Layering In the Winter

The weather conditions here in GA have clearly not been like the rest of the country with mountains of snows and thermometers reaching single digit temperatures. However, it has presented a bit of a chill and enough dewy conditions to cause my school to be closed ALL week long. So for today's post I wanted to show you how to layer in chiller temperatures while still looking fierce. You need to take pieces that will offer warmth but not necessarily bulk. I started my look with a basic pair of skinny jeans and a sweater. I moved to the next layer and added my faux fur vest and booties. I finished the look with a special fur (I believe it's rabbit fur…real rabbit fur) that I picked up from….just guess… Goodwill. I scored this real beauty for $16.00. Ali's Fashion Sense: Check out your local Goodwill. Because you never know what jewels you will find.

Outfit Details: Rabbit Fur (Goodwill), Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Sweater (Forever 21), Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Booties (Target), Snakeskin Clutch (Target), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Though the weather outside may be frightful where ever you may be, it doesn't mean you have to let the frigid temps steal your sense of style. Use this post as a guide to help you layer your favorite pieces with flare. Stay warm out there luvs! 

I hope you have an amazing day and a wonderful weekend!

-Ali

How To Master Wearing All Black

Georgia's weather is an indecisive as me in my closet trying to decide what I want to wear. Last week there were frigid temperatures barely making it out of the teens while yesterday it was in the low 70s. I mean really…"where they do that at?" But make no mistake, I am NOT complaining. It's just very tricky to dress for weather that insists on being on a roller - coaster ride. So I opted to wear one of my favorite trends, wearing an all black monochromatic look from head to toe.

The way to master wearing all black or any monochromatic color you choose is by adding different elements and textures of that color, which offer dimension and depth to the outfit. With this particular outfit you can see how I was able to use lace, faux fur, leather, and suede to create simple, subtle nuances resulting in an interesting visual. For the foundation of my look I took a lace dress (yes a dress) and converted it into a shirt by tucking it into my new midi skirt. Once I had a top and bottom for my look it was time to accessorize by incorporating my favorite faux fur vest, tights, a pair of booties, and a leather baseball cap.

Outfit Details: Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Midi Skirt (H&M), Lace Dress (TJ Maxx), Leather Baseball Cap (Forever 21),  Suede & Leather Booties (Target), Chain (Forever 21)

I really love how this look came together. The lace peeping out from underneath the furry faux fur vest adds a unique dimension to my ebony ensemble. I will definitely rock this look again but with an Ali's Fashion Sense twist. I may swap out the skirt for a pair of wide leg trousers in a dark denim or a pair of black skinny jeans. The possibilities are endless.

Happy Monday Chicas!

-Ali

Mix It Up

I have a secret to tell you my readers…the past few weeks I have flooded Ali's Fashion Sense with posts that I've been wearing hats (mainly this black fedora or an array of various baseball caps). The secret is I want to get a new hair style but I haven't had the time to get my hair done, so I'm stuck rocking hats creating a "make - it work" moment (in the famous words of Tim Gunn). I really wanted to switch up the game to make my fedora look a little different so I looked through my closet and grabbed everything except the kitchen sink lol. This outfit of the day literally consists of 7 pieces (including my accessories).  Its the ultimate layering ensemble for this semi - frigid Georgia weather. If you live in places that have colder climates (you know that kind of weather that barely reaches the teens or is on the negative side of the spectrum) and want to duplicate this look I would suggest adding a leather motorcycle jacket on top of the sweatshirt and underneath the duster vest, adding a beanie or furry hat instead of the fedora (to keep your ears warm), swapping over the knee boots for the pumps (so you're not exposing any skin), and lastly wearing leather gloves and a scarf (to keep your hands and neck warm). 

Outfit Details: Gray Duster Vest (H&M), Maroon Leggings (H&M), Sweatshirt (Target), White Collared Button Up (Old Navy), Fedora (H&M), Jessica Simpson Pumps (DSW), Necklaces (Fancy Kouture)

I really like this outfit that I created because there are so many elements (colors, textures, shapes etc.) in the ensemble that is visually stimulating. I love the geometric pattern on the sweater that pulls out the gray in the furry duster vest, and the maroon in the leather - paneled leggings. The black bands around the sleeve and waist of the sweatshirt pull in the black accessories to complete the look. Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: Go into your closet and pull out 2 things you normally wouldn't wear together and try to have a "make it work" moment. You may not like what you put together but eventually you will find an odd pair that comes together in harmony! Don't be afraid to MIX IT UP!

Happy Hump Day Fashion Sensers,

-Ali

Maxi Dress Revamped for Winter

I'm am a huge advocate for recreating, remixing, and reusing items in my closet. It's like a fun game for me to see how many ways I can reinvent a look. So as I was rummaging through my closet to figure out what I would wear on Sunday, I ran across my fuchsia one - shoulder maxi dress. I have a vintage boyfriend blazer that has floral print with that same fuchsia color as an accent color. To winterize my look I added my cream faux fur vest and tied the belt that came with the dress around the vest and blazer to create a more cinched - in waist.

Outfit Details: Maxi Dress (Forever 21), Boyfriend Blazer (Vintage), Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Fedora (H&M), Aviators (H&M), Wedges (Forever 21)

This look shows us how you can simply take a garment that is deemed for a specific time of year (i.e. a maxi is only used in Spring and Summer) and break all rules, but finding a way to revamp it no matter what season you are in. Since I'm down south and the weather isn't so bad (mid 50s) I can get away with wearing no tights even though the material on the maxi is very light. If you live in a colder state add a leather jacket underneath your faux fur vest (instead of a boyfriend blazer). You can even add some opaque tights and a pair of boots or booties to provide more warmth. Everything about this outfit is unconventional for this time of year (the colors, the maxi etc.) but I would have it no other way.

It's a new week with a fresh start and I pray you took full advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Have a magnificent Monday and a wonderful week. See ya back on Wednesday with an all new outfit post!

Kisses,

-Ali

Oh So Fine 29

So today is my 29th birthday!! I can't believe I'm actually turning 29. When you're a kid 29 seems soooo old. But as I celebrate my last year in my 20s I wanted to share 29 life lessons that I've learned along the way. It's funny, the older I get, the more excited I am to be growing into the woman I truly want to be :) But before I give you my list, I wanted to share my fun photo shoot that I did with the hubster at one of the local arcades here in Central GA. I will give it the subtitle "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" because you're never too old to have fun no matter how old you are!

29 Life Lessons I've Learned

1. Love the person you see in the mirror first, because if you don't no one else will.

2. Say I love you to the people you care about often.

3. Don't be afraid to admit when you're wrong and say sorry.

4. Speak up for what you believe, and for what you want.

5. Smile a lot…it's free.

6. Trust in God. HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU.

7. Say thank you to God when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

8. Be a mentor…pay it forward.

9. Never forget where you've come from (there's no place like home).

10. Enjoy life.

11. Don't sweat the small stuff.

12. Have faith.

13. Write down your goals/dreams and inspirations, even if they seem silly to others.

14. Trust your gut…it's usually right.

15. Don't be afraid to be your authentic self.

16. Family is the most important thing in this word.

17. Sing in the shower.

18. Dance the night away.

19. Be the friend you want others to be to you.

20. Make your life a drama - free zone.

21. Drink lots of water.

22. Eat a lot of fruits and veggies.

23. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!

24. Don't quit your day dream.

25. Try new things! You never know what you may enjoy.

26. Failure is better than not trying.

27. Don't let fear paralyze you. Remember…"it's not that bad" whatever "it" is.

28. If at first you don't succeed dust yourself off and try again.

29. YOU CAN DO IT!

Here's to my "Oh so fine 29!" Happy Birthday to ME :) Thanks for rocking with me here on Ali's Fashion Sense. You all are my favorite birthday gift.



-Ali

Gray Matters

Do you want to know the secret to instantly accomplishing a chic look? Wear one color from head to toe. Really! Gather up your all black, white, gray, or camel ensembles to become an instant fashionista. You can even throw in an unexpected shade into the mix like olive green, yellow, powder blue, or hot pink to take your monochromatic look up a notch. Monochromatic looks bring sophistication to an outfit without all the fuss and we all like to make our lives as simple as possible when it comes to getting dressed and looking fabulous.

The outfit that I am wearing was custom - made for me by a wonderful woman by the name of Mrs. Mae Womack. She created this look for me because she loves to sew (and is pretty freaking good at it if you ask me) and she knows my love for fashion. Plus she's an avid Ali's Fashion Sense reader :) I love the unique twist that she incorporated by adding the skirt over the pants (it's actually all one piece instead of a pair of pants and a skirt). I chose to keep the gray theme going and added my fuzzy wuzzy gray coat on top and silver accessories. I completed the look by adding my black leather cap and sandals. It's not a total monochromatic look because of my black cap and black sandals but I love how the look came together anyways! 

Disclosure: It was SUPER windy and cold when I took the picture so my garment was blowing ever which way. I tried to display the photos that captured the essence of the garment without me looking like I got trapped in a wind storm. Here are the results!

Outfit Details: Top and Bottoms (Custom Outfit Made by Mae Womack), Coat (H&M), Leather Baseball Cap (Forever 21), Sandals (Charlotte Russe), Necklace (Fancy Kouture)

I'd like to send a very big shout out and THANK YOU to Mrs. Womack. She didn't have to make this outfit for me. I didn't ask. She just did it out the kindness of her heart. It's always nice to know that there are people out there that do kind things, not for recognition, but just to spread a little joy. So I want to publicly say to her THANKS for helping create my "gray matter!" I hope you all have a magnificent day today. Live in the moment and make each second count.

What monochromatic color palette will you promise to try? Let me know in the comment section below!

Happy Hump Day!

-Ali