Hold your judgement, but I’m taking fashion hints from mega-pop (and seriously cool) girl-group TLC. Many a junior high dance revolved around Waterfalls, and I’m pretty sure the reason I ever bought oversized hoop earrings was because of T-Boz. I love that they pulled off men’s shirts/sweaters/jackets like no one’s business (before menswear as womenswear was prevalent) and I’d argue, that they looked even better than the boys.
I’ve been unconsciously buying baggy sweaters and flannels to layer (I must really miss the ’90s). Next up, is the huge American Retro faux fur jacket that’s sure to elevate my wardrobe to hip-hop royalty status. And I can’t forget those hoops: A little more modern, but I think T-Boz would approve.

really, i miss tlc. crazy/sexy/cool, forever (clockwise, l-r): AMERICAN RETRO ENOLA OVERSIZED FAUX FUR JACKET, $418.00, available at RevolveClothing; ROSEANNA STAN LONG SLEEVE, $189.50, available at Elizabeth Charles; LUV AJ BALL CHAIN HOOPS, $73.00, available at Boutique to You; SOCIETY FOR RATIONAL DRESS, $230.00, available at Bona Drag.

I wore sequined pants on New Years Eve and this guy I barely know said I looked like a genie. Lame, right? So here’s to you, guy I barely know: Some pretty rocking sequined pants. Wear them during the day with something casual like a simple sweater or a chambray top, and for nights out? A sheer button-down works, as long as you don’t mind granting some wishes. Is it weird that I felt guilty while blurring out my friends’ faces (I’m sorry gal pals!)?

someone called me a genie, clockwise l-r: I’m wearing: SILENCE & NOISE SEQUIN LEGGING, $79.00, available at Urban Outfitters, ASOS PETITE EXCLUSIVE SEQUIN PANTS, $59.09, available at ASOS, SEQUIN SKINNY PANTS, $68.00, available at Nasty Gal.

I have one white silk blouse that makes me feel semi-grown up as soon as it’s on. In typical fashion, I put said grown-up blouse into the washing machine over the weekend and now it’s warped and looks like it has cellulite. Yes, the shirt looks like it has cellulite. Every good tomboy outfit needs a white button-down and Zara’s are top notch so I’m buying these two. And in future laundromat scenarios, I will not put these into scalding hot water, followed by a high heat tumble dry session.

 l-r: POPLIN SHIRT, $59.90; CONTRASTING SHIRT, $49.90; both available at ZARA.

I totally remember going to Burlington Coat Factory as a teenager: I really knew how to stretch a dollar then (my $9 an hour wage at a restaurant forced me to) and distinctly remember buying my first name brand jacket here for a not so name price. I’ve been totally hooked since, and still frequent the store when I go visit my mom (Cerritos branch, represent)!

Five years ago, Burlington started the Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Coat Drive: You just bring in a lightly used jacket to donate to someone in need between Oct 28 and January 16 (you know that jacket has been sitting in your closet way too long) and as a thank you, you’ll get 10% off your purchase. And if you don’t find anything at Burlington, you’re still doing a good thing. Plus now, you have room for more coats.

warm coats & warm hearts, l-r: LAUNDRY COTTON-BLEND ANORAK WITH DRAWCORD WAIST, $69.99; NORTH SPORTIF MULTI-POCKET SNORKEL WITH FAUX FUR TRIM, $49.99, both available at Burlington Coat Factory.

There has been nary a topic more divisive to fashion-lovers than the cowl neck.  I’m not quite sure where I stand – if they’re done right, I love ‘em, but the majority of the time, there is just too much fabric. When the ratio of cowl to sweater is perfect though, it’d be pretty hard to prevent me from clicking “buy”. I’d love to know: are you for or against?

the divisive cowl neck, l-r:COWLNECK PONCHO, $55.60, available at Victoria’s Secret; AUTUMN CASHMERE ELBOW-PATCH COWL-NECK SWEATER, $286.00, available at Neiman Marcus.

office-appropriate dresses, l-r: BCBG ERIS GATHERED SLEEVES SHIFT DRESS, $140.70, available at Amazon.com; NEW JEANNE DRESS, $345.00, available at Diane Von Furstenberg; BANANA REPUBLIC CHARLOTTE KNIT SHEATH, $130.00, available at Banana Republic.

’50s rockabilly, l-r: Z SPOKE BY ZAC POSEN TIE-SIDE LEATHER TOTE, $234.00, available at theoutnet.com; KATE SPADE NEW YORK KEA HIGH HEELS, $315.00, available at Zappos; BCBGMAXAZRIA CLAUDETTE LADY CLUTCH, $248.00, available at Zappos; VINTAGE LITTLE WOMEN DRESS, $39.99, available at ModCloth.

One of the few upsides of abandoning your adopted hometown and moving across the country is that you suddenly have the right to demand that all of your friends clear their schedules in order to find time to see you. Which is how I found myself seated at Sushiden, across from my extremely busy friend Zareen. Zareen is a book editor who has no qualms about showing up at work in a long red maxi dress and platform sandals. (Maybe exuberant color is a thing amongst book editors: My brother, also an editor, can often be found in outlandish shades of Bonobos pants, like teal and lime green).

But I digress: Zareen was wearing what was probably a beachy dress. But this dress’s summery nature was completely obscured by the fact that she had layered a tidy white buttondown (tied at the waist and tucked) and a printed scarf over it, fall-ifying the whole outfit. While I am very handy with a blazer, a cardigan, and an unbuttoned oxford (I’ve been known to effectively layer all three simultaneously), I’m not particularly inventive with layering dresses. I might adopt Zareen’s tied and tucked buttondown trick, but her look also got me thinking that I really should add a cropped sweater to my repertoire. The upside of a cropped sweater is that its shrunken proportion makes your lower half look even longer in comparison. Since I’ll be wearing it with long, billowy dresses, I want one that’s fitted (to counter all the volume below). Clearly, by these selects, I’m also having an ombre moment. Any thoughts about which one I should get?

clockwise l-r: CROPPED ANGORA DIP-DYE SWEATER, $118.00, Topshop; BIRD BY JUICY COUTURE CHUNKY DIP-DYE SWEATER, $378.00, Neiman Marcus; WREN DALLAS CROPPED SWEATER, $378.00,Saks Fifth Avenue; CROPPED DOUBLE V-NECK CROCHET SWEATER, $32.94, Old Navy.

Summertime is the perfect time for weddings and fancy outdoor get-togethers.  If you have more than a few events in the next couple of months you should be well prepared!  As the season reaches its peak you’re sure to be scouring your closet for something new to wear to each event you have in store.

WE LOVE: Pastels are a trend we’ve been seeing everywhere, so why not keep it pretty and pastel in this beautiful one-shouldered BCBG Mila Dress? It’s the perfect shade of lavender, and the one-shoulder styling gives it a dramatic flair.  If purple isn’t your cup of tea, try this baby-blue Donna Morgan Strapless Silk Chiffon Dress with a super flattering sweetheart neckline.

Or go for cheery and sunny lemon yellow with this pretty Alice+Olivia Elizabeth Silk Tank dress.  For the girly-girl in you, try a pastel pink dress with flower-y flourishes like the BCBG Emily Rose-Applique Dress in a sophisticated shade of peony pink.

BONUS FEATURE: If you are a bride-to-be, check our our New Traditions Boutique which features non-traditional gowns.

Citrus hues are back in a big way this summer, and aptly so. Grapefruit pinks, lime greens, lemon yellows and bright oranges make a huge statement, especially when worn together in a monochromatic or color-blocked outfit.

Citrus  makes your outfit current and modern, and pair especially well with basic pieces, like a suit for an interview or trendy white jeans. Throw on a grapefruit colored blouse under your usual blazer and slacks and you’re already worlds apart from the usually button-downed candidates.

You can wear even wear a large block of citrus like the Ali Ro lime green dress featured on the left in order to standout from the crowd at a summer wedding, but the dress also looks fantastic when dressed down for weekend errands.

Saturated citrus hues are the go-to colors for this season because they work to add life to a basic outfit, but stand strongly on their own just as well.

SHOP IT:  Trend: Citrus Hues >