The One Fund.
ALL LOCATIONS
www.secondtimearound.net
Recipe for the Ultimate FashioniSTA Birthday
Apr 10th
Birthdays are the greatest day of the year—but can also be the most stressful. It’s the one day that is all about you; as a fashioniSTA, there’s pressure to make it fantastic. Picking out the right outfit, party location and activities (not to mention creating your birthday wishlist) can be completely draining. However, after having just celebrated my own birthday, I’ve perfected the recipe to a fun, chic and successful fashioniSTA birthday.
Step 1: The Wishlist
I love making wishlists. I make them for Christmas, my birthday, and even various seasons—okay, maybe I’m a little overzealous. Still, if it’s your birthday, you want to receive gifts that you’re actually going to use, right? My birthday wishlists have completely changed since I hopped aboard the Pinterest train. Virtually any store can be accessed online, so you can just pin your favorite items straight to your very own birthday wishlist board. I start pinning my wishlists early and often, so there are lots of options for gifts by the time your birthday rolls around (and also because pinning is madly addictive). Once you’re done, all you have to do is send your wishlist board to your friends and family to give them a nudge in the right direction 
. Need some inspiration to get your Pinterest board on the right track? Check out our own “Night Out in Style” board for ideas!
Step 2: The Outfit
There are two days of the year when it’s okay for a fashioniSTA to get decked out in sequins: New Year’s Eve and your birthday. I have a crazy obsession with all things sparkly, so I obviously took advantage of the day and donned a green, long sleeved sequin mini dress. I paired the dress with simple black booties and a blazer, along with minimal jewelry—it was a hit. Not quite as excited about sequins as I am? Not to worry! Try a sparkly top with skinny jeans and killer pumps or a simple little black dress with fun statement jewelry, and you’ll still be a glittering birthday fashioniSTA.
Step 3: The Party
Every fashioniSTA celebrates her birthday differently, especially depending on your age and what day of the week it falls on. If you want to have a blowout event, you need to start this step fairly early on. Creating a guest list, planning food and drinks and finding a venue takes a lot of time—but is definitely worth it! Having a chic birthday bash is the ultimate way to celebrate in style. While I’m all for big parties, I had a milestone birthday last year (and rented out a hip bar to celebrate it), so this year I decided on a more intimate dinner with my closest girlfriends. Myself and nine other girls got dressed up and headed to the gorgeous Boston Waterfront, where we enjoyed specialty cocktails and fantastic new American food. My biggest suggestion when going to a birthday dinner with a large group is to go somewhere that has an extensive cocktail list (everyone has their own drink of choice) and a menu with plates to share. Also, pretend not to notice when your friends ask the waiter for a birthday dessert—it’s always more fun to act surprised when everyone starts singing happy birthday!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: tavernroad.com, thrillist.com, curioos.com/galaxyeyes/Abstract/Swim/000014152)
Rock Spring’s Hottest Colors…On Your Nails
Apr 4th
I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with nail polish. I’m not joking when I say I have at least 50 bottles. I spend more time perusing the nail polish aisle of CVS and Sephora than any normal person should. I don’t know why or how this obsession started, but there’s no stopping it. And, just like clothes, nail polish colors go in and out of style, meaning I’m always looking for the newest hue to paint on my fingers and toes.
When the weather gets nicer, we discard our harsh black winter coats and thick gray sweaters for lighter, sunnier clothes. Nail polishes are no different. If you’re not afraid of a little color, this season is the time to go for it! Pastel nail colors are a great way to transition from winter to spring without worrying about your nails looking too bright. My favorite pastel colors are mint green and lilac, but if wearing nontraditional nail colors isn’t work-appropriate, pale pink is just as lovely. Want your fingers and toes to stand out a little more? Orange is one of this season’s hottest colors, and looks fantastic on the nails. If you’re even more daring, give a neon manicure a try. Neon colors are one of spring’s biggest fashion trends, and automatically add a pop to any outfit (remember my earlier post about all-white monochrome? Imagine that with a hot pink manicure—awesome!).
Not so much into highlighter or Easter egg-colored nails? Spring nail polish trends don’t just stop there. Nude polishes are just as trendy, and add an air of sophistication to any manicure; plus, they make fingers look longer and slimmer (and you don’t have to worry about clashing with your outfit!).
Whether you choose to rock a color or keep it chic and simple in a neutral shade, make sure your nails are just as ready for spring as you are!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: http://fashion-ocd.tumblr.com/, obaz.com, flare.com, pinterest.com, sarahpatricia.com.au)
Trend Obsession: Monochrome Moment, Part 2
Mar 14th
Last week, we focused on monochrome looks in their most classic form: black and white. Dressing in just one color can be daunting, so starting with all-black or all-white ensembles is a great way to experiment with the monochrome trend. But now that we’re a little more comfortable with the look, why should we just limit ourselves to black and white? As we enter into spring, we want our outfits to reflect our sunnier moods—that means color, and lots of it!
Once you’ve mastered black and white, try out a monochrome look in one of spring’s hottest colors; my favorites are emerald, blue-green, or orange, but don’t be afraid to try something new! The most important part of putting together a colorful monochrome look is to wear the color in a variety of tones—make sure your look isn’t matchy-matchy and stay away from choosing all pieces that are too similar in shade.
For a casual day-to-day look, choose one piece of clothing in a bright color and build the rest of your outfit around it. Try pairing a pale blue silk blouse with a pair of electric blue pants and accessorize with a navy blazer or a patterned blue scarf. Choosing a suit in a bright color (as seen above) is an even bolder way to try this trend, just make sure your accessories and other components aren’t the identical shade as the suit. To transition the outfit to evening, add a brightly colored clutch or a vibrant pair of blue pumps to your ensemble. Color-coordinating your accessories to your outfit is an absolute must with this trend.
The key to wearing colorful monochrome is not being afraid to experiment; just because you’re limited to one color doesn’t mean you can’t play around with different shades and patterns! Step into spring in a fun, colorful monochrome look–you’ll be sure to stand out!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits for collage: www.nyanzi.com, carolinesmode.com, www.asos.com)
Why a Consign & Buy is STA’s Best Promotion
Mar 6th
We all love a good promotion (who doesn’t like getting an extra discount or added perk?), but there are certain ones that really break the mold. For us, it’s the Consign & Buy, easily our favorite STA initiative, and it’s not just because everyone gets a 50/50 split (10% more than usual). Whether you’re a shopper or consignor, this is the promotion that beats them all. Allow us to break it down for you…
1. It makes spring cleaning about 1000 times easier. Have you looked at your closet lately? Yeah, we know, it’s scary (don’t worry, we’re in the same boat). It can be daunting enough to rifle through your wardrobe, nevermind think ahead to making a consignment appointment. With this promotion, you don’t need an appointment! You can just put your items in a bag and drop them off at any STA store on your way to brunch or dinner. (Can you tell we like to eat?)
2. You get extra STA credit that you can use on the items you want, and it’s easier than you think. Unless you go years without cleaning out your closet, you might think that you don’t have enough to maximize your extra STA credit. Most people don’t think to look at their accessories when cleaning out their closets, but bringing in jewelry, sunglasses and other small accessories is a great way to capitalize on the credit.
3. Tons of new product, enough said. A Consign & Buy makes it so easy to consign your items, the amount of new merchandise that goes on display is incredible. Plus if you’ve taken advantage of the consigning part of this promotion, you can shop these new goodies using your extra STA credit!
4. No wondering about your drop-off. With a Consign & Buy, a store associate will immediately evaluate your items, so you know right away what has been accepted and you can take any unaccepted items home with you. You get the best of both worlds with this promotion, you don’t have to make an appointment, but you get all of the benefits of one.
What are you waiting for?! Get yourself to any Second Time Around store from Thursday, March 7th – Sunday, March 10th to get in on the best promotion around!
Trend Obsession: Monochrome Moment, Part 1
Feb 28th
Fashion is all about self-expression, so when black and white monochrome looks became popular, I was a bit hesitant to participate. How can you fully express your fashion sense without the use of color? However, after seeing this trend on nearly every runway, I decided it was worth a shot—and now I’m obsessed!
One of the great things about this trend is that most of us have a bunch of separate black and white pieces in our closets. Because you’re only dressing in black and white, it is actually a fairly easy trend to construct from any wardrobe, as long as you know how. For a subtler look for the office or during the day, play around with contrasting separates in a more unconventional way. Instead of donning the traditional black pants/white top look, try a pair of white pants and pair them with a black cashmere sweater or silk top. Since the look is simplistic in color, you can get away with incorporating more organic detail, whether it’s adding a belt or layering two embellished pieces in the same hue.
If you’re a little more daring, try wearing an ensemble of all white—the color is perfect for transitioning into spring and actually helps to create a slimming silhouette. And with winter white popping up everywhere, you no longer have to wait until Memorial Day to break it out.
If you want to rock monochrome in the evening, play around with black and white patterns; throw on a polka dotted blazer or a pair of striped pants and accessorize with a black and white color blocked bag. If you’re super daring, experiment with—gasp!—mixing different black and white patterns in one outfit. Mixing black and white prints is an easy way to try out the contrasting prints trend, giving you two trends in one!
Monochromatic black and white is absolutely everywhere this season, from the runways to the magazines. The trend is fun, flattering and easy, so don’t be afraid to give it a shot! Stay tuned as we show you how to work with other hues for a monochromatic look!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits for collage: Style.com, Refinery29.com, Harpersbazaar.com)
FashioniSTA File: Oscars 2013
Feb 25th
We’re handing out our own superlatives for this year’s Academy Awards to our best and worst looks of the night. From stand-out accessories to cutest baby bumps to red carpet disasters, we give out our own awards to those who deserve it most.
Best Accessories: Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Couture
While she didn’t trip on the endless diamond necklace she was sporting, this backwards necklace was my favorite accessories look of the night (followed closely by Sandra Bullock’s hair pin). With the up-do, the simple drop earrings and the light, ethereal makeup, the whole look was perfection.
Best Red Lip: Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé
Looking amazing in a custom-made gown, Jessica definitely made up for her ill-fitting SAG Awards dress. But the icing on this sequined cake was definitely her striking red lip, which took the ensemble from monochromatic to magnificent.
Best Couple: Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan
This almost went to George Clooney and Stacy Keibler, but Jenna’s pregnant with Magic Mike’s baby, so she wins. Wearing a black lace Rachel Roy dress, Jenna showed us how to go fitted in the right way when sporting a bump.
Best Embellishment: Kerry Washington in Miu Miu
Playing off the Fall 2012 embellishment trend, this red/coral dress was perfect on her petite frame. The tiny bow and embellishment gave this simple shape a youthful feel, and the slightly darker hued bag made for an air of interesting.
Best Spring 2013 Trends: Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture
While this dress had a lot of detail going on, the fact that it was almost monochromatic helped the embellishments blend into the dress beautifully. With ruffles and black/white being hot trends for spring, Zoe’s fresh take on ombré is strikingly modern.
Most Offensive: Anne Hathaway in Prada
This is what happens when you change it up at the last minute. It was assumed – even by the designer – that she would be wearing Valentino, so it was a slap in the face when she showed up in what she did. Not only do we expect more from a nominee (even though the back almost saved the dress), but do we even have to mention the awkward darts? The fact that her nipples now have their own Twitter account sums up this look’s legacy.
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
Images by: Huffington Post/Getty, Allure.com, Eonline.com, UsMagazine.com, Popsugar.com