I LOVE Halloween. It’s partially the actress in me, and partially all the stories, but I can’t help but love any and all characters. It’s partially my belief that fashion is a mode with which to tell our stories, and there’s no better story than a costume. And,also? I just love to dress up!
This year I’m planning two costumes for “Fashion Halloween”, and I can’t wait to share them with you in the coming weeks!(Let’s just say a Dino and a historical fave are involved!) In the meantime, let’s take a trip down memory lane and think about all the fashion Halloweens that have come before: Cleopatra, A Mermaid, Lady MacBeth, the Birds, etc.)
Do you know what you’re going to be yet? Do you have a plan?
I’ve started sharing some of my costume ideas: from subtle things to comic book heroes, I’ve linked some below, and you can always shop my looks on the sidebar, or follow me in the LiketoKnowit and ShopStyle apps for daily inspiration!
Let’s get excited about spooking, shall we?
Xo RA
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
More subtle touches:
Some of my current fave Comic Hereo costumes:
And you can shop some favorite Halloween tees here
Remember when I played with colored tights (a bit out of my comfort zone but so fun!)? Well, it turns out that colored and patterned tights are a statement piece for fall. So! I couldn’t help but revisit how we can style them (and I’ve updated some of my fave tights!).
Tights, hose, whatever you want to call them- they are a winter staple and at the same time an accessory to play with. I’ll be honest, I was a little scared of playing with colored tights. If I wore blue tights with a blue outfit would I look like a blueberry? But then I thought- if I can wear all black and feel chic why not play with other colors? If I believe that clothes are how we tell our stories, why not have a little fun?
So- I began to play. From patterns, then patterns with colors. Pastels with neutrals, then pastels with color. And then- bright colors.
My tips?
-Have an outfit formula. For me that was a skirt and a top, meaning that I could add or subtract color of any portion of the outfit. I could go more neutral or add more color.
-Be comfortable and confident. Part of trying anything new is that- simply trying! I tried things on, saw what I liked. I realized that there were days when I would be more bold and days when I would be more timid- but either way I wanted to be comfortable. The only way to get there is to try.
-I broke colored tights into 3 categories:patterns (sub group patterns with color), pastels (the lighter they are the more “nude” they’ll be), and brights(fyi colors like navy and maroon will read closer to black!). Each of these give you so much room to play and have fun!
And I think the main thing is to have fun! As I mention, if we don’t like it, we can always just change our outfits. Throughout the day I’ll be updating these looks on the @shopltk app!
I would love to know: do you rock colored tights? With what? How did you get comfortable with them? When you have a new fashion item how do you style it? I would love to know any and all of it!
XO RA
Below I’ve linked some of my favorite colored (and patterned) tights! Note: While this post does contain affiliate links, that does not affect the price for you, even thought I might earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
I know that you’ve heard me say that party dresses are some of my favorites. There has never been one that I can say no to. And I tend to overdress. Not on purpose! But yes, I am that friend who will show up cocktail ready (in more ways than one!) no matter how many times you tell me that the event is casual.
And yet. Maybe my second favorite thing (fashion wise at least) is an outfit that seems FANCY yet feels like pjs. Wearing your pjs works. And vintage lingerie is more than adequate. But so many of my favorite outfits- when I’m told that I’m overdressing- are the ones that are easy. That feel good. That still let me overdress.
So is it possible to overdress (in a sneaky way) and get the high of high dressing and yet deep like you’re in your pjs?
Yes. They are called silk caftans. And when paired with platforms (though I’ve also worn this dress to the grocery store with sandals and gotten compliments on it!)
And while this one was gifted (from Silk Ranch It is not influenced by that! In fact, you can see how much I love their silk caftans and pants here.
And in fact, as much I wasn’t influenced, the first few times I wore this dress, I wore it backwards (on accident!)
Yep. I thought that this part, with the V and the tassel was the front. Then Sheryl sent me a message letting me know the caftan was supposed to go another away! A little insight into that sometimes being the best dressed means making it your own- and that great things can be worn more than one way!
So, here’s what’s great about a silk dress- be it caftan or slip or shirt. It reads overdress. As in, no matter what you’re going to, in a silk dress you’ll always be on point for your events. And in some cases, you’ll be the fanciest one there- but why risk underdressing? And what I love about a caftan? They are both casual (read drinks by the pool) and fancy (read fancy cocktail parties). And the best part of silk (esp caftans?) They feel like pjs. Meaning that no matter how many people love your dress, or how fancy it is- you’ll be comfy (like pjs comfy). And paired with platforms (did you know they’re in again?!?) or even your flip flops, the silk caftan will never steer you wrong.
How to overdress sneakily? Silk. Especially a caftan. Add some platforms. Or some sandals. OR clogs (also in!)! And then indulge in the compliments. Like that you look good while feeling comfy.
I can’t recommend Silk Ranch enough. And I’ve linked similar items below. How do you overdress in a sneaky way?
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Every season I always get antsy to chat about trends- for more than one reason. There are so many micro trends ( we can both hate and love social media for that), that sometimes trend reports can feel outdated (even if they’re brand new). And also, there are trends that we’ll hate and trends that we won’t follow (I write about it here). Beyond that, I’m a firm believer that trends are just suggestions (aka when you find your own style you stick to it) and while trends may come and go- you can ignore a lot of them.
Which makes them hard to write about.
And also hard to clean out our closets as you never know what will come back (there’s been a pair of hot pink, platform boots that I can’t seem to let go of, but now know why!)
But. While I won’t be addressing all the trends (And there are so many places you can get them from!) and might chat about trends I’m seeing that aren’t official (like all the platforms I’m seeing on the red carpets but are on no “list” or the hot pink spawned by Valentino) this fall season I can’t help but share my fave fall 2022 trends with you. Take what you love. Leave what you don’t. Use what you have, buy what you are WAY too in love with. That’s what fall trends are for.
(At some point we might chat why the summer to fall transition feels SO big, especially with trends. We might also chat why transitions feel so big, I’ve written about it here, and here– a round up of thoughts and outfits to get through the summer to fall transitions and fall trends.)
But, with all of that, let’s take a look at some of my favorite Fall 2022 trends. Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I might earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Oldies But Goodies
Inlcuded: Suits. Slip Dresses. Knits. Boots. Maxi dresses and skirts. Velvets. Embellishments.
Another reason why trends can be difficult to chat about? They come back? Has there been a fall in you lifetime when some sort of boots weren’t in? Or blazers? OR Sweaters?
Yes, these items are always in and always in some new style. This season it’s in plaids, pinks, knit sets, high boots, and all the velvets, etc you can love. And of course those will change over the course of the season. Here are some of my current faves:
Clogs and Platforms
If you’ve been paying attention to any of the red carpets of the recent film fest, fashion weeks, etc, the two shoes that you’ve been seeing over and over are clogs (go with anything from slouchy suits to jeans) to platforms (wear with dresses and suits and more). These are some of my faves:
While I feel as if leather is in style every cold weather season, this fall it’s so chic to wear leather (or faux leather) head to toe. From dresses. To suits. So mix and match. Thes are some of my faves:
Boots
Cliche? Yes. This season they cliche leans over the knee and western leaning. I love a great statement boot, and from velvets to patterns to all of the above, these are some of my faves:
What fall trends are you looking forward to? Are there any you’re not going to try (for me that’s cargo pants! But if you’re wearing them I can’t wait to see!)? What do you already have that matches the current trends?
I can’t wait to see your fall picks!
XO RA
I am a firm believer that animal prints are neutral, but I will acknowledge that usually when I’m thinking of animal prints, I’m thinking of leopard. And leopard being a neutral is a hill I’m willing to die on. Yet, leopard isn’t the only animal print (out there, on trend, worth your time) that’s neutral. Perhaps we overlook it, but zebra print (especially in easy separates that read a as a suit but feel like pjs) is something that you should rock – often.
You can see some of my other favorite zebra print items here.
One of the things that I love about zebra print is that it’s just a bit unexpected. It’s a lot neutral (black and white together? And if you’re someone who wants to follow the “old” rule about not wearing white after Labor Day, this is a nice work around!) and yet a bit bold. Easy to down play, and yet easy to pair with a statement piece- or a pop of color in your shoes, bag, etc.
It’s easy to not think about zebra; as much as black and white make it a neutral, you sometimes have to think about that color combo in new ways. Yet, when you do, so much opens (fashion wise at least) opens up!
So, why do I think that zebra should be what you rock this fall (aside from the above reasons)? It’s fun. And chic. While zebra can be used as a statement, if used as a neutral you can put your own spin on it, though I have to say I’m currently loving shades of yellow with it!
Zebra is the ultimate combination of playing it safe while standing out that you can rock all season long (and into the the winter and early spring!). I’m loving this jacket that’s a wrap coat and easy pull on pants- and I’ve linked them below! These shoes are from last winter, but I’ve found you similar.
As summer ends and we start fall, what animal prints are you looking to wear? And how?
I’d love to hear all about it!
xo RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
I originally wrote this post a few years ago. I pull it out now and again, because I can’t stop thinking about this topic. Again we’re finding ourselves at a time when trends are going to be presented. We’re in the middle of a transition to a new season. We’re being told what’s trendy, what we should buy, and the looks that we HAVE to have. And loves, I’m not mad at any of that. I love seeing new interpretations and getting to explore new sides of ourselves through fashion. The flip side of that? What if we hate it all. What if the trends for fall or next spring are just awful and wrong for us? Next week I’ll be sharing what 2021 Fall trends I’m excited about (and also what trends you can buy vintage!). I know that trends can have this negative connotation. But I really think if we can think of them as the fashion being offered to us- to do what we need to- they seem more appealing.
With that I feel a little bit better. I hope you do you!
Wishing us all a week of good trends and amazing shoes!
Xo RA
NY Fashion week has come and gone, and we’ve been presented with what’s on trend for now, and for the Fall. Which is great, right? Hopefully you’ve been inspired and are excited about what will be/is offered to you, and you have ideas and plans on how to wear it (or you’re excited to see how we wear it here!) But loves, let’s be honest with each other. There’s a chance, and there are times, when you just HATE a trend. Maybe you try it and it’s just not flattering on you. Maybe it brings back bad memories. Maybe you just hate it so much you can’t bring yourself to try it or think about it. I get it. I know, I’m in fashion and supposed to encourage you to try new things. Which I think you should. But not everything is for everyone.
Loves, I’ve struggled with this part all week. A part of me is torn–I feel as if I’m supposed to encourage you to try new things. Maybe the right piece, the right time, the right color will change your mind on a trend. Maybe. Trying different versions of a trend is also valid. Maybe you hate cold shoulder, but you love a certain off-the-shoulder. Maybe. Classics may be your thing and you don’t want to vary out, but one dress could change your mind. Maybe. I think all these avenues are great-again, I’m for us all trying things. But loves, sometimes things don’t work. And that’s valid too. Trends are simply that, a passing fancy, and if you don’t like it, it’s ok. A new trend will come about, or classics are always in style.
There are trends that I don’t like; and my personal view is that fashion is supposed to be a fun way to express yourself–not a list of things you HAVE to wear.
So, at the end of the day my biggest advice is, if you don’t love it, don’t wear it. That simple. Love what you wear, wear what makes you feel good!
The next few days, leading into the next month, are some of the most difficult to dress for. Yes, we chat about transitions (see here, here, and here!), and we all know it’s still technically summer (in the north hemisphere), but so many of us want it to be fall so badly. And we can debate about how to dress this time of year, but what do you do when you sweat through all the things you’re wearing to transition?
Because, loves, sweating is what we’re gonna be doing. I wish that it wasn’t so- I wish that fall was immediate, with sweater weather and all the trenches your heart can dream of- yet. It was in the 90s today. And it’s humid. So, I figured, if I’m going to be sweating, I might as well be sweating gold.
These pants, while my new favorite thing, are one of those pieces that I’m afraid have a time limit. They are linen, but this exquisite rose gold color (which I’m crossing my fingers buys me time). So, they wrinkle (even after ironing and steaming) but they don’t look like your typical linen pants. They’re gold. And elevated basic, but also a nod to the fact that while we’re in liminal spaces while it’s hot and yet heading towards fall, that’s a bit of a bridge.
Shooting under a bridge wasn’t a pun but if you take it that way I won’t blame you.
I mainly fell in love with the fact that these pants weren’t what they seemed. Who would think that pants that seem gold would be breathable? But they are. Who would think that spun gold could take you from heat to cool, work to drinks? But it can. And if you’re going for gold, you might as well go broke- aka layer the necklaces and the bracelets.
A side note- one of my go-tos lately have been button downs. Whites, denims, chambrays, prints- I love that any size can work for you (button where you need and a chic tie is for all of us), and that while button downs have read work for years, they can also be sexy. Perhaps it’s a versatility that’s the most attractive.
Is this outfit about bridging the gap of seasons or being able to adorn myself in gold? I don’t know that I have a straight answer, it’s most likely a bit of both. I want to lean into fall trends (like trousers!) and not only wear sundresses, but I also love gold- and how rich it makes everything feel. Is anything only one thing? Can we want to adorn ourselves and want to stay cool? Or do we choose if we’re going to suffer, we might as well sweat gold. Any which way, I recommend golden hues- from your neck down, breathable fabrics, and a willingness to play with them!
I’ve linked these exact pieces below (the necklace is a vintage Whiting and Davis and I can’t recommend it enough. I also found you one!). These shoes are my beloved Sarah Flints, and you can use code SARAHFLINT-BAINVESTMENTPIECE for $50 off your own pair.
If nothing else, now is a great time to play with textures, button downs, and golds! And if you do, I would love to see it!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
I’ll be frank- the next few weeks are some of my least favorite. It’s not that I don’t love summer, and it is still technically summer. And it’s not that I don’t look forward to fall, at this point I’m so thrilled for all the things to come, I can’t wait for the temps to drop. But. When I think of summer to fall transitions, I think of layers; adding sweaters to sundresses, slowly beginning to wear boots, adding leather to outfits, start wearing light jackets. And. It’s insanely hard to do any of that, or even get excited about fall, when it’s still 100 outside.
I may be in the minority here, but I almost wish we got a little break about now. To sweat out the last of summer. For the cool of fall to settle in so we can switch our wardrobes. It’s just that the transition from summer to fall isn’t always as chic or layered as I wish it could be, it’s more wondering how long I can get away with shorts and linens and all things that don’t show sweat.
How do we transition to cooler seasons if it’s still hot? If the transitional fashions we’re presented with are only about layers, what do we do when we only want to take things off?
At this point, I don’t know. I know I’m supposed to tell you about easing in. And layering. And at some point if we wear boots with our dresses and bring sweaters, that eventually we’ll need those boots and sweaters.
I’m excited for that day. But, it’s still so hot and there are days when layering or boots or even telling you to put a button down over your outfit feels like a lot. And I’m not sure what to tell us at that point.
So. Here are some of the ways I’ve tried to transition from summer to fall in the past.
In all honesty, I’m not sure what I’m wearing to transition from summer to fall this year. Some of that depends on the weather, some of that depends on what I can put together. Transitions can be hard- from fashion ones to personal ones. And I know we can’t take the next few weeks off (unless you know how we can! Then please lmk!). From now on I’m working on transitioning from summer to fall, and I can’t wait to show you what that looks like!
Below I’ve linked some of the above outfits and some of my fave fall pieces! If you need me I’ll be manifesting cooler temps so we can wear them all!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
We’re headed into a long weekend. Maybe you’re the type to travel and go non stop on the last “unofficial” weekend of summer. And I get that- seeing things before the routine of fall, spending times on the water, with people you love- all great options. My huge plans for the long weekend? Indulge.
Not in shopping (though there are some sales I’m excited about). And not (necessarily) in food in drink. But indulge in summer. Spend time in the water, and time doing nothing. My family will get together and I may spend an afternoon doing nothing but reading. BBQs, glasses of wine, swimsuits with everything. And what better to put over my swim and wear to everything but crochet?
Crochet has been on trend all summer (and I don’t think it’s going anywhere). But, my favorite crochet? My grandma’s. Yep, this number was my grandma’s and she passed it on to me years ago. I’ve worn it as a dress, properly, with a slip underneath and everything. But one of my favorite ways to wear it, and one that seems incredibly appropriate this weekend, is wearing my crochet (even grandma’s) with a swimsuit. (And I love that it’s ever-so-daring).
From the couch to the pool to putting my feet in the river to sipping wine. This is about what my weekend will look like. What are you up to this holiday weekend? And what are you wearing?
A little programming note- to just relax and spend time with my family this weekend, the blog will be dark Sunday and Monday. We’ll be back Wednesday September 7 with all new content and excited about the new fall trends. I would LOVE it if you join me over on IG and on the @ltk and @shopstyle apps for all sorts of sale picks and outfit posts (as well as updates on all my indulging)! In the meantime, I hope that you have a great weekend and stay safe out there!
xo RA
I know that this dress is vintage but I have found you similar and linked this exact swimsuit!
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
It seems to me that there are 2 main types of style for the coming week: People who have a hard cut off white (pants/all white looks/etc) at Labor Day and are scrambling to get all of their last summer looks in- from swimsuits to white pants. And those who don’t abide by the Labor Day white pant rule but are so desperate for fall, and are already in the throws of school schedules, etc, that are wearing “fall” styles- even though it will be “summer” (temp wise) through October.
These 2 types may seems extreme, yet I bet we can all name people in our lives who fit these 2 types of style. And then there’s me- a little bit in between. Am I hungry for fall style? Yes. Do I have a hard line at Labor Day for my white pants? No.
So. Where does that leave me? Giving a last hurrah to all my summer styles or embracing new fall styles?
Where is the in-between? Is it combining blazers and shorts?
Or do we go all out on one last chic summer last hurrah and indulge in all of the summer fashions from swim to white pants?
Is there a correct place to land on the spectrum? Or is it up to a personal preference?
Here’s where I’m falling for this summer’s “last hurrah”:
-I am wearing white pants, but I’m not packing them up after Labor Day
-Getting in all the swim I can, but understanding it will be just as hot the Tuesday after Labor Day Monday
-Dreaming of fall sweaters and blazers but not quite ready to put them on
-Pulling out jeans and pants but being wary of wearing them just yet
-Indulging in all the shorts I can
-Scarves as tops
-ALL the linen
-Also wearing swim as tops
-All the chic Sandals before boot season
What else do you suggest? I can’t bear to rush into fall clothing (mainly because of the heat) and I can’t bear to put all my chicest summer wear away, as I know the temps aren’t changing. So, last hurrah? First hurrah? What are we getting ourselves into?
I’ve linked some of my favorite summer and transitional picks for you below. I would love to know how you’re handling the next week- and the weeks after Labor Day before it gets cool!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that doesn’t affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
