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H&M jacket, TJ Maxx top, Gap leggings, Cole Haan (from Nordstrom Rack) boots
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Alexis Bittar ring (from Nordstrom Rack) (left), ring from random boutique (middle), Vintage necklace
Sometimes black and white is just so easy, and with unexpected items can still be very interesting. I found this top at TJ Maxx earlier this summer and loved that it looks so much more expensive than the $16 it cost, plus it's extremely versatile. Here I have it hanging loose over a pair of leggings that have a tuxedo stripe down the side, and layered under a sheer baseball jacket. I finished off the look with mid-calf black leather boots to give the outfit some edge, but counteracted that with some feminine, sparkly jewelry. I focused more on rings than a necklace because with the collar and the baseball jacket that has a smaller circular neck, there's already a lot going on in that area.
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Image via: TheCut.com
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the biggest art fan. I like my share of certain types of modern art, I love street art and I'm a fan of photography, but when it comes to fancy art museums and analyzing a brush stroke or a color choice, I'm pretty lost. Nor do I care so much. But when it comes to fashion in art, I can easily get on board. The Cut put up a slideshow with images from a book about fashion illustration, and I excitedly clicked through and it got me to thinking. I love the internet for bringing creative people to the masses and introducing fashion fans to people who combine fashion and art. Whether it's painting, illustration, graphic design with a message or comical depictions of industry realities, I can't get enough. It's easy to keep an eye out around the web, but some of my favorite sources for fashion art are below! 

The Cut: Between illustrated fashion personalities, photographs re-imagined or fashion shows drawn andpainted, New York Magazine's fashion blog really knows how to find and commission people who create some of the coolest fashion art. Search through the site for more.

Paper Fashion: I follow Paper Fashion on Instagram, and I love the beautiful embellished drawings that come up in my feed. Katie Rodgers is extremely talented and really has an eye for bringing out the subtleties.

Honestly WTF: One of my favorite blogs, they cover real art, which I almost always love, but also fashion art and illustration. They find people from all over the world and bring it to their great blog. It's led me down a lot of hours of rabbit holes.

Pinterest: My board titled "Create" logs all the artistic ideas I find on Pinterest and all around the Internet. It's not just fashion art, but there's a lot of fashion art in there, and each pin will lead to where I found the work if it wasn't from my Pinterest feed.

UPDATE: Honestly WTF highlighted Vogue's December cover spread which used inspiration from iconic art pieces for recreations featuring Jessica Chastain.
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All images via: Ashley-Ringmybell.blogspot.com
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Ashley Madekwe of Revenge is publicly a fashion lover with a fashion blog photographed by her photographer husband. There aren't a ton of close up detail shots, but when there are, it shows her excellent accessorizing sense, especially when it comes to rings. Whether casual or more formal, she likes to load on the rings of all different shapes, sizes and metals, and she's so good at doing it without looking too heavy or crowded. Here are some of the shots that showcase her ability best. Check out her blog for even more. 
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The Canadian tuxedo, once a fashion don't, like all fashion "rules" have been challenged and broken beyond recognition. Daring fashion rebels have worn denim on denim for a long time, but in recent years, the new crop has come to prove that it's not just for 90s dads, Canadians, Texans and those other labeled groups known for anything besides being fashionable. Street style and blogs let us see how people pair light with dark or dare to go monochrome with their wash. We see what footwear they choose and if they attempt to break up the all over denim. And it should be noted that this is definitely not a girls-only style. Below are some great examples of why, exactly, we decided to start ignoring that rule in the first place. And why we can do so all year round.
Source unknown photos are from a Pinterest search of "denim on denim."
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Image via: TheCut.com
what it is: Isabel Marant for H&M
why I love it: It's now pretty obvious that I'm a fan of designer collaborations. I mean, it's designers at a discount, so...obviously, right? Well, Isabel Marant, famous for colorful, patterned knits and jackets and the original popular-izer of the wedge sneaker is coming to your neighborhood H&M this month, and I'm excited. The look above is my favorite of the looks that have been released so far, but in the collection is one of her famous blazers, as well as a lot of other really cool relaxed, patterned, slightly hippie inspired (but not so much that you feel cornered into that style) items. As the weather starts to turn for-real cold, these cozy cool items are being released just in time.
where to get it: H&M starting November 14, prices vary
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Olivia wore this Jean Fares gown to Fitz's 50th birthday party. Image via: ABC.com
This special, unplanned post brought to you by Scandal and its dropping a black tie event on us when we least expect it. NO SPOILERS AHEAD! I'm not sure when Olivia Pope has time to shop for black tie gowns, but we've seen her wear a few of them, and she never repeats. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised given the fashionable spin she gives to everyday workwear. And we know she has the money. We've also almost only seen her go formal in black tie, except for the one time her and Fitz...you know, in the oval office post-inauguration, and another time she opts for a short dress in preparation for a night out (we see her in her room, but I think she gets interrupted and never wears it outside? I might be wrong). Lyn Paolo, costume designer on Scandal has been quoted saying that the use of black and white in costuming represents the uncertainty of good vs. bad and who fits which description when, and nothing is more notable about the color palette than its consistent presence in Olivia's gowns. 

Her first formal appearance in season one, episode 3 (my favorite look she's ever worn) has her in an all white, halter-neck, backless number that shows what a fashion player she is, considering this is in her closet or someone is on call to get this for her. She surprises Fitz by showing up at a state dinner, and I think that dress works as an excellent vehicle for a strategic surprise. I wish I knew who designed it.
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Image via: Netflix screenshot. (The best I could do)
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And the best shot I could get of the back, also screenshotted from Netflix.
The next time we see her in a gown is in season 2, episode 7 on her way to Fitz's 50th birthday "bash" that he doesn't want and doesn't end up going to. The gown is Jean Fares and is from a previous season than when the episode was airing. By the next time we see her dressed up, it's at a fundraising gala where she's on call for a client later in season 2 (episode 15). Lines have started to be blurred at this point, and we can tell because she's in black and white. Fitz also attends this gala. Jealousy ensues. I also love that this Escada gown with a sheer lace back is reminiscent of her inauguration dress.
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Image via: ABC.com
And since that gala, it's been a while! Until last night, season 3 episode 5, Olivia was back at it, and she really upped her game this time. This time Olivia is at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and she goes for a structured bodice Rubin Singer dress, also in black and white. And she goes with gloves to accessorize as well as a fancy hairdo. It's actually not one of my favorites by comparison, but it makes a statement and it's part of a formal dressing evolution Olivia's character is continuously going through. And it's inarguably a beautiful gown. I'm glad they stayed with the black and white theme. Going back to all white would have seemed weird at this point. And color? No. I wish there was a full length picture of her wearing it because there were several in the episode, but I can't find one as of now and Hulu isn't formatted for stealthy screenshots. If you want to be just like Liv, you can buy this dress right now at Saks and Neiman Marcus. That is, if you have 3,000 dollars lying around.
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Image via: ABC.com
It's obviously possible to endlessly analyze Olivia Pope's wardrobe choices, but I think her formal style is interesting. Most people don't get to go to black tie events...ever, so it's interesting now that we've seen Olivia attend four different ones at different times in her situation with Fitz and other surrounding life events. Kerry Washington and Lyn Paolo do an excellent job at keeping it realistic when it comes to Olivia's income, style, personality, event and the way she usually approaches getting dressed. I love seeing what they come up with. I just still have to wonder if she has these hanging in her immaculate closet (where the clothes she wears actually hang! and they repeat them!) or if she has a personal shopper friend/former client at Saks or Barneys or some such that pulls these out when she needs them. That season 1 gown was very last minute, after all. 
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A new month means more closet gaps to fill, and I've got plenty to go around. The weather has cooled down considerably, so here's what I'm on the lookout for as fall eases more and more into winter, and the cozy holidays approach. AND, it's my birthday month. That means that all purchases can be justified, right? Again, as told by street style.
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Image via: Glamour UK
wide leg jeans
I just gave away my pair (that I had since high school!) so I'm in the market for new ones. I think these look so striking with heels and wedges, and they give a fun 70s vibe to any outfit, but can also offer a different sort of casual jeans look when skinnies are the go-to these days.
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Image via: Cosmopolitan.co.uk
"grandfather" blazer
Nothing defines a feminine shape quite like a big, boxy, stolen from the opposite sex blazer, preferably in your grandpa's favorite tweed, check or houndstooth. I love this look with layers, with a more traditional outfit, shorts, or if it's long enough, with nothing underneath! 
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Image via: Atlantic-Pacific.blogspot.com
camo skinnies
Add this to my list of camo must haves, too. These act as a neutral, but make any outfit more interesting. Great with heels or boots or booties...or sandals, I want to wear these all fall and winter. And spring.
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Image via: MyStylePill.com
slouchy t-shirt
These are everywhere nowadays, and for good reason. Everyone's body type is different, though, so finding one that hangs just right is important. These are necessary for casual, layered, skirted, shorted, everything-ed looks for all seasons. I'll take one in white, gray and black, please.
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Image via: 9to5chic.com
white wide leg trousers
Moda Operandi is doing their "the one that got away" series right now, and I could write a book with all the stories I have like that. Including beautiful white trousers from Joe Fresh I waited too long to get last year. They're maybe slightly more tailored than the ones seen here, but nothing looks more glamorous than a white or cream pant, especially in the winter.
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Image via: HelloFashionBlog.com
camo coat
I've become a total camo convert, and this kind of coat goes well over anything. It's the perfect layering piece and adds just the right amount of pattern without distracting from the rest of the outfit. Many of these coats strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine. 
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Image via: WeWoreWhat.com
oxblood jeans
Not unlike their camo counterparts, these can go with so much, and look so rich for the season. When blue and black are boring but you want to keep it dark, this is the perfect alternative. Great with blacks, browns and pretty much all neutrals, these would be a welcome addition to my jeans drawer. As would an eggplant-colored pair. 
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Image via: HarpersBazaar.com
pajama top
Pajama sets for day are acceptable now, but I don't know how I would feel in a silky, patterned, matching top and bottom. That's why I'll stick with the shirt (in either solid or patterned) to wear with trousers, cutoffs, under blazers and jean jackets and get to stay comfy all day.
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Bridal fashion week ended not too long ago, and though I'm light years away from actually having to choose a dress, I can't say I don't like to look, especially in the spirit today's topic of dressing up. One of the most striking things I usually take away from the week of shows is how many different styles of dresses there are, and how much I would want to wear some of the dresses to other non-wedding fancy events (considering I'm only planning on wearing a wedding dress for a wedding one time). Though white dresses always threaten to be "bridal" on a red carpet or at other formal events, I love white in a sea of black and red party goers. If a white dress is styled right, it's easy to forget that looking bridal is a possibility in the first place. Below are some of my favorite dresses from the season that just showed to wear outside of a wedding, or, I guess, ones I'd love to see walk a red carpet. You know, in the event that red carpet invite comes in the mail. I guess we can always leave that for the celebs.
All images via TheCut.com and Brides.com (these photos are also watermarked). 
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At this point, I don't think it's a secret that I'm a fan of costuming in shows and movies, and I notice it as much as whatever is happening on screen. Which brings me to Edith Head, one of the absolute greats in the business. She won 8 oscars for her designs and was the mastermind behind some of the most iconic movie looks in the history of film. Google had this lovely doodle for her birthday yesterday, and Honestly WTF did a roundup of some of her designs, which invite you to stare for hours. So, go on.

Update: catching up on reading, and The Cut has arelated slideshow, too.
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J.Crew sweater, BCBG skirt, Steve Madden booties
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Kate Spade ring, Saks outlet ring
I think this play on a sort of school girl look is so fun, and keeps it light for fall. The sweater is pretty slouchy and has a removable jeweled collar, and the skirt is perforated leather. The shapes are all classic, but the details make this outfit unique and unexpected. This goes well with heels, boots and flats, but I thought that these extra tall heels would give the skirt that extra swing while walking. The sweater collar does a lot in terms of accessorizing already, so two big neutral rings set in gold are all this outfit needs to be complete. Once it gets a little cooler, brown, plum or maroon tights will also work well with this outfit!
-E