How to: Transition into fall fashion

Vogue, Fashion, Fall, red, Grey, dior, couple fashion, men's fashion, blog
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.

Food: Russian pizza, why not?

Not your typical pizza

In Russia, if it’s not homemade, every feasible part of it, it’s not up to par. Thus, everything usually has few preservatives or none at all, is pretty healthy and is all homemade and homegrown. Take this pizza for example: what can be made at home, is. Coming to Russia you might expect bland food and to eat it in the freezing Siberian cold with a fur coat and a building decorated with red stars and pictures of Lenin from the Soviet period. Such is not the case. Instead, food is flavorful, if it’s properly done–by a babushka!

Thus, I present to you, homemade Russian pizza. Trust me, it is completely unlike any pizza you have ever eaten before. Why? Well the toppings are not traditional. What are they, you ask? *Besides the dough, of course*

  • Brown tomato sauce–it was incredibly smooth sauce, with just a hint of sugar.
  • Stewed-down cucumbers and onions–this was an interesting addition. How to cook? Place finely chopped onions and cucumbers in a fry pan over medium heat and watch the flavors meld together!
  • Meat of any kind–the meat on these pizzas was a sausage of sorts, kind of like a ham, but simply cut up into cubes and you’re good to go!
  • Chopped tomatoes fresh from the garden–oh yes. Traditional? Not really. Tasty? Absolutely.
  • Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese–on these mini pizzas, a little cheese goes a long way. Let the vegetables speak for themselves!
  • Dill–what is a Russian dish without dill?! Freshly cut dill sprinkled (or heaped, in my opinion) onto the pizza is the way to go!
  • Mayonnaise–definitely the strangest of all the toppings. I have never had a pizza with mayo, but to be honest, it was not that bad, actually pretty good. Make sure though to eat the pizza hot, cold mayo on pizza tastes slightly weird.

This is not a typical American pizza to say the least, as evidenced by the toppings. However, in my opinion, it is probably the healthiest pizza I have ever eaten, as well as the most vegetables I have ever eaten in one bite.

Want to shop for some fashion while looking at pictures of food? Dose.nyc is the place for you! Follow our blog for fashion, food, travel and more. Then, go to dose.nyc and score the designer fashion you want at the prices you want!

Had some strange pizza toppings? Love this kind of pizza? Want to learn more? Comment below, I’d love to hear your opinion!

Fall Travel: What I wore

fashion, Vienna, Schonbrunn palace, Loden wool, celine trio bag, shinola watch, long hair, fall fashion, september
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!

Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out: Moscow

 

Vogue, Moscow, Fashion's Night Out, Fashion, FNO, exclusive, Russia, Russian
Exclusive t-shirts for sale at Tsvetnoy Univermag, Moscow
 
On September 3rd, Vogue Russia hosted Fashion’s Night Out in Moscow, in three different spaces, though the two most popular were TSUM, the gloriously uber-high fashion mecca next to the Bolshoi theater, and Tsvetnoy Universal Market, a six/seven storey building with a food market/mini cafe at the top, and much fashion for the whole family on the lower floors. 

Let’s just say the night was both spectacular and underwhelming all at the same time, but shortly you’ll see my reasoning. Bad news first, I guess? Let’s rip it off like a bandaid. Well, both places that I went, TSUM and Tsvetnoy, were incredibly crowded–that’s a good thing… For Vogue and the stores themselves. Additionally, there were many glamorous exclusives for the night, and only that night. This was both a good and saddening thing, but I’ll explain. Online, when Vogue Russia published all of the exclusives in the respective stores, there was great lighting, perhaps some photoshop… Case and point, you wanted those exclusives, including every single one of the 13 exclusive t-shirts designed by Russian designers on sale for the night. Then, you get to FNO Moscow and the exclusive items in person are very meh. In additon to finding out that not all 13 shirts are for sale, and good luck trying to locate the ones for sale in the stores… Plus, they were (mostly) victims of looking amazing… online. 

The pretty cool things about FNO Moscow? Well, the t-shirts. After a while of looking at them, they actually were pretty cool in person, but some of them… I just couldn’t come to call them fashion, but that’s just my taste. The celebrities, models, and Vogue personel… Alright, I know of a lot of Russian celebrities, but I don’t know them all. Some people you looked at, you just instantly knew they were someone great. Others, like models–ahem, ahem, Natasha Poly (my biggest model crush) was there–are more obvious to spot. And of course, due to it’s sponsorship by Vogue, Vogue Russia editors were all over, and that was pretty darn awesome. Other than that, you could get free ice cream and bubbly, some balloons, and some brands were offering 10% off during the night. 

Overall, was it a grand success? Well, in my opinion, not really. I see why the New York Fashion’s Night Out fizzled. In the end, it’s just another night of shopping where the well-heeled come to flaunt their plastic cards and the buff men see who can carry the most shopping bags. Yes, it has loud music and free ice cream and bubbly, some free manicures, rides in Audis, and some celebrity sightings, but it’s not much different from a normal day out in Moscow. Would I go again? Most certainly, it’s a place to see and be seen, it’s in Moscow, and at the end of the day, it’s a fashion holiday–I can certainly make room for that. 

More pictures from the night 

A fashion installation in TSUM Moscow
  
The installations, for the most part were great! Super cutting edge, but some left me wondering, who would wear these outfits put together like this? However, the individual pieces… stunning..

Crowds, upon crowds, upon crowds..
 This was taken at Tsvetnoy Univermag… If you can imagine, TSUM was even more packed, and here at Tsvetnoy, as the night went on, space became more and more precious. 

Fall 2015: Get rich… In color

fashion, vogue, fall 2015, fall fashion, street style, berlin, fashion week, vintage, gold, classic
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

Basics: The importance of shoes

Dior couture, couture, Paris, fashion, style, black, red, shoes, France, street style, fall 2015
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

Milan, fashion, menswear, men's fashion, style, fall 2015, fall fashion, Harper's Bazaar, street style, Italian style, Italian fashion, dose.nyc, fashion startup
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

mini bag, fashion, style, fall 2015, valentino, lace, denim, burgundy, blue, white, milan, harpers bazaar, classic, fashion photography, fall fashion
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, milan, fashion, style, summer, fall 2015, street style, couple, menswear
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

Fall fashion, style, france, vogue, tommy ton, chic, retro
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