Charming In Chambray

Back in the fall, I wrote about faux denim and jeggings. These trends are still in for the spring. Menswear-inspired styles such as shirt dresses are also still going strong, so it's no surprise that chambray is the next big thing. While the chambray trend has been most prevalent with shirts, it is also being spotted in pants, skirts, jackets, purses, etc. If you're wondering what chambray is, it is a cousin to denim. It's a lightweight fabric made of cotton or linen. It has a strong resemblance to denim, even though it's not. It's also lighter than denim typically is, so it's perfect to wear on a hot day in the spring/summer. Check out my little chambray finds below!

Energie Chambray Camisole, $24.00, shown in light chambray; also available in dark chambray, sizes Small-X large, kohls.com

Chambray Henley Shirt Dress, $62.00, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes XS-L, americanapparel.com

AE Crossback Vest, $29.95, available in sizes XXS-XXL, ae.com

Alison Bow in Chambray, $9.00, lulus.com

Chambray Bow Cabbie Hat, $10.50, charlotteerusse.com

Chambray Boyfriend Shirt, $22.00, available in sizes XS-XL, charlottrusse.com

Chambray Side Pocket Babydoll Dress, $24.00, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Crocheted Chambray Top, $22.00, available in sizes XS and L, charlotterusse.com

Embroidered Chambray Top, $22.00, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Printed Chambray Babydoll Dress, $28.00, available in sizes M-XL, charlotterusse.com

Rolled Sleeve Chambray Shirt, $24.00, available in sizes XS-XL, charlotterusse.com

Pleated Chambray Peep Toe Pump, $22.90, shown in ltblue; also available in skygry and black, sizes 5.5-10, gojane.com

Snake Inset Chambray Wedge, $23.70, shown in blue; also avalable in skygry, sizes 6.5-10, gojane.com

Tie-Waist Chambray Pants, $34.50, shown in navy; also available in black, sizes SM and MED, gojane.com

American Rag Skort Pleated Chambray Shorts, $19.99, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

American Rag Top Chambray Zipper Bustier, $14.99, sizes S-L, macys.com

American Rag Top Chambray Pleat Boyfriend Shirt, $24.99, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

Angie Top Chambray Lace Pleated, $24.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Angie Top Embroidered Chambray Peasant, $24.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Apple Bottoms Jumpsuit Chambray Halter Ruffle Tie, $69.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Baby Phat Romper Chambray Button Front, $39.99, available in sizes 7 and 9, macys.com

Baby Phat Romper Strapless Chambray Sweetheart, $69.00, available in sizes 3-11, macys.com

Kouture by Kimora Jumpsuit Cut Out Studded Chambray Romper, $29.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Kouture by Kimora Dress Sleeveless Rosette Chambray Beaded A Line, $29.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

One Clothing Dress Sleeveless Scoop Striped Chambray Ruffles, $29.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Rocawear Dress Southern Summer Strapless Chambray, $39.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Sequin Hearts Dress Chambray Exposed Zipper A-Line Jumper, $29.99, available in sizes M-XL, macys.com

6 Degrees Dress Sleeveless V-Neck Lace Chambray Babydoll, $24.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Jump Dress Chambray Cascade Ruffle, $19.99, available in sizes M and L, macys.com

Zac Posen for Target Chambray Bermuda Shorts, $27.99, available in sizes 3 and 5, target.com

Hurley Turn Table Reversible Handbag, $29.97, tillys.com

Cooperative Chambray Pintuck Tunic, $19.99, available in sizes XS-L, urbanoutfitters.com

Cooperative Chambray Trouser, $29.99, available in sizes 0-12, urbanoutfitters.com

Grey Antics by Grey Ant Piped Chambray Dolphin Short, $29.99, available in sizes 0-12, urbanoutfitters.com

Lucca Couture Trimmed Chambray Jacket, $58.00. available in sizes XS-L, urbanoutfitters.com

Urban Renewal Chambray Zipper Tunic, $29.99, available in sizes small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Banded Short, $16.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chambray Pintuck Skirt, $16.50, available in sizes 1-15, wetseal.com

Chambray Ruffle Knit Dress, $24.50, shown in blue; also available in white and black, sizes S-L, wetseal.com

Chambray Ruffle Tube Top, $19.50, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chambray Skirt With Belt, $21.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chambray Tier Mini Skirt, $21.50, available in sizes S-XL, wetseal.com

Like fake denim, chambray should not be paired with real denim. If you want to rock chambray pants, wear them with a striped top, some slingback shoes, a bib necklace and a cuff bracelet. Wear a chambray jacket with a bandage pencil skirt, a white button-down shirt, and some pumps. Pair a chambray vest with a plaid top, some corduroy pants, and sneakers. A chambray skirt would look great with a pair of over-the-knee socks, a rock & roll graphic t-shirt, hoop earrings, and some ballet flats. Wear a chambray dress with some ripped leggings, cutout shoes, and a shrug. For the office, pair a chambray button-down shirt with a pair of black dress pants, a blazer, and some pumps. Wear a regular chambray top with a tiered skirt, some paint splattered leggings, a pair of gladiator shoes, and a ditsy print handbag. Pair chambray shorts with a braided strap top, peep-toe booties, a straw hat, a tiered necklace, and some bangles. For the beach, throw a chambray romper on over your favorite swimsuit and pair them with flip flops. Wear some chambray shoes with a 2fer tank dress, a short sleeved cardigan, a pearl necklace, and a flower headband. Let me know if you have any other suggestions on how to wear chambray.

Leather Up

Leather has been spotted all over the runways, in fashion magazines, and in clothing stores everywhere this season. It's no surprise given the fact that shine and glossy leggings are still very much in style. It also makes sense with all the rock star and grunge styles such as studs, rhinestones, exposed zippers, motorcycle jackets, rock & roll graphics, and ripped denim being in. I love the way leather looks. There's nothing I like more than seeing a great leather jacket or skirt paired with some feminine lace or floral prints. This is the perfect way to look tough yet still sweet. Leather is also a common material used in shoes and handbags. However, I realize that many of us (myself included) do not want to wear real leather for both political and financial reasons. Therefore, I recommend giving faux leather (also known as pleather) a try. Synthetic leather looks just as good as real leather does, is much easier on your wallet, and is animal-friendly. So take a look at my faux leather finds below.

Tiered Leatherette Mini Skirt, $20.00, shown in pewter; also available in black, sizes 0-8, ardenb.com

Military Cap, $$12.00, bakersshoes.com

Studs Belt, $14.00, available in sizes M and L, bakersshoes.com

Pleather Skinny Jean, $59.00, available in sizes 1-11, babyphat.com

Distressed Leather Vest, $28.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Leather Skinny Pants, $26.99, available in sizes 1-11, charlotterusse.com

Python Zipper Wallet, $4.99, charlotterusse.com

Ruched Leather Mini Skirt, $22.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Belted Warrior Skirt, $29.00, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Belted Faux Leather Moto Jacket, $39.50, shown in ivory; also available in black, sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Biker Style Vest, $32.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Pleather Bow Headband, $3.80, forever21.com

Beaded Pleather Vest, $27.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Pleather Strip Bib Necklace, $14.80, forever21.com

Envelope Shoulder Bag, $32.80, shown in blue; also available in black, forever21.com

Tiger Stripe Flats, $9.50, shown in purple; also available in red. grey, and white, sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Pleated Clutch, $17.80, forever21.com

Trooper Lace Up Boots, $29.80, available in sizes 6-8, forever21.com

Stylish Faux Leather Blazer, $39.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Accent Pleather Belt, $6.80, shown in grey; also available in black and purple, sizes S/M and M/L, forever21.com

Marianna Platform Pump, $24.80, shown in black; also available in silver, sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Leatherette Zip Front Dress, $34.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Tripp Black Pleather Jacket, $39.00, available in sizes XS-XXL, hottopic.com

Black Bow Driving Gloves, $12.99, hottopic.com

Pink Faux Leather Heart Fingerless Gloves, $12.99, hottopic.com

Abbey Dawn Faux-Leather Crop Jacket, $40.80, available in sizes small-x large, kohls.com

apt. 9 Stretch Faux-Patent-Leather Belt, $12.00, shown in red; also available in black, sizes S-M and M-L , kohls.com

Hello Kitty Pink Faux Leather Watch, $16.49, kohls.com

SO Black Faux-Leather Watch, $8.49, kohls.com

Apple Bottoms Jacket Thrilla faux Leather Bomber, $49.99, available in size M and L, macys.com

Baby Phat Leggings Faux Leather, $39.99, available in sizes 1-11, macys.com

Grass Jacket Faux Leather Bomber, $44.25, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Jolt Jacket Ruffled Pleather, $39.99, available in sizes M-XL, macys.com

Jou Jou Jacket Faux Leather Bomber, $44.99, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Rampage Skirt Faux Leather Mini, $27.30, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

First Place for Fashion Pin, $14.99, modcloth.com

Winter Solstice Headband, $11.99, modcloth.com

Buck Cherry Wallet, $19.99, modcloth.com

Strap Knee High Boots, $34.99, available in sizes 6-10, pinkice.com

Snake Skin Bolero, $24.99, shown in brown; also available in charcoal grey, sizes S-L, pinkice.com

Studly Cuff, $14.99, pinkice.com

Toasty Floral Ring, $9.99, shown in teal; also available in brown, pinkice.com

Silence & Noise Acid Wash Faux Leather Skirt, $68.00, available in sizes 0-12, urbanoutfitters.com

Faux Leather Lace Up, $24.00, shown in white; also available in navy and metallic silver, sizes 6-10, urbanoutfitters.com

Crinkled Foldover Boot, $15.00, available in sizes 6-10, wetseal.com

Distressed Braided Hobo, $34.50, wetseal.com

Faux Leather Tube Dress, $15.00, available in sizes M and L, wetseal.com

Sparkle Bow Bootie, $29.50, available in sizes 6-10, wetseal.com

Pleather Skinny Pant, $19.99, shown in taupe; also available in black, sizes 0-15, wetseal.com

Pleather Stud Mini Skirt, $22.50, available in sizes S-L, wetseal.com

To look like a rock star, pair a faux leather skirt or some pleather pants with a rock & roll grapic t-shirt, a faux denim vest, a pair of hoop earrings, a studded bracelet, and over-the-knee boots. You can also try this look with a synthetic leather vest and a destroyed denim skirt. For a grunge-inspired look, wear a fake leather jacket with some ripped jeans, sneakers, and a plaid top underneath. Another grunge inspired look to try out is pairing some faux leather leggings with a plaid shirt dress and sneakers. If you're already planning your Halloween costume for next year, you can wear fingerless synthetic leather gloves with a military jacket, parachute pants, a fedora hat, and exposed zipper boots to go as the late Michael Jackson. For a holiday party, pair a pleather dress with some glitter tights, rhinestone stilletto shoes, chandelier earrings, a bib necklace, a faux pearl bracelet, and a bow headband (article on bow headbands coming soon!). For a boho-chic look, pair an oversized fake leather handbag with a peasant top , a maxi skirt, wedge espadrilles, bangle bracelets, and feather earrings. For a cute fall look, wear a synthetic leather belt with a shirt dress of your choice, some jeggings, a pair of slouch boots, and a cuff bracelet. If you ever want to add a sweet, feminine touch to this tough look, try pairing your pleather with bow necklaces, bows, polka dots, flower accessories, floral prints, butterfly prints, lace, ruffles, and feather prints. Let me know if you have any more suggestions!