The 5 Items to Add to Your Wardrobe This Fall

July 31, 2015

Louis Vuitton | Carven | Isabel Marant
Fall fashion: there are so many cool new clothes, amiright? So many trends to try, so many new offerings from your favorite brands. It can get sooo overwhelming! Luckily for you, I've picked the top five pieces that you should make sure you have in your closet for fall. If you are going to make any purchases this season, let it be these ones.

1. An A-Line Mini Skirt

Aimee Song of Song of Style

2. A Suede Jacket

Image via Collage Vintage

3. A Lace-Up Top or Dress

Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad

4. A Pair of Mod Shoes

5. A Printed Square Scarf

Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat via Instagram

What items are on your fall shopping list?

What I Wore | 7.29.15

July 30, 2015

COPE dress from Urban Outfitters | Rebecca Minkoff purse | C. Wonder boots (similar)
Finally got to wear my new dress from Urban Outfitters that I talked about a few days ago! Not gonna lie, it's pretty cute and way comfortable. If you have a similar body shape (small chest and waist but with a bit of hips) this high-neck shift dress style is really great. Pair with basic black accessories and you've got yourself a chic summer outfit! Perfect for tacos and margaritas with friends (which is exactly what I did!).

Shop the Outfit:

A No-Cost Styling Trick to Try

July 29, 2015

image via Vanessa Jackman
It's hot outside and you're sick of wearing crop tops. I get it. You want something a bit more classic, a little less music festival. Luckily for you, the item you seek is already lying around in your closet! With some artful styling, sleeve-rolling, and knot-tying, you can transform a button-down shirt into a chic summer piece.

For best results, tie the hem of your shirt in a knot, leave the top few buttons unbuttoned, and haphazardly roll up the sleeves. Pair with high-waisted jeans or a midi skirt and you have yourself a sassy summer look that still looks polished and put-together. No hot messes here!

How to Style Your Shirt This Summer:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

What are your favorite summer styling tricks?

Button Up

July 28, 2015

Big buttons at Derek Lam Fall 2015
From button-up skirts to double-breasted coats, it is all about the big button this fall. The bigger the buttons, the quirkier the effect, but the statement button works for girls of every style.

Check out big button looks on the runway, and shop cool pieces below!

Buttons on the Runway

Victoria Beckham | Derek Lam | Calvin Klein | Adam Lippes | Edun

Shop Statement Buttons:

Will you be rocking the big button look this fall?

The Celebrity Styling Secret You Have to Try

July 27, 2015

Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad in a Reformation bodysuit
Ever see a fashionable girl and wonder how her shirt looks so perfectly tucked in? Guess what! It's probably not a shirt at all; rather, it's a bodysuit! 

Leotard, one-piece, bodysuit...whatever you call it, you should definitely have one (or two, or three) in your wardrobe. It's the easiest way to have a perfectly tucked in top, and they are usually very figure-flattering. I recommend pairing a bodysuit with high-waisted bottoms, sheer skirts, and boyfriend jeans. When wearing a bodysuit, just make sure you aren't required to go to the restroom in a hurry—bodysuits + using the restroom = a huge pain.

Here are some stylish ladies who rock the bodysuit, and below are some of my favorites to shop!

How to Rock a Bodysuit Like an A-Lister

Emily Ratajkowski in a Reformation bodysuit via WhoWhatWear
Karla Deras of Karla's Closet wearing an American Apparel leotard
Chiara Ferragni of the Blonde Salad in a Reformation bodysuit
Kim Kardashian via WhoWhatWear
Jennifer Grace of The Native Fox wearing a Reformation bodysuit

Shop Bodysuits:

What do you think about the bodysuit trend? Would you wear one?

Why the New Kim Kardashian Photoshoot is Amazing

July 24, 2015

By now you all have probably seen the pictures of Kim Kardashian for the August issue of Vogue Spain. I'm sure you also have pre-existing opinions on Kim and her reality-famous family, but let's put those feelings aside for a moment and marvel at the beauty that is this feature.

I love makeup. I really do. I love a good bright lipstick and I even enjoy trying to master the high art of the perfect cateye. But there are days when I really just don't want to put makeup on. It's tiring and tedious and I usually end up getting mascara on my eyebrow or messing up my eyeliner or something that is just frustrating. Makeup can be fun, but it can also be horribly annoying.

And yet I make sure I have at least mascara and lipstick on whenever I leave the house. Why? I'd like to believe I am a mostly confident person (a lot more confident than I used to be, that's for sure) but I still am not to the point where I can walk out of the house makeup free. I live by the adage that you never know who you are going to run into when you're out and about and therefore you should always be looking your best.

However, recently I've noticed that women are going to extremes when it comes to everyday makeup. Contouring is super cool and I love it for big events, but personally I don't think people need to be wearing that much makeup everyday. For one, it's extremely time-consuming, and in the wise words of that one lady, "Ain't nobody got time for that." The other issue is that, for me, the more makeup I wear the harder it is to like how my face looks without any makeup on. Yes, it is really cool to look #flawless with a contoured face and eyebrows on fleek, but if you feel like you can't go outside without a full face of makeup on, that could be an issue.

And with Kylie Jenner and makeup bloggers making a name for themselves by constantly looking perfect and contoured, it's hard to not want a perfectly made-up face. There's a weird dichotomy in the fashion world right now between the gorgeously makeup-free minimalists and the perfectly made-up glam Barbie dolls, like the Kardashian Krew.

So to have Kim Kardashian, a celebrity who is in part responsible for the rise in popularity of contouring and other extreme makeup trends, appear on the cover of a major magazine with next-to-nothing makeup, is really empowering! Kim is gorgeous always, and I love her perfect beauty looks and her edgy fashions. But I also love that she is confident with what she looks like beneath all that makeup and saying, "Hey, makeup or no makeup, I love what I look like, and you should too!" If you love doing your makeup and want to try out the newest contouring method each day, go for it! But know that you should be doing it because you love it, not because you feel like you have to look flawless and perfect for the world. Because you are beautiful no matter how much makeup you wear! And if Kim Kardashian can rock the no-makeup look and still look gorgeous, we all can.

See the rest of the photoshoot here:







What do you think about this Kim Kardashian photoshoot?

Spoils of War (aka What I Got After a Long Day of Shopping)

July 21, 2015

The queen of shopping, Cher Horowitz
When I suggest a shopping trip amongst a large group of friends or acquaintances, I am often met with a few sideways glances or eyerolls. Ugh, this girl is so superficial. She's one of those girls. The very concept of shopping is seen as frivolous and just generally annoying. And I get it, shopping is all about buying into capitalist consumerist brainwashing and the idolatry of material goods, yadda yadda yadda, but to be quite honest I think shopping deserves a bit more credit. Sometimes it can be downright exhausting.

Take my recent trek to the mall with my mom this past weekend for example. When I suggested that Saturday would be a good time to check out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I had no idea that a tropical storm was heading for Baja California and was bringing a freak summer thunderstorm to San Diego. Seriously, it was perhaps the heaviest rainfall I have ever seen. But that wasn't going to stop me from finding some fall outfit essentials!

Of course because it was raining, everyone had flocked to the mall to watch movies and shop (with the comfort of being indoors and dry), PLUS there were great summer sales happening, so it was packed. Crowded places tend to bring out my most critical side, especially when it comes to the complete lack of respect for personal space and common courtesy. Add bad weather to the mix and a crowded mall full of annoying people becomes even more draining.



When people say they "shop until they drop" they really aren't kidding. Shopping is draining stuff, man, especially if you're at it for a long time. Think about it: you're walking around and standing for long periods of time, using all your mental strength to comb through racks and racks of clothing in search of the perfect piece of clothing. It's exhausting to try on four different pairs of boyfriend jeans in hope of a perfect fit, only to come away empty-handed (seriously, when am I going to find the perfect pair?) and calculate how many outfits you can create with a certain pair of cream lace shorts (enough to make the purchase justifiable, it turns out!). Even with someone who finds shopping an enjoyable activity—like myself—it can be extremely tiring, but the ability to walk away with glorious new pieces to add to your wardrobe is so totally worth it. Each shopping bag is like a gold medal, a reminder that you have emerged from this shopping excursion victorious.

So when someone rolls their eyes at you and says how superficial and stupid shopping is, just know that they are silly and lack the physical and mental strength to brave department stores and boutiques all afternoon. Just laugh at them and their basic outfit while you rock your chic, brand-new pieces, your spoils of war.

Anyways, here's what I walked away with after all that:

The Week in Pictures

July 20, 2015


When your week begins with a trip to Disneyland with your little brother (seriously, am I the coolest big sister or what?) you know it's gonna be a good one! Here are some snapshots from my week:

Sunday

Flo's Cafe in Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure
Gearing up for the fireworks! Seriously, Disney outdid itself for the 60th Anniversary
WEARING: BP dress and Rebecca Minkoff purse
Salmon, bacon, and pepper sandwich with sweet potato fries at my favorite Disney spot, Cafe Orleans
The Sleeping Beauty castle in all its glory

Monday

Doughnuts! With Sprinkles! Glasses from Madewell

Tuesday

Sashimi forever

Thursday

Some sweet goodies from Geneologie #PerksOfSororityLife

Friday

Morning coffee run
The full outfit and a picturesque backdrop of downtown San Diego
WEARING Anthropologie top, J. Crew shorts, Steve Madden sandals,
Madewell sunglasses and Rebecca Minkoff purse

Shop My Outfits:

What did you do this week? Don't forget to follow The Fashion Barbie on Instagram for more chic adventures!

A Taste of the Tropics

July 16, 2015

Kate of A Lone Star State of Southern wearing a LuLu's Two-piece Set
If a trip to the Bahamas is not in the cards this summer, you can still embrace the look of a tropical oasis with a palm or banana leaf print outfit. Or, if you are getting away to somewhere warm and tropical, make sure you match the environment!

Either way, the tropical leaf print is the print of the summer, and you should be embracing it. I love a good leaf print romper or matching set for a bold statement, but a fun printed top or skirt adds a nice touch of excitement to an outfit.

Here are my favorite tropical leaf print pieces!

Shop Tropical Leaf Prints:

What are your thoughts on leaf prints? Let me know in the comments!

Where It Girls Buy Their T-Shirts

July 15, 2015

Leandra Medine aka the Man Repeller in an Etre Cécile T-Shirt
Ah, the T-shirt. As classic as an apple pie and as comfortable as a cloud, the T-shirt is one of the staples of the modern casual wardrobe. From the simple Hanes 3-pack to the soft James Perse tee, there really is a T-shirt out there for everyone. You'd be hard-pressed to find an individual who did not have at least one T-shirt in his or her wardrobe. They are simply that ubiquitous.

While a simple, plain white tee is always iconic, lately fashion has been all about the graphic or word tee. Fueled by the seventies revival of late, retro T-shirt styles have been all over fashion blogs, Instagrams, and street style sites.

Kylie Jenner is known to rock a sassy graphic tee or two. The fashion logo pun trend may be over, but there are plenty of ways to show some sass with your T-shirt.

Want to look like like an It Girl? Here are where all the cool kids buy their T-shirts:

Mate the Label


For the laid-back California girl who drives a VW bus and grabs acai bowls after a day of surfing

Rad 


For the city-dwelling sarcastic sass master who loves Drake songs and wants to look like Kylie Jenner

Zoe Karssen 


For the macaron-eating Francophile with a rebellious streak

Bella Freud


For the thrift-store-rummaging vintage lover with a sweet record collection

Camp Collection


For the summer-loving outdoorsy type who really connected to the fashions of Dazed & Confused on a spiritual level

Shop It Girl T-Shirts:

Which brand is your favorite? Sound off below!

The Coolest Items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

July 14, 2015

image from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog

Sales are great. Awesome clothes available at a fraction of their original prices? Sign me up! But you know what's even better than a sale? A pre-sale, aka when the clothes are offered at a discounted price before they go back to being full-price.

That's right, it's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale time!

The department store has a lot of great offerings for fall, and the sale collection is the best that it has been in years, if I do say so myself. In particular, there are many different leather jackets, cute shoes, and great knitwear pieces, so you can stock up on all the things you need for fall.

Below are some of my favorite pieces that are available during the Anniversary Sale. If you're a Nordstrom cardholder, you can shop everything now! For non-cardholders, the Anniversary Sale begins this Friday, July 17th.

Topshop jacket | Billabong dress | Tory Burch sunglasses | Elizabeth & James purse
Leith tank top | Joie heels | Gorjana ring

Shop More Anniversary Sale Picks:

What are you hoping to score at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Let me know in the comments!

The Best of Fall 2015 Couture (Part II)

July 10, 2015

Backstage at Giambattista Valli Fall 2015 Couture via vogue.com
So much great fashion I couldn't fit it all in one post! Here are my reviews of the rest of the couture shows. Dont' forget to read Part I here!

Giambattista Valli


Giambattista Valli has proven himself to be the master of youth couture. Each collection is energetic and fresh and above all else, fun! Valli takes fashion design and construction seriously, but he knows that ultimately fashion is about having fun. For Fall 2015, the groovy sixties provided major inspiration, from the oversized round sunglasses to the mod shapes and electric colors. The dress-over-pants trend is sure to continue into fall thanks to Valli's stylish options.

What I love most about Giambattista Valli collections is that you can always understand the kind of "girl" he is looking to dress. This season, the Valli girl (not to be confused with the trashy Valley Girl) is a fun-loving socialite who frequents galas and modern art museums. She's hip in a quirky way. She may not even realize how cool she really is. She wears things because they are pretty and fun, and most importantly she wears clothing for herself. She couldn't care less what others thought about her eye-catching ballgowns of colorful tulle. She probably listens to old records and she has a Warhol in her living room. She's cool, but she doesn't care that she is.

Regardless, we all want to be her.

Ulyana Sergeenko


Ulyana Sergeenko is always good for some vintage Hollywood glamour. For Fall 2015 the theme was definitely starlets of the '30s and '40s, with luxurious silks and furs, long hemlines, and vintage accessories (caged veils, cat-eye sunglasses, and minaudieres) dominating the show.

What I love about Sergeenko's collections—as well as the general appeal of the fashions of the 1930s and '40s—is that they ooze sex appeal without being overly-revealing. There were plenty of plunging necklines and elements of intrigue, but even with this gorgeous dress and its sheer top, the skirt is so magnificent that the model hardly feels half-naked; the top is translucent but that isn't the point. These looks are sexy but they aren't overt, and it's something to appreciate in a time of miniskirts and crop tops. Rihanna is a fan of Sergeenko's designs. I can see her rocking these old-school glam looks with her signature edge.

Atelier Versace


The sixties really were all over Fall 2015 couture, and the Atelier Versace show did it in glorious style. With each model rocking a wavy, center-parted hairstyle adorned with a handmade fabric flower crown, this was the runway collection for the high-end music festival forest nymph. There's no doubt Donatella was feeling majorly inspired by Coachella and Woodstock, but there was a mythological etherealness as well, as if Versace were creating costumes for a modern-day version of A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania would be alllll over these dresses).

I always appreciate Versace looks on the red carpet, but sometimes I find the brand's runway shows to be a little too severe, too sexy, too...well, too Versace. I really enjoyed this softer approach. These dresses really are beautiful.

Also, seriously, can you imagine if this was what Coachella fashion was actually like? That would be a dream come true!

Valentino


While couture shows are typically shown in Paris, Valentino decided to do something a little different and took their runway show home to Rome for a truly unique presentation. Guests received tours of the Eternal City curated by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli themselves, with each stop featuring Valentino creations from couture shows past. Then came time for the show, which was set in the Piazza Mignanelli as the golden sun set. The clothes were primarily black, gold, and (of course) Valentino Red, but the simple color palette did not mean that the clothes themselves were simple.

There was plenty of lace, brocade, and embroidery, and the gold fabrics seemed to be coated with gold foil. Models wore jewels and crowns of gold, triumphant celebrations of the city of Rome. There were plentiful references to the city, from the gladiator sandals to the pleated skirt styles and the imperial diadems. The eagle was also heavily featured, being a symbol of Rome. The opening look was a dress with a neckline that resembled an eagle taking flight. Feathers featured prominently in the collection, and several necklaces featured eagle shapes.

The celebration of the rich history of Rome was on full display, of course, but I was also detecting hints of northern medieval influences. Was it just me, or did some of the looks (in particular the all-black ensembles) feel like they could be costumes in the upcoming film adaptation of Macbeth? There were definitely some dark, witchy vibes going on, but ultimately this was a collection about the splendors of Rome, and Chiuri and Piccioli wonderfully succeeded in celebrating the beloved home of Valentino. As the models made their final walk through the piazza, they were met with a full standing ovation from the crowd. You don't have to be that into fashion to know that this doesn't happen often (the fashion world is fickle and always vaguely disinterested in everything). But really, this was one of the best Valentino collections in years. Maybe they should always show couture in Rome!

(all runway images via style.com)

What was your favorite collection?