SKIRTS OVER JEANS ARE TOTALLY IN BECAUSE I SAID SO

Sunglasses: D&G; Blouse: J.Crew Haberdashery; Jeans: Paige Denim; Skirt: Burberry; Sandals: Steve Madden (Thanks @RachelThompson!) All photos by: Laura Damian

Woke up this morning in a conundrum "I really want to wear my Burberry skirt to work, but it's way too short." I think leggings under skirts are so 2010, I find tights to be incredibly uncomfortable/ugly/abhorrent and frankly innate, why don't you just wear pants? Then it came to me. Why don't I just wear pants? Jeans with holes paired with the classically preppy Burberry plaid and 'Kelly Green' J.Crew? Don't mind if I do. 

The outfit is more autumn than spring so I had to pair it with nude strappy sandals to bring it back from the foliage. A very special thanks to Rachel Thompson for completely outdoing herself yet again and sending me these sandals and inadvertently making this outfit possible. 

Take away message: SKIRTS OVER JEANS ARE TOTALLY IN BECAUSE I SAID SO

RVMVMBVR WHVN WV WVRV YOUNG?

Necklace: J.Crew; Vest: Krisa (via Gitane!); 'Remember When We Were Young Tank': Cotton On Santa Monica; Jeans: Paige; Leather/Suede Open Toed Booties: Schutz; Photos by: Laura Damian

Since I have recently embarked on this 25th year of life I feel I am now able to say, "RVMVMBVR WHVN WV WVRV YOUNG?" While replacing the "e's" with "v's" for no apparent reason whatsoever. I also can wear jeans with holes in them to my full-time job, I guess that makes my day job pretty cool huh? I chose wisely.

Truth is - you can really wear anything you want anywhere, as long as it's put together. Now let's not take it to extremes. Wearing a prom dress to Superman's Fortress of Solitude, or a Moncler jacket to a Jamaican Beach would be at the very least, vexatious. I have always been a massive fan of pairing high/low fashion. Most of the time that is in reference to wearing Prada with Target, but I think it works here as well. On it's own the commonly referenced, "bro tank", would look like I was walking straight into Fraturday Night. However, paired with the satin black vest and leather/suede booties - the look is put together, completely work appropriate AND fun. 

Always remember to be a baller, just because it's not 2003 you can still pop that collar..

So give the high/low fashion thing a try! In the wise words of Dr. Suess, 

“If you haven’t, you should. Because these things are fun and fun is good.”

— Dr. Seuss

My other favorite F-Words: Floppy, Funky, Faux & Fun

Floppy Hat: American Apparel; Faux-fur Frock: RAGA; Stone Necklace: Madewell; Gold Necklace: J.Crew; T-Shirt: Old Blink-182 Band Tee; Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Jeans: AG; Maroon Suede Heeled Booties: Vince Camuto; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

Nothing says "Winter's coming.." quite like faux fur and suede booties paired with hats that cover the entire face. 

A question I routinely get asked about my outfits is: "How do you put it all together?" The answer is unfortunately very unequivocal and simple, unlike most everything else in life. There is no sorcerous ritual, no closet computer (a nod to Cher), it is as easy as picking a statement piece and working from there. My humble opinion is that each outfit needs a statement piece, sometimes even more than one. This piece can be any article of clothing or accessory, as long as it draws in the eye, is more captivating than other parts of the outfit, and reflects your fun personality to some degree. Example: My faux-fur creature of a jacket.

Now to the funky & fun: Something about floppy hats is intrinsically 70's to me. The age of funk. I searched the world over for an excellent floppy hat. I always came up empty until I was in LA, happened to have consumed a few too many mimosas, and stumbled into an American Apparel in Manhattan Beach. Not exactly a recipe for making stellar purchases (I also bought $18 sunscreen), but when you know you know.  

Suede, the fabric of November, December, January. Don't let anyone tell you different, you heard it hear first. Maroon goes as well with gold in the festive months as Marc Jacobs does with creative direction for Louis Vuitton year-round. A match so perfect, you cannot imagine what one is like without the other. You don't want to either. 

Cheers to turning our backs on 2014 and looking forward to 2015. A quote from one of my favorite authors:

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

— C.S. Lewis

EDGY PROFESSIONAL OR PROFESSIONALLY EDGY?

Blazer: Theory; Heather V-Neck, Gold Necklace & White Jeans: J.Crew; Rock Necklace: Urban Outfitters; Purse: Hermes Birkin Bag 25cm; Patent Leather Oxfords: Nicholas Kirkwood; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

Jobs. Something most of us 20-somethings devote the best years of our life to. So why should something important equate to a stuffy sense of style? It shouldn't. Silicon Valley is a place where folks dress to the antithesis of what most would describe as professional. In fact, other geographical locations around the nation are taking note and following suit (no pun intended!)

My mother always told me, "Only boring people get bored" I adopted that into only boring people change their personal style entirely to appease fopaux office standards. Be you. Don't be that person that buys things because, "I'd never where this but don't you think it'd be really great for work?" No. Unless it's a Roberto Cavalli gown that's perfect for the reddest of carpets please do not purchase things that you plan to only wear to sequestered areas in life. That's how you end up wasting money and with a closet full of, "I never wear this, why did I buy this again? Oh well I'm too busy to return it so I guess I'll just let it sit here for 4 more years."

(6) TIPS ON DRESSING PROFESSIONALLY EDGY:

1. Subtle nuances enmeshed with basics. Notice: My patent leather Nicholas Kirkwood's with pink laces and pin stripe toes? Pretty out there, however footwear allows you to do such things without appearing over the top. Footwear is also the most subtle since it covers the least amount of surface area on your body. Go buck wild! Don't wait for the next #shoesdaytuesday
2. COLOR! Unless you have a mandated uniform squelching all creativity I highly suggest bursts of color. Notice the Birkin and how it pops against the basic-ness of the contrasting colors? A MUST. Too much color can be seen as Floridian or trying too hard. Stick to one crazy color and keep the rest neutral.
3. DO: Buy structured architectural pieces. The blazer is arguably the only 'professional' thing about this outfit and truly pulls it together. With one piece that meets this requirement you can make the rest of the outfit pretty casual, T-shirt and jeans! Not a fan of blazers? Try a button up chambray shirt (personal favorite) or a nice pair of slacks, fitted of course.
4. Buy clothing that actually fits. I'm piggy-backing off of #3 a tad but this is a biggy. I know the baggy clothing, boyfriend pants, sleeve-less t-shirts that show off your entire ribcage and and so on are totally in right now but let's leave those out of the office. Exceptions include: wearing one of these and making the rest of the outfit fairly upscale.
5. Dem Jewels. Come on ladies, you're all gems so why not wear some? Statement necklaces are my personal favorite but you can really have a lot of fun with all kinds jewelery at the office. Snake/Octopus rings, cluster bracelets, that jewelry box is an oyster to any edgy professional.
6. Easy on the Maybelline. It isn't a social outing at a bar or a party, it's work! However, if you love your job and your co-workers like myself that's pretty easy to forget. You should be caring more about what's in your mind rather than what's on your face - keep them both clear! Make up is a nice to have and I'm not saying to abolish it entirely, just don't go Kylie Jenner on us. Fake lashes and extra long nails don't exactly scream, "I'm SUPER smart and entirely focused on my job!" Know your audience.

I fully endorse the edgy professional, but as for being professionally edgy? Let's leave that to someone else..