PRINTS CHARMING: BLOOM BOOM

Whether you’re a uniform kinda gal or a style chameleon, prints can be real daunting. Thus, it comes as no surprise that their colorfully loud presence can seem – at first – overwhelming. But, we simply can’t deny the fact that floral & tropical patterns are (basically) the only way to declare that we are embracing the sunny season.  Therefore, in order to incorporate bloomy prints in our wardrobe like a legit lady, let’s take cues from discreet Caroline Issa and flamboyant Susie Bubble. These ladies have one thing in common: they will show you how to add a fresh edge to your outfit, while still setting a ladylike standard – major props.

In order to decode the best street style moments – including one or multiple flowery prints, we must keep in mind that some of us have a normal morning commute. So, here are some sartorial options for gals who don’t have a chauffeur (yet): polish a profesh look with a flirty tropical print tote or girly up your street wear with a feminine yet cool floral flat form sandal. That being clarified, we still plan on flaunting our prettiest looks with the confidence of a high-profile magazine editor or an awfully influential blogger. Ladies, start peeling off those layers and don’t forget to enhance your ankles and wrists with flowered accoutrements.

MAD ABOUT HUE: ROSE GOLD

We’re wearing rose-tinted glasses (and everything looks amazing!)

It’s the name of the flower with the sweetest scent, the colour of ballet slippers, and our current obsession. And we’re not the only ones: the fashion world en masse has fallen in love with this hue. It’s been making appearances on the runways (at BCBG Max Azria andChloé for example) and in so much good street style (like right here, here, here and here) that it’s gone from feeling oh-so-girly to ever-so-modern. A pretty neat trick, if you ask us. Was it all those amazing pink coats we saw during the last few fashion weeks? Was it the fact that rose gold jewelry is having a definite moment? Probably! But whatever the reason, we’re definitely inspired. The plan? Get as much of this pretty pink hue into our spring and summer looks as possible. Pink and light denim is a winning combination (add a Breton-striped shirt in there for a clean, cool French-girl vibe) or play around with contrast and pair a soft, light pink with something tough and dark, like a moto jacket. We’ll definitely be playing to pink’s ethereality by pairing it with whites, creams, and light greys for a current yet romantic feel. But the made-in-heaven pairing we’re most excited about? Pink and gold! Equal parts hard and soft, sweet and tough. Just like the flower: beautiful and delicate with remarkable strength.

SIDE BY SIDE: FANCY SLIDES

Slip into something more comfortable this summer. Every girl with a bursting iCal knows that, come summer, style with minimal effort is a must. Last-minute invite to a date in the park? Dashing out to meet a friend for froyo? Spontaneous after-work patio sesh? Having the perfect chic-yet-comfortable shoes you can slip into on your way out the door is key. A pair of jewelled slide-on flats combines the ease of your flip-flops with the runway appeal of Miu Miu. It’s a total win-win.

The open-toe BRODKIN slides add instant polish to the even most casual-cool of ensembles, like a vibrant pair of cropped blue pants and a sheer white blouse. The crystal details carry your look from meeting with a client to brunch with your bestie and everywhere in between. If you’re going for a more sophisticated look, these sparklers have all the worldly nonchalance of the all-over neutral look seen this season at Hermès, Céline and Dior. And with just the right amount of embellishment, they add plenty of personality without overwhelming your outfit.

CARRY ON: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

The boho look is such a style staple that it’s hard to imagine a time before it existed: what did carefree girls who looked amazing in garlands and bell bottoms – who loved to dance with their arms outstretched and tumble to the ground laughing – wear if not a pair of octagonal sunglasses, an armload of bracelets, and a cross body bag? Seriously.

Luckily, modern girls like us will never have to experience that dark age of fashion. Just the opposite, given how much we’re seeing this trend on the runway. Luckily, going boho is as easy as grabbing the right accessories.

We like keeping things groovy with peace earrings, a hand full of rings, gold and beaded bracelets and flatform sandals that pull all those elements together with a cork foot bed and woven detailing. Finish it all off with the piece de resistance: an off-white leather wristlet with a fringe that’ll  sway when you shimmy.

Now all that’s left to do: grab some friends, some libations and a guitar, and head to your nearest green space, where you can sing and dance, and do it all in style, to your hearts content.

CARRY ON: GET READY FOR THE GOVERNORS BALL

Clap your hands and say yeah because music festival season is in full swing, with New York’s Governors Ball happening June 5 to 7 on Randall’s Island. This fest consistently has one of the best line-ups around and 2015 is no exception. Headliners include Drake and Deadmau5—two of the 6’s finest exports—alongside the likes of The Black Keys, Lana Del Rey and Icelandic icon Björk. Keep an eye out for festival-loving celebs like Kate Bosworth, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, who (fingers crossed) will bring along her new bestie Taylor Swift.

With three action-packed days ahead of you, being prepared is a must. The organisers of the festival have you covered on the sustenance front (have you seen their list of food vendors?!), but you’ll want to plan your outfits and pack your bag ahead of time so you can focus on having fun. For the ultimate style-meets-function festival look, go low-maintenance in a pair of denim cut-offs and a T-shirt and customize with accessories. Afringed bag instantly channels spring’s 1970s rocker trend, while glittery espadrille sandals are ideal for daylong wear and night-time dancing. Top it all off with somecolourful jewellery, a pair of sunnies and, most importantly, a water bottle to stay hydrated.

FINAL TOUCH: FLAUNT YOUR FREE SPIRIT

Planning on dancing up a storm this weekend at Bonnaroo? Leave your basic flip-flops at home and groove to the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Mumford & Sons and Florence + the Machine in a studded ankle-strap espadrille that’ll make grounding your music festival looks both comfortable and chic.

Donning haute hippie style during festival season is a given, but as any true bohemian knows, it’s the unexpected touches that make carefree dressing so fab. Like a wanderlust lover who won’t be tied down, boho babes break the rules by mixing diverse trends together to make them their own. Fashion-wise, it’s all about flying in the face of conformity for a no-holds-barred style that says, “notice me” and “nonchalant” in the same breath. Case in point: pairing rock star studs with a rustic roped sole? Now that’s offbeat in the best kind of way.

To complete the look, think of yourself as a canvas and create a collage that expresses what makes you unique with your clothes. Choose your own sartorial adventure—we love an artsy mash-up of tie-dye and ethnic prints—and follow the music to Tennessee like a modern-day flower child.

RINGS AND THING: FESTIVAL FANNY

Get Glam For Glastonbury. It might be the UK’s answer to Coachella, but Glastonbury style has a vibe all of its own.

Perhaps it never rains in California, the famed home of Coachella, but it almost always pours at Glastonbury – and that’s all part of the fun, and of course the style. Come clear skies or torrential thunderstorms, some of the UK’s most iconic fashionistas annually head out to the famous five-day festival in Somerset, where packing a pair of rubber rain boots is not only practical but the perfect accessory to wear with cut-offs or a denim mini. From Kate Moss’ fringe boots, fur raps, and smoking dresses to Alexa Chung’s dungarees, floppy-brimmed fedoras, and sheer kimonos, some of the world’s biggest fashion crazes take off at the UK’s most anticipated music festival, and the 2015 installation – featuring Florence + the Machine, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Mark Ronson, Deadmau5, The Chemical Brothers, to name a few – will be no different. Expect to see next-wave trendsetters like Cara Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse, Rita Ora, and Emma Watson setting the world stage ablaze with their avant-garde outdoor style, from Cara’s killer bomber jackets of Glastonbury festivals past to Rita’s always on-point sunnies and headpieces.

To get your own signature Glastonbury look, be sure to pack sandals for the sunshine too, beginning with a pair of summer 2015’s most cutting-edge sandal, the gladiator. Whether you’re sporting skinnies, short-shorts, or a barely-there belted shirt-dress, make your look festival-ready by sporting a wrist full of brightly-coloured beaded and vintage-style bracelets.  Put the “glam” in glamping by donning a ring on every finger – an eclectic mix of oversized stones, antique-inspired stunners, golden-hued statement pieces. Top off the look by accessorizing with a boho multi-tone fanny pack featuring tassles and metallic medallions – the perfect place to keep your sunnies, SPF, wallet, and water bottle – worn wrapped around your wrist.

FINAL TOUCH: EASY DOES IT

Mornings are precious. Sleeping in just that extra 5 minutes can totally make a difference in the beauty game. However, it does take some serious skills to achieve a skincare routine, get dressed & prepare an acai bowl all under an hour. Truth be told, while some mornings are executed flawlessly, others can be a little harder to manage. For the (few) mornings that feel like you’re in an episode of “The Amazing Race”, the putting together of outfits can seem like an impossible task to overcome. Let’s not kid ourselves, there’s no way we are ever waking up before the sun to try different outfit options. And, here’s where the T-strap sandal comes in.

You know this moment too well: you declare that you have nothing to wear & your S.O. casually walks out of the room. It’s no secret that we’ve all been there. But, only a few items have the power to come to the rescue in such morning-shattering dilemmas. For instance, a colorful summer dress is an instant mood lifter that requires little to no time putting on – score. To follow in the same time-saving vein, adding a fancy pair of flat sandals to the mix is the ideal way to complement the statement piece – double score. From the 9am meeting to the birthday lunch with colleagues, you’ll never run out of places to go with these glitzy steppers. We promise.

SHOUT OUT: PRIDE WORLDWIDE

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of same-sex marriage in all 50 states. The first Pride March was 45 years ago: That very first event commemorating the Stonewall riots made a huge statement just by being gay in public. Since then, Pride celebrations have popped up from Istanbul to Greenland to Uganda. Some of our favourite festivals have already taken place this year (like Sao Paulo, Los Angeles and Boston) but there’s lots of awesome events to partake in this summer.  Here are our top 5 picks to celebrate pride:

NEW YORK CITY
The original! The March takes places on June 28th, but events including The Rally, Family Night and lots of parties, take place all week.

TORONTO
Pride Toronto is a whopping 10 days long, and one of the biggest in the world. Besides the parade you’ll want to catch John Waters talk, and Montreal performer Mado do her thing.

SAN FRANCISCO
Celebrate diversity in a city with deep-rooted LGBT community. With 23 stages and lots of scantily clad folks…because public nudity is still legal during festivals 

BERLIN
Christopher Street Day in Berlin features a week’s worth of eclectic programming and a very well-attended parade. Prost!

AMSTERDAM
Get set for street parties, club circuit parties, party-parties: it’s all there in Amsterdam. This year’s parade takes place along the canal in late July.

FINAL TOUCH: BLAMMO, BLUCHERS

Broken-in jeans have a new best friend.

An effortless wardrobe that requires little to no forethought. That’s the dream, isn’t it? Grab and go. Alas, not always practical. When you have a serious work thing, a wedding, a hot date, let’s be real––you’re going to be spending a little extra time getting ready, and getting that look just right. But for normal, quote unquote, life, who wants to agonize, or give excessive consideration, to what clothes they’re going to wear?

That’s why we have broken-in jeans, and jean jackets. A few comfortable, favorite tees. A sweater, or hoodie to throw on at a moment’s notice. These wardrobe workhorses look good, make us feel good, and just get it done. We’re willing to bet you’ve got one pair of jeans that you wear a lot more than any other. So, with that, allow us to suggest an appropriate boot.

It’s a rugged little riff on a Derby, or a Blucher, as some prefer to call it. In dark brown, this leather number doesn’t look too shabby with those jeans you can’t bear to part with. It’s wool-lined, for warmth and comfort, and the rubber sole and cemented bottom means they can stomp around with the best of ‘em. There’s no quit in these boots. Just like those jeans you always reach for.

FINAL TOUCH: PATCHWORK PATROL

Let’s face it: perfect style isn’t as easy when you can’t just throw on a jumpsuit and a pair of sandals and call it a day. As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, you’re probably finding that one extra layer isn’t enough. Now it’s a long sleeved shirt, now it’s a sweater, now it’s a jacket. We feel you. But there IS a bright side to all this less-than-sunny weather. Do we need to spell it out for you? Okay…here it is: B-O-O-T-S. Your failsafe-wear-everyday-anywhere-casual-outfit-statement-maker-and-winter-style-saver. The right pair of boots will bring heat to any outfit (not to mention remind you what you love about your legs) and pulling them off is as easy as pulling them on.

Our current obsession is a pair of seventies-inspired tall boots with a lush, sophisticated look and dark patchwork details. Easily incorporated into a casual look for day and equally as easy to dress up at night. Throw them on with an LBD for an event, or wear them like we do: all day everyday. We like the idea of pairing them with a denim button-up skirt and a turtleneck for casually elegant daytime appeal. Pay homage to your favorite decade while still looking ultra modern? Don’t mind if we do, thanks.

INSPIRED BY SEASONS: MEET OLU ALEGE

A co-founder of Street Level Culture, a fashion creative agency with its thumb in all of the pies, New Yorker Olu Alege was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx. As such, he’s witnessed New York utterly transform in the last couple of decades (as he points out, they used to call it the meatpacking district for a reason). One thing that’s remained totally consistent is Olu’s love of nature. You can see it right away because he’s a down to earth guy, and he’s able to have fun and enjoy himself without pretentions. He’s also a particularly dapper gent; a fine example of what happens when style and smarts intersect.

You’ve lived in New York for twenty-five years. What continues to inspire you about the city?
Street culture is so big for me. Like every five years there’s something new. I’ve seen so many subcultures and that just inspires me so much. The people, the clothes, my surroundings. I guess I’m just inspired by what I’m around and that’s why I feel like I always have to continue to travel. New people, new cultures, new food. I love meeting people from all over.

Where would you live if you weren’t in New York?
I would go to London and have that Euro experience, because everything there is so close to each other. I just came back from New Orleans and it was so chill. I thought it was going to be a slow city, but everybody was doing stuff.

What characteristics do you need in a city to call it home?
I think I need to be around nature and people; good energy, you know?

You’re particularly inspired by nature. How do you express that in your day-to-day?
I used to always go to the botanical garden, I still do. There’s these parks all over the city that people don’t go to. There’s Fort Tryon Park all the way uptown near the George Washington Bridge. I go to Madison Square Park a lot, I like to go upstate to Storm King, that’s a dope spot. I’m always hanging out in the park for hours, especially when I have long days or rough days. I just need to be around grass and trees and wind and water.

Does your appreciation for nature inform your aesthetics?
Everyday. I love earth tone colors, the colors of nature and trees and grass. Nature is a hundred percent always on my mind, because I love color and I love things from the world, things from the earth.

You are very into following your ambition. Can you tell us a bit about that?
I think we live in this Do-It-Yourself culture. I went to school for accounting but I followed my heart and found what I love. So to everyone out there, follow your heart, and if you feel like you want to do something, don’t be afraid. Even though millions of other people do it, you have your own voice. Everyone is unique in their own way.

FINAL TOUCH: BOARDROOM BALLER

Dare to flip your wardrobe on its head.

One thing. Just one small thing. A pivotal wardrobe element–a sartorial focal point if you will–to wrap it all up. These are the crucial articles that add flourish and elan, and charge your sense of style with unassuming, but impactful, little touches. You need them. Everybody does, frankly. A watch, sunglasses, a cool bag, a belt, a t-shirt even. Or, if we may, a pair of sneakers.

Here’s a bold observation: sneakers have become standard-issue in today’s youthful workplace culture. Right? Yes. Weekend and casual wear has commingled with boardroom wear. Do you know anyone under the age of 40 who wears a suit and tie to work? Unlikely. Dynamic bosses, ICYMI, rock high tops now. They don’t think twice about blending a jacket and an untucked, button-down shirt with skinny jeans and “unconventional” footwear. Because it’s not unconventional anymore to, pardon the awkward idiom, be all business on top and party on the bottom.

So do that thing. Liven up your shoe game with stylish, two-toned black high tops.Sharpen the look with a blazer, or a cardigan perhaps, a smart dress shirt, and narrow, fitted trousers. Cuff it, you’re done. And just like that, welcome to the new normal.

MEET THE CAST: IRENE KIM – IRL

Leave it to social media sensation, Irene Kim, to inspire your color game this fall. She took a few of our most colorful accessories to the street and we couldn’t be more obsessed with the color combos she came up with. We’re talking serious street-style skills. Have a look at her snaps below, and start making place in your closets for some much needed crayola fun. Learn more about the collection and our campaign model, here.

FINAL TOUCH: TOP NOTCH HIGH TOPS

A new season is upon us. Here’s how to own it.

As summer gives way to fall, some wardrobe decisions have to be made. The new season demands more, and newer layers, as you not only gird yourself for crisp autumn weather but reassert your sense of style, adopt a different look, perhaps, and hatch a sartorial plan for the inevitable social engagements to come. Time, then, to take stock of what you have, and what you need, to tackle whatever the season can possibly throw at you.

Events will still lure you out of doors from time to time–a patio brunch date here, a backyard cookout there–but with shorter days and fresher air you most certainly want your layer game on point. A thin, sharp jacket, worn on top of long, fitted tees, and, if necessary, thin sweaters and pullovers, is just a common sense, slam dunk move. Remove, add on, as you see fit, and as temps rise or fall. Natch.

Pants-wise, fall calls for the cuffed skinny trousers look, obviously. Why obviously? Because high tops are on trend, and perfect for the season. Black high tops, with a round toe and classic pull tab, need to be properly shown off with a neutral-colored pair of trousers or denims. Hence the fashionable cuffs. Put it all together and this is how you kick-start that fall wardrobe and seamlessly glide from one season to the next.