My 2017 Oscars Best Dressed List

Tonight is The Oscars, my favorite night of cinema celebration, red carpet fashion and dreams come true! Below is my best dressed list with abbreviated captions so that I can get back to the show. But before I go, I do want to note the trends of the night - velvet, ruffles, feathers, champagne (the color... and probably the bubbly), metallics and shiny embellishments. Feeling fancy, incorporate one of these on your next night out!

What to Wear (and Not to Wear) to a Wedding this Summer

Wedding season is upon us and if it's not yet time to buy your BFF’s choice of dress, which seriously, you can wear again and again, you might be asking yourself, "What should I wear?"  Here are some summer trends and gorgeous options to provide inspiration on your next shopping trip.

But first let’s brush up on what NOT to wear to a wedding.

The Coat with No Label & Plaid at Work

The other day a woman followed me into a high end boutique to ask me where I got my beautiful red coat. To her disappointment, I admitted it was from Savers, a thrift store, and it had no label.

“Well it’s beautiful,” she said before she left.

Trending: Rebellious Street Wear

“Who am I today?  That is the modern approach in deciding what to wear.”

– Suzy Menkes, style editor of The International Herald Tribune, as quoted in Harper’s Bazaar, September 2013

Today’s fashion is all about choosing your identity and this season has presented distinct options for almost every persona.  From rebellious street wear to traditional American pastoral and ladylike silhouettes to gender-bending menswear, there’s a possibility for your varying identities all winter long.      

Mocha Dot Dress

I got this little polka dotted number from Wet Seal a couple years ago on a last minute shopping trip for fashion week. The pleated skirt and belted waist accentuate my hourglass figure, while the long sleeves make it practical for most months in the Midwest. I think the mocha colored dots make this dress especially adorable for fall.

Gladiators: Style Secrets from Olivia Pope

Olivia Pope has impeccable style.  She continually looks polished, professional and powerful.  If you’re captivated by ABC’s Scandal, like I am, then this isn't news.  But did you know you can steal her style for a fraction of the cost?  Gladiators, this is how:

Achieving effortless elegance is as simple as black and white.  It’s a timeless combination.  Black colorblocks or lace add a modern twist and accentuate curves on Olivia Pope. 

Ivory and black sleeveless lace dress by A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz, Bluefly, Sale: $204.79

Black and white colorblock cap sleeve belted 'Victoria' dress by Single, Bluefly, $129

Sand and black lace waist 'Alexa' dress by Single, Bluefly, Sale: $86.40

Scarlett Shutter-Pleat Lace Dress, JCPenney, Sale: $66.99

Mix and match textured and patterned suit separates with solids.  Try paring a multi-colored jacket with a trouser in a matching solid color.  It's not as conservative as a solid colored suit, but it still looks powerful.

 Boucle plaid jacket, Express, $108

Studio stretch wide waistband Editor pant in gray, Express, $79.90

Camel is the new black.  Try a camel suit in a slim cut to stay fashion forward, but not too trendy in the office.  It's such a warm and flattering color on many skin tones.  Also, consider different textures like Ms. Pope.  Her jacket appears to be a soft wool, while her pants are a smooth fabric.  The variety adds a welcome surprise to the monotone suit.

Collection suit in camel, The Limited, $158 and $79.95


  

Experiment with mixing neutrals, unexpectedly.  Olivia pairs a pale gray drape neck top with ivory pants and a long gold necklace.  You may tend to keep your grays with white, black and silver and browns with off whites and gold.  But, as you can see, combining these pale shades works just as well.

Olivia Moon drape neck sleeveless top, Nordstrom, Sale: $9.97
Ultimate double weave barely boot Columnist pant in canvas tan, Express, $79.90
Long bead and chain necklace, The Limited, $29.95

This season's all about statement coats.  Did Ms. Pope inspire this trend?  Try a unique shape, like this folded lapel wrap coat.  Olivia's was a breakout star in itself.

Draped wool coat, Banana Republic, $225
Dianne Tote, Banana Republic, $250


 

Invest in a statement coat in a new hue.  Coats are now available in a variety of colors and prints.  Leave the basic black and pick one that speaks to you.  Or go for winter white.  It's a nice break from the typical dark colors of winter but it will last from season to season and it's one of Olivia's signature shades.
  

Fit-and-flare wool coat, Banana Republic, $250

Trade your jacket for a cardigan.  A neutral cardigan in a luxurious knit, softens workwear, but still looks professional.  Here Olivia mixes neutrals unexpectedly again - beige & gray.

St. John's Bay fine-gauge cardigan, JCPenney, Sale: $24.99
The Ashton blouse, The Limited, Sale: $24.98

Stun in elegant evening wear, that's flattering to you.  Olivia Pope knows what's flattering to her body type and skin tone.  Follow her suit.  The detail at the top adds interest to this classic empire waist strapless gown and accentuates her waist. Champagne complements almost every complexion, especially Olivia's.

Chanett Champagne Long Dress, Windsor, $84.90

Cream Elegant Column Sweetheart Dress, UWDress.com, Sale: $109.99

Match your bag to a pair of long gloves.  First, notice how sharp Olivia looks with matching gloves and satchel.  Second, she looks even more chic with the short sleeved  jacket and high gloves.

Tobacco Tiered Leather And Silk Lined Long Gloves, Bluefly, Sale: $87.97

Searight handbag in cognac, Aldo, $50

Enjoy Scandal tonight and be sure to take style notes from Ms. Pope.  I know I will! 

Fashionably,

Kate



Photos courtesy of ABC or their respective retailer

From My Guy’s Perspective: Emmys 2013 Best Dressed

I’m sure by now everyone is so over the Emmys fashion.  But I’ve been a little preoccupied and didn’t get the chance to share my reaction to the evening’s stars – the gowns!  Or rather my guy’s perspective!  Better late than never?   So here goes, just a little late.

For the Oscar awards earlier this year I presented a top 5 best dressed list… from my guy’s perspective.  Since it proved to be a hit, Carlton and I collaborated again to bring you this Emmys post, in our typical style, fashionably late.  (I didn’t get this name for nothin’!)

Anna Gunn in Romona Keveza

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

 

Brooke Burke-Charvet in Herve Leger

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images


 

Julie Bowen in Zac Posen

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

 

Kerry Washington in Marchesa

Photo by Jordan Strauss/AP

 

Lena Heady in Alessandra Rich

Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage
 
 

My Top 5 Choices
 
I was pleasantly surprised with Carlton's choices.  He mostly chose romantic styles but surprised me with Lena Heady's fashion forward lace dress.  While I agree that Carlton's choices are gorgeous, Heady and Kerry Washington's dresses are some of my favorites, here are five of my own.
 

Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

 

Heidi Klum in Versace

Photo by John Shearer/AP

 

Leslie Mann in J. Mendel

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Michelle Dockery in Prada

Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Taylor Schilling in Thakoon

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

Fashion Friday Guest Post on "Focused To Be Fit"

Happy Friday, friends!  My friend Lauren from “Focused To Be Fit” asked me to be a guest writer for Fashion Friday on her healthy living blog.  From rebellious street wear to traditional American pastoral I provided a summary of Fall 2013’s fashion trends.  Read the post at focusedtobefit.com!

Stay tuned for more fall fashion, style inspiration and outfit ideas right here!

Fashionably,
Kate


Rebellious Street Wear
 

For more fall fashion trends go to "Focused To Be Fit"

College Colors '13: Go Rockets!

Happy College Colors Day! Earlier this year I started working at The University of Toledo Foundation, so when I dressed for work this morning I immediately reached for midnight blue and gold. Go Rockets! However, for tomorrow’s kickoff I’ll be wearing my scarlet and grey. Today's red lip is a nod to the Buckeyes. To make things more complicated, I’m from Nebraska (Go Cornhuskers!) and I graduated from Bowling Green State University (orange and brown, baby). So I have a lot of different colors in my closet.

..But I think I look best in scarlet.

Game Day Gear: Add Colored Denim

Game day is upon us!  That’s the first day of college football, people!  Now of course there’s incoming freshmen, injuries, coaching changes and border battles to discuss, but on this blog the question is… what are you going to wear?  Here’s a tip: pair your traditional collegiate gear with colored denim.  

Check out some of my favorite combinations...

For The Ohio State University fans:
  

Victoria’s Secret Scoopneck Tee $32.50
Forever 21 Studded High waist Shorts $19.90

American Eagle Vintage Raglan Tee $29.99

Express Stella Ankle Skinny Jeans - Gray, Labor Day Sale $47.94

Victoria’s Secret Racerback Tank $29.50

Express Stella Ankle Distressed - White, Labor Day Sale $47.94

Kohl’s Nike Tribute Tee $32

JCPenney Levi’s 535 Leggings $45

For those other guys:
 

Victoria’s Secret Colorblock Hat $29.50

American Eagle Vintage Tank $14.99
Macy’s Celebrity Pink Skinny Jeans $29.50

Victoria’s Secret Sporty Bling Tee $49.50

H&M Skinny Low Jeans $9.95

American Eagle Vintage V-Neck Tee $19.99

Buckle Jessica Simpson Kiss Me Jeggings $39.97

Kohl’s Adidas Raglan Tee $22.40

Forever 21 Essential Slant Pocket Chino $15.80

The music lovin’, festival goin’ boho hippie chick

It feels so good to be back!  (Humming Eminem)  Speaking of music, the next personal style post is inspired by the music lovin’, festival goin’ boho hippie chick.   Guests of Coachella have firmly established the bohemian hippie style, reminiscent of Woodstock, as The Look for music festivals across the country.  The flower power people of the 70s must have celebrated Woodstock so well, that we feel compelled to continue the sentiment and its style into today’s festivals’ fashions.  

"Taste of Kansas City"

On the evening of the second day of the conference, #Sizzler 13 hosted a “Taste of Kansas City” Dinner at Union Station with more barbecue and entry into the Real Pirates exhibit.  My new friends from Purdue and I enjoyed the pirate-themed dinner, the exhibit's story of the pirate ship Whydah and of course, the photo booth. 

Digital media specialist by day, fashion blogger by night

On the second day of the conference I awoke, after a late night of writing, with a Starbucks coffee and GMA.  Feeling like a true professional, I pulled out a little black dress to attend the day’s #Sizzler13 sessions.  I paired it with a deep indigo cardigan to keep the AC at bay, the same silver belt as the day before, pewter faux snakeskin slingbacks and this fabulous necklace.

As if the fashion gods knew my fate, I was beckoned to New York & Company two days before my trip by a great coupon, where I picked up this fabulous faux gemstone bib necklace.  I had debated over the color selection but finally opted for the grey and yellow combination because of its imagined versatility.  And now, I had the perfect outfit and occasion to wear it.  Although, I envision this necklace will be worn in several different ways, from a white T-shirt and jeans to more professional attire, and hopefully on another business trip.

The Details
LBD: AB Studio at Kohl's
Cardigan: Old Navy
Necklace: New York & Company, sold out
Belt: New York & Company, from past season
Shoes: Calvin Klein, from past season

#ILikeBusinessTrips

My second day in Kansas City was full of #Sizzler13 sessions and more surprisingly scrumptious food. Lunch and dinner were shared with two ladies I met from Purdue, my parents’ alma mater. That evening we went to Fiorella's Jack Stack for barbecue, where I enjoyed both the meal and the conversation.

Day 2:
For the first day of the conference, I wore a bright coral graphic-print top with white jeans and silver accessories. Thanks to cloth napkins and carefully hovering over the dining tables, I kept those jeans white all day long.

When wearing a patterned top, choosing bottoms in a color that appears in the pattern or a neutral, creates a distinct, yet unified ensemble.  Adding coordinating accessories, in this case the silver earrings, belt and shoes, completes the outfit and inspires passersby to think, “She looks so put together.”  It will be our secret of how easy it truly is. 
 

The Details:
Coral graphic print top: New York & Company
Belt: New York & Company
Jeans: Aéropostale
Shoes: Charlotte Russe
Dangle earrings: Auction, courtesy of my friend, Patty
"C" stud earrings: New York & Company

Welcome Back

I suddenly took an unplanned break from blogging over three months ago.

“Why?” you ask.

No reason, really.  Except, apparently, I needed a break.  Over this break I…

• Landed a new job – say “Hello” to a digital media specialist!
• Enjoyed the busy-bee calendar of summer:
• 3 weddings, 2 more to go
• 2 trips to Put-in-Bay
• 3 Independence Day celebrations, each with fireworks, which was a record for Carlton and I (He was thrilled.)
• 3 birthday celebrations, all mine (This was not a record.)
• Attended an astounding estate sale in Perrysburg of a very stylish lady, who happened to be my size! (Keep an eye out for posts of full looks with some of the statement-making pieces I scored.)

Now I’m back to my beloved blog, feeling rejuvenated and ready to share brand new personal style posts, as well fashion news, tips and more!  Furthermore, I am going to start using a Facebook page to share stylish stories that I find interesting, plus local sales, links to my latest blog posts and style advice.  For too long I was timid to embrace social media as “Fashionably Kate” because I feared failing, i.e. too few “likes.”  But after learning as much as I have about social media personally and professionally, I’d be a hypocrite not to try it.  And I feel good about it.  So, if you’d like to follow along, please, pretty please like my page.  I intend to provide you with inspiring and useful content about a multitude of fashionable topics weekly.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and hopefully, continued support.  I hope you welcome my words back into your reading rotation.

Fashionably,
Kate

Weddings

Put-in-Bay

 

Independence Day

A Birthday Celebration


(Some of) The Estate Sale Finds

My Lucky Jeans

Every March I search for something green to wear on St. Patrick’s Day that’s more stylish and original than my beloved “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirt from college.  It’s a pretty easy feat this year with the help of Pantone’s Color of the Year – emerald and the trend turned staple – colored jeans.  I put together four different looks with the same pair of emerald jeans from Aeropostale.  With these ideas I hope to give you some luck when picking out your outfit this weekend!

May you look more polished than a co-ed

May your cup be full with green beer

And may you celebrate with all your Irish-for-a-day friends! 

  

Neon & Emerald

Green Jeans: Aeropostale

Black Sleeveless Top: Express

Neon Pink Pumps: Steve Madden

Citrus Neon Statement Necklace: H&M

Bangles: Assorted, Forever 21

Silver Clutch: Daisy Fuentes at Kohl’s

  

 

  

Everyday Emerald

  

White T-shirt: Wal-Mart

Khaki Jacket: Tommy Hilfiger

Leopard Print Smoking Slipper: Steve Madden, DSW 
Black Clutch: Michael Kors, Dillard’s
Gold Drop Earrings: Forever 21

  

  

Emerald While You Work

  

  

Black Blazer: Thrifted, No Label

White and Black Polka Dot Top: H&M
Black Clutch: Michael Kors, Dillard’s

Black Pumps: Qupid, Burlington Coat Factory

  

  

  

  

Wild Emerald

  

  

Zebra Print Top: Toska, T.J. Maxx
Nude Studded Pump: Vince Camuto, Dillard’s

Green and Gold Statement Necklace: Forever 21

Bangles: Assorted, Forever 21

Metallic Clutch: Kate Landry, Dillard’s

  

All photos by Gina of beatbeatheartbeat.com