As many of you know, I love New York. I had the opportunity to visit recently with a bestie and it was a whirlwind 48 hours in Times Square – Brooklyn. Continue reading
Category Archives: nyc
The basis of everything
When I stepped into the fashion world, I subscribed to thinking beauty was an idea that I had to look a certain way, weigh a certain number, and acceptance was woven into that thinking. Being loved was accepted on the outside, preferably with a boyfriend in tow. Continue reading
Fashion Movement-Transformation
Hello, fashionistas! Breezing by to share some recent looks with you on an exciting new collab. <details below> This post is designed to take you on a visual journey Continue reading
5 Ways to be Snug and Stylish
5 Ways to be Snug and Stylish
Wondering how to express your personal style when in actuality, you have become one with a blanket? Good news, it’s totally doable. Check out a few of our favorite ways to put on your coziest armor to brave the cold while being your fabulous fashionista self!
Layer It.
Wear fun tights under your fave ripped jeans! I know what you’re thinking, really… tights? Yes, yes, tights. Pair a fun color with a looser fitting jean you adore. I like wearing whitewashed, loose boyfriend jeans with a fun flavor tight, like leopard print. Hot pink or yellow would be fun too. For extra heat, I add socks under heeled booties and my feet are cozy and ready for airtime!
Personal Flair.
The cutest knit hat. These special earmuffs. Fingerless gloves. Add a special pop to make yourself stand out, in the warmest possible way.
Mens Flannel.
Cozy, simple, adaptable – what’s not to love? I discovered this shirt shopping for my brother and realized it was actually meant for me. Nothing against womens flannel, there’s something about the fit and cozy factor of menswear that just gets the job done. [Future boyfriend, you have been warned!]
Side note: In a perfect world, all clothes would be tailored just for us. Instead, we live on earth, where most of the time, we find our clothes by labels and sizing. What I love about fashion is the freedom and unique expression it ignites. Being put in a box by labels, norms, gender, expectations is not my idea of fun. Up for a challenge? Shop somewhere that you normally wouldn’t. Try the opposite side of the store just to see what it’s like! You might even find a better deal.
Fashion is like a snowflake-full of unique possibilities. Be the snowflake! Or as Moira Rose would say, ‘Be the snowball!’
Boot Legged.
Rock some over the knee boots. My personal fave is gray or black. optional: wedge heel. Style plus extra warmth. You can go for fitted or looser, firmer fabric-we’re a form of the latter.
Day + Evening Coat:
a. Day Coat: Peacoat or fitted bubble coat! Rock a classic peacoat or bubble coat that you love day to day. Check out our color recommendations from our last post if you aren’t sure on colors.
b. Evening Coat: You can absolutely turn your peacoat into a night on the town coat. It’s all about how you style it. However, if you are looking for a different night look, go for a color you don’t normally wear, longer length and one that still shows your gorgeous figure. Some of our faves were coats found at consignment, vintage or used clothing stores.
Have a fave wintery chic go to? We’d love to hear! Let us know @fashionstoppe and tag us in your post!
As always, thanks for breezing by, fashionistas!
Until next time,
xoxo FS
5 Glam Ideas for NYE in 5 Minutes
Need a last minute look for the midnight ball? Look no further than your own closet. Here are 5 ideas to blend your current go-to’s and barely-worns into a unique ensemble for NYE 2018!
Pair shades of gray: Or as we like to say, charcoal. Grab a solid minidress, add shimmery tights and a dangly necklace. Dress up a solid color with several dashes of glow! Try black combat boots and or a leather jacket to take your edge up a level.
Velvet: Been dying to bring out that velvet ensemble from the back of your closet? Now you can! What better time to wear a wintery look than on New Year’s Eve. Recommended: Jewel toned velvet paired with lighter jewelry to give you that pop.
Cute and Cuddly: Feeling more cozy-chic this year? Perfection. Throw on your fave go to jeans (the ones that make you do this) with a cashmere sweater. Preferably one with an open back, elbows, or cold shoulder. Add your fave ankle or high rise booties and you’re out the door (or ready by the fire!).
Strapless Mini + Oversize Jacket: Mix and match feminine and sexy with masculine and linear-a perfect yin and yang to kick off the new year. I love this combination because it connects with versatile moods and allows for diversity moment by moment throughout your night. Plus we know you have a cute mini feeling v neglected in your closet….
Black and Sexy: You can’t go wrong with an all black ensemble, especially with your dynamic spirit we know you have ready to celebrate 2018. Add extra pizzazz to your hair or rock that bold red lip color as accessories. Wear a lower neckline or pair with lighter necklaces/jewelry to bring color near your face. Wondering what colors work best with your skin tone? Go here for ideas.
What NOT to wear: Anything that doesn’t make you feel like your best self. Obvi, but true. Rock your NYE outfit, fashionistas! Tag me at @fashionstoppe – I can’t wait to see it!
Thanks for stopping by! Find me on the instas at @fashionstoppe and share what you wear-would love to check out your fab look! XOXO
<3 FashionStoppe
Why Fear is the Worst.com in Fashion and Life
When my photographer friend, Jason, said he was breezing through town and asked if I was free to meet up and shoot, I said oh em gee, YAS! On our shoot, Jason asked me Continue reading
Menswear with a Twist
Ciao, friends & fashionistas!
First of all, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!
Second of all, let’s talk fashion and the process. Continue reading
Fashion Faves
Hello, fashionistas! :]
Cheers to a new and fabulous year ahead. I hope you are feeling inspired and rejuvenated for an enlightening 2016. If not, I do hope you find some restoration soon – you deserve it!
To start off the year, I want to share with you some of my fave go to looks-some for winter, going out, and pieces that speak to my heart! I believe what and how you wear something affects who you are, how you feel, and where you are going, whether it’s a conversation with a friend or your personal journey. Sometimes it’s whimsical, others reflective, perhaps mournful, silly, experimental, loud, distracted or successful. Are these things you think about when you get dressed? Why do you wear what you wear? :]
I’ve been incorporating color into the looks-something that has taken me several years to transition! Black has been my go to for a long time. While I will always love a chic, timeless, or edgy black ensemble, I’m so glad I invited some color back in. 🙂
One thing I will add for us to dwell on as we enter 2016…you are Loved* no matter what! Also, you have a unique and beautiful purpose** now, before, and ahead. Something I wonder about personally day to day, (i.e. what is my purpose in life?!) but we can meditate on these versus as we adventure through life. If not, please enjoy, I hope you are inspired by the fashion. I would love to hear what inspires you!
*”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
**”For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
Photos from Dinah Pittman
xoxo Fashion Stoppe
A Brooklyn Style Snapshot
Hello, Fashionistas!
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of falling in love-with Brooklyn! The borough’s artsy vibes mixed with wonderfully edgy fashion gave a new meaning to inspiration. –> Fun fact, did you know that the original meaning of ‘inspiration’ comes from the Latin, ‘inspirare’, literally, ‘to breathe into’, and figuratively, ‘inspire, excite’*? (Thank you, Professor Seiger!) Meaning, what if every breathe we took came infused with energy, life, spirit, colors, vibrancy? The catwalk would probably explode with excitement. I would probably explode with excitement. It would be worth it.
Back to Brooklyn! The Borough of Inspiration. I regret that I did not truly capture everything, but I invite you to browse some of the photos below. If you live in Brooklyn, you will probably wonder, where are the chic skinny black pants, loose but perfectly draped charcoal, white shirts, combat boots whose destiny is somehow both stealth seduction yet seamless, city street navigation? Not to mention the edgy couples who share each others’ skinny jeans and color boards, whitewashed jeans and fitted jackets, multi color patterns, hats hinting at a story, energy escaping the fabric, poise and color like a Mary Poppins meets Oscar de la Renta street painting, lights and smoke, endless cropped tops and basketed bicycles. I assure you, they exist! True Confession on the missing photos: I was too shy to ask enough people to take their photo. I know!! The worst. I guarantee I stared at way too many people, hoping they would read my mind and strike a pose. It didn’t work. Sigh. Next time, I would ask 100 people. Until then, hope you enjoy! 🙂
Thank you, Brooklyn, for keeping it 100! Until we meet again.
-xoxo Fashion Stoppe
Brooklyn Vibes. Photo Cred: J P NYC
Brooklyn Graffiti
A trendster seen near Washington Square Park, Manhattan. Isn’t she beautiful?!
Seen in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Absolutely loved their street style! Also, they were the sweetest.
Apparently, I love Brooklyn graffiti.
Exploring in Brooklyn.
Totoro, totoro! Fashionistas living that knitted life.
with Love from Brooklyn! xoxo
Thank you for reading! Find what inspires you, and remember, you are fabulous!
Cheers darlings,
<3 Fashion Stoppe
Follow us on Insta & Twitter!
Insta: @fashionstoppe
Twitter: @fashionstoppe
*Regarding ‘inspiration’: My college voice teacher, Professor Seiger, shared the meaning with me! Here is a link with the skinny on inspiration 🙂
Notes: First and last photo cred: J P NYC. Others are original.
Justin LeBlanc
This evening I had the pleasure of meeting fashion designer Justin LeBlanc at the “Justin, Dior, and I” lecture + screening in the Cary Theatre.
You may know LeBlanc from Project Runway Season 4 as a contestant, or Season 12 as a finalist. Maybe you recognize his innovative, mesmerizing fashion that uses unique materials and 3D printing. Perhaps you take classes from him at NC State’s College of Design! At the age of 29, LeBlanc is talent and creative movement on the rise-and fortunately for NC, he likes collaborating with local talent (Spoonflower of Durham, Matt Tomasulo’s Raleigh City Fabric, to name a few).
At this event, LeBlanc gave an informative session about the history of haute couture and House of Dior and shared a little about who he is as a designer and his experience in the fashion industry. Being born deaf, his worldview differs from the average person, creating a “new, altered perception of space and time” as well as heightening the creative vision we experience. Learning about the history of the House of Dior was simply fascinating in both the pre screening lecture and “Dior and I” showing (check out this trailer). LeBlanc’s down to earth, lighthearted nature paired with striking, innovative fashion makes him an easy icon to gravitate towards.
A few things you may not know about Justin LeBlanc:
The designer’s favorite thing about fashion is it’s a “form of self expression”. As a designer, it’s important that he stays true to himself and his vision; one of the biggest challenges in the industry is feeling pulled in different directions.
- He is a big supporter of education-it can help you get to the next step of your journey. Never stop learning.
- He lived in NYC for two summers and said that was enough.
- He decided to switch to fashion two weeks before his graduation.
- The first thing he sold was a tote bag from his website.
If you’d like to stay up to date with LeBlanc’s latest fashion moves, check him out here and on the gram.
Have a fave fashion designer or artist? We’d love to meet them. Connect with us here, the gram or twitter!
As always, until next time, Fashionistas!
-Fashion Stoppe