Fall Must-Haves

I just got the September issue of InStyle and LOVE everything in it! 

Fall clothing is my favorite with all the rich colors, animal prints, comfy sweaters, and best of all...BOOTS!

Museum Mile City Duffle, Kate Spade - 598.00 (okay, this is a bit of a splurge, so my mission is to find a cheaper version!)

MAC Lipstick, Pre-Raphaelite- 15.00 (crimson lips inspired by the cover of InStyle)

 Bootcut Cord, J.Crew - 79.50 (you can never have too many cords for the fall!)

Snakeskin Ballet Flats, American Eagle Outfitters- 25.00 (simple reptile flats for an awesome price)

 

Cotton Cardigan, H&M - 34.95 (chanel-like sweater with a southwest edge)

Mint Stone Necklace, J.Crew - 150.00 (the perfect hint of caramel to add warmth to an outfit)

 Crown Vintage Tabitha Bootie, DSW - 59.95 (LOVE LOVE LOVE- all ready own :))

Shaped-hem Sweater, GAP - 39.95 (an essential relaxed sweater for the new season)

FLORAL and OLIVE

All summer I've been looking for the perfect jumpsuit, and now that the summer's almost over, I realized I needed to post this outfit asap! 

The Loft has some great jumpsuits (like the one in the June/July post), but I found this simple olive onesie at Macys. I've styled it with a light grey cardigan (Gap) and layered silver necklaces (the Loft).  Olive green  pairs well with lavender, coral, and other hues of red, so I've chosen a floral tomato red scarf (Marshall's) to break up the solid pieces and add a pop of color. When you're picking out a patterned scarf, look for a print that has a touch of the same color from your top to tie the outfit together.

Style Tip of the Day: Turn an infinity scarf into a rectangular scarf in just a couple of minutes and all you need is a seam ripper. If you notice that the fabric is likely to unravel at the edges, try taking it to a seamstress and asking them to serge the edges into a rolled hem.  If the edges seem fine once the seam is removed, you're all set and have another hijab to add to your collection!  

WHAT I'M LOVING for JUNE/JULY

This summer is all about subtle prints, light layering, and occasional pops of color.  Here are just a few things on my wishlist!

1) Leaf Print Jumpsuit, Loft- $89.50 // 2) Bright Lights-Big Color Nail Polish, OPI- $9.00 // 3)  Blue Tile Terracotta Dinnerware, West Elm- $48 set of 4 // 4) Wildflower Infinity Scarf, Anthropologie- $48.00 // 5) Summerweight Linen Sweater, J.Crew- $69.50 // 6) Seed Bead Tassel Necklace, Loft- $29.99

 

SWIMWEAR with STYLE

Finding swimwear for hijabis can be a little stressful. You want to be able to relax on the beach or poolside with a light weight, comfortable, yet modest swimsuit. Wouldn't it just be easier if every resort had a female-only beach? Haha...that would be wonderful!  After years of trying to make my version of a halal swimsuit, I've finally found the perfect (and inexpensive) outfit.

A long poly/spandex stretch dress (Ross), nylon/spandex leggings, and any swimsuit underneath is all you need for sunbathing or a splash in the water!

HIJAB TUTORIAL—THE SIDE WRAP

"How do you wrap your scarf like that?" I get asked this a lot, and after showing some nice hijabis the steps one day at Forever 21, I realized I should post a video.  So now I'm sharing my everyday wrap that's super easy and quick with you all!

COBALT and WAVES

sunglasses...check!
maxi dress...check!
strappy sandals..check!
turquoise hijab...check!

Packing for a summer trip might take some time, but picking your traveling outfit should be quick and simple. It's all about reaching for comfy separates that have color, character, and are durable enough to withstand a long flight.  I found this tank (Target) just walking through the aisles, not expecting to buy anything.  My first thoughts were it's loose, the print is great, and the colors are perfect to disguise any sticky toddler fingerprints!  The outfit's complete with a cobalt hijab, silver earings (Lucky Brand), a charcoal cardigan (Ross), silver sandals (J.Crew), and my favorite jeans.

Style Tip of the Day:  This tank top has a scoop neck line, so I chose to wrap the hijab loosely across my neck for the proper coverage.  However, if you want to wear your scarf off your neck to the side, you definitely can with a few alterations.  For a non-permanent fix, you can pull the tank top straps evenly from the front and back to raise the neckline and secure the fabric with small straight pins.  Just be careful not to pull the straps too high or the opening of the arms become super tight!  

PAISLEY and TEAL

 

Who says you can't be stylish AND comfortable?  These printed trousers (Loft) make a bold statement in a relaxed, slim fit. 

Last weekend, the Loft was having an amazing sale, and I couldn't miss it! These pants immediately caught my eye with their vibrant blue background and paisley print.  I paired them with a teal solid top (Loft) and rust-colored hijab, pieces of the outfit  that all coordinate with the colors from the paisley design. A simple and neutral shoe is the way to go, so I went with my all time favorite tan heels (Xappeal). To complete the look, tarnished gold bangles (Fossil), a citrine flower ring (Brooklyn Flea Market), and a smokey quartz layered necklace (J.Crew) are added as accessories. 

Style Tip of the Day:  I generally don't shop in petite sections, mainly because I wouldn't consider myself petite.  But in some instances, like this one, I definitely appreciate that the option is available. When you're out shopping for trousers and notice that the pant length is just too long, try them on in a petite size (normally one size up).  The simple difference in the inseam length makes for a perfect, no-alternations-needed pant!  

WHAT I'M LOVING for APRIL/MAY

It seems like everyone's in a shopping frenzy, and I know exactly why! New arrivals are in for the summer, and sales are popping up everywhere with amazing steals. Here are a few things I'm loving these days.

1) Paisley Stripe Scarf, Loft- $34.50 // 2) Long Flowing Skirt, ZARA- $79.90 // 3)  Tortoise Flower Necklace, J.Crew- $138.00 // 4) Floral Peplum Top, Forever 21- $17.80 // 5) Ankle Strap Sandals, Enzo Angiolini- $69.00 // 6) You're Such a BudaPest Nail Polish, OPI- $9.00 

THE SCARF SHOP

COMING SOON....

Summer is just around the corner and bright, fun scarves are a must have!  If you're in need of a particular color or print, send me a comment below or email me at pinnedandpaired@gmail.com.

LACE and TURQUOISE

The new color combo for the season: Turquoise and Yellow.

This jacket is definitely one of a kind and worth the splurge (Anthropologie). The all over lace might seem hard to pull off, but by pairing it with a statement necklace and nautical top, it's now taken on a fun and updated look. The camel stripes from the top (J.Crew), gold flats (Lucky Brand), and wooden discs from the necklace all coordinate with the tan trim of the jacket, which immediately tone down the brightness of the yellow. What to wear on top? That's where the pop of turquoise comes in with the scarf and beaded necklace (R.J. Graziano).

Style Tip of the Day: Mixing textures and prints can add interest and a perfect way to express your sense of style.  A good tip to keep in mind is to coordinate the colors in the jacket and top.  The above look works because the stripes in the shirt are of a similar shade to the jacket's trim.  If you are a little hesitant on these combinations, keep it simple with a patterned blazer and solid silk top.  If you a fashion risk taker, pair a single striped top with a patterned jacket.

TROPICAL and MAGENTA

Spring into summer with tropical motifs.  Vibrant prints and colors are perfect for the warmer and sunnier days to come!

Last weekend, I spotted this tropical printed dress at H&M.  Not only was the fit flattering, but it was a steal at $19.99.  The print offers so much character and provides a great backdrop for a sparkle taupe cardigan (H&M) and wide camel belt.  Since the dress is layered with a neutral cardigan, you should go for a bold scarf pairing.  I was drawn by the pink flowers, so I chose to top the outfit with a magenta scarf and accessorize with a garnet beaded bracelet.  

 

Style Tip of the Day:  If you are introducing an all over print to your wardrobe, pick a pattern with smaller designs.  The size of the print should be around the size of your hand or smaller. Coordinating your solid top, hijab, and accessories with the colors from the print will help pull your ensemble together. 

CHAMBRAY and PEACH

Last week, I took a mini vacation to Monterey.  It was a week full of coastal views, seafood dinners, and family fun! 

As one of my day outfits, I paired a chambray shirt (Forever 21) with bright melon ankle pants (Merona @ Target). These basic pieces were easy to throw on and comfortable to wear all day. Melon couples well with so many bright colors, but I didn't want to draw attention away from the pants, so I chose a floral scarf a couple shades lighter with melon accents.  My jewelry choice could have been simple with just some gold accents, but since I was on vacation, I wanted to make the outfit a little more special.  Wearing the peach scarf gave me the perfect excuse to pull out these big, crystal chandelier earrings (J.Crew) I purchased a few years ago.  The peach tones in the jewels blend perfectly with the pinkish/orange hues in the scarf. Shoes were a easy pick with these neutral, tan heels (Xappeal) that complete this simple and playful outfit.

Style Tip of the Day:  If you're scared of purchasing bold, fashion jewelry earrings (almost costume jewelry) like the ones above, don't be!  A great way to wear "wow, those are kind of crazy, but pretty" earrings is to pair it with a scarf of similar hue to the stones/crystal/beads.  This way, the earrings blend in with the colors of the scarf and are no longer the main focal point of your outfit.   

FLORAL and OCEAN BLUE

Floral pants.  Perfect for spring or a picnic on the beach.

After searching everywhere for the right print and fit, I've finally found my ideal black/white floral pants (Target).  With all the different floral prints out there (H&M has great patterns and colors), I was drawn more to a monochromatic style. I've paired the bottoms with a vibrant blue cardigan (GAP) and simple charcoal tank (H&M).  The scarf should also be bold, so I chose a deep cinnamon hue (this season I've been obsessed with blues and oranges). With ankle pants, you should go all out with heels or wedges (GUESS) and have fun with accessories.  Layered multi-tone silver/grey necklaces (Forever 21 and Fossil) add sparkle and interest to the neckline.  

Style Tip of the Day: Sometimes it can be hard to find the right top to wear underneath a cardigan or blazer.  The fit is either too tight or the length is just too short.  A great trick is to buy tag-less tanks and wear them backwards.  This way, you've got the high neck and loose fit you want to start layering with!

TOP 10 MUST-HAVES

Scarves are a part of my everyday look, so ideally I would love to have a different one for each outfit. Since that's not very realistic, I've narrowed my collection down to the essential colors and prints that every hijabi should have! This selection shows my must-haves that go with almost everything in my wardrobe. If you're a new hijabi, this is a great beginner set, and if you're a long time wearer, it's always nice to add more to your collection!

You don't necessarily have to own these same shades, so I've listed similar colors that are great substitutes. 

Starting from the top left: 

MAGENTA- other hues include: red, fuchsia, hot pink 

BLUE- can be substituted for any saturated shades of cobalt, denim, royal 

PRINT with BLACK- any printed scarf with accents of black pairs well with darker tops 

CHARCOAL- including all simple grey hues 

SEA-FOAM GREEN- these are your turquoise, mint, teal colors 

RUST- warmer neutrals, such as tan, cinnamon, light brown 

FLORAL PRINT- find a print that has tons of colors to easily match with an assortment of outfits CORAL- these are your pinkish-oranges, like melon, salmon 

PURPLE- other hues include: plum, lavender, eggplant 

YELLOW- bold shades of yellow, such as mustard, canary, sunflower

RED LIPS and LAVENDER

 

Red beads, sparkles of gold, and lavender knots inspired today's outfit.  This single strand necklace (Anthropologie) is the accessory that ties the whole outfit together.

With a basic tunic, your options for accessories are endless.  I really wanted to wear this new necklace, so I figured I should start with a simple, light brown tunic (ZARA).  Everything else in the outfit coordinates with the colors of the beads, thread, and metal in the necklace.  My thought was, "If these colors look good together on a necklace, then they should pair well in separate pieces in an outfit!" The gold belt (J.Crew), sandals (Lucky Brand), and ring (Brooklyn Flea Market) are paired with a lavender scarf and bold, red lips.  That extra pop of red is definitely needed to turn this ensemble from ordinary to artistic and fun!

Style Tip of the Day:  Tunics can sometimes look frumpy and too casual.  A great way to accentuate your waist and add some interest to the top is to throw on a belt (metallic, studded, patent leather, etc.).  You can wear the belt loosely above your hips (like the photos above) or tighter at the narrowest part of your waist. Whatever feels most comfortable will look the best!

VINTAGE and GOLD

This weekend I went antique/vintage shopping and came across an amazing find!  Shopping for vintage pieces takes time and a lot of imagination.  I'm sure several people had passed by this dress thinking "it's just too fancy" or "this length and fabric is something my grandma would wear". But when I saw it, I immediately had to have it! 

By pairing this textile with a belted cardigan (J.Crew) and cognac-colored boots (Bandolino), it takes on a fresher look.  Instead of adding more neutral tones to the dress, I chose vibrant hues of blues and oranges (complementary colors) for the scarf and cardigan.  Jewelry should be simple, since the dress has so much character. Rust, beaded earrings (Macy's) are a great complement to the turquoise scarf.  

This outfit would also be perfect for a night out or a wedding with a few edits to the accessories.  Glam the outfit up with a gold belt and heels (tan or even metallic gold).  Footed tights with open toe heels are a fashion no-no, so I would layer footless nude tights underneath.  You'd think it would be easy finding footless tan, nude or even brown tights, but it was definitely a challenge.  The best pair I've been able to find is at a dancewear store.

Style Tip of the Day: Dress hem lines, more often than not, can be adjusted.  When I bought the dress above, there was an extra 2 inches of fabric in the hem.  I wanted more length and less leg, so I removed the stitching and made a new hem line with just 1/2 inch left of fabric.  The original hem line shouldn't be the reason you're saying, "NO to the dress!" 

 

HIJAB WRAP TUTORIAL—DRAPED AROUND NECK

Over the years, I've tried a million different hijab wraps and have finally picked my favorite three. First, my everyday off the neck, side poof; second, draped around the neck for those scoop and V-neck tops; and third, the special occasions, formal updo with scarf rosettes.  This "draped loosely around the neck" wrap has a more traditional look to it, but with a modern twist. 

Step 1:  I always double up my scarves for two reasons: 1) I tend to wear a lot of silk or chiffon scarves and 2) I like to have a little volume around the back and the sides of my head.  That being said, wrap a solid scarf (similar color to the top scarf) around your head, with the knot at the back of your neck.

Steps 2-3: Fold about 6 inches of the top scarf over and wrap that on top of the first scarf.  Be sure that one side is longer than the other.

Step 4:  Slightly twist the bottom scarf in the back and pin it over your bun.

Steps 5-6: Take the longer side of your top scarf (left side) and fold about 4 inches of the fabric over.  Drape it over your bun so that the fabric ends slightly behind your ear on the other side. Hold or pin the end of the fabric in place.

Steps 7-8: With your other hand, pinch the top of the shorter side of the scarf (right side) and lift it to your other hand or pin. Pin both pieces of fabric in place, with the front scarf beneath the back one.  

Steps 9-10: Gather the fabric (left side) below your ear and pin it in place. Loosely drape the rest of the fabric (right side) around your neck, and pin the ends either to your shirt or underneath the fabric on the left side of your scarf.

Steps 11-12: All done...You look fabulous!