The Guide: Step into Prep

This may not be “The Official Preppy Handbook,” but we sure know a few things about the upcoming fall season and how preppy fashion is on the verge of taking over! Here we give you our guide to show you how to pull off each look with just a few items!

You don’t need to go to an exclusive private school, or even be in school to rock the “Back-To-School” preppy fashion. From Letterman jackets, to pleated skirts and oxfords, the preppy look is a tasteful and classic style.

The Plaid Skirt

The “Hit Me Baby One More Time” star and Blaire Waldorf pull off the plaid skirt effortlessly and is the epitome of preppy school girl. Worn best in a pleated fashion, the flirty yet scholastic look of these are a must for the fall season.

The Letterman Jacket

So what if you’re not a varsity athlete?! … You can still dress like one! Letterman Jackets have been around since the beginning of time, and will never go out of style; in fact, they have been created in many different styles! Whether you’re wearing your dad’s old high school football gear, or "repping" a more modern sweater version, the Letterman is an adorable and comfortable catch! 

You can never have too much prep in your step! Here are a few more preppy fashion essentials:

The Rugby Shirt- Collared and horizontally striped, this top can make your every day look turn into an Ivy League ensemble.

The Blazer- Originating from European school uniforms and men’s sport coats, these jackets have become a chic top layer for many outfits. The blazer can transform an outfit to full on prep, or do just the opposite as a nice addition to a night ensemble.

Oxfords or Mary Janes- Simple and delectable shoes for girls everywhere! And can now they can be found in sassy pumps and even booties.

Tights or Socks- These minor accessories can do major enhancing to your preppy look!

Monogrammed Bags- every outfit needs that finishing touch, and monogrammed

brown and plaid patterns are the perfect niche!

We have given you all that you need to know about stepping into this fall season preppy ready, so make sure to let out your inner scholastic, chic self!

Arm Party

Stacking is the best accessory trend out there! 'Stacking' is topping bracelets on top of bracelets for a bangle look. This fashion allows you to wear all your favorite arm wear at once! As seen above, the look is perfect for Summer!

Having an Arm Party is most commonly a Bohemian look. It stems from Pirates wearing ropes, leathers, and treasures around their wrists. The freeing look usually has an array of fabrics and styles on one arm ranging from beads to gold to strings.

The style conforms to current trends! Check out this use of neon and tribal prints for this stacking look. It adds an overwhelmingly fun splash of color to any wardrobe. Give your arm party a pop! Elastic bracelets with gold coverings have a more elegant look and the more fabric-y colorful bracelets for a daytime look. Try a more bold look with neons or mix and match with earth tones, mustards and pinks!

 A great layering tip is adding a watch. For this exception make sure to match your metals! Add in a retro gold watch for a glam look or throw on your every day leather watch band for additional texture. Read out "Watch Yourself" post for more tips on the hottest watches.

This trend also allows you to mix and match metals! It's also extremely fun to use this trend as an excuse for friendship bracelets! Your friends can stack a piece of your bond together. Check out this blog for more tips on the look. 

Finally, have fun with it! Go shopping for tiny bracelets or try to make your own! Break out your friendship strings from Summer camp way back when and get creative. Dig deep in that jewelry box ladies. As always, check out Etsy for some fun wrist wear!

Rita Ora's School Yard Style

Jay-Z’s protégé, Rita Ora, is on fire right now! Her debut album Ora just dropped this summer and she has had 3 number one singles this year. She has been touring with the UK band Coldplay and will be featured on the X-Factor in the upcoming season. The 21 year old singer not only has a strong sound but a strong sense of fashion. 

Rita wore a stirring outfit to her interview in Manchester this month. She posed for photographers in sunglasses with the slogan, “Cross my heart hope to die stick a needle in my eye,” etched into the frames. She accessorized her monochrome outfit with these bizarre glasses. This oath among small schoolchildren to promise to be good could be a nod to Rita’s youth or just a playful Kitsch statement.

 

Whatever the reason, the girl can sing and will continue to shock us with her style choices. Check out her interview with BBC or go catch her live this weekend in Philly at the Made in America festival!

WATCH yourself!

Watches are the ultimate accessory. These time pieces say sophisticated and stylish all at once. The right watch is perfect with any outfit and can make you look ultra professional. Watches in gold, silver, leather, and rose are perfect for all seasons and can be dressed up or down accordingly.

The trendiest watches this season are wrap watches and classic metal faces. Micheal Kors and Marc Jacobs have been producing these pieces for years and are currently getting bolder with the material they use and more robust with the size of their pieces. Traditionally, women have worn daintier watches to compliment their wrists. As time has gone on, the ladies are up with the big boys; wearing huge statement pieces that figuratively say, "I have arrived".

Additionally, vintage watches are nothing less than adorable. These funky pieces go with all outfits and look perfect when stacked with other wrist wear. Look through thrift stores and relatives jewelry archives to steal the look.

Mix it up with flashy patterns for Spring! These watches can be found at Diva under their wrist wear section. The cheaper the watch, the more patterns you can get! Invest in one very nice time piece for work, then go wild for the prints! Time to shop!

Back Off, We’re Prickly

Spikes and studs are showing up on everything! It’s possible we have Lady Gaga and Rihanna to thank for this spike and studded trend. This hard-core rocker edge is being brought to stores like UrbanOutfitters and Hot Topic to add shock value into your nighttime going out wardrobe. 

Spikes are definitely a bold look. Mostly paired with leather or black, there is a gothic undertone to this very intense style. While most commonly seen on heels, these tipped jewels have also been popping up on flats and canvas shoes. 

These spikes are utter perfection on bold accessories. Bangles, necklaces and earrings are a subtle way to support the trend with your everyday garb.

On collared shirts and jeans, the studs are more flirty than dangerous. Studded jean shorts are on sale as we're transitioning to Fall so get the while they're hot!They give your style an extra edge and look perfect for night time. Concerts are the ideal venue for the look.

You can also DIY stud your own accessories with thread and craft store gems! Studs are racy and perfect on undergarments. You can show them off under a sheer or low cut shirt if you're feeling daring. They provide just the right amount of shimmer and glam.

Get Spiky! 

Nautical Ahoy!

Ahoy there ladies! We’re here to tell you to set your sails and sights on the nautical look. Are you lucky enough to be boating or beaching this summer? If not, no problem! You can partake in the ocean life by rocking the nautical style.  This look traditionally consists of the blue, white, and red color palette. Stripes are also a must-have for this fashion. The treat of wearing nautical is that all the clothes are light and fast-drying to adapt to life at sea. 

These items have made their way to land locked style lovers. Sperrys are a perfect example of this crossover.  These shoes were traditionally worn on boats because of their no wear scuff bottoms. Now, they are being worn by men as a dress up shoe and women as a sporty fun day shoe. You can’t step on a college campus without running into a pair of Sperrys! They come in all sizes and colors for all ages.

The perfect nautical accessories finish off your ensemble. Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with ocean animals or boat parts such as wheels, anchors etc. are perfect for summer! You can pick your favorite marine animal to make it personal. 

In keeping with the boat trend, jewelry designers have been crafting pieces from rope and knots to pay homage to sailors. Necklaces and bracelets are woven in classic docking knots for a fun flare! Check out Kiel James Patrick’s collection and Nantucket Knot Works for more ideas. These pieces are easy to do yourself but are more elegant and last longer when ordered online.

Although the look is more summer appropriate, Seaton makes an amazing sweater perfect for fall that keeps with the traditional nautical theme but strays in color and fabric. These sweaters are slightly pricey but definitely worth the unique look. 

Through ROSE Colored Lenses

Rose is all anyone is talking about. No, not the flower and no, not the Titanic lead played by Kate Winslet. Rose colored jewelry and clothing has taken the fashion world by storm. This slightly pinkish metallic tint can be wore in all seasons and incorporated into all styles!

The champagne colored jewelry is to die for. Necklaces, rings, watches and bracelets have all been manufactured in new rose gold for this year. You may be saying, why now? Well, major companies like Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs have released a number of rose gold watches seen on celebrities and featured on runways and magazines everywhere.  

The problem with picking silver or gold is your whole jewelry ensemble has to be one or the other., never both. Now, the silver v. gold debate is finally over! You can wear both your silver or gold jewelry with rose accessories. This gorgeous metal goes with everything and is the perfect compliment to your other jewelry.

You can arrange an entire Fall outfit inspired by rose. Jeans, white shirts, and flats or boots will really make your new jewelry pop. This is one investment that is well worth the time and money searching for the best rose pieces.

Try Nordstrom and Target for affordable options! The watches are also available at any brand name department store near you. Stop to smell (and buy) the roses!

No Hiding This Trend!

This fall- blend in and stand out at the same time with the Camouflage trend that is making its way back around!

Camouflage has made its way on everything, from sneakers to tailored jackets! The classic cargo army pant has been given a stylish twist, being seen on pants with more of a harem fit!

A camouflage look that we love: Pairing a fitted top of any style (preferably a crop top, or simple tank) with boy's camouflage shorts. The tight/ loose contrast is a major hit! This outfit can be worn with a pair of heels for dress up, or even with a pair of low top Converse's to keep in the boyfriend trend flair!

Willing to try the Camo edgy look?! Rock a pair of Camo jeans with an old t-shirt along with a sleek leather jacket. Adding some biker boots to this ensemble could make this the perfect rough, yet super chic look.

Another idea for this trend is to wear the Camo utility jacket on top of a frilly dress! This look is so feminine with a mix of edge!

Though this pattern was created as a way to blend in, it is quite bold in the fashion world!