5 Days Of Pants

After 5 Days Of Dresses, I wasn't quite ready to commit to another 5 days of baring my legs with skirts...and so began 5 Days Of Pants! Since I had been turning to standard blue jeans during my style rut, I wanted to show myself that it's possible to wear jeans and still look fashion-forward.

Day 1

Top, Topshop.  Jeans, Forever 21.  Purse, Ferragamo.  Shoes, Steve Madden.

On Day 1 of 5 Days Of Pants I actually built the outfit around my top!  I bought this fierce, fuzzy sweater from Topshop in the midst of my dress phase and could not wait to wear it.  I thought the slate gray color would pair really nicely with navy (that color combo is huge for fall!), so I dug around in my closet and came up with these blue plaid jeans from Forever 21.  Since my shirt was so cuddly and...big, a structured navy Ferragamo bag gave the outfit some shape.  I added black heels to bring another nuetral into the mix, and topped it off with a 60s-inspired sphere ring.  I loved this outfit!



Day 2

Jeans, H&M.  Top, Forever 21.  Blazer, Vintage.  Shoes, Sam Edelman.  Hat, Nordstrom.

On Day 2 I ran back to my go-to jeans.  The contrast of something casual with something fancy is always fun, so I decided to pair them with a delicate beaded tank top- very 1920s.  Since I was headed to work, I threw a neutral blazer and nude pumps into the mix, but it still felt a little too plain.  Instead of reaching for a statement necklace or a fun piece of jewelry to jazz it up, I grabbed a baseball hat!  Baseball caps are actually super on-trend this season, and this one gave my outfit the pop that it needed.



Day 3

Shirt, Zara.  Pants, Forever 21.  Shoes, Mi Piaci.

I spent Day 3 changing my license plates, getting a smog check, and sitting at the DMV for 3 hours...so needless to say, I was looking to be comfortable.  I reached for a comfy pair of black ankle pants and a black tee shirt.  Since these pieces were soooo basic, I knew I needed to amp things up with my footwear.  I grabbed purple crystal-embellished brogues that I bought on my trip to New Zealand Fashion Week and called it a day. Purple lipstick instead of my usual red gave the whole look a goth-y vibe.  This is probably the only time you will ever see me with my hair up!

Day 4

Pants, 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Top, Nordstrom.  Necklace, Forever 21.

Day 4 was spent filming a segment on red carpet fashion at work, so I wanted to look polished.  I turned to my wide-leg pants from 3.1 Phillip Lim (I last wore them here), and added a black cropped sweater.  To give some warmth to the black and white look, I chose a wide brown belt with bronze detailing.  Since gold is warm tone (and silver is cool), I knew that my chunky gold chain link necklace would be the perfect accessory.  My shoes didn't matter, because you never saw them under my pant legs, but I wore my highest black heels to make my legs look as long as possible!

Day 5

Top, blazer, and belt, H&M.  Jeans, Naked & Famous.  Clutch, MCM.  Shoes, Steve Madden. Necklace, Topshop.

For Day 5 I was back to jeans, but this time I reached for a pair from Naked & Famous.  This brand seriously makes the perfect jeans:  there's very little stretch, so they keep their shape and wear really well!  When I first got them, they were long and boot cut, but after seeing this street style shot I was inspired to chop them into ankle jeans with a pair of kitchen scissors!  I like the result- they look just a little more chic than the originals.  Turtlenecks are back in style (yay!), and I wore mine under a grey and navy (there's that color combo again...) blazer with the arms pushed up.  A big belt buckle and a statement necklace added some pizzazz, and my MCM clutch served as a pop of (neutral) color.

I didn't have as much fun during 5 Days Of Pants as I did with my dresses, but all in all I'm proud that I pushed myself to take denim and comfy pants to another level.  It just goes to show that you can be comfortable and cool with a little styling!

Stay tuned for 5 Days Of Skirts!!

Five Days of Dresses

I've been in a pretty deep fashion rut.  

Living in Los Angeles was starting to take its toll on my style; I succumbed to the easy, laid-back vibe of the city and could hardly be bothered to dress up the same jeans-and-tee-shirt combo past a pair of high heels.  Balancing my career as a social media coordinator and writer at my day job (read my blogs on stylehaus.com/blog!) with  my own start-up business as a personal shopper leaves little time (and money) for shopping, so my wardrobe hasn't been getting any new action, either.

Finally, something snapped me out of my funk last week!  After reorganizing my closet and selling half of it to Wasteland, I decided to challenge myself. My new "5 Days Of..." challenge means that I spend 5 days wearing one kind of clothing- 5 Days of Dresses, 5 Days of Skirts, etc. in the hopes of reigniting my passion for (my own) fashion.  To ensure that I don't cheat, I'm documenting my challenge on Hell or High Fashion. Here are my 5 Days of Dresses!


Day 1.

Dress, Cynthia Vincet.  Boots, Joie.  Clutch, MCM.  Necklace, Forever 21.

On Day 1, I wanted to make sure that I stayed comfy- the last thing I needed was an uncomfortable dress to make me regret my self-imposed challenge.  I opted for this Cynthia Vincent sweater dress (which I pulled out of the donation pile at the last second) with over-the-knee boots, an oversized MCM clutch, and a chain-link necklace.  I like this look because it's pretty basic, but mixes neutrals in a fun and unexpected way.  There's a fashion rule in place that says, "Don't mix black and brown."  But breaking the rules is fun, and I think it works!


Day 2.

Shirt, DVF.  Overalls, Forever 21.  Shoes, J Crew.  Bracelets, Vintage & Forever 21.

On Day 2, things got a little more playful.  I pulled this short sleeved sweater (I love the flower applique detail on the sleeves) and overall dress out of my "Tailoring" pile and got to work-- I was able to fix the flaws on both of these pieces with my limited sewing skills, saving myself a trip to the tailor.  Excited to have them back in rotation, I wore them together and added heeled loafers and a few gold bangles!



Day 3.

Dress, H&M.  Jacket, Forever 21.  Bag, Betsey Johnson.  Belt, Vintage.  Shoes, Sam Edelman.

By Day 3 I was back to my old self, accentuating my waistline and piling on the accessories!  I hadn't worn this dress in almost a year (it was my Thanksgiving 2012 dress), and it was about time it got some love.  A cute keyhole-detailed belt in navy cinched my waist, and a bomber jacket thrown over my shoulders provided a trendy touch (check out my article on the over-the-shoulder trend here).  Nude pumps and a bulldog-boasting Betsey Johnson bag were ladylike finishing touches!


Day 4:

Dress, Topshop.  Sweater and boots, Forever 21.  Bangles, Jewelmint.  Bag, Will Leather Goods.

Dress, Forever 21.  Shoes, Target.  Necklace, Topshop.

On Day 4 I went back to my laid-back comfort zone, but managed to make it work with a dress!  Slip dresses, like this one from Topshop, are ideal for feminine but comfortable outfits; they look chic but feel like pajamas!  A chunky cardigan kept me warm, and chunky black and gold boots were a masculine contrast to the feminine leopard print.

I changed into this LBD for a whiskey tasting date night with my man, and accessorized with leopard pumps and a lucite statement necklace.  Simple but perfect for a night out on the town!

Day 5:

Dress, DVF.  Shoes, Topshop.  Bag, Forever 21.

Day 5 brought me to the end of my 5 Days Of Dresses challenge, so I celebrated my success with my favorite Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress!  This dress is a go-to for me: it's taken me from job interviews to first dates to styling gigs and it's never let me down. When I wear it I feel flirty, feminine, and strong- there's no stopping me in my DVF!  I paired it with floral pumps from Topshop, a ladylike bag, and a tiny beetle pin on my lapel.


So there you have it...I'm slowly but surely climbing out of my style rut.  Next week, I'll show you guys how I inject style into printed pants and dressy slacks in 5 Days Of Pants!

Do you have any suggestions?  What should I do 5 Days Of next?

Black Tie Optional

Top, 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Jeans, H&M.  Belt, Zara.  Bag, Ferragamo.  Shoes, Reed Krakoff.

 Never before have I been so interested in the idea of menswear as womenswear.  For most of my life I've leaned towards girlier pieces and feminine shapes, but the past few months have marked a transitional phase in my fashion focus.  Starting with this outfit that relaunched my blog after a months-long hiatus, I've begun to appreciate the contrast and depth that a masculine touch can bring to an outfit.  This casual tuxedo look brings a few of my favorite menswear-inspired pieces together!

 

 

Following a huge closet purge, I created a shopping list for myself.  This list includes items I need as basics in my wardrobe, newer trendy pieces to update my look, and even out-there ideas that I want to try out.  Working from this list keeps me on-track when I'm shopping; hopefully it will keep me from filling up my closet (again) with pieces that I wear a few times and forget about!  A tuxedo-printed sweatshirt from Wildfox was at the top of my list, but it sold out before I could buy it.  When I found this 3.1 Philip Lim top burried in the racks of Wasteland I knew it belonged in my closet: it was super cute, super affordable, and on my new shopping list!

 

I love the exaggerated tuxedo details, executed in feminine silks with ruffle details.  This top incorporates the standard menswear concepts but keeps the overall look totally femme- the floppy organza bow is my favorite! 

 

 

I gave this somewhat-flowy top a little bit of shape by tucking it into my newest pair of jeans.  This boyfriend cut is my new favorite closet staple; I love how the relaxed fit and color give a casual feel to even my fanciest tops and shmanciest high heels. 

 

While heels are usually a no-brainer for me, I chose to rock my favorite black ballet flats with this outfit instead.  The classic, no-fuss vibe of a traditional ballet flat just felt right- plus these shoes never get the attention the deserve!  I love how the bow detailing on these shoes pairs back to the bow on my shirt.  As I've said again and again, it's the littlest details that make the look!

 

A classic Ferragamo bag threw yet another bow into the mix, and a men's belt from Zara streamlined my shape a little more.

 

 

Fashion Tips from "Black Tie Optional":

 

1.  To avoid have a closet full of spontaneous purchases that don't really have a lasting place in your wardrobe, keep a running list of fashion wants and needs.  Do you wish you had a colorful cardigan everytime you reach for a sundress and the weather isn't cooperating?  Throw it on the list! Is your favorite pair of jeans on the way out but you can't bear to part with them?  Add a pair to your list- once you have a new version, it'll be easier to toss the old.

 

If you have no idea what your closet is aching for, ask me!  I offer this service and many others as a personal shopper- see jessicadefinostyle.com for more info.

 

2.  The mix of masculine and feminine, fancy and casual, or high and low can add a certain "je ne sais quoi" to your style.  Opposites attract- so try those denim cutoffs with a floaty silk top, or (for the male readers) an untucked button down, bow tie, and colorful shorts. 

 

3.  Keeping a running theme in your head-to-toe look is fun!  If your dress has a bow-shaped belt, add a bow to your hair in a different color and size to "tie" it all together (get it??)!  Try denim sneakers with your jeans, a leather jacket with leather boots, or different colored stripes in one outfit. 

 

 

What's at the top of your shopping list??



Doing It Bright

Dress and Shoes, Zara.  Necklace, F21 (customized).  Belt, Vintage.

In high school I wore bright colors exclusively.  I had an obsession with standing out from the crowd, and in my mind black and white were boring and conventional.  The annual choir concert required me to wear a plain white shirt and black slacks for one night a year, and I always fought hard against the dress code.  I'd add a fuchsia flower or a neon necklace to my drab getup to customize it to my tastes.  My, how things have changed!  These days, I hardly ever step out of my black and white comfort zone, and blogging my outfits has made me realize I've been stuck in a serious color rut!

This blue dress from Zara is so basic that it can be styled a million different ways.  Today I wanted to challenge myself to mix and match lots of bright colors, so I picked out my brightest orange belt and a necklace to match.

I love the fit-and-flare cut of this dress; it's great for accentuating curves or even creating curves!  "Fit and flare" cuts are tight throughout the chest and waist, then flare out over the hips.  For curvy girls, this cut shows off your natural hourglass shape in the most flattering way.  Even if your figure is straight up-and-down, this style will carve out a small waistline and add a gentle curve to the hips.  Va-va-voom!

To accentuate my waistline even more, I added a bright orange belt with a delicate gold bow detail.   I framed my face with a colorful necklace that I customized myself!

This bauble used to be a bland grey color.  One day, out of boredom, I decided to take colorful nail polish to the silver crystals and this is what happened!  I absolutely love the result, and it was so easy to do. 

I finished off the look with nude pumps.  Since there are so many colors in this look, any other kind of shoe would have been distracting.  I even thought my regular red lip would take away from the impact of these brights, so I decided to wear an electric pink lipstick that paired back to the pink in my necklace. 


Fashion Tips from "Doing It Bright":

1. Don't be afraid to mix colors.  Just make sure that the colors you are playing with are in the same family: all pastels, all neons, etc.  Pick 2 or 3 hues to focus on and you can't go wrong! 

2.  A "fit and flare" dress is flattering on every body type.  Look for a dress with a waistline that falls in line with the smallest part of your torso.  My natural waist is about 2 inches below where my belt hits, but wearing a belt at your smallest point (rather than your real waistline) creates a whole new, tinier figure!

3.  Get creative!  Buy cheapo clothes and jewelry at thrift stores and see what you can do to make them your own.  If it doesn't work out, oh well- you only spent a couple bucks on it in the first place.





After my last post, someone wrote to me with a question about how to wear a pair of wide-leg pants.  I'll be posting on this soon!  I love getting questions like that- one of the reasons I blog is to inspire people to find their own sense of style- so keep 'em coming!  What should I write about next?  Feel free to comment on the blog with your style questions, or find me on Facebook or Twitter (see sidebar to your right) and ask!

Pink Lady

Dress, vintage.  Shoes, Zara.  Bangles and belt, F21.  Headband, Deepa Gurnani.

 It's been a whole year since I started Hell or High Fashion!  It began as a New Year's resolution to document my style as it evolved, and this blog has done that and so much more.  Having a blog makes me really think about what I'm wearing and what it says about me, and it's also saved me from a few style ruts that I'd gotten myself stuck in.

On New Year's Eve, I decided to treat myself to a new dress (new year, new clothes!) and I found this vintage beauty at Wasteland.  I love the contrast of the pink dress and my red lipstick, and I upped the contrast by adding a light pink belt to the mix.  

Bag, Betsey Johnson.

I accessorized with my Betsey Johnson bulldog bag, some bangles from Forever 21, and a headband by Deepa Gurnani.  

I love the ribbon piping through the corset and the detail on the cap sleeves: both offer a slimming effect and simultaneously draw the eye upward, so people will be noticing me before they notice the dress!

Shortly after I hung this dress up in my closet, the closet rod fell down from the weight of all my clothes!  Therefore, my New Year's resolution is to do less impulse shopping.  I'll have less new clothing, but hopefully the pieces I do buy will become wardrobe staples that I'll end up getting more use out of.  

Here's to a new year full of sartorial surprises!

The Power of Python

Pants, H&M.  Shoes, Missoni for Target.  Top, Theory.  Belt, Pierre Cardin.

Very rarely will you catch me wearing pants.  For me, nothing beats the ease of a dress- a whole outfit in one piece!- or the femininity of a skirt.  But the second I slipped on these sexy snakeskin pants, I knew my days in dresses were numbered.  These trousers have been on heavy rotation in my wardrobe for the past two weeks, and I've never gotten more compliments on a piece of clothing before- which is saying a lot!!

I've worn these python printed pants to styling gigs, video shoots, and to my retail day job and they've been praised by rockstars, stylists, and housewives alike.  I never want to take them off!!

I decided to pair them with a simple black Theory shirt that wouldn't steal the spotlight.  A red belt from Pierre Cardin served to break up the black-and-brown color palette while highlighting my waist and accentuating my curves.  

To finish off the look, I added my new and highly-coveted Missoni for Target pumps!  When the M4T line launched, I missed out on all the goodies here in LA- every Target in the city was sold out by 8:10AM!  However, my generous Momma in New Jersey was able to find a few amazing pieces left on the racks back east and scooped up these zig-zag printed heels for me.  They paired perfectly with my pants!

I also can't get enough of the detailing on the back pockets- they're topped off with the softest strips of leather!  

I grabbed my snakeskin Lulu Guinness clutch to add to the reptilian retro look.  

It seems python print is powerful enough to change my stance on pants!

Neutral Territory

Dress, Diane von Furstenberg.  Shoes, Zara.  Bag, MCM.  Belt, H&M.  Necklace, F21.

When deciding what to wear every morning, my goal is to choose outfits that will stand out in the crowd.  I'm a shy person and have trouble taking the initiative when talking to people, so I let my look do the talking for me!  I love when people can get a sense of who I am based on the clothing I'm wearing- I want my style to say that I'm classy, classic, fun, professional, quirky, intelligent, etc., depending on where I'm going.  Generally I rely on stark whites, dramatic darks, or flashy brights to get my point across, but this gold DVF dress showed me that neutral colors can really stand out when accessorized to perfection.

The golden hue of this classic DVF piece is sensational- while it is part of the brand's pre-fall collection (picture it with dark brown leather boots and a fur vest...mmm), the way the summer sunlight hits the fabric  makes it the perfect choice for a summer day dress as well.  I added a light tan belt for some contrast and matched it to my Zara nude pumps.

As soon as I got this dress I knew it called for a stand-out statement necklace, and I found the best bling for my buck at Forever 21.  The copper and gold jewels add just the right amout of intrigue without overpowering the simplicity of the shift dress.  My oversize vintage MCM clutch is a great mix between a delicate evening bag and an everyday carry-all and serves as an unexpected finishing touch.  

My favorite details in this outfit?  The zipper that spans the length of the back of the dress,

and pockets!

Putting together this look helped me conquer my fear of neutrals; instead of blending in beige, I'm getting noticed in gold!

Earning My Stripes

Dress, Karen Millen.  Shoes, J Crew.

 When I was younger, my family was very big on the "rewards system", where a good accomplishment always warranted a treat.  I've continued this tradition into my adulthood, and was compelled to treat myself to a new dress (or two...or three...) when I was offered a new job this week!  I've started working at the Betsey Johnson boutique in Beverly Hills, and I couldn't be more excited about it...  especially because my store is surrounded by lots of another amazing shops that just happen to be having huge summer sales!

On my break I skipped over to the Karen Millen boutique and snagged this striped sundress for over 70% off!

It was the first dress that caught my eye when I entered the shop, and there was only one left- in my size, no less- so I knew it was meant to be.  The quirky colors are perfectly colorblocked into the simple stripes, and even though there's a lot going on (color AND pattern), it works because the hues are subdued rather than in-your-face bright.

Plus, this Karen Millen creation came complete with a waist-cinching belt.  

Sunnies, Ralph Lauren.

I paired it with prim and proper pumps from J Crew and added my favorite Ralph Lauren frames to keep the look clean and classic.  This outfit is definitely going to be in heavy rotation this summer!

Golden State

Dress, Jovovich-Hawk.  Belt, H&M.  Shoes, J Crew.

Welcome to my first Los Angeles blog post!!  I've been in LA for a whole week now, and I am absolutely loving it.  My days have been spent unpacking, decorating my new digs, and scoping out my new town- especially the best shopping spots!  I managed to do a lot of thrifting damage in just one week, and the Jovovich-Hawk dress and J Crew pumps are evidence of my inability to control myself when up against a good deal!

My new favorite store, Wasteland, is a treasure trove of  used designer goodies.  I scored this sweet little floral print dress there for only $45-- new Jovovich-Hawk pieces go for hundreds!  What a deal!  

I loved the 40s elegance of the puffed sleeves, nipped-in waist, and fringe detailing, and the golden floral print feels very "LA" to me; everywhere I go girls are dressed up in little 90s flower print pieces, and I wanted to get in on the action in my own unique way.  I added an H&M sash belt to break up the print and (surprise, surprise!) whittle the waistline.

While the dress is very conservative in the front, it features a sexy slit down the back which perfectly frames my tattoo!!  I'm a sucker for anything that shows off my ink :)

Bag, Simply Vera by Vera Wang.

I paired it with brand new J Crew pumps featuring feminine detailing, and I threw on a faux alligator skin Simply Vera bag to add to the lady-like look.  

An up-close look at the pretty print and fun fringe:

Here's hoping that the rest of my time in LA is as amazing as this first week!

Excessorize

Top, Tracy Reese.  Skirt & belt, 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Shoes, Cynthia Vincent for Target.

I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a minimalist, but I've never been one to overload a look with extra pieces.  I tend to let the clean lines or fun patterns of my clothes speak for themselves rather than layering on belts and jewelry- I hate feeling and looking cluttered!  But going through backlogs of my blog (say that 5 times fast!), I can see that there is room to liven up my look with a few well-placed accessories!

The mission of today's outfit was to wear what I once considered to be 'too many' extras, and see how it looked on camera.  To my surprise, I think this outfit looks both fun and unfussy- even though I'm wearing a necklace, earrings, a ring, sunnies, and a double-looped belt!  Because the pieces I chose blend together so nicely, the overall effect is exquisite rather than excessive.

Bag & sunnies, vintage.  Necklace, So Good.  

Earrings/ring, H&M.

This top by Tracy Reese has a lot going on- the colors are vibrant and the print showcases people, buildings, and even donkeys!  I decided to center the rest of the outfit around the tan base of the shirt to tone it down a bit.  This 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt was the perfect neutral bottom.  I recently found it at Second Time Around during their Memorial Day sale- what a steal!!  It fits perfectly, and the double belt it came with is so different from any other belt I own!   Then I added my Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges, because they matched the colors in the top perfectly.   

Though the top and shoes are both full of color, I picked just one color to accent.  My orange earrings, ring, and bag pulled the outfit together and gave it a little kick!

And the shirt shows off my tattoo, which is always a plus :)

All in all, I learned a valuable lesson from this outfit: while simplicity always has a place in the fashion world, it's fun to ditch the classics and spice up your life with excessive accessories every once in a while!

American Beauty

Sweater, Ralph Lauren.  Shorts, Vintage.  Belt, Pierre Cardin  Shoes, Mossimo.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I wanted to celebrate the great USofA by wearing red, white, and blue (which just happen to be my favorite colors anyway...) for a lovely Saturday of exploring Boston with an old friend.  The Ralph Lauren sweater and vintage shorts combine to create a casual chic look; I was comfortable enough to walk around town all day, but I still felt pulled-together!

This first picture could totally be a snapshot from the 1950s...I love the timelessness of classic pieces!

Lately I've fallen into a rut of sorts, choosing to exclusivly wear dresses.  Dresses are an obvious choice for me because they provide a full outfit in just one piece- but I've decided to challenge myself for the next couple days and focus on mixing and matching seperates to create new and exciting looks!  It definitely makes getting dressed in the morning more fun.

I've also been neglecting to indulge in the outfit-changing power of accessories.  So today I piled on the pearls, cinched my waist with a belt, and carried around my navy patent Ferragamo tote bag to add some intrigue to the simple sweater/shorts combo.

Then I added some vintage sunnies!

Went for a little stroll along the Charles River...Boston really is a beautiful city and I'll be sad when I leave it soon!  Although I've lived here for 4 years, I feel like there is so much I still haven't seen...

A big thanks to Patrick for snapping these pics!!

And an even bigger thanks to all the troops who keep us safe every day :)

Happy Memorial Day!