Rock On Beautiful People!

Have you ever noticed how kids love to dress up in costumes and rock them everywhere whether it be hanging out at home, going to the grocery store or out to dinner?  I love this for its carefree and fun-loving spirit but I also identify with it.  Costumes can become like armor giving you super powers and protecting you from the mad world we live in.  Fashion can become your costume. As of late, I have been collecting a small yet powerful arsenal of fashionable items that make up my adult version of a costume, the rockstar, which whenever I put them on I feel like a true badass. When I find these items, I know immediately. And when I look in the mirror, I think to myself Rockstar Status.  While not everyone is going to want to wear edgy, crazy items, I do believe everyone should have some things in their wardrobe that makes them feel a little daring, a little crazy and a little beautiful.  Here are a few of my favorite ways to achieve this.

1. Shades.  A great pair like these ($15) we have at the store, can make you feel totally cognito and incognito at the same time.  Only a superhero rockstar could achieve such an amazing contradiction.  Sunglasses not only look great but protect your eyes from the sun. Clearly, a rockstar move.


2. Leather.  Everyone knows leather = rockstar.  Our faux leather leggings ($45) from Hue fit really well, look great with boots and sweaters and have back pockets.  They also add a really stylish texture element to any outfit. You can easily wear a black sweater with these pants with lots of layered necklaces and look instantly cool. 

3. Black jewelry.  I can never resist a good black and silver jewelry piece. It goes with everything and I can always layer it with other silver items I own and it definitely has an edge.  Chan Luu always has something with this combo and inevitably I always end up ordering one for myself and one for the store. 
The wrap to the left ($178) is a classic style of hers that we always keep in stock. 



4.  These Frye boots currently at Williams Shoes are the very definition of badass.  They look like you have been touring for the past year, gotten in a few bar fights and won.  The best thing about these boots is you don't actually have to do any of that that to get them to look like this.  These boots come ready to wear without the hangover and lack of sleep.

5.  A great nail color.  I was one of the last people to the manicure party but now that I've shown up I'm obsessed.  A great manicure is a real game-changer and an affordable luxury.  It's just the little oomph that can make you feel put together and edgy.  I love this color called "Go Overboard" by Essie.  Very apropos for a rock star don't you think?


6. Leopard print.  Evanston has greatly resisted all leopard print items I have ever had at the store but I encourage you all to find one thing you love in this print and give it a go. Nothing says confidence like wearing leopard and owning it!




What items do you have that make you feel like you can take on the world?
I would love to know!

Granny Chic

They say age brings wisdom.  Well, it can also bring great fashion!  "Granny chic" is a current trend that has been around for a bit now and I love it!  This trend is not about looking old but more about looking like you raided your grandmother's closet and hit the jackpot because she was a stylish biddy.   You took those things and added them to some more updated pieces so you don't look like you time warped straight from the 20's.  Below are a few items you can put together to look Granny Chic.

1. Lace up boots or booties.  My two favorites at Williams shoes right now are this little Burgandy Rieker that laces up and the black lace up boot from Steven Madden                                             

2.  Next it's all about layering.  Our 7 yr skirt at Williams Next Door is perfect paired with shoes like the above mentioned and a great pair of tights.  To really wear this trend through winter come in and grab a pair of our cashmere tights or get a little funky with our black patterned HUE tights.















3. Throw on a sweater with a vintage looking print or one like our cotton shawl sweater out of Italy











4. Layer on the long necklaces from our local jewelry section and you are good to go!


Not only is this style easy to execute, it's warm, which is all I can think about as the temp drops.  Will you be rocking the granny chic trend?  I know I will. I just bought the black lace up booties pictured above and I'm obsessed! Cheers to being stylish despite the weather and cheers to all the Grannies out there who have given us this inspiration!

chilly confusion

So, generally I try to focus on the positives of fashion and how to put things together.  As many of you who follow my blog know, I often say if you feel good in it forget the rules and express yourself that is the most important thing.  I feel obliged however, to discuss a fashion "no-no" that plagues the Midwest annually.  Just in the past few weeks as the temperature is cold in the morning and warmer once the sun heats things up and drops again at night.  I have seen these fashion offenders cropping up just as they do every year.  Yes, you know what I am talking about.  It's when someone is wearing some clothes appropriate for a hot summer day and other items appropriate for a cold fall/winter day.  I'm not totally heartless.  I know even the most fashion saavy get confused and end up under dressed or over dressed .  The weather report gets it wrong a good portion of the time and Chicago is a temperamental lady to say the least.  This can easily be forgiven for to err is human as they say.  However, illogical dressing is a crime of a different nature.  It's just not logical!  If you have bare legs you should not be wearing a big wool scarf or a heavy sheerling coat.  Wearing fur lined boots a tank top as your upper half is ill-advised.  So, in conclusion, pick a season and stick with it.  What are your thoughts on this?  Is this a fashion "Do" or a fashion "Don't"?

Give 'em some lip!

So often I am inspired (fashion and otherwise) by the amazing and beautiful women I meet from working here at Next Door.  A few women in particular come to mind for a very specific reason which I will now share with you.  These women walk into the store with a smile, confidence and LIPSTICK.  When I see these women I instantly am either glad I have on a great color lipstick or if I forgot to put some on I wish I had remembered.  Lipstick can really complete any look and with such a simple detail bump up your style factor several notches.  On days when you had a cocktail too many the night before some stylish (dark) shades and lipstick can fool the masses.   When it comes to figuring out make-up as well as clothes I generally go by if I like what I see in the mirror than it's good.  I don't think you need to read a ton about what color works for your skin tone just try them and see what you like.  Below are 3 general colors/moods that I think universally work on everyone.

This color is "Slopes" by Bobbi Brown.  A little pricier lipstick but it goes on really smoothly and the color is perfect for all day every day.  All the women in my family have this and it works on various skin tones with all outfits.

*helpful tip:  If you color in your entire lips with a lip liner prior to applying lipstick, it lasts longer!






The next color is a bright red for when you feel like being bold and sassy.  This is also a color that looks great on everyone. When wearing neutral colored clothing this can be just the finishing touch to add class and confidence. Covergirl lipstick is smooth and easy to apply and inexpensive.  If you don't like the color you can easily return it no problems.  CVS and Walgreens are great about this.

*helpful hint:  Put on some chapstick first for extra moisture and easy application.

Lastly, the Sugar sheer tinted lip moisturizer is for days when you want to feel less done up and more incognito.  A simple boost to your natural beauty.  This moisturizes, protects from the sun and adds a shine and sheer color.

*helpful hint: Trying putting this as a top layer for your lipsticks to add shine. 

Infinity InDemand

Infinities are in demand ladies.  This scarf style has been around for a few seasons now and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.  This style is pretty much impossible to screw up even for the scarfing impaired.  It's a big loop that you double and wear as a functional fashion accessory.  It can't fall off and there are no ends to figure out what to do with or what height to let them fall to.  This scarf which comes in multiply colors is only $34 and is super soft.  Come in soon to see how infinitely fashionable this scarf as well as all our other infinities can make your fall wardrobe!

Sometimes Outerwear Is The Only Wear

As Chicago women we all know we need pretty much every weight and layer of pretty much everything.  I have not one but several drawers devoted to socks and tights from the lightest cotten to the thickest wool in almost every color and variation possible.  There is no exception when it comes to coats.  When the weather goes from 90 to mid 60's in less than 24 hours you know you live in a place where various coats of different lengths, materials and weights are needed.  Sometimes your outerwear is the only wear the majority of people will see you in so it is not a wardrobe item to be overlooked or not given its proper dues.  This year we have several super cute, comfortable yet stylish jackets.  The 3 below are made right here in the U.S.A and the black and red one are machine washable (jackpot!).  With more coats on the way as well stop in soon and see for yourself!

Fashion and Politics

Sometimes people think that fashion is shallow or unimportant or something that only pertains to famous people or people with lots of money to spare.  Au contraire mon cherie.  Fashion is art and art so often reflects politics and politics mean nothing without the people. 

Not too long ago a plump figure was a sign of wealth as it implied a leisure lifestyle and ample food.  Now popular notion has shifted towards a thin physique connotative of lots of free time to work out and have meals delivered with the perfect calorie count.  Various trends have reflected how people were feeling from the flapper era in speak easy's to the rise of the bikini in the 50's and 60's to dashikis and afros representing hard fought freedom and pride in a culture historically oppressed.  Hippies didn't just throw on bell bottoms and embroidered tops simply because they were comfortable and stylish but also because they were tired of the system saying what was right.  They wanted a culture of peace without having to watch their friends shipped off to war and their clothes represented an entire collective culture of music, political beliefs and art.  What you put on ends up going with you wherever you go.  What you choose does in fact reflect you!  In the past 5-10 years I have seen lots of military and camouflage and I actually love this look because I think the colors are easy to wear and the pattern makes for something a little interesting.  However I have never bought anything in camouflage personally or for the store because I think on some level no matter how subconscious it may be its equating war with something cool (disclaimer: if you own anything in camoflouge I do not judge you and don't be afraid to wear it into the store, I was a sociology minor and think way more about this kind of thing than most people). 

 One of our jewelry designers a few seasons back had pendants in the shape of bullets and we decided to pass on this also.  Gold (or metal with a gold color) has made a big resurgance in the past 4 years which I think is indicative of people feeling the effects of the economy and wanting to project luxury even if it is just brass or gold vermeil.  On trend seasonal colors make sense and go with most neutrals. These have been popular the last few years because the make sense in a recovering economy.  Many people are not in the mood to buy something they may only wear once in a season.

What we choose as well as what we pass up are small stitches in the quilt of our lives.  Each day the images we project, words we speak, art we like and politics we agree and disagree with is our individual vote on the human race.  While the clothes we wear should not dictate our life and fashion can sometimes be simply fun; it also can be art and politics and a sign of the times.