Screen Queen

Skirt, Burberry.  Sweater, F21.  Shoes, H&M.  Bag, vintage.

I've always used clothing as a way to make a personal statement, but a new trend in the fashion world is making it easier than ever to get your point across.  Screened tees and statement sweaters are everywhere lately and I, for one, am really excited about it! 

 

Screened tees (t-shirts featuring screen printed graphics) used to have a very plebian feel.  Clothing with words and pictures blazoned across the front were for the masses, something you picked up at your father's company picnic or as merch at a concert.  But with the rise of the hipster came the rise of the screened tee: suddenly it was COOL to wear that company picnic shirt (with a healthy dose of irony), and retailers even started making faux-vintage clothing advertising imaginary little league teams and field days.  The high-end fashion world has finally caught up with under-the-radar hipsters, and now luxury statement shirts are all the rage. 

 



 

While I love the hipster interpretation, I wanted to upgrade my newest statement sweater with a Parisian-in-the-park feel to match it's message en francais.  The nautical stripes on this Forever 21 knit give it a springtime feel, so I imagined myself a French girl on her way to the local farmer's  market, and this is the outfit that I came up with!

 

It's Spring here in California but the days have actually been pretty gloomy and cold.  To achieve that warm-weather vibe and still protect myself from the LA elements, I chose pieces that look fresh and current but are executed in heavier wools.  This knit sweater paired perfectly with my favorite vintage find: a wool perma-pleated midi skirt from Burberry!  I found this gem hidden in the 80% off rack of Second Time Around in Boston years ago and it's been with me ever since.  Even though I don't get a lot of use out of this skirt, I feel like it's a legacy item that I can pass down to my granddaughters someday- what's more classic than vintage Burberry?!

 

 

I kept the rest of my outfit really simple- no jewelry, casual wedge sandals, easy straw purse.  I have endless coffee table books on French fashion, and it seems the mark of true Parisian style is not caring too much!  Obssessing over the perfect outfit and piling on the accessories tends to make you look like you're trying too hard, and that elusive "je ne sais quoi" is lost in the sauce.   Simplicity is key!

 

Of course, there are tons of other ways to fashionably flaunt the statement tee trend.  I snapped some pics a few weeks ago (pre-haircut) of some different ways to rock a screened look, like pairing an oversized sweater with skintight leggings or rolling up the sleeves on a short sleeved tee and combining it with an edgy skirt.
 

  

Fashion Tips from "Screen Queen":

 

1.  Get in on the screened tee action!  No matter how you wear it- ironic hipster or high-fashion fashionista- the look is cool, not corny.  Urban Outfitters has a great selection of funny statement tees & tanks for guys, and I'm loving the newest designer offerings for us girls.  This Nueva York tee and this cheeky "Tea Shirt" top are high on my list of must-haves!

 

2.  Even though it's technically Spring, we're experiencing left-over-winter-weather all over the country.  You can get a head start on Spring fashion by adding a few pieces to your collection that are bright and on-trend for the SS13 season, but are made of heavy knit cottons or warm wools. Maybe it's too cold to break out your favorite pink tank top right now, but try a pair of jeans in that same bright Spring pink- you'll be covered from the cold AND ready for the new season!

 

3.  In a style rut?  Create a character for yourself and dress to their personality!  In this outfit I became a young Parisian about town, which let me experiment with a new style.  Try dressing yourself as a 50s housewife, a 70s hippie, or a minimal 90s model- but limit yourself to what you already have in your closet.  That way, you get to experience a new way of putting things together, but it will still feel 100% you!

 

4.  Shop vintage and second-hand.  My vintage shopping runs have scored me this amazing Burberry skirt, classic Chanel flats, and quite a few Ferragamo bags that will always be in fashion.  I love the idea of buying a garment that has already lived a fabulous life!  I know these items will stand the test of time and be passed down from generation to generation.  It's never too early to start cultivating a collection that will be coveted by your kids and grandkids!

 

Did you guys see my StyleSnap on Instagram yesterday?  For mini-blogs between Hell or High Fashion posts, be sure to follow me @jdefino.

 



Primary Care

Blazer, H&M.  Dress, Jill Stuart.  Bag, ASOS.  Shoes, Prada. 

 

While wandering around Melrose last weekend with some friends, I decided to pop into Wasteland while the rest of my crew indulged in ice cream across the street- and what I found there was sweeter than any chocolate caramel confection could ever be.  I'm talking about my new Prada sandals!

 

I just about died when I spied these patent colorblocked beauties jammed into the packed shelves at Wasteland.  When I looked further and discovered that they were just my size and only $65 (at least 90% off the original price), the deal was done. 

As soon as they were in my hands I started dreaming up ways to wear them, and thus this outfit was built from the ground up!

  

I love the sharp colorblocking on the shoes and wanted to make my outfit a parallel study in colorblocking.  Since black is the least featured color on these stacked sandals, I made it the basis of the rest of my look- that way the shoes are still the center of attention! 

I envisioned the outfit I wanted in my head, and I could see this black Jill Stuart number paired with an ultra-mod knit jacket either in red or yellow.  However, I didn't own anything that fit the bill so I did some research online.  Since I knew exactly what I was looking for, I pulled up a few webistes for stores in my area- forever21.com, urbanoutfitters.com, hm.com, etc.  I sifted through pictures of little sweaters and blazers and finally came across this bright yellow one on hm.com.  It was the one!  I called the store, put it on hold, and picked it up after work.  So easy!

With an outfit this simple (jacket, dress, shoes), accessories are everything.   I don't wear yellow very often, so I decided to go all out and add little yellow flower post earrings to the look.  My ever-present fly brooch (this is becoming a habit...3 posts in a row featuring fly jewelry!) softened the hard lines of the blazer with a little whimsy.  I found a few bangles in my bauble collection that featured blocks of black and gold- the perfect way to add another "colorblocked" element to the look!

Finally, my ASOS book bag was the ultimate finishing touch.  The clean lines of the square shape pulled the whole outfit together, and that pop of blue was my favorite part!  Blue wasn't an obvious choice to match with the rest of the look, but since red, yellow, and blue are all primary colors they actually mix perfectly!

Fashion Tips from "Primary Care":

1.  Start with one piece-  a new pair of shoes you can't wait to wear or a pair of printed pants you've been dying to show off.  Consider the things you love about the article- the colors, the cut, etc- and think about how you can accentuate those qualities.  For the guy readers out there:  if you love how a fitted tee shows off your broad shoulders, consider a pair of slim cut jeans: the tighter cut will accentuate that manly "V" shape!

2.  Are you in need of new clothes but hate shopping?  You have a few options: you can ask me to take you shopping and I'll do all the hard work for you! Or you can turn to online pre-shopping.  Many websites have a "Find In A Store Near You" option (you might remember how this feature saved my life in this older post!) which makes shopping unbelievably easy- I was able to shop from the comfort of my desk at work and pick it up in a 10 minute trip to mall.  Pick out the pieces you want to try, give the store a call to put the items on hold for you, and say hello to stress-free shopping!

3.  Try mixing all primary or all secondary colors together for an unexpected color pop.  As you can see here, red/yellow, blue/yellow, red/blue or all three make for a clean and pulled-together combo.  My boyfriend even has one great outfit where he mixes purple and green (secondary colors) to perfection.  The colorwheel is a foolproof guide to mixing and matching!

If any of you stressed-out shoppers want to take me up on my offer, e-mail me at jdefino726@gmail.com to set up an appointment!
 

 



Little Red Corvette

Dress, Cooperative Urban Outfitters.  Sweater and shoes, Target.  Bag, Ferragamo.

 

Today's post is a love story.  A story about a love that never gave up- even when times were tough, even when sizes were wrong, even when websites said "Out of Stock".  A story of a girl and her clothes.

 

Seriously, I am in love with this dress!

 

Our saga starts a few weeks back, in New Jersey.  While visiting with my family for Thanksgiving, we all decided to head to our local shopping district and I couldn't pass up a trip to Urban Outfitters during sale time.  This shirt dress stared at me from the sale rack, its floppy bow tie and cartoon car print calling to me.  And it was on sale for only $30!!  I had to try it.

 

Unfortunately it didn't fit- it was way too small.  A quick search of the store confirmed what I already feared: my size was sold out.  I asked the sales people there to track down the dress in the right size at another location, but alas- the dress had no tag!!  There was no way find it in other stores' inventory, and I resigned myself to living a life void of cartoon cuteness.

 

Here's the stock photo of the dress from Urban Outfitters- you can see the car print a little better and really appreciate how necessary it was for me to own this!

 

I scoured the Urban Outfitters website and tried every possible Google search term to find this piece online.  It was nowhere!  Instead of accepting that this dress was gone for good, I re-searched the internet every day for a week.  Finally, just as I was about to give up, it reappeared on urbanoutfitters.com!- but only in a size XS. 

 

Luckily, UO has a convient "Find In A Store Near You" button.  Turns out there was ONE left in my size a few towns away!!!  I called the store, put it on hold, and went to pick it up after work.  To my delight, once I picked it up I found out that it had been further discounted to $9!!!  It was the best find of my entire fashion life.

 

Why do I love this dress so much?  I really can't put my finger on it.  Sure, it has it's flaws- it's not a very figure-flattering shape and it's all white (a sure sign that I will spill my coffee all over it).  But the amazing things about this dress- the vintage cars, the bright colors, the subtle piping along the buttons, and the adorable bow tie- definitely outweigh the bad things. 

 

I paired it with an oversize red sweater from Target to keep me cozy and my navy patent Ferragmo bag added some structure to the look.  The school girl look of high-heeled Mary-Janes paired perfectly with the bow tie!  I felt like a cool librarian all day.

 

 

Fashion Tips from "Little Red Corvette":

 

1.  If you love a piece of clothing, don't give up!   There's a reason it's stuck in your head, so find out what that reason is and hunt it down- I guarantee you won't regret it!

 

2.  Give a loosey-goosey outfit some shape with a structured bag and chunky shoes. If at least one part of your outfit has clean lines, you can avoid looking sloppy in oversized pieces.

 

3.  Playing dress up isn't just for kids. Feeling a librarian or school-girl vibe?  Throw on a men's tie, some knee socks, or plaid for a subtle way to make a statement and make fashion fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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!

Puppy Love

Dress, H&M.  Shoes, J Crew.  Necklace, Alexis Bittar.  Bag, Aldo.  Dog, Monkie.

I can't believe it’s been a whole month since my last post!!  A combination of a broken tripod, a broken computer, and a crazy work schedule kept me away from Hell or High Fashion, but now I’m back and ready to blog!

I found this adorable Scotty-dog-printed dress at Wastleland a while back, and couldn’t believe the price tag: $10, previously from H&M!  The color scheme is so my taste- I'll buy pretty much anything if it's black, white, and red- and the precious printed pups sealed the deal for me.  This piece is more shapless than most of my clothing, but I thought the hard, angular black trim on the collar was a strong enough feature to balance out the billowy cut. 

 I decided to take the dress for a spin while walking Monkie the dog. 

Or rather, Monkie took me for a spin!

I recently started working at the Alexis Bittar boutique in Hollywood, and fell head over heels for the amazing jewelry Alexis creates.  I found this Alexis Bittar pearl necklace on eBay for super cheap and won a bidding war to get it into my hands and onto my neck!  I'm obsessed with how chunky the pearls are- it takes away some of the delicacy and makes them the perfect companion for my funky ensembles.  

 I added my favorite J Crew heels to keep it classy!

Sunnies, Ralph Lauren.

For me, this is the perfect daytime outfit.  It's casual, yet pulled together; a little crazy, but subtly so; comfortable and appropriate for pretty much any errand or occasion that might pop up.  

Monkie is such a model!  Look at him posing with my tassled Aldo bag...this could be an editorial photo!!  

Monkie and I love this dress!!

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!

Nauti-Cool

Dress, Betsey Johnson.  Shoes, Max Studio.

Hardly any style can claim to be on-trend all the time, but the nautical look beats the odds and remains fashionable every single season.  For spring, nothing tops the eternal elegance of sailor suits or Breton stripes; these are pieces that can spend years on rotation in your wardrobe and still look crisp and fresh with every wear.  

This Betsey Johnson dress puts a funky spin on a classic look, making it feel both timeless and of-the-moment.  I know I'll get seasons and seasons of wear out of it!

And the best part?  The dress comes complete with a detachable sailor collar!!  

There are just so many ways to rock this look- I've worn this three times in as many weeks!  For these pictures I chose to let the dress stand alone and paired it with nude wedges from Max Studio.  But the look is easily sexed up with red patent peep-toe pumps, or toned down with a denim jacket and white Keds.  

I've found my go-to outfit of the season!

Patent Pending

Dress, vintage.  Shoes, Mossimo.  Belt, Betsey Johnson.  Bag, Mulberry for Target. 

I took advantage of having three consecutive days off of work this week and spent a few wonderful days with my family in New Jersey!   One of my favorite parts of hanging with the fam is having my outfits critiqued by my very opinionated and stylish younger sisters- I always make sure that I bring home my newest, most interesting pieces to get their uncensored feedback.  Sometimes they can be harsh, but this printed 50s sundress got the OK from both of my girlies!

Sunnies, H&M.

I scored this flirty 50s frock from Cafe Society in Brookline, MA for only $25!  The top is a bit more blousy than what I usually like to wear, so I tried to cinch in that extra fabric with a wide patent leather belt from Betsey Johnson.  I added matching patent shoes and handbag (borrowed from my younger sis, Valerie) and finished off the look with my new favorite sunglasses!  I think the exaggerated cat-eye shape suits my new haircut.

I was also drawn to this dress for another reason:  it's cut super low in the back, which makes it the perfect outfit to show off my NEW TATTOO!

I got some fresh ink last Monday, and couldn't wait to show it off to my family!  These letters stand for all of our first initials:  Hector, Cindy, Jessica, Joe, Rachel, and Valerie.  As some readers may know, I'm quite the Scrabble champion, so I thought the initials in the Scrabble tiles would be the best way to show off my family love.  The tattoo came out beautifully; it's a permanent fashion statement!

Thanks to Momma for the pics!

The Graduate

Dress, Betsey Johnson.  Shoes, Prada.

As of May 7th, 2011, I am officially a college grad!

While finishing college was exciting, it wasn't nearly as thrilling as hunting for and finding the perfect dress for the occasion.   I knew this Betsey Johnson number was the dress the moment I laid eyes on the exaggerated floral print and the pretty pleated skirt.   Plus, the deep red perfectly complimented my new Prada pumps...how could I resist?

I've had a lot of 'special events' lately, and I've used every single one as an excuse to buy a new outfit.  My searches have been blissfully brief, though, thanks to the Betsey Johnson boutique.  Although I've worked down the street from Betsey for 4 years, I'd never set foot in the store until a few weeks ago- and I regret neglecting this mecca of quirky 50s/80s glamour for so long!  Every rack was filled with flirty frocks that I couldn't wait to try on, and I ended up walking away with 3 new dresses (all at 40% off!).

I told my Mom (Happy Mother's Day, Momma!) about my newfound obsession, and she gave me the coolest graduation present I can imagine:

Purse, Betsey Johnson.

What a sassy little bag!  The lips on this purse are calling my name, and I plan on carrying it with my everywhere-  at least until my next Betsey shopping spree.