As you know, I’ve been a huge fan of different denim styles lately (yes please to flares and mom jeans), and these cropped flares are no exception. Is it just me, or do they kind of remind you of the capris you wore back in high school?
Cropped Flares
This pair of cropped flares is from Topshop – one of my favorite affordable denim brands! – and under $70 (10% off if you’re a student!!). Who says trendy denim has to be expensive? I love the higher rise on these pants and the wash is appropriate for office casual Fridays. Just be careful not to eat too much when wearing high-waisted jeans : ).
I’m planning on styling these jeans with flowy blouses, bodysuits, and crop tops all summer long. I also love how cropped denim looks with heeled booties and flat sandals – they’re surprisingly versatile.
Here I paired my cropped flares with a peasant top in my favor color of the moment, yellow! This Free People blouse might be one of my favorite items in my closet at the moment – I love the subtle embroidery and tassels. I’ve also been wearing these Steve Madden sandals with everything – the heel is surprisingly comfortable and the nude color matches every outfit.
If the words “one piece swimsuit” make you think of your childhood Speedo swim lesson suits, think again. One piece suits have been trending for several seasons now and they’re here to stay. Despite what you might think about one pieces, they really can suit everyone and flatter every body shape!
Not Your Mama’s One Piece Swimsuit
I used to think one pieces were unflattering and not cute, at all. But these days there are so many options available, it’s almost impossible not to find one you love. Whether you’re looking to show off your body or find something more conservative, there’s something for everyone.
With that being said, I truly believe that there is no such thing as the “perfect bikini body” (I’ll save the my self-acceptance and self-love speech for another post). BUT, I think most of us have struggled with our bodies at some point and worried about how we look in a swimsuit – I know I have. I think we could all use a reminder on the importance of learning to love your body and accepting your “flaws” (which in reality are not flaws at all, but what make you unique : )).
If you’re still a little nervous about picking out the right suit, keep these tips in mind when you’re shopping for a one piece swimsuit:
Strategically placed cutouts.
These are one your best friend when choosing a one piece suit. They can enhance or give the illusion of curves. You’ll find that most one pieces have some sort of cutout – this keeps them from giving you the dreaded swim team suit effect : ).
Get cheeky.
Cheeky bottoms are perfect for smaller gals like myself. If you choose to go with a skimpier bottom, make sure you’re comfortable so you aren’t tugging at your suit the whole day. Keep in mind that you will most likely be moving around quite a bit in your suit, so constantly adjusting your backside will get old, fast.
To give the illusion of longer legs (who doesn’t want that?) – pick a higher cut at the sides. This is perfect for shorter girls.
Anything but basic.
Patterns and prints are extremely flattering on athletic or straight and narrow body types – ruching, ruffles, anything that adds to a suit can work on less curvy gals. And if you are blessed with curves, don’t shy away from colors and print! They can work on everyone.
Leave something to the imagination.
My general rule of thumb is to show off one body part at a time. If your suit has an extreme plunging front, try to keep the back covered and the cutouts to a minimum. If you’re going with a cheekier backside, go with a higher neckline.
Comfort is key.
Personally, I like to move around, so I make sure to stick with suits that I’m not constantly worried will fall off or come undone. As I said before, if you’re constantly fidgeting with or adjusting your swimsuit, you’ll be uncomfortable and won’t be able to enjoy yourself – and isn’t that the whole point of a beach day or pool party?
Bonus: wear your one piece swimsuit as a bodysuit with your favorite denim cut-offs for an easy summer outfit that transitions on and off the beach.
I’ve rounded up my favorite one piece suits below (seriously want them alllll).
I’ll be talking about figure flattering swimsuits, how to get ready for the beach, and all things swim related all summer long. Let me know if there’s anything in particular you’d like me to talk about : ).
Hi loves! Happy Hump Day andddd first day of June! I took a little break from posting last week, but I promise many more posts to come in June! Coming back to work after the long weekend was definitely a bit of a wake up call. But I’m ready to get back into a routine. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (is anyone else loving Snapchat?! Add me: @amylzhang), you saw that I attended a seriously beautiful wedding in Malibu this past weekend. Normally I freak out over what to wear to a wedding, but thankfully Rent the Runway helped me get dressed for this occasion!
Rent the Runway Review
For those of you that aren’t familiar with Rent the Runway, it’s a rental service for designer dresses, clothing, and accessories. I first learned about Rent the Runway in college when it was introduced on my campus as an option for getting dressed for the many sorority events and parties we had. Basically, you’re able to rent designer pieces for a fraction of their retail price. You can choose the size you want, the date you want your item delivered, and the length of your delivery. You can even order a backup size for free (in case you’re unsure about sizing) or a second dress for a discounted rate.
Regardless of your age or style, there’s a dress for you! It comes straight to your doorstep and is packaged so you can easily ship it back when you’re done. You don’t even need to dry clean it. I swear Rent the Runway does everything to make your experience as smooth as possible – seriously easy peasy.
Rent the Runway Rules + Tips:
Whatever events or parties you have, no need to worry about minor wear and tear! Dry cleaning is covered.
You’re able to see reviews from real girls that rented and wore the dresses – they provide photos, fit details, personal size information and the size worn for the particular dress.
Returns are insanely easy – just place your dress/accessories back in the package it came in, use the pre-paid return label, zip up with a security tag, and send back! Your order is subject to late fees if you do not send back in time.
Certain times of years are very busy for RTR – be sure to book dresses in advance for the holidays and NYE!
There’s also a RTR unlimited option – you get unlimited clothing and accessory rentals every month for $139/month.
Designers on Rent the Runway range from affordable (items I would buy for myself) to designer (high end pieces I would only ever wear once that I get to rent for a fraction of the price!).
A couple brands I love: Cinq a Sept, Bec & Bridge, Elizabeth + James, Free People, Tibi, Lovers and Friends, The Kooples, Tularosa, Vera Wang,
Dress rentals are typically between $30-$150, with high end dresses costing upwards of $200+ for a 4 day rental.
Personally, I love the concept.
Instead of buying a dress and wearing it once, you can rent something fabulous and send it back hassle free. Making sure to follow the rules I talked about in this post, I picked two dresses for the weekend: this gorgeous Matthew Williamson printed maxi for the actual wedding ceremony and reception, and this printed Mara Hoffman maxi dress I’ve had my eye on for a couple of months (it’s actually still available online to buy here – after wearing over the weekend, I’m highly considering buying it to have in my closet to keep!).
Photos shot at the Westlake Village Inn – where my girl JoJo stayed during this season of The Bachelorette ; ). If you have anyyy questions about the process of renting from Rent the Runway whatsoever leave a comment below.
xx, Amy
dresses: c/o rent the runway (mara hoffman dress available here or here)
Happy Friday, everyone! I’m back home in Minnesota for the weekend and looking forward to spending time with my family. Living halfway across the country from them is tough and there’s nothing better than a visit home for quality time with them. Going home also typically means dressing down and comfortably – I like to stick to basic outfits. Think: lots of denim. I especially love affordable denim and have rounded up my favorite brands that I love to shop!
Great denim pieces should be in every girl’s wardrobe. I’ve found that like leather, denim only gets better with age. I keep my jeans for years until they become perfectly soft and worn in all the right places. Unfortunately, designer denim can often run upwards of $200 (sometimes even more!). I love Frame and Rag & Bone for denim, but when eyeing trendier cuts and silhouettes, I try to find more affordable options. Over the years, I’ve come to stick with 4 brands that I consistently turn to for on-trend yet high quality denim around or under $100.
I’m wearing girlfriend jeans from Urban Outfitters in the photos above. I love the look of vintage Levi’s and have had my eyes on a high-waisted pair from Re/done for over a year, but they’re always sold out of my size and carry a hefty price tag. Urban Outfitter’s BDG brand offers a wide range of jeans and shorts that are usually around $60. I like their Urban Renewal brand as well for repurposed denim (wearing a denim skirt from them here).
I discovered Blank NYC in college and continue to stand by the brand today. Blank has a great selection of distressed jeans that fit like designer pairs at a fraction of the price. In addition to denim, they also have a fantastic collection of tops, sweaters, and jackets. I have several of their vegan leather jackets and shorts in my closet – clearly, I’m a fan.
Looking for a particular style of denim in a specific wash? Chances are, Topshop will have what you’re looking for. Topshop carries every denim silhouette you can think of in various washes and levels of distressing. Bonus points because they offer short, regular, and long inseams! There really is something for everyone.
Major retro denim vibes with everyone’s favorite boho brand. Many of their pieces are surprisingly affordable – my fave, the denim super flare is under $100 and instantly adds a 70’s feel to any outfit. I’m a huge fan of their cut offs as well.
There you have it – my favorite affordable yet quality denim brands. Check them out, and let me know what you think! If you’re looking for more affordable items, check out my favorite affordable shoe brands.
Do you have any favorite denim brands? A girl can never have too many pairs of jeans.
Wedding season is fast approaching, and it’s got me thinking about what to wear (naturally). I’ve realized that it’s a bit of a tricky situation for most women. You likely don’t want to buy a dress for just that one occasion. Personally, Ihate the thought of buying a dress (or anything for that matter) and only putting it to use once. What a waste! And let’s be real, weddings can get expensive, fast. The last thing you want to do is blow a ton of cash on a long, formal dress that you’ll wear once.
It’s important to shop smart when choosing what to wear to a wedding. While I generally believe that rules are made to be broken when deciding what to wear, weddings are an exception. There are a few rules that are meant to be followed…
Best Dressed Guest Rules
1. Do not wear white.
This really should be a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many people inadvertently show up to weddings in ivory or cream dresses. Unless the bride says it’s okay for guests to wear white, I repeat, do not do it! A little white is okay, as long as it is not the primary color of your outfit. If you’re unsure of the shade of your dress, don’t even take the chance. If you gotta ask, it’s better left at home. There should only be one white dress in the room, and it shouldn’t be on you!
2. Pay attention to the dress code.
Look for details on the wedding invitation – the recommended dress code will usually be next to the venue. This can range from more casual attire all the way to black tie – just make sure your outfit fits the venue. For a less formal wedding where cocktail attire is appropriate, I love the idea of wearing a jumpsuit. If it’s black tie, feel free to experiment with colors or prints. In general, I think it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed at a wedding, but if you’re really unsure of the dress code, ask the bride.
3. Cover up.
Ok, so maybe not completely, but this is not the time to bust out your skintight, bodycon minidress. It’s someone else’s big day and you really should not be stealing the spotlight. This doesn’t mean you have to come in a caftan, but you probably should leave some things to the imagination.
Easy enough, right? Now, where to go for dresses…
If you’re looking to:
Save:
Spend
Splurge
Are you attending any weddings this summer? If so, what are you planning to wear?
