Military Moment

Classic Military

In high school, I asked my father to buy me a green flight jacket from the Army-Navy surplus store.  It had an orange lining.  I wore it to death and wish I still had it.  

The military look is a classic and still going strong.  Rihanna, has recently been spotted in fitted camo pants. Military looks continue to have a presence on the designer runways for both men and women.  There is something so chic about a woman in military- inspired clothes.  It's the mix of masculine and feminine, power and adornment.  Military styled jackets add punch to more sedate combinations.  

To translate runway to real life, wear only one military piece at a time.  Otherwise the look will get "costumey."  Black is always classic but the sand or nude color is so attractive.

These looks are a bit bold but the message is: mix your staples with ONE military piece.  It's a bit daring and irreverent but timeless.

That is the fun of fashion.

One of my favorite items for this fall is the jacket like this one above.  The look is very journalist on assignment.  How cool with fuchsia and denim!

Budget Pick:

Old Navy

Women's Drawstring Military Jacket

$39.94

$29.97

Nieman Marcus

Neiman Marcus

I know what you are thinking...How can the Budget Stylist even utter these words on this site? 

Well, I'll tell you.  Just in time for holiday shopping, Neiman Marcus is teaming up with my favorite purveyor (of yogurt, toys, and gadgets) Target .  The launch is December 1st. 

A little preview:

The most expensive item in the collaboration is an Alice and Olivia bike for $499.99.

The Tracy Reece dessert plates (set of 4) for $39.99 are trimmed in 18K gold.

Some of the prestigious featured designers are Jason Wu (Michelle Obama's favorite designer), Zac Posen, Tracy Reece, Robert Rodriguez, Tory Burch, and Diane von Furstenberg.  Items range in price from $7.99 to $499.99.  Target and Neiman Marcus are going to donate 1 million dollars of their profits to CFDA.   

If you like competition, meet me there.  I'll be the one boxing out and throwing elbows.

Fall's Must Haves

Fall's Must Haves:

I cannot take credit for this adorably "fonted" little vignette but I like it.  Each season has it's go-to items.  Knowing these key wardrobe pieces is what separates the the chic from the ordinary.  This season most of these items are classic: blazers, riding boots, cigarette ("Minnie" pants from J Crew), ballet flats.  Truly, a preppy girl has no excuse as most of these items are probably already in your closet.  To take the look to the next level make sure your tailoring is precise.  Blazers should be close fitting and your jeans should be skinny to fit inside your boots.

Here are some looks for fall:

Skinny forest green denim with brown riding styled boots.

V. B. is fabulously over the top.  My translation to real life: gray fitted blazer with dark jeans and a pop of camel.  The color choice and fit is the what sets this outfit apart from last season. Look in your closet.  Do you have any gray and camel pieces that you could mix with your basics?  To use these looks at the office, simply swap the dark denim for black pants.

O.P. is gorgeous.  Her style choices are generally flawless.  Here she demonstrates a fresh fall look: the orange cable sweater is a classic with the dual broaches at the neck. Paired with burgundy skinny jeans and heels with understated hair and accessories she looks lovely.

Camel + Navy Gingham

Bright blazer with a statement necklace and dark denim.