We’ve had a lot of fun over the last year and a half, but all good things must come to an end. Thank you to everyone who has been apart of this incredible journey with us ❤
Xoxo,
S & H
Video Taken & Edited by: Daniel Nansel
Music in Video by: Yuni Wa
Photos Taken By: Daniel Nansel
Photos Edited By: Hannah Lewter
Hello lovelies!
Spring has officially sprung, and we are loving the fresh color combinations that are blooming this season.
As you can probably tell, one of our favorite color combos is pink + red.
A year ago–hell, even a couple months ago–if you had asked either one of us what we thought about a pink and red outfit, we probably would have encouraged you go with either pink OR red and add some neutrals to keep your look balanced and not over-the-top. (Sorry, went into stylist mode for a second.)
But now, we are kind of loving looks that are over-the-top.
When paired together, pink and red clash in a way that’s somehow charming and delightful. Especially when it’s a red jumpsuit paired with a pink blazer or vice versa. (Can you believe we found every one of these pieces at Goodwill?!)
If you want to try out this trend for yourself, our advice is to grab all of the pink and red pieces in your closet and lay them out on your bed
Try out different combinations of pieces and don’t get caught up in whether or not they match–they are not supposed to!
If the clash bothers you too much, add another pink or red piece in a different shade (like Hannah’s beret).
It sounds counterintuitive to add yet another clashing piece, but having three clashing shades together can actually give you that cohesion you are looking for.
We would love to see some of your pink and red outfits, so please feel free tag us in them on Facebook or Instagram!
Xoxo,
H & S
Photos by: Daniel Nansel
Editing by: Hannah Lewter
Go back in time and ask any of us at five years old where we wanted to be in twenty years,
I guarantee it would be right here.
Wearing a couture gown,
Modeling alongside a stallion
for a lavish photoshoot.
As we would have then,
we adorned ourselves with flowers,
And held hands as we smized
and slayed before the camera.
We felt glamorous and beautiful and powerful
Even as the wind whipped our faces and the mud soaked our shoes.
It didn’t matter.
We were exactly where we wanted to be.
Laughing. Loving. Creating.
XOXO,
Sabrina, Hannah, and Emily
Photography by: Hannah Hall
Edited by: Hannah Lewter
Clothes by: Romas by Linda Rowe Thomas
Hello lovelies!
Are you as excited as we are that spring is finally upon us?
Following the brutal winter we had here in Arkansas, we were ready to get a head-start on the warm weather, so we and our close friend, Brooke Rainwater Smith, decided to plan a girl’s trip to the beach in Perdido Key, Florida.
Even though two of the three of us have graduated from college and don’t even technically have a spring break anymore, we decided to embrace our youth and take our first-ever spring break beach trip.
Overall, it was an absolute blast—we ate pounds upon pounds of crab legs (except Sabrina because she would go into anaphylactic shock), sipped on bottomless mimosas, and danced at FloraBama like there was no tomorrow.
One of our favorite parts of the trip was the FOOD. If you are ever in the Perdido Key/Orange Beach area, you must check out Another Broken Egg Cafe.
Because Peach Cobbler Waffles. Fried Chicken Benedict. Southwestern Skillet Hash.
Need we say more?
We also had a grand ole time at The Wharf whilst window shopping, playing putt-putt golf, and riding the Ferris wheel— with frozen daiquiris in our hands at all times, of course. Several of the restaurants in this entertainment center even offer ‘penny cocktails’, where you can get a cocktail a day for literally a penny!
We must warn you, though, the beach was not nearly as warm as we expected it to be. In fact, we were only able to truly enjoy one day of sunshine during the three and a half days we were there.
But we did take full advantage of that one day by starting with beachside yoga in the morning (as relaxing as you would expect) and ending it with several hours of soaking up the sunshine, reading books, and sipping on hard lemonade.
This trip was an unforgettable bonding experience for all of us, and it was the break from reality we needed before we dive headfirst into Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week next week.
Xoxo,
Slarf, Bumpkin, & Petri
(Yup, those are our nicknames we gave each other on the trip. Can you guess who’s who?)
Hannah’s Wearing:
Revolve Snakeskin One Piece Swimsuit | Banana Republic Wide Brim Hat (similar) | Target Cardigan (similar) | Amazon Hands Earrings | Amazon Silver Sunglasses |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| ASOS Floral One Piece Swimsuit | Amazon Cover Up | Target Straw Hat (similar) | Rue21 Cat Eye Sunglasses (similar) | Banana Republic Hoop Earrings (similar) |
The maxi dress is a tricky one to conquer. Sure, you can just throw one on with a pair of heels and be done with it, but if you style it the same way every time you wear it, you are going to grow tired of that dress (and we can’t have that!).
The key to unlocking the full potential of your favorite maxi dress is learning how to style it in multiple ways so that it doesn’t feel like you are wearing the exact same outfit over and over again. How, you ask?
Cinch It With a Belt
A loose-fitting maxi dress is a staple you can always feel confident in, no matter if you are feeling fit as a fiddle or a little bloated.
For those times when you want to show off your rockin’ bod, cinch your dress with a trendy belt to accentuate your waistline.
Add a Cozy Sweater
Layering on a sweater is one of our signature tips for making a dress feel like new, and this holds true for maxi dresses too!
Changing how the top of your dress looks makes that piece feel like a chic, brand-new maxi skirt.
Make It Office-Friendly
Not sure how to style your maxi for your 9-5? It’s simple: add other pieces that you already wear to the office.
This can be a plaid blazer, a button-down layered underneath, or your favorite pumps.
Top It Off With Great Accessories
People say, “I love a good dress because it’s already an entire outfit!”, but we believe an outfit is never truly complete without the perfect accessories.
If your maxi is a neutral color (or even if it’s not), liven it up with a velvet or faux fur crossbody bag plus a pair of statement ankle boots.
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Cream Sweater (similar) | Dillard’s Strappy Heels (similar) | Banana Republic Wide Brim Hat | Old Navy Suede Moto Jacket | Goodwill Multicolor Faux Fur Purse (similar) | Old Navy Statement Earrings (similar) | Amazon Round Sunglasses |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Who What Wear Collection Black Maxi Dress (similar) | Forever 21 Plaid Blazer | Gucci Lookalike Belt | MIA White Ankle Boots (similar) | Amazon Velvet Purse | Amazon Cat Eye Sunglasses |
Photos by: Durrell Green
On this day in 2017, we took a leap and published our first-ever blog post. Writing this one year later, I truly cannot believe where that blog has taken us. During that time, we created some truly meaningful content, met countless incredible people, hosted our first ever fashion show, launched our online store, and have now joined the team behind Romás by Linda Rowe Thomas, a world-renowned fashion designer right here in Little Rock.
Not every step of the way was easy—in fact, most of them weren’t. We spent almost an entire year working our asses off with little to show for it before everything started to fall into place.
But I would not trade one minute of it—good or bad–for the world because it has brought me to where I am today. To be honest, we may not be able to dedicate quite as much time to creating full blog posts for E of E this year with our other responsibilities, but we would rather do fewer, better posts than compromise on quality.
We are incredibly excited for all of the opportunities this year holds, and if you want to see even more of our adventures, head over to Instagram and follow @romasbylrt !
-S
Did you know that we almost didn’t start our blog on this day last year? Sabrina and I were both having doubts about it, and I remember Sabrina turning to me and saying that we just weren’t ready, that the website wasn’t just right, etc (she’s a bit of a perfectionist). I remember telling her that we will never be ready, but that it was time.
And man, I am so glad we started Ensemble of Elan.
From writing about the might of femininity in one of our first posts, “There’s Power in Pink & Polka Dots” (still one of my personal faves to this day) to discussing science and going green in “Science Not Silence,” I’ve poured my heart and soul into this blog, and it’s given back to me tenfold. It’s given me a voice, it’s given me endless opportunities in the fashion industry, but most of all, it’s given me an amazing family of creatives who share the same passion as I do.
-H
Our one piece of advice to you–if you are trying to convince yourself to take the plunge and go after your dreams–is to just do it. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish in only a year. Even if you are afraid of wasting your time on something that may never come to fruition, just remember that that time will pass by regardless. It’s up to you how you use it.
We’ll leave you with some of our favorite quotes from blog posts past:
“If you do feel way out of your league or completely terrified that people are going to discover that you actually aren’t as intelligent or creative or whatever as people think you are, keep going. Someone (probably a lot of someones) saw something in you, even though you couldn’t see it yourself. Try to give yourself a little credit, and if that’s still difficult for you, remember it’s better to be humble and keep striving to better yourself than to think you are the most amazing person who has ever existed and stay exactly where you are.”- Half the Story
“To us, dress with purpose means to present yourself to the world with intention. Intention to freely express your true self. To empower yourself and inspire those around you. And to shine a light on the issues that are near to your heart.”
“We’re encouraged to step out of preconceived notions for what is traditionally feminine in order to rise up the ladder, but I think in doing so we’re ignoring the fact that there’s a lot of power in femininity. There’s a lot of power in polka dots.”
Photos by: Errick Jacson, The Gray People Photography, The Green Brothers, Rainwater Reflections Photography, Nicole Morgan, Demetrius McCullough, and yours truly 😉
Are you in a winter fashion rut? (Don’t fret, it happens to the best of us.)
By the time mid-January rolls around and you’ve exhausted the number of sweater and jeans combinations you can throw together, what on earth are you supposed to wear and feel amazing in?
We’ve got you.
Throw in a Pop of Color
Many people tend to gravitate towards neutrals in the wintertime, but you don’t have to wait until spring to start rocking your favorite hues!
Pull that brightly colored sweater out of your closet and wear it with pride.
Lavender is Pantone’s color of the year, so you might want to get a head start by wearing this shade before you start seeing it everywhere.
Wear Something Metallic
Yeah, yeah, we know you’re wondering how we can consider an almost entirely gray outfit to be “fun”, but let us prove it to you.
The key here is adding something metallic, like these sneakers.
The eye-catching metallic combined with the on-trend plaid trousers and an edgy beanie makes this look unconventionally exciting.
Rock Your Spring-iest Embroidery
Embroidery has been going strong for a while now, and it isn’t poised to slow down anytime soon.
So, look forward to spring by wearing your favorite embroidered pieces now!
A pair of embroidered booties or an embroidered leather jacket adds a fresh touch to any outfit (and will remind you that spring isn’t far away!)
XOXO,
S & H
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| H&M Embroidered Top (similar) | H&M Camel Cardigan | H&M Gray Duster Coat (similar) | Goodwill Plaid Trousers (similar) | Dolce Vita Metallic Sneakers | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Target Knit Beanie (similar) | Rue21 Circle Sunglasses (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| TJ Maxx Off-the-Shoulder Lavender Sweater (similar) | H&M Black Jeggings | Who What Wear Collection Puffer Coat | Dillards Embroidered Ankle Boots (similar) | Amazon Embroidered Purse | Aldo Classic Sunglasses (similar) | Amazon Abstract Earrings |
T’Neria Ransom’s Wearing
| Goodwill Lavender Sweater (similar) | Goodwill Knit Pencil Skirt (similar) | Monroe Velvet & Sherpa Jacket (similar) | Amazon Embroidered Ankle Boots (similar) | Goodwill Leather Purse (similar) | Kohl’s Gold Sunglasses (similar) |
2017 brought about many great moments, but it was also one of the most challenging years of my life. From starting Ensemble of Elan to putting on our first fashion show and opening our online store–it flew by in a whirlwind of hard work and dedication.
Now going into 2018, I am simply elated for the new opportunities that are in front of me.
I’m going into the last half of my junior year, and I’m taking classes that challenge me as a creator and a student. I’m taking my first watercolor class, braving Spanish ll, and diving deeper into my marketing minor.
I’m also starting an internship with local fashion designer, Linda Rowe Thomas. I can’t wait to be in an environment surrounded with beautiful fabrics, innovative design, and raw inspiration. In this internship I’ll get a first-hand look at what it means to be a designer and to assist in editorial shoots.
On top of all of this, I have finally gathered the courage to pursue modeling professionally, and I put in an application to be a model at Sculp agency. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed modeling for our own photoshoots, and I think I am ready to take it to the next level.
When I was a kid and used to think about what I wanted to do when I got older, I remember knowing that I wanted to be in the creative industry- and that still hasn’t changed.
There’s something amazing about your childhood dream beginning to come into fruition. I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.
-H
When people ask me what I do, I usually tell them “many things.” I work as a personal stylist and shopper for Google’s innovative new app, Tailor; I (obviously) operate this fashion blog and our online store; and I am about to embark on two new adventures: interning at a fashion house and pursuing modeling professionally.
When I want something, I will do whatever takes to get it.
For a long time, I yearned to work in the fashion industry, but being from Arkansas, I didn’t know quite how to do it. So, in 2017, I took some leaps of faith and planted the seeds that have blossomed into the opportunities I have before me now.
I want to learn the ins and outs of the fashion industry from every angle: designing, marketing, modeling, merchandising–all of it.
So, this year I am doing all of it. With my master’s degree under my belt at last, I can fully focus on growing in both my craft and my character (yup, I did just borrow that line from my cover letter).
We are almost to the one-year mark of the blog that started it all, and I would not have traded this past year for the world. We’re moving up, and I’m so grateful to all of you reading this because it would never have been possible without you.
-S
| Forever 21 Cropped Sweater (similar) | Express Portofino Shirt | Goodwill Wool Coat (similar) | Goodwill Knit Scarf (similar) | Zara Patterned Trousers (similar) | Steve Madden Velvet Ankle Boots | H&M Leather Gloves (similar) | Zara Faux Fur Backpack | Amazon Face Earrings | TJ Maxx Sunglasses (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Turtleneck Sweater (similar) | Goodwill Knit Pencil Skirt (similar) | Old Navy Burgundy Pea Coat | Goodwill Multicolor Faux Fur Clutch
Gigi and Bella Hadid. You probably know them as the faces of fashion houses and the faces on magazine covers. The ones who jet set around the world to glamorous photoshoots and post Instagram stories of themselves with teddy bear face filters.
But, they are more than that.
Why is it that when someone is naturally inclined towards playing the piano or building a model rocket, they are applauded for it, but when someone has a talent for modeling, they are dismissed as just a pretty face?
Let us tell you, modeling is a helluva lot more work than you think it is. It’s standing out in the freezing cold for hours to get the perfect shot. It’s putting on some hip hop music and practicing different expressions in the mirror for hours on end.
It’s essentially creating and embodying an entire character in just one still frame.
Gigi and Bella are some of the best at it, and we frequently turn to them for both modeling and fashion inspiration (can you guess who was inspired by whom?).
Sure, having a pretty face helps, but not everyone can do it.
There are plenty of beautiful people out there who don’t know the first thing about modeling.
But we do know a few things about it, and it is still a daily challenge for us. If you don’t believe us, just come shoot with us sometime! Or think back to the last time you had photos done and recall that the way you held and moved your body naturally did not look natural on camera.
Modeling is an art, and it’s a skill. And it’s one that deserves your respect.
xoxo, S & H
We started Ensemble of Elan almost a year ago, and our intention was never for it to be just a blog.
We always wanted to do something more and provide our fans with a tangible way to join in on this experience with us.
Over the course of 2017, we learned that starting a business takes a lot of trial and error. We began by offering a wardrobe creation service where we helped clients clean out their closets, alter their current clothing items, and find new ones from our original collection. That did not last long, so we then thought about starting a clothing rental service where fellow fashion bloggers could rent clothes for their photoshoots.
Long story short, neither of those ideas turned out to be feasible because they cost too much money & effort, and we could not make it profitable and keep it affordable.
So, we decided to go back to an idea that was simple and relatively inexpensive: an online clothing shop.
We launched our debut collection last Friday, and we will be releasing new items on a weekly basis. Almost all of the clothes we are wearing in this shoot are from the collection (Save for the metallic coat. We did not have a warm enough coat in our collection for the below freezing temps, so sue me -S).
We hope you love these pieces as much as we do, and please let us know if there is anything else you would like to see in the shop!
Xoxo, S & H
Photography by: The Gray People
Editing by: Hannah Lewter
Hannah’s Wearing:
Ensemble Open Back Sweater (coming soon) | Ensemble Wide Leg Pants (coming soon) | Ensemble Military-Inspired Jacket (coming soon) | Ensemble Metallic Heels (coming soon) | Ensemble Chunky Knit Scarf (coming soon) | Amazon Embroidered Purse | Aldo Classic Sunglasses |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
Ensemble WANG Sweatshirt | Black Tiered Mini Dress | Who What Wear Metallic Puffer Coat | Marc Fisher Ankle Boots (similar) | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Rue21 Cat Eye Sunglasses (similar) | Forever 21 Duster Earrings (similar) |
The season of sequins, velvet, and faux fur is upon us, so don’t let this once-a-year opportunity pass you by without unleashing your inner glamazon. Here’s how!
Go Monochrome
You don’t have to wear a crazy color to make a bold statement this holiday season.
If you are someone who tends to flock to neutral shades, kick those neutrals up a notch with texture and intricate details.
This outfit is all-black, but still maintains visual intrigue with the embroidery on the jacket, the velvet texture of the jacket and pants, and the mesh socks.
Black is (and always has been) the new black.
Be Extra
If you pick up an oversized sequin blazer at the store and think, “This is too extra,” it probably isn’t extra enough.
You know how style influencers turn every head in the room when they walk in?
By being extra.
Embrace your love of the extravagant, and you will be sure to have all eyes on you.
Remember Stay Warm
Don’t make the mistake of putting together a charming dress-and-booties outfit and forgetting to think about your outerwear.
Take it from an expert, you will freeze to death and not be able to enjoy your outfit at all.
Spring for an on-trend coat, such as one with faux fur, that will make your outfit even more glamorous (and cozy).
Wear Something You Wouldn’t Otherwise
The holiday season is the time to buy those wide leg, velvet pants that you know you’re probably only going to wear once. Because if those pants are truly amazing, once is enough.
The key is to not hold back on that outfit if you have one shot to make it work.
Jazz it up even more with a sparkly mini bag, chandelier earrings, and a plunging top for an unforgettable look.
| Dillard’s Suede Cardigan/Top (similar) | Zara Velvet Wide Leg Pants | Who What Wear Statement Sleeve Blazer | Steve Madden Heels (similar) | Amazon Rhinestone Mini Bag | Amazon Circle Sunglasses (similar) | Old Navy Chandelier Earrings (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Zara Embroidered Velvet Jacket | Target Velvet Joggers | Forever 21 Mesh Bodysuit (similar) | Jessica Simpson Black Pumps (similar) | Lulu’s Mesh Socks | Goodwill White Clutch (similar) | Kohl’s Black and Gold Sunglasses (similar) | Old Navy Earrings (similar) |
Rickei Jackson’s Wearing:
| Lulu’s Mauve Tie-Waist Dress (similar) | Goodwill Sequin Oversized Blazer (similar) | Target Black Ankle Boots (similar) | Express Chandelier Earrings (similar) | Goodwill Cream Handbag (similar) |
Sydney Mullins is Wearing:
| TJ Maxx Metallic Shift Dress (similar) | Banana Republic Bell Sleeve Top (similar) | Who What Wear Faux Fur Coat (similar) | Zara Pearled Ankle Boots | Dollar Jewelry Galore Ear Cuff (similar) | Amazon Embroidered Purse |
Photos taken by: Nicole Morgan
Edited by: Hannah Lewter
Falling snow, freezing temperatures, waking up to ice on your windshield, what’s not to love about winter? (Alright, we get it.)
BUT, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the cold a little as you count down the days until spring. How, you ask? By expertly layering your clothes.
Most people hate the cold, but I love it.
I can’t get enough of the glistening Christmas lights and winter accessories that make their first appearance right about now. Yet, I would be lying if I said I loved everything about winter. I am not a fan of the the unpredictable weather of Arkansas, nor do I love when it gets dark so early in the day. It makes it almost impossible to gather the strength to leave my warm, comfortable bed every morning.
The best way I have found to face the winter cold with a smile on my face is to layer it up. I personally tend to stick to mostly neutral hues with an occasional pop of color, and I add visual interest by mixing different textures and patterns. But if you like to inject more color into your winter wardrobe, feel free to mix and match classic and unexpected color combos to your heart’s content.
One last thing to keep in mind: in places like Arkansas, the temperature can go from 30 degrees in the morning to 60 in the afternoon, so wear layers underneath that are stylish. That way, you can peel off layers if you get warm and still feel fashion forward!
-H
I love a good sweater/jeans/ankle boots outfit as much as the next girl, but after months of wearing almost exclusively that one outfit formula, it can start to feel a little drab. Considering we still have at least two more months of sweater weather ahead of us, I had to find a way to make my ensembles a little more interesting.
One of my favorite ways to breathe new life into a sweater is to layer it with a dress. For this outfit, I layered a fitted turtleneck under my favorite LBD, but I also love layering a sweater over a dress to make it feel like a skirt. This is the perfect solution for all of you ladies who are not sure how to wear a dress in December without freezing to death!
Finally, don’t put yourself in a box when it comes to layering. Style your ankle boots with long socks to get that layered feel and keep your legs toasty. Layer the hood of your sweatshirt over your beanie for some modern, skater-inspired vibes. The more you layer, the warmer (and snazzier) you will be.
-S
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Metallic Turtleneck Sweater (similar) | H&M Black Mesh Midi Dress | Monroe Velvet and Sherpa Moto Jacket (similar) | Lulu’s Studded Ankle Boots | Target Embroidered Purse (similar) | H&M Rose Gold Necklace |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Dillards Gray Knit Sweater (similar) | Old Navy Striped Button Down | Goodwill Ombre Coat (similar) | Goodwill White Boyfriend Jeans (similar) | Marc Fisher Block Heel Ankle Boots (similar) | Old Navy Layered Necklace (similar) | Old Navy Mixed Metal Hoop Earrings (similar) | Goodwill Black Leather Crossbody Purse (similar) |
We really try to put ourselves out there with this blog, but it’s impossible to share absolutely everything about ourselves and still make it align with our creative vision. So for all of our loyal followers, we thought we’d share some insight so all of you can get to know us a little better on a personal level!
If you didn’t already know, I have three sisters who are twenty-three, nine, and five years old (the estrogennnnnn- I know). Although I’m such a city girl, I love to go camping and hiking; my favorite smell is actually pine trees, I cannot get enough of it! Even though I don’t show it in most of my photos, I wear glasses so I can see the board in class and drive without killing myself and others. My favorite drink is Cream Soda, and my favorite candy is literally anything sour (but best of all is Juicy Drops, a rare gem found at only the most elite gas stations).
I do not have a dog of my own, but I have become Max’s Godmother over the years, so he is basically my own.
And to get a little bit more personal, I never thought I had the skills or the determination to run a fashion blog, be a fashion photographer, or put on a freaking fashion show, but I’m glad I learned that about myself through Ensemble of Elan.
I’m excited to see the other things we’ll learn along the way.
-H
Aside from this blog post, if you go back through all of our previous ones, you will notice that I almost NEVER wear necklaces. I think I literally own three necklaces: one silver, one gold, one rose gold. I’m a clothing maximalist, but definitely more of a jewelry minimalist.
This was one of my absolute favorite shoots because I got to do it with my favorite little potato. Many of you have seen Max featured on our Instagram page, and some of you were lucky enough to meet him at our model fittings for the fashion show. If you are confused as to why we call him Glarf, it’s because when my boyfriend and I first adopted him, he had severe heartworms and would make this noise that sounded like “glarf.” The name stuck because of how well it matched his personality, and now we call him Glarf, Glarf-tato, Glarfity, what have you. (You would just have to meet him to understand his Glarfiness.)
Last but not least, when I’m not shopping, styling people, or studying (which I should definitely be doing right now), you can find me planning elaborate future vacations down to the most minute details, cozying up on the sofa watching any TV show created by bonafide genius Michael Schur (Parks & Rec, Brooklyn 99, The Office), or stalking my personal idols, Karlie Kloss and Gal Gadot, on Instagram.
-S
One last thing that most people don’t know is that we almost always take our own photos for the posts! Unless you see “Photography by __________”, we did all of those photos ourselves. 😉
Hannah’s Wearing:
| TJ Maxx Ruffle Sleeve Sweater (similar) | Dillards Suede Mini Skirt (similar) | Old Navy Sherpa Bomber Jacket | Target Patent Oxfords | Goodwill Mini Backpack (similar) | Old Navy Earrings (similar) | Old Navy Layered Necklace (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Forever 21 Pinstripe Overalls | Forever 21 Off-the-Shoulder Sweater (similar) | Target Newsboy Cap | Karl Lagerfeld Lace Up Block Heels (similar) | Forever 21 Metallic Choker | Forever 21 Bar Ear Jackets | Amazon Floral Embroidered Purse |
You always hear about minimalism with its capsule wardrobes and neutral color scheme, but what about maximalism? The philosophy behind it is that ‘more is more’ (as opposed to ‘less is more’), so we teamed up with the queen of color and pattern, Georgie McCarthy of The Style Transplant, to bring you our favorite maximalist looks.
Sabrina always gets mad at me because I love black. I love to pair black on black. It’s so chic and minimalist, but Sabrina always reminds me that it just looks so flat, so I have (begrudgingly) started incorporating more color into my wardrobe.
The color red has always been an emblematic one for fashion, from Cindy Crawford’s 1991 plunging Versace gown at the Oscars or Bella Hadid’s sexy silky red dress with a startlingly high slit. It’s fierce, rebellious, and definitely not a color for the faint of heart.
When it comes to making a statement, red is the quintessential declaration of female power.
For my look, I played with an analogous color scheme (colors that blend well because they are closely related). I paired my cherry red midi skirt with a dark maroon cropped sweater, then I used a black leather jacket and black patent booties to balance out the red. You can find unique color combinations by simply matching colors to their neighbors on the wheel! All in all, don’t be afraid to play with color, even if you’re more of a neutral clothing lover like me.
-H
Pattern mixing is all about having fun and pushing your creative and personal style boundaries.
I use pattern mixing as a way to drive myself and my style to an unexpected and more playful place. You really have to think more consciously about putting two patterned pieces together, as opposed to the ease of a plain t-shirt with black jeans.
My favorite way to mix patterns, whether it’s in my artwork or in my personal styling, is to combine florals–like my blazer–with more geometric prints like stripes, plaid, or gingham–like my skirt. This makes for a surprising juxtaposition of which not many people would conceive. For fall pattern mixing, in particular, I recommend playing with those dark florals and autumnal plaids, for an unexpected fall twist.
-Georgie McCarthy, Fashion Blogger
I’ll admit, I’m still a pattern-mixing novice. I most frequently stick to neutral, solid-colored clothes with an occasional splash of pink or red thrown in. But, I’m really trying to branch out of my comfort zone and incorporate more pattern mixing into my looks because the bloggers and influencers I admire most are the ones who can flawlessly make two entirely different prints look they are a match made in heaven.
Georgie is definitely one of those bloggers. I was inspired to buy this multi-color floral pattern shirt because I’ve spent the last couple months admiring how she melds color and pattern together to create outfit masterpieces.
The best pattern-mixing looks effortless, but you can only get to that level through trial and error.
I tried this shirt with plaid trousers, a striped mini skirt, and red embroidered trousers before I settled on this cropped pinstriped pair of pants. If you are trying to freshen up your wardrobe by mixing patterns, don’t be afraid to try multiple outfit combinations until you find the one that feels just right. (Trust me, you’ll know it when you feel it.)
-S
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Zara Floral Top (similar) | Goodwill Pinstripe Cropped Pants (similar) | MIA White Ankle Boots (similar) | Zara Quilted Purse with Lions Detail (similar) | Daisy Chain Geometric Sunglasses (similar) | Banana Republic Duster Earrings (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Plum Cropped Sweater (similar) | Goodwill Red Midi Skirt (similar) | TJ Maxx Patent Leather Ankle Boots (similar) | Target Embroidered Purse (similar) | cle Sunglasses (similar) |
Georgie’s Wearing:
| Banana Republic Floral Blazer (similar) | Target Turtleneck Sweater | Topshop Gingham Skirt (similar) | Steve Madden Over the Knee Boots | Etsy Monogram Necklace (similar) | Fiorelli Powder Blue Backpack (similar) |
Also, be sure to head over to The Style Transplant to check out Georgie’s take on the collaboration, where we discuss the benefits of the blogging community!
There are many things that inspire me about France. From France being the first to ban “too thin” models (a monumental step in the right direction of lowering the rates of eating disorders in the modeling industry) to electing President Macron instead of succumbing to the nationalism that is sweeping the rest of the world, France always seems to come through as a beacon of hope in our modern world.
Recently, France announced legislation that will require French fashion magazines that photoshop or retouch their photos to mark those images that have been retouched.
It’s empowering to see such the home of the global fashion capital make such a bold move. Exposing young girls to impossible body standards has resulted in extremely high rates of anorexia and bulimia in the fashion industry.
France is the first to embark to this journey towards a more body-positive world of modeling, and I hope America follows the same path.
-H
Did you know the word “culture” actually comes from France?
Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barney and Southgate College in London, told Live Science, “ ‘Culture’ derives from the same French term, which in turn derives from the Latin ‘colere’, meaning to tend to the earth, grow, cultivate, and nurture.
I love how the French embrace their culture through style and sophistication. Their public spaces strike such a regal tone. Paris, for example, is known to many as the home to high-end fashion houses, such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Chanel. Many French people dress in an elegant, professional and fashionable style, but it is never over-elaborate. A few of my favorite typical outfits include long coats, scarves and berets, which make me feel as though I could be in Paris.
-Emily Moore
I was lucky enough to visit France four years ago when I studied abroad in Europe.
One moment I will never forget is lying the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower, nibbling on pain au chocolate and watching this icon of Paris sparkle against the night sky.
What I love about Paris is that it somehow—impossibly—feels both timeless and cutting-edge, especially when it comes to fashion. I’m sure you’ve heard the term “effortless French girl style” more times than you can count and have never been quite sure what it meant. But this is what I think it means.
French women know how to be sexy without necessarily being too revealing. They tend to wear fewer, higher-quality clothes, and they have an inclination towards menswear-inspired pieces, which makes every outfit feel as though it has a story.
I absolutely adore this oversized blazer, but I think a piece like this only works when it is paired with something a little sexier, like a little black dress. I imagine this as something a French girl would wear after she goes out to dinner at Pierre Gagnaire and steals her man’s blazer for warmth while they place a lock symbolizing their love on the Pont Des Arts bridge. (*Sighs wistfully*)
Anyways, after writing this and reminiscing, I think I’m going to have to drown my inner travel bug with a giant glass of merlot, macarons, and Chanel No. 5. Otherwise, I will definitely blow my entire paycheck on the next flight to Paris. Cheers!
-S
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, for which we will receive a small commission if you click on our link and buy a clothing or accessory item. Our opinions on those pieces are always our own! ❤
Pumpkin spice lattes and leather jackets are taking over Instagram once again, but if you live in the south, you know it feels less like fall and more like mid-July right about now. It’s t-shirt weather from sunup to sundown most days, which can be incredibly frustrating for us cold weather-loving ladies.
But, we can’t let that deter us from rocking the latest and greatest fall trends right alongside our favorite bloggers and Instagrammers! We just have to find those select few pieces that make us want to eat some warm pumpkin pie instead of feeling like we’re baking in the oven right alongside it. Here are our favorites:
The Kimono
If you want to feel like a real-life fashion superhero, step out onto your city streets (the sidewalks, actually) wearing a pair of sky-high heels and a billowing kimono.
You will fall in love with the kimono, not only because it makes you believe for a split second that you are literally Wonder Woman, but also due to the fact that this trend works in all seasons.
In the summer, you can throw a kimono over a mini skirt and a tank top, and in the winter, you can wear a long sleeve blouse under it and add some skinny jeans. It’s the perfect layering piece!
Velvet
And if a kimono makes you feel like a superhero, velvet makes you feel like a queen.
Velvet was a breakout trend last season and it is well on its way to taking the top spot this season. From ankle boots to bodysuits, you can find virtually any clothing or accessory item in velvet!
This fabric instantly makes you look glamorous, and it’s actually more breathable and comfortable than you might think.
The Mini Skirt
Mini skirts of all shapes and sizes are taking over 2017, which we love because this piece is subtly sexy and can be styled in nearly endless ways.
We personally love wearing our mini skirts with kimonos and heeled shoes, but you can also wear yours with tights, a sweater, and over-the-knee boots when cooler weather finally graces us with its presence.
Embroidery
Is it too soon to call embroidery a classic?
We dearly hope that embroidery sticks around forever (or at least until the end of our lifetimes) because if there is one trend that guarantees you will receive a ridiculous number of compliments, it’s embroidery.
Particularly embroidered footwear. (AKA the holy grail of fashion.)
An embroidered pair of ankle boots adds a fashion-forward edge to any look without also having the heat-retaining properties of embroidered jeans or an embroidered sweatshirt.
What are some of your favorite trends to wear during the transitional months?
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Refashioned Suede Top (similar) | Goodwill Cream Mini Skirt (similar) | Goodwill Kimono (similar) | Dillard’s Strappy Heels (similar) | TJ Maxx Shears Earrings (similar)
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| HipSway Velvet Kimono (similar) | H&M Camisole | Goodwill Black Mini Skirt (similar) | Target Embroidered Ankle Boots | HipSway Statement Earrings (similar) |Gucci Lookalike Belt | Zara Studded Clutch (similar) | H&M Gold Hair Accessory |
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, for which we will receive a small commission if you click on our link and buy a clothing or accessory item. Our opinions on those pieces are always our own! ❤
We love The Bold Type because it doesn’t hide its femininity.
Unlike a lot of other shows and movies, this one does not portray liking fashion and makeup and manicures as a weakness.
Rather, The Bold Type uses classically feminine ideas as a vessel to show that badassery can come cloaked in Givenchy.
Despite the somewhat predictable plotlines and borderline cheesiness, this show passes with flying colors when it comes to the three F’s:
Fashion, Friendship, and Feminism.
(Like seriously, is that our perfect slogan or is that our perfect slogan?)
The Fashion
Sometimes we have to ask ourselves: does Scarlet have hallways or runways? With Jane, Kat, and Sutton strutting down them in leather pants and thigh-high boots, we sometimes feel as though we’re in the front row at a fashion show rather than a high-rise Manhattan office building.
We were hooked on The Bold Type as soon as we saw this trio dressed to the nines, holding hands, and screaming into the passing subway train in the opening scene. We were confused, but we were hooked.
J, K & S are bold in their love lives, their careers, and their fashion. And obviously it helps that they don’t exactly have to follow an “office dress code.” We will never forget when Sutton walked into work wearing a plunging, form-fitting jumpsuit; it gave us goosebumps (and near heart attacks).
When we were putting together our own outfits for this post, we constantly asked ourselves if we were being “bold enough.” These three are always ahead of the fashion curve, so we did not want to settle for anything less.
The Friendship
The always-have-your-back brand of friendship in this show feels like a breath of fresh air after decades of being fed stereotypes about selfish, backstabbing female friends.
No matter what life throws their way, Jane, Sutton, and Kat always show up for each other.
When Sutton was afraid to take a position as an underpaid assistant to further her dream of having a career in fashion, Kat offered up her own apartment where she could live rent-free to put her financial worries at ease.
When Jane faced her fears and got tested for the BRCA gene mutation, Kat and Sutton dropped everything to come with her and hold her hand, both while she got tested and while she learned her results.
And when Kat started to question her feelings towards Adena and own sexuality, Jane and Sutton helped her accept herself as she was, even if she didn’t fully understand it.
The Feminism
We could write an entire post about the feminism in this show (and we probably will eventually), but for now we will focus on one facet: Jacqueline Carlyle.
Jacqueline is the Editor-In-Chief of Scarlet magazine, and she turns the “Miranda Priestly” character on its head by coupling her authority with compassion and vulnerability, particularly in the season finale.
(We won’t ruin it for you, but it is a must watch).
Women in power are often portrayed as “bitchy” or “unlikable,” but Jacqueline is neither. She knows what she wants and how to get it, but what sets her apart is that she pays as much attention to the means as she does to the ends. She listens, she apologizes when she makes mistakes, and she welcomes fresh ideas, even if they are not her own.
Jacqueline demonstrates exactly how the ability to empathize is a competitive edge.
We want a boss like Jacqueline. We each want to be a boss like Jacqueline. And so, we will leave you with one of our favorite quotes from her, which perfectly captures what many of us see as the essence of the female experience:
“I expect you to have adventures. I expect you to fall in love, to get your hearts broken. I expect you to have sex with the wrong people. To have sex with the right people, to make mistakes and make amends, take a leap and make a splash. And I expect you to unleash holy hell on anybody who tries to hold you back.”
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| H&M Dotted Mesh Top | H&M Leather Pants | Zara Gray Flats (similar) |Amazon Velvet Statement Strap Purse
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Gray T-Shirt (similar)| Goodwill Pinstriped Wide Leg Pants (similar)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, for which we will receive a small commission if you click on our link and buy a clothing or accessory item. Our opinions on those pieces are always our own! ❤
I know what you’re thinking after reading that, but hear me out.
For my entire life, I’ve been a fashionista on a budget. That means that after I browse Pinterest and stumble upon the dress or purse of my dreams, I usually scour the internet to find an acceptable substitute to save money.
Yet, nearly every time, I’ve found that the substitute doesn’t quite curb my craving for that piece. Then, I either throw my hands in the air and splurge on the item I originally wanted, or I toss the substitute into the back of my closet, never to be worn again.
I recently—finally–came to the conclusion that it would be better for my happiness (and my wallet) if I just bought the item I really wanted in the first place.
Otherwise, I will have completely wasted my money on something that I don’t even like, or I will have spent my money on the cheap substitutes PLUS whatever the original piece costs.
For example, I’ve been coveting these vintage, high-rise Levi’s for months now, and I’ve done my best to find a pair of jeans that fill the “vintage jeans void” in my wardrobe. I never really found an affordable substitute that had all the features I wanted, so I ended up paying $98 for this pair from Revolve.
To many of you, that may not sound like a lot of money to spend on a pair of jeans, but for me, it is. I typically find my jeans at TJ Maxx or thrift stores, so I had a difficult time hitting “complete order” on this one.
Yet, I’ve never been so glad that I did. These are absolutely everything I ever wanted out of a pair of jeans, and I know I will no longer need to shop for substitutes because I am finally satisfied.
Because I’m starting to splurge on the clothing and accessory items I really want, I’m not able to buy quite as many clothes, but that’s alright. I’m much happier with my fewer, better pieces than I ever was with my cheap substitutes.
So, even if you have to wait a couple months to save up the money to buy that Prada bag or that Beach Riot swimsuit, do it. Don’t buy the cheap knockoff.
I promise it will be worth it, and once you have that piece in your arms, it will leave you wanting for nothing.
-S
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Dillard’s Button Down Top (similar) | Levi’s Vintage High Rise Jeans |Amazon Block Heel Sandals
Photos by: Durrell Green and H+L Creations
Lately, the two of us have been in a “weird off” of sorts when it comes to choosing outfits for shoots. Our taste in fashion has definitely gotten funkier, so we can’t always find what we’re looking for at stores that mostly focus on basics, like H&M or Express.
We each chose statement tops and eccentric footwear on our trip to Nashville this past weekend, where in between watching the eclipse in the band of totality (life-changing) and eating at the Cheesecake Factory (SO good), we noticed that one of us was all decked out in Zara (H) and the other in Goodwill (S).
The realization that these are the two places we most commonly turn to for quirky clothes made us ask the question of who is weirder: Zara or Goodwill?
The outfit I’m wearing is almost entirely from Goodwill, which is quite a change for me because I’m usually the one in the all-Zara outfit. But, Hannah has lured me into her thrifting ways, and now I’m completely addicted to hunting for the strangest pieces I can find hidden in the overcrowded racks of secondhand clothing stores.
Goodwill is the place where people donate anything and everything, and as a result, you can find literally anything in there (I once found a Christian Dior shirt that I will not shut up about). You do have to hunt for those pieces, though, because most of them will not jump out at you from the moment you walk in the store.
You need to filter through every single piece on every single rack sometimes to find that one piece that takes your breath away. But rest assured, when you do find that one silk top with the puffy sleeves that tie back to the days of the Revolutionary War (like this one), it will give you chills because you know you will likely not ever meet another person who owns that shirt. As someone who loves to stand out, I can’t beat that.
-S
I think if there’s one thing we can rely on when it comes to being fashion forward, it’s the element of surprise. From fishnet socks to statement earrings (like Sabrina’s here), this year has been one for the books when it comes to odd fashion trends.
First, let me say that I have always been–and always will be–the thrifting queen. Until recently, I only ever used to shop at secondhand stores like Goodwill whenever I was looking looking for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Yet in the months since we started Ensemble of Elan, I’ve become more and more enamored by online brands that are known for their out-of-the-box, statement pieces.
The one place I can always find the on-trend, Pinterest-worthy pieces is none other than Zara. Every time I visit their site, I fall in love with everything from their funky flare pants and open back button downs (and then get my heart broken when all of the clothes in my cart go out of stock, because they’re so popular)! I snagged this off-the-shoulder top and polka-dot mini skort during one of Zara’s amazing sales for under $30.
Thrift stores will always have a special place in my heart for finding unique vintage pieces, but there is also something about Zara that makes my heart flutter.
-H
Goodwill and Zara are odd in each of their own magnificent ways, and honestly, we cannot choose whom to award the title of “The Best Place to Find Weird Fashion.”
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Zara Off-the-Shoulder Top (similar) | Zara Mini Skirt (similar) | Amazon Fuzzy Mules (similar) | Target Cherry Blossom Handbag | Target Layered Necklace| Rue21 Sunglasses (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Top (similar) | Goodwill Mini Skirt (similar) | Target Platform Oxfords (similar) | Target Statement Earrings (similar) | Banana Republic Circle Purse (similar) | Daisy Chain Geometric Sunglasses (similar) |
As someone who has spent most of their life thrifting, investing in high quality pieces can come with some personal challenges because the prices are usually quite a bit higher than what I’m used to. I was apprehensive when we went shopping at the Banana Republic Factory Store because this brand is known for quality clothing and slightly more expensive prices. I told myself to tread carefully because I didn’t want to end up spending my entire paycheck on a pair of pants!
Yet, I was happily surprised to find that almost everything in the store was 40% off, including the clearance section (my fave), which made their clothes very affordable. I loaded up my arms with at least twenty pieces before heading to the dressing room, so obviously I loved their sense of style. It was incredibly hard to narrow it down because they had so many cute pieces, but in the end, I decided to go for a sleek pair of gray, patterned pants, a white blouse with statement sleeves, and another plum and black lace top!
I was able to get all of these pieces for $100, which may sound like a lot to my fellow thrifters, but if you consider how long these pieces are going to remain in good shape and in style, it’s really quite the bargain!
-H
The #1 question I get asked by fans is: “Where is the best place to find chic, affordable clothes for the office?” I have several places in mind that I usually tell them, but one of my new favorites is the Banana Republic Factory Store. Here, you can find all the same high-quality pieces you’ve come to know and love from Banana Republic, but you can get them at a fraction of the original cost (and you know how fond we are of that!).
I think it’s smart that Banana Republic tends to stick to fairly classic styles and silhouettes, but throws in some trendy details, like statement sleeves, open shoulders, and fun floral prints. This makes it easy to find pieces that will be in style for years, but still feel modern and fresh!
While we were shopping here, I found so many tops and pairs of pants I wanted to buy, but it was love at first sight when I put on this dress, purse, and sunglasses. The versatility of this dress drew me to it because I can pair it with loafers in the summertime, and throw on a pair of ankle boots and a cardigan for the colder months. I still cannot believe I got this entire outfit for $100, and I know these staple pieces are going to serve me well for years to come.
-S
We will be hosting the Friends & Family event with Banana Republic this Saturday (the 19th) at their Little Rock Outlet location, where you can get 40% off your entire purchase and enjoy some complimentary styling assistance from us!
We hope to see you there and can’t wait to help you look and feel your best!
If you know anything about anything in fashion, you know who Chiara Ferragni is.
But, if you are a fashion novice, it’s essentially our civic duty to fill you in. Chiara Ferragni started the world’s most popular fashion blog, The Blonde Salad, and over the past eight years, turned it into a fashion empire (Harvard Business Review even did a case study on her success story!). She also started her own Chiara Ferragni collection and boasts over ten million followers on Instagram.
Basically, she is blogging badass #1. As such, her eccentric sense of style can feel a little out of reach for us normies. But as your resident fashion gurus, we are here to help you appreciate her sense of style and even make it your own.
Let me start by saying that until about six months ago, I did not really care for Chiara Ferragni’s sense of style. I thought her looks were strange, and I did not understand how she gained millions of dedicated followers. But then we started this blog, and everything changed. Having to put together intriguing outfits on a daily basis has pushed my creativity beyond my wildest dreams, and it was then, and only then, that I could truly begin to appreciate Chiara’s sense of style. (And now she is my fashion muse.)
I love Chiara because she puts pieces together that should not work, but she makes them work. She is willing to take some daring fashion risks, and honestly, they don’t always pay off! But that makes me love her even more because she is willing to go that far outside the box and put in the effort to constantly evolve her style. And when her outfits do work (which is like 98% of the time), they absolutely blow me away.
When I’m looking for fresh outfit inspiration, I usually go to her Instagram feed instead of browsing Pinterest. When I’m out shopping for new clothes or putting together outfits in front of my mirror, I ask myself, “Would Chiara buy this?” or “How would Chiara style this?”. The key to putting yourself in this mindset to not try to copy her looks exactly. Just look for specific elements that she frequently wears, like I did with these platform sneakers, a sheer top, and a mini skirt. Chiara is all about getting creative, so it would be a disservice to everything she stands for if you simply recreated one of her looks. Choose an element (or two or three), put your own spin on it, and run with it!
-S
I have a confession. I am currently obsessed with turning shirts and dress backwards. Weird, right? Well, that’s exactly what I did to this dress. I found this velvet, vintage dress at Goodwill and loved the beautiful colors, but I hated the neckline. As I was trying on this dress at home, inspiration suddenly struck, so I turned the dress around and unzipped the zipper a bit to make it a bit more sexy like Chiara’s style, and viola! It was like an entirely new dress with a different neckline!
I’ve always loved thinking outside of the box when it comes to fashion, which is why I’m so inspired by Chiara Ferragni’s style! Her eccentric, weird outfits get my creative juices flowing because she puts so many odd elements together that normally wouldn’t go together, but they always somehow complement each other.
Being daring in your style takes bravery, and Chiara Ferragni is the epitome of that. She is never afraid to wear outrageous, crazy pieces, but she ties it all together through her styling. I chose to be a little more weird with my styling by doing space buns and going for a pair of mule loafers instead of heels (which is hard for me because I love heels with dresses!). What I’ve learned from Chiara Ferragni’s style is that it’s okay to dress sexy and wear whatever the hell you want.
Sometimes we forget that everyday you get to choose how you present yourself to the world, so rock those silver metallic loafers or that completely see-through dress. When it comes to style, just be yourself.
-H
“My secret has always been to be true to myself.”
-Chiara Ferragni
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| TJ Maxx Sheer Pearled Top (similar) | H&M Denim Mini Skirt | Target Blush Velvet Sneakers (similar) | Daisy Chain Geometric Sunglasses (similar) | Goodwill Colorblocked Purse (similar) | Target Eye Shaped Earrings (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Velvet Dress | Monroe Embroidered Mules (similar) | Goodwill White Clutch (similar) | Amazon Artsy Earrings | Eyeglass Direct Sunglasses (similar) | Lulu’s Gold Necklace |
Putting together a great outfit truly is an art form. It takes a while to develop the skills to throw on anything in your closet and fool people into thinking you spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting your look.
To help you out a little, we’ve come up with some tips and tricks that we personally use when creating outfits:
For all the girls out there who are sometimes late to class or (even ditch going) out of fear of being seen in an uninspired, boring outfit, worry no more because this one’s for you. Many of us, myself included, have two types of styles in our closet: the most trendy, funky styles and the classics. When I stand in front of my closet in the morning and inspiration fails to strike me, I immediately turn to classic styles.
The great thing about classic styles is that they compliment more “of-the-moment”, trendy pieces, like how these raw hem distressed jeans complement this clean, airy top. I always tread cautiously when it comes to trends (can you blame me, anyone remember hair feathers?), but the more I’ve started branching out as a fashion blogger, the more I’ve realized that mixing trends and classics is one of the keys to putting together a great ensemble!
Lastly, I’ll leave you with a tip. I’ve always had my closet color-coded and grouped together efficiently, but recently I’ve gotten a bit lazy and started simply throwing my clothes in there wherever, and I honestly think it’s been for the better. Making a rainbow out of my clothes was fun and all, but it was poor in promoting creativity in fashion. Sometimes I let the closet do the work for me by hanging anything anywhere and disregarding order. I have found outfits I would have never thought of just because they were side by side in my closet.
-H
Believe it or not, I never used to be much of an accessories person. I carried the same purse every single day, never wore jewelry, and didn’t see why women got so carried away about shoes. But, a few years ago, I realized my outfits could only be so good if I didn’t pay attention to the accessories. Lo and behold, shoes and handbags and stackable rings are now my favorite things to shop for.
I’ve come up with a couple rules for pairing clothing items and accessories to make it easier to create a great outfit. Rule #1: Do not just stick to basics. Resist the urge to wear your black flats every day because they “go with everything.” Mix it up by pairing some fun shoes with your outfits, and you will soon start to see the light as to why women are obsessed with footwear.
Rule #2: Create a color scheme. (Anyone who knows me knows that I love creating color schemes.) Pull some colors from your clothing items; for this one, I focused on the pink from my dress and paired a matching choker. Even doing this for one color will make your outfit feel more cohesive. Then, choose whether you want to wear primarily gold or silver (you can definitely mix the two, but one needs to be the primary metal). I wear gold 90% of the time because my skin has warm undertones, but I still like throwing a silver ring or two in there to add a modern twist.
-S
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Awaken Atelier Top (similar) | TJ Maxx Distressed Jeans (similar) | Goodwill Heels (similar) | Target Hat (similar) | Goodwill Purse (similar) | TJ Maxx Sunglasses (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Target Slip Dress (similar) | Target Beige Cardigan (similar) | Zara Flats | Zara Clutch (similar) | Lulu’s Choker | Lulu’s Gold Necklace (similar) | Target Earrings | Plato’s Closet Watch (similar) | Aldo Sunglasses (similar) |
A trip to the beach is the quintessential summertime vacation, but it can be out of reach for a lot of people simply because of the expenses.
Hotel? Gas? Food? Drinks? And not to mention swimwear and stylish beach accessories?
It can add up very quickly. But, we managed to embark on a weekend-long beach getaway for us and our baes for a grand total of around $500.
Here’s how:
We were lucky enough to be able to stay with one of our friends in Perdido Key, which is on the line between Florida and Alabama. We saved quite a bit of money this way, but even if you are not fortunate enough to have a friend who lives on the coast, a hotel is something you should save on. You are not going to be spending much time there anyways, so it’s really not worth it to spend $200 a night on a fancy resort. Find a place that has a bed, a shower, no frills (and no bed bugs), and only hang out there when you want to go to sleep.
We did splurge a little on going out to eat by treating ourselves to brunches and dinners for two days, but that’s more doable when your trip is shorter, like ours was. If we were going to be there for a week, we definitely would have stopped by the grocery store to at least grab some burgers to grill or some lunch meat for sandwiches to make some of our meals cheaper. Also, when we went out to eat, we usually all ordered waters instead of cocktails (which I can’t even order yet anyways) to make those dinners a little more affordable because a drink usually costs as much as an entrée by itself!
I unfortunately broke my only pair of sandals right before we left for this trip (unbelievable, right?), and you can’t go to the beach without sandals, so instead of buying myself a brand new pair, I borrowed my mom’s sandals for the trip. They weren’t my favorite, but I simply took them off for photos, and they got the job done!
-H
Right before we went on this beach trip, I was really struggling with what to buy for myself. I knew we were going to do at least one photoshoot, so I wanted a new swimsuit (or two), a beach towel, a beach bag—the whole works. Unfortunately, the more logical side of myself knew that I shouldn’t splurge on all of that, so I had to pick and choose.
I already had a new swimsuit (this amazing blush pink one!) that I bought a few months ago and hadn’t worn yet because I wanted to save its debut for the beach. So, one swimsuit down! All of my current swimsuits were solid colors, so I really wanted one that had a fun print. I did not want to spend a lot of money on it, so I turned to Amazon and found a cute one piece with a palm tree print. It was only $15, so I bought it. I actually didn’t even end up getting to wear it on this trip, but at least I’ll have it for my many days by the pool this summer.
As for the rest of the stuff, I borrowed a beach towel from the friends we were staying with and made peace with the fact that I would not be able to get an Instagram-worthy photo with an on-trend, circular patterned beach towel because it cost $45. I repurposed a cheap, lightweight tote bag into a beach bag instead of shelling out $70+ for one of those awesome straw ones. I figured out what was most important to me, spent money on it, and saved money on the rest. You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of what you want when you’re headed on vacay; you just have to prioritize!
-S
What are some ways you’ve found to save money at the beach? Let us know in the comments!
Here are some of our favorite candid moments from the trip!
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Forever 21 Swimsuit | Target Cardigan (similar) | Aldo Sunglasses (similar) | Kroger Hat (similar) | Target Earrings (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Love Street Apparel One Piece Swimsuit | TJ Maxx Sunglasses (similar) | Target Earrings | Amazon Cover-Up |
For this post, we challenged ourselves to put together the most *American* outfits we could without doing any online research to see how much influence other cultures have on our sense of style.
In short, we failed. Miserably.
Literally none of the styles we chose originated in America. Then, we did some more research and found that the only styles that truly got their start in the United States are blue jeans and western wear.
This exercise was truly eye-opening because we saw firsthand that if we hadn’t taken styles from other cultures, there essentially would be no fashion in this country.
So, that brings us back to the idea of cultural appropriation. When is it okay to take ideas from other cultures and when is it disrespectful?
I remember people getting upset about things like the name, “The Washington Redskins,” or even more recently, not liking that Kendall and Kylie put their faces on t-shirts with the names of Tupac and other African American artists, but I didn’t realize there was a name for it: cultural appropriation. The definition of cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of the elements of one culture by members of another culture.
As someone who is half Puerto Rican, I do understand this on a personal level. Particularly when people use bits and pieces of Spanish without really knowing what they mean, like adding “el” before certain words and “o” after them , like “el car-o” to be funny and make those words sound Hispanic.
It’s not that big of a deal to me because I know most people who do this are just trying to be funny and aren’t trying to be disrespectful, but I understand why it is offensive to some people. Taking some aspects of a language and using them improperly is not respectful to that language and the people who speak it.
-S
As we all know, America is a melting pot of different cultures. With so many different types of people coming to the States, cultures and lifestyles are bound to mix and take on aspects of other traditions. There are definitely reasons to tread cautiously when it comes to clothes, art, or anything from other cultures, but without this amazing conglomeration of people and ideas, we would not have things like Chicago-style pizza or New York Fashion Week.
I was researching cultural appropriation for this post because I actually didn’t even know what it was before Sabrina brought it up to me. I found this incredible article on how to approach cultural appropriation in a positive way, and I could not have put it any better myself:
“In the 21st century, cultural appropriation—like globalization—isn’t just inevitable; it’s potentially positive. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them. It’s naïve, paternalistic, and counterproductive. Plus, it’s just not how culture or creativity work. The exchange of ideas, styles, and traditions is one of the tenets and joys of a modern, multicultural society. So how do we move past the finger pointing, and co-exist in a way that’s both creatively open and culturally sensitive? In a word, carefully.”
-The Atlantic, “The Dos and Don’ts of Cultural Appropriation”
If we limited ourselves to just ‘American’ culture and didn’t share with others, we would not have much at all. Blending cultures and lifestyles is what makes America, America.
So, if you like good music, good food, and good fashion, we should probably keep mixing cultures (respectfully).
-H
To be completely honest, I did not understand why people got upset about cultural appropriation until fairly recently. I thought that people should be happy and feel honored if another culture borrowed one of their ideas and showcased it. (Boy was I wrong.)
I finally understood why people got upset about it when girls started wearing shirts and toting coffee mugs with the phrase, “Nama’stay in Bed,” emblazoned on them. Namaste is a Hindi greeting, and one time when I asked a girl wearing one of those shirts if she knew what “Namaste” meant or even what language it came from, she had no clue. As someone who is half Indian, that’s when I got a little offended and realized that there’s a right way and a wrong way to borrow from other cultures.
It is acceptable to borrow another culture’s idea if you know the meaning behind it and you treat it respectfully. Such as, if a clothing company used tribal print on one of their artisan-crafted handbags and also told a story about creator of the bag and the origin of the print in the description, this would be acceptable. On the other hand, if a company put a Native American headdress on one of their Caucasian, underwear-clad models for a runway show, that is not okay (ahem, Victoria’s Secret).
-S
Sharing between cultures is something that is unavoidable–and honestly desirable–if we want to bring cultures closer together. But, there is a right way to do it by honoring the history of the cultural idea and the people who came up with it, and a wrong way to do it, which is ignoring everything except the aesthetic value of the idea.
Learn before you wear.
Photos by: H+L Creations
Savvy’s Wearing:
| Forever 21 Satin Shirtdress | Marc Fisher Ankle Boots (similar) | Amazon Earrings | H&M Hair Piece | Fossil Purse (similar) | Plato’s Closet Watch (similar) | TJ Maxx Sunglasses (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Forever 21 Slip Dress (similar) | Target Button Down Shirt (similar) | Amazon Heeled Sandals | Target Earrings (similar) | Aldo Sunglasses (similar) | BCBG Purse (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Amazon Crop Top (similar) | Forever 21 Pants (similar) | Zara Purse | H&M Sunglasses | Forever 21 Mules | Amazon Earrings | Plato’s Closet Watch (similar) | Amazon Rings |
When I stand in front of my closet in the morning trying to decide what to wear, I’m often confused on how to represent myself professionally, but still incorporate my sense of style into my look. As a student, fashion blogger, entrepreneur, and social media manager, I need to wear clothes that I can easily transition from business meetings to photoshoots to classes (it’s a struggle sometimes!).
I love these professional, straight leg trousers I snatched from Old Navy because they work for almost any occasion. I paired them with a chic orange top with a few cutouts to show my sophisticated, feminine style, and I added some metallic loafers to give my look a fashion forward edge. With this look, I can easily jump from place to place without breaking my personal aesthetic.
I used to work at a clothing store (which I’ll leave nameless), where I would initially wear what was true to my style when I went into work. But as soon as I walked in, I could feel the pressure as other girls stared at me, looked me up and down, and judged me for not dressing like them. I started to cave and began dressing similarly, but I wasn’t happy because when I looked in the mirror each morning and asked myself, “Am I dressing for me or am I dressing for them?”, the answer was them.
I eventually left that job, but my time there taught me a valuable lesson. I was beginning to lose who I was because I let someone else’s opinion define me. I think when we get into a level of professionalism, we want to change who we are to please our boss or others around us. Never let anyone change who you are, whether it’s for a job, or anything else.
I will dress professionally, but you can always count on me to add my own flair to it and most importantly, express myself.
-H
As a photographer, it can be challenging to find clothes I can move around in to get that perfect shot and are still professional enough to meet clients for a consultation. My favorite part of the job is getting to know my customers and listening to their stories so I can reflect their beauty through my lens. I need them to be comfortable and open with me, and meeting them with a smile and a professional appearance is the most effective way to let my models know that they have nothing to worry about.
When I’m taking pictures, I have to be comfortable and flexible, so I can catch that perfect angle at any given second. Especially because I frequently work with families and children, I need to be able to move quickly and keep up with hyper little ones! To enable me to do this, I turn to clothes that are more loose and flexible, like jogger pants, loose tops, and leggings.
I would honestly prefer to simply wear leggings and t-shirts 24/7, but I realize that as a business owner, I need to put a little more effort into my appearance. So, I dress up my athleisure-style outfits by adding some simple jewelry that doesn’t get in my way, like rings and earrings, and by incorporating some fun patterns into my looks. When it comes to shoes, I will wear more stylish flats or sandals for my consultations, but when I’m actually shooting, it has to be tennis shoes all the way. Fortunately, I have a pair of vintage high-top converse, which work with just about any outfit!
-B
Even just a couple years ago, I thought dressing ‘professionally’ meant wearing dress pants, a button-down shirt, and heels. That was the standard ‘professional uniform’ in my head. So, that’s almost exclusively what I wore on the rare occasion that I attended an event with a business casual dress code. Whenever I put on my ill-fitting, probably-flared dress pants and a boxy button-down, I never felt like myself because I didn’t think there was any room for creativity and personal expression in the ‘professional world.’
It’s taken me until now to really start branching out from what most people wear to meetings and networking events, but I’m so happy I did because when I feel more like myself in my outfit, I act more like myself. I’m more comfortable talking to people and sharing my ideas, and I think people respond to me better because they can see exactly who I am before I even open my mouth.
I love to toe the line and wear things like rompers because the last thing I want is to blend in with everybody else. As a fashion blogger and a soon-to-be fashion business owner, I set higher expectations for myself when I’m getting ready for an event or a meeting. I think that if you’re going into fashion, you have to try that much harder on a daily basis so that people trust you and eventually buy what you’re selling.
-S
Photos by: Rainwater Reflections Photography
Brooke’s Wearing:
| Goodwill Top (similar) | Nordstrom Pants (similar) | Goodwill Flats (similar) | Aldo Sunglasses (similar) |
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Asos Romper | Amazon Heels | Express Earrings | Goodwill Purse (similar) | TJ Maxx Sunglasses (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Old Navy Pants | Forever 21 Loafers | Rue21 Sunglasses (similar) | Amazon Earrings |
The graphic tee: everyone knows it, everyone loves it, but not everyone knows how to style it. To keep your look from venturing into middle school/Hollister tee territory, stay up to date with these easy outfit tips:
The graphic tee is one of the biggest trends of the summer, but (ironically) because this piece is so versatile, it can be difficult to style it in a way that feels fresh. I paired this graphic tee from Natural Statement with a side-split maxi skirt to make it feel a little more feminine and make me feel as though I could be walking along a beach somewhere.
I found these chic, black loafers AND this woven purse at Goodwill the other day (score!), so I thought they would be the perfect additions to keep this look easy and casual. If you are going to try out a maxi skirt this summer, go for one that doesn’t feel basic (so 2015). Try out various, ankle skimming lengths, or find one with some sexy slits in it (or create the slits yourself, like I did!).
-S
As much as I love chic, summer colors–vibrant yellow, classic red, and everything in between–there is something fashion forward about going monochromatic when putting together a summer outfit. Everyone owns and wears graphic tees on a regular basis, so I didn’t want this look to feel as though I just threw it together on my way to class.
I pulled out the block heel booties I usually reserve for fall and tucked in that graphic tee to accentuate these high-waisted shorts and add a street style feel to this ensemble. I added a denim jacket to throw in a littttllllleeeee bit of color (but not much), so I wouldn’t be mistaken for gothic, and so I could swing it around when I wanted to and feel like a runway model.
-H
Sabrina’s Wearing:
| Natural Statement Tee | Revitalized Kohl’s Maxi Skirt (similar) | Goodwill Loafers (similar) | Goodwill Purse (similar) | Aldo Sunglasses | Charming Charlie Earrings (similar) |
Hannah’s Wearing:
| Natural Statement Tee | Revitalized H&M Shorts | Marc Fisher Ankle Boots (similar) | TJ Maxx Denim Jacket | TJ Maxx Sunglasses (similar) | Etsy Necklace | Earthbound Trading Co. Earrings (similar) |
Photos by: Rainwater Reflections Photography
If you ask anyone who lives in Arkansas what they most frequently wear in the summertime, we’ll bet you anything that their answer is not “pants.” The blistering heat combined with the unbelievable humidity makes it difficult to wear anything except shorts and sundresses without having heat stroke.
Yet, as two people who don’t want to wear shorts and sundresses 24/7, we’ve had to find some tricks to wearing this article of clothing without instantly regretting it as soon as we step out of the house.
I am the self-proclaimed pants master. When I bought these pants from Goodwill, they were loose and straight-legged, which wasn’t exactly flattering, but because of the high waist and the lovely print, I saw potential in them. The first time I tailored a pair of pants, it took me 9+ hours of watching seamstresses’ tutorials on YouTube and trying out different techniques before I ended up with a pair of pants with which I was satisfied. This time? Maybe an hour.
After tightening the fit and slightly cropping the legs, these pants have become one of my favorites because they look like something I would find at Reformation. I like to mix up my summer pants repertoire with a pair that has a little character, like these, instead of only wearing jeans or black jogger pants. The fabric of these pants isn’t particularly breezy, but I actually felt fine while we were out and about because the cropped length + sandals ensured that my feet and ankles stayed cool.
I don’t necessarily dislike wearing shorts, but it’s a struggle for me to find shorts that I love because I am very particular about them. I used to love low-rise, super-short cutoffs when I was in college, but I’m over that phase. Now, for me to buy a pair of shorts, they have to be high-waisted, a little bit longer, and be something more than a plain jane pair of Daisy Dukes. Shorts are just not as chic as pants to me, so they have to be really intriguing for me to want to spend money on them.
-S
To wear jeans or not to wear jeans, that is the question. I am the kind of girl who loves jeans (ask anyone who knows me; they wouldn’t be able to pick my legs out of a lineup because I so rarely wear anything but pants or jeans), but when Arkansas’ humidity is at its peak, trying to squeeze into a pair of denim skinnies is literally impossible. Even I at some point have to retire my jeans in favor of something more breathable and lightweight.
Instead of trying to survive in denim, I flock to patterned joggers, or sometimes even a pair of wide-leg pants because they are airy, appropriate for a 9-to-5 job, or for even after hours when paired with some stilettos. I don’t mind wearing shorts, but I’d much rather wear a flattering pair of pants, so when I hop from freezing coffee shop to coffee shop I don’t in turn into an icicle. Opting for airy fabrics–cotton, linen, mesh–provides a way to look polished in public while not roasting to death because of your friggin’ pants.
So will I be wearing pants this summer? Hell yeah- no sweat (literally).
-H
What are some ways you’ve found to comfortably wear pants in the summertime? Let us know in the comments!
Hannah’s Outfit Details:
Pants: Old Navy
Tank Top: Target–similar here
Shoes: Forever 21
Scarf: Goodwill– similar here
Sunglasses: Rue 21– similar here
Earrings: Earthbound Trading Company– similar here
Sabrina’s Outfit Details:
Top: Target– similar here
Pants: Goodwill– similar here
Sandals: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Amazon
Earrings: Amazon
Hat: Kroger– similar here
If you are anything like us, you probably cringe when someone tells you that summer is their favorite season.
Sunburns, scalding car seats, and spiders galore? No friggin’ thank you.
We would prefer to go into hibernation for the three most soul-crushing months of the year (which are only going to get hotter and hotter), but they unfortunately haven’t perfected that process yet. So, until then, we’ve had to make do.
I have always been a sweater-obsessed, booties-loving, fall fashion guru, so when the Arkansas summer heat hits, I’m filled with dread when I’m trying to figure out what to wear. (Not to mention, having to shave your legs like everyday is such a pain.) With the humidity in Arkansas, staying fashionable in the summer is nearly impossible. But instead of staying snuggled in my bed watching Netflix and counting down the days until the air turns crisp (which would be my first choice), I’ve turned to mesh tops, backless dresses, and flowy fabrics to get me through the summer fever so I don’t have to stay holed up in my room until September.
Being only about 5’3 and having legs as white as the sandy beaches of Destin, I’ve always found it uncomfortable to wear shorts because it’s difficult to find a pair that is flattering on me. But, I decided it was time to free the thighs and get over my irrational fear of my white legs seeing the sun because how else are my legs going to get any darker if I keep them covered up all the time?
I love these shorts because they are high-waisted, which elongates my torso, and they pair well with my favorite, all-season embroidered booties, which magically make any outfit look chic. The vertical stripes of these shorts slim my waist while giving me the nautical, summery vibe I’m going for, and I love how they contrast with this peachy mesh top (whose main purpose is preventing me from melting like the Wicked Witch of the West).
I still cannot wait until it’s sweater weather again, but I think I can survive until then with pieces like these in rotation. (But then again, it’s only June and we still have the two hottest months of the year to go, so we’ll see!)
-H
Summertime is great. I love long breaks from college to travel, work and just slow down for while. However, I have never been a fan of summer fashion. Living in Arkansas, I dread going outside into the sticky heat where sweating is inevitable. Picking out an outfit becomes a game where you have to consider so many factors before you even leave the house. What’s the temp out? Will I freeze in the AC when I go inside? Will this show sweat? Am I going to get a weird sunburn in this? (I say burn rather than tan because I’m only one shade of porcelain all year round). I am probably in the minority of people who would gladly trade scorching sunny days for cooler cloudy ones, and I get by in the summer by wearing light layers both for versatility and as a means to use some of my staple pieces from other seasons. And no one does layers and cloudy days quite like England, from which I draw most of my style inspiration.
In 2015, I spent the best semester of my college career studying abroad in London. For several sweet months, I drank in the culture around me as I fell in love with the accents, the food, the history, the mannerisms, and most of all, the fashion.
I brought quite a lot home with me after that semester; a few great pieces of clothing, but mostly ideas for my wardrobe. When studying there, I found that balance and stability are themes that permeate almost every facet of British culture, and they definitely extend to fashion. Londoners were not overly done-up nor were they slouchy or frumpy.
This look has infiltrated much of my own wardrobe and the pieces I buy. I strive for that balance between the high-end pieces like you could find in London’s West End shops and vintage finds like you might pick up in the East End.
I aspire to find that androgynous balance for me that looks powerful and bold, yet still chic and soft. I am always seeking that balance that says, “I put in some effort with this look, but not too much.” Because at the end of the day, I want that beautifully unique look too. I don’t want someone to compliment my outfit or my makeup as much as I would like them to compliment how I look. I want my summer wardrobe to be flexible and still me even if it’s not my favorite season of the year and even if I’m suffering through Arkansas weather instead of London’s. And if I can achieve that, I promise you can too.
-S
I love the color black.
I wear it year-round, so my fellow Arkansans must think I’ve lost my mind around this time of year.
But, I hate typical summer fashion with its frou-frou ruffles and bright colors, so I had to find a way to stay true to my sense of style without literally having a heat stroke.
I wore this all-black outfit when it was at least eighty degrees outside, and you know what? I was actually pretty comfortable! If you like dark colors, the key is wearing pieces that allow you to breathe in the summertime. This shirt is mesh, so I could feel that wonderful breeze on my skin all day long, and these flowy, satin wide-leg pants didn’t cling to my skin at all or make me sweat.
It’s honestly really difficult for me to find the motivation to get dressed up in the summertime because I am very hot-natured and I sweat a lot (ladylike, I know). I don’t want to wear cute clothes or spend time on my hair and makeup because I know as soon as I step outside, I’m instantly going to sweat through whatever I’m wearing and my hair is going to frizz up because of the humidity.
Before we started this blog, I essentially only wore various, boring combinations of tank tops and shorts whenever I went out somewhere because I didn’t think it was worth it to put in the energy. Now, I’m a little more obligated to put in some real effort instead of giving summer a pass and being content with looking like a hungover college kid dragging their feet to their 8 am class (messy bun, dark circles and all). It’s a good thing, though, because I feel better about myself when I try, and with breezy fabrics, makeup primer, and plenty of hairspray, I think I can make it until fall.
-S
“I figure if I’m gonna be a mess, I might as well be a hot mess.” -Mindy Kaling
Hannah’s Outfit Details:
Mesh Top: Forever 21
Shorts: Forever 21
Embroidered Booties: Target
Earrings: Amazon
Sunglasses: Aldo- similar here
Sarah’s Outfit Details:
Crop Top: Kohl’s- similar here
Satin Top: Goodwill- similar here
Pants: Forever 21
Heels: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Rue 21- similar here
Sabrina’s Outfit Details:
Mesh Top: Zara- similar here
Bralette: Aerie
Satin Pants: Goodwill (revitalized by Awaken Atelier)- similar here
Velvet Sneakers: Target
Earrings: Amazon
Sunglasses: TJ Maxx- similar here
Watch: Plato’s Closet- similar here
For my entire life, I made excuses as to why I couldn’t reach my goals. Being a full time student and having two jobs are definitely good reasons, but they’re still excuses. But in January of 2016, something clicked in my head, and I realized how much control I have over my life. If I really want something, I’m the only person who can keep me from it.
I decided to dedicate my entire life to fitness and health. I began working out for one hour five days a week and eating clean six days a week. My plan was to lose fifteen pounds. I ended up losing thirty pounds.
After losing the weight, I kept setting new goals, and I kept reaching them. I suddenly enjoyed shopping for new clothes because I felt good about myself. I was finally able to wear cute outfits and not feel self conscious. I’d never had this much confidence in my life. 
Not only did I look better, I felt better. I felt strong and healthy. I felt happier and got better sleep. I started to realize it’s not about how you look; it’s about how you feel. Before losing weight, I was called fat. After losing weight, I was called too skinny. My response? “Well, I love myself and that’s all that matters.” And it truly is all that matters.
It doesn’t matter what type of clothes you wear, how skinny you are, or how much makeup you wear. As long as you truly love yourself, you’ll rock any look. It’s not the outfit that makes you look good. It’s your confidence and how you wear that outfit that makes you look good.
Life is too short to try to impress others. Do things that make you happy, things that make you feel your best.
I now train for at least an hour and a half five days a week and I count my macros. I’m climbing the ladder of the fitness world around me. People are constantly asking me how to look and feel better, and it makes me feel so happy. Everyone deserves to love themselves. This new confidence has not only helped me in the gym, but it has also helped me in front of the camera, with my job, with socializing in general.
People are drawn towards confidence. I think that’s because everyone strives for and wishes to love themselves. At the end of the day, it’s all about being the healthiest version of ourselves. We only have one life, and one body. We’re meant to take care of it and to love it.
-B
Whoever said fashion and fitness had to be mutually exclusive was just plain wrong. Ditch those gray, baggy sweat pants because fashion and fitness have come together and had a baby, and its name is athleisure. From yoga-inspired looks like mine to bold, fresh looks like Sabrina’s, this new take on workout gear is anything but boring.
Last season was filled with bright colors, so I love the fresh take this season has brought with muted monochromatics. A number of traditional ready-to-wear stores have taken on athleisure sections, including H&M, Old Navy, and Free People, and even Beyonce has her own fitness line! Wearing Adidas sneakers instead of a pair of cute flats is the easiest fashion-forward way athleisure can play into your daily life. Yoga pants are no longer restricted to yoga classes, so pair them with a flowy top and hit up brunch with friends.
Quite often, people make the mistake of thinking that you have to wear ‘traditional workout clothes’ when you work out, but I think the athleisure trend has definitely disproved that. There are many ways to incorporate fashion-forward trends into your athletic looks, like the strappy back of my sports bra or Sabrina’s velvet sneakers.
When it comes to fashion, it’s all about your perspective, so rock those silk joggers and feel free to wear patterned leggings until the end of time.
-H
As a full-time student and aspiring entrepreneur, it can sometimes be difficult to find the time (or the energy) to hit the gym. I like to work out in the morning, so if it gets past noon or one o’clock, it’s probably not going to happen that day. Unfortunately, I also do my best work in the morning, so I frequently get caught up writing blog posts or knocking out homework assignments until my ideal ‘workout window’ has passed. So, what’s a morning girl to do then?
My solution is to put on my workout clothes as soon as I wake up, even if I don’t know if I’m going to work out that day. Because if I already have my leggings and sports bra on, I’m a lot more likely to make that ten minute drive to the gym.
Changing into athletic clothes doesn’t seem like that big of a task, but when you’re trying to make the decision of whether or not to work out at like 12:59, already being in those clothes is a huge motivating factor. And there’s actually science to back up this idea. The theory of ‘enclothed cognition’ describes the mental changes we undergo when we wear certain clothing. One researcher from a 2012 study on the topic says, “I think it would make sense that when you wear athletic clothing, you become more active and more likely to go to the gym and work out.”
This doesn’t mean that leggings are magical, and as soon as you put them on, you’ll transform into a fitness guru. But, if you’re already contemplating going for a run, wearing the clothes you subconsciously associate with running can give you the extra push you need to actually go through with it.
Plus, athleisure is as comfortable and cute as it gets, so what other reason do you need to stock up on track pants and funky tennis shoes?
-S
Britney’s Outfit Details
Top: Express
Sports Bra: Forever 21
Leggings: Forever 21
Tennis Shoes: H&M
Hat: Nike
Sunglasses: Aldo
Hannah’s Outfit Details
Top: Forever 21
Sports Bra: Forever 21
Leggings: Target
Hoodie: Forever 21
Slip On Shoes: ASOS
Sunglasses: TJ Maxx
Sabrina’s Outfit Details
Top: Goodwill (revitalized by Awaken Atelier)
Track Pants: Forever 21
Tennis Shoes: Target
Sunglasses: Rue21
There are a lot of so-called ‘rules’ in fashion.
“Don’t wear socks with sandals.”
“Don’t show your bra straps.”
“Match your shoes to your purse.”
“Dress for your age.”
Thankfully, all of these rules are completely irrelevant in 2017. The new era of fashion is all about expressing yourself however you so choose. If you are a fashion novice, it might be a smart idea to use the rules as guidelines until you get more comfortable creating outfits, but after that, feel more than free to shatter and stomp all over them.
I remember when I was a teenager, it was a fashion faux pas for your bra straps or your underwear to peek out from your clothes. It was such a pain to make sure my bra straps were tucked away at all times and that my underwear wasn’t showing above my low-rise jeans. Now, I love that undergarments are made to be shown. We as women shouldn’t have to worry about constantly covering up what we’re wearing underneath our clothes. It’s ridiculous!
And impossible at times!
Trust me, there’s nothing scandalous about a visible bra strap. There might be something a little scandalous about showing off Calvin Klein or Victoria’s Secret undies, but is there really anything wrong with that? (No. No, there isn’t.)
Dressing in a sexy manner isn’t a crime.
Although, I honestly did feel a little awkward during this shoot because we were at the Clinton Presidential Library and guests were arriving for a fancy wedding while I was chilling and modeling for photos in this outfit. I probably could have planned the timing/location of that shoot better so that I didn’t feel underdressed, but it wasn’t the end of the world, and I didn’t let it bother me.
-S
There are a couple of fashion myths that I simply do not agree with.
For starters, whoever said that you have to be as tall as Karlie Kloss to wear long pants and maxi skirts is dead wrong. Many short girls, including myself (I’m 5’2 and proud), have ventured into the world of over-the knee-boots and wide-leg pants, and you know what? They look just as fly on us as they do on our taller counterparts.
However, there are several challenges when it comes to pulling off jumbo pant legs if you are not a pro in stilettos. Just remember to have your tailor on speed dial and that high waistbands can add several inches to your perceived height
.
Another misconception that used to exist in the fashion industry is that you cannot mix prints, but that has certainly been disproven over the past few seasons. From mixing florals with stripes to even leopard and plaid, fashion in 2017 is on a new level that does not follow any rules.
I read an intriguing quote the other day on the fashion blog, Racked:
“A fashion ‘don’t’ thoroughly owned by you is always going to be a much more interesting look than a fashion ‘do’ worn with resentful compliance.”
So don’t hold back; break the rules. Remember that rebellion has always thrived in fashion.
Without it, would fashion ever evolve?
-H
All that said, you do have to know the rules before you can successfully break the rules. So, please don’t pair Hanes crew socks with your Birkenstocks or show off the straps of your ratty, old, Maidenform bra (please). But you can wear fishnet socks with black heels or show off the straps of a lacy, new bralette!
Keep in mind that fashion icons do not get remembered for wearing what’s conventional or appropriate. Wear what you want to wear, and let it roll off your back if people have a problem with it. Right now they might be mocking you, but before you know it, they’ll be imitating you.
“Well behaved women seldom make history.”
– Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Hannah’s Outfit Details
Button-Down Shirt: Goodwill
Jeans: Target
Heeled Sandals: Goodwill
Sunglasses: Rue21
Purse: BCBG
Sabrina’s Outfit Details
Crop Top: Target
Bra: Aerie
Jeans: Zara
Undies: Victoria’s Secret
Purse: Aldo
Ankle Boots: Lulu’s
“The city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
If America is the land of opportunity, New York City is without a doubt the epicenter of that idea. New York is written about in countless songs and stories and dreamt of by artists and wishful thinkers from all walks of life.We love New York City because the different boroughs of it are so diverse, yet they come together to create one of the greatest cities in the world.
For this shoot, we decided to each take inspiration from one of the three most well-known boroughs of New York–Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Each of these areas have distinct characteristics that set them apart, so we were incredibly excited to take those ideas and make them our own.
New York City is one of the world’s premier fashion capitals, featuring grand runway shows, designer flagship stores, and flourishing fast-fashion establishments.
The Manhattan Garment District, which started in the early 20th century, is the primary reason Manhattan has gotten to where it is today. Even though this district is currently struggling due to rising costs, many dedicated individuals at the Garment District Alliance are making sure that the heart of this fashion capital never dies.
Manhattan is known for the upscale, fashion forward scene that lives for fresh designs and one-of-a-kind looks (many of which originate from the Garment District itself). Like anyone, I would love to own pieces from Michael Kors and Kate Spade’s collections, but I’ve learned that dressing fashion forward is more so a state of mind than it is a collection of the labels you own. (I bet you would never believe these modern pants are from Goodwill, and I snatched this lacy camisole off the clearance rack at Target!)
I love Manhattan because even though it’s always on the cutting edge of fashion and most prominently features the rich and famous, there is still room for the important parts of its history, like the Garment District, and for those who are perhaps not as wealthy or well-known.
Manhattan is a place where everybody can contribute and make their dreams come true,regardless of where they came from.
-H
Growing up, I was never the most conventionally stylish girl. My style mostly consisted of busy, patterned skirts with leggings and knee-high, neon socks. The photos from my middle school and teenage years are filled with colorful vests, scarfs, and other strange pieces that didn’t match and definitely didn’t go together.
But it didn’t matter to me.
If I liked something, I wore it.
This state of mind has followed me throughout my life and has shaped how I view fashion to this day. It is also why I feel a connection to Brooklyn. Brooklyn’s fashion is packed with mixed, funky patterns and fun, vintage pieces, like overalls or high waisted skirts. It’s inspiring to see a fashion district be so willing to break some of the rules.
It doesn’t matter if two patterns don’t exactly match or if that oversized jacket that you got from Goodwill is unflattering.
If you like it, wear it and be confident in it.
This refreshing way of looking at personal style is causing the fashion business in Brooklyn to boom. Is it possible that Brooklyn might be on its way to fashion-capital status, even pushing sophisticated Manhattan out of the limelight with its edgy, modern looks? Will Brooklyn place its bets on the high-fashion scene and play with the high rollers, or will it stay in its own independent, lively realm of contemporary designs? Whatever it does, Brooklyn will always inspire me to keep looking at fashion as a fun way to express myself, no matter how I might be seen by everyone else.
-M
Queens is known for being the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to showcase my own heritage, as I am half Indian. My mom immigrated to this country from India when she was in her twenties, which is still something that completely amazes me. Moving to a foreign country where she knew absolutely no one, did not even have so much as a car or a cell phone, and was only a few years older than I am now? I only hope I inherited that kind of bravery and trailblazing spirit.
As a fashion lover, one of my favorite aspects of Indian culture is the bold colors and intricate embroidery that is found in the clothing. I wore these custom-made, crimson jogger-style pants with a matching kurti to the traditional cocktail party at my cousin’s wedding in India about a year and a half ago.
I love the pieces together, but I also adore them separately because even one piece alone makes such a striking statement. Indian culture is becoming more prominent every day in this country, which makes me excited (Bollywood stars becoming A-Listers, yoga, embroidery; I love it!), but it also reminds me that America is a place where every culture should be celebrated.
Like my mom, so many people left behind everything they knew in their home countries to contribute to ‘the great experiment’ and give themselves and their children better opportunities (and for a lot of them, that journey started right here in New York!). America is not a country of one culture, but an amalgamation of many, and Queens is the perfect representation of that.
-S
When you imagine a “city,” you probably envision a place where almost everything is tied together with some kind of centralized theme. Like, Portland is known for its hipster vibes and microbreweries. Memphis for blues and barbecue.
New York isn’t quite like that.
There are what feel like cities upon cities within itself, and a more diverse collection of individuals and ideas than can be found anywhere else in the world.
This is why we didn’t exactly try to coordinate our outfits for this shoot.
We knew that as long as we stayed true to ourselves and found the right inspiration, it would come together all on its own.
The fearless optimism and acceptance of these differences are what gives New York it’s own kind of magic, and what gives us our own New York state of mind.
“New York is not a city. It’s a world.”
– Iman
Social media gets blamed for a lot of things nowadays.
Low-self esteem. Violence. Addiction.
Even social media-savvy celebrities like Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner have popularized the “Instagram Detox” as a way to escape the pressure and potentially harmful side effects that these apps can trigger. It’s true that too much of Instagram or Facebook can definitely have a negative impact on people’s lives, but we’ve forgotten that despite these shortcomings, social media does have the power to do good if it is used in moderation.
A few years ago, I studied abroad in Europe and spent about a month backpacking across the continent. I took a lot of photos, but besides posting them on Instagram, I didn’t do much else with them.
I’m so thankful I used Instagram back then because now when I scroll back through my feed, that section of it is like a travel journal filled with my adventures. I’ve always wanted to put together a scrapbook of my time in Europe, but in the almost four years since I’ve been back (has it seriously been that long?!), I still haven’t done it. (Shocker.)
If I hadn’t posted those photos on social media, they would have simply gotten lost in my iPhoto library, (almost) never to be looked at again.
Social media gives us a way to not only share our experiences with other people, but it also gives us a way to look back on them and reminisce ourselves. I honestly do not care if two hundred or ten people like my posts because I post them mostly for my future self anyways.
-S
Social media has given me an incredible opportunity as an artist to share everything I am currently working on, from our daily posts on Ensemble of Elan to art I create in my classes or recent thrift shop transformations. I love that I can immediately share them with my community at the touch of a button. Not only is it great for sharing daily events,it has also given me ample opportunities for jobs and collaborations.
I started H + L Creations to brand myself so it would be easier for future employers to familiarize themselves with my skills and talents. And I’ve already reaped the benefits with not one, but two jobs as Marketing and Social Media Assistant for RaftUp and Social Media Manager for Waterhouse Market.
I run five social media accounts daily, and to be honest, I can get tired of it too.
There are some days when it is really hard to keep up with everything and it’s mentally exhausting.
So, as much as I love the opportunities these social paths create, I do have to agree that sometimes it’s nice to take some time for yourself and put the phone down.
-H
Social media has brought us closer together and has allowed us to accomplish some pretty amazing things, from creating supportive networks for those living with mental illnesses or pre-existing conditions through the use of hashtags, to raising awareness and sometimes even millions of dollars for social causes around the globe.
Without social media, those feats would have never been possible.
For better or for worse, social media is here to stay.
It’s ultimately up to you if you want to use it, and we completely understand if it isn’t for you. But before you take to bashing social media (on social media, probably), remember the reason it was created in the first place.
To connect with new friends and family.
To reconnect with old ones.
To share and celebrate your life experiences with the world,
And to voice your opinion on a platform where you will be heard.
How often do you really think you would talk to those who don’t live near you if it wasn’t for Facebook? How many “Happy Birthdays” do you think you would get? How many scrapbooks would you have made of your travels if it wasn’t for Instagram?
Social media has made our world a whole lot smaller, and we’re definitely experiencing some growing pains because of it. But, it’s also made us closer to one another and more aware of the events going on around us.
Connections and knowledge are power, and we can’t imagine our world without them.
“Social media are a catalyst for the advancement of everyone’s rights. It’s where we’re reminded that we’re all human and all equal.It’s where people can find and fight for a cause, global or local, popular or specialized,even when there are hundreds of miles between them.”-Queen Raina of Jordan
Ensemble of Elan 