All posts filed under: blog

Moda Operandi introduces Malene Birger, and the collection is sooo good.

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Looking for luxury fashion basics? Look no further than Malene Birger. Swooning over the entire collection, these functional minimalist essentials have all the elegance of couture fashion, without the pomp. Image cred: Malene Birger Modern understated silhouettes, the right fabrics and delicate details, Malene Birger has somehow managed to master an unexpectedly flattering oversized fit and pieces for all of life’s real moments. Equally wearable as they are chic, it is as if Malene has translated what fashion should always have been. Having filtered through so many brands, I finally feel I have discovered a designer I’d actually swap wardrobes with if given the chance. Image cred: Moda Operandi Thanks Moda Operandi for the recent feature that introduced me to the brand in their latest newsletter (and thanks to insomnia for keeping me awake long enough to open that newsletter). While I haven’t tried the brand (yet) firsthand, here’s what you can expect from a quick overview of the brand: Image cred: Malene Birger If you value long-term fashion investments, functionality and modern style in …

best hike leisure sneakers for your active lifestyle

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Need a fashionable yet functional sneaker refresh for your spring style? Shake up your white sneaker addiction by giving hike leisure a try. If you love getting outdoors, this fashion trend is for you. With highly functional footwear, your athleisure style gets an upgrade with looks that can take you off road in style and functionality. What is exactly is hike leisure? Hike leisure is a newer segment of athleisure fashion focused on a more active, outdoor lifestyle. The sneakers are really what defines the trend, swapping athleisure basics for hiking sneakers that feature outdoor details like hiker laces, toggles, grippy high traction soles and more high top silhouettes versus athleisure’s dominant court sneaker and sport sneaker silhouettes. Pair your hiking sneakers with a wardrobe of athleisure wear, or throw in some more hiking gear like a quarter zip fleece, anything with toggles and bright colored elastic or Velcro details, and don’t forget to focus on function as a dominant aspect of this trend (and a critical role in essential fashion). Fashion trends also include …

Stutterheim rain boots review: functionality never looked so much like fashion 

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Have an eye for fashion but a utilitarian at heart? Stutterheim delivers a collection of rubber rain boots and jackets that combine clean, minimalist style with real-life functionality.  If your abode sees rain or snow, or if you traverse to places that do; if you often traverse outdoors, or trod on city streets; rain boots are an essential most of us require at some point in life. Why settle for a pair of boots that functions when you have the choice to find a pair that speaks to you beyond basic operation?   I’ve long since been a fan of Stutterheim, having first tried their rain jackets several years back. Remembering the modern aesthetic and functionality of design and materials, their rain boots immediately came to mind. This season, I’ve had the privilege to experience a pair of Stutterheim rain boots myself.  Initially drawn to the classic Chelsea boot silhouette and modern toothy color block sole of Stutterheim rain boots, I’ve also found myself in need of a pair of rubber boots for life on …

shop Anne Fontaine for iconic luxury fashion you can wear for special occasions and everyday

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Wear your luxury everyday – Anne Fontaine’s exquisite craftsmanship, elegant design and beautiful materials combine to create high end fashion essentials functional and versatile enough for everyday wear, yet stunning enough for life’s most special occasions.   Need proof? I’ve selected two of Anne Fontaine’s new arrivals to style several different outfits for every occasion, illustrating the ultimate versatility you can experience by incorporating the right luxury pieces into a capsule wardrobe.  Anne Fontaine Designed the ultimate evening gown for special occasions. I have no other way to describe my feelings other than, I feel I experienced Anne Fontaine in a whole new way trying on this stunning evening gown for the first time.  While it came at no surprise that the fit, fabric and craftsmanship were superior, there was also some little feeling of magic as the pale sequence caught the light of the sunset that first night.  Shop Anne Fontaine Ready to Wear Dresses > For a look that evokes feeling, Anne Fontaine designed an evening gown is truly a one of a …

Fidelity Denim review: jeans and denim skirts made in America

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“One of the few remaining denim brands to cut, sew and wash all of our products in North America.” – Fidelity Denim Starting to care about how and where your products are made? Here’s a fashion brand that’s committed to creating modern jeans with high quality denim – all made start to finish in the USA.  Browse the Selection > In this Fidelity Denim review, I’ll cover fabric, fit, quality and style of my favorite selections for a relaxed, fashion forward lifestyle that you can style for everyday occasions.  Fidelity Denim is a brand that makes jeans in the USA First a bit about the brand. When I was approached with the opportunity to cover Fidelity Denim, I was first intrigued by their manufacturing stance to cut, sew, and wash all products in America. Even working in fashion, I have barely begun to scratch the surface of the ins-and-outs of brands labeling themselves “made in USA”, only to discover many products need merely to be glued together in the final stage of production to be …

6 basic capsule jewelry essentials that give you that effortless look of luxury 

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You’ve identified and invested in the key essentials for your capsule wardrobe, what about your jewelry collection?  These 7 minimalist jewelry essentials are all you need to compliment every outfit from everyday casual to glamorous occasion wear with versatile pieces that can transform your look with the exact axis of indulgent, yet effortless luxury.  Gold hoop earrings  With a warm golden glow and sensual curve, it’s no wonder gold hoops are perhaps the most sought after jewelry essential of our generation. For a single set you can wear with everything, these gold hoop earrings by Aurate feature a modern aesthetic with a more substantial silhouette, and are just the right size to make them simple enough for everyday, yet statement enough for occasion wear.  Simple gold bands  Simple yet elegant and completely effortless, keep 2-3 gold rings in your jewelry dish in varied widths to slip on in the mornings. It will make your look a touch more polished, even on days where low effort is required. Pair with other gold accessories and they shine …

Troubadour x Thomas Pink travel bag review: a high-performance collaboration with a sleek design

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Get ready for a collaboration that just released the ultimate high-performance work and travel bags for the future of the modern professional.  Troubadour x Thomas Pink combine powers to release a capsule collection of 4 essential work and travel bags infused with sharp attention to details that make each piece highly functional and timelessly fashionable.  Eager to sample the collection, the team sent over the new Embark compact duffle for me to try out myself. Here’s the Troubadour x Thomas Pink review that will spill everything you need to know about the new collaboration release.  First a bit about each brand and why the Troubadour x Thomas Pink collaboration makes so much sense for this capsule collection.  I’m was already familiar with Thomas Pink as a renowned luxury shirtmaker out of London. Their brand of iconic shirts for men and women defines modern shirting with a high level of attention to detail and an energized mix of colors and silhouettes for day to night wear. The collection is essential yet anything but boring, and they …

13 best luxury fashion staples from SSENSE fw23 new arrivals

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Looking for new luxury staples to bolster your minimalist wardrobe? These fw23 new arrivals from SSENSE are the perfect capsule items to create an entire season of looks with intriguing yet functional silhouettes.  The wear everywhere jacket: Black Carhartt WIP Edition jacket An exciting Sacai x Carhartt Work In Progress collaboration delivers this season’s most exciting (and essential) casual fall jacket with an intriguing layered construction, polished gold hardware, signature Carhartt label and flattering adjustable button tabs with a wide back hem. The trouser: ALEXANDER WANG black high waisted trousers If you’ve still managed to get by without a staple dress trouser, here’s your sign. The Alexander Wang black high waisted trousers have the perfect updated fit and silhouette that’s somehow classic yet strikingly modern, and will serve you for seasons to come. The casual pant: Saks Potts beige Johan trousers For casual Friday and weekend wear, a casual beige trouser is essential to complete a capsule wardrobe. Pair with your crisp shirting for office wear and favorite knitwear to wear into the weekend. The …

ethical brand review: Stylrev founder prioritizes social and moral values – featuring a capsule collection brand of day-to-night occasion wear

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In a world of fast fashion and hyper consumerism, navigating brand values, quality, style, and affordability can make ethical shopping feel like an impossible task.  The good news is, people are starting to care. And with that, a new generation of entrepreneurs and shoppers is emerging where sustainability is at the forefront and the practices behind the brand really matter.  Enter Stylrev. A capsule collection of day-to-night occasion wear, the brand was launched with social and moral values at the forefront.  What exactly does that mean? I’ve been chatting with Ama, personal acquaintance and Founder / Creative Director of Stylrev, to better understand the values behind her clothing brand and her personal vision to bring transparency to the fashion industry. Here’s a look behind the scenes at what Stylrev is really about.  Q: What inspired you to launch your own clothing brand, and why the focus on sustainability? A: “My entire life inspired me to start my own brand. I’ve been in the fashion industry my entire adult life. From working in retail, managing store …

flattering lightweight loungewear and luxury essentials – MONROW review

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We all want to look and feel our best, but fashion in real life also needs to be functional. The outfits we actually wear must comfortable and versatile enough to suit our daily lifestyle needs. Meet MONROW, a luxury brand of casual essential wear that is not only that, but flattering and fashionable as well.  MONROW designs function essentials for a minimalist lifestyle on the go Before I share a detailed MONROW review, let me first begin by describing some aspects if my personal lifestyle that you may be able to relate to, so you can understand why MONROW makes for such core fashion essentials in my wardrobe.  I’ve been actively weeding out my wardrobe for the past several months, reducing the clutter and bringing my most essential fashion pieces forward where I can wear, care for, and actually see them. It’s been a rewarding experience. I’ve learned what pieces are most important in my lifestyle, and what truly defines my personal sense of style. It’s also given me a fresh insight on the wardrobe …