Chapeau Pork Pie

It's a Pork Pie Hat!  Excuse me for my lack of hat-terminology, but I had to google that ish to find out its name.  Anyways, there's nothing like getting back to the basics of summer with cuffed white pants.  And who wouldn't pair it up with a flowy black tank.  I love the pop of Cheetah print on her sandals.  J. Crew is very familiar with this wide band sandal, and they're always playing with colored leather and prints.  There are so many things I love about this outfit, from the geometric hand chain, to the thin tortoiseshell glasses frames, but I think my favorite is the nail art being rocked.  As much as I'd love to get my nails decked out professionally, I'm actually going to try out these sick stick on nail decals I found on Etsy...  #poorgirlproblems.  Check em out below!

Is that Lil' Kim's VMA outfit from 1999 I spy?  I believe it is.

If you want your very own 90's Bitch Nail Decal Set click HARR!!

Next up, we more awesome great pairing.  From A plaid shirt and a vintage tee, to hiking boots and Buda beads.  I sound like mothaf*ckin Dr. Seuss.  Ok, quick shout out to my homestore Gypsy Warrior right here in Ridgewood.  Both of these lovely people were found working here, and I just gotta say they could both be models.

Je ne savais pas...

I didn't know my fellow classmates could be so fashionable, but when they came in to class today I couldn't resist to shoot them.  Houndstooth has never looked more dashing.  You'll be seeing a lot of this print in the fall with the Coach's new revamped look, thanks to new creative director Stuart Vevers.  I know we're getting a little sidetracked, but I just want to applaud Coach on digging deep and getting in touch with its Americana roots.  Expect to see plenty of rich earth tones, classic patterns, and of course my favorite, TEXXXTURESS.  Maybe I should start calling them "sextures"?  If you'd like to take a peek of the Coach's debut fall line, click HERE.   ANYWAYS, back to street style.  Halter tops.  One of my favorite cuts, but do be aware that the high neckline will draw attention away from your lower body.  I apologize, but I lent my arrowhead necklace to  my friend to complete the look.  I just couldn't help myself.  I know I broke the rules, but I think the results speak for themselves.

<3

C'est Moi!

Bonjour! Or should I say, bon soir? I think it's time to formally introduce myself.  My Name is Olivia Paradis.  I'm a marine biology major, with two minors in film and french.  When I was a little girl, I would never let my mom pick out my outfits.  Now, you could take this as me being a stubborn little bitch, but I choose to acknowledge this as the budding of a fashionista.  I've been working in retail for just under a year, starting as a scared sales associate in American Eagle Outfitter's lingerie department, Aerie, and working my way up to AEO stylist expert.  Currently, I'm in the hiring process for, dare I jinx myself, Coach Inc.  Finger's crossed!  I love experimenting with colors, shapes, and textures.  I never thought that I'd ever find the guts to making a style blog, but this past year has taught me how impending life really can be, and every moment shouldn't ever be wasted.  A wise, but maybe slightly crazy, man once asked, "How many colors are in a field of grass?"  I couldn't think of a better way to sum up how life is all about perspective.  

Photographed by Avery Gray and Wendy Choi

La Mode D'été

Who says hats are exclusive for the colder seasons? No one.  From Ridgewood to Montclair, the hat-hair to bare-head ratio is growing exponentially.  This summer it's all about wide brim floppy hats.  I've been seeing a large mix of straw and wool felt, despite the heat.  Whenever I add my favorite Free People fedora, my outfit can instantly go from street to sunflower field.  Snapbacks definitely relax your look and bring out more of a west coast.  If you're looking to dress down an outfit, I suggest going to your nearest thrift store where you can find hundreds of unique snapbacks.

 

 

Can we talk about texture for a second?  I'm obsessed with playing with texture.  Whether it's leather, suede, wool, or silk, I can't help but experiment.  I highly recommend, if you haven't done so already, to just spend a few hours getting acquainted with your closet and just experimenting with your own fabrics and textiles.  My new friend here has obviously mastered this skill, as seen by his paring of a pastel blue basket woven tank with heather grey cotton shorts.  

 The second trend I've been noticing more and more is really toe-riffic!  Get it?  Okay shoes and socks.  Now, do you get it? No? Fine, whateva.  But the point is, you can sneak in some extra flare by cuffing your pants to reveal a few inches of sock.  This can add an extra pop of color, texture and dimension to your outfit.  I really loved the chunky knit wool contrasted against the worn alligator. 

Photo assistance by Nick Wager and Emily Caladero.

C'est un homme.

While in New York City yesterday, I spotted a gorgeous leather cross-body bag.  And then I noticed the person that accompanied said bag was a man.  I was taken aback for a brief moment, but then I thought "Why not?" Why couldn't he can rock a cross-body?  My next thought was, "God, I hope the rest of his outfit is just as great."  And it was.  My favorite items of this outfit were the bag, obviously, and his glasses.  They had these amazing gold specks intertwined with almost a tortoiseshell frame.  Anyways, so I tapped him on the shoulder and pulled him to the nearest corner so I could take a few shots.  I wonder what the next corner will bring.

C'est une fille

I do believe in second chances.  Why?  Because I spotted her go up the escalators while on lunch break and what caught my eye was her incredible plastic telephone purse.  Damn I wanted to run up that escalator, through a mass crowd of people like in those sappy rom-coms, get down on one knee, and ask if I could photograph her for my blog.  But I didn't.  I pussied out.  But fate stepped in and she somehow felt the universe pull her back down to the food court.  This was my chance.  I abandoned my chicken teriyaki for my first street style find.  And what a find it was.  She had on the edgiest sparkly, midnight blue high calve socks paired with chunky black sandals.  Everything from her grey knit crop sweater, to her retro phone purse was fan-fucking-tastic.  But it's time to go back to my chicken.

This is a fucking amazing bag.