How to: Transition into fall fashion

Transition into each fall gracefully

Alright, let’s face it. It’s getting colder, and it’s getting colder quick. While I love the ease of a t-shirt and shorts, I don’t want to freeze when waiting for an Uber. Therefore, it’s time to break out that fall fashion: those mid-weight jackets, slim pants, colorful scarves, long-sleeve shirts, and if you feel like it, boots. I love fall, why? It allows me to put on more clothes without suffering a heat-stroke, so I’m able to play with many different textures, colors, and weights, while still being warm enough to not be covered up in waterproof snow gear.

This power couple exudes confidence and coordination. I love how she is wearing much brighter reds, while he is more muted in maroon (bordeaux if we’re being fancy), and the contrast between her hint of red under the grey coat, while he has a grey ensemble hidden partly by a wine-colored coat. It looks classy, effortless and oh so amazing. THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE, PEOPLE.

So, then. How is it done? First, you must have the wardrobe. Echoing many of my past posts, invest in the basics. None of the pieces that this couple is wearing will be out of fashion any time soon. Plus, as I’ve said before, if you get good quality, solid basics, you can wear them in any fashion that you want. Take that bordeaux overcoat for example. Men, got a navy blue suit? Throw the overcoat over your shoulders: it works. Ladies, that bright red skirt? Wear it during the holidays in a vibrant manner, the spring to blend into the red tulip fields, the summer on vacation near the sea, fall to bring color to an outfit, and winter to remind others that spring is around the corner.

Second, you must have the confidence. Echoing the voice of many beauty pageant coaches *actually, what I assume they say*: shoulders back, chin up, back straight, and walk with a purpose!

With this combination of wardrobe and attitude, you’ll be a stunner, and transition into fall gracefully, such that no one notices–it’s that seamless.

Looking for those basics? Those great quality clothes? Score them for the prices you determine at dose.nyc! We will have our first sale of highly curated items very, very soon! Therefore, if your goal is to get the fashion you want and be able pay your rent in the same month, sign up on the website and be the first one to know of a sale!

**I am super excited about this first sale**

Photo credit to those super cameras at Vogue.

Fall Travel: What I wore

My travel essentials… slightly overexposed

So. Let’s get down to it. A very common question that is uttered by most people every day is: What should I wear? Now, when it comes to traveling, that question becomes oh so important. Why? Because you’re going to have to pack, and you’re going to have to wear what you pack, thus, you’ll have to like what you pack and be able to wear what you pack. Therefore, take it from a girl who just traveled–me!

What are my essentials, when it comes to clothes? KEEP IT SIMPLE.

• Collared shirts, jeans and a belt. I brought with me three collared shirts, two pairs of jeans and one belt. Collared shirts, even if they are wrinkled and worn, are still classy and chic if you don’t tuck them in to your jeans. When you tuck them in, you exude power and oh, by the way, it shows off your waist. 🙂
• BRING A JACKET. Although, I will say, Europe was abnormally cold for this time of year. Some nights on my way home, I was freezing to death thanks to cold rain, wind and a low temperature. Therefore, while in Vienna, I purchased a Loden wool coat, and I could not have been happier and cozier for the rest of my trip.
• *Oh, running shoes, you’re so not stylish, but you’re SO COMFORTABLE* Make sure you bring outrageously comfortable shoes. In the beginning, I sacrificed comfort for fashion, and ended up hobbling around. As soon as I could, I bought a pair of running shoes that I normally wear, and finally I could walk. Don’t hobble, take comfort over fashion (unless you’re going to fashion week).

How about those all important accessories? Bling bling everywhere? HAHA, NO.

• Bring a watch. I am very partial to my watches and I always wear one. I took a very classic watch that could be paired with anything, and could not have been happier. Sometimes, your phone may die (mine didn’t, but hear me out), and thus, you’ll rely on your watch to tell you the time.
• I love, love, love my little mini bag. It’s a trio bag with each compartment completely zipped for added security, and let’s just say, I couldn’t open it very well one handed, so it’s tough to get into. *take that, pickpockets!* It’s the perfect size for cash, cards, a phone, some receipts, a passport and more. Additionally, mine has the ability to come apart, so I technically have two clutches and one bag. Also, it’s very simple and doesn’t scream *look at me! look at me!*
• Finally, take Rhianna’s advice from way back when and get an umbrella. The rain followed me everywhere, and finally, after being soaked 50 times, I caved and bought one. Hoods can work in light rain, but during torrential downpours, break out the umbrella.

At the end of the day, travel is about having fun and creating great memories through amazing experiences. Make sure that you help those along by being comfortable. Uncomfortable clothes or accessories can make you remember a trip or occasion for most of the wrong reasons.

Interested in travel fashion like mine? Look no further than dose.nyc, where you can score all of the greatest designer fashion and accessories for the prices that you determine! Therefore, in my opinion, you’re shopping, you’re scoring, and you’re saving so you can go on that next trip in style!

Fall 2015: Get rich… In color

Capture cool with gold

Blah, blah, fall is around the corner… Blah, blah, gotta get fashionable… Blah, blah, ooh shiny! … Welcome to my thought processes, not really, but it is time to start thinking about next season. And, let’s be honest here, fall + fashion + shiny sounds pretty lucrative, right? I liken it to perfect weather + love + second love = amazing.

We can break this fall’s latest trends down to three (four including makeup) simple categories:

1. CLASSIC. – Ah, classic, you can never go wrong. The classic black mini crossbody bag, like the one in the photo, is always effortless, chic, super easy, fashionable, and oh, did I mention it goes with 99.9% of clothes? (Please, just don’t wear it with a gown, or to any incredibly formal event (disclaimer–speaking only of the bag pictured) Patent leather, on the other hand, go right ahead!)
2. SHINY. – Just look at that sweater. Can you say drool? Why does this sweater work so well, though? It’s because it is the perfect rich shade of gold for her complexion. While this shade of gold would work well for most, gold tones can go very bad very quickly–light golds especially. Hot for this season are golds, coppers, silvers, and throw some deep pewters in there too. It’s all about the metals.
3. RUST. – Not good for cars, but fashion? Totally. Those pants. Those pants. Those pants. Such a rich and vibrant, yet subtle and cool warm color. Burnt oranges and browns are so… so… seventies. But, the seventies are so fall 2015, so embrace the burnt, rusty, super rich in pigment, colors. Chances are they’ll be flattering, why? Because they hide lumps and bumps if done right. Lighter colors, on the other hand… PREPARE THE SPANX**!
4. SHINY part deux (optional). – The makeup queen has arrived. *bows* Shine those eyelids! Use that highlighter! Gloss those lips! Shine spray that hair! And shimmer powder me up!  (If you can pull all that off at once, tastefully, more power to you, but please try this at home … before making your makeup IPO (Initial Public Offering – stock talk)) In reality though, shiny hair is healthy hair. Gloss? Depends on your tastes, personally, I’m a lipstick girl. Shimmer powder? Lightly, please. Highlighter? Carefully, but man, can highlighter really make your face look good under lights. Eye makeup? The shinier the better! Glitter, cream shadow and lip gloss, actually, is not disastrous.

**Informational tip: For those of you who don’t know what Spanx is, it is an undergarment in several different styles that sucks you in, therefore hiding most flab. It’s miracle fabric. Some you can’t breathe in, but that’s okay, it’s all in the name of fashion. *Word to the wise: if you’ve got a hot new date (or anyone, really) unaware of your Spanx habit, make a stop at the bathroom, take the Spanx off and put it in your purse before disrobing if you want to. Don’t disclose slimming secrets until the 100th date. Plus, Spanx is not all that sexy, it’s functional.*

Looking for those perfect fall styles? Look no further than Dose.nyc’s exclusive flash sales for all of your fall fashion at your prices! It’s free to sign up, so do so today, and don’t miss out! Your favorite fashion could pop up at any time!

Photo source: style.com

Lifestyle: Flowers? Yes.

When in doubt, get flowers

For the past few months, I have been trying to give my man hints that I like flowers and I want them every once in a while (although I think I need to come right out and say it to his face in plain language). I drop the hints while in a store, “ooh! I love these flowers!” “hey, smell these,” “these flowers are gorgeous!” Anyways, he hasn’t gotten the hint. *ahem, please, for your sake, get the hint* Therefore, this post is dedicated to all those out there wondering about a gift to get, just a little something to say they care, or those simply trying to brighten up a space.

In my heritage, flowers are the go-to gift for welcoming someone, being welcomed, or for pretty much any and every occasion. I grew up around a myriad of plants, flowers, and I planted flowers every single year, so I love to go into a grocery store and marvel at the gorgeous natural pigments and fragrances of the flowers. But why are flowers such a symbol of care and love? For the most part, flowers are easily accessible and affordable (with the exception being roses from a florist around Valentine’s day). Also, flowers are everywhere, meaning, you could be walking around and see a flower growing out of the ground. If you picked it and gave it to someone, it’s like a warmth of love overcomes them because it’s the thought that counts.

So, guys (and girls), how do you go about picking flowers? It’s as simple as one, two, three.

1. Do your research. Okay, this is sneaky, but it works all the time. If my man brought me carnations, I would not be happy–thought or no thought. Roses? Eh. Lilies, hydrangeas, gladiolus? Happy! So, this is how you approach it:
   1. Go to a grocery store where there is a large or good-sized flower section–it’s a neutral space.
   2. Find some flower and say, “oh, I really like these, what do you think of these?” Or see what flowers she/he hangs around.
   3. She/he responds with flower preferences, because you proposed a simple, general question.
   4. Voila! You know what flowers she/he likes!
2. Find the freshest. This is very important. You want fresh flowers that aren’t wilted so that they last a relatively long time. Look at the flowers. If they hang down or are starting to turn brown, forget them! You want crisp flowers. Then, load up on the flower food packets, and when you get home snip the ends of the flower stems. A cut stem allows the flower to drink more water. Also, take off the leaves (of say, roses), because leaves drink water that should go to the flower.
3. Bring on the cute. This is the MOST IMPORTANT PART. Put the flowers in a nice vase, or wrapper, or a Ball mason jar (for you trendy peeps). *the great things about mason jars is that you can use them as vases, jars for makeup brushes, drinking cups, or you can bake/can with them* Then! Get super cute and surprise your significant other or friend with flowers. It’s a great, heartfelt gesture that will be remembered.

Okay, flowers don’t last forever. But, I guarantee that the flowers will light up a space and comfort people/make them happier for the time that they are alive. Also, some people really like dried flowers, so you never know.

In summation, WHEN IN DOUBT, GET FLOWERS.

If you want the perfect outfit to accompany those flowers, look no further than Dose.nyc, where you can get the fashion you want at the prices you want!

Photo source: Vogue

How to: Travel fashion

Blend in with the natives

As you can tell, I love European cities–their charm, fashion, food, and history are so fascinating to me.  I am a seasoned traveler, though I have made some fashion mistakes *gasp* along the way–shorts (especially athletic shorts) are so not en vogue. In preparation for my next travel, I will be making a few adjustments to my travel regimen; I’ll be keeping it simple, seriously.

So, let’s talk travel fashion. First and foremost, dress for the destination. If the place is 90ºF, don’t pack a parka. Similarly, if it’s 20ºF, don’t plan on wearing shorts much. Overall, exercise as much common sense as you can. Secondly, try your best to look like a native or expat, trust me, it helps. Thus, let’s dissect this photo taken in Copenhagen. We can break it down to travel fashion essentials:

1. Neutrals! Greyscale fashion is super hot right now, so take that with you! Creams, maroons, navies, black, grey and brown (classic colors) are always in style all around the world. Keep the tourists guessing if you’re a local or not.
2. Easy clothes! Comfort is everything, especially abroad, but make sure that the clothes you take are easy to maintain, like jeans and collared shirts. You don’t need to wash them after each wear, and the look is very nondescript chic.
3. Be prepared! Even though it’s summer somewhere, that doesn’t guarantee a heat wave. Make sure you take something light to throw over your look, like that fashionable striped sweater!
4. Go mini! Take a look at that bag. It’s manageable, easy, fashionable, and safe. Stay away from pick pockets, and go mini! I admit, I love to buy things and I carry totes, but I make sure to always have a zippered tote.

For men? Same look. Shirts and jeans, that’s all you need. Want to dress the looks up? Keep it in the shoes! A great pair of heels takes a neutral look from sightseeing to let’s party! (on that note, check out our previous post about the importance of shoes!). Guys, a nice pair of dress shoes or a blazer will take your look from lunch to fancy dinner with minimal effort.

Tip: Keep the makeup and skincare simple too–I normally take everything just in case, but guess what, I only use maybe 10% of what I bring.

Another makeup tip: Try the looks a few days before you go… It would be regrettable to bring a new piece of skincare or makeup that you end up having a reaction to. Wasted space, tsk, tsk.

Getting ready to take a vacation or want to? Stock up on all of your travel fashion essentials with Dose.nyc! Score the fashion you want for the prices you want, so gain access to our exclusive sales for free today! Designer brands, your style, your price, your win! Have more travel tips/essentials? Let me know and comment below!

Photo source: style.com

Basics: The importance of shoes

Capture the heart with shoes

If you know me, there’s no denying it–I love shoes. People have rainy day funds; I have a shoe fund. When I decide to reorganize my shoes, you can find me exclaiming “I don’t need another pair of shoes! If I want another pair, talk me out of them!” But pretty soon, when those sales role around, and those beautiful soles are dangled in front of me… I find a “need” for them. I don’t have a ___ pair. I can wear these to ___. Oh they’re such a steal! They’ll become collectible! You name it, I’ve said it.

But what is it about shoes that make those luxurious ones so desirable?

1. They can make or break an outfit. (…pssst… like in the photo above!!!)
2. The smell… Especially if they’re made of high quality leather, which most high quality interiors are.
3. When people know fashion, prepare for, “Oh, those shoes are gorgeous! ____ (designer)’s are my favorite!”
4. Some are iconic–queue Manolo Hangisis (thanks, Carrie Bradshaw), the red soles (oh, Monsieur Louboutin), YSL’s Tribute sandals (Yves, you devil) and more.
5. If you gain/lose a few pounds, they’re still your best friends. What more is there to say?

Shoes are an important, if not the most important part of an outfit. My grandmother always reminded me that you can tell a lot about a person from their shoes, and I’ve found that to be incredibly true. Additionally, great shoes can be comfortable and they can last forever if you take care of them, so I advise you to invest. Men take an interest in shoes, especially heels–they enhance and lift the butt (hello, non-surgical Brazillian butt lift). Women take an interest in shoes as well, a man in great shoes–phew! I’ll let you take me to dinner!

Tip: When you buy great shoes, take care of them. Store them in their shoe bags. Men, get a nice pair of shoe trees to maintain shape. Immediately wipe salt off shoes during winter. Get them polished, it’s like a drink of water for your shoes, keep them hydrated!

Let’s look at this photo and see why it succeeds. The look is oh so simple because of minimal makeup and a high bun. That dress? Wow. So risqué, yet so classy. Just enough material to make the mind wander and fashionistas crave. Metal belt? One word: SHINY. The bag? Drool. Shoes? Pointed toe perfection. The best part? Even though the shoes are bright metallic red, the shoes blend into the look. For this look, you can thank the creative director of Dior, Raf Simons, a Belgian fashion genius who blends old Dior with modern day. (Since Raf joined Dior, Dior has become the go-to fashion house for my tastes)

Tip: Heels (especially stilettos) can be uncomfortable after a while, take a pair of flats in your bag.

Want to score a pair of great shoes for a great price? Or perhaps want to recreate this look? Look no further than Dose.nyc! Our members-only flash sales are sure to impress your wallet, and it’s free to sign up. So sign up today, and don’t miss a great sale!

Photo source: Style.com

How to: Pick a great jacket

A great jacket can take you from day to night

When asking my man what he’d like me to write about, he responded, “[it’s like] you’re asking a construction worker who his favorite classical pianist is.” Safe to say, you’re not going to see him in a street style snap any time soon. A wardrobe staple of both mine and his is the jacket–whether it be a ski parka, blazer, suit jacket, raincoat, etc. So, how do you know when a jacket is just right? After all, a well-dressed man and/or woman is taken more seriously, usually treated better, and can feel more confident.

Let’s preface this with the versatility of the all-important jacket (for simplicity, let’s take a look at the suit jacket/blazer):

Men: A great blazer can make you look powerful at the office and outside the office. I love a man in a nice, tailored, and well-fit blazer, such as these gentlemen seen on the streets of Milan. It shows that the man cares and puts effort into his look. Also, as a little side note, just as heels and bags are “indicators” of a woman’s wealth/societal position, shoes and coats are the “indicators” for men. So I reiterate, a great blazer goes a long way. Men, convey your power!

Women: Just like the men, a well-fit blazer at work can make you look more powerful. In addition, that same blazer can be thrown over a t-shirt and paired with jeans and heels as the perfect, chic, night-out look. (Word to the wise–a pink cashmere blazer is versatile, but not that versatile, as I’ve learned).

So, what are the non-negotiables in a jacket? SHOULDERS AND FABRIC. Period.

Shoulders: The shoulder seams of a jacket should lay comfortably on your shoulders, meaning the tip of your shoulder should meet or be very close to the shoulder seam of the jacket. If you gain weight or lose weight, your shoulders will stay the same size. Therefore, please buy the right size the first time–you don’t want to be drowning in your jacket or have it so tight that you can’t move your arms. Trust me, no one will know if you bought a size 48 instead of a 46, but they will know if you bought a size 42 instead of a 48.

Fabric: Let me just tell it to you straight. If a jacket looks cheap, 99% of the time it is, and is usually given away by the fabric. Cheap fabric absorbs and holds sweat easily and has a weird sheen to it. Do yourself a favor and buy a jacket within your budget, but always get it tailored–tailoring makes a jacket look more expensive due to its “made to measure” appearance.

Tip: If you don’t want to invest in the jacket, invest in the tailoring of the jacket you do buy.

Looking for that perfect jacket? See if your favorite designer apparel pops up during Dose.nyc’s flash sales, where you determine the price! Sign up for free today, and start bringing power back to your wallet! Want to learn more, or have requests? Comment below!

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar

Peace, Love, and Mini: The hottest bag for fall

Make that mini work!

Can a small bag survive in a big city? Of course it can. It can dominate a big city, and that is what it is currently doing. Small, mini crossbody and shoulder bags are the darlings of city and party fashionistas all around the world. Why? Well, let’s break it down through the thought process of my leading man (who doesn’t know much about fashion):

First thought: *oh, wow, that’s beautiful!* — Yes! Perfect compliment! These mini bags are adorable. And they go with any, I repeat, any outfit. You can dress them with jeans, a t-shirt, a suit, a dress, a skirt, an evening out, a cute date, running errands, any place, any time, this bag is there for you. It is pint-sized perfection. In addition, mini bags come in pretty much every color imaginable and you can find them with embellishments, glitter, plain leather, nylon, everything.

Second thought: *hey, can you hold on to ____ for me?* — Ladies, the days of carrying everything for your friend/boyfriend/significant other are limited! Why? You’ve got limited space. So, when he doesn’t want to carry around something (like in my case a phone charger…), you can legitimately say, “sorry, I don’t have enough space.” These mini bags are great for the essentials: a phone, wallet, perhaps a pen, little pack of tissues and a mini bottle of hand sanitizer. If you need more space, though, check out why we also love the tote bag, here.

Third thought: *you paid how much for that?* — Now, my man loves finance, so he thinks about the price. In this case, the mini bag wins. Mini bags, because they are smaller, require less material, and are quicker to make, usually cost significantly less than other, larger bags. Yes, you’re getting less and paying less, but! this bag you can wear everywhere! Additionally, it’s a safer bag because it’s always worn on the body or as a clutch, and it’s not an open bag that a thief could just stick a hand into.

Tip: Navy and burgundy are it colors for the fall. Additionally, they’re very classic colors. Invest in a great mini bag in a classic color (black, brown, navy, burgundy, etc) and have it last a lifetime!

Want a great, designer mini bag at a price that you determine? Sign up at Dose.nyc for free, and gain access to exclusive member-only sales, where you can score the fashion you want, at the price you want! You have the power!

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar

Couples style: Love neutrals

Neutrals are always in style

When I look at this photo, I envision these two riding off into the sunset on the Amalfi Coast in their vintage red Ferrari… Even though this was snapped in Copenhagen. They complement the Ferrari by being a truly stunning couple, in both looks and fashion. Let’s talk about the fashion.

Previously, I wrote about a great way to build a man’s closet here. When couples dress together, it’s important that one complements the other, and I love how these two have done just that in a subtle manner. How is it done? Well, both are wearing greyscale, neutral outfits. But there are slight details that make this pairing amazing. The man’s jacket is a darker shade of grey than the woman’s super chic, draped top. This is because of the checked pattern. Then, the woman is wearing a darker shade of pants than the man. All of the shades are hints darker. Therefore, the lighter and darker shades are at diagonals, which make this look great.

In addition, they both accessorize with neutrals. Her neutral clutch can be used everywhere, and his neutral belt can dress up or down any look. The look is made casual by his t-shirt and turned-up jacket cuffs, while she stays classic chic. I also love his vintage looking sunglasses and their voluminous hair. Everything works.

Tip for men: Make a look casual by wearing a t-shirt under your blazer, and turn up the cuffs–a great choice in the summer months.

Tip for women: Drape, drape, drape! Modern looks are all about great draping achieved through great tailoring. A little drape goes a long way.

Love this look, silhouette, style, etc? Subscribe to Dose.nyc and see if your favorite styles pop up during our flash sales! Get the fashion you want at the prices you want! Have more tips? Want to know about something? Comment below and follow us!

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar

Fall 2015 Fashion: Vintage is back

The 70s are back, people!

Rich colors–maroon, burnt orange, navy blue–are it colors for the season. Bell bottoms, wide-leg pants, high-waisted pants, sweaters, lounge-y button-downs, suede and lace are all back in style too. What do all of these things and colors have in common? They’re vintage inspired!

But how can you make them work for you without looking dated? Take inspiration from the high-waisted pants, center in the photo. A thicker waistband can draw in more of the waist and create the illusion of a smaller waist. High-waisted pants, skirts, and jeans are awesome because they sit at or slightly above your natural waist, therefore creating a slimming effect and very little chance of a muffin-top.

Tip: Keep hair natural, air dry it, in order to preserve the vintage/just out of bed look. This also prevents heat damage and keeps hair healthier!

What about the button-downs in retro colors, like on the left? Make them work for you at all occasions. Buy shirts that are able to be transitioned from office to happy hour. Colors like teal, navy, maroon, deep purple and brown are all good bets. And what about that suede jacket? Invest in a great suede jacket with a contemporary look that will last for years; try microsuede if you want a more durable coat with the same suede-look. Remember that jackets can always be reinvented in the future if trends drastically change!

See the styles you love? Want to see more? Subscribe to Dose.nyc and see if your your favorite looks and styles pop up at the prices you want!

Source: style.com