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Archive for the ‘Wardrobe Building’ Category

How To Wear Suede Taupe Knee Boots

A reader recently purchased a pair of taupe suede boots and hasn’t worn them yet because she doesn’t know what to wear them with.

Taupe is a neutral color and it will go with any color you pair it with. For this post I’m using lots of earth tones and classic fall tones, but you can use whatever you have in your closet or whatever colors speak to you.
The easiest way to go with taupe boots is to wear something all black. Here I chose a long sleeve black jumpsuit, but you could also do a black dress or black separates. Add a layer that compliments the shoe, here you see a fur jacket and gilet. Top it all off with a statement bag in a bold or muted tones, depending on your taste. You can also easily recreate the same look with navy, brown and certain shades of grey/gray.

Alexander Wang, Topshop, French Connection

For a casual outfit, you can do a plaid top with corduroy or denim, making sure that the colors compliment each other.

Citizens of Humanity, Citizens of Humanity



Knee high boots look great with flirty relaxed dresses, if it’s chilly out you’ll want to cover up. I choose these blazers.

Rick Owens, Topshop, Topshop


Tucker, Tibi, Sandro


Worked: Styling Pleated Cropped Pants

Step 1. The Shoe
For fall and winter, cropped pants look great with an ankle boot. Here I paired the pants with platform wedge ankle boots. Wow, that’s mouthful. Cropped pants also look great with platform pumps, oxfords, peep toe pumps.

Step 2. The Top
Almost everyone will have a ultra feminine blouse in their already existing wardrobe that they can pair with these pants. If you don’t, you should get one. Here I chose a burgundy button down, but since the pants are black, there really is an infinite amount of color possibilities.

Step 3. Adding Layers
It is cool or cold depending on where you live, consider layering your top with vests, cardigans, jackets and shrugs. The layer you choose will really define the look. You can really dress the look up or down here.

Step 4. The accessories
Finish it all of with your favorite accessories: layering necklaces, adding bags with fun coordinating textures or prints.

Juicy Couture, Lover, Topshop, Topshop, Camilla Skovgaard


Dress up a plain white top paired with cropped pants by adding embellished layers.

Majestic, American Vintage, The Row, Marc by Marc Jacobs


Loose fitting feminine tops paired with flirty pumps are the perfect match for cropped pants.


Arden B, Topshop, Topshop, Elizabeth and James


Ballet flats, oxfords, neutral tones can easily make a pair of black cropped pants instantly casual.


Creative Recreation, Forever 21, Anna Molinari


Worked: Styling Pleated Cropped Pants (Intro)

A reader asked for help on how to integrate a pair of pleated cropped pants into her wardrobe. Below is an image of the pants she purchased. For my styling layouts, I will use a different pair of pants, but I wanted you to see the pair that inspired the looks.

Cropped pants are typically thought of as a warm weather staple, but you can actually work them into your fall/winter wardrobe just like you can wear dresses and skirts in cool weather.

Stay tuned for Mane and Chic tips on how to work cropped pants.

Pleated Cropped Pants

More Cute Affordable Coats

Laundry by Shelli Segal, Nümph, Via Spiga


DKNY, Nümph, Via Spiga


Le Coat Femme

These waist-conscious, under $200 coats are practical and fashion-forward.

BB Dakota



Topshop, Topshop, Topshop


Click products for details.

Muted Must Haves

Do you find yourself stuck in an all black rut? Why not step out of your comfort zone and try a new neutral? Try mixing hues of khaki, biege and mauve with bold colors in your wardrobe instead of your typical black and watch the impact it makes.

Diesel, Asos, Mischa Barton, Karen Millen


Leigh & Luca, Dorothy Perkins, L.A.M.B., Wal G


Muted Must Haves

Do you find yourself stuck in an all black rut? Why not step out of your comfort zone and try a new neutral? Try mixing hues of khaki, biege and mauve with bold colors in your wardrobe instead of your typical black and watch the impact it makes.

Diesel, Asos, Mischa Barton, Karen Millen


Leigh & Luca, Dorothy Perkins, L.A.M.B., Wal G


Creating a Closet Collection Fall 2010 Step 3 Find What’s Missing

Now that you know exactly what’s in your wardrobe and you’ve made it shoppable, what’s missing? You might have 4 pairs of pants, how many tops do you want to be able to pair those pants with? It’s all purely subjective. You might choose to have at least 4 tops to wear with each pair of pants. Realize that a lot of the shirts will be interchangeable. Now, suddenly you have just created at least 16 outfits by only using 8 pieces. Obviously, if you really love a piece and you want to get a lot of wear out of it, you want to focus your effort on what would look good with that piece and sort of build your wardrobe around it. So instead of going shopping and randomly choosing something, you know exactly what you’re looking for and this should save you quite a bit of money.

Donna Karan, Alice + Olivia, Maje, Just Cavalli


Donna Karan, Alice + Olivia, Just Cavalli


Redux: Tracee Ellis Ross at Fendi Boutique Opening

Here is actress Tracee Ellis Ross as she attends the FENDI boutique opening hosted by Chloë Sevigny and in conjunction with LACMA at FENDI Beverly Center Boutique on October 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

I liked this look, but not the jeans. Most of us will have pieces very similar to all the pieces shown here. P.S. I love how I’ve seen a few of these pieces on Tracee before, I like it. It makes her feel more ‘real’. She really works her wardrobe. Take notes.

Smashbox, Yves Saint Laurent, McQ by Alexander McQueen


How To Rock Patterned Pants

Lot 78, Asos, Proenza Schouler



Proenza Schouler, NARS, Asos, Asos, Camilla Skovgaard

Click the images for pricing and details. For the J’ADORE tees, visit the Mane and Chic Tee Shop.