Monochrome can be tough, especially with dark winter colors. The key is keeping the silhouette simple and doing what you can with subtle patterns and textures, as well as using a color that actually works with the monochrome look. The blogger behind Eat.Sleep.Wear masters the look well with a textured, slouchy sweater and patterned skinnies of the same color. She finished the look off well with matching black shoes and bag, both with what the mags would call "luxe" details, adding to the rich tones and textures in the outfit without overpowering them. The black was a good choice because it's simple and understated. Black is never a bad choice, but it was particularly good here because it doesn't compete, and more oxblood would have been too much and potentially costume-y. This is a sweater/jeans/flats look that is elevated both by a trend and by being dressed up with details like the captoe and tapestry pattern on the colored jean. This is something that's great to keep in mind during quick mornings, because just because your outfit seems simple or casual on paper, doesn't mean it translates to that in person. Get creative with the traditional!

what it is: Reformation "Ozone Dress"
why I love it: I really can't get enough of slip dresses. I think they're so feminine but cool, and they achieve a stylish, sexy look so simply. This one is no exception. It comes in other colors and patterns, but I like this "eggplant" color trimmed in black. It's perfect for fall with black tights and biker boots with a leather jacket, but it's easy to dress up with strappy heels and sandals for a night out. The neckline and mostly open back invite a daring nothing underneath and necklaces layered in the deep V, but also the possibility for a bandeau or bralette, as well as a t-shirt orlong sleeved tee for a daytime feel. If it feels to skimpy in daytime for spring or summer, throw on a denim or tuxedo vest with flat sandals or oxfords for a boyish look. This dress is just so versatile and easy, inviting layering, simplicity, femininity and, most importantly, effortlessness. 
where to get it: The Reformation, $188

Bonobos is one of my favorite menswear brands. They started as a way for guys with a little more junk in the trunk to find pants that fit, and the brand has evolved into a large selection of well designed, well fitting and well priced options. I've directed several guys to this site because their pants tend to fit taller and more athletic guys well. Jeans these days don't seem to be for men who work out much. But enough about the boys.

As of today (supposedly, the website still isn't really up), I'm sooo excited about the brand's offerings for women, called All Year Round, or AYR. For now, it's just jeans, which we know should be successful due to the grief many women go through to find well fitting and flattering pants. In 2014 the brand will release a full collection for women. All I have to say about that is: get. excited. I definitely am.

Via: TheCut.com

Few things are better than waking up knowing you can spend the whole day in sweats, especially in the winter. Unfortunately, those days don't come very often, so you have to get creative. Creative options usually don't skew so feminine, but Markus Lupfer had the right idea when designing his spring/summer 2014 collection, which this look comes from. This girl looks effortlessly cute and casual as well as extremely comfortable. The length of the sweatshirt and choice of a-line pleated skirt make it so the little-embellished swing top still flatters. Though it's very plain, it's still a bold look with the satin pink panel and shoulder detailing. Accessorizing is optional, some necklace layering could dress this up, but it doesn't need it, as seen here. Mary Jane style flats keep this look young, tasteful and fun. Who needs to wait until spring for this look?

As real winter weather approaches more and more quickly and the desire to stay in bed grows hard to fight, the most direct route to comfortable, warm dressing becomes the priority in the morning. We won't be feeling real spring until possibly the end of April, and as much as we might want to, it's really not an option (nor does it help any sort of winter-induced depression) to live in sweats and Uggs for six-ish months. So, we're pretty lucky this season because we can go with the next best thing. 

Obviously, sweaters have always been winter's go-to, but this season sweaters are made of thick knits and are oversized as ever. Whether they're crew necked, turtlenecked, long sleeved, batwing sleeved, or otherwise stylized, they'll work. Forget just wearing them with skinny jeans or leggings and boots (which obviously works!), sweaters over a-line and pencil skirts, boyfriend jeans, maxi dresses, leather leggings, layered over shirts, under leather jackets and more are the preferred methods of pairing for these heavy winter items. You don't even have to give them up when dressing up. The street stylers (and one model) above got the look exactly right.

Cheap options are all over if you want to stock up, but pricier (and, frankly, better quality) choices are available, too if you want to be sparing with your collection. Get started with some great choices at Uniqlo, H&M, Joe Fresh, J.Crew, Club Monaco and ASOS. But they really are everywhere right now, so browsing around will offer much success. I just picked up this one, this one and this one over the weekend (I know, I went a little crazy). 

As it gets colder, I have to motivate myself to really dress up. But one benefit of the cold invites the opportunity for one of my favorite items of clothing that exists: the long sleeved mini dress. Especially for cold weather festivities, it's nice to be able to dress up and look feminine and not want to freeze to death. Another bonus of this item is that you don't have to reach for an awkwardly non-complementary jacket or sweater and you don't have to go on an endless search for one because this dress does the job on its own. And this one is no exception. This outfit was part of The Cut's date night suggestions (more here) for fall, and it's so easy and cute. The winter white works well for the temperature in a heavier, embroidered fabric, and the statement necklace is the perfect addition to the simple high neck. I'm usually not crazy about black shoes with white, but the white on these shoes (which I would donate a kidney for) pull the contrasting colors together in a seasonally appropriate way. The red box clutch is the perfect pop of color to finish it off, and this look can go from date night to holiday party with no changes necessary. For those that are less daring with bare legs in the cold, this look can work just as well with tights.

what it is: Tibi
why I love it: Midi master and structural genius brand Tibi pops up all the time in street style and on fashion blogs, and for good reason. Famous for vibrant, solid, sculptured pieces as well as loud and proud prints in feminine and flowy shapes, the brand has so many genres covered. The solid basics serve as the perfect foundation for outfits, whether they're kept simple or layered over and over. The printed pieces are ideal for standing alone or part of pattern mixing and offsetting neutrals and basics. Expertise in fit and silhouette makes every item look thoughtfully designed and well constructed, with nuanced details like perfectly placed pleats and peplums as well as the perfect amount of flare. Not to mention the shoes, which are just as structural and versatile and make you wonder how you lived without them once you see a new pair. I wouldn't complain about adding an item (or five) (or more) to my closet.
where to get it: Tibi.com

There is no limit to the number of reasons why Zara is great. It's the pricier but better quality fast fashion cousin of H&M and Forever 21, the silhouettes are fashion forward, flattering and can trick any number of untrained (and trained, for that matter) eyes into thinking you're sporting designer duds. Who wouldn't want that?

Well, it seems that most fashion fans also have this idea. As I skim different fashion blogs and street style outlets for looks I want to write about for outfit lab, the H&Ms and Forever 21s start to become less and less as the blogger becomes more well known, more successful and starts to receive gifts. However Zara usually stays strong. The three bloggers above blog from London/Paris, LA/San Francisco and Barcelona respectively, so it's definitely not a regional trend, and when street style stars are photographed outside shows, a good amount of Zara makes it in amongst the designers that prevail. 

The sophisticated structure, thoughtfully placed colors and grown up patterns that still manage to be fashion forward, not to mention relatively successful and abundant runway copies (or close enough) make Zara a go-to for all items from basics to outerwear as well accessories. Zara works as a stand alone, even their plain items speak for themselves and are bold enough to carry an outfit, but the basic nature and good construction of each item also makes them ideal for layering and manipulating and styling as each person desires.

This common thread that runs internationally really speaks volumes about the brand, and it helps explain why when I walk into any Zara store I have to aggressively talk myself out of purchases in order to maintain a balance in my bank account.

I've been having so much fun browsing through the Street Winker + Ted Baker site with fun share-able GIFs, Ted Baker street style and videos. Go take a look here and click the tags on top to browse through the site's features!

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.