how to wear

When we first heard that crop tops were going to be big again for 2013, we had our reservations — it seemed like a look best suited for outdoor music festivals and costume parties — but after seeing the midriff-baring look on the runways at Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Costume National, and others, we inevitably changed our tune and are officially smitten with the idea of unleashing our inner Kelly Kapowski. The trend is rooted in '50s-era screen sirens like Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, and Marilyn Monroe but is also dripping with '90s nostalgia — calling to mind fashion-forward TV characters like Kelly Bundy, Donna Martin, and, yes, Ms. Kapowski herself. If you're itching to try the trend this season, then click through for our expert styling tips, as well as three chic ways to wear it.

In an effort to help you go back to school in style, we've picked out the schoolgirl classics that are ideal for wearing around campus this Fall. Now, we're zeroing in on another old-school favorite — the plaid skirt — and showing three stylish ways to wear it both in and out of the classroom. This Boy. by Band of Outsiders pleated skirt ($555) is a worthy splurge; it's got a flattering, looks-great-on-everyone silhouette thanks to uneven knife pleats and a slight high-low hem. Plus, its two-tone color palette makes it a fresh, modern take on the signature plaid skirt. We've put together a trio of school-appropriate looks perfect for the daily grind; click through now to see how we've styled them for maximum usage.

Thanks to designers like Nicole Miller, Derek Lam, and Yigal Azrouel (not to mention rapper Wiz Khalifa), black and yellow is one of the hottest color combos to try for Summer. Even though it can seem daunting to wear — second only to the horrific thought of wearing red and green together — it's actually quite easy to pull off while still looking incredibly chic. Whether you opt for a soft and conservative look, like Derek Lam's graphic printed skirt, or go for something with more gusto, like Nicole Miller's colorblock scuba-style dress, here are three examples of how to pair black and yellow without looking like a bumblebee.

Delicate vintage florals are a welcome blast from the past — and with the iterations we saw on the Spring 2012 runways from designers like Karen Walker, Lanvin, and J.Crew, we're feeling pretty good about rocking this '60s-cool print with some of our current pieces for a modern spin on an eternal classic. We've put together three looks that incorporate charming vintage floral patterns with updated pieces, perfect for wearing for work, play, and beyond. Click through to see and shop them now.

Out of all the possible color combos to try this season, we're feeling especially sweet on pairing shades of blush and taupe together for a pretty, impossibly girlie take on Spring dressing. Ready to channel your inner ballerina this Spring? We've put together some key blush and taupe pieces and styled up some fresh, chic examples for you to follow for work, weekend, and party time. Click through to see and shop them now.

If you thought you couldn't dress up a simple sweatshirt, think again: it's incredibly easy to do — plus, it's an insanely chic, effortless look that gives off a nonchalant "oh, this? I'm just keeping it super casual tonight" vibe. You'll look like you don't really care, but care just enough to make a statement (which is always the goal, right?). To help you out, we've put together five distinctly different ways to dress up your sweats, including a classic crew-neck and a cropped iteration— even a hoodie! Click through now to see and shop our looks.

We've been seeing short suits everywhere lately — on the runways, on the red carpet, and honestly, in our dreams — and it's a sharp, stylish look that we're hoping to channel ourselves for Spring. Designers like Carven, Jill Stuart, and Cacharel all sent sexy short looks down their runways, and celebs like Amanda Seyfried and Michelle Williams have made them look totally effortless — but when it comes to actually purchasing one, it can be hard to achieve the look without breaking the bank. So, why not shake things up (and save money in the process) by mixing and matching your short suit pieces? Not only will you score a trendy look without going breaking the bank, it'll look a little more original and a lot more personal. We've put together five blazer and short combos that look sweet, charming, and undeniably cool — click through to see and shop them now.

Always one to bring the style inspiration, Zoe Saldana gave us yet another reason to rock our colorblock this Spring — the actress was on hand for John Varvatos's ninth annual Stuart House Benefit in Los Angeles over the weekend and wore a sweet, sheer striped sweater in a pretty sorbet color palette. The way she put her look together (with black skinny jeans and suede wedge booties) proves just how versatile it is as a day or evening ensemble, and we're betting that there are a few more ways to make this sweater work for any occasion. We love Zoe's sheer colorblock A.L.C. Rugby Sweater ($315) so much that not only have we tracked it down, but we're showing you three more ways to wear it. Click through to see and shop the looks now.

You can't really think of Spring without thinking of florals — and in addition to wearing the print on dresses and tops, we're loving the way it looks in a pant too. We saw the look on the Spring runways from designers like Vivienne Tam, Peter Som, Richard Chai Love, and more — and it might just be one of our favorite combinations for the coming season. The look just screams Spring, and although it isn't for the sartorially timid, it's a fun, fresh way to wear prints. If you're feeling fearful about how to pull it off, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

• The best way to try the look is in a style that you would wear otherwise. If you're a denim enthusiast, there are a ton of floral-print jeans on the market, from Paige Denim, 7 For All Mankind, and Current/Elliott. If you're more of a trouser girl, opt for some of the awesome picks from ASOS and J.Crew.
• Ease into it by keeping things solid up top. You'll look totally chic (not to mention effortless) if you pair your florals with a solid tee and heels — and go easy on the accessories!
• Think about your body. If you're petite, you'll want to go with a smaller pattern; if you're tall, you can get away with a bolder, large-scale design. Either way, pick a color combo that can easily blend into your current wardrobe.

  Click through now to see and shop five Spring-ready ways to try the floral pants and t-shirt trend.

  
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