This week, we'll end with a glamorous note to start off the weekend. Miley Cyrus walked the red carpet in Marc Jacobs to honor MJ with an award at the FGI Night of Stars, and she nailed it. I believe Miley knows exactly what she's doing with her image as she struts around nearly naked, unable to contain her wild tongue. So it was a nice contrast to the last few weeks of weird mesh, cropped and barely there fashion statements she's been making. This dress shows some skin, in true Miley fashion, but keeps it limited to just the backless region while keeping everything else covered up but still very sexy with the slinky fit. The all-over shades of green sequins also give the dress Miley-mandatory personality. She looks youthful but sophisticated and very, very polished, keeping the rest of the styling to a minimum. It's almost as if Miley decided it was time to try normaling. Not that the common folk get to go to these types of black tie events, but it's easy to take a cue from Miley on this carpet: you can have a lot going on without an x-rated outfit, and polished and sophisticated is not limited to the LBD. Also, it's possible for her to go a night without seeing her tongue, which is good news for people who possess the gift of sight everywhere.

Jennifer Lawrence, everybody's dream BFF, has been the face of Dior for about a year now, wearing the hell out of the iconic label's dresses on red carpets worldwide. But one of the most exciting aspects of this partnership are the beautiful editorials that come out of it. The newest photos were just released, and they feature J-Law with that effortless, no-makeup look, which nicely contrasts the polished Dior clothing and accessories she's wearing in the shoot. Not only does she look extremely gorgeous in the natural makeup look, it's a welcome change from the also beautiful but heavily made-up and (seemingly) highly airbrushed photos that were released in February. Even she claimed they didn't look like her in an interview on the Oscars red carpet. Not that she was complaining, she said that she "loved PhotoShop" after she saw the photos.

All images via: Dior.tumblr.com

And while we're on the topic of Jennifer Lawrence owning high fashion photo shoots, let's not forget the spot on shoot in British Harper's Bazaar that Buzzfeed nicely rounded up earlier this month. Keep doing what you're doing, J-Law, and can't wait for American Hustle press/Oscar season/Hunger Games press to keep it coming on the red carpet. Never change.

I found this black maxi dress at Uniqlo last fall for some ridiculously low price like $20 or something, and was so happy that my maxi dress wearing days weren't limited to warm weather. On fall and more mild winter days, this dress is so easy to throw on and layer, and it stays comfortable all day. For this fall, I wanted to keep the summer memories alive with the denim vest, but with no jacket I can still stay warm with one of my favorite accessories, a thick, knit infinity scarf from Gap, doubled up to create lots of volume (and warmth) at the neck. I always find it a little difficult to choose shoes with maxis that aren't flowy around the ankles, and this one doesn't quite hit the floor, which can make for an awkward situation south of the shin. I decided not to mess with bulky boots and instead finish off the outfit with low tops that bring a fun and sporty vibe to an otherwise classic outfit. Boho-ish jewelry completes the look to give the casual clothing a touch of dressy.

The other day, I was doing my daily Pinterest once-over, and I clicked on a denim baseball hat that piqued my interest to see where it was from. Now, from a removed point of view, that hat is probably best left in the mid-90s where it more rightfully belongs, but I can think of a million outfits that it would look great with, made out of clothes hanging in my closet right now.

And then I thought about how great it is that something that seems destined to live on 90s sitcom kids would now be accepted by those in the fashion industry. But so are the neons of the 80s, wide leg pants of the 70s and mod jumper dresses of the 60s. You'll find drop-waist flapper type dresses of the 20s in stores with 40s pinup inspired shorts. You'll also see the fit and flare midi dresses from 50s housewives from some of the biggest designers. 

The past century has seen the biggest fashion innovation in history, and with it, new styles came and went practically with each decade. People always say that nothing is new in fashion, which I guess you could say is partly true, but today we're lucky enough that all decades apply. Whether fashion week runways see mainly decade callbacks or modern silhouettes, we can wear either, and mix and match as we want. Sure, people can get a little crazy with street style and experimentation, but at least it's interesting, and we can't say it's not in style. Bright colors, crazy patterns, unexpected layering and pairing, accessorizing wherever accessories will go--it's all fair game.

These days, if it comes back, it sticks. It might fade in popularity to new more popular trends, but it's still not weird to sport a trend from a few seasons ago. Stacking rings is the go-to right now, but it doesn't mean people will glare at an arm party, a trend that is technically past its peak. Designers and brands have fun with fashion. There's irony and humor and exaggeration and so many different kind of playing around. Nobody takes themselves too seriously, but it's still just as creative, artistic, respected, studied and obeyed. Now it's our game, and we don't have to retire something until we get tired of it, not when someone else deems it's "out of fashion." They give us the goods and we get to do with them whatever we want.

I love that I can wear a 90s "grunge" oversized plaid button down over a more modern maxi skirt with 70s style platform heels and accessorize with a mustache necklace. Or, you know, so many more "anything goes" combinations. We're so lucky to have so much to choose from, and the lack of limitations means outfit making can be really fun. Just a thought!

On cooler days, it's nice to be able to "bundle up" fall style, but leave the coat at home. A sweater with jeans and boots are the perfect combination for this temperature. Instead of your typical choices, though, it's fun to mix up the color combos. I love this color blocked sweater I found on sale at Madewell. I think it was supposed to be a summer sweater, but it's actually a pretty heavy knit, and with white skinnies and knee-high riding boots, the look is light but will keep me warm. I love winter whites, but summer and winter shouldn't get all the fun. White jeans are striking in every season, and "rules" no longer apply. This outfit is simple yet each item is bold, so I keep the accessories refined with a little leaf necklace and a ring for each hand, all in a muted gold. This is a simple, easy casual look that's still polished and feminine. It's perfect for strolling around on those ideal fall weekends. 

Fossil commissioned the blogger behind Song of Style to model in and style one of their past lookbooks, which is where this look comes from. I think this is perfect for fall, and when it gets a little cooler, would work well with tights. Fall is the season for layering, and she did a good job choosing the fit and colors that went into her cozy looking layers. The oversized sweatshirt in a faded yellow under an oversized flannel worn unbuttoned under a longer but more snug coat look effortless. All the oversized works against the short shorts (or skirt? I can't really tell, but either way the bottoms are short). This perfect weekend look is made even cooler by adding peeking socks to the heeled desert boots she chose as footwear. It looks haphazard and effortless--like she overslept for a brunch date and picked up what was on the floor, yet the chaos is controlled to the perfect proportions and mix of warm fall tones and a little bit of flirty that makes this interesting outfit one to try for the weekend.

I have a multi-hyphenate sort-of cousin who, as one of the hyphens in her does-it-all life, is a co-owner of Elezar, a purse company that offers well-made and unique handbags of all sizes. She's based in Chicago, and last time I was there she very unnecessarily gifted me the above bag, and it turns out it's the large bag I never knew I needed.

I started using the bag immediately, exchanging the carry on I had originally traveled with for the new one on my way home. Soon after I returned from that trip, I started to do various work in coffee shops around NYC instead of my apartment, so this bag came in handy for easily toting around my 15-inch computer and the rest of my workday necessities. I've used it when I have job interviews, it easily holds heels, lunch and anything else I need while looking professional and still fashionable, and the neutral-but-not-overdone color is perfection for all seasons. 

Before I owned this bag, my go-to carryall was my Longchamp Le Pliage large tote, which is another ideal bag that I can't say enough good things about. But after a while, it starts to look worn and dirty and it doesn't particularly exude a specific type of style personality as a look-completer. It's very functional. This new bag, with its neutral color, interesting shape, ample pockets and roomy interior is something I don't think I could have even picked out myself, and got me thinking about how maybe next time I go "work bag" shopping, I'll have to get a little more creative. Though, now that I have this one, it's going to be quite a while until there's a next time.

This isn't the first time I've felt this way about an Elezar bag, so check out the site to find bags that won't be just what you see hanging from everyone else's shoulder.

How cool does she look? I love the straightforward sweater tucked into this patterned skirt that's not so long that it looks like it needs to stay at work, but not so short that it looks like it only can go to the club. Like a t-shirt, but a little more interesting and fall appropriate. The pattern is eye-catching and the whole outfit is just easy, but much more elevated than the sweater would be with jeans, which is also easy for fall. A clutch instead of a handbag make this even more stylish and the hat punctuates the look with a statement that offsets the femininity of a tight, short skirt. I wish we could see the shoes, but it's maybe for the best that we can't because this look would work with so much. Combat boots, riding boots, pumps, sandals, chelsea boots, interesting flats, sneakers, booties--depending on where you're going, this look invites a selection of footwear. A statement necklace or scarf could also work with this, but sometimes simple is best. I definitely want to go to lunch AND after work drinks with this girl.

I often long for occasions where I can wear a good tulle skirt. They don't come around very often, hence I don't own one. But THIS stylish fashion week go-er knows how to work this skirt without looking like an adult 8-year-old. Let's start with the foundation. Pairing this voluminous skirt with just a plain long sleeved t-shirt was a great start. I love how she went monochrome with it. It's an understated almost neutral gray-blue that adds some modernity and sophistication. She keeps it light and fun with accessories, though. The pink candy wrapper clutch and large charm statement necklace are perfect complements to an otherwise simple outfit. She could have gone any number of ways with the shoes. Flats with a skirt that length threaten to stunt legs, and crazy heels might have been a touch too much. She went an unexpected yet delightful route with sneakers of the extremely bright variety. Sneakers are pretty random, and might not have worked with this, but the ridiculousness (in a good way) of the color kind of demand that they just work. This skirt can go twee or costume in so many ways, and she just owns it. Well done.

I saw these pants and instantly wanted to buy them, but I was already buying a cotton fit-and-flare dress in the same pattern, so I held off. I went home in June to find these on sale for $10 (!!!!!) and snatched them up. They are so obnoxious and great, they beg to be worn with bright colors, but black obviously goes just as well. I first wore these on the plane home from that same trip with a simple black racerback tank, denim vest and plain black sandals. I next wore them with a red-orange tank and black sandals later in the summer. 

I was loving that color contrast, so for fall I'm switching to a closed-toe option in my beloved kicks, which I think are so striking against the neutral colors in the loud pattern. Because the shoes are so....neon, all I need to finish off this outfit is a black top, but peplum to keep things interesting and a little dressy. In keeping with the dressy on top, sporty on the bottom theme, I'll throw on some bold black and gold accessories to make sure and maintain some femininity. 
-E