Rompers: Inspiration

The long holiday weekend was so good that we've decided to keep it going - at least in spirit - by turning our attention this week to the Romper.  Rompers - also known as playsuits and jumpers - are the perfect summer weekend wear.  They are fun, free spirited and definitely don't take themselves too seriously (I mean how could they...they are essentially just glorified unitards).  While finding the right fit in a romper can be difficult (and as E. and P. have both tried on 100s of rompers in our time we can attest to the ridiculousness of an ill fitting romper) - we do guarantee that once you find the perfect one it will be a piece you reach for again and again.

Here are some of our favorite romper looks to get your fashion creativity a-flowin'...

Garance Doré

The Olsen twins wear the same romper, two ways

Marcella L. via Lookbook.nu

Ashlee Simpson

Nicole Richie

Spring Blazers: In Stores Now

Here are a few of our favorite spring time blazers..just in case you can squeeze in a little shopping over the long holiday weekend.  Happy Memorial Day everyone! xo

 

1. Zara, $100
2. Topshop, $84
3. Current/Elliot, $260
4. Tibi, $430
5. Steven Alan, $385
6. Topshop, $120
7. Theory, $536
8. Topshop, $130
9. Antik Batik, $535
10. Topshop, $110
11. Topshop, $110
12.  Smythe, $560

Spring Blazers: Po's Look

This is my favorite blazer of the season - mostly because the black and white stripes look great with red lipstick (my current obsession) - but it doesn't hurt that it's comfortable, lightweight and looks adorable with almost anything.  Here I'm wearing it with a white lace t-shirt, but it can just as easily be dressed down with jeans or made a little more office appropriate with a dress or black maxi skirt (something about white see through lace doesn't say HR friendly). I kept the jewelry to a minimum, but topped everything off with Chanel's Rouge Coco lipstick in Gabrielle and some oversized sunglasses.

Everything I'm wearing is currently available in stores (apologies to my savings account) and the links for each are below.  I hope you enjoy! :)

Blazer: BCBG

Lace Top: Madewell

Pants: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Lipstick: Chanel

Spring Blazers: Emily's Look

It goes without saying that a black blazer is a basic wardrobe essential - I have to confess that I own a few and wear them on a quite regular basis. To avoid looking like I'm wearing the exact same outfit every day (which admittedly happens more than it should), I usually go for pieces that have details that make them subtly unique. This blazer is a great example of such a find - the color, cut, and material are all classic, but the puffed shoulders with slightly structural folds add an interesting (and, in the words of my fiancé, "Lady-Gaga-esque") touch. While this piece (available in stores now at Zara!) is great for the office, I also love it for going out paired with a short dress (or in this case, a romper) and heels.

Blazer: Zara

Romper: H&M

Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Watch: Michael Kors

Shoes: Forever 21

Spring Blazers: Inspiration

This week's topic - blazers!  E. & P. hoard these things, and with good reason - no other piece can make jeans and a t-shirt instantly "office appropriate" or serve as the perfect layer over that new summery dress you've been dying to wear out on a still-chilly spring evening.  After all, who needs a spring time jacket when you can wear a blazer?  Certainly not these girls.  Below are some of the best examples of how to trade in your light leather jacket or spring time anorak for something a little more eye-catching.

Kasia Struss via Because I'm Addicted

Photo from a recent Intermix email newsletter - love the blazer w/ shorts + Chucks (which we accidentally mutilated in Photoshop - sorry kids...)

Ciara from The Blonde Salad in two pastel blazers

 Betty outside Buckingham Palace in a hot pink blazer

via Aleexandraaxo

via Gastro Chic

Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere

An of-the-moment take on a classic blazer

Color: Polly's Look

This dress is one of my all time favorites.  The pattern creates this amazing optical illusion - giving me both a defined waist and boobs (something neither my gym routine, nor my genes have been able to pull off).  It also has these deep, slouchy pockets for those awkward social situations when you don't know what to do with your hands.  A dress, plastic surgery, and a safety net for social anxiety...and all for under $100!  That is a steal of a deal if I've ever heard of one.

 

Dress: BCBGeneration

Sandals:Sam Edelman

Anorak: J. Crew

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Bag: BCBG

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets: J.Crew, Kenneth Jay Lane and someone else who I'm sure is completely fabulous, but I can't remember

Color: More Accessories

For all you color-phobes out there, ease into this trend by trying one or two (or 5 or 6) bright accessories.  Additionally, for those of you that love color, but hate mornings, colorful jewelry can be just the 'corporate bling' you need to make it look like you actually tried.  Snooze button, meet your new best friends...

Here are a few of our faves!

1. Aldo Necklace, $18

2. Elastic Bangle, $95

3. Orange Necklace, $128

4. Christopher Kane belt, $155

5. Sequin yellow beaded necklace, $60

6. Fallon Marlaina Stone skull necklace, $1,500

7. Madewell Super retro sunglass, $128

8. Gorjana leather bracelet, $48

9. Kendra scott earring, $90

Now for some colorful inspiration.  First up, Miss Blake Lively...

 

 The next time we have a few extra grands (plural people) lying around these earrings are at the top of our shopping list.  Of course they are so expensive that Po will have to buy the right one and Em the left, but hey with the right hairstyle no one will even notice.

Blake Lively @ The Chanel Fashion Show, July 5, 2010.  
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe via StyleBistro.com

via fashionistazlife.com

 Jcrew necklace 

via My Style Pill

Sienna Miller in a pair of cherry red Ray-Bans

via Best Celebrity Sunglasses

Rachel Bilson in a pair of lime green sunnies - - She may be the only girl on earth that can pull off this color 

via Elle UK

Just on the off chance that this has put you in the mood to patronize the fashion accessory industry - here are some of our favorite online stores.  Happy Coloring!

Yoox.com

Charm & Chain

Kendra Scott

Melinda & Maria

Max & Chloe 

Color: Emily's Look - Bright Accessories!

Despite my apparent color-phobia, when the weather turns warm I always like to experiment with a few brightly hued pieces - it just feels right. Luckily, my neutral-esque wardrobe is the perfect backdrop for colorful accessories, and in particular my favorite accessory of all time, THE SCARF. Rarely do I leave home without one wrapped around my neck, stuffed into my bag, tied around my hair, etc. They can be an absolute lifesaver in the city, where constant temperature transitions from the hot, stickiness of the subway to the excessive air-conditioning of my office keep me wrapping and unwrapping all day long. This hot-pinky-orange scarf adds a nice splash of color paired with a black blazer, dark jeans, and a few subtly metallic accessories. Maybe I'm not afraid of color after all... ;)

Scarf: Gap

Blazer: Zara

Jeans: J Brand

Flats: Steve Madden

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

T-Shirt: J Crew

Necklace: H&M

Ring: Club Monaco

Earrings: Forever 21

Color: Shoes

Ohhh...shoes.  For most women, shoes are a love affair. The right pair of shoes can make an outfit, make those last five pounds miraculously disappear and add those last few inches of statuesque height that you weren't born with.  We get it.  Unfortunately for us, shoes are a slightly more complicated matter.  Both former athletes/dancers, our feet may look more Prince Charming (Evil Stepmother?) than Cinderella.  Add to that, the fact that P's feet are an impressive size 11 and E's are EEE width, and you've got your work cut out for you. 

That being said, just because we can't get away with some of these styles, doesn't mean we can't admire the women who do. 

Black Velvet Heart

 

Harper's Bazar - Asos

Check out the shoes!  Love the orange and tan leather combo (via Cupcakes & Cashmere)

 

Some serious heels (Zara)

 

The Man Repeller in all of her sartorial man repelling glory.  You go girl.

And of course, a few more of our favorites!

1. Converse neon pink sneakers, 35 GBPs

2. Chinese Laundry yellow flats, $40

3. Brian Atwood sandals, 630 EUR

4. Kate Spade patent leather shoes, $298

5. Marni ballerina shoes, $500

6. Miu Miu platform heels, $595

7. Kate Spade wedge heel sandal, $250

8. Nine West platform shoes, $100

9. ALDO flat sandals, $40

10. Marais USA mini wedges, $36

11. Marais USA bow flats, $96.

Color: Bags

If (like us) you are going to spend half a month's rent on your bag, you might as well be sure it gets noticed.  

Check out these head-turning bright bags for some colorful inspiration.

An assortment of colorful bags via Black Velvet Heart

A classic shape is made modern with a bright shade of orange (5 Inch and Up)

Taylor Tomasi-Hill, Harper's Bazar, Paris Fashion Week S/S'11, photo Mr. Newton

Taylor Tomasi-Hill rocking yet another gorgeous cobalt bag (via Rogues and Ruffles)

And more of our favorites available in stores now!

1. Kate Spade shoulder strap bag, $395

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs leather handbag, $465

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs nylon tote, $158

4. Emilio Pucci handbag, 975 EUR

5. Zara flap bag, $149

6. Marc by Marc Jacobs leather handbag, $458

7. Deux Lux wallet, $38

8. Comme Des Garcons Classic Leather large pouch, $133

9. Proenza Schouler shoulder strap bag, $1,595

10. Karen Millen leather bag, 250 GBP

11. Proenza Schouler bag, 950 EUR

12. Kate Spade bag, $212

13. Miu Miu leather handbag, 650 GBP