Royal Stewart Tartan Updated

Alexander McQueen

In a season of plaids, Royal Stewart tartan is one of the elements that should not be overlooked. It came into full blossom last winter, and continues to be seen in many offerings this year.

Personally I was not a big fan of tartan prints...until I saw this tartan print dress in the Alexander McQueen exhibition a couple of years ago. The somewhat rustic somewhat preppy thick material adds weight and history to the feminine lace and tully. The dress looks so fresh and young.

That's when I concluded that mixing tartan with other elements may create some really interesting outfit that looks both old and new. Tartan should not be limited to prep school uniforms.

In particular, I like the idea of mixing tartan with leather. This is a combo of tradition and modern, country style and urban chic. This February for instance, Rita Ora stepped out in a DKNY tartan dress with a black leather jacket. I simply loved this look!

That is why I was very excited seeing this wool/leather jacket from Karl Lagerfeld earlier this year. This is my first Royal Stewart tartan print purchase after I finished high school. :)

Wool/leather jacket: Karl Lagerfeld
Pants: Club Monaco Carolina Skinny Waxed Pant (also seen in this outfit)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Booties: VC Signature by Vince Camuto

Chunky Blanket Cardigan

Last time, we reviewed the big chunky knit trend of fall/winter 2014. In particular, cardigans are widely used as a soft cozy substitute of over coats for a more laid-back look. I got this Vince piece last winter, but I'm sure you will find many options in the market this season. For the chicest style, stay neutral with colors and go fancy with knit work. Chunky knit and blanket / bathrobe style are the two main elements that will shine throughout this winter.

BTW Shopbop is running its friends & family event with code FAMILY25. Many of the cardigans I listed below are included!

Long sleeved tee: Anthropologie

Cable knit cardigan: Vince (similar, also like this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this)  

Leggings: Club Monaco Rochelle Faux-Leather Legging 

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Scarf: Abercrombie & Fitch

Boots: DV by Dolce Vita Malika Boots

A Not-So-Mad Plaid Coat

If you are looking for a new overcoat for the upcoming winter, you may want to look a little beyond the classic solid colored ones and think plaid. In general, plaids are coming back stronger than ever this winter, especially in the overcoat department.

Key words for this season's overcoat:

• Big bold plaids  
• Oversized in blanket or bath robe style

I found this trend especially challenging on my petite frame. It's much easier to embrace these two elements one at a time: "plaids + slim", or "solid + oversized". I've tried a couple of plaid oversized coat (like this Theory piece), and felt totally overwhelmed. If you check out other fashion bloggers, you will find many of them, except for those tall ladies, only "kind of" wear those new trendy coats -- throwing one on the shoulder is not really wearing it; in winter, we all need a coat that sits nicely on the shoulder when we put our arms through the sleeves and button up. Honestly, although being understated is the new sexiness, plaid oversized coats are really made for taller girls with wider shoulders who have the asset to play a tomboy. I'll try to stay sober in all this madness for plaid.

Here is my not-so-mad plaid coat from Marni. Slim cut and streamlined. Another investment piece I got two years ago.

Wool coat: Marni (more plaid coats from Theory, Polo Ralph Lauren, Free People, Rag & Bone, Sea, Trina Turk)
Wrap dress: Tory Burch
Pumps: Fendi
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Purse: Louis Vuitton Damier Hampstead PM

A Jacket You Can Sleep In

When it comes to draped neckline, very few contemporary brands can compete with Helmut Lang. And this has been confirmed with my new purchase.

I can't express how much I love this Helmut Lang Sonar Wool Shawl Collar Jacket. The minimalist silhouette is both streamlined and fluid. The stretchy material is so soft and comfortable that I can literally sleep in it. It has the coziness of a cardigan and the attitude of a neatly cut jacket. You can easily dress it up for office or dress it down for a casual weekend. If temperature drops and you want more warmth, you can always zip it up and the hidden magnet will make sure that everything is in its right place. Honestly, this is the piece that finally set my mind to fall after a flighty summer.

Here I styled it with a couple of old pieces in my wardrobe that you've seen before and tried to play with different patterns and texture. Heads up: this jacket is so versatile that you may have to put up with many many outfits with it until you have to throw up... :)

Jacket: Helmut Lang Sonar Wool Shawl Collar Jacket (here, here, here, here)   

Tee: JCrew Painter Tee (old, this season)

Lace Skirt: Club Monaco Rowan Skirt (also seen in this post)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Purse: Louis Vuitton Damier Hampstead PM

Not-Your-Grandma's Knits

Photo credit: style.com

Photo credit: style.com

Although knits have never been new for fall/winter runway, they have never been so hot. This season they have become a statement piece. Wrap yourself in over-sized knits and head-to-toe knit separates. Sweaters, sweater dresses, sweater skirt, chunky snoods, and above all, sweater pants!

And here is one of my many sweater dresses collected over the past. I paired it with heeled oxfords and structured purse to tone down its feminineness. Yeah, I like mixing styles. :)

I WANNA GO SHOPPING! Those chunky knits look so warm and cozy and absolutely irresistible! 

Sweater dress: BCBG MAXAZRIA (check out this, this, and this)
Shoes: Ralph Lauren Collection (check out this)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Purse: Louis Vuitton Damier Hampstead PMShoes: Ralph Lauren Collection

Cobalt Blue & Colors of Fall 2014

Black-and-white is classic, but I always add some color splash to break the rut. This Loeffler Randall works just perfect. Its structured shape mixes well with the streamlined silhouette, and its highly saturated color stands out against the black-and-white background. What do you think?

Wondering what is the color for Fall 2014? Here is a pretty comprehensive report on color trend of this season. Neutral colors are always wardrobe staples, but this season rich saturated untypical colors also play a big role. Let's defy winter depression and "give it some color see see"!

Tee: JCrew

Blazer: Smythe (similar) 

Pants: Karl Lagerfeld April stretch cotton-blend skinny pants (review here)

Purse: Loeffler Randall Rider Bag in cobalt leather

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Shoes: Cole Haan