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!

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

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

You’ve got style: Share your talent

A pair that dresses together, stays together

We all have our own styles, some prefer classic looks and some prefer to wear looks right off the runway. Within a couple, the tastes can vary drastically. For example, I love classic shirts tucked into jeans and idolize 1950s Dior silhouettes. My man, however, embraces the “college chic” look, and has a closet riddled with tech t-shirts and a pair or two of jeans. That’s totally okay, I secretly adore his little closet–including the “You like this” t-shirt with a FaceBook thumbs up that he wore on our first date.

But, how do you ensure that your man looks good when you both go out? How do you help to build his closet? It’s simple. Start with the basics, like this street look from Berlin fashion week. The looks don’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler the piece of clothing, the easier it is to incorporate it into several different looks. Here, for example, the man’s navy blazer can go over any shirt and be worn at any time, his pants can also be worn at anytime–dressed up or down. The white shirt? It can be worn with everything, even as an undershirt or it can be worn to sleep.

A man’s closet needs only a few staples: dress shirts, a suit or two, some casual shirts, a pair of jeans and some good shoes–athletic and dress. After that, feel free to expand on the basics and experiment, though the most important thing is that he feels comfortable and embraces the style.

Tip: Invest in the basics. Great shoes, a dress shirt, suit and a nice pair of jeans, when taken care of, can last for a very long time… Don’t forget the shoe trees!

My advice: Look to your closet to inspire your man’s looks. Love neutrals? See how he looks in a neutral look. You love a certain brand? There’s a good chance that if the same brand manufactures men’s clothes, they’re of the same caliber, and maybe he’ll learn to appreciate them as well. Just remember, the process is not instant, but it’s worth it.

Looking to expand your own closet? At prices that you determine? Subscribe to Dose.nyc to see if your favorite styles pop up during our flash sales! Who knows, they could inspire your man’s next look!

Source: style.com