fashion says, "me too," style says, "only me"

Espadrilles: Marc Jacobs; Black Jorts: Madewell; Cardigan: Kimchi Blue; Necklace: J.Crew

Photo Location: Napa Valley, CA

All photos by: Kira Wyckoff

For apparent reasons, or none at all, people get continually hung up on the "Rules of Fashion". Which I find inconsequential, my only rule is that there are no rules. Wear what you like, wear it where you want. It's obvious when something is worn as a trend and not a form of self expression. That's not to say self expression cannot correlate with trends, but trends should never be a pillar of personal style (unless you're LADY GAGA). My style pillars:

1. HEELS: I'm 5'9", most would gawk and say how ridiculous that I wear height enhancing shoes, to those people: I like to highlight my best assets, not hide them. Chunky heels, wedges, really any sort of platform elevating footwear. The edgier the better, my current favorite are these studded espadrilles by Marc Jacobs. Patent leather and studs? Does life get any better? Maybe, but only by a small margin.
2. STUDS
3. SKULLS

precociously peplum

Cardigan & Flats: J.Crew, Peplum Top: BCBG, Shorts: Marc Jacobs, Rocco Bag: Alexander Wang; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

In rare form I chose to wear flats. J.Crew makes them best; out of the very few pairs of flats I own J.Crew has it's brand on each of them. What's life without brand loyalty? I dare you to say differently. Juxtaposed to my flat wearing rarity, I am donning a peplum top on a uncharacteristically frigid day.. Someone didn't check the weather before they got dressed.. Regardless of weather-woes, who doesn't love a peplum top? The whole idea behind it is ingenious, not to mention flattering for quite literally any figure. As you can see this is my second post in a row of the well revered peplum. The way it cinches in at the smallest part of the waist, and flounces out in a pleated/ruffled sort of way that hides any part of yourself that you want to keep hidden. Not only that, practically any woman wearing a peplum top receives an overload of attention, whether it is the kind of attention you want is another story. Exercise use of the peplum top carefully ;)

Always someone looking to push the envelope, I chose a peplum with a rather exposed back. Backs are pretty sexy, and if you can find a top/dress/whatever that can elegantly reveal yours- hats off to you. The older I get the more inappropriate it is to expose skin, however an exposed back if worn correctly can be decorous!

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