What I Would Wear to NYFW

I've been obsessed with New York Fashion week since I knew it existed.

Not obsessed in that outward, obvious "Who What When Where Why?!?" way, but in a covert, eye-roll-worthy "I don't care but I really DO" way.

I guess cuz I'm never there.

Every year, fashionistas and fashionistos from the globe over converge upon NYC to observe the hottest fashion shows and brush elbows with designers, models, and the chicest of celebrities. And every year, I sigh wistfully while scrolling through my Instagram timeline, browsing womens magazine websites, and visiting fashion blogs as I watch peeps strut their stuff in some of the most inventive outfits they can muster.

Some people make it look easy, but let's face it: the gloves come off for fashion week. Even if you've made a habit of being invisible all year, fashion week is the one week where you want to be seen by the paparazzi.

So what if, for some crazy, amazing, random reason, I was invited to fashion week? What in the HELL would I wear? If you know me, you know I avoid heels like... like they hurt. Because they do. (Good thing sneakers are so in, right? Who cares; I've been wearing Converses for FOREVER...) So perhaps we should start with some awesome, comfortable shoes.

Let's do these haircalf ones, since I just got them from DSW a few weeks ago: 

Kenneth Cole Reaction Salt-N-Pepa Leopard Sport Flat

Then let's add a fun, sporty skirt in a luxe fabric, liiiiiike leather?

Warehouse Drawstring Leather Skirt

And a crisp, yet breezy top...

Equipment Sleeveless Blouse

And of course, a coordinating bag:

Coach Bleecker Toaster Satchel

Add some fun accessories - a hot pair of shades, a chunky curb chain necklace, some sparkly armcandy - and voila: an outfit worth photographing!

Booking It

I have the best news ever! After a lot of writing, erasing, and a few bouts of writer's block, I am officially a published author. Head on over to alexandrabowmanwrites.com to get a copy of my book: A Little Rant on Retail.

All of the years I spent working in retail couldn't fit in this lil ole book, but suffice it to say that I chose a good portion of the more noteworthy stories to relate to you all. There's drama, despair, dancing, dinero... the whole nine.

This book is for anyone who's worked in the service industry. And for anyone who's dealt with difficult customers. And for anyone who sometimes worries if they have a shopping habit. Which, let's face it, is most of us. Here's to you, everyone. I hope you enjoy my pièce de résistance.

Denim Dilemmas

I know I'm not on here much, (to the point where I don't even really consider myself a "blogger"... Doesn't that entail getting pursued by retailers to showcase your style and give your opinion?) but when I do write here, I make sure it's to talk about something that will be relevant for a good amount of time, at least to myself, if not to my readers.

And what's more ever-lastingly relevant in the fashion world than denim?!

Ever since they were conceived, way back when, jeans have been at the forefront of fashion, as far as classics are concerned. I doubt there's been any other garment that's been more reinvented, destroyed, reborn, or reworked than denim has. Jeans have a very no-nonsense back-story to them that keeps them as practical as they are cool: they were originally designed for cowboys and miners. As in, your average, everyday working man.

Fast-forward a few years, and jeans are still some of the most popular pants in closets all over the world.

Being a tall girl has made my search for great jeans particularly troublesome, despite the wide variety of price ranges and styles available on the market. During my my last years of elementary school and into junior high, my Mom used to sew wide ribbons onto the hems of my jeans so she wouldn't have to repeatedly replace good jeans every time I outgrew them. I was fine with the practice until I started being teased about my seemingly peculiar fashion statement.

Nowadays hems of all lengths are welcome, and if you wear skinnies, you're often only a cuff away from your perfect length.

Below:

Two of my Instagram outfit posts featuring a couple of my faves: Madewell destroyed boyfriend jeans and Free People high-waisted skinny jeans. Both pairs were under a hundred bucks. SCORE!

All That is Silver and Gold

I'm pretty matchy-matchy.

That is to say, I'm the type of girl who has to wear a handbag with gold hardware if I'm wearing gold jewelry. I guess it's the control freak in me; the part of my subconscious that enjoys seeing everything in its place: organized, and "just so." 

But with the emergence of mixed metal mania, I couldn't help but get caught up in the appeal of changing things up a little. Jewelry designers all over have made it so much easier for us to layer our jewelry, in varying colors, textures, and styles and have it all look so chic.

Nowadays, I tend to keep my outfits pretty simple for the office, which is even more reason for me to go a little crazy with my jewelry. I'm still obsessed with midi-rings, so this Summer I made a point of collecting several gold-filled pieces to add to my ridiculous collection of silver. Needless to say, I'm hooked for the foreseeable future...

All rings from Etsy. Custom bracelet: ShopRyanPorter.com.

Summer's End

     As summer comes to a close, I find myself more and more obsessed with the image of me in an oversized sweater, leggings and ankle boots, trampling dead leaves as I frolic around the city.

     I actually don't even own a pair of ankle boots yet; I became inspired while browsing the blog of Courtney Trop. AlwaysJudging is her brainchild, and a beautiful brainchild it is. Courtney is a natural at putting together outfits that are the perfect combo of grunge, minimalistic, and chic, and her bag collection is to die for. She puts emphasis on go-to basics that are a little more luxe than the usual - silk button-up blouses, modal t-shirts - that you can wear repeatedly and incorporate in a variety of styles. She's also really sweet: I follow her on Ig and she is great about answering questions and recommending things. If you haven't checked her blog out, do!

     Anywho, back to Fall fashion ;) My most exciting purchase to date is a pair of Steve Madden Cinch ankle booties, which I bought in burgundy and are on their way to me now! I saw SM was having a 30% promo, plus free shipping and I couldn't pass them up. I love how versatile cut-out booties are; I've seen them paired with everything from skinny jeans to flouncy dresses. Can't wait to wear them!

Lite Brite

For the past few weeks I've been seeing brights pop up everywhere: in stores, online, in fashion magazines... And so, I have it programmed in my brain that I NEED some fun, punchy colors in my Spring wardrobe. Today at the mall I found a few things that definitely fed my hunger for the trend. I got a stretchy, pink mini (I'll wear it high-waisted with a neutral tank tucked into it), and an adorable orange clutch with a zipper that is the same hue as the skirt. I loved the clutch so much that I grabbed a kelly green one with a bright blue zipper as well. *Sigh!* Now to wait til it's warm enough to wear my little gems...

Skirt: Nordstrom. Clutch: Zara.

Jewelry Fetish

Welp... My procrasti- nation has led to this. A half-a$$ed post about my unending love of all things cold and metallic. Here are pics of some of my rings, and most of my necklaces (hung on the arms of my dresser's lamp). I've collected jewelry from Urban Outfitters, Aldo, random boutiques... and there's the occasional piece I fashioned myself.

Polyvore

I LOVES Polyvore! Lol, just set up an account; I've been checking it out for months, but didn't set up an account til today. I'll put up a few of my typical and ideal outfits and post links here :)

My love of food is only surpassed by my love of fashion...

Hey guys! Lol, I know I've been gone for a bit buuuuuuuuut I have good reason. I have 2 jobs (in retail, nonetheless) and have been bouncing back and forth between them for the past few weeks. When I'm not working, I'm usually shopping. I know I shouldn't be, but Urban Outfitters had an IRRESISTABLE sale: an extra 50% off all women's stuff that was on sale!!!! I got a couple dresses. And then I bought a pair of slouchy, black suede boots. And then I bought a pair of beige leather cowgirl boots. LOL, I dunno why I'm a bit shoe-crazy lately, but boots are a must for me... I only had 2 pairs before this fall: a pair of black Uggs with cream-colored fur and a side buckle detail, and a pair of knee-high, lace-up Timberlands that are a chocolate color.

SOOOOOOoo now I need booties. NEED them. I found the perfect pair of black oxford booties online and they're on sale at Nordstrom's for only $66!!! Only problem is, I'm running low on cash since I've been shopping like mad @ Urban, Abercrombie, and Vicky's Secret. And I had to pay bills. It doesn't help that I bought a leather Coach Spotlight bag a few weeks ago, lol... Fashion, why do you torment me so?