Zara Top and Jeans, Prabal Gurung for Target Heels, LOFT Sunglasses
I’ve always been drawn to a floral pattern, and have accumulated many varieties in my time. By far, my favorite way to wear florals is in a dark and moody manner. Feminine and edgy is a winning combination for me every time.
LOFT Top, American Eagle Jeans, BCBG Heels, J. Crew Clutch
I love a monochromatic look. I wear head to toe black practically every other day. When it comes to mustard yellow though, I tend to err on the side of caution. It’s one of the few shades of yellow that I can wear as a blonde, and I do not take that lightly. I find that this shade works best for me in small doses and in a modest cut. I really like the feminine feel this top gives to my distressed boyfriend jeans, and it’s simplicity allows me to have fun with accessories, like a red lip, color-blocked clutch, and leopard print slingbacks.
Saks Off Fifth Sweater, LOFT Skirt, DSW Boots
When I was younger I used to beg my mom to let me jump in puddles barefoot. Only sometimes she would say yes and I thought it was such a special treat to wander around the yard by myself and walk through the mud! I still love the rain, but as an adult I tend to dress a little more appropriately for the weather. Flat waterproof shoes, clothing that doesn’t skim the ground, a soft sweater, and my bubble umbrella are my choice favorites. Duchess prefers the look of a classic yellow rain jacket, or she just enjoys being the center of attention, we’ll never know. Either way, she’s always jumping in puddles barefoot.
H&M Tweed Jacket, LOFT Sweater, American Eagle Jeans, John Fluevog Boots, Vintage Purse
Sometimes the best outfits come together accidentally. By chance this tweed jacket and striped sweater were hanging next to each other in my closet. I was just beginning to think that I had nothing to wear when I spotted them. A pair of distressed denim, lilac studded boots, and a vintage purse later, the rest is history. This is the perfect combination of pulled together and comfortable for a rainy afternoon spent at the museum. I knew that I probably did too much outfit planning in my head, but now I know I’m doing it subconsciously as well.
Peter Pilotto for Target Dress, Prabal Gurung for Target Heels
I’ve been a longtime admirer of Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, the design duo behind the Peter Pilotto brand, so I was thrilled to learn about their recent collaboration with Target stores. The designers are known for their thoughtfully printed women’s wear pieces, which always make a statement at London Fashion Week. Their beautiful clothing also comes along with a hefty price tag, so I never thought I’d get the chance to call a piece my own, until recently that is. I love the feminine shape of this dress, with a belt to accentuate the waist, and the sporty racer back top with cut-outs at the shoulder. The printed lace sleeves are an unexpected touch and make it the perfect spring time dress. I’m not usually a Target shopper, but they’re doing some pretty great stuff with their designer collaborations lately.
Temps are still hovering around freezing in Boston, but there’s no denying that I’ve got Spring Fever! I’m itching for warmer weather to wear all of the new clothes I have my eye on. This gingham floral dress would be perfect for a spring wedding, as would this satin stripped number, tie dye dress, or color-blocked sheath. And a cut-out denim dress would be ideal for a lazy Sunday brunch. A sheer inset sleeveless top, a floral baseball T-shirt, and a lace up faux leather top are fresh and classic at the same time. I would wear all three of them with a pair of light pink Chloé trousers. I die over this organza Erdem top and skirt combination, but, unfortunately, I think they’ll remain on my wishlist forever. I plan on upgrading my shoe game for spring and these pink ankle boots, slingback oxfords, d’orsay flats, and lace up strappy sandals would each make a welcome statement to my fantasy closet. Nothing goes better with imaginary new shoes than imaginary new bags, so I picked out a couple that I think would compliment my new wardrobe: a Pierre Hardy shoulder bag, a 3.1 Phillip Lim cracked leather satchel, and a Diane von Furstenberg clutch. As we all know, and may even still be experiencing, spring can get off to a pretty cold start. That’s why I’ve picked out some sweaters and coats for chillier weather. A sleeveless trench, a floral kimono, a striped split-front sweater, a mint pullover, a patterned cardigan, and a leopard peplum sweater should do the trick. And just for fun, some stackable gold rings, gingham cat eye sunglasses, and a pink plastic bow tie.
Lord & Taylor Sweater, Jessica Simpson Jeans, Bass Boots
Knit-wear can be tricky. Yes, it’s very cozy, but there’s always the potential of an itchy, bulky, Grandma-esque sweater situation. I prefer to wear a lightweight sweater with a tank underneath to minimize the bulk, and I always look for soft fabrics, such a cashmere, to avoid constant fidgeting. That’s why I love this sweater from Lord & Taylor. It’s thin, velvety soft, and very modern with the color blocking and asymmetric hem. It meets all my knit-wear needs!
French Connection Sweater, Zara Skirt, Prabal Gurung for Target Heels, Vintage Bag
I love a head to toe black look. It makes me feel strong, confident, and pulled together. And my favorite thing to do is to combine a bunch of different textures to make the monochrome look feel fresh. For instance, a cashmere sweater with embellishments on the shoulder, worn with a tweed skirt with lace panels, and patent leather lace up heels is chic, not dull. I topped it all off with a vintage beaded bag. My intention was to exude a less witchy and more of a bewitching vibe instead.
I’m a lady who likes to dress up, but every so often a casual day is in order. If I’m staying home all day, leggings and Uggs it is, but if I’m heading out I’ve got a few easy pieces that I’ve been reaching for lately. My Zara sweatshirt has bead embellishments on the sleeves that give some effortless sparkle to my look. My wine colored cords have a slight paisley pattern that’s adds an unexpected element to a cozy staple. And my suede booties are the most comfortable, socially acceptable shoes that I’ve ever put on my feet. I might feel like I’m wearing pajamas, but not everyone needs to know that.
H + M Top, Zara Skirt, Vince Cammuto Boots, Earrings from my friend Alex
When I was much younger and first discovering my love of clothing, I was very into matchy-matchy outfits. I only wanted to wear distinct sets (I think I learned this at Gap Kids). One top went with one bottom and they were not to be mixed with other pieces. Ever. I’ve since grown out of that phase, luckily, and my wardrobe options grew exponentially! Mixing and matching pieces is the most fun and inexpensive way to create new looks. And playing around in my closet one day is just how I stumbled across my “old” peplum top and my “new” leather skirt. Together they look like they were made for each other and separately they’re stand out pieces. Tastes change, and that’s a good thing, but I would be remiss not to mention how happy Little Diana would be with how perfectly these separates match.
lady and the duchess 