Denim on Denim on Denim

Vintage L.L. Bean Jacket / Vintage Denim Shirt / Vintage Levi's Cutoffs / Arizona Birkenstocks / Vintage, Handmade, and

My boyfriend likes to call me "denim warrior" and for good reason. Denim is a major part of my daily wardrobe, so you can often find me in denim on denim... on denim, which of course, is where this nickname comes from. I've done a few lessons on AVV about wearing denim on denim, and here I'm going all out. And all out vintage for that matter. Some of the best vintage pieces I've found (and that I tend to wear the most) are amazing denim styles that I've found for a bargain. You can go to those high end boutiques and spend $200-$300 on vintage Levi’s OR you can go to your local thrift store or Etsy and buy them at more than a tenth the cost! I scored these vintage Levi’s cutoffs at the infamous No Relation/L Train Vintage for $7, this shirt at the Brooklyn Flea for $15, and this vintage L.L. Bean jacket at The Vintage Twin pop up shop for $65!

Now for the styling! I mixed the washes a bit, contrasted the roughness of the denim, and played with the buttoning for a peek of skin. While the pieces are oversized, the little details of pulling a back tuck on the shirt, keeping the pieces open, and that dose of skin make it fresh. Shop my look above (I found the exact jacket for you on Etsy!) and check out some of these vintage/thrift spots when you are next in NY! You’re in for a deal!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

Balance + Contrast

Adam Lippes Shirtdress (here, here or here) / Free People Crop Top / FindersKeepers Shorts (similar) / Superga Platforms / Kate Spade Necklace / Outlette Necklace and Rings / Vintage and Handmade Rings

For me, the key to dressing well is all about balance and contrast. Tight pieces with loose, feminine with masculine, short with long. I've touched on balancing proportions before but I thought this outfit was the perfect example to highlight the balance on tight/loose, short/long, as well as, contrasting fabrics. I paired this stretchy, cotton tank with a dressier, pleated short. If I stop here, I have a lot of skin going on. So I add the long, silky "jacket". This is actually a new take on the shirtdress and another style tip to have up your sleeve-- keep the dress unbuttoned completely and have it act as a longer, light jacket. Wrap it up with a platform sneaker and some layering jewelry and you have a look that cool, easy, effortless.

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

Update Your Date Night

DSTLD Denim / Project Social T Tank / Zara Pump / Outlette Necklace and Rings / Kate Spade Necklace/ Handmade Ring

Update your date night. The toughest part of dressing for a date is finding the perfect balance between casual and dressed up, comfortable and sexy. Let’s start with casual and comfy part. Enter DSTLD denim and Project Social T top. Softest jeans and tank I own, and an added benefit-- the rips in the denim and the slinkiness of the tank bring that bit of sex appeal. Paired with a peek of a bralette and sky high heels, you have a look that meets all your criteria with an extra dose of cool. Shop the links above to get the look and cheers to a perfect date night.

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel 

Summer Statement

Tela Crop Top / American Apparel Skirt / Zara Sandals (similar) / J.Crew Earrings / Kate Spade Necklace / Outlette Necklace and Rings

The temp hit above 70 this gorgeous day in Dumbo, Brooklyn and I was instantly ready for summer. There was something about the atmosphere paired with this fun look that had me craving frozen margaritas along the waterfront. I loved playing with the proportions of the skirt and the crop top while piecing this outfit together. The circular, a-line shape of the shirt and the skirt may seem competing while on the hangar, but once they’re on, it hits just right! While I love this look as a whole, the piece that takes it to the next level is the gorgeous statement earrings compliments of J. Crew. They add the perfect amount of POP and are a sure way to get jaws dropping. Shop the links above to get my festive summer look!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

Hats Off

Lack of Color Hat / BB Dakota Duster / Cotton On Tee / Vintage-Handmade Polo cutoffs / Asos Booties (similar) / Handmade, Vintage, Outlette Rings

I've recently become hooked on hats. Well-made? Amazing shape? A good hat can take your look from 0 to 60 real quick. Some notable hatmakers can top out around $300 but I managed to find a brand with the same quality as those more notable brands at a fraction of the price. Meet Lack of Color. An Aussie brand (ps I'm also hooked on Australian brands lately- thinking a visit is in order soon enough!) that kills it in craftsmanship and price. I only found it fitting to pair their Montana style with an outfit as amazingly western. Clean white and denim, a contrast length duster, and kick ass boots finish off the look. Shop the links above to get it now. TGIF and hats off to an amazing weekend!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

An Ode to New York

Urban Outfitters Tee (on sale!) / Williamsburg Garment Denim / Marc by Marc Pump 

Many may not know that I originally grew up in Tennessee, but I have always felt like my roots are in New York. My parents grew up here, I visited constantly in my youth, and after my first summer internship, I knew that Manhattan was as I like to call it "the hometown of my soul" and that I would be back for good. In these photos, my tee, the local Brooklyn denim, the black and white color palette, and the breathtaking World Trade Center personify all that is NEW YORK. So I only found it fitting to make this post a bit of a love letter, an ode if you will, to this amazing city I call home.

xx
e

Photography by  @j2martinez / jmrtnz.com

A Golden Touch

Wren & Glory Starburst Stud / Lightning Hand Wrap / Sun Ring

I have a thing for gold jewelry. Clean or statement, there's something about pairing gold jewelry with the right skin tone and the right look that instantly adds an element of warmth. When I stumbled upon Wren & Glory, I fell in love with their innovative designs, and naturally the touches of gold. W&G's more sculptural pieces I've featured here are perfect for upping your cool factor and best paired with a clean back or white look. Shop the links above to score some pieces!

xx
e

Make or Break It

The Mode Collective Sandal / LOFT Dress (here or here) / Gap Denim Jacket / Gorjana Necklace and Wanderlust & Co Ring via Rocksbox / Outlette Arrow Necklace and Rings
 

Thru work and blogging, I have found that a shoe can make or break an outfit. Maybe that's why I have so many pairs ;) But in all seriousness, a shoe can determine the entire vibe of a look-- is it sexy? understated? 90s? sporty? In my final post in this week's ode to The Mode Collective, this sandal takes the look from the 90s vibe and adds a bit of sex appeal. Not only is the height and shape the epitome of sex in a shoe, the texture and pattern adds a great contrast to striped knit and classic denim in the apparel. Shop the links above to get my look above and many thanks to The Mode Collective for an amazing week of shoes!

xx
e

Photography by @j2martinez / jmrtnz.com

Shoe Rack Essential

The Mode Collective Sandal / Zara Tank / Leather Skirt (here or here) / Gorjana Necklace and Wanderlust & Co Ring via Rocksbox / Outlette Arrow Necklace and Rings

If there's one staple shoe (besides a black pump) that you need in your closet, it's a nude sandal. It goes with just about anything in your wardrobe and added benefit: it lengthens the leg! And who doesn't want longer legs?! This pair is by my favorite brand this week: The Mode Collective.A sky high heel and slim straps give it a perfect "barely there" look. I paired this shoe with an all neutral look, one of my favorites for the approaching summer season. Clean, chic, and elevated, this look will take you from work to afterhours in a snap.

xx
e

Shoe Envy

The Mode Collective Strappy Sandal / Three of Something Top / Vintage Levi Cutoffs / Outlette Necklace and Rings

Anyone who knows me well knows I am the epitome of a "shoe whore". I love an excuse to wear a good heel and will usually spend the extra $ for the perfect, quality pair. Case in point: The Mode Collective. I saw these strappy red sandals and instantly died over them. The heel height is divine and the suede red strappies add to their sex appeal. In true form, I tamed them down a bit by adding my (first ever) vintage cutoffs... excuse the rips... and an easy, breezy, white top. So excited to finally break out my spring/summer closet and generate some serious shoe envy ;)

xx
e

bodySUIT UP

Morgan Lane Bodysuit / Clo Intimo Bra / Vintage Levi Cutoffs / Alexander Wang Booties / Outlette, Wanderlust & Co via Rocksbox, and Vintage Rings

It's P.J. day in a new way. Wear your bodysuit out in public?! I've got the one. This Morgan Lane bodysuit is the perfect piece to spice up your look at home and while hitting the streets. With a bra underneath of course, you can pair this bodysuit with your favorite denim cutoffs or boyfriend jeans to bring the look a bit more down to earth. A classic black boot (with a bit of heel to lengthen the leg) and layering rings and you're on your way a look that's equal parts sexy and casual.

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

A Softer Side

Endless Rose Top / Blank NYC Overalls / Burton Platforms (similar) / Clo Intimo Bra / Vintage Watch / Gorjana Necklace and Wanderlust & Co Ring via Rocksbox/ Outlette, Handmade, and Vintage Rings

You may not have guessed that there’s a softer side to overalls, but I’m here to tell you there is! While sometimes my styling airs more towards a tomboy personality, there are flecks of femininity that I love to play up on occasion. Taking overalls and turning them into a surprisingly girly look is just the thing. By pairing this delicate “lacey” white top and sky high 70s platforms, a new element is brought to the overall: a sweeter side with a touch of vintage flair.  Shop the links above to bring a dash of girl to your overalls!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

#LiveInLevis

L Train Vintage Levi's Buttondown and Cutoffs / Converse / Wanderlust & Co, Outlette, Handmade, and Vintage Rings

My true love for vintage started with my first pair of vintage Levi's cutoffs. I still have them and wear them even though they're half falling apart out of sheer love and nostalgia. So needless to say, there has always been a special place in my heart for Levi's! Here I decided to pay a special tribute to Levi's and my tomboy side while exploring Astoria, Queens. These cutoffs are a bit oversized so I switched things up by only keeping the top button secured. It adds a bit of surprise and sex appeal to what would've been as I like to call, "a full on boy outfit"! Happy exploring with #LiveInLevis!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

Feelin' Like Gwen

DKNY Leather Jacket / House of Harlow Silk Overalls (similar) / Asos Top / Asos Boots (similar) / Vintage Levi's Belt

There was something about this look that had me feelin' like Gwen Stefani. Maybe it was the loose overalls, the leather, the chunky belt? No matter what specifics, the 90s grunge vibe had me singing "Don't Speak". I channeled my inner bad ass by mixing different silhouettes like an off the shoulder top, slinky overalls, and structural leather lines. Add a deserted rooftop and wild-wind hair and I was set! Shop the links above to achieve the look!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel

GBA: It's Festival Season

House of Harlow Romper / Boots / Madewell Hat / Vintage Necklaces, Bracelets, and Rings / Gorjana Lariat / Madewell Arrow Necklace / Outlette Rings

In lieu of Coachella Weekend #2, I found it only fitting to post my festival inspired look. You can take your look so many ways when headed into a musical weekend. There's cutoffs, croptops, swimsuits, body chains, and everything in between. I decided to highlight though one of my hero pieces and favorites for summer: the romper. Easy and breezy and this one has a perfect shape! Added my new western-inspired straw hat, loaded on the jewelry, and finished it with a classic black boot. Now you may be wondering, "What is GBA?" With notes of "Americana" in the shots, I only found it fitting to include my favorite phrase in the title: God Bless America. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a bit sarcastic and so this is my "oh my god" or "holy crap" subsitute. haha! Click the links above to shop my look and god bless America, it's festival season!

xx
e

Photography by Becky Siegel