sass of style

Why Don’t You Like Your V-Necks Anymore?

Amanda Sutherland

July 15, 2016

Photos by : Dustin Abrego

Have you ever noticed how certain necklines for your basic t-shirts change. You have a million v-necks from the past couple years, but for some reason they feel dated. But how can they be dated? They are a classic staple. It just seems like you are wearing those v-necks to bed now and trying to avoid wearing them in public at all costs. This is where you realize you need a whole new wardrobe in basic tees.

Lately the crew neck tee has been a fan favorite. I have collected so many new basic tees in this style that my drawer for, “basic tees I wear with everything” is overflowing. Now there is more to be said about the basic tee. There is the quality and the price. Personally the most luck I’ve had with v-necks was Victoria’s Secret. They have quality material and they do not shrink much. That being said they will not fill your need for a crew neck tee. I have attempted to buy basics from H&M and Forever21, but those stores tend to shrink the most and wrinkle the most.

The best places to shop for tees at a great price are Zara and ASOS. Particularly ASOS, the material is thick and feels fantastic compared to the see-through tees you are use to. Zara also has great basics because when you buy them they are relatively large in size and then shrink to fit. This is unlike Forever21 and H&M who shrink to the size of an 8-year-old in my experience.

Scroll down for my picks for your basic tee wardrobe,

Click the pictures to get the look:

So You Don’t Want to Buy an Off-the-Shoulder Top?

Amanda Sutherland

8 comments

July 6, 2016

Off the shoulder tops are all over this summer. I myself have bought quite a few because they are such cute simple staples in a wardrobe. This post is for those who have a) not bought an off the shoulder top yet or b) those who want to stand out in a room full of off-the-shoulder tops. The trick is to use what you’ve got. That button-down that you haven’t touched in a couple of months? Grab it.

To master the off-the-shoulder-button-down look, first star by putting on and unbuttoning the shirt completely. Then hike the shoulders off and lay it against your body at a comfortable off-the-shoulder height. Next button down the shirt at your selected height and lastly tuck the collar in behind you so the shirt lays straight across your back. You can also roll up the sleeves or leave them down, whichever you prefer.

If you’re not too keen on your midriff showing, try a high-waisted pant, camisole or even just a longer button-down than I selected. Scroll down to get the look.

Click the pictures to get the look:

The Perfect Bodysuit Style

Amanda Sutherland

1 comment

June 24, 2016

Photos by: Alexandra Hollander

So I have been wanting to purchase a bodysuit for a long while now. I kept putting it in the millions of online shopping baskets I wanted and then discarding it. I just was not finding the quality I wanted at the price point I had in mind. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, when I had my first actual trip to Zara. Now I have ordered online from Zara, but I had never been inside an actual store.

As you may have noticed by now, I am a bit of a bargain shopper. There is something about getting an item that retails for $100 and scoring it for $20. When I walked into Zara, like any smart merchandiser may have planned, the most visible items were the most expensive. At the beginning of the store were the items priced $100 and over. I checked out a few cute things and scurried my way to the back to find the normal pieces I shop for online at Zara. Right as I entered the back of the store, the bodysuit stuck out to me. I’d been wanting this purchase forever and why not make it happen in my first trip ever to Zara?

There are a few tips to buying a bodysuit though. Tip 1: Make sure the material is comfortable and stretchy. When something is that tightly wrapped around your body, the last thing you want is an uncomfortable material riding up. Tip 2: I happen to have a very long torso, so opting for the large in any one piece items is a must. Tip 3: Check for bra visibility by sticking something bright underneath the fabric. I almost purchased a white bodysuit there until I realized the fatal issue with the suit.

I ended up pairing my bodysuit with a jean-button-down-pencil skirt, some killer booties and my favorite My Girl sunglasses from Quay eyewear. This look is perfect for a hot summer’s day and easy to go from day-to-night.

Scroll to the bottom to shop the look.

Click the pictures to get the look:

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A Dress with Sneakers, Chic?

Amanda Sutherland

2 comments

June 8, 2016

Photos by: Lauren Veldman

I finally understand the trend of dresses with sneakers. When I first started seeing this trend two years ago, I was hesitant. But of course once you see or hear something again and again it becomes your all time favorite. This combination is counter-intuitive to the Carrie Bradshaws in our lives, but speaks to the girl trying to hustle.

The second I moved to New York this summer, I realized that my once comfortable Midwest sandals would not be cutting it. Walking around the city at about six miles a day is something you need to be prepared for. After five days of trying to wear every shoe in my closet, I decided to invest in the ultimate walking shoe. My biggest debate was between buying Adidas or Nike. My instinct went for the brand of the moment, so clearly I sought after the Adidas shoes.

This led to my big revelation that this trend started in New York for comfort purposes for a girl who hustles. After a while it became chic to the untrained eye, which really just worked out to a fashion-girls benefit.

A dress with sneakers, chic? You better believe it. Scroll to the bottom for my picks.

Click the pictures to get the look:

Classically Chic

Amanda Sutherland

no comments

May 24, 2016

Photos by: Dustin Abrego

When you’re in a wardrobe rut, it is always a good idea to go back to the basics. Just pick out your favorite basics from your closet and add. For me my favorites are my white long-sleeve crew neck and my classic boyfriend jeans. I then added my clear-cat-eye shades, grey suede jacket and pointed-snake-skin flats. Shades, a jacket and some flats. All you need are some killer accessories to freshen your favorite basics.

There is also something to be said about these shades by Quay eyewear. Reflective shades are a must in the trend department this summer. These exaggerated shades are amazing and look good on most face shapes. The thing I love about Quay eyewear is that most of their shades are over-sized. I happen to have an extremely big head, no pun intended. So much so that regular-sized sunglasses make me look like John Lennon. Quay eyewear has so many over-sized options that flatter your face from small heads to big. To get the look scroll down to some of my picks below.

Click the pictures to get the look:

Online Shopping Hacks to Live By

Amanda Sutherland

no comments

May 17, 2016

I am an avid online shopper. I don’t know about you, but shopping in malls for the perfect item can be stressful. I always have an idea of what I want and by the end of my mall trip I feel anxious, hungry and disappointed. Also if I didn’t find an item at a price point I wanted then I would go from store to store unsatisfied with the offerings. This is where I learned that online shopping might be my calling.

Tip 1: Find online stores you love and repeatedly check their sale sections. My favorite online stores are Zara, Asos and Nasty Gal. I am always looking for a bargain, so I go straight to the sale section of the brands I love. It feels great buying an item that was originally $150 and now is only $30.

Tip 2: Set your own price range. I love that Asos has a large price range and a feature to set a more comfortable range for my price point. You will save a lot of time, sifting through countless items with this feature. Other stores have a similar feature, but not quite as great as Asos.

Tip 3: Free shipping is fantastic and accessible especially if you are making a hefty purchase, but sometimes you have to decide if it’s worth it. Do you really need to spend another $50, instead of just paying the $8 for shipping? Think before you “add to cart”.

Tip 4: Always make sure to look at the country and the material composition before you purchase. Stay away from buying clothes in Bangladesh and other poor countries. The cost to make these items is not supporting the workers behind it. Make sure to buy clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, linen, cashmere and hemp. Avoid clothes made of polyester, rayon, nylon, acetate, acrylic and”wrinkle-free” material. These materials are chemically processed and can be harmful to your health.

Tip 5: Know the company’s return policy before you purchase and whether you can return it for free or not.

Tip 6: Know your measurements: hip, waist, bust and feet. Every site will have a size guide and knowing these will make the process so much easier and minimize your time spent on returning.

Tip 7: Zoom in on your items. If you can see the models underwear or outline of her legs through the dress, you will see yours as well.

Tip 8: Review the reviews. Taking the extra time to see if the pants you’re drooling over have an awkward crotch is well worth your time.

Tip 9: Get a PayPal account. PayPal makes life so easy because you don’t have to enter your credit card information to every site you love. You simply click pay with my PayPal account button and do not have to type in that time consuming credit card or give out your information to more companies than you need to.

This is my online shopping advice to you. Use it as you may.

Reinvent Your Jean Jacket

Amanda Sutherland

4 comments

April 29, 2016

Photos: Dustin Abrego

Lately it has been the time for light jackets. I find myself trying to wear summer outfits that I love and then realizing it is still cold out and having to put a jacket on. Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t love a good jacket? But probably as like many of you I am just so ready for summer. Instead of throwing on my favorite Bill Blass jacket, I threw it over my shoulders. I know, I know …is that really functional? My answer for you…sure is. This looks chic and adds an extra flare to your style. Its almost gives a cape-like look, but in spring jacket edition. This styling trick is used by many fashion editors to take your look from dull to chic.

In regards to the rest of my look, I just love to pair together mismatching denim. The contrast is my favorite part when I pair denim. I guess I’m not a big fan of looking like a one-colored crayon. Adding a simple blouse underneath can also make your jacket pop. Make it fun and stay warm this spring.

Scroll down to the bottom to get the look.

Click the picture to get the look:

Maximum Floral

Amanda Sutherland

2 comments

April 22, 2016

The summer is around the corner and the number one thing on the top of everyone’s want-list is a floral print maxi dress. Let’s not forget how comfortable a maxi dress is either. Dresses are like the adult version of wearing a blanket to work, at least they feel that way. They are incredibly chic and at the same time comfortable. My favorite part about maxi dresses is that you don’t have to worry about some gust of wind blowing your dress into outer space. Not saying it couldn’t happen, but I’m pretty sure you’d have to be in some pretty hefty wind. I only say this because normally, I wear shorts underneath my shorter dresses for the accessibility of every day dressing. No worries about wind or when your dress falls short when you go to sit down. Definitely not a fun time.

I styled my dress quite simply because the pattern is extremely loud. The draw string neck line also adds even more detail, which would make any jewelry quite cluttering. Now when it comes to color be careful. I am very pale after this long winter and I have a cool skin tone, so I stick with dark blues or dark reds. Another way to tell if you have a cool skin tone is if the veins in your wrist are blue or green. Blue veins mean cool and green veins mean warm. For warm skin tones bright colors look best to really compliment your color like a hot red or a jewel-tone purple.

To find a dress that’s right for you take a look at the pictures I posted at the bottom for suggestions.

Click the picture to get the look:

’70s Day Tripper

Amanda Sutherland

1 comment

March 20, 2016

The retail stores are loaded with ’70s apparel and that trend does not seem to be fading fast. I finally had a day off and doing as many things as possible was on my agenda. The perfect way to soak up that spring-weather air was matched with an inspiring outfit. I love when I put on my high-waisted-dark-wash jeans. They instantly make my outfit feel dressed up, which I just so happened to talk my sister into buying a pair that day. One of my greatest bargains of $100 jeans and only getting them for $20 from Nasty Gal.

Now let’s not forget about my ridiculously good-looking blouse. This psychedelic favorite is from Zara and I can not get enough of it. The bow tie neck detail and print are so unique. I have been having quite the print fetish lately though. This is also true for retail stores. The minimalistic basic pieces are still key players in a fashionable wardrobe, but prints are being inter-mixed in a big way this season.

Pairing this shirt-jean combo with the right accessories pulls this”Day-Tripper ” look all together. My leather messenger bag is perfect for carrying the essentials for a day-trip.: snacks, cameras, wallet, phones, chargers and a make up bag. It is an essential for an adventurous day. Pair that with a fun hat and a mid-heel boot and you are ready for where the road takes you.

Check out the pieces below to get the look.

Click the pictures to get the look:

NYFW FW16 Review

Amanda Sutherland

no comments

February 19, 2016

This fashion week was full of rain and snow in New York City. A few designers chose not to participate this season due to the exhaustion of doing six shows a year. Others stuck it out and continued to make elaborate shows like Tommy Hilfiger and his rendition of a Titantic-like cruise liner. The 70s’ still continued to be a trend in the Calvin Klein suede suits and Michael Kor’s fringe pants. The re-resurgence of the 90’s was also very apparent in DKNY and Fenty Rihanna X Puma grunge looks. Let’s not forget the goth magic of Marc Jacobs last night. This season metallics were all over the runway from Diane von Furstenberg to Opening Ceremony. Below I have featured some of my favorite shows from this week and what I think they are doing right. Feel free to comment your favorite shows of the week.

I have to start with my favorite designer of course. Rodarte continues to impress me. Their look is always romantic and on the verge of grunge. I love the textures that they use. From leather to lace to fur they really know how to make a cohesive look. Check out the shoes on these girls. They are so intricate and detailed. That fur coat is also to die for. All I have to say is “Bravo!”

Rosie Assoulin amazed with her voluminous ensembles ranging from dresses to pants to jumpsuits. The bold color and draping of the clothing was gorgeous. The construction and silhouette creativity was very apparent in her presentation. The whole presentation had a very colorful “Frida” vibe.

Jonathan Simkhai absolutely blew me away. He was the winner of the Vogue Fashion Fund in November and really proved himself this fashion week. Three words: lace, fringe, and fur. I guess you can say I’m a sucker for texture. The lace patterns that Simkhai used were so intricate which were then mixed with fur or fringe in most cases. The textured pieces were amazing to look at. Clearly I was drawn to his white ensembles. Two major thumbs up.

Delpozo is also one of my favorites continually. The vibrant colors and the structured pieces are beautiful. They are feminine and bright with intricate appliques. Of course my favorites were all the layered jumpsuits and pant suits. If I could compare their collection to a food, it would be a macaroon: refined, delicious, and vibrant. It is mesmerizing to watch.

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