Fashion – Aly Knows Best

New Years Eve Style Challenge

Last week in the rough of finals, I was excited to be contacted by DailyLook.com asking if I wanted to take part in their New Year’s Eve Style Challenge and I took them up on the offer! For the challenge, I had to pick my favorite little black dress
(so hard to choose just one) and create a look around the dress using their Polyvore-esque Style Sets. I came up with a glamorous yet simple NYE look that I think will be perfect for ringing in the new year!

I chose this dramatic Keepsake Maxi Dress complete with high side slits and a daring neckline as the item to style my look around. This dresses’ deep v-neckline is a flattering way to draw the eye toward your waist, making your middle appear smaller. My favorite part about this dress is probably that it’s a party in the back as well featuring thin crossing straps in an interesting pattern. I love this dress because it’s sexy in a very classy way and is a statement on its own that doesn’t require many accessories. I chose to pair it with delicate gold jewelry, strappy black sandals and an unexpected bronze clutch.

Here’s a preview of the dress and the complete look I put together, to see the links to all the items and the full style set, click here. Let me know what you guys think and what you’ll be wearing to start off 2015!

Keepsake More Than This Maxi Dress in Black $159.99

Full look HERE.

California Dreamin’

This summer I came up on this gorgeous UNIF kimono at a Buffalo Exchange for an absurdly good price and I couldn’t not buy it. For some reason, I haven’t figured out how to style it until now. Long kimonos work for me because of my height, but sometimes it’s tough to find a fairly understated/cool outfit to pair with such a stand-out wardrobe piece. My parents got me these awesome Ray Ban sunnies for my birthday a few weeks ago and the rose-tinted lenses that compliment the water color vibes of the kimono gave me the inspo to create an outfit based around them and the kimono.

What I’m wearing: UNIF Kimono// H&M crop top // Levis shorts // Ray Ban Round Folding Flash Lenses // Urban outfitters & Old Navy necklaces // Old Navy Bucket Bag // Charles David platform sandals.

Photos by my friend Laren Kai check out her site here laurenkaiphotos.tumblr.com.

An Afternoon with eShakti

About a month ago, the site eShakti.com reached out to me expressing their interest in doing a collaboration on my blog and I’m so excited to finally share the final product here! A little background; eShakti is an online retailer who specializes in creating customized pieces for women in an array of sizes (0-36W) that fit your individual body type.

They gave me the freedom to choose a product that I liked and that fit my personal style, so I chose this color-block sheath dress that I knew would flatter my body. The process of customization was simple and easy to understand. In my sample order, they asked for my height (important considering I’m 5’8″/5’9″), bust and hip measurements and then I chose my size according to what I usually wear and their guide. Upon receiving the dress, I was really pleased with the way it fit and how the customization had turned out. However, the only criticism I will give, is that I wish the sizing could be offered in a way that the bust size and the hip/bottom size could be made more tailored to individual bodies. For example, I have fairly broad shoulders and a big bust, in comparison to my smaller waist, it would have been convenient for those measurements to have been used and allow me a little more shoulder room.

Overall, my experience with eShakti was a great one and I am really pleased with the way my customized piece turned out. I recommend other gals take a look and see what it’s all about!

What I’m Wearing:: eShakti dress // Charl0tte Russe sandals // Chanel bag

Photos taken by my friend Alexandra Alvarez in Los Angeles.

Like an American

These past couple of weeks I have been crazy busy with school and I’m starting to reach my breaking point. Luckily, blogging outfits, spending time with friends and attempting to channel creative energy in what I am doing at the moment have helped me to stay focused.

I’ve had this denim American flag print vest from Forever 21 hanging in the back of my closet for probably over a year now but have worn it only maybe once or twice. I decided to give it a fair chance after feeling inspired by Lana Del Rey’s song “American.”

What I’m wearing: Black crop top (under vest) Zara // Velvet circle skirt Urban Outfitters // Target booties // Bite lip color.

Take Another Little Piece of My Heart

Lately, I’ve been channeling my classic rock roots by letting my crazy hair go natural, wearing small amounts of makeup and choosing less tailored clothing I wouldn’t normally go for. I think it’s partially due to the fact that I rediscovered one of my favorite films Almost Famous, and have been listening to Janis Joplin and a couple other members of the 27 club a little TOO much lately.

Earlier this weekend, my friend Nicole and I chose to shoot some photos (and do some shopping) in the Silverlake neighborhood where there’s endless amounts of creative inspiration as well as bountiful sunshine!

What I’m wearing: BCBGeneration Sunnies // Topshop Silk Kimono // American Apparel bodysuit // American Apparel shorts // Steve Madden Schoolz platforms.

I’m on a Highway to…

Since coming back from Vegas, I’ve been feeling a little off and have a bit of a cold. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep, amount of alcohol I consumed while there or just plain exhaustion. Anyway, I still haven’t really unpacked so I’ve had to be kind of resourceful with my outfits lately. Here’s what I came up with yesterday.

AC/DC T-shirt Urban Outfitters (old) // H&M Jeans // Urban Outfitters Platform Oxfords (now on sale) // Forever 21 sunglasses // Lancome Lipstick.

Photos: Nicole Loftus

WWDMagic in Vegas

This past week, I got the opportunity to work with a research team collecting data and raising awareness at WWDMagic. I got to speak with people from all over the world, and learned more about textiles than I ever thought I needed to know! I also got to see previews of many well-known international brand’s Fall 2014 collections (not yet in in stores). Getting buyers and manufacturers input on the show, as well as hearing stories of their experiences was so incredibly inspiring. I was able to attend WWDMagic (the main show), Sourcing, and Project. Here are some photos from the trip.

**All photos by me unless otherwise stated**

Above: Panel talking about “Marketing Made in America” featuring an Anthropologie designer and buyer.

Above: The group I worked with (from L to R): Nicole, Me, Janelle and Mckenna.

Above: Panel of costume designers and stylist from Mad Men, American Idol, Revenge and True Blood.

Our group at the end of a long day!

Thanks for reading!

xx Aly

Feeling Clueless

Lately, as I said in my last post, I have been FEELIN’ the 90s and the warm LA sunshine the past couple days has allowed me to break out my collection of mini skirts (usually reserved for the summer months). I added some thigh highs and chunky sandals which is TOTALLY something Cher would do in Clueless but instead maybe with a matching plaid top and skirt.

I’m wearing: A Topshop top (from summer/Europe)// Velvet Urban Outfitters Circle Skirt (last fall)// American Apparel Thigh Highs// Steve Madden Sandals// “Dream” Necklace Nordstrom.

Photos: Nicole Loftus

Smells Like…

… You know the rest.. This week, I was feeling a little (A LOT) 90s grunge thanks to a project I was working on in my fashion marketing class where I evaluated trends from the decade. What I realized after putting this outfit together was, I’ve had most of these pieces for at least a year. Lately I’ve realized that with mixing older items together, I come up with more creative outfits than just going out and buying similar things (that I probably I already own). One of my goals this year is to keep incorporating older pieces to make new, more interesting looks.

I’m wearing: Jacket: Urban Outfitters // Flannel: Target // Gold “Dream” necklace: Nordstrom // Crop top (underneath): H&M // American Apparel Disco Pants // Converse

Photos : Nicole Loftus

Vintage Adventure

Yesterday I made a trip to one of my favorite vintage shops in Burbank with a couple friends. The store Playclothes, is a goldmine of classic clothing, accessories, shoes and basically anything you ever would want to find from decades past. From their eclectic hat collection to their groovy 60s and 70s matching seperates there’s sure to be something there for anyone looking for a unique find. Morgan trying on a cool psychedelic maxi dress in one of the stores elaborately decorated fitting rooms.

I’m wearing a CAbi faux fur vest // Old Navy Chiffon Shirt // Guess Skinny Jeans // Marc Fisher Boots // Faux Leather fringe bag (similar here) // Vintage Necklaces Photos courtesy of Nicole Loftus