girl – Aly Knows Best

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.

Summer Garden Party

Vintage Tracy Reese Top/ Nordstrom Trousers (from last winter)/ Zara Clutch/ Anthropologie Earrings/ Grandmother’s Vintage Gold Watch/ Aldo Heels.

Tonight I thought I’d put together a look for a “summer garden party.” I used some of my favorite pieces (and a new photo editor) to show what I came up with. Let me know what you think!

Pretty Polka Dots

Last week I was lucky enough to get together with my gal pal Courtney Baird to take a few snaps of her sassy style! I love her look here, she wears an ADORABLE navy polka dot print skirt, paired with a girlie slit sleeved top and floral sandals. This look is perfect for summer without trying too hard!

Long Sleeve Top/ Polka Dot Skirt (similar here)/ Floral Sandals (similar here).

Back to School Preview

CAbi Blazer (similar here) / Old Navy Graphic Tee/ Old Navy Jeans/ Flower Pin (similar here)/ Black Suede Boots (similar here).

As the smell of Fall begins to slowly waft through the air, so does the phenomenon of back to school shopping. It is always so important to be wearing the cutest outfit possible on the first day of school that says, “hey, let’s be friends.” Can an outfit really say that you ask? Yes, yes it can. Here, my sister Sarah models a potential look for young teenage girls entering their early high school years. Sarah is photographed in Ventura, California, where the fall weather will be the same as it was in the summer (65-75 and sunny) so having heavy jackets and fall pieces are extremely impractical. Instead Sarah wears a light weight blazer that can be taken off to reveal a cute graphic tee! Many of her favorite back-to-school basics are available at Old Navy where affordable clothing and great style go hand in hand! (no I am not an advertisement I just really do love Old Navy).

More to come later on shopping for school as it nears time to hit the books again!

Guess by Marciano Goes to New Lengths

Yesterday I stumbled upon the Rochelle Dress from Guess By Marciano in store. I decided i had to try it on and here is the outcome. The dress has a wonderful chiffon overlay and comes in the three colors. The sleeves have adorable bow details on the cuffs. I immediately fell in love, however I am 5’8″ and often have a problem with hemlines being too short and in this case that was a major problem. I was planning on wearing it to an event but I wouldn’t even be able to sit down or bend over and God forbid if a gust of wind caught the hem of the dress. Although I love this simple, chic 1960s inspired style, I would suggest it to someone who is several inches shorter than I am. I had to opt out of getting it 😦