Posts tagged holiday

What’s in Season: Winter Dares for Every Style

When the temperatures drop, it’s tough to muster up the energy to shop or put together an outfit. This season, however, the top trends are designed to keep you looking your best even when it’s cold outside.

Faux fur is making its way into retailers everywhere, ensuring that no one will be left out in the cold this year. Try this out with a faux fur color on a rich-colored jacket for a look that is decidedly now. If you’re not into fur of any kind, you can still take a dare this year by breaking out the white. From scarves to sweaters to even white denim (gasp!), winter white is having its moment, helping fashionistas everywhere break the rules and look good doing it.

The rich oxblood color that was everywhere during the fall is also sticking around for winter. The luxurious tone of this color can turn an ordinary cardigan into a statement piece or a suede handbag into a must-have. Try one piece out or do an entire monochromatic ensemble, you can’t go wrong with this color! This is also a great style to sub in during the holiday season. Instead of a traditional red dress for your holiday party, grab an outfit in lush oxblood, and don’t forget to throw the burgundy on your lips as well!

For this holiday season, it’s all about the sparkle, of course! Pair a sequin dress with a blazer for a modern look, or try out the shimmer with a sequin peep-toe shoe. Not a glitter girl? Not to worry, spikes are also in, giving any outfit a touch of embellishment that is more tough than girly. Go with a sweater with a spiked shoulder or a bag with a few spiky details to really nail this trend.

~Ashley, FashioniSTA

Stylish Things to be Thankful For

In addition to the fact that I can stuff myself and not look like a fatty, there are a lot of things that I love about Thanksgiving. The fact that I can usually come up with a good list of things I’m thankful for is also a plus. In addition to the fact that I haven’t been hit by a bus and I’ve once again avoided contracting swine flu, I have a list of fashion favorites to which I’m grateful.   

Here are the things that fashioniSTAs everywhere can be thankful for:   

Black Friday Sales   

To fashioniSTAs, Black Friday is like Christmas came early. This is the day where shopping becomes an Olympic sport, and some of us train all year for this portion of the holiday games. Yes, I’m aware that you’re supposed to be buying gifts for your friends and family, but nothing says that you can’t browse for yourself while you’re at it and take advantage of the great deals out there. And where’s the best place to do that? At Second Time Around, of course! (Shop 7-9am for 50% off all merchandise! See details here.)  

 
Holiday Sparkles   

Unless you live under a fashion rock during the holiday season, you know that this is the time to break out your sparkly outfits and bring on the holiday cheer. It’s the time of the year when dressing in head-to-toe sequins is considered “festive” rather than psychotic. Personally, I’m all for dressing like this year round. From Alice + Olivia to Ann Taylor, you have a million options from sequin tanks to sparkly miniskirts to glitter pumps. And as a holiday staple, there’s always the full-sequin dress, perfect for New Years as well. All the sparkly clothing during this time of the year just makes everything a little more cheerful, no one ever got into an argument over glitter.

  

Leggings

Don’t pretend that you’re not part of the We Love Leggings Fan Club. I haven’t met a single girl, when pushed, who won’t admit to having this obsession. Dress them up or down, daytime or night; there are few occasions where you cannot wear them. They’re perfect if you’re petite or plus-size, and you can now wear them with a variety of tunics and dresses so you can look put together without putting in almost any effort. And they are a Thanksgiving staple for those of you that actually partake in the food festivities and eat until wearing denim feels like a straightjacket for your legs. 

   

Designer Electronic Cases   

I choose not to remember when cell phones and laptops got stuffed into bags, exposed to the elements. The technology industry finally wised up and fused fashion with function when they introduced accessories to hold all of our electronics. Think about shoving your iPhone – or iPad, for those of you ahead of the techno-curve – into your purse without a case. Horrifying. Now designers are chomping at the bit to protect our electronic valuables, with cases fromYSL (right), Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Juicy Couture. Now your personal style can be expressed through your technological necessities, what’s better than that?   

 
That Jersey Style Never Caught On 

I’m as big of a fan of Jersey shows as the next person. Ask anyone, if I could make a living watching Real Housewives of NJ, I would do it. But even I can admit that I’m glad Jersey style didn’t sweep the nation the way the television shows did. While I’m a fan of some of the fashion I see on the shows – depending on who’s wearing it – the bright pink lipstick, over-the-top animal prints and excessive bronzer are a little much. And when I say the bronzer is too much, that’s saying something, since I’ve been known to paint on the stuff like my skin was an easel.  

Here’s hoping you all have a stylish and happy Thanksgiving!   

~Ashley, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around