Look For Less: Olivia Palermo

The weather has been on the colder side lately, but I'm not complaining as I really enjoy bringing out my cozy coats for an encore before they disappear in the back of my closet until next year …and I'm really gonna miss them. A good winter coat is a fashionista's secret weapon, you can throw it on over anything and look put together and glamorous in an instant, and one one demonstrates that better than  Olivia Palermo:

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Olivia's gorgeous Tibi shearling coat is a dream, but since it retails for over 3 grand a dream is all it's ever gonna be. I did, however, find a pretty cute and affordable (it's on sale!) alternative that's also gonna keep you warm:

 Jakke Coat / Topshop Sweater  / Topshop Jeans  / Vans High Tops

Just throw it on with some skinny jeans, a simple sweater,  and your comfiest sneaks.  I swapped Olivia's Max&Co. canvas high tops for some metallic Vans, because I definitely think that leather is a  more weather appropriate choice  …and they just happen to look really cool with the coat. 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura  

Get the Look: Plaid on Plaid

I love plaid anything, but I always thought that plaid skirts can be a little hard to pull off when you're in your 20s.  They either look too schoolgirl-like or too matronly – but there is one way to fix that (as proven by Olivia Palermo): add more plaid!

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Pairing a plaid skirt with a plaid shirt, makes the school-girl staple look effortless and stylish. There are however a couple of DOs and DON'Ts:

DON'T: 
Go matchy matchy, you want a contrast!

DO: 
Repeat colors!
The secret lies in matching the colors, and not the patterns. If your skirt is blue with hints of red, like Olivia's, reach for a primarily red shirt.

DON'T: 
Get a skater or a pleated skirt,  you'll look like you're 12 (or going to a costume party).
Simple minis and pencil skirts are your friend!

DO:
Keep it simple on the bottom,  that means nude or black flats.
(Or pumps if you're opting for a longer skirt.)

Aéropostale Plaid Shirt  / River Island Skirt / Jeffrey Campbell Bow Flats

Topshop Flats / River Island Wool Skirt / Maurices Plaid Shirt

Are you a fan of plaid on plaid? 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura