FASHION

STYLE

TO FLANNEL OR NOT TO FLANNEL

FRIED RICE

COROZO LONG TAIL FLANNEL BUTTON-DOWN Japanese-made plaid flannel is cut long with a rounded droptail hem. Features three pockets at the front and is finished with a full-length front button closure. $189 / Available at urbanoutfitters.com

WEAR COLOR WITH CONFIDENCE

HOOK + ALBERT

LAPEL FLOWER Add a fanciful touch to any look with this charming flower made in America with breezy cotton petals. $30 / Available at nordstrom.com

FALL WILL NOT BE THE same without plaid.

Fall simply will not be the same without plaid, tartan or flannel. You know fall is here when all the clothing stores have plaid on their displays. Its unique pattern gives the casual, cozy vibe, which is why it is so popular in fall and winter. And fashion designers have also started to make more elegant clothing pieces using plaid, steering away from the casual vibe it gives. Of course plaid comes in bright colors too, but you want to go with the plaid or tartan that has burgundy, dark green, black, blue or grey.

WEARABLE POPS OF COLOR

Where and how to wear them!

You want to step out of your comfort zone, but not too much, and perhaps you don’t know which step to take. Sometimes smaller, simpler, is better for you instead of going all out and making a huge wardrobe shift and buying a neon orange blazer that you are only going to wear once. There are many ways to do this and I’m sure there is a way where it suits you best! Start off with a base color. Some examples are navy, black, grey or beige. Once you have your base color picked for your suit, then choose what and where you would like the pop of color to be. It can be anywhere from your tie, bow tie, handkerchief, socks or even your blouse under your blazer! These small adjustments make a big statement, believe it or not. And as far as what color to choose as your “accent” color, you can pick any. Find a color that looks good and stands out against the base color that you chose. Another thing that you can do is choose a pattern. Many ties, socks and handkerchiefs come in different types of patterns and prints that also give the same affect. Next time you have the opportunity to wear a nice blouse or jacket, wear a pop of color of your choice!

LUXURYESSENTIALS

SHOES FOR DAZE!

VERSACE

SAFETY PIN PUMPS These versatile pumps can be worn with evening looks or as an accent piece in casual outfits. Crafted from supple calf leather, these pointed toe, high heel slingbacks are enriched with heritage Safety Pin hardware. $895 / Available at Versace.com

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

LOUBI QUEEN 120 MM Unleash your wild side in the Loubi Queen, one of the Maison’s most iconic sandals, inspired by 1950s pin-up girls. For the SS20 collection, Christian has reworked this classic in Cocco Metallo Platine. This proprietary textile, inspired by sophistication and preppy chic, features a platinum crocodile-print embossed leather. $845 / Available at us.christianlouboutin.com

JIMMY CHOO

BING 100 BING in black patent leather is modern and stylish. Its beautiful slip on design makes it a unique style and emphasizes the leg lengthening effect with its 100mm heel height. Featuring a crystal detailing strap across the top of the foot for a hint of glamour, pair with a little black dress for a striking look. $950/ Available at Jimmychoo.com

VALENTINO

METALLIC ROCKSTUD MULE 90MM / 3.5 IN Valentino Garavani Rockstud mule in laminated elk-print calfskin. $895 / Available at Valentino.com

STYLE

VINCE CAMUTO

LACE SLEEVE SWEATER Gently billowed sleeves of sheer, paisley-mesh lace gathered to fitted cuffs transform a cozy mockneck pullover into an über romantic top. $99 / Available at Nordstom.com

All that fur!

In the fall, you can’t go wrong with fur. And now there are so many companies that make faux fur pieces so that you don’t have to feel bad about wearing fur. It can be a fur scarf, or a fur jacket. (Boots with the fur?) Every year during the cold months you see a lot of trends, but fur is one that has stayed and will continue to stay.

LACE, THE MOST LUX OF THEM ALL

Where it came from and why we love it

Lace is a very well known fabric. When you think lace, what most likely comes to mind is luxury. Lace is a very delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Originally, linen, silk, gold, or silver threads were used. It was worn by some of the most well known people in history, which is why we connect lace with “fancy” and “luxurious”. Lace goes all the way back to the times of Queen Elizabeth I (6th century). Lace collars, lace caps, lace shawls, and it doesn’t stop there! Lace was used (and still is) to not only be worn as clothing pieces, but used to decorate the home! Today lace can be found almost anywhere. Typically one would wear lace as an undergarment, or on special occasions. You can now find lace in everyday clothing. You would want to save it for a nice dinner, or a date, and obviously lace is almost always found in wedding dresses. Lace will forever be a fabric that will give elegance to your wardrobe and house.

SHINE BRIGHT

with your diamonds

Diamonds are very much so a girl’s best friend. There is nothing more luxurious than diamonds. It is one of the most beautiful stones. This fall, look for an elegant diamond necklace or bracelet to wear to any event that will immediately take up whatever you’re wearing by 10 levels. What you’ll want to make sure of is that you’re wearing a solid color or something simple, nothing with too much going on, to have your diamonds be the statement. Oh, and don’t forget pearls! Throw some pearls in the mix with your diamonds for the ultimate luxury look!

Plant-Based Makeup

Everything you need to know about making the switch to vegan cosmetics

Now more than ever, people are making compassionate choices about the products they use every day. You’re probably more likely to read the ingredients on a box of cereal than a tube of mascara, and you’re not alone. While veganism is becoming a popular diet choice among health and environmentally conscious people, many don’t know about the vegan options available for the areas of their lives that aren’t food related, like clothes, cosmetics, and makeup products. People overlook the fact that the ingredients in makeup products are often filled with animal-derived components that can be detrimental to your skin and health.

When a product is advertised as cruelty-free, that does not necessarily make it vegan. Crueltyfree products are simply not tested on animals, while true vegan cosmetics do not contain any ingredients extracted from animals, including insects. According to People Ethical Treatment of Animals, beeswax and honeycomb are some of the most commonly used additives in products like eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, and other face makeup. Not to be a “buzz-kill,” but the bees need their own wax in order to provide for offspring and preserve honey for the winter. Without healthy bees to pollinate crops, our future looks devastating. That’s just one of the many reasons to start buying vegan cosmetics.

When it comes to integrating values with beauty, vegan makeup is the perfect place to start. Among the good of supporting a worthy cause, it’s also better suited for sensitive skin. Although many vegan cosmetics can be far more expensive than nonvegan cosmetics, you may want to consider spending a pretty penny in order to reap the benefits. Ingredients like honey and lecithin, a by-product found in the nervous tissue of living organisms, are often used in lipsticks and liquid powders and can cause allergic reactions in certain users. Vegan products are seen as superior because they have fewer ingredients, and the ingredients are more natural. These products are less likely to cause or aggravate acne, rashes, dry skin, or other skin conditions, and can even heal damaged skin with its wholesome qualities.

Wondering how to take the leap and find vegan makeup products to shop for? PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program is the answer to your vegan prayers. It is designed to share information about companies that sell crueltyfree and vegan products. With more than 4,200 companies in their database, you’ll need to look no further. A few of the companies listed as cruelty-free and vegan include Adorn Cosmetics, whose slogan is “luxury without the guilt,” and Babydoll Cosmetics, who specialize in premium quality false eyelashes. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to support veganism, brands like ELF and Milani offer some vegan options for a fraction of the cost of other companies.

Making the choice to purchase vegan makeup not only impacts your own health and wellness, but the future of the animals and the environment that we live in.