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!"