ootd – 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.

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

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

Guess Who’s Back…

Sunglasses : BCBGeneration ; Necklace (doubled) : Forever 21 ; Flannel : H&M ; Biggie/Tupac Tee : Forever 21 ; Shorts : Forever 21 ; Knee High Socks : Urban Outfitters 2/$22 ; Booties : Old Navy ; Backpack : Urban Outfitters.

Photos : Megan Weiss

I’d like to attribute this outfit’s eccentricity to my recent obsession with Bad Gal Riri and of course Yoncé who are some of the biggest influencers in fashion right now. Also, I am currently working on a project in evaluating trends of the 90’s, so I think this is heavily influencing the way I’ve been dressing as of late. Please note, I didn’t realize when I initially put this outfit together, but every brand I am wearing represents the “fast fashion” industry which I don’t normally wear, but affordability and trendiness have been winning me over in recent shopping endeavors.

I know I’ve been REALLY bad at keeping up with blogging for the past few months. I’ve been in school full time and really haven’t had time to invest in one of the things I really love to do. So, as one of my 2014 resolutions, I decided I need to start blogging more often and document some of my weird (and great) outfits on a daily basis.

Happy New Year! Thanks for reading.

xx Aly