Looks by Larissa: Leather and Stripes

With winter fading and a rare sunny day irresistibly beckoning, my friend Nick and I ventured out to vintage clothing destination Hawthorne Street in Portland, browsing various vintage shops, sipping mochas, chatting about school, and admiring everything from inspiring outfits to cute dogs out for walks with their owners. The sun-filled day inspired me to throw some color into my wardrobe, so I wore this great multi-colored vintage button down that I picked up at one of the many vintage stores along Haight Street in San Francisco.

I could not resist paring it with my Steve Madden leather jacket, which I purchased at Nordstrom. What makes this jacket special is the simple, basic design that creates a subtle feminine quality. I was excited to rock my chunky Dolce Vita ankle boots, which are simple but have a bit of an edge with their buckle detail. I often pair the jacket and boots together; it makes an outfit classy and simultaneously edgy.

Text and Image Larissa Board

Looks by Vanessa: Easy Breezy

Top: Thailand Market  

Skirt: Vintage 

Wedges: Kurt Geiger

I'm so excited for this week — the Versace for H&M collection is coming to stores, and I can't wait to buy the studded leather jacket. I think it's perfect for my style :)

The weather is getting worse and worse near me. There's lots of rain, and it's getting colder as the days go by. Actually, time is passing by really fast — we only have a month until Christmas! (One of my favorite holidays of the year.)

This week's look is easy breezy. The top is from Thailand Market, the skirt is vintage, and the wedges are Kurt Geiger. 

Well, have a great week!

Love, V

View the back of my look after the jump...

Top It Off With a Vintage Hat

Popularized in the twenties, the cloche hat is an icon of flapper fashion. Seen in such films as Changeling and King Kong, it is indicative of style for that time period. Though the hat is unique to the early twentieth century, it's still stylish in present day. Making a roaring return this fall, the timeless cloche is this season's desired cold weather accessory. 
 
Cloche is the French word for 'bell', which should come as no surprise, considering the structure of the hat. Not only does the bell shape create a unique silhouette, but it also works in favor of your head's shape, fostering a comfortable fit. It is typically crafted with a simple fabric, such as wool, and it's adorned with charming accents, like ribbons, feathers, and bows. During the twenties, women tossed on cloches to complement their elegant gowns. But, for the modern-day woman, this hat is a classy and feminine way to complete a polished, everyday look.

One of the cloche's special qualities is its ambiguity — as you hide under the brim of the hat, you allude to your innocence and shyness. Nevertheless, wearing a cloche also makes a strong statement, conveying your power and confidence to the world. No matter how it's portrayed, the cloche takes you back in time and allows you to channel a different persona each day, which is just as mysterious as it is exciting. Cloche hats were seen on the Ralph Lauren runway this season, and you can find more vintage-inspired cloches at Anthropologie.

See more of the coveted cloche collection after the jump...

Looks by Vanessa: First Look

It's Monday, so that means I'm posting looks today! These last few weeks have been crazy — and this cold weather isn't helping. On the other hand, I've got to say, I just love autumn. It's definitely my favorite season of the year.

For these photos, I'm wearing a very comfortable, casual outfit. The pants and glasses are vintage (I'm a big vintage clothing fan, and these pieces are perfect for me), the blouse is from H&M, the belt is Stradivarius, and the heels are, of course, Jeffrey Campbell. To give this look an edge, I would combine it with a black leather jacket.

Have a lovely week!

Love, V

Get an up-close view of my look after the jump...