SPRING'S WARM-WEATHER LEATHER

Leather is typically thought of as a fall/winter staple, but don't pack away your key pieces yet.  Leather made a big statement on the runways for Spring/Summer 2013 wear.  The key to these leather pieces is color, shape, fabric, and accentuating with it.

Color:  This season is about wearing leather in bright vibrant hues or soft pastels.   Pair these colors with neutrals, such as white, gray, navy, or bone color to pack a punch.  Tangerine, coral, pale pink and mint green, lemon chiffon, and cobalt blue are just a few shades that are on trend for the season.  Put away your black, caramel, and brown hues and add some color!

Milly Leather Dress, $450                       Amanda Uprichard Leather Peplum Top, $268

  

Nasty Gal Pleated Leather Skirt, $58

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Shape:  Look for timeless pieces that you can transition between seasons.  Sheath dresses, fit and flare dresses, and pleated leather skirts.  Cropped lightweight jackets are stylish for spring.

Alice + Olivia Box-Pleat Leather Skirt, $495    Vince Perforated Leather Shift Dress, $1150

  

Bebe White Leather Blazer, $398

Fabric:  Spring leather pieces should be a lightweight leather, soft fabric.  This feels supple and smooth but very light to the touch.

Accents:  Not ready to jump into this trend?  Accent spring fabrics such as chiffon and silk with leather trim and leather panels.

Cynthia Steffe Dylan Dress, $198

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Here's to being fabulous in leather this season!

XOXO,

Divine Style DC

SHIMMER AND SHINE IN METALLIC LOOKS

Look fresh and chic this season by adding metallic clothes and accessories into your look.  Metallic colors including: gunmental gray, bronze, gold, silver, dusty rose, and metallic chocolate.  Metallic tops work for the office under a blazer, for brunch on the weekends with jeans, or for a night on the town.  

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gold Foil Printed Fisherman's Sweater, $150

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gold Foil Printed Shaker Stitch Sweater, $140

Vince Metallic Gray Knit Sweater, $335 30% off

Urban Outfitter's Metallic Mesh Sweater, $59

Calvin Klein Sheer Metallic Cardigan, $54.99

Eileen Fisher Metallic Mesh Poncho, $238

Gibson Cutaway Metallic Blazer, $138

Metallic Denim and Leggings look fabulous paired with navy, chocolate, black, and more.  Add studded, lace, and sequined tops for an evening out.  Great with a sweater and shoe booties for daytime.

Juicy Couture Metallic Coated Skinny Jeans, $198

Finish your look with a metallic hangbag or clutch.  No matter what you are wearing, metallic always goes!

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gunmetal Python "Hamilton" Jewel Large Tote, $448

THREE STYLES FOR MEN...WHAT'S YOUR VIBE?

Men's style can change daily depending on their mood or you can stick with one basic that works well for you.  Classic + Edgy, Casual + Sophisticated, and Nerdy +Sexy, three styles done three different ways.  Try a new look this season to amp up your style game!

Classic + Edgy- Dresses with a little flair and attitude.  Accessories are important, so leather belts, cuffs, and watches are key for this look.  Still wears the business look but adds a leather blazer or vest versus a suit jacket.

 

Edun Leather Moto Jacket, $898, Hudson's Jeans Dandy Slouch Straight Leg, $198 Nordstrom's

Ted Baker London Tuxedo Trim Fit Shawl Lapel, $895

Kenneth Cole Boots

Casual + Sophisticated- add class by pairing dressy pieces with your casual elements (i.e. velvet blazers, wool vests with V-neck tshirts and cool sneakers).  Dark denim with bold colored button downs, blazers, and vests are key pieces.

Boss Black Harper Sportcoat, $239.97, Timberland Earthkeepers Side Zip Boot, $170 Nordstrom's

Vince Barn Jacket, $345, Vince Melange Hooded Henley, $150, Paige Normandy Slim Straight Leg Pant, $169 Nordstrom's

John Varvatos Zip Pocket Vest, $198, Hugo Brano Wool Pea Coat, $495 Nordstrom's

Shoe Choices by Mezlan, Spanish designer.  Mezlan Black Alligator Zipper Boot, $1,450.

  

Nerdy + Sexy- try sleek sneakers in a dark hue, such as black, gunmetal gray, or burgundy.  A gray blazer over a hoodie and add a watch.  Fit is important so take off the baggy clothing and added a more fitted look in your jeans, shirts, or jackets.  Everything doesn't have to be fitted but at least one main piece should be (jacket, shirt, pants).  

Michael Kors Rabbit Quilted Vest, $495

Michael Kors Cashmere Zip Hoodie, $395

Military Inspired Trends for Men

Military Inspired Trends for Men by divinestyledc on Polyvore

Cole Haan Sporty Military Jacket
colehaan.com

Black Label Military Coat
ralphlauren.com

Andrew Marc Warrant
andrewmarc.com

John Varvatos Star USA LUXE Military Jacket
bloomingdales.com

Vince Cotton Jacket
nordstrom.com

Cropped Military Boot
allsaints.com

Steve Madden Boxcar
stevemadden.com

Polo Ralph Lauren Classic-Fit Washed Linen Military Shirt
bloomingdales.com

Sun-faded cargo pant in urban slim fit
jcrew.com

Fenchurch Maxim Military Jacket
$40 - bankfashion.co.uk

LUSCIOUS LEATHER LOOKS FOR FALL

How to wear leather in summer and to transition to fall?  Try color blocking.  Wear a bright colored leather skirt or shorts with a contrasting bright top as seen here.  Pair with a nude pump or sandal.

 

For summer to fall, pair a bright bold colored top with a black leather skirt, black leather shorts, or camel/beige colored skirt/shorts.  This neon hue keeps the look fresh and fun, ala Kerry Washington.

 

Peplum tops are a great leather option for fall.  Go rocker glam with leather leggings, or wear it to the office with a sleek pencil skirt.  Slim fit pants look great with this top.  

Halogen Lambskin Peplum Top, $84.90 (Nordstrom's petites, check store for regular sizes)

Leather skirts are great for summer, fall, and winter.  Wear bright colored and printed chiffon tops for summer.  Change your heels to edgier or leather pumps for fall and in winter add textured tights.  Pleated leather skirts are big this season.  Wear with a fitted top to emphasize the skirt.  Pencil leather skirts are always on trend and work with most body types and different looks and styles of tops.  All age groups can wear pencil skirts.

Vince Leather Skirt, $173

Patterson J. Kincaid Pleated Leather Skirt, $298

Alice + Olivia Pleat Leather Skirt, $396 (sz. 4-12)

Jessica London Leather Pencil Skirt, $99.99 (sz 12-28) 

black, chocolate brown, or deep red

Ideas for Ways to Wear Two Different Types of Leather Skirts

Leather Leggings transition from summer to fall via the top you wear.  Bold flowy tops or sparkly tank tops are great with strappy sandals for summer.  Add a fitted blazer.  Change your heels from sandals to spikey pumps or open toe booties.  For older women or those more self-concious, pair with a mesh longer sweater.

Queen Anne Faux Leather Leggings, $25.95

Winter Warm

A few fun items to wear in winter to look stylish and keep warm in the winter months.


This leopard print cashmere cardigan would be great paired with black leather leggings, a silver or metallic gray top underneath and a wide leather belt worn around the wait to cinch it.  I would choose a deep purple or magenta belt.  This is also a great option to throw on over-top a black dress that you are wearing out.

Autumn, $234

This capelet stands out for the bling on the neckline.  Anything bejeweled is fabulous.  The cashmere warmth is great.  This can be worn with grey or navy.  I would wear this with jewel-tones, such as emerald green, vibrant violet, or sapphire blue.  This capelet is by Robert Rodriguez.

This cowlneck sweater sweater I like for its vibrant tones.  Great with jeans, cords, velvet, or leather.  Wear it with pants during the day or a skirt.  Great chunky earrings in a complimentary tone such as emerald would be great.  Try it with Betsey Johnson pieces.

Cowlneck Sweater, Banana Republic, $44.99.

Add velvet or corduroy pants/jeans to your wardrobe.  Available for trendy young ladies or sleek mature women.  The key to deciding on a piece is knowing the fit you are looking for and your age.  More mature ladies should avoid the bling on the pants pocket or the jean look.  Skinny fit can be worn by all age groups, depening on your body type and the desired shoe you would like to accompany with it.  Mini-boot cut is great for most body types.  This looks great with heels.

Velvet skinny pants, Banana Republic, $89.99  Deep Purple Legging, AG Adriano Goldschmied, $178.

 

Kut from the Kloth Mini--Boot Cut Corduroy's, $39.90  Vince Black Corudory Pants, $255