Inspiration Board: Brie Bella - Apple In Winter

Let's kick off 2016 with some fashion inspiration! I always feel a certain letdown at this time of year: the parties are done, the holidays are behind us, resolutions have been made. Now it's about all the hard work of keeping them and getting through the gray months into spring. Having fun with fashion can really help out here. One of my "perks" is using bright color during the next eight weeks; it's such a great pick-me-up!
I've already raved about how much I love this look from Brie. It's a great holiday look, but it's also cozy and bright, making it a perfect winter style! I did two different iterations because, while Brie has done this as a semi-dressy style, it also lends itself to a more casual interpretation. There are plenty of nappy, heathered and otherwise textured see-through sweaters and tees available today and you can definitely do this look with one of them, for authentic Brie-styling. An alternative to that would be to use a crochet or open-weave sweater, which we've also been seeing tons of on the runways and beyond. The crochet has a definite boho-leaning, while the open-weave look is a bit sportier. The important thing here is the color: you want something eye-catching and vibrant, like this bright apple shade. Me being me, I might do this with sunshine yellow instead, but cobalt or Kelly green would be just as uplifting. Next item: your under-layer of choice. A crop top or bandeau is an option, as is a lace bralette or a cropped bustier. Choose a contrasting neutral to get that coquettish see-through effect. Brie paired hers with a white pencil skirt and an adorable fuzzy gray scarf. I've gone with a cabled gray scarf, as almost any strong texture will work here. You could dress this up easily by finishing it with white or silver pointy-toe pumps, but gray suede booties keep things more casual. For an even more casual vibe, switch up the skirt for slim gray denim (black could work too!) and black ankle boots with a chunky heel. Since the overall vibe of this version is already laid-back, there's less need to bring that out via the scarf, so you can have a bit more fun and go with a pretty plaid or smooth knit. Happy styling! Don't be in the doldrums...start out 2016 merry and bright :)