You know that I love purple. (I wrote a love letter to the color here in “Why Purple?”) Another thing that I love? Vintage: clothes, shoes, shows, vibes. So, I feel like the next step in this epic love story is the tale of how to purple with retro vibes. Continue reading How to Purple with Retro Vibes
My guess? You have holiday parties and drinks and dinners on the books. Every site is pushing the 12 dresses of Christmas (not to mention NYE). Feeds, catalogs, and stores are full of sparkle and velvet and shine. I love all of that. Want to hear a secret? I love a great party dress, have never been able to resist them, and have quite a few coming your way. However, not all holiday get togethers call for your party dress. Is there a way to cocktail casual?
Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Right this way!
How to Cocktail Casual? Start with a party top. Does it have to be sequined and velvet and over the top? No. I think it does need to be a little special, but it doesn’t have to scream holiday. I love this Tory Burch one as it has some sparkly details, but doesn’t go over the top. The blue and white, and the floral, go with the holiday, but will also look great in the spring.
You have a top. How to Cocktail Casual? Pay attention to your shoes. Heels or dress flats or boots are a must. The casual doesn’t come from your shoes. I’m not saying choose footwear that’s uncomfortable, but shoes that make you want to celebrate are always a good thing. These wedges are from quite a few seasons ago, but I love that the shape is just orginal enough, yet the pattern is classic. If you worry about wearing heels out, wedges are always a great option. They give you height while maintianing balance.
How to Cocktail Casual: the casual part! Loves, you need a great pair of jeans. I love a dark, skinny pair with little to no distressing. If you find that you need two pairs of cocktail casual jeans, you can make your second pair black. The dark rinse will go with any top, and keep you looking polished while not dressy. And bonus? These cocktail casual jeans can make the transition to casual and look great even with your favorite sweatshirt!
How to cocktail casual? Remember that the most important part of any holiday party is that you have a good time!
I’ve linked some of my favorite pieces below! Happy Shopping!
XO RA
How to copy: Get as close as you can to the orginal, but not too close. Continue reading How to Copy
This is a story about why purple. Purple is not only the color of royalty and wisdom, it’s my school colors (yep, both high school and college). If you follow me on Instagram you know that I am a loyal alumni of my college, TCU. Maybe I take college football a little too seriously, but we have a “Go Purple Friday” tradition. And I follow it. Then, I also wear purple on game day. So, I’m always on the look out for fashionable purple to show my pride.
*SideNote: this skirt looks a little more magenta in pictures. I promise it’s more purple! Continue reading Why Purple?
Worried about what to wear to all the holiday parties you have this month? Not to worry! We know how to holiday! Hint: it involves a lot of red and some sparkle Continue reading How to Holiday: Red and Sparkle
There are a ton of things to be scared of in the world. Retirement. Spiders. Color. Prints. What you want being sold out. Ok, maybe this list isn’t equal in terms of the scariness, but let’s be honest, these things are all scary. Continue reading Prints Charming
Green is the color of envy. The color of the holidays. And the color of the pants you didn’t know that you need. Continue reading Holiday Green
Or as We like to say here at Investment Piece: What to Bring for the Holidays! Continue reading Gift Guide: Hostess Gifts!
Doing the same thing over and over again is a part of insanity. Right?
Or, and just hear me out, is doing the same thing over and over again running with a theme?
Continue reading How to Run with a Theme
Are you tired of hearing that leopard is a neutral yet?
I know, I get it, I hear you. It can be hard to hear the same thing over and over again. (Even if I am right when I say it). So, let’s switch it up. Maybe Leopard isn’t a neutral. Maybe it’s a big pop. Maybe it’s something that can turn an outfit into an OUTFIT. Sound better? More doable? Ok, then it’s decided. Let’s do a pop of leopard (at least for today).
I think what happens when we hear the same thing over and over again; or look at things through only one lens, we miss a lot of what’s possible. It’s human nature. I’ve admitted more than once that I’ve tuned my mother out, only to turn around and find that she was right (about a lot. It’s our secret). Our closets? The same thing. We label something as a neutral, or conversely as something special, and we refuse to see all the other ways that we could wear it. Yes, it’s a thing we all do. But by doing this, we miss out on so many amazing opprotunities. (We’re talking fashion, but I’m sure that there are other things that this applies to. Think hard). We made an arrangement; so today, instead of thinking of leopard as a neutral, we’re thinking of it as a pop. What does that change?
Of course the easiest way to make leopard a pop is to keep the rest of your outfit neutral. I’m not afraid of a good Candian Tuxedo (Example here), and actually think one can add value to our wardrobes. Let’s level with each other, we all need a great pair of jeans (These Point Sur, old, are some of my faves as the wash, and rise are just classic. I’ve picked a similar pair for you here). They are the perfect thing to throw on in almost any situation. And what’s better than a great pair of jeans? A great chambray or jean top. Throw it on with almost anything. The trick? Don’t be afraid to pair them together. (Pro-Tip: You want them to go together but not match exactly). Once you have this basic combo down: add a pop. It works every time.
Because we agreed to, today it’s leopard. I just adore these mules, but any pump, or belt, or bag would do. The thing for a pop is that it has to be different than the rest of the outfit, and it’s great if it has a little sass.
This combo would be great for running errands, brunch, casual drinks, and a casual dinner.
What’s your fave pop? And how do you rock it?
Shop my picks (affiliate links, no affect to your price) below and let’s make leopard a pop!
XO RA
