A Bug's Life

Shirt, Gap.  Sweater & jeans, H&M.  Shoes, DVF.  Necklace, Alexis Bittar.  Hat, F21.

I love bugs.  I don't necessarily care for the real-life kind, but put a cartoon crawler or sparkly spider on literally any type of apparel and I'll buy it!  This obsession has led to more bug-printed clothing, shoes, rings, and brooches than I can count on my hands and feet- and I still can't stop!  This ladybug purse, these spider sandals, and these eight-legged earrings are all at the top of my "Buy" list.   I'm going to make such a great eccentric old cat lady someday!

 

While my wildlife wardrobe will of course look amazing at 80, I don't want to give off that "old lady" vibe just yet.  One of my constant challenges is wearing something that is seen as eccentric and old and making it young, hip, and fresh. 

I last wore this ladybug button down for my feature on KMS California UK's style website, RealStyleInspiration.com.  (You can read that article here!)  The shirt is pretty detailed: it's called the "Shrunken Boyfriend" fit (my favorite style from the Gap- I have about 3 different prints in this cut!) so it's a longer and looser than most dress shirts, and it's covered in pink and red cartoon critters. 

 

A tiny, all-over print on a white background tends to be less than flattering- white is somewhat widening, and a tiny print can make it seem like your body has a lot of surface space to cover- so I took care of that potential problem by throwing a sweater on top!  This ensures that the fun print gets shown off at the collar and tails, but a solid sweater offers a bit more shape.

 

Because one bug is never enough, I added my favorite Alexis Bittar scarab necklace to the mix!  This necklace is really special to me- I worked at Alexis Bittar for a long time and pined over this piece almost every day.  It was the most expensive piece in the whole collection though, and at $900 I knew I could never call it my own.   But as luck would have it, I landed my first paying modeling gig with KMS California when there was just one of these babies left in the store!  I used some of my earnings (coupled with a very generous employee discount) to treat myself.  Now this scarab piece will always remind me of that great experience- I'm so glad I indulged!!

 

 

To keep the knit sweater/bug combo fresh and fun, I added a slouchy pair of boyfriend jeans on bottom.  This low-riding, relaxed fit screams "trendy and young", which is just what I needed to balance out my octogenarian tendencies!  A very hipster bowler hat and the sexiest stilleto sandals I own reinforced the "hip twentysomething" idea, keeping my look balanced and age-approriate.

 

 

Fashion Tips from "A Bug's Life":

 

1.  Collect what you love, even if it's weird!  Do you have a strange obsession with a certain style or print?  Let yourself go crazy with it from time to time if it makes you happy!  Skull-printed pieces are everywhere right now- if that's your  print of choice, limit yourself to one or two pieces per outfit.  A skeleton scarf paired with skull stud earrings is chic when balanced out with classic neutrals; a skull scarf on top of a skull dress with skull jewelry is too much. 

 

2.  Act your age.  I really do believe that anyone of any age can rock any style trend, but you have to adapt it to your particular situation.  Of course a man in his 40s should wear skinny jeans if he wants to-- paired with a sleek button down and blazer (as opposed to a casual screened tee), skinnies can be totally age-appropriate! 

 

For us girls, playsuits and overalls are HUGE right now.  To avoid looking like a preschooler at the park, skip the socks & sneakers and try pairing your overalls with chunky heels.  Make it work!

 

3.  Treat yourself.  As fully grown adults, investing in clothing and accessories is a great idea (you know you're not going to grow out of it in a year!).  I've begun adding special pieces to my closet to commemorate big events in my life: I'll look back on my first modeling job every time I wear my Alexis Bittar necklace and be proud of the work I did.  I indulged in classic Prada heels for my college graduation, and now whenever I put them on I wear them with a sense of accomplishment. 

 

So buy yourself that classic leather wallet with your first paycheck from a new job, or celebrate a big birthday with a sleek pair of cufflinks.  You'll be reminded of the best times in your life when you wear them, and that sense of confidence is the best accessory!

 

I'm starting an in-between-blogs Instagram feature called "StyleSnaps" this week- little screen shots of outfit details that don't make it to Hell or High Fashion.  Follow me on Instagram @jdefino for more style updates!



Fringe Benefits

Vest, H&M.  Shirt and shoes, Target.  Pants, Zara.  Necklace, F21.

This weekend was one of the best weekends I've ever had!  My man and I decided to celebrate our 2 year anniversary with a trip to San Diego, and I could not have had a better time!  I kept meaning to snap blog pictures while we were out and about, but we were having too much fun to remember until our last day in town.  I hadn't planned on blogging this outfit, but my western-themed getup perfectly matched the Old Town San Diego surroundings and I couldn't resist posing for a few shots.

 

 

 

I thew this outfit into my suitcase at the last minute just to have a more casual option with me, and I'm glad I did.  It ended up being the perfect thing to wear to Old Town, a little town in SD that seems to have stopped time in the 1860s.

 

I really love the mix of textures in this outfit.  Denim and leather are SO classic together: think James Dean in his dungarees and leather jacket, or even cowboys in denim and leather chaps.  But I feel like this outfit manages to mix the two in a fresh way, which is always a good thing!  This look feels basic and familiar, but definitely not run-of-the-mill. 

 

A chambray (lightweight, plain-weave denim) shirt is a classic that should be in every wardrobe.  I only recently added one to my collection, and I've worn it a ton ever since!  Mixing it with contrasting denim jeans is a fun and on-trend look, and putting one under a blazer is office-appropriate and fresh.  Here, I opted to mix mine with leather-look leggings and a leather vest for a classic, edgy vibe.

 

 

 

A fringe-filled necklace served as the piece-de-resistance: it tied together all the western elements and brought an "Urban Cowgirl" feel to these seperates. 

 

One of my favorite fashion tricks lately has been mixing a short statement necklace with a classic collared button-down.  As you can see here, having such a sparkler at your neck brings all the attention up towards your face- and who doesn't want that?   It's also a feminine and badass way to take the stuffiness out of a buttoned up collared shirt.

 

 

 

I added my classic black Mary-Janes to finish it off.  These shoes have a chunky heel, so even though they're 4 inches high I feel totally supported.  For girls who want to try to wear heels but are scared of hobbling around, find the thickest heels you can.  I guarentee you'll be able to walk in them!

 

 

Fashion Tips from "Fringe Benefits":

 

1.  Casual doesn't have to mean sloppy.  There are so many comfy yet pulled-together options out there now: leggings that have a leather coating, soft denim button downs, and even tailored sweatpants and lace sweatshirts!  Having a few pieces like this in your arsenal will ensure that you look sharp even on your shlubby days.

 

2.  You can't go wrong wearing classics with a twist.  A crisp white button down?  Classic.  Pinning a quirky brooch (like this one from ASOS) on the lapel?  Twist!  For guys:  Wearing a sports coat over a tee shirt is classic.  Now add a hoodie in between the two and you've got your twist!

 

3.  Are you mostly a flats girl but looking to branch out?  Short, chunky heels are huge this season.  Try a pair like this to kickstart your new high-heel obsession!

 

 

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I received a reader request for a makeup tutorial, so I'm going to tackle that with my next post- it's going to be about all the little extras (makeup, hair, mustaches & beards) that take a look to the next level!  Anything you'd like me to focus on?  Let me know!

 

 



Well Read

Shirt, F21.  Sweater, Ralph Lauren.  Pants, 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Bag, ASOS.  Necklace, vintage.

A few weeks ago I got a request from a reader for a post on how to wear wide leg pants, which may have actually been the highlight of my life as a blogger!  One of my goals as a stylist is to help people feel more comfortable making their own fashion statements, so if you have any questions at all about how to wear a piece of clothing or try out a new trend, please ask!  I'd love to make Hell or High Fashion as interactive as possible.

 

I picked up these white wide leg 3.1 Phillip Lim trousers at Crossroads (a second-hand shop) a few weeks ago and have been dying to wear them ever since.  Skin tight pants have been popular for so long that wearing such a loose, relaxed pair felt really refreshing!  One thing to remember with a long pair of pants: heel height is everything!  You want the bottoms of the pants to just about touch the ground, so heels are usually a must.  Tailor your pants to a length that works for your favorite high-heels.

 

My white pants seemed to be giving off a sailor vibe, so I went with nautical stripes up top.  The layerd sweater/collared shirt combo was very menswear, so a sparkly tie necklace finished off the look perfectly! I think a feminine touch is important when attempting to pull off a daring pant, and a dainty, sparkly take on a traditional male accessory seems to say, "I may be wearing pants, but I'm still a lady!"

 

The most exciting part of my outfit though was for sure my new BOOK CLUTCH!   I've seen these amazing purses disguised as books everywhere lately; Kate Spade has a collection of classics and Charlotte Olympia has made some too.  Those retail for $300 and over- totally out of my price range.  So when this little beauty popped up on ASOS.com for $35, I couldn't say no! 

 

I am thrilled with my purchase; I took this book-bag to a bar yesterday and got complimented by the bouncer, the waitors, and friends alike.  One girl even thought I was carrying around my Bible!  Love it.

 

Another way to wear wide-leg pants in to pair them with a crop top!  It's recently become acceptable again to show a little midriff in public, so I say go for it.  A look like this is bursting with confidence, and that's really all you need to pull off and out-there outfit.  If you wear your wide trousers and belly shirt with pride, no one will have a negative thing to say!

 

Here are a few other way to wear a pair of pants like this:

 

- Tuck in a fitted button down and finish off the look with a wide leather belt

- A shell blouse (a shirt with a boxy cut) would lay flush with the width of the pants for a cool 60s vibe

- A tight shirt with a shrunken blazer on top is the perfect business-appropriate pairing

 

Fashion Tips from "Well Read":

 

1.  Don't be afraid to wear something weird!  If you fall in love with a piece of clothing that isn't a regular part of your wardrobe, research different ways to wear it- or just ask me!  Never let fear stop you from indulging in fashion.

 

2.  If you're attempting to wear long, wide trousers, make sure the length of the pant is perfect.  If they are too long you'll look like a little kid playing dress up, and if they are too short you'll look stumpy.  Fit is everything!

 

3. Usually all you need to authentically pull off a look that you're not used to is a smile!  Confidence is ultimately the most important accessory- so if you feel cool in your outfit, everyone else will think you're cool, too!

 

 

 

What else do you guys want to ask?  Let me know and I'll do a personalized post for every question I get!

 

Comfy Cozy

Jacket, vintage.  Dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs.  Clutch, F21.  Boots, Joie.

There is a common misconception that fashion = pain.  This feeling is justified in some cases; high heels generally aren't the most comfortable things, and the torture devices known as Spanx have become a necessity due to the popularity of bodycon dressing.  But fashion doesn't have to hurt! 

It's so easy to slip into sweats and a tee-shirt on days off, but I knew I could find an outfit that was comfortable, cozy, AND chic to wear on my day off this week.  Enter the tent dress!

I found this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress at Wasteland a long time ago.  I almost didn't bother trying it on- even though I loved it, this dress is a size XS (which I definitely am not). I convinced myself that it could work anyway, and I was so happy that it did!  

 The dress has two layers: a plain black slipdress topped with a lacey purple overlay.  This doubled-up feature creates a lot of texture, so the piece looks styled even though I just threw it on.  Just as comfy as sweats!

While I find a swingy tent dress to be comfy, I don't necessarily think this style flatters my body.  To balance out the volume of my dress, I chose a boxy vintage jacket.  The bottom of the jacket skims the top of my hips, creating a slimmer shape amidst the billowy layers.  To top it off, the fur collar kept me cozy and warm while I was running errands! 

I love that the jacket added two more textures to the look:  I mixed silk, lace, fur, and a woven fabric.  To throw a few more into the mix, I added over-the-knee leather boots and a faux leather/suede clutch.  Texture is an oft overlooked way of adding intrigue to an outfit.  As an example,  you could be wearing head-to-toe black but if you've mixed monochrome leather, lace, and denim your look is on a whole other level!

Here's an up-close look at my texture details:

Fashion Tips from "Comfy Cozy":

1.  Challenge yourself to find comfortable ways of dressing that still feel fashionable.  When you feel good, you get more done- it's a fact! 

2.  If you're shopping and you find something you love, try it on!  Even if your mind tells you that it's the wrong size or it won't be flattering, you really never know until you try.  You could be pleasantly surprised!

3.  A boxy jacket streamlines your figure.  Wear one over a flouncy dress to temper a volumionous skirt, or even over jeans and a tee to balance out wide hips.   

4. Spice up your look by playing with texture:  a silk cami under a leather jacket, a tweed blazer over a denim buttondown, etc.  The unexpected mix is just plain cool!

Here's to being creatively comfy!

Collar ID

Shirt, Forever 21.  Skirt, DVF.  Shoes, Zara.  Bangles, F21.

 Whenever something in my life changes, I feel like I need a full wardrobe makeover to go with it.  I recently let my favorite hair stylist Matthew chop my locks even shorter than he did last time, and my short, swingy hair has opened up so many new sartorial doors!

When deciding what features I want to flatter as I get dressed every morning, I usually think about how to play up my waist or my legs.  I wish I had known earlier that accentuating my neck and collarbone would make such a huge impact!  Pretty detailing on a shirt's collar draws all the attention up towards my face, and there are tons of different ways to try out this trend.

A few weeks ago I assisted on the set of a 60s-themed photo shoot, and this Forever 21 lace top was on the wardrobe rack.  After staring at it in between shots, I decided that I needed it in my life and bought the top the next day!  I've worn it countless times since, and I get so many compliments on the punky/pretty mix of fabrics. I paired it with a favorite gold tiered DVF skirt to play up the sweetness of the lace, and added simple black pumps to finish off the look.

Dress, H&M.  Shoes and Bangles, F21.

Soon after my collar obsession started, I spotted this amazing dress at H&M.  The swingy, asymmetrical skirt is the perfect foil for the silver studded collar, and studded suede booties gave it a badass, rocker feel.   

The best part about the embellished collar?  No need for jewelry or accessories.  I added a few bangles to this look to break up the all-black ensemble, but earrings or a necklace would just be excessive.  

And just because I've been away from blogging for so long, I'm going to include a THIRD collar-ful outfit!

I was definitely one of the crazies that lined up at Target at 6AM this Sunday to buy up the adorable Jason Wu for Target collection, and I ended up getting all of the pieces I wanted and then some!  This red shirt wasn't on my must-have list- but once I tried it on, the simplicity and versatility changed my mind.  I have a feeling this red silk top will soon be on constant rotation in my closet!

Shirt, Jason Wu for Target.  Skirt and shoes, Zara.  Collar, Alexis Bittar.

I paired it with a simple black pencil skirt from Zara, and then topped the look off with le piece de resistance- my fabulous lace collar from Alexis Bittar!!  This collar/necklace hybrid has been taunting me from the cases of Alexis Bittar for months, and I scooped it up as soon as the AB 50% off sale hit.  It manages to be simultaneously elegant and punky, classic and fresh.  I am going to wear it over absolutely everything I own!!

Now that I know how a cool collar can transform an outfit, I'll be on the look out for more pieces that utilize this trendy trick.  I can't wait to share more collar-crazy looks with you!