FashionHap: November Commences

Barbie kicked off November in this simple, classic pairing of a long-sleeved, heathered tee and denim shorts. The look has a completely all-American girl vibe to it…until you get to the footwear :). Barbie’s choice of burgundy velvet OTK boots not only adds a massive shot of fierce, it also give the fall flavor to an otherwise almost summer-y outfit. A burgundy lip shade carries the color upward in a pleasing way.
Alexa got a Maryse Makeover during Total Divas which gave me mixed feels. I loved the youthful vibe of the embroidered collar on the dress Maryse picked but, even with that, the piece has a maturity and sophistication which feel a little out of place on Blissy just yet. Ditto the gorgeous lace coat. The studded bag I think she could probably work with though ;). Even though the look isn’t ultimately one I can see Alexa keeping right now, I really enjoyed seeing her step out of her comfort zone. Sometimes the best way to figure out who you are (in fashion and otherwise) is to figure out who you’re not. Or, who you’re not right now – sometimes you find something you can come back to another point and realize that you’ve grown into it. The experience always has a lesson, which is why taking chances and trying things is important. It keeps you from getting stuck in a box and/or getting bored.
Brie gave us a sample of her trademark boho style on the show, as well. She paired a flowy peasant blouse in antique rose with medium wash blue jeans. This is a rendition of the fancy-meets-chill blouse and denim look that fashion has been loving the last few seasons.  It often gets served with distressed denim so I really love seeing Brie’s hole-less bottoms! The look works flawlessly, with her braided hairband cementing the bohemian vibe and acting as the exclamation point of the styling.

I love this iteration of the concept as well: Brie uses the same denim, but adds a deep-v-necked striped blouse with ruffled statement sleeves and beige suede to-the-knee boots. While the depth of th denim hue anchors the look, the rest of it feels fresh and light. The wrap styling gives the blouse an ever-so-trendy 70’s vibe and the look suit Brie perfectly.
In a very different genre, but with an equally appealing effect , is Brooke’s combination of an oversized knit choker sweater with distressed leather-panelled leggings.  I love that she chose to complete the look with heeled ankle booties instead of the ubiquitious sneakers that would have taken this into athleisure territory. Instead, it has a chilled fierce quality, projecting an off-duty rock star vibe that I’m totally here for. If you’re craving summer, her next outfit should slake that thirst a bit: she pairs a white ruffled off-the shoulder top with rolled, light wash denim shorts. I love how breezily glamorous, but also completely accessible this look feels! She completed it with Giuseppe Zanotti platform ankle strap sandals that kept the lightness and Americana vibe. Brooke commented on this shot that she loves mixing expensive items with fast-fashion pieces (her top and shorts are from Agaci) – an excellent reminder of a fashion philosophy minted in the 80’s by Anna Wintour.
Cathy looked incroyable on the red carpet at the Unlikely Heroes event, wearing a scarlet gown from Badgley Mischka> In addition to the glorious fabric, I love the combination of the appearance of an off-shoulder piece with spaghetti straps. I’d choose that kind of style in a heartbeat – it would make me feel like I had some insurance against potential clothing malfunctions…or movement over-functions :). Not only is the piece practical, it looks stunning on Cathy: the color is gorgeous, the fit is flawless and the connotation has a hint of princess without being frilly. She finished it with simple black ankle strap sandals and I love the color counterpoint to the red – it brings the fiery fabric to earth in a very chic way. Red statement earrings, a red lip and a low side-pony round out this lovely look. She gave us a more casual offering with her next outfit. The standout piece in this look is definitely the overalls/jumpsuit, which are an interesting hybrid between overalls and suspenders. It feels very avant-garde, which I like. On the flip side, you don’t need such a fashion-forward piece to make this look work. High-waisted suit pants with a wide or flared leg would give a classic and equally chic reinterpretation of this styling, which adds a white of-the-shoulder top, structured wedge sandals and a studded and fringed crossbody to complete the ensemble. I’m intrigued by Cathy’s choice to add warm caramel tones to this classic black-and-white pairing. It’s a cool way to warm up the look, as well as adding an extra level of interest and a dash of autumnal flair. Long, slim statement earrings are just the right touch of jewelry: they’re polished, but don’t overtake the rest of the look.