Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

How I Wear my Colorful Coat

It’s no secret. I love and prefer a colorful coat, the brighter the better. To read more about that, see How to Choose the Right Color for Your Winter Coat. And, to see some of my current favorite colorful coats, check out Colorful, Mood-Elevating Coats for the Cold Season.

Temperatures in St. Louis took a major dive over the weekend. We woke up to freezing temps, y’all. I embraced the colder weather as an opportunity to start experimenting with my winter style. So, out came my jade city coat. This coat, available in 7 colors and now on sale, is undoubtedly one of my favorites from last year. It’s J.Crew Factory’s version of J.Crew’s popular cocoon coat.

Colorful coat

Coat (on sale) | Turtleneck sweater | Jeans | Oxfords | Bag | Lip: Fenty  Beauty gloss

For Sunday brunch, I made my coat a part of the outfit by pairing it with a sweater in the same color family. The result? A cool monochrome look.

I completed the overall outfit with splashes of gold courtesy of my crossbody bag and oxfords.

Location: South Grand, St. Louis

Shop this colorful coat ensemble:

Shape Shift: The Circle Bags You Need to Carry this Fall

Looking for an easy update to your fall handbag collection? Circle bags are your answer. The style, with its standout and playful shape, makes everything you pair it with feel fresh. At the same time, the circle bag has such classic vibe that you’ll probably never grow tired of it. Here are a few of my favorites at every price point, including the super popular Chloe Small Pixie Bag (#3 below).

Circle Bags

Shop these circle bags

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

For more fresh handbags, see this post.

Check Mate: How to Fake Fall Style When it’s Hot

Happy first day of Fall! Here in the Lou, our weather hasn’t received the memo. It’s been in the upper 90s all week. No worries though. It might feel like summer outside, but there are cool ways to ease fall elements into your style. Bring on the fall plaid!

Fall plaid trend

Plaid blouse c/o Venus | Ankle jeans c/o (similar) | Backpack

Booties (similar, similar, similar, similar) | Lip: Mac “Rebel”

If fall runway trends are any indication, plaid is the must-have print of fall. And, I’ve found some of my favorite plaids from Venus, one of my brand partners, in the past. Remember my plaid cardigan? I was excited, then, to see the new plaid pieces for this season. And, Venus didn’t disappoint. Enter this fabulous, off-the-shoulder, plaid, tie-sleeve top.

The navy base of this plaid top is such a rich color. The material is lightweight and flowy. The top also has adjustable straps, but I tucked them away to wear it as an off-the-shoulder style. I’ll likely remove them because I doubt I’d ever wear the straps. The smocked hem at the top of the shirt keeps it in place. No need to constantly adjust like is sometimes necessary with similar tops.

My ankle skinnies from DENIZEN® from Levi’s® (seen first here) are one of my favorite pairs of jeans this year. Orbit color? Bomb! Ankle length? Perfect! And, ankle length bottoms paired with booties make for an ideal combination on this shorter woman.

I purchased my Madewell back for travel. I wanted a ‘personal item’ that was easy to carry and could hold my laptop and photography equipment. But, I’ve been getting so much wear out of this beautiful bag. I take it everywhere! From running to the mall or to an appointment, I take this backpack everywhere.

Location: South City, St. Louis

Shop essentials from this fall plaid look:

What’s in My Bag: Total Solar Eclipse

All the excitement about the total solar eclipse has totally piqued my interest. It’s a really cool day to be living in St. Louis too. Today, for the first time since 1442, St. Louis (and my part of the city in particular) will be in the path of totality. So, we get to see the moon completely cover the sun. Here’s what’s in my bag to commemorate and experience this awe-inspiring moment in history.

My bag: Madewell Transport Rucksack.

I purchased this backpack for travel (see more here), but I’ve been relying on it as an everyday bag when I need to stylishly tow many things.

What’s in My Bag: Total Solar Eclipse

Certified solar glasses

Sunglasses 

Sunscreen

Camera (to capture the experience not the actual eclipse because I don’t have a solar lens filter)

iPhone 7 (in best protective case ever)

Poppin notebook (and paper to create a pinhole projector)

S’well bottle with water

Vegan snacks

Total Solar Eclipse

 

These 7 Backpacks are Too Cool for Back to School

Backpacks are back, and they’re more fashionable than ever. The back-to-school basic has never looked this chic. And, I’m thrilled because I’ve been shopping for a backpack for travel. I ultimately decided on the Madewell Transport Rucksack (number 1 below) because of its overall luxe look, rich leather, and perfect size. Swing back by on Thursday to see how I travel with it. In the meantime, here are all the cool bags that topped my list of options.

Cool Back-to-School Backpacks

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

 

Shop my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale favorites here, here, and here.