New Year's Looks

This outfit features a killer Retrofete dress (I’ve had the wrap version on my wishlist for quite some time), a Balmain bag, and a Gucci barrette, that’s worthy of the ball drop on Times Square.

We all want to look dazzling when we ring into the New Year, but whether we wear a sequin gown that rivals a disco ball, or go for a low-key ensemble with subtle sparkle, we should search for an outfit that fits in with our signature style…and our New Years festivities.

And now for more “subtle” New Year’s ensembles…

The advantage to a day-to-night outfit and something more subtle, is that it’s more versatile. The cost per wear for any sequin piece is going to be extremely high. There are only so many occasion where “shining like a diamond” is appropriate.

And on that note, the more formal the item, the less you will be able to wear it, unless you frequent red carpet events. When pieces are only nighttime appropriate or considered “evening-wear”, we are likely to only wear them a few times a year, if that.

One way around this is to make your outfit New Years-ready with a statement and embellished jacket. A sequin jacket will get much more mileage than a sequin dress…consider this…you can wear a statement jacket atop leather dress for a night out, but also with jeans to dinner. I’ve included a few of my favorite statement jackets that would be the feature for a low-key New Years look.

Another shopping suggestion would be to pick separates over a dress. By selecting a skirt over a dress, you can mix and match it with more casual tops and blouses and make it work for more occasions.

A blazer jumpsuit or blazer dress is a great option to still look put together and wear something tailored, but you can make it more fun and festive with playful accessories, like lighting bolt earrings and an iridescent handbag.

Have a Happy New Year as you dress to impress and pop the champagne.

Styling Pastel Florals

I believe there is art to styling florals in a sophisticated and modern way. Though I love classic pieces, I also absolutely adore uber feminine florals, from designers such as Zimmerman. I encourage you to still select quality fabrics, and look beyond just the floral. When you discover a stunning floral in your color palette, in 100% silk or cotton, the look is truly stunning. Whether you pick a cotton candy hue, as I will show below, or a dark floral for fall, determine which colors will be most suitable and versatile for your own wardrobe. I would even suggest a bit of both, so that you can mix up your classic pieces throughout the year, whether it is in the middle of summer, or later in the fall.

The lovely floral skirt I’m wearing is from Zara. You may recognize it, as everyone was going crazy for the blouse, trousers, and skirt when it was released. It was considered a Zinmerman dupe. And now that I also own Zimmerman, I can tell you the fabric is nowhere near as luxurious and lightweight as Zimmerman. The print is nice, though, and I have the matching blouse as well. I have both the top and bottom in a medium, and I will have to have the blouse tailored, because I am absolutely swimming in it. However, the mini skirt is perfect for a hot summer day, and I prefer it styled with a blush (or white) blouse.

This blouse is by Veronica M. Her brand is hard to find online, and this was purchased from a boutique in Birmingham. I find her price point steep for what you’re getting, so I would suggest choosing your own blush or cream blouse with a flowy silhouette.

The bag is from Rebecca Minkoff, which I found on TheRealReal.com. It is the Small Love Crossbody Bag, in a stunning iridescent colorway. I haven’t seen this iridescent version for purchase since, but you can get this same bag in black, beige, taupe, and a dark red shade on Nordstrom. I use this bag often when styling outfits, as it is very affordable, but offers one of the most similar bag shapes as the Chanel flap, without trying to be a dupe. I think most people would prefer a neutral shade, but as my style is a bit quirky, I adore iridescent and multi-dimensional colors. This actually makes this bag match almost every outfit I wear.

The shoes are from & Other Stories. I wear them to work and in the evening. Because they are nude, they are very leg-elongating. The block heel makes them more comfortable and keeps the outfit from looking overly girly.

If you do love a good floral like me, I think it is key to have white, cream, tan, and blush basics in your closet. This helps you put your outfit together, especially when the floral is a separate, rather than a dress. If you know you love pink florals, or a specific color, then I would recommend having matching separates (tanks, blouses, etc.) in that color, or at least in that color family. I hope this helps give you some floral inspiration and have fun with floral prints, while still staying true to your signature style.