Summer Style Suggestion: Patterned Shorts

My favorite look so far this summer also happens to be the easiest to style: patterned shorts.  These have been gaining popularity for a while, and for good reason! You can throw on some shorts, a loose tee and sandals in the morning for a daytime-casual look, and then switch into a crop top and flatforms or wedges for a night look. My favorite thing about these shorts are how comfortable they are. I prefer the looser cut so I can still move around in them.  Most of the patterned shorts have a wide color scheme, so you can wear almost any color with them.

Check out these specific pairs:

Urban Renewal Gauze Ruffle Short

Urban Renewal Gauze Ruffle Short

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOA Daisy-Trim Floral-Print Short

JOA Daisy-Trim Floral-Print Short

Urban Outfitters has so many cute options for patterned shorts, but these two were my favorite!

Nasty Gal It's a Trip Shorts

Nasty Gal It’s a Trip Shorts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nasty Gal always has so many patterned shorts in stock.  I love this pair because the lace trim can help to dress up the shorts a lot!

Tobi Carrington Shorts

Tobi Carrington Shorts

Tobi, one of my favorite online shopping websites, has some great options as well! I love the ruffle at the bottom of this pair!

These shorts look great on so many body types, go with everything, and are super comfortable. They are all the rage, so almost any store in your price range will have some! If you are crafty, pick up a pattern and some cool fabric (vintage fabrics are great for these!) and sew them yourself!

That's what I did!

That’s what I did! Vintage fabric and tiny pom-pom trim!

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New York Fashion Week: Personal Favorites

Spring New York Fashion Week is always full of colorful florals and stunning finale gowns. This year, I was actually disappointed with a majority of the shows.  Some shapes were too geometric and boxy for my taste.  But there were still many shows and looks that stood out to me.  These are some of my overall favorite looks from this week.

Tanya Taylor RTW Spring 2014

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Retro silhouettes were everywhere this season! What I really enjoyed about this look was the beautiful combination of blue floral and the black and white pattern it lays on top of. Tanya Taylor had her Fashion Week debut just a year ago, and opted for a runway show this season. The movement of the skirts were so graceful and visually appealing to me, which is exactly why she chose the runway to show off her collection. Though she is a young designer, I could see this collection appealing to women of all ages.

Kate Spade Spring 2014

Kate Spade New York - Presentation - Spring 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kate Spade New York - Presentation - Spring 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Kate Spade is one of my all-time favorite brands and this presentation blew me away.  The theme – a quaint European tour – was adorable and perfectly reflected.  The first few looks, inspired by Paris, made me audibly gasp in public! There is just something about the dress and peplum top with the wrought iron gate pattern that stunned me.  This collection had so many amazing silhouettes that were also very retro inspired. I loved the lemon theme representing Capri- it was fresh and perfect for spring.  Finally, the quirky clutches, colorful shoes, and sleek makeup added the perfect finishing touches to each outfit!

Oscar De La Renta Spring 2014

Oscar-De-La-Renta-SS14-12 Oscar-De-La-Renta-SS14-19 Oscar-De-La-Renta-SS14-41 Oscar-De-La-Renta-SS14-44 Oscar-De-La-Renta-SS14-50

This show was hands-down my favorite show of Fashion Week.  Again, the retro look was prevalent and that is probably why I was so drawn to this collection.  I saw several long, romantic tutu-style skirts throughout runway shows this season, but this was my personal favorite. The fabric used in several of these designs was similar to Tanya Taylor’s small patterns under floral, and it worked beautifully in each look.  The details in this collection really awed me and made it stand out to me.  Chunky necklaces, earrings, and beautifully patterned shoes topped off each outfit.  For some close ups of the details, check out the OscarPRGirl Pinterest board!

Overall, retro looks and bold details dominated the runway.  Though I was disappointed with a few shows, my high expectations for Kate Spade and Oscar De La Renta were fulfilled and even surpassed! To see more highlights of shows, check out the galleries on the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week website.

Back-To-School Essential: Cambridge Satchels

Walking around campus or to and from your job requires more than just a plain bag — you need something eye-catching, functional and fashionable. Something lasting and timeless is great, too!

Whether you are going back to high school, college, or even entering the workforce, The Cambridge Satchel Company has a bag for you! They have so many different sizes, styles, and colors, you are sure to find exactly what you need.

I have been a huge fan of the company since I discovered them in the spring of 2012.  I used my first summer paycheck to purchase one of their classic 13-inch bags in pink.

Pink 13 inch Classic Cambridge Satchel

Pink 13-inch Classic Cambridge Satchel

The 13-inch is the perfect size for all of my daily necessities and it functions well as my carry on purse when traveling.  These bags are so structured and well-made-I’ve been using mine for over a year and it is still in perfect condition!

11 inch Sweet Pea Cambridge Satchel

11-inch Sweet Pea Cambridge Satchel

I also have the 11-inch satchel in Sweet Pea. This color is absolutely beautiful! With this picture I won Pic of the Week and I was featured on The Cambridge Satchel Company’s blog and social media outlets! The 11-inch is great if you don’t have many things to haul around with you. Tucking the shoulder strap inside the purse turns it into an adorable clutch for night!

Photo taken from CambridgeSatchel.com

Photo taken from CambridgeSatchel.com

The backpack is a great option for students who need to carry their laptop and notebooks to class. Their color options (red or brown) are traditional fall colors that will also carry over nicely to winter and spring.

The Music Bag or Batchel options are perfect if you are in the workforce. They are larger sizes that offer more space for paperwork, supplies and other necessities.

Although the bags are a bit pricey, I can assure you they are worth the price.  They are versatile, durable, and timeless.  They are a perfect gift idea, and you can even get your initials embossed on the front flap.  The Cambridge Satchel Company offers so many colors to choose from.  If you are willing to sacrifice some quality for a lower price, they have a clearance section featuring bags that have slight cosmetic flaws for a huge discount.  I am absolutely obsessed with these bags and they are a staple fall essential no matter your age!

-Olivia