Flawless Fall Fashion

Flawless Fall Fashion

I wanted to share a couple of my favorite fall trends for 2011, which sadly is coming to an end in Minnesota, but can still work well for winter time. Plaid trends are something I love to wear during the fall season into winter, and this year it is a MUST for your wardrobe. With major fashion trends, I try to take looks off the runway and edit them to fit my everyday life. I usually do this by taking small parts and incorporating them with my personal style. I would just do one piece, whether a skirt, button-up, jacket or shoes. I love to belt this jacket and wear some fun jewelry with the ensemble and also love to wear these flats with skinny jeans, a plain tee and a multi-chain necklace.

Light-weight sweaters are the best option for year round wear. My beige and white striped sweater is one of my favorite pieces because of its versatility, as well as the shoulder cutouts that made me fall in love with it in the first place! Now it’s great with boots, skinny jeans (denim or colored) and an olive green hat, in the spring/summer, it’s great with white shorts, strappy sandals and gold accessories.

           

Plaid Jacket: Target; Silver Buckle Belt: Express; Plaid Flats: Kohls

         

Sweater: Heartbreakers; Olive Green Hat: Forever 21; Skinny Jeans: Younkers; Brown Boots: Nordstrom Rack

Get the TREND

ASOS cotton sweater
$18 - asos.com
 

Forever21 a line skirt
$18 - forever21.com

Plaid boots
$35 - target.com

ALDO platform heels
$28 - aldoshoes.com

AUGUST HAT ivy hat
$28 - nordstrom.com

Red shoes
hottopic.com

All Black On, Blacked Out Shades

Since its November in Minnesota, dressing for warmth isn’t an option, it’s a must. It can be hard to transition from beautiful fall days to temperatures close to zero, but there are plenty of ways to look put together and stay warm without looking too bulky. Pleather or leather leggings are not only warm, but extremely comfortable and chic. I can literally wear them out anytime of the year, but they are especially great for cold nights out in Minneapolis and here they are my favorite part of this outfit. (Oh, and I also love the sequins on this cluth!)

Black Snake Skin Pleather Leggings: Express; Ruffle Tank: Charlotte Russe; Black Blazer: Express; Black Sequin Clutch: Forever 21; Skinny Gray Belt: Ann Taylor Loft; Snake Skin Heels: Steve Madden; Red  Lipstick: “Red Muse” Rouge Volupt No. 17 Yves Saint Laurent

Get the LOOK

Knit jacket
$52 - meetmark.com

Olsenboye chiffon pants
$25 - jcpenney.com

Dollhouse platform shoes
$33 - dsw.com

Forever21 clutch hand bag
$16 - forever21.com

ASOS buckle belt
$8.18 - asos.com

Forever21 aviator shades
$5.80 - forever21.com

Union Red No.17
$30 - burberry.com

 

“DO” the LOOK

Black Pleather/Leather Leggings: If you don’t own any, this look still works well with black skinny jeans or dark-wash skinny jeans.

Ruffle Tank: Any black tank top would work, as long as it can be belted properly to focus in on the narrowest part of your body. A colored tank could also work here to add more pop or to incorporate your own personal style.

Black Blazer: *INVESTMENT PIECE* I have owned this black blazer for over six years and have worn it for multiple occasions, including casual daytime wear to dressing up for a New Year’s Eve party. You could wear a cardigan or some type of over shirt as well, but make sure it has structure, that’s what pulls the look together.

Gray/Metallic Skinny Belt: This is another place where a color could be incorporated if you have colored skinny belts. A skinny belt is suggested because there is so much else going on with the ruffles, the structure of the jacket and the snake skin. A big/wide belt could work, but might overwhelm the mix.

Snake Skin Heels: Basically any pair of neutral, dark or colored classic pumps or strappy heels would be great. I always make the shoes I wear about me and my personal style. I personally believe shoes are the easiest way to have fun and be you, so wear a pair that screams YOU!

Red Lipstick: All black allows for extreme makeup looks, whether its bright eye shadows or lipstick. If you don’t own red lipstick, try other shades such as a rich berry or classic pink. Otherwise playing up your eyes with bright blue, purple or teal shadow and a nude or toned down color lip would also look great.

 

Welcome to Rachel’s Lookbook!

A harvested cornfield in Cedar Falls, Iowa (where I grew up). I will always be an Iowa girl at heart.

Welcome to my blog, Rachel’s Lookbook! With this blog I hope to inspire by sharing what I’m passionate about: fashion, style, career, traveling, volunteering, science, gender justice, relationships, family and all-in-all… life!

This blog is a complete look into how fashion plays a role in my life and how it is important to me and all the things I love, and most importantly, in an economical way. Ultimately though, my goal is to learn from and be inspired by you, so please share your thoughts, comments and post your looks!

“University of Corn” T-shirt, Romwe.com; Olive green shorts, H & M; Brown tights, Target; Cowboy boots; Vintage (Ragstock in  Uptown Minneapolis); Aviators, Borrowed from little sister; Earrings, Borrowed from mother

Get the LOOK

Scoop neck top
$23 - romwe.com

Quiksilver relaxed fit shorts
$29 - quiksilver.com

Tall hosiery
$15 - modcloth.com

Stretch jewelry
$25 - witchery.com.au

ASOS oversized jewelry
$14 - asos.com

Antique shades
$5.99 - stylesforless.com