Get This Look: Olivia Palermo

Style maven Olivia Palermo

Style maven Olivia Palermo | Photo Credit: PCN

Style maven Olivia Palermo has a knack for pulling off an urbane fashion aesthetic that belies her young age. Here, she pairs a classic breton striped tee and pleated front skirt with statement accessories. Then she tops if off with a covet-worthy ruffled coat.  Olivia’s look is not only the personification of classic with a twist, but serves a shining example of how one can outfit themselves in order to seamlessly segue from winter to spring.

Steal her fab transitional style with a few key items from beso!

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Steal Olivia Palermo's Style

1. Ray-Ban 2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses, $74

2. BCBG MaxAzria Indigo Pleated Cotton-Wool-Twill Skirt, $94

3. Mixed Media Bib Necklace, $29.50

4. Aerie Striped Boatneck T, $19.50

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Napa Ukita Bag, $458

6. Kenneth Jay Lane Clear Faceted Crystal Cocktail Ring, $45

7. Lumiani Carolyn Slingback, $75

8. Burberry Ruffle Trim Trench, $795

Get This Look: Chace Crawford is Mad for Plaid

Chace Crawford/Photo by Bauer Griffin

Spotted. C and P (Chace Crawford and Penn Badgley, that is) brave the wet and chilly weather to film scenes for Gossip Girl. I love how Chace is donning one of spring’s biggest trends for men: plaid. The amazing part is he manages to pull off  this trend-conscious ensemble without looking like he meant to. You can, too. 

To get same look as Chace’s plaid shirt, try these two options by Ralph Lauren and Martin Gordon. Next, throw on this amazing look-a-like brown jacket from French Connection. You definitely need a pair of jeans with a dark wash, like this amazingly affordable pair by Levi’s. And you can’t forget those dapper shoes he’s wearing, they totally make the look. With these Allen Edmonds Oxfords, you’ll be the next big thing on the Upper East Side.

Be Bold in Plus Size Florals

If you’ve been shopping lately, you may have noticed that stores are starting to resemble gardens.  Spring has sprung, and with it comes a burst of bold floral prints.  This is definitely a trend that’s easy to translate into plus sizes, as long as you take your shape into consideration when choosing your prints and placement.

Macy's Alfani Floral Dress

Macy's Alfani Floral Dress

Dresses:  With floral dresses you need to pay attention to the placement of the pattern to make sure it flatters.  Also take into consideration the cut and length of the dress.  A knee length wrap dress is flattering on almost every figure.  The sash at the waist can be adjusted to fit tightly if you want to show off your tiny waist, or left a little looser if you would like to conceal the tummy.  If you’re top heavy, wear a camisole underneath or pin at the neckline to avoid showing off more than you intend to reveal when you bend over!  If you’ve got narrow hips, a big bold random pattern can add fullness.  If you’re trying to minimize wide hips, choose a more consistent all-over print.

This Alfani dress from Macy’s has pops or turquoise in the pattern that go well with almost every skin and tone and hair color.  The contrasting trim of the dress really draws lines at the best part of your body — the v-neck to showcase your face, along the waistline to accentuate the smallest part of your torso, and then down the legs to elongate your body.   I also like the length (just above the knee) and the elbow sleeve which makes the dress versatile for spring, summer and fall.

Jessica London Plus Size Border Print Skirt

Jessica London Print skirt

Skirts: What I love about this Jessica London skirt (besides it being purple, my favorite color!) is that the pattern is concentrated on the bottom half of the skirt.  I have pretty wide hips, and stretching a bright floral across them can sometimes be unflattering.  But with the solid color covering the widest part and the pattern at the bottom, the eye is drawn downwards.   Pleats are still very chic for spring, as is the retro style (think  the TV show Mad Men), so this skirt hits a trio of trends. 

If you’re short, you may just want to take the skirt up a little at your tailor, because calf length could be frumpy.   Tall girls, you may find the calf length perfect because it’s not too short and yet still gives a nice peek at your gams.  This skirt looks to be a bit high waisted, which you could conceal with a longer top if you prefer to break up your figure a little.  Otherwise, play up that waist line by tucking in a white tee, as the model is shown wearing here.

Sihouettes Floral Top

Sihouettes Floral Top

Tops:  Floral tops are everywhere in styles ranging from halters to tunics, kimono sleeves to t-shirts.  I like ones from Silhouettes, and mixing prints is hot right now. 

You can rock tunic tops like this with skinny jeans or leggings, since fitted pants aren’t going away as the weather warms up.  But this top would look really great as a beach cover up or with some shorts and wedge heels too, so its quite versatile!

Sustainable Style Makeover: Celebrity ‘It Girls’

We have been taking our cues from the super-stylish reality TV celebrity stars for a few seasons now, and it only gets better when you can draw inspiration from their fashion forward looks and turn them eco-conscious. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, it’s all broken down for you in this post.

LC + AP sustainable style makeover

Get the very classic look sported above by the lovable Lauren Conrad by incorporating pieces from Stella McCartney. The designer is known for her clean and classic cuts that transcend time and trend. If you can only splurge on one piece, go for the blazer- it will win its worth over and over again, season after season.

Prefer the edgy chic look on Audrina Patridge? No problem. To get this casual street chic look, opt for a pair of skinny jeans from Levi’s that you can distress yourself and a super comfy slouchy top from SUST.

WP + OP sustainable style makeover

Whitney Port came to Manhattan as an innocent girl from out West, but she quickly showed us that she has the style sense to carry herself through the fierce fashion world. Get this fashion-forward look with draped separates and a great pair of statement heels. Style tip: layer a wide-neck short dress under the slouchy jodhpurs for a little more of an interesting look.

Olivia Palermo epitimizes the ‘Manhattan girl in fashion’ every girl dreams of becoming! Her style is effortless and always classy.  Here she strikes a perfect balance of casual street chic with industry professional. Get her look with striped basics from American Apparel, and a classic mini skirt from Stella McCartney.

Keep your eye on these fashionitas for continuously evolving style and be sure to incorporate your new essentials from an eco-minded label to keep fashion moving forward.

beso Deals: Spring Essentials up to 62% off

If you haven’t started spring wardrobe shopping yet, you are in luck!  Get up to 62% off of the essential pieces that will carry you through the season at beso: 

Shop and save for spring at beso!

1. Straw Studios Canvas Wooden Handle Clutch, $42 $15.99 (62% off)

2. Newport News Straw Fedora, $44  $34 (10% off)

3. Victoria’s Secret Silk Boyfriend Blazer, $88 $48 (45% off)

4. Old Navy Sweetheart Distressed Skinny Jeans, $34.50 $12.99 (62% off)

5. Three Dots 3/4 Sleeve Round Neck Pullover, $54 $23.98 (56% off)

6. Old Navy Pleated Cuffed Shorts (5” inseam), $22.50  $14.99 (33% off) 

7. Cole Haan Andra Wedge, $195.00  $78 (60% off)

8. Calvin Klein Crepe Shirtdress, $118.00  $46.90 (60% off)