Pleather skater skirt, 6 ways

I had been looking for a pleather skirt for a couple months now. I finally came across one at Forever 21, but just my luck, the sizing options that were left were not accommodating for me. I let out a huge sigh and continued browsing around. I went down to the floor that was all the clothes on sale, and out of the corner of my eye, I see a pile of random clothing that oddly drew my attention. I looked through the clothes.... and there was the skirt! I look at the size... my size! I immediately grabbed it as if there were other people around me (there weren't) and ran to the changing room. 

Now these skater skirts have become quite popular lately, in every pattern under the sun. When a piece of clothing is "trendy", I tend to go for a basic colour or pattern instead of something more out there. This skirt in black is definitely a staple piece, and staple pieces in your wardrobe are the best because of how many different ways you can wear them, making every outfit look different. So I looked through my own wardrobe, and paired different items with this skirt. You will see the exact same skirt in every outfit. Here we go.

This first outfit is on the more casual side. Jewellery and shoes make that difference between casual and more dressy. With any of these outfits, change those 2 parts of your outfit, and again you have multiple outfits in one. Here I put a grey denim shirt, with a chunky silver necklace, and camel coloured boots.

                           

The next outfit is also on the more casual side. To be honest, I have had these over-the-knee socks for a couple years now, and have never found a way I was really comfortable wearing them. Of course, wearing a skirt and tights in the winter can be made possible with these socks, but I never quite figured it out just right. I saw a picture of an outfit similar to this online, so thought it would be the perfect time to bust out these bad boys and give them a fighting chance! So here we have a plain white t-shirt, a gold spiky necklace, over-the-knee black socks, and black wedge boots.

                                                

This next look is leaning more toward being slightly dressier, but keeps that casual look because it is so darn comfy. Here I wanted to put together patterns and embellishments, which is why I paired this zebra print inspired sweater, with houndstooth patterned tights (instead of just black ones), and studded flats, keeping that comfy factor. I never really considered pairing a sweater with a skirt before, but it is the best combination of cute and comfy. 

This next outfit makes me think totes preppy, because of the collared shirt under a sweater. But with the collar having metal spikes, it definitely takes it from preppy to a little more edgy. I like to think that I personally love all sorts of different styles, but if I'm going to go for a more "safe" look, I have to add a little something something. I paired this outfit with another pair of studded flats, except these ones I made into a little DIY project myself. It couldn't have been easier: old plain black flats + whatever cool shiny studs you can find at Michael's + super glue = shoe transformation and money saving!

Ok now these last 2 outfits are what I would wear for really special occasions, and with the holidays coming up, and the possibility of multiple parties/gatherings/etc., you can change up your outfit without having to buy so many new individual pieces. And I'm sure no one will notice ;) Here I took a collared blouse, and kept with the fancier theme by adding sparkly tights, and some high heels. Holidays for me require glitter and sparkles whenever possible.

And we could not have a variety of outfit looks without some lace. So this black lacy top with the skirt, and the same high heels, would be another fancy occasion outfit for me.

And because after all, we are in the colder months, ya gotta stay warm. So I added this creamy coloured blazer on top.

The "staple pieces" of a wardrobe are something I have definitely come to appreciate more and more lately. It is definitely a challenge and fun (if you make it) to come up with as many outfits as you can surrounding one piece. You will be pleasantly surprised! The blue sweater I paired with the spiky collared shirt, for example, is something I typically wear with pants, when I'm dressing super casual. But after putting it with the collared shirt and this skirt, I look at it in a whole new way now. So give it a try!

10 favourite fall/winter nail colours

I will choose painting my own nails over getting a manicure the majority of my days. I have gotten a shellac manicure ONCE, and it looked amazing and flawless. But after 2 weeks I was getting an itch to change my nail polish (as I'm used to doing, even sooner usually) and was becoming frustrated with not being able to take it off easily (first world problems much?) And the last time I had a regular manicure done, it was not the most pleasant of experiences, as you would think it should be. After the lady literally scolded my hands in rubber gloves with burning hot wax, which was supposed to be "therapeutic" and make my hands soft for 3 days (I'd rather not be in pain during a therapeutic experience?), she did the sloppiest job painting my nails, I could have done better painting my nails with my toes. And of course, I can be frugal/like to save money when and where I can, SO rambling paragraph concluding... I like to paint my nails. So without further ado, here are my 10 favourite nail polishes from my collection, for the Fall and Winter seasons.

1. Essie "Very Cranberry"

If you can picture the real-life colour of cranberries, make it a creamier looking colour, and voila! I find it a nice variation to a more classic red, and more "colder weather" appropriate.

2. Essie "Big Spender"

The perfect blend of red & violet. I suppose it's on the verge of fuchsia, but this is warmer and a tad darker.

3. Essie "School of Hard Rocks"

A perfect combination of warm forest green with gray.

4. China Glaze "Bermuda Breakaway"

A very opaque and sophisticated royal blue.

5. Essie "Mezmerised"

Another royal blue, but lighter, softer, and more playful.

6. Revlon "Blue Slate"

A lighter blue, verging on the gray side. 

(Yes, I just love my blues.)

7. Essie "Over the Edge"

A metallic deep silver. My most recent purchase. Obsessed.

8. Essie "Chinchilly"

A soft granite gray.

9. Love & Beauty (Forever 21 brand) "Nude"

Exactly as the name says; it's a nude. But if you have skin that's more on the pale side like me, this colour is extremely flattering and doesn't look washed out. It has a hint of peachy-ness to it which I think is what makes it so wearable. Gotta have a good nude, year-round. And if you haven't felt forced to pick one of these up while waiting in line to pay at a Forever 21, you really need to try this brand. It is surprisingly pigmented, and they have a great selection of colours. And for only $3.80. Bargain!

10. Sephora by OPI, nameless nail polish (don't you just HATE that?)

But really, ANY nail polish with glitter. I have a few different ones with different coloured glitter, but thought this was the most appropriate for this time of year. You can literally never go wrong with glitter. Anything. But that's just my opinion.

AND a little tip for all you fellow bargain hunters; if you don't already do this, look for nailpolishes at Winners. They carry brands I haven't seen in any drugstores (at least where I live), such as Orly, Colour Club and China Glaze. And because it's Winners, everything is at least a few dollars cheaper, so who doesn't love that? I have also seen colours by Essie and OPI that are hard to find in other stores.

Happy painting :)