Outfit Of The Day (DailyBuzz Style 9x9 Challenge: Neon + Neutrals)

 ♫: When I'm Small - Phantogram

I was super excited to be selected for DailyBuzz Style's 9x9 Challenge this month because it is all about one of my favorite spring trends: neons and neutrals.

It has been all over the runways for the past few seasons:

{l to r: christian siriano SS2012, michael kors R2012, tibi SS2012 - via style.com}

And has now been popping up left and right in magazines, fashion blogs, and retail stores aplenty.

What I like most about this trend is how easy it is to do. Sure, all my fellow Children Of The Early 90's are probably thinking, "Kelly Kapowski 101, bitch please--I still have all my slap bracelets!" (and if that isn't what you're thinking, well...I'm at a total loss) but while this trend might be a little influenced by what we saw nearly 20 years ago, like any good fashion trend it is now reinventing itself into something a bit more fresh and sophisticated. It is also easier to wear this time around, with no bejeweled t-shirt clips or LA Looks for your crunchy permed hair required.

Yes yes, I said it: it is easier to wear. Neon colors are blindingly bright and therefore can be pretty darn daunting to bedeck in large doses, but that's where the neutrals come in. The main trick is to mix the neon color with enough neutrals hues to subdue it to your own personal comfort (and taste) level; this helps keep the overall look chic, sophisticated, and hopefully tame. Try pairing neon greens with camels; neon pinks with taupes and grays; neon blue with corals or rusty reds, neon purples with mustardy or pale yellows, and neon yellows with navy and dusty olive greens.

The easiest way to work this trend is with accessories. If you usually reach for a brown or black belt to wear with your outfits, try swapping it with a neon belt instead. Try pairing sleek spring sheaths with a bold pair of pumps, and be on the lookout for cheap neon-hued jewelry at places like H&M, Forever 21, ALDO Accessories, and other 'discount' retailers. They have lots to choose from at the moment (especially in store), and you will get just enough wear out of those items to not feel too guilty for when the trend inevitably dies out or moves on.

Want even more tips and ideas on how to rock this trend? Head over to See Chloe Shop for a special 'Trend Watch' post dedicated to this very topic, too.

This is how I'm wearing neons and neutrals at the moment--how about you? ❤

(I am still missin' my DSLR, blargh.)

 Top: J Crew Talitha Blouse in "Vintage Berry" (buy it here) (similar here) (similar here, on sale) (similar at F21)

Belt: Forever 21, old (similar at F21 here) (similar here) (similar here) (similar here)

Skirt: Forever 21 (similar here) (& a pleated option here)

Ring: Banana Republic Tigers Eye Ring, old (similar at Ann Taylor)

Watch: Michael Kors Blaire Watch in Espresso (buy it here) (similar by Fossil)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Greissimo Nude Pumps, old (similar here) (similar at Ann Taylor) (similar by Louboutin)

Bag:Hayden-Harnett for Target (similar here) (similar here) (similar by Rebecca Minkoff)

Nail polish: Essie Mamba (buy it here)

Lip color to match the nails: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Belle Du Jour (buy it here)

Outfits Of Some Days (A Color Combustion)

The weather here in Colorado is beginning to cool off, with warm sunny days now quickly fading into crisp nights and the threat of fall (and then winter) lingering in the air. Ohhh god damnit, ew.

I often get asked to list what I think are closet "must-haves".  While I generally try to avoid this, since most of my "must-haves" will be completely inane for the majority of the world (I don't work in an office, I don't have kids, I talk to my chihuahuas as if they are little humans, and I'm totally cool with falling on my ass while wearing heels in the middle of Red Robin) (umtruestory), there are two key items that I think would work for any wardrobe especially this fall and winter: bright pumps and leopard print.

The fashion world declared leopard print a "classic" last year, and while I'm still a little hesitant to make such a bold statement myself, man do I love leopard. It's so versatile (it matches black!  it matches brown!) and adds a bit of feistiness to any outfit.  If I'm feeling saucy, I rock a leopard print dress or leopard print cardigan. And if I'm feeling mild, a skinny leopard print belt, pair of shoes, or spotty handbag can still give any outfit some texture without being too cheap-polyester-clad-lady-of-the-night-ish.  We prefer silk-clad-lady-of-the-night-ish in this house, thanks.

Bright pumps, in my opinion, are another must. We went through a bit of a lazy period over the past few years in footwear, with everyone embracing nude pumps due to their magical "leg-lengthening" powers, and don't get me wrong--as someone with freakishly short legs, I definitely enjoy a good nude heel. 

But enough is enough! Bright pumps are really fun to wear and look great paired with anything from neutrals (think camels, blushes, and even black) to equally-bright outfits. 

And now leopard + bright pumps, two different ways:

Blouse: Urban Outfitters (similar style here for under $100) (and here at Madewell) (and here by DVF, on sale!)
Skirt: Forever 21 (buy it here) (similar style here for $17) (similar style here + take 25% off with code "SAVE25", pin "1231")
Pumps: J Crew Valentina Pumps (buy them here) (similar style here, on sale + under $100!) (similar style here for under $100) (and here for $50)
Bag: ASOS Slot Through Porfolio Clutch (buy it here!) (similar style here) (and by the lovely Rebecca Minkoff here)
Bracelet: Gorjana (buy it here)
Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Coco in Peregrina - Limited Edition (buy it here)

Sweater: Forever 21 (buy it here) (similar style in a cardigan here) (and here in a dress at LOFT!)
Shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar style here) (and here for under $100) (and here for $60)
Pumps: J Crew Valentina Pumps (buy them here) (similar style here, on sale + under $100!) (similar style here for under $100) (and here for $50)

Bag: ASOS Slot Through Porfolio Clutch (buy it here!) (similar style here) (and by the lovely Rebecca Minkoff here)