As I mentioned in my previous post, ballerina-strap flats (also called "Lace-Up Flats") are the hot shoe for Spring/Summer 2016. I actually purchased a pair of Steve Madden "Britzi" flats this week, and decided to try them out... turns out, I'm totally in love! Not only were they super comfortable - I wore them around campus all day - but they are so adorable! It took me awhile to get the hang of tying them up the way I like, but otherwise I have no complaints. You can tie them in the front, the back, or even the side (whichever you prefer), and once they're tied, they don't move around on your foot at all! It feels like walking in a slipper, and it adds a totally cool but feminine touch to any outfit with an edgy new geometric take on the classic ballet shoe. I paired mine with a simple black denim short and a white top with lace detailing (plus the red lip, of course)!
Check out the links above to get a closer look at the fashion in this post!
Also... be sure to leave me feedback of any posts you'd like to see - and stay tuned for more posts this week, including my first post about men's fashion!
Spring is the perfect time of the year to buy new pieces for your wardrobe and find a fresh style. For 2016's spring months, there is one shoe trend that's going to be absolutely everything for the ladies: The Ballerina Strap Flat. The design is exploding, and it's a must-have for the season. I've done some research and found my 5 favorite styles and included them below:
1. Steve Madden
Although a little pricier, the long strap mixed with the pointed toe and the metallic gold color just screams high-fashion and is the perfect shoe to throw on with your favorite summer dress, or shorts and a cute top.
With a more urban take on the ballerina strap flat, these are reasonably priced, and ultra comfortable with the elastic straps - they don't slide around on your foot and really look like an adorable ballerina shoe with the rounded yet flat toe!
The wine color of this shoe is fun and the lacing all the way up the top of the foot gives it an extra feminine twist. The best thing about this shoe is that it's suede, so it could be worn in almost any season, and would even be appropriate over sheer tights.
I had to include Steve Madden twice - there were too many to choose from! The "LeCrew" is a classic black design - and the leather adds a cool punk vibe to the sweet ballerina style.
These are not only quality shoes - but this cool camel-like brown is a great color for this spring and summer, and could be worn with just about any outfit. Like most of these styles it has the pointed toe, but has a more casual look and ties in a bow right at the back of the ankle.
We're halfway through March which means it's time for a new playlist and some fresh musical inspiration. This month I decided to showcase all the "man bands" that have been my sources of inspiration lately. Please enjoy the attractive male musicians, the new songs to jam to, the eccentric music videos, and of course, the fashion...!
The 1975 - Hands down, my favorite band ever. I am most definitely a fangirl, and I'm 99% sure I've alienated almost everyone I know due to my obsession with The 1975. Their last self-titled album "The 1975" was what originally got me hooked, but their new album (with an obnoxiously long name) "I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it" is most definitely worth a listen. The band's British alternative sound almost has an 80's vibe to it, and as shown in the video below - The 1975 definitely breaks the typical "cookie-cutter pop band" stereotype in the best way possible.
Tracks To Listen To: "The Sound", "She's American", "Sex", "She Way Out, "UGH!"
Years and Years - This electro-pop British band stole my heart from the first time I heard them. They're perfect for a workout or dance playlist, and their fresh urban style is a go-to for some new fashion inspiration this month. As you can tell from the music video below, Olly Alexander (the lead singer of the band) is well on his way to being hugely famous both as a musician and a trendsetter.
Tracks To Listen To: "King", "Gold", "Desire", "Shine"
MOTHXR - I stumbled across this band by accident while doing some research for this post and almost could not believe my eyes. Penn Badgley (A.K.A Dan Humphrey or "Lonely Boy" on Gossip Girl) has a band! Despite my bias due to my love for Penn, MOTHXR is actually a really good alternative/indie band, and I'm totally digging the whole grunge style they have going on.
Tracks to Listen to: "Touch", "Easy", "Stranger", "Impossible"
Panic! At The Disco - I'm assuming most people reading this have already heard of Panic! At The Disco, because they've been around for years as the go-to pop punk band - complete with "guyliner", crazy theatrics, and skinny jeans. But, in the past few years, Panic! has completely reinvented itself, and with the two most recent albums, "Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!" and "Death of a Bachelor", the only original member of the band left has been the lead singer, Brendon Urie. He is solely responsible for all the writing, vocals, and instruments for these last two albums - and somehow the songs are even better than before.
Tracks To Listen To: "Victorious" "Death of A Bachelor", "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time", "Hallelujah", "This Is Gospel", "Nicotine"
LANY - I actually heard LANY for the first time live - they were the opening band for a musician named Halsey at a show I saw in Dallas. They weren't at all what I expected based on their name - but they went above and beyond my expectations. Although the band was formed in Nashville the songs have a very laid-back and romantic Californian vibe to them. They don't have a full album yet, and their only music video is this stripped live version of their single "ILYSB" - but don't be surprised when you see them topping the charts very soon.
Tracks To Listen To: "ILYSB", "WHERE THE HELL ARE MY FRIENDS", "4EVER!", "Bad, Bad, Bad"
Marc E. Bassy - I was introduced to Marc E. Bassy through his feature on a G-Eazy song, and actually saw him perform at a G-Eazy show as well. His stage presence was impressive to say the least, and the songs grew on me really quickly. He has a great voice and sexy style, and was previously in the band "2 AM Cllub" - which I was also a huge fan of. If you're looking for a little R&B inspiration, check him out.
Tracks To Listen To: "Some Things Never Change", "Show Me", "Drunk & I'm Drunk", "That's Love"
Urban Cone - Five guys who were just a group of friends in high school created this band in Sweden in 2010, and lucky for us they've found success and made their way overseas to the United States. A friend introduced me to Urban Cone, and I've found almost every track to be a hit, with emotional lyrics and upbeat music - plus each band member has their own uniquely fabulous hairstyle. Who could ask for more?
Tracks To Listen To: "Sadness Disease", "Skeletons", "New York", "Weekends", "Come Back To Me"
Aquilo - When you want a more relaxing band to listen to, look no further than the British duo "Aquilo". The smoothness of their voices works with the down-tempo tracks and sad lyrics for rainy days. They're also a good band to go to if you're like me and really enjoy the off-color and quirky music videos indie and alternative bands often come up with. (The video below is a perfect example.)
Tracks To Listen To: "Good Girl", "Calling Me", "Better Off Without You", "I Gave It All"
The Wombats - .... another British band! The Wombats have been around for awhile (since 2003), but they just released their new album "Glitterbug" this past December, and it isn't one you want to miss. The three guys that make up this band are effortlessly cool and just make you want to sing along - and they're bring some old-school fashion back (and rocking it).
Tracks To Listen To: "Greek Tragedy", "Emoticons", "Give Me A Try", "Your Body Is A Weapon"
Josef Salvat - Representing the male musicians of Australia, Josef Salvat is one of the most unique and sincerely cool artists I've ever come across. He has an edgy but suave manner with his sound and his style, and is known for his support of the LGBT community and the gender neutrality movement. I have a feeling a lot more people will be thanking Sydney, Australia for sharing Josef Salvat in the near future.
Tracks To Listen To: "Open Season", "Paradise", "Punchline", "Hustler"
ZAYN - Whether you love him or hate him for leaving One Direction, Zayn Malik is HUGE right now. Every single he has released so far has been an instant hit, and he's definitely showing off his personality with his new-found solo career. Plus, I think we can all agree that between his bad-boy bleached hair look and beautiful model girlfriend Gigi Hadid - he is a major fashion icon to follow this year.
Tracks To Listen To: "PILLOWTALK", "LIKE I WOULD", "iT's YoU"
Great Good Fine OK - I couldn't be happier that I happened to come across this band (thanks to Spotify looking out with their weekly playlists). From the band's name "Great Good Fine OK", to the unique and fun music videos, to the beachy and happy tone of the tracks, everything about this duo is inspirational. They will definitely be on all my spring and summer playlists.
Tracks To Listen To: "Take It Or Leave It", "Already Love", "By My Side", "You're The One For Me"
If you want to hear more of these artists, listen to my Spotify playlist below, and feel free to follow me (reilly.farris) to keep up with my monthly playlists!
The weather is getting warmer, it's almost music festival season, and it's finally time to throw the boots and sweaters to the back of your closet to make room for new summer fashion. What is the one item you absolutely must have as a wardrobe staple this summer? BRALETTES! I've been on the hunt for the perfect bralette that is cute enough to be seen through a sheer shirt, but doesn't leave you feeling under-supported by lack of padding or underwire. I finally found it at American Eagle (which I used to style most of these outfits) in their lingerie/sleepwear brand Aerie, and it's a must have! Here's why:
For a regular shopping or lunch outing, bralettes are the only solution for those sheer or backless tops you don't know how to wear - they're like the classy way of having your bra or bathing suit top showing. The ones I wear are neutral colors (black and nude), and are lace which give them a pretty feminine touch.
On the other hand, they can be used to create much more Boho-inspired outfits, where the bralette adds an extra bit of punk to the look. Something like this is perfect to get in touch with your indie side for summer music festivals.
Although I use a "Pushup Scoop Bralette", which is a simple design, the Aerie website has several adorable bralettes to choose from that are all equally great choices!
