Layered Look

A quick peek at a layered look from the other day! I've always been intrigued by the look of jeans layered over patterned tights, so on a warmish day I thought I would try out the look. I wore these sheer black tights with little scattered hearts under a pair of ripped jeans for an elegant and layered look with just a few little hearts showing through the holes in the jeans. I paired it with heeled black leather booties and cuffed my jeans at the ankles while on top a camel colored coat and plaid scarf kept me warm over a simple tie-front sweatshirt.

I like the effect of the tiny scattered hearts showing in peeks through the ripped jeans and at the ankles adding a touch of texture and pattern to a simple look. Layering creatively has always been a chic and trendy way to style outfits, especially when it's cold out and your wardrobe can start to feel a bit stale.

On this gorgeous day the other week I even got to spend a little time sitting outside in the sunshine along Central Park! I just can't wait for the weather to warm up like this permanently!

Jeans: Gap. Tights: Betsey Johnson. Booties: Steve Madden. Coat: Gap. Scarf: here.

xoxo, CC

Weekend Casual

Just a quick post with an outfit I wore this weekend to the movies and brunch for my friend Jennesis Of Chic's birthday. We went to see Me Before You, which I though was pretty good, but a total tear jerker! I loved the way they used fashion as a defining characteristic for Louise, and that my all-time favorite Irregular Choice shoes were her signature look! I read somewhere that once they decided on Irregular Choice shoes that the rest of her quirky style just came together around that. I've been a fan of the brand since I was in high school and I own one pair of fun gingham wedges with a metallic snakeskin wedge (that somehow still haven't made an appearance on the blog! Need to change that!) so it was exciting to see them featured in a main-stream movie like that. They even had some cool shots of her shoes throughout the movie which I loved!  

This time though, I kept my own outfit pretty simple, re-wearing this pale chambray dress last seen here with lace up shoes and pink accessories. I added a few details like a gold choker necklace and vintage leaf earrings to complete an easy and modern feel. It was an absolutely beautiful day out so I walked up the East Side on my way home to catch a little sun. These shoes are pretty comfy I have to say, but I was dying by the time I'd walked about 30 blocks up the park! 

Dress: Gap (similar 1/2). Bag: French Connection. Shoes: Steve Madden via DSW. Sunglasses: AJ Morgan. Bracelets: J Crew and H&M. Bar necklace: similar. Choker necklace: similar.

xoxo, CC

Sun Drenched

Yesterday was SO hot in the city, it really felt like summer for the first time! I took a walk through the park to enjoy the weather and catch a little sun on my skin. Everything was bright and saturated in the sunlight making the park look so green and the sky so blue! 

I always love mixing unexpected colors like orange and blush pink (I also blogged this color combo here!). This flutter sleeve top is an old favorite of mine, and the floral ruffle makes it easy to match with colorful accessories. I went with a total pink overload with the sunglasses, flower ring, and saddle bag. I just picked up this darling pink French Connection bag from Marshall's last week, and I have been wearing it with everything I possibly can. I was in need of a pink bag and this one is sure to be my new favorite. I also found this pair of sandals at Marshall's (in reality I was only there to get one thing, which was neither in the bag or shoe section.... funny how that happens) and I love that they are a trendy lace-up in an easy to wear neutral shade. I also experimented with tying them different ways around the ankle to achieve different looks.

With ripped shorts and my hair braided back this casual outfit kept me cool as possible in the glorious hot sun.

Top: Promod France (old). Shorts: Gap Factory. Bag: French Connection via Marshall's. Sunglasses Funoc. Ring: H&M. Sandals Dolce Vita via Marshall's. 

xoxo, CC

Insta Outfits

Tee: Bobi. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Jeans: Sneak Peek. Sunnies: Amazon. Flats: J. Crew.

I'll be honest, I've been too busy binge-watching the Netflix show Cuckoo all week to get out and take new photos.... So instead I wanted to share a closer look at some of my recent insta outfits. I have been wearing rolled up jeans with flats and a pop of bright or pastel color just about every day this spring. You could say I've got a bit of a formula going here...but it really works for a perfect spring outfit! I've been wearing flats a lot because it still seems a little too soon for sandals yet I am so sick of all my wintery boots. As you can probably tell from this post I love the J. Crew Cece flats--they are so comfortable with a thick sole and soft leather. There is something about switching out your shoes and bags to spring faves that makes even a simple jeans and tee outfit feel fresh.

My nails have been long recently, so I like to keep them a nice neutral shade like this nude-pink. The color matched perfectly with my new blush faux leather skirt, and popped against a good stripe. 

Skirt: Zara. Nails: Sally Hansen Sheer Me Now. 

I've been dying for a chance to wear this adorable mod romper, and a friend's birthday was the perfect excuse. The sexier details like the cut-out sides and short length are counterbalanced by the geo print and retro vibe. With waved hair and a heel the look was dressy enough for a night out. 

We've actually had a few shorts-weather days in NYC and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sit in the grass and tan with a good book to keep me entertained. These distressed boyfriend shorts are going to be a major favorite this summer, especially since I've been digging light washes like this for this season.

High-rise ripped jeans, crochet-lace crop top, and hot pink flats = spring fashion perfection. Seriously, I've been living in cuffed jeans and flats. 

Lace trim tee: Zara. Flats: J. Crew.

This cute little blue bracelet has been getting all kinds of compliments, and guess what! It's on sale at J. Crew. I wasn't sure how much use I would get out of the bright color, but it has been matching with so many outfits I wouldn't have expected!

Lampshade: Ikea. Another similar bracelet.

Jeans, flats, jacket... sensing a pattern here? Floral flats are a great way to embrace spring, and a cute peplum tee and blush moto jacket don't hurt either. I wore this look while exploring the Museum at FIT and their Fairy Tale Fashion exhibit which I wrote about here.

Flats: J. Crew. Jeans and tee: H&M. Jacket: bebe. Bag: H&M.

These cobalt flats have been my go-to for work recently since the color matches with so much and remains complimentary even while giving a little punch of color to my outfits. And if my look isn't bright it's sure to be drenched in pastels like this lavender and blue combo. 

Tee, necklace, flats: J. Crew. Jeans: Gap. Bag: H&M.

Follow me on instagram!! @charlotteclaraxo 

xoxo, CC

Denim for Days...

After several years of lots of wear and love, three of my favorite pairs of designer jeans gave out this winter. After mourning their demise and a desperate attempt to patch them (which helped until I had to wash them again) it was time for some new jeans. So, I took my tax return money denim shopping last week. 

Since I had a limited budget and needed at least 2-3 new pairs I decided to invest in several pairs of inexpensive jeans instead of splurging on one nice pair. Four for the price of one--plus a pair of shorts and a skirt--can't argue with that!! Especially since even the lower-end brands are starting to catch up with designer denim technology, so I was actually pretty impressed with the jeans they had to offer. Remember my Denim Guide posts? I featured both Gap and H&M jeans as affordable options to try, and now I'm back with updates! 

On the first stop of my shopping excursion I ended up with one pair of the legging jean from Gap Factory in a nice medium-dark wash. They are fairly stretchy and super skinny, but the one thing I didn't love about the Gap jeans was the stitching on the pockets--I would have gotten a dark denim pair too if the stitching didn't stand out so much, but as it was I ended up only getting the medium wash pair. I also got a second pair of  my favorite boyfriend shorts in a light wash with distressing which I am so excited about for the summer. 

After that successful purchase I decided to stop in H&M and see if anything caught my eye, but I really wasn't expecting to be impressed with their denim quality. I have one pair of jeans from H&M that I wear all the time, but I am always wary of the quality and sizing there. I was surprised to find that their jeans were actually fitting me really well, and for the price I couldn't say no. I got two pairs of their Skinny Super Stretch jeans, one in a dark wash and one in grey with rips, each under $30. I always prefer super stretchy jeans since they are easier to move in and incredibly comfortable. So, I also got a pair of super skinny shaping jeans which have a ton of stretch and are really flattering. I rounded out my denim excursion with a patchwork denim skirt which I can't wait to style with crop tops and sandals for summer.  

Which pair am I most impressed with? The H&M shaping jeans from their &Denim line. These cost a bit more than any of the other pairs I bought, and I am always hesitant to spend $50 on any item from H&M since their quality is sometimes not great, but I decided these were worth the price. They are incredibly stretchy, which I love, and fit snug and skinny while still being amazingly comfortable. I got them in a dark wash with a mid rise waist, and I have a feeling these are going to be a new favorite. Let's see how they hold up now :)

Now that I have a revamped denim wardrobe (ok, ok, I might have gone a little overboard with the denim lol) I should be all set of a while! These are all staple pieces that I will wear over the summer with sandals and tanks, and I know for sure will get a ton of use all fall and winter. All of the pairs that I got are mid rise and super skinny and they are all long enough on me too! The super stretch jeans from H&M definitely run the longest, while the other pairs hit just above the ankle bone on me. It is nice to have several pairs to rotate through if you are a jeans-every-day kind of girl. 

A note about shopping these brands: I always go down a size or even two at the Gap, so I ended up getting 28s in both the jeans and shorts. At H&M I always go up a size or two, and ended up with a size 10 and 12 in the super stretch jeans, and a 30/32 in the shaping jeans.

xoxo, CC

City Streets

Photos by Magnolia of Magnolia White

I've now been living in NYC for over a year, can you believe it?! I love exploring this city, and how free I am to wear whatever I like! Such as these gorgeous heeled sandals during the day. 

Denim is a huge hit for the upcoming fall season, so I thought I'd start early with this lighter summery version. This dress is one of my favorite casual pieces because it is so easy and timelessly trendy. The pale color makes it easy to match with everything and is a great sun-washed look just begging to be paired with summer essentials. I removed the tie-belt it came with to make the dress more of a loose shift fit, more suited to a hot day in the city. Printed sandals and a touch of fringe bring some fun details into the look  giving it the perfect casual summer vibe for walking these city streets, something I'll never get bored of. 

Dress: Gap (similar 1/2/3). Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Bracelets: kate spade, Alex & Ani. Nails: OPI 'You're Such A Budapest'

xoxo CC

The Denim Guide Part 1: Affordable Favorites

(H&M, Gap, American Eagle)

Ever wondered which denim brand is right for you? Yeah, me too. It took me years to find jeans that actually fit me right, and now working in the retail business with a focus on denim, I know a lot more than I used to on the subject. So, I wanted to share what I know with you.
I am splitting this into two different posts, one on affordable brands, and one on pricier designer jeans like J brand.
My advice here is probably tinted by my personal preferences in jeans: I like mid rise jeans in a skinny or super skinny fit with plenty of stretch. 

Affordable Favorites

Gap: I recently rediscovered Gap jeans and was incredibly surprised and impressed with the quality. After bad memories of ill-fitting stretch-less Gap jeans in high school I had avoided them for years, but now they are probably my favorite affordable jeans. My personal favorite fit is the skinny cropped version since they are close fitting and stretchy. I only wish they came in a long version too, for winter! They do tend to run a little bit short for me (which is why cropped jeans are great-they're meant to be short) but they do make some styles available in Tall. I also tend to go a size down at Gap, which always makes me feel great :)
Check out the deals at the Gap Factory Store to really find affordable options.

(Gap jeans featured on Light Bulb)

Machine: I only own one pair from this brand, and it's the only pair I've ever even tried on, but I have to say they do a great job of imitating designer quality and style at a much more affordable price point. I was slightly annoyed that I had to size up not one, but two sizes to fit in them (they are a junior's brand) but they are quite comfortable and very stylish. The pair I have is a distressed black jean, which is super trendy these days!

(Machine jeans featured in Dots)

H&M: I have one pair of Red Concept jeans from H&M, which, while they are very big in the waist, I nevertheless like a lot. They are distressed jeans, meant to be a skinny, but look more like a boyfriend fit on me (due to the saggy waist area). They also are short on me, but with that looser style they look good rolled up.
More recently I purchased a pair of super stretchy white jeans from H&M which are so incredibly comfortable that I told my mom that I felt like I could do yoga in them (to which she asked, "you do yoga these days?" No, no I don't. lol. But I could wear these jeans while doing yoga if I wanted to). I definitely recommend trying H&M denim, especially for specialty jeans that you don't want to invest too much in, but always try it on before you buy.

(H&M jeans featured in Neon Pink)

American Eagle is where I bought my jeans for a very long time, for lack of finding better options. I have many friends who love the fit of their jeans, but I've always been disappointed in their sizing. I have wide hips and thighs and a skinny waist, so to get a pair that fit my legs their jeans are always much too big in the waistband. Their classic denims have no stretch and make it uncomfortable to bend or sit, but their stretchy jeans are actually quite comfortable.  It used to be impossible to find anything but low rise at AE (and while those were stylish they made it really hard to sit!) but now they have several high rise options available, and a great variety of trendy styles. If their jeans fit right, these are a great affordable option. Although,  the incessant use of their butt-pocket stitching does make me a little crazy.

(AE jeans featured on When In Doubt...)

Delia's: I know, I know, you're probably thinking, "that's a brand for teen girls," but I'll be honest, one of my favorite pairs of jeans is from Delia's. I was going through a phase of desperation in my hunt for jeans that actually fit me right, and I was willing to try anything. I tried Delia's because they came in extended lengths and were extremely affordable, and I wasn't disappointed. I purchased the Olivia jean in a dark wash and I literally wore them to death over the course of four years: after wearing them nearly every day for at least two of those years they are just beginning to wear thin in the thighs. Their "low rise" isn't actually that low (which is great!) and they are super comfortable. Plus, they have no signature pocket stitching to identify them, so no one has to know you're wearing juniors jeans (lol).
(While Delia's recently went out of business for a while, they just re-launched their website and catalogue, including the popular Olivia jean!)

(Delia's jeans featured on Owl Excursions)

I've also been hearing good things about the brands Dittos and SP Black, which I have never tried, but figured would be worth a shout out!
What affordable denim brands do you love?

Look for Part 2 next week featuring my insight on splurge jeans!!

xoxo CC

These Shoes Though...

So you may have noticed these adorable heeled sandals in my recent post, but I couldn't wait to show you just how much they perfect a whole outfit. For a casual but chic vibe I wore them with my boyfriend shorts and a silky slouchy black top (which is also new and I'm also obsessed with btw). A tassel necklace adds a dainty touch and compliments the soft color of the shoes.

I saw these shoes first on shopruche.com and fell totally head over heels about them (haha yes, I made a joke there) but they sold out in my size before I got to ordering them! Luckily, after a quick google search I was able to find them in my size on Nordstrom. I showed these to a few friends before I ordered them and they said the same thing, "those shoes are so you!" It's funny how some things just fit your personal style so perfectly!

I love that while these shoes are patterned and have just a little color, the cream-white background means they match with almost anything. The very day they arrived in the mail I threw them on with a solid blue maxi dress (you can see a close-up on my instagram) where the pattern added the perfect touch to a sea of solid blue. I also love how they go so well with the colors in my Kate Spade bag for a little print mixing!

Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse. Top: BB Dakota (available in ivory). Shorts: Gap. Bag: Kate Spade. Toenails: Essie "Turquoise and Caicos" (read more about my fave colors here)

xoxo, CC