what it is: Forever 21 Men's "Burnished Button Plaid Shirt"

why I love it: I just purchased a shirt from Forever 21 men not too different from this one, and I love it, but what drew me to that one and the one pictured above was how much I like it for men (and obviously that's who it's supposed to be for). It's the perfect casual button down and can be worn with jeans, shorts, khakis and a number of types of shoes to give it a very different look depending on what you choose. And it's a great layering piece as well. But for me, I've worn this as a "jacket" over a classic striped sheath dress, and it's great tied up over or tucked into a skirt. It works over leggings and under anything from a jean jacket to a blazer. The square, big fit can juxtapose feminine silhouettes and adds a sense of casual ease to any outfit. But that's true with this shirt for either gender. 

where to get it: Forever 21, $27.90
-E

I like to think of my approach to style as non-traditional and a little ironic. Whenever I buy a new item of clothing, I usually try to find ways to wear it for day or night and in any season so that my most of my wardrobe is fair game at any given time. That's one of the main things that attracted me to this Forever 21 dress. It's just a black tank dress with sequin detail, and the first thing I thought when I saw it was that it would be a great not-too-dressy LBD to have on nights where I need to look nice in the time it takes to just throw something on. What made me even more excited to buy it, though, was the fact that the simple silhouette made it easy to layer and make more casual for an interesting daytime look. One of my favorite ways to style an outfit in an unexpected way is to take a sequin item of clothing (which are almost always considered "dressy" or for going out) and dress it down so that I can wear it casually without looking too "nighttime." 

For this outfit, I tied a military-style button down over the dress and paired it with gray tights and brown booties. The gray offsets the black to make it a little more casual while still staying warm in the fall, and the booties are some of my favorites if I want a little heel without looking too dressy. If I wanted to easily dress this up, a black blazer or nice cardigan, black tights and heels or boots does the trick!

Outfit: Forever 21 dress (similar silhouette here, similar look here), Zara shirt, Joe Fresh tights (only available in store), H&M booties (similar here), 
Accessories: Madewell bracelet, Dakota watch, Forever 21 ring (similar here), BCBG ring
-E

what it is: Zara studded camouflage shirt

why I love it: I'm not really a camo girl, but I saw this hanging not where it was meant to be hanging while at Zara and the thing where I instantly come up with about 1,000 outfits happened. Then I couldn't stop thinking about it for days and eventually went back and got it. I got it a little big so that I can wear it as a "jacket" over pants and a shirt or a dress, or button it and wear it as a modern take on a button down with pants or a skirt (tucked in, left out, sloppy tucked, sleeves rolled, etc, etc I could go on and on). The green is a neutral and the studs and gold accents make a regular casual-leaning shirt more interesting, modern and dressier. It looks great against dark or light solids and is the perfect element for pattern mixing, and it's just right when you're traveling or don't know what to wear; you can just throw on and it basically makes and outfit instantly. 

where to get it: Zara, $79.90
-E

what it is: J.Crew Toni tassel loafers and Mona tassel heels

why I love it: Where do I start? I have a weakness for menswear-inspired pieces (just as I have a weakness for menswear), and both of these shoes strike the perfect balance between menswear elements and a feminine shoe. The black-on-brown color combination makes these shoes able to go with literally anything, and I love the oxford detailing and the tassels as a nice extra touch. I think what made these catch  my eye even more than other well-designed loafers, though, is the shape. Instead of a classic loafer or a trying-too-hard to make a feminine shape out of a classic loafer (read a shortened or too-rounded toe area), these take the shape of a smoking slipper, a shoe I also love. Sometimes hybrid styles can turn out less ideally than intended, but these are perfect. I wish I could stop staring.

where to get it: J.Crew (flat), $238; J.Crew (heel), $268
-E

what (who) it is: Ruthie Davis

why I love it: I was fact checking something for work last week when I first found out about Ruthie Davis, and I instantly felt FOMO for not knowing about this amazing shoe collection before. The above are just three shoes from the fall collection, but each style comes in multiple colors/color combinations. I love how the styles and colors take traditional shoe styles and add a little excitement to them without making them too crazy. The color combinations are just right. Any one of these shoes adds instant interest to an outfit while still being very wearable. They can serve as both an outfit maker or a great complement to a great outfit, and that is a balance that is incredibly hard to strike.

where to get it: pre-fall and fall collection not yet available, but shop available shoes at Ruthie Davis
-E

what it is: Zara printed mini skirt

why i love it: This skirt has all of the elements I'm craving in a fall wardrobe: texture, an interesting tribal print and a monochromatic color scheme that balances out the other details perfectly. Paired with more casual layers or boots, it has the potential to work as a great transitional piece for in between the seasons. Plus, it's a prime example of what Zara does best: expensive-looking statement pieces for impressively affordable prices.

where to get it: zara.com, $59.90
-S

what it is: Zara appliqué shirt

why i love it: You can never really go wrong with a classic, androgynous button down. This version is every bit as sophisticated as its Brooks Brothers counterpart, but the metal hardware detail on the collar gives it a more current, stylish feel. I can see this shirt being worn a wide variety of different ways, styled more casually (as in the photos above) or for the office. 

where to get it: zara.com, $60
-S

what it is: Madewell Arrowstack necklace

why i love it: If you follow me on Pinterest (if you don't, I dedicate this emoticon :( to you), you may get the feeling that I have a moderate (read: severe) addiction to anything that comes close to a chevron print. If I had my choice, I'd use it to adorn my home, nails, outfits and anything else that can be adorned. I've also already established that I have an abiding love of all things Madewell. 

Last week two of my obsessions collided when I stumbled upon this mixed-metal chevron necklace at Madewell, and let's just say, two obsessions do make a right. Simple and versatile, this necklace can serve as the stand-out centerpiece accessory in one outfit, and as a layering piece in another. I love the mixed metal aspect of it because it pretty much leaves room for interpretation when deciding what other jewelry to wear with it. Plus, it's chevron! I rest my case.

where to get it: madewell.com, $55
-S

I know, I know, it's almost August, which means it's almost fall, and here I am posting about shorts, the ultimate summer wardrobe staple. But hear me out: shorts are way more versatile than most people give them credit for, and late summer is the perfect time to stock up on the pairs you lusted after all summer that are now on sale. 

Lately, I've been loving shorts in vibrant prints because they're an unexpected outfit centerpiece when worn with a simple t-shirt, button-down or comfy sweater. Here are some of my favorite options, and they're all on sale! Online shopping frenzy, commence.

what it is: Zara black & lime mesh bib with gemstones

why i love it: I have been dreaming about Dannijo's collar necklaces for a while now, not to mention desperately trying to find a more affordable version that fills a similar niche. When I spotted this incredible version from Zara for such a reasonable price, it instantly shot to the top of my wish list. I love that the vibrant neon gemstones are offset with muted gunmetal chain links, and I can see this necklace looking amazing with a simple t-shirt and jeans - an instant chic-ifier, if you will. It's the type of accessory that people can't help but notice, and who wouldn't want a statement necklace that makes that statement?

where to get it: zara.com, $29.90
-S