Holiday Must-Have: Make Room In Your Closet For "Fine Wine" Velvet

Photo Credit: Source

'Tis The Season To Be Stylish! Are you wondering what to wear this holiday season? nikki says, opt for "fine wine" velvet -- it'll keep you warm, sexy and stylish. Side note: Pairing wine-colored clothing and nude shoes is the ultimate mash-up.

Happy Easter Sunday.

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Happy Easter Sunday, Lovies! 

In my basket, all the eggs are pink and purple and includes a copy of InStyle, British Edition, the April '15 issue. 

Surprise, surprise. Hehe...

So—I'm in the midst of creating an editorial calendar i.e. new content for nikkistyle.net. And the mission to inspire (person)al style and individualism will remain a goal, I pinky swear!

In the interim, if you want to pull together a stylish Easter outfit and need an idea, click here to read a past post of mine. Also, I share a sea of visuals, style tips, and tricks via Tumblr. 

Enjoy! XoXo —nikki | @nikkistyle on Twitter

Celebrity Style': Beyoncé Nailed It

Photo Credit: essence.com

Style Notes! It is no secret that Beyoncé often hits a home run in the personal style department. The featured Kenzo-Topshop combo nailed a perfect balance of comfort and fashionably cutesy. The pops of pink adds a playful element to the entire look — and the imprinted tiger symbolizes strength, royalty and regal beauty.

Source

Source

Psst! Denim Is Always Trending, Wear It Year-Round...To Work, Too!

Note-To-Self: Cobalt Blue Heels, Swoon!

Trend Alert! I know, you probably packed away your short cut-offs due to the crisp winter air settling in. However, you do have all season long to rock the denim trend, specifically, the denim-on-denim trend. So, the trick to wearing the trendy denim-on-denim is to simply mix your washes and weights — the inevitable mash-up style. And yes, while wearing denim to work is typically a 'no no' (excluding casual Fridays), at some companies you might get away with wearing, perhaps, darker denim pieces. But make sure your choices are professional and clean (a step up from casual). 

Below are business environment-approved denim pieces, according to nikki! :)

Denim Blazer; Ruffle Hem Denim Blazer; Dark Denim Skinny Jeans; Dark Navy Wool-Blend Pencil Skirt

Have a comment? Write to me, or Tweet me.

Hey-Guess What? You Can Absolutely Dress-Down (the trendy) Sequin!

Photo Credit: refinedstyle.com

Style Notes! I've been wrestling with how to best dress-down sequin -- until now. The fashion gal in the featured photo (by the way, who is she *ahem* Refined Style?) is showing us how to wear a sequin piece without looking overly flashy. Honestly, I shied away from rockin' sequin in fear of looking like a damn disco ball-that's not going to work-nope. Disclaimer: I do, however, love looking fashionably forward, just not in excess, ya know? 

Style Solution: I believe the balance, for me, is to pair sequin with "downtown" distressed denim (either shorts, or a skirt). Also, the featured outfit would look perfect with a pair of tennis shoes, or heels-at night. OoOo there I go again...with that "transitional" talk.

Below are more trendy sequin looks that I'm simply adoring. Yuuuuuuuup!

Olivia Palermo, People StyleWatch

Sincerely, Jules

Questions/comments about this post? Write to me: nikki@nikkistyle.net :) xx -ns
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Trendwatching: CLASSIC BLACK

A) Casual 

B) Tailored

C) Edgy

B old
L uxurious 
A mbitious 
C hic
K iller Kolor

Black Is Beautiful! Today I'm simply paying homage to the color black -- the color that's always an option. And more importantly, black is undeniably slimming, ladies, and one of those day-to-evening transitional colors. But that's not it. You can also mix and match a variety of black shades, fabrics and textures, and 'pair up' with other cool colors. Seriously, black will forever be classic. I happily own many black pieces (like, more than enough), that are either tailored for work, edgy for evenings/weekends, or somewhere casually in between. Are you loving the forever trendy B L A C K just as much as I? Tell me how you rock YOUR black, write to me: nikki@nikkistyle.net xx :) -ns | Follow me on Twitter

Photo Credit: WWD

My Hobby: Magazine Clipping
Janet Jackson, Black on Black

You Can Wear Animal Print To Work, And I've Got The 'How-To' Formula!

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Style Notes! I work in a business casual environment -- and am always looking for ways to incorporate my favorite weekend pieces into my work wardrobe. (If you're a reader of my blog...then you know I love transitional pieces!) For example, animal print clothing and accessories can be loud and a bit obnoxious, especially in the workplace. Here's a noteworthy tip: tone-it-down. Last week, I wore a strapless knee-length animal print dress coupled with a yellow cardigan, and went to work feeling stylishly appropriate.

Photo Credit: iamnotasupermodel.com

I've said time and time again...animal print can be all types of tacky if not styled correctly. If you want to  wear animal print anything to work, tone down other elements (nails, hair, shoes); have them appear soft—in color and texture—in efforts to obtain the right balance. Otherwise, you'll look a bit hooch...and that's not preferable, I'm sure. Now don't get me wrong, some co-workers might give you props for your dare devil style, but I guarantee you that most will not be calling you a "professional colleague" anytime soon. So, just remember one thing: think balance when wearing animal print to work. In other words, offset the vulgarity (animal print) by mixing with simple, solid yet feminine colors.

In addition to yellow, I soOo like to pair animal print with basic and neutral colors, such a dark green, warm brown, nude, deep purple; and classic black and royal blue, too! Share your tips for wearing animal print to work, either below in the comment section, or on Twitter!

Color Chart - Mix 'n Blend

Transitional Style: Summer Nights, And Fall Days ... 'The Cropped Pant'

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Crippen via Vogue

Talk Back! There's nothing better than a cropped pant and high heels; it elongates your body adding about 3 to 5 inches! And who doesn't want height? While reading Vogue's article, (Susie Crippen's) Ten Tips for Looking Good in Cropped Pants, I was pleased to read attainable style advice geared toward most of us cropped-pant-lovers. In the picture above, four (4) different cropped pant looks are featured -- tell me (I want to know), which is more your style? Personally, I love outfits with a little edge that says I'm in control, and would wear (from left to right) Look #2 and Look #4.

Re: Look #4 -- I heart a plunging neckline; it showcases a flattering silhouette.  

Hey, Stylistas! Want to Wear Cropped Pants? Read Susie Crippen's Ten How-To Tips:

When wearing skinny cropped pants . . . 

1. The leg needs to be short: I am five foot five and I get all my inseams hemmed to 25 inches so there is a good amount of skin showing. I am convinced this makes me look taller. 

2. The leg opening should be as narrow as possible. Have them taken in if necessary. 

3. On the subject of tops and shoes, a good heel, like my white Céline pump, works with an oversize men’s shirt. I like the contrast of feminine with masculine. 

4. With a simple T-shirt, I wear a statement flat sandal that has a bit of flash. 

5. In snow or rain, I love pairing skinny cropped pants with a short engineer boot, oversize sweater, and a good raincoat. 

When wearing wide-leg cropped pants . . . 

1. This is my new favorite shape. I am all about playing with the notion of clothes that are oversize and still sexy. It reminds me of pictures of Lauren Bacall and Katharine Hepburn in the forties. There are so many great flats and booties out there right now that make it easy to create a really feminine look with a looser trouser or jean. 

2. Even more than with skinnies, the inseam has to be short enough to make them looked cropped—not just poorly hemmed. Above the ankle is my hard and fast rule. 

3. This fall, I can’t want to wear them with a fitted sweater to make the look a bit more sexy. 

4. The best choice for a tall ankle boot is one that hugs your ankle. That shape creates a beautiful silhouette and you avoid looking like the guy walking on stilts at the circus. Knee-length boots are also good under wide-leg cropped trousers if the boot is fitted to your leg. 

5. Wide-leg pants are also great with a midheel like Roger Vivier. 

Final Tid-Bits for Wearing Cropped Pants: If you're short and want to look taller, wear cropped pants with heels. Similarly, if you're tall and want to look taller, wear cropped pants with heels (maybe a kitten heel). However, if you're tall and don't want to look taller, wear cropped pants with flats. See? #StyleOptions for all. I like attainable style. xx :) -ns

 Video: Meet Susie Crippen

Winter Inspiration (Personal Faves!)

[Black on Black] 
Black Leather Skirt + Black Tights

Velour Tanks

Edged-Out Booties

Leather Jackets

Festive Feathers

Style Notes! Some of my favorite items for winter includes the following: 

1) Leather - leather skirts, leather shorts, leather gloves. 2) Slinky Tanks; currently I am obsessing over velour because it's a thicker fabric, and excellent for layering during the chilly winter season. 3) Booties! Gosh, I love a pair of sexy booties with lots of heel-height, and certainly favoring bold colors. 4) Tailored Leather Jackets; the look is stylish and makes an impressive fashion statement. 5) "Festive" Feathery (Flirty Mini) Skirts.

My picks are on-trend as well as transitional. Meaning, I can transition many (if not all) of these pieces from winter to spring, such as the velour tank, booties, and leather jacket.

What are YOUR faves for winter? 

Photo Credit: via My Pinterest Board  |  Follow Me on Twitter  |

Needing Handbag Organization STAT

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Handbag Organizing! I don't have "celebrity status" money, which means, I don't have a gigantic room to just store my clothing, shoes, accessories and handbags. Therefore, I have to get creative with space. 

My small handbags are stored in larger bags, or either hanging on the edge of my vanity or on a bedroom door knob. Sucks! Argh. I can't stand clutter.

Anyways, I saw this awesome idea on Pinterest (look to your right) to help neatly organize my handbags. Cool, right? I can easily purchase one of these babies - assemble it - and put it in any corner of the bedroom.

Wait, I think I found the featured rack at IKEA (or a very similar one): Hat and Coat Stand, $39.99

How-To Build a Knockout Wardrobe With Lucky Magazine's Brandon Holley

Photo Credit: Source

Style Notes | So, I just finished watching a quick video clip featuring Lucky's Editor-In-Chief, Brandon Holley as she shared invaluable fashion tips, specifically, tidbits that I personally live by in which inspires me to build a knockout wardrobe. 

Ready? Here we go.

1. Before you make a trip to the mall, start in YOUR OWN CLOSET. 

• You might find several hidden gems -- and probably clothes you forgot you had.

2. The Golden Rule: arrange your closet by color.

• Each week after doing (my) laundry, I spend a few hours re-arranging my closet by color. This very simple and fun task makes it easier for me to pull together outfits for the upcoming week. And, I feel so much more organized. 

3. Always rely on basics.

• So true. Some of Brandon's "basics" consists of flats and boater shirts -- some of my basics are scoop neck t-shirts (in black, gray, navy blue), a waist-length denim jacket, black pumps, and a solid color hobo in green. 

4. Make a fashion statement by mixing "the basic" with signature pieces. 

• For example, I would wear a basic t-shirt and a pair of jeans, and then spruce up the outfit by adding arm candy, such as my gold bangles with pops of color.

5. Shop, Shop, Shop. 

• I know. Many of us are conservative with money these days (and rightfully so). Therefore, if you don't have the funds just window-shop for ideas. I do this this all of the time, and PIN pics of looks I'm loving on my inspiration board.

Video: Fashion Tips By Lucky's Brandon Holley

 

Lastly ... To Photoshop, or Not To Photoshop

MediaBistro states: Lucky Magazine's Brandon Holley says a magazine without photoshopping would sell "10 copies." I think Brandon makes a valid point.

I am not certain that I would purchase a fashion magazine with some random individual on the cover, because truthfully, I want to be kept abreast of the latest celebrity gossip and spy on what they're wearing. Also -- the many pages of ad porn is visually stimulating.

Frankly, if I want to see that "everyday girl" I can click on a fashion blog and browse FOR FREE (there are literally thousands!) Just being honest. Besides, pretty much all fashion magazines have blogs in which they spotlight "street style," like ELLE's Street Chic.

So anyways, if there's a little photoshopping in print mags ... eh oh well ... no tears here.

What do you think? Tell me on Twitter.