Fall Fashion Guide: Colorful Tights

The cooler weather in Georgia today has my mind reeling about fall accessories. One frosty weather accessory that isn't always used to its full potential is a pair of tights.

Tights. Sounds pretty simple, right? These days with all the wacky legwear some designers make, it's easy to get overwhelmed and not want to branch out from basic black. Well, with just a few simple tips you could rock colorful or printed tights just like a runway professional!

1. DO go for primary colors: blue, red, green, black, even yellow! Make sure they're opaque--if they're translucent it may make your look messy. Don't do bright legwear with mini hemlines, neutrals are the better solution.Try mixing red tights with an all black and white look, or color block them with a bright dress.




Burgundy tights, $7.80, Forever21



2. DON'T go for two-hued tights. Leave those for the Halloween constumes, ladies.

3. DO go for tights with a light print on them. Just make sure the print is subtle so they don't fall into the "clown tights" category. Try an argyle, diamond, or plaid print!

Diamond Grid Tights, $5.80, Forever21

4. For some, it begs to be said...DON'T wear tights with holes. Even if they're intentional, it's messy.

Will you be wearing bright tights this season? What do you think of printed legwear?

The Normal Girl's Guide to Color Blocking

Color blocking with hot hues is all over the runways these days, and it looks like it's here to stay until spring 2012. Not to mention it's the hottest fall trend you can participate in right now.

I know what you may be thinking, "But how can a normal girl wear that trend?" Let me tell you, it's easier than you think!

Color blocking is really about mixing up your brights. You can mix two different brights, like red and fuchsia. You can mix bright in with dark, maybe with an electric blue maxi skirt. Or you mix your brights with white for an unexpected fall pairing. Whichever remix you want to try, all you have to do is follow these easy tips.

1. If you're going to mix two different brilliant hues,  try colors in the same family or unusual compliments. Think red and fuchsia, orange and purple, or head-to-toe blues. If you're pairing complimentary colors, don't go overboard. We all know red and green go together, but you don't want to look like an out-of-season watermelon or an early Christmas tree. Try this color block inspiration from Sarah Jessica Parker.


Color Block Look from Express



 

 2. If you're a little afraid to jump right into color blocking, try one hot-hued piece with a neutral you already own.



ASOS Midi Skirt with Pleats, $73.18

3. Make a clean, chic statement with your flashy pigments by adding white. I love white during the cold months, it feels so winter-wonderland! White is graceful no matter what season we're in, and it makes your brilliant shades shine even brighter.

ASOS Jet Pocket Slim Cropped Trousers, $36.59

What do you think of the fall color blocking trend? Will you be color blocking this season?

14 High-Drama Pieces Under $100

Fall/winter is my favorite fashion season for many reasons, the most prominent being vintage styles are always a cold weather "do."

I've always been a fan of high-drama pieces and in the cold months, vintage equals effortless insta-glam.

Wide leg pants are a chic way to add dramatic vintage inspiration and rich color to your wardrobe. 70s styles are very trendy this year and deep red or mustard yellows add a surprising pop. The major upside to this trend? Wide leg pants make your legs look insanely long. Be sure to add a pair of sky-high pumps with these babies!

High Drama Pants by fashionistaerin featuring high waisted linen pants

Another perfect way to add chic drama to any outfit is a bright-colored blouse. Adding summer-worthy brights in the winter months is very in this year. You could also go for a blouse with an unexpected print or shimmer for even more drama.

High Drama Shirts by fashionistaerin featuring draped tops

What do you think of high-drama pieces? What vintage-inspiration are you loving this season?

If You Don't Already Love Forever21, You Will Now

Every chance I get I shout from the rooftops how much I love Forever21. They always stay trendy, their stock's ever-changing, and they always manage to keep me on budget (which is sometimes hard to do). Well I'm about to give all you non-believers one BIG reason to fall in love with Forever21.

One of my favorite blogs from Glamour alerted me that Alex & Chloe is collaborating with Forever 21 on a jewelry line that's all under $20. Exciting, right?!

Alex & Chloe can retail for as much as $2,500 and gets celebrity praise from the iconic Kate Moss. The line draws inspiration from punk and goth influences (spikes, crosses, studs...that sort of thing). The best part is that the Alex & Chloe pieces will be a bit heavier than normal Forever21 jewelry, so it could pass for something much more expensive than just $20.

Mark your calendars, Alex & Chloe hits Forever21 stores and online on Dec. 2!

Here are a few pieces from the Alex & Chloe winter collection:

What do you think of Alex & Chloe's collaboration with Forever21? Will you be buying any of their pieces?

9 Fall Pieces Under $50 to Mix Up Your Wardrobe

Marshall's has been one of my favorite haunts for years. They have the season's trendiest styles and brand names at insanely affordable prices. Not to mention Marshall's is the best place to get all your seasonal decorations (which I love!).

Here's a sneak peak at 9 drool-inducing fall items about to hit a Marshall's near you. As always, in Marshall's fashion, it's all under $50!




Grey and Black Blazer, $29.99

Use it as a ladylike tuxedo topper or keep it casual with jeans and a tee. 

Plaid Mini Skirt, $29.99

 I can see this dreamy piece with some deep black or grey tights and patent ankle booties.


Dolman Sleeve Top, $24.99

Spice up your fall skirts and pants with this colorful top.


Denim Trousers, $24.99

Denim flares are always a fall must-have--wear them now and every season to come!


Box Clutches, $16.99-$29.99

I have been fantasizing about putting one of these babies in my closet since I saw Alexander McQueen's line of Britannia box clutches. Now I (and all of you!) can be a proud owner of one for as low as $17!


Cowl Neck Sweater, $19.99

Get cozy with this jazzy sweater, then amp it up with skinny jeans and riding boots.


Blue Suede Heels, $49.99

This fierce footwear is easy to wear by day or night with most any outfit.


Ribbed Jacket, $39.99

This piece has a very modern flare mixed with rocker style. You ladies might have to fight me for this one!


Embellished Flats, $39.99

Dorothy would be jealous of these ruby-red beauties, and they'll be the envy of the office too!

Will you be heading to your Marshall's to grab some of these pieces?






2011 Emmys Fashion: Hot Styles and Hot Messes

TV's most prestigious awards show was last night, so that means we're in for another celebrity edition of style hits and misses!

This year's Emmys hostess with the mostest, Jane Lynch, knocked it out of the park with four beautiful gowns.

The Best Dressed list doesn't stop there, as there was no shortage of dramatically stunning fashions.

Kate Winslet sizzled in  a sophisticated cap sleeve Elie Saab gown with a plunging neckline. "Mad Men's" Christina Hendricks shows off her voluptuous figure in a glitzy Johanna Johnson number. Minka Kelly  rocked a lacy navy blue Christian Dior frock.

Jayma Mays looked heavenly in a blush pink Zuhair Murad gown with a beaded, transparent bodice and tiered tulle skirt. Kelly Osbourne looked nothing short of spectacular in a plum-colored fishtail gown by J Mendel. "Dexter's" Jennifer Carpenter was sleek and sexy in a silvery Tony Ward Couture dress with a thigh-high split. Kristen Wiig goes for the gold in a metallic Zac Posen number with a deep v-neckline.

Last up for the Best Dressed group, we'll begin with Emily Blunt's deep blue Elie Saab gown with a plunging neckline and heavenly ruffle skirt. Sofia Vergara showed off those dangerous curves in a peachy Vera Wang one-shoulder dress. Lea Michele's red Marchesa gown may not look like much from the front, but it's a different story in the back with a deep cowl and rosette sleeves. With Gwyneth's dress, I think you'll either love it or hate it--there has been no inbetween. Gwyneth wore an intricately beaded two-piece Pucci gown that was meant to mirror Middle Eastern style.

And now for the fun part...Worst Dressed!

Dianna Agron's purple, drape-y number does absolutely nothing for her figure - it hangs like a grandma robe. Oh, Paz de la Huerta, were you drunk? Her dress reminded me of something awful I used to see at high school dances (and the girls usually looked a bit messy, a la Paz). Black dresses are usually go-tos for awards season, but Rachael Harris did nothing to dress it up. She's wearing a pair of trendy, and rather boring, glasses (which I'm not sure are necessary?) and that's it! No rings, no bracelets...I'd even venture to say no earrings. BOR-ING. Julianna Margulies was going for avant garde in her white frock, but it just does nothing for her! The top is too stiff to compliment her and it kind of looks like a reject Christmas ornament.

After seeing this, I think Julianne Hough needs to fire some people. The hair, bleh. The make up is pale. And the dress is a disaster! Two-tone pink and beige with a see-through belt just doesn't do it for me, and it sure didn't do anything for Julianne. Normally, I love Heidi Klum's style (duh, she's gorgeous), but why this dress, Heids? She may have been throwing a bone to ex-"Runway" contestant Christian Siriano, but it turned into a bomb. The skirt reminds me of coral...or brains, either way it ain't cute.

 

Who were your Emmys Best and Worst Dressed? What did you think of this year's Emmys style?

Target's Big Missoni Miss

There's no shortage of buzz on the premier of Missoni for Target this week. But some of the latest buzz has anxiously waiting people going from excited to enraged.

For those fortunate enough to have ravaged Target's website before the early morning crash on Tuesday, their orders may be delayed another month or cancelled altogether.

According to the New York Daily News, thousands of Target consumers were sent an alarming message on Friday regarding their purchases. Not only would their shipments be delayed by at least a month, but they were also met with possible cancellation, so says the line buried at the end of the email, "If we can't deliver your item(s) by this new estimated delivery date, we will automatically cancel your order."

There is a process for customers to go into their accounts to approve a later delivey date for their orders.

On top of this problem, there's also word on the street that Target won't be re-stocking the Missoni line at all. All of us eagerly waiting people who had other things to do on Tuesday may just be missing out, period! According to Target, we were supposed to be able to purchase the line for another month, however they were met with, "unprecedented demand, both in stores and online."

There hasn't been official word from Target on whether the line will be re-stocked.

You could still grab some Missoni, but it'll cost you! Auctions have been on eBay all week with starting prices at double or triple the original. You could also venture on CraigsList, but the price gouging is the same. 

Those Forever21 Missoni look-alikes aren't looking so bad now, huh?

Did you have a chance to grab Missoni in stores or online? What do you think of Missoni's misfire?

Look Twice It's NOT Missoni (But It IS Under $25)

I know thousands of women across the country are waiting impatiently (like me)  for the Missoni for Target stock to be refilled. I don't have a date for when the marvelous zigzag patterns will be replenished, but I DO have an alternative for you.

While perusing Forever21 for my Celeb Steals I noticed a similar pattern...a colorful zigzag pattern at that. I didn't think anything of it until this morning when I noticed more than half a dozen different pieces with this same pattern.

Compare these pieces to Missoni, and try telling me you don't see a similarity.

Missoni for Target



NOT Missoni by fashionistaerin featuring dolman sleeve tops

I'm cooling my heels waiting on the re-stock for Missoni, but these Forever21 pieces may be just the thing to tide me over until it happens.

What do you think of Forever21's Missoni-esque items? Would you buy any of these just for the Missoni look?