Personal Style

outfit looks of the week

February 15, 2016

What I Wore: NYFW Look 2 – Great Color Redeems All

julia dinardo personal style
I’ve been feeling very uninspired lately, both in what I wear, as well as what I’ve seen so far on the runway for fall 2016. Perhaps this weather has created a bit of a style rut for me, as I heard that this past weekend was the coldest that it’s been in New York City in 100 years, but on the other hand, there is quite a bit of change brewing in the fashion industry overall. Everything changes and evolves, and if you don’t move with it…you may get left behind. For me, I’ve been more thoughtful about my coverage of fashion week, slowing things done for less, but more meaningful features.

What do you want to know, that will have the most impact on your style choices? Naturally, it’s the colors, the trends, the key, most important looks and quirky little details that you can fold into your existing wardrobe and pick and choose to make it truly your own. I saw this green sweater at Banana Republic’s spring preview in September, and it made such an impression that when it hit the stores, I immediately picked it up. The cool thing about that is that 1) it was 100% affordable and 2) I’ve never owned anything like it, with the color being a first for me.

Guess what? It just worked – I received so many compliments as I went about the day, and felt truly great in the piece, knowing that I can find something that fits well and I love, and doesn’t come near breaking the bank. Good style doesn’t have to cost a lot, and sometimes stepping a touch out your comfort zone can have some incredible results.
rebecca minkoff bag julia dinardo head shot

julia dinardo personal style

In This Look:

Banana Republic Metallic Pullover in Limestone

Gap Moto Jacket

J Brand Jeans (c/o)

Sole Society Booties (c/o)

Rebecca Minkoff Bag (gift)

Sorrelli earrings (c/o)

Alexis Bittar Ring via Shopbop (c/o the retailer)

February 12, 2016

What I Wore: NYFW Fall 2016 – Mixed Prints, Mixed Feelings

by Julia DiNardo

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I’ve got a full day of show, events, and fetes ahead, and as much as I’m enjoying wearing this new, beautiful blouse in a camo/floral hybrid print, the flush of breezy cold weather makes me yearn for some time to just curl up in bed with a good book and snuggly cat by my side. Alas, fashion week draws my homebody self to stack on the jewels and for this season in particular, the layers so I can trek from show to show easily while keeping my Uber charges to a minimum.

One of my favorite ways to dress is in a monochromatic fashion, so I couldn’t help but pair these stilettos, that possess a dash of a similar print to my blouse, with a matching skirt as well. Sometimes I’m all about further coordinating the color of my tights with any shade in my look, but I’ve been on an opaque black tights kick for the past couple of weeks, and I’m not going to break that now. Plus, black tights go with these earrings perfectly, and what’s not to love about that?

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In This Look:

I Heart Ronson Roll-Sleeve Blouse

LOFT Skirt

Banana Republic Jacket

Hanes Opaque Tights (c/o)

Chinese Laundry Leo T Strap Sandal in Oliver Camoflauge (c/o)

Sorrelli Earrings & Stacked Ring (c/o)

Hestra Glovex via Shopbop (c/o)

Ray-Ban Wayfarers

February 1, 2016

The Chronicles of New York Fashion Week: February Edition

by Julia DiNardo

With the start of the new month today, there’s one thing that is weighing heavily on my mind: New York Fashion Week. Running from February 11-18th this year and showcasing the fall/winter fashions for 2016, this one is certainly a doozy, bulldozing right through Valentine’s Day and the President Day holiday.

I candidly admit that this particular February showing is not my favorite to dress for and navigate; it’s bitterly cold, New York always gets hit with snowfall for a portion of it, and any attempt to look glamorous quickly becomes eclipsed by the desire to stay warm — and safe. By safe, I mean shoes that can function in inclement weather, that won’t leave one atop thin stilettos, navigating piles of snow, ice, and slush.

Even though I’ve been attending New York Fashion Week since 2003, I could only find pictures dating back to February of 2007, and in those nine years my style has certainly evolved, however one thing has stayed the same: I am a huge fan of layering. Wearing a sequined top? Throw a layer underneath. How about a sleeveless dress? It’s time for a non-intrusive turtleneck underneath. What about a skin tight merino wool sweater? There’s definitely room for another layer under it, don’t even think of not trying it!

The picture at top is pretty much all you need to know about how I feel about dressing for New York Fashion Week in February, but let’s take a quick look back at some of the items I’ve worn, listed in chronological order, to the shows:

[Photo by Giafrese]

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julia dinardo new york fashion week [Photo by Giafrese]

[Photo by Giafrese]

January 18, 2016

Monday Morning

by Julia DiNardo

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Mondays have the tendency to…not really be that cool. They can cause a lot of anxiety and trepidation for the lot of us, despite loving life, loving our jobs, and/or loving our paychecks. I’m thrilled for those of us that have the day off today, but next Monday will surely come, and more of the same feeling will creep in again. Lately, in order to try to kick away the Monday blues I’ve been starting the week with an outfit that I absolutely love that is no frills, easy to wear, and versatile for a variety of occasions.

I’ve also been starting the week with an early morning photo session, when the sun is in that special place, and I haven’t had coffee yet, which could potentially be a perilous endeavor. Wearing what I love and doing what I love, first thing in the morning on the first day of the work week has helped to set the precedent for positivity and productivity for the rest of my days, spent grinding away on various work projects, some considered to be chores I’d rather not be doing.

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Sometimes it’s just taking a few minutes to slow down, taking a quiet morning moment to read a section of the newspaper at the table, or listening to your favorite song while on the way to work, can reset you mentally and get you to accept what you need to do, and give you the peace of mind to get through it.

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