Animal Instinct

There’s a saying that a leopard can’t change its spots. Well, why would it want to? Leopard prints are timeless, elegant, and oh-so-chic. Getting spotted (pun intended) in this modern classic print is the surest way to establish yourself as an in-the-know stylista. If you’re a little print shy, leopard print is a great way to dip your toe into the prints game. Prints are so now, and sporting this sexy and attention-grabbing animal print is such an easy way to look put together and sophisticated. Leopard prints instantly liven up your classic and plain pieces and transport your look from casual to paparazzi-worthy.

I chose to don this updated take on the leopard print on a beautiful, sunny day. An easy and comfortable leopard print pencil skirt allowed me to instantly up the wow factor of my staple layered tank tops. It’s simply amazing how this leopard print can upgrade your chicness right away!

Don’t forget to accessorize ladies! But keep in mind that accessorizing doesn’t always mean piling on the bling and stacking those bangles. Sometimes all you need is a stunning pair of sunglasses (I’m in love with the vintage feel of this pair!), and a casual yet chic pair of sandals that will take you through the day in style.

Layering a gray tank over a black one is a clever styling trick that adds more dimension to your overall look. The layering also picks up on the gray and black colors in the print of the skirt.

Amp up your look even further with a red lip, just like I did. The boldness and sexiness of the red lip totally plays into the sophistication of the leopard print. Va-va-va-voom!

It is astounding how many styling possibilities exist within a single item of clothing. This leopard print skirt is surely a great addition to my style rotation that I am sure to wear again. Leopard print also lends a luxury feel to even the most casual of looks. I love how this print can go om day to night, casual to dressy.

What are your favorite styling ideas for leopard print?

Have a great week ladies!

 

Cream of the Crop

Who doesn’t love a  chic crop top? It is comfy, sexy and youthful, all at the same time. What is not to love?

And contrary to popular belief, this piece can absolutely look classy! Remove images of crop tops with fringes or tacky crop tops worn with uber short shorts from your mind, this season’s crop tops are more on the elegant side. Rather than paired with denim cutoffs, crop tops are cropping up in increasingly sophisticated and fashion forward sartorial pairings. Try crop tops with high waisted tuxedo pants or with full or tea-length skirts.

I opted to style my black crop top with a more modern romantic feel. Partially inspired by Audrey Hepburn, this ensemble stays true to my brand of chic while simultaneously adding edgy and trendy details that make it more current.

The volume of my vintage inspired brocade print full skirt is the perfect balancing element to the sleekness and sexiness of my crop top. The full skirt also adds a more feminine vibe to this look. Modern meets girly and romantic happens when this crop top and skirt come together.

The vintage-inspired sunnies, black tights, and of course, the oversized pearl necklace are the details that give this look a more Audrey Hepburn effect.

Don’t you just love how the ultra modern zippered booties play off of the femininity of the skirt and pearls? Such a great idea. Having contrasting items in your outfit is a brilliant way to show off your fashion knowledge and styling prowess.

I cannot stress how much details make your look more personal and more you. The embellishment on these sunglasses up the glam factor of my look even more. I’m in love with this pair!

Consider beauty trends as well when putting your look together. Check out my wine-tinted lips, that are on trend with the color of the year, Marsala!

How are you going to style your crop top this season? I’d love to hear your styling ideas! Kisses!

Style Icon: Kim Kardashian

Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that Kim Kardashian’s style evolution is nothing short of amazing. From tabloid fodder and reality TV star, Kim Kardashian-West is now a bona fide fashion industry insider. Not only did she make the cover of Vogue this year, she is hobnobbing with the fashion industry’s best and brightest. Just check out her Instagram. Oliver Rousteing, Riccardo Tisci, and Carine Roitfeld are all her buddies.

Whether this style change is her hubby, Kanye West’s doing or not, Kim still pulls off every single ensemble with her own panache. Constantly draped in directional and chic couture, it is no doubt that Kim K. is cementing her place as a modern style icon. Here are my top picks of her 10 best looks:

The combination of that mustard yellow coat and eggplant colored crop top is unexpectedly chic. This look is composed of two pieces which have now become Kim’s signature–the oversized robe coat and hip-hugging pencil skirt. You will do well to invest in these two trendy pieces as well, it’ll give you chic points almost instantly. 

Showing off her love for Kanye, she dresses up her Yeezus concert tee with a cropped leather motorcycle jacket and black distressed denim. Heeled sandals finish off this casual look that packs a lot of glam and edge. 

Doing her own twist on the blazer and jeans look, Kim sports a pair of matching gray tee and jeans. That leather blazer with brass buttons is a statement making piece that gives the denim and tee a high dose of haute fashion. The white pumps are also a great way to lighten up this look and make it more daytime appropriate.

Matching sets are queen this year. Kim does her own take on the trend with a cowl neck crop top and pencil skirt combination. What makes this look stand out is her smart styling choices, the blush color is totally fashion forward and the high ponytail and embellished minaudiere adds to that effect.

Kim’s super cute Chanel Parfum acrylic purse goes to show that she has fun with fashion. This playful piece makes the rest of her tailored look more powerful and interesting. I also love the softness and slight drape of her blazer.

You can’t really expect a less than stellar airport look from Kim K. She jazzes up her all black winter outfit with a mini snakeskin Hermes bag. The animal print and rich texture stands out even more against her chic all black look.

Kim could teach a master class in donning a pencil skirt. She simply looks stunning in this red knit pencil skirt and dove gray mock turtleneck sweater. This look is proof that it’s all about the silhouette, you can wear two skin tight pieces together without looking trashy. This is a certainly classy look, punctuated by an amazing pair of red ankle strap PVC stiletto heels. 

This midnight blue creation is perfection to say the least. From the surprising color choice, the thigh high slit,down to the vintage inspired T-strap heels, Kim totally ruled the red carpet in this frock. The simple yet sophisticated beauty look and accessory styling adds to the Old Hollywood vibe.

Can we please look this good walking through the airport? Kim dresses up a comfy denim button down with a tuxedo blazer and peach hued leather pants. All these 3 pieces work so harmoniously to make her look every bit the superstar.

Kim can officially be called the reigning queen of oversized coats. She makes a play once again for this dramatic outerwear silhouette, and marries it with the winter white trend. Mixing different neutral hues of cream and beige, this look is the very definition of modern elegance.

Photos from WhoWhatWear and Elle

 Which look are you loving?