Mad For Plaid

This look is yet again greaser-inspired. Red lumber-jack shirt gives it a "careless" feel to it, and leaving it unbottoned reinforces that. I wanted the red to remain the main attraction, so everything else is black and white.

The white shirt underneath is yet again another nod, but it's tucked in to give it a fitted feel look. as careless as it may be, it shouldn't look sloppy.

 It's finished with the classic staples of black jeans and Converse sneakers. The sneaks go back to the black and white, and you just can't go wrong with black denim especially if you're going for this kind of look.

Cardi. Party.

A cardigan can add a lot to an ensemble without even having to do much. By just buttoning the cardigan, it actually puts more emphasis on the button down underneath. Rolled sleeves also give it a casual feel while still being classy.

Cardigans are very versatile. There's many ways you can mix them with different looks.

The color blood oxford is a great color to utilize for Fall. I have it in skinny jeans, and the pants which you see here. It really pops in a distinct way, contrasting the lighter shirt and cardigan.

Love this shirt by H&M. It's so light and has buttons so the sleeve can stay in place when rolled up.

Despite this having a classy feel, I still found a way to have that edge to it with the boots and studded belt. I think it's important to note that when you do a look, you don't always have to go full out. You can use elements from your main style to something else. The results of which should be interesting.

Don't be fooled all the time when things seem to contrast. You should play up the differences to stand apart.

For instance, someone on my Lookbook left me a comment saying, "I love how classic this is with a pinch of studded edge. i don't think i've ever put "studs" and "so classy!" in the same sentence but here it works magically :)" and that's the point of "your look" it isn't to stifle you, but to push your individuality to the next level.

Simple and Clean

Simple doesn't always have to be synonymous with boring. I feel like if you can pull off everything right by making use of color scheme, nice items and sensibility, it'll all work out.

The main reason I bought this shirt, was for the plaid underneath. Always look for interesting embellishments.

With this, I went for something understated rather than overt. The shirt itself is nice, and the plaid underneath of it gives it something extra. Since I don't want to take anything away from this, I didn't wear a cardigan or anything that would obstruct it.

It's so nice not having to wear a belt all the time. These are one of the few pairs where I don't need one.

Since the shirt isn't that dark, I decided to go for a darker jean. This is a really good shade because it's dark but a far cry from dull. Never do dull.

Gray actually goes with a lot of things. It's ripe for experimentation.

I went with gray Vans. Gray because it's nice but won't distract, and Vans instead of shoes because I didn't want to give this particular look something that was too formal. It's all about balance when it comes to putting pieces together.

Chambray Today

I went out to eat with my brother and sister on this day, so I threw this little thing together. As nice as it looks, the simplicity is really key. I wanted to wear my favorite chambray shirt from Club Monaco, so that was the center piece of the whole look. From there was pants. I didn't want to do jeans because it gives off a "matchy" look, and that looks especially tragic when jean is matching with jean. If I did wear jeans on the bottom, I would makes sure that it's a completely different shade altogether.

You can't beat quality chambray with a stick.

I chose light gray pants because it really plays off of the chambray. The contrast is nice in and of itself, and it also serves to make sure that the shirt stays the center of attention. For example, I wouldn't wear a vibrant colored pant with this.

Cowboy boots can be thrown into the mix for fun.

I finish it off with brown cowboy boots, which you'd think would oppose the black belt, but it doesn't. Unbeknownst to many brown does go with black. They play off each other very well actually. And since a metallic is involved, It only furthers the whole, "matching in a not so obvious way" vibe.

Studded belts can also offer another layer to whatever you're wearing.

All these work in unison, partly because they're all solids so there's not a lot of things going on at the same time. It's very clean and together which is harder than people think to pull off.

Grease Lightning

Let’s talk about “looks’. Looks are key in order to stand apart. Having your own little niches and quirks are what really make or break what you’ve put together. The good thing is that this part should be easier since everyone has likes and dislikes. If you like knit tops, focus your attention on getting a good amount so that you have a sort of collection. Then, always have in mind what you want to do with them, like making use of mix and matching various colored tees underneath and picking up jeans that will compliment the various shirts you've picked up. Before long, that will be your "thing".

When it comes to myself, I’m always changing my themes every season I go into. Spring and Summer have a different look than Fall and Winter, so I tend to come up with general concepts each time they come around. For example, this season I’m going for a greaser vibe. This means leather jackets, boots, studded belts, studded bracelets and basic tees. Since I already have basic tees, I really only needed to concern myself with everything else.

Once the concept is made and some key pieces are attained, you can go for the basic look that you’re going for. On top of this, you can throw in other stuff to give it a sense of “you”. In my case, I love color. As a result, they’re coming into the equation in some form or another. I'm not limiting myself to just black and white. I can take a brown leather jacket, pair it with a tan shirt, brown jeans and brown converses and my look will still come across. You don't have to deny your own likes for what you're doing at the time.

It's all the items working together that makes it a complete look. Brown leather jacket works with tan basic tee, which goes with the brown studded belt, tan-lined jeans and cowboy boots.

 Accessories are very important when you do your "looks". They can make or break what you're doing, and bring it to the next level. With mine, you can't do greaser without studs.

Boots are key pieces too. I got these babies at Buckle. An absolutely fantastic place for boots.

Awesome jacket from Urban Outfitters. Whenever you get something, think about what sets it apart. These little nuances like epaulettes, double-buckle collar and exposed zippers distinguish it from the ordinary.

Heart & Sole.

Oh when it comes to shoes, I wouldn't say I'm quite shoe obsessed, though I do own quite a fairly large amount of them. I would usually buy them if they come along the way of shopping excursions and one just happens to catch my eye, but I've never actually set out to buy entirely just shoes.

Well that all changed today. One of my Fall's staple happens to be the lovely wedge..

love love love the pyramid stud wedge- arden b. 

Day after day (before today) I have been pouring out my undying adoration for this staple that needs to exist in my life- to anyone and everyone that would listen. (Sorry fam, friends and whoever else!) Mind you, I do have quite a few shoes, but since I have relocated to Texas, all of the rest of my fall shoes are locked up in a storage back east and I have yet to go back to retrieve them..

le sigh maurie and eve's wedge shoes- revolve clothing.

So here comes the lovely part, I found and bought my wedge shoes and could not stop buying shoes all day., for pretty much half of their retail price. Years ago, all I would purchase were flats, at the highest, a kitten heel, but platforms and wedges- crikey, I'm on a whole other level now, so to speak..

Furthermore, here are the new additions to my shoe family!
(Oh and quite sorry for the ehh photo quality..)

black suede, with zebra print. my favorite of them all.. (FRANCO SARTO)

black leather with suede on heel, how lovely. (R2)

studs, oh how I adore them so! (NINE WEST)

detail.

A better detailed photo is quite necessary for this, they are royal purple suede heels. (G BY GUESS)

side view.

black suede open toed black leather wedges with buckle. (DOLLHOUSE)

sequin open toed heels with a sling back. (STEVE MADDEN)

studded clogs, I've actually started adoring clogs all of a sudden..(MIA)

a nudish grey exposed zippers on both sides, open toed heels.(BCBG)

 Amazing deals were discovered and I am quite elated to have acquired these lovely doo dahs and I am quite happy to utilize toward my fall look this year which I will further detail much later!

-ashlee elle.

Depuis le Début

Hey everyone. We wanted to welcome you all to this blog that we hope will become a frequent staple for you. Just to give you some brief background information about ourselves, we are from from Houston, TX, we work as a merchandisers, but during our free time we manage our look(s), create clothes, take photos, and make videos all while still having the time to find great deals and great items.

In this blog we would like for all who inquire to know our views on clothing as a whole. I feel like it’s art, and we love art. Art should always say something and mean something, so if you’re wearing art what should it say? It should say who you are without you even having to open your mouth. Your personality should come through in what you wear, and if it doesn’t at all, well then that just may say something else entirely.

Clothes area reflection of oneself Maybe not a complete explanation, but a strong shade that says enough. If all goes well, perhaps this can be realized for others. Because one of the worst things that you can do in life, is fade into the background.

-Ashlee Elle and Ethan Alexander