Category: shopping

Sometimes the perfect outfit finds the perfect setting. If you know me, and by know I hope that you feel as if you do, you know that I feel like fashion is a form of freedom. I think that your fashion should be fun, make you feel good, hopefully do good, and make you feel free. There aren’t a lot of rules I adhere to, fashion is a function of self expression, and you should feel free to dress any way that celebrates your freedom. so when I found this wall with one of my favorite words on it, I couldn’t help but resist shooting by it, especially when I believe in dressing like freedom.

This shirt dress is a staple. It can be worn alone, over anything, and can be transformed into almost anything. I love it half open over jeans. I love these mules that are the perfect combination of classic and new. And, in the theme of freedom, I love that all of this looked amazing with the addition of lingerie. Those beautiful things that go under your clothes? Who says that they have to stay there? Dressing like freedom means that you can put them on top!

This is a vintage La Perla corset (from my fave Bloomers and Frocks) that was just too stunning to be left under wraps. The silk, the sheer, it looks amazing as a layering piece; I love it over this shirt dress. It takes some of the shock out of the lingerie, makes the look more classic, and yet, it feels like freedom. Ever worn your corset in public? If it makes you feel free, I completely recommend it! Lingerie dressing is in, but for some of us, that’s not an option with jobs, and whatnot. If that still is a look that you would like to experiment with, this layering technique is a way to retain that freedom dressing, and yet stay covered.

Is lingerie dressing the only way to dress like freedom? Not by a long shot, but it’s one way.
I’d love to know: what’s your take on dressing like freedom?

Shop my picks below!

XO RA

A great place to get both resale and vintage pieces, the Real Real has you covered!

“When will you stop wearing black?”
“When they make a darker color.”

We’ve all hear this exchange, seen it on memes, gifs, and on Pintrest. You may laugh, think of someone you know, or brush it off. All black is such a fashion cliche, and yet, it’s such a classic. The reason? All Black is chic. That’s why there’s a faction of us who believe in the quote above: we can’t think of a more chic combination of all black, that is, till they come up with a darker color.

What makes all black so chic? (For the record, this could be true of any monochrome look). All black chic is part line, part color, and part attitude. Part of what makes this such a classic is the power that all black dressing can mean: sophistication and elegance, part attention grabbing, part blending in. All black chic is the thing to do when you can’t think of a thing to wear; and is also the thing to do when you know exactly what to wear. What I love about all black chic is that the pieces don’t matter too much; while I’m always a fan of high quality, well tailored pants, blouses, dresses, all black chic allows you to play with some pieces, and is a way to make cheaper pieces look more expensive (this outfit is composed of a $10 top I got on Etsy and a Zara skirt).
My tips for All Black Chic:
– Make sure your blacks match Loves, there’s blue based black and red based black. In the light you can tell if your pieces don’t have the same base, and it’s a distraction!
–Have Fun Classic pieces look amazing in black. However, as the color scheme will elevate any look, this may be the time to play! Want to try a one shoulder look? Want to experiment with a different style pant or skirt? Now is the time for it all! The all black chic has you covered!
–Don’t be afraid to add color I know, this seems like the opposite of all black chic, but loves, when you’re wearing all black a colorful accessory can be incredibly powerful! And loves, I can’t tell you how much I love these yellow shoes!

I’d love to know: what’s your take/thoughts on all black chic?

Shop my all black chic picks below!
XO RA

Loves, this is by no means the first time that I’ve posted a look by the ocean (some of my faves: here, here, and here). It seems like I tend to post a lot of beach baby posts (I am what I am), and while a day at the beach is an LA cliche, I couldn’t have an official LA week without a post at the ocean. From the surfing films of the 1960s to the Instagram posts, the beach is a part of LA (and a part of me), so while it may be cliche, the beach is very authentic to my days in LA, so let’s dive in.

We know I wear my swimwear everywhere, but I love this polka dot piece with the red pant. It’s summer, classic, and easy. This top has gone with skirts, jeans, shorts, and every bikini bottom I have. And these pants! They were an impulse purchase at HM, linen, but I love the bright color, the cut, the pockets! They go with everything from swimsuits to tee shirts to jackets. A summer pant, but as they aren’t overtly summer, I think I can get away with them as long as the weather is hot. Or we’re spending days at the beach!

Beach days are a necessity for me. The ocean calms me. And days in LA at the beach are completely versatile. If you need time by yourself, you can rely on stretches of the beach to be quiet for walks and thinking. The beach in LA is a great place to take a date (picnic!) or just laying out. Days in LA are great with friends, at the beach you can play any sort of beach volleyball (or just catch), water sports, sunbathe, people watch. The beach, and days in LA, can be as dressy or as casual as you make them. I’d love to know: what’s your idea of a perfect day in LA?

Shop my picks below! XO RA

Mornings almost anywhere have things in common: the gradual waking up, coffee, lots of coffee, and if you’re early enough a moment of peace. Mornings in LA include all of that, but are a bit magical, at least in my opinion. No matter what time of the year, mornings in LA are usually a bit cool, there’s a bit of dew and fog, and if you’re lucky you can feel some of the ocean breeze. LA is a busy town, but early in the mornings there is a peace, ad calm that’s just addicting. It’s almost as if the entire city takes it time getting up, so if you’re up early you have the playground to yourself. The light is soft, you can walk and think. And Mornings in LA are the perfect time for amazing fashion.

This top is really a slip, made extra special with vintage patches. It’s from a dear friend’s line,
Velvet California, (this shirt is also a Velvet California fave). What I love about it: slips are perfect for the bedroom, for lounging, or for pairing with the bottoms of your choice (or alone, if it’s long enough) and rocking it in public–and the nod to the morning here made me happy. Any sort of car wash skirt is amazingly fun (even early in the am). The slits move, it’s like playing peek-a-boo with yourself. What I love about this one? The different colors that come through when you move. And how this couture skirt I got from Moda Operandi perfectly matched my slip. What I love about all levels of fashion is how you can combine them and make something new. And how the mornings are the perfect time to play with that!

Mornings in LA, or any where often get a bad rap. We want to sleep in, hate early start times, and think that all the fun comes at night. Loves, there’s an pureness and a new start each morning. Let’s embrace that. Let’s play with that. Let’s rock some amazing fashion.

I’d love to know: how do you Rock your mornings?
XO RA
Shop my picks below:

All pics by Katy Shayne

And a great way to get a hot look for a morning or evening:

Loves, we know I love a great juxatipositon; and are one of the things that I find most interesting about people (and fashion). We’ve been getting to know each other for a while now; you know that I love shoes, editorial shoots, and fashion that’s fun. You might have also noticed that I LOVE football. And loves, I don’t think that’s something that’s seperate from fashion. In fact, even when I’m in football mode, I care about my fashion. Fashion x Football, it’s a thing my loves.

I’ve written about this before: here and here. On my Instagam (@racheladelicia), you’ve noticed that on Fridays my OOTD is all purple (Go Purple Friday), and in the coming weeks, on Sundays I’ll be repping the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, I wear my team’s colors and their logo shirts; but because I love fashion just as much as I love football I don’t end my combination of Fashion x Football at that. Below are some of my favorite football looks, and some of my tips to look fashionable on game day.

My attitude towards combining Fashion x Football is very similar to my attitude towards graphic tees. I think football fashion goes with anything, in fact I love a team tee (or item) with “high” fashion, it’s an amazing juxatipositon. Team tees and skirts, jeans with team sweaters, paying homage to your school with the colors in any form, I love it all. And of course, there is something amazing about great fitting jeans and a tee. There’s are so many ways to rep your team and stay on point with your fashion. Really, there’s only one thing that I don’t love about the combination of fashion x football:

I’m a woman. I love fashion. I love football. I hate the putting of sequins on team tees, and other merchandise to make it “appealing” to women. And here’s the thing, I love sequins, I have nothing against them! However, I don’t think that sequins and football mix. I proudly wear my team gear: everything from tees to bags to jewelry, shorts, socks, pants, almost everything. But I love the team, and while I love sequins, I don’t need them to rep my team. Personal preference? Perhaps so, but I have to let you know as someone who loves fashion x football, I just don’t love the sequin team items. I would much rather Rock my team tee with a pencil skirt! What about you??

I’ve tagged some of my fave “sports” gear and the classic pieces I love to pair them with!

Happy Friday and football! XO RA

Note: While I linked to items from certain teams, all teams are avaible, just click on the style you like!

If you can believe it, it’s once again when we’re supposed to turn our eyes away from summer style and turn our eyes towards fall, and all the amazing style that brings. Loves, it’s too hot. I know in both Los Angeles and in Texas, the temps are still in 90s. I dream of cozy sweaters, trench coats, the lady like structure that will be everywhere; yesterday I thought I might die of heat stroke in a sundress. And, let’s be honest: Septemeber weather is still summer weather, fall tends to roll in October. So, what do we do?

Transiational Fall Style. Not quite summer style, not quite fall style, but a combo that allows us to slowly intergrate the things we’re loving for fall with the things we loved in summer; all while hopefully managing to stay cool. The great thing about transitional fall style is that there are no rules, and you get to really showcase your own fashion point of view. Below I’m showcasing some of my favorite transitional fall styles!

Over the Knee Boots with Shorts

One of my favorite pieces of fall style is a great over the knee boot. When the temp finally drops, they’re great with jeans, skirts, or dresses. However, while the temps are still high I love pairing them with shorts for a classy transitional fall style, a la Olivia Palermo. Boots and shorts can be a tricky pairing, the secret is to make sure your boots go over your knees, and that your shorts are tailored. Bonus points if it’s cool enough to layer a wrap over your top!

Shop my favorite over the knee boots from DSW (where you can get all the style at an amazing price):

Skirt or Dress over Jeans

You may have noticed all over your Instagram feed, one of the best ways to Rock transitional fall style is to layer your favorite dress over your favorite jeans. (Yesterday’s wrap dress would be perfect for this, and the above pic reminds me of the Art dress worn here, here, and here). What makes this such a great transitional fall style is that wearing a dress over jeans (or any pants) allows you to keep the flirty sundresses we love in summer around, and yet lets you show off your new fall jeans.

Some of my fave dresses and jeans:

Layering

Loves, layering may be the all encompassing secret to transitional fall style. It can be done with any pieces of clothing. Some of my faves: turtleneck under summer tops, skirts over leggings, big cardigans over everything. With this method, any piece of summer fashion instantly becomes fall fashion. And the great thing about layers-you can take them off if it gets too hot! Everyone wins!

Some of my fave layering pieces:

I’d love to know: how do you style the transition from summer to fall?
If you need more inspiration I love this outfit slide show from Glamour, and these tips from The Chriselle Factor.

XO RA

Ever since DVF made the wrap dress a closet staple, it’s been a seasonless way to experiment with color and patterns, all within a figure friendly fashion statement. Wrap dresses come in all shapes, sizes, colors, patterns; and if you don’t have a go-to wrap dress in your closet we should address that issue! They are the ultimate solution to “what to wear today”, make any body type look amazing, and due to the adjustable nature of the style can be made as revealing or conservative as you feel comfortable with!

My new favorite wrap dress? This number from Anthropologie (side note, I must give a shout out to the staff at the Anthropologie at the Grove in LA, who made sure I got what I wanted, even when it required searching the stock room 3 times). I love that this is the perfect transition piece: the maxi length, the fall-like colors, the sleeves. I love the pattern mixing: florals and a black and white, and there’s a little lace detail. I love that this wrap dress can be a little low cut, or comes with a snap to make it more conservative. Like all wrap dresses, I love that this dress accentuates the waist, while being adjustatable, and flows like a dream. This wrap dress is perfect for summer (the beach!) but will also be great for the fall–I love the idea of wearing it over jeans as it gets colder.

I choose to wear this wrap dress with heels to make more of a statement (yes, heels at the beach are amazing), but it would look equally as great with sandals, boots, and all kinds of heels. I truly believe that wrap dresses are a worth while investment. They’re able to be both a classic and a statement piece at the same time, and with all the colors and patterns available there’s one for every style.

I’d love to know: how do you Rock a maxi dress?

XO RA

Shop my maxi dress picks below:

Loves, I have to admit that Harvey and its impact on my family (everyone is aok, just damage) has taken its toll. I’m slowly getting back on my game, and so excited about the things to come. In the meantime? I’m catching up!

We had a deal about an eye cream giveaway (and let’s be honest, I’ve needed this lately). I’m extending the deadline to win your very own! Go to the original post (here, it’s also up for sale over on the Skin Print tab if you’d rather just get your own!) Next go to my Instagram, link the post (it is a bit back). Lastly, make sure that you’re signed up for my newsletter! The winner will be picked next Wednesday! Good Luck!