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

Spring Style Featuring Top Black-Owned Fashion Brands

Itching to infuse new life and energy into your spring style this year? A great place would be to start with a few fashion brands that are dominating the digital world right now. To show you what’s possible, I’m tapping into a few of my personal favorites for a look that I hope I can wear out on the town this year. Wishful thinking, right? Whatever the case, I need these luxe-looking pieces by Black-owned fashion brands, in my wardrobe.

Black-owned fashion Brands

Black-owned fashion Brands featured

Hanifa | Shekudo | Brandon Blackwood | Telfar

This entire look is anchored by the Reese Pullover Crop sweater and the Nina skirt in a striking mandarin color. Both pieces are by Hanifa, a go-to brand for bold colors and unique textures. The statement, woven sandals are by the footwear and accessory brand Shekudo. Every spring step would be fun and colorful in these beauties. If you love a good mini bag, Brandon Blackwood needs to be on your radar. This powder blue bag is a perfect choice for spring and summer and pops against the Hanifa set. Move over LV, these must-have gold logo earrings are by the popular Telfar brand (see my favorite Telfar bag here).

How to Balance The Oversized Sweater Trend


I love the idea of losing yourself in a cozy, oversized sweater. But, you can quite literally lose yourself in one depending on how you style it. When that’s not the goal, I rely on 3 styling approaches when rocking the very popular super-sized sweater look. I’m sharing them (and wearing a combination of 2 of them) below.

Oversized sweater

What I’m wearing:

Sweater | Faux leather leggings | H&M fedora (similar) | Trench coat | Booties

Lip: Pat McGrath ‘Elson 013’

1. Half tuck it

An easy and chic way to keep the size of your sweater in check is to half tuck it into your bottoms. And excuse to half tuck, right?

Oversized sweater Oversized sweater

2. Show a little shoulder

Draping a slouchy, oversized sweater off your shoulders (when the weather permits, of course) instantly adds balance. My style has a beautiful button detail on the high neck that can be unbuttoned. It’s such a chic finish.

Oversized sweater

3. Choose a cropped sweater

One of my favorite oversized sweaters this season is the cropped version (like this and this). When paired with high-waist bottoms, the result is a stylish and balanced ensemble.

Location: Country Club Plaza, Kansas City

Want more? See how I’m styling another oversized sweater here and an oversized sweater dress here.

Cardigans Are Having A Moment And This One Is Fly


Cardigans have been having moment this year. And, the options available are super chic, making it easy to rock them without looking frumpy. I’m partial to a longer length cardigan…like dusters (remember this favorite style from J.Crew Factory?). This particular style is such a practical layering piece.

Long cardigans

What I’m wearing:

Cardigan via Haverdash | Tank | Pants (option, option) | Slingbacks | Bag | Sunglasses

Long cardigans

My cardigan is rented from Haverdash. It had my full attention at the bold stripes all over. But, those puff sleeves though? They take the cardi to new style heights. After receiving this item, I also fell in love with the fabric. It’s so soft, it feels like you’re wearing a hug.

Long cardigans

For a weekend of fun downtown, I paired my cardigan with high-waist, faux-leather pants. I love the combination of soft and sweet cardigans with edgier bottoms.

It was a  fairly warm day, so I slipped on my green slingbacks for a pop of color. Slides would also give  the same vibe. To dress this up, though, I could add pumps or heeled booties.

Here’s a better look at the volume on the sleeves of this cardigan. Nice, right!?! By the way, if you’d like to learn more about Haverdash, check out my full review of the subscription service here.

Location: Washington Ave, St. Louis

The Best Sweater Dresses To Stay Cozy And Chic


If you caught my post on sweatshirt dresses (see it here), you already know that I love cozy, warm, yet chic one pieces this fall and winter. Sweater weather calls for comfy styles, right? Talking about sweater weather, that doesn’t only apply to sweaters but their dress counterparts as well. I’m sharing how I’m wearing one of my all-time favorite sweater dresses today. I’ve also rounded up some fabulous, affordable options at the end of the post.

sweater dresses

What I’m wearing:

Express sweater dress (option, option, option) | Stuart Weitzman Booties (similar)

Earrings | Watch (similar, similar)

sweater dresses

So, my dress is an oldie from Express (see it worn 2 years ago here). It has a striking mauve color, but of course, the option to wear it off the shoulder is the detail I love most. I usually wear it with my burgundy suede booties. The color combination is pretty.

sweater dresses

I wore this dress recently to photograph a social media campaign. By the way, if you don’t follow me on my social channels, I wanted to make sure you were aware of the Beauty Brands discount I shared in that campaign. Get this. You can get 20% off any salon & spa service at Beauty Brands through 12/27. Grab the coupon here.

I’ve been getting my gel manicures done at Beauty Brands. This blue is a new OPI color. See another color I’m loving in this post.

Location: The Sweet Divine, St. Louis

sweater dresses

Shop Sweater Dresses:

Now Is A Good Time For A Striped Sweater


Sweater season is upon us! Might as well have fun with it, right? I’m especially loving sweaters this year because they’re cooler than ever. Puff sleeves. Asymmetrical styles. Statement shoulders. I’m here for it all because these little details make knitwear so interesting. One style that’s always a hit is a bold striped sweater. Anything paired with bold stripes becomes infinitely more chic.

striped sweater

What I’m wearing:

French Connection sweater (different color) | Jeans |  Mules c/o

Anklet | Earrings (similar) | Watch (similar, similar) | Lip: Pat McGrath Elson

I found my French Connection striped sweater in TJ Maxx (find it on sale in another color here). The color combination–yellow, grey, blue, and white–is striking. The sweater pairs well with just about everything, from leggings to your favorite jeans.

striped sweater

I’m wearing the sweater with my mini-flare jeans. Talking about staples, I’ve had these jeans on repeat. I couldn’t even imagine just how much I’d love this denim silhouette. See how to style them 5 different ways here.

To complete the casual ensemble, I slipped on my mules. In cognac, these mules have also become staples. When it’s appropriate (weather wise) to rock backless shoes, they’re an easy choice. See how I’ve been wearing them here, here, and here.

striped sweater

Location: Angad Arts Hotel, St. Louis