floppy hat Archives - Kelsey Kaplan Fashion

Ruffle Sleeve Top: Basic with a Twist

Kelsey K. — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:00:01 +0000

During the initial outfit planning stage for this post, something occurred to me. I often refer to “basics with a twist,” but I have never dedicated a write up about them. Today’s the day I am discussing why not so basic “basics” should make up at least one third of your wardrobe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a lover of dresses, jumpers, and skirts. They are so fun to wear and quite stylish, but they are not always the most practical garments. Now let’s begin with this ruffle sleeve top!

If you are reading this blog, chances are high that you are seeking fashspiraton or helpful style tips. Do yourself a favor and balance out your closet with some basics with a twist. This will require you to do some thinking outside of the box. The next time you’re out shopping, consider a classic top with dramatic sleeves. A cable-knit sweater with a unique hem. Colored denim versus traditional blue. Once you have a solid foundation, you’ll begin to notice that a simple outfit does not have to be a plain outfit.

I have made it a point to buy at least one shirt whenever I visit my favorite San Francisco boutique. Luckily for me every shirt in Current Clothing is a basic with a twist! When I laid eyes on this cold-shoulder ruffle sleeve top, I knew I would get a lot of use out of it. A striking fall hue with ruffle sleeves…need I say more?! I dressed this top with green denim, although black, khaki, or blue would work. To crank the chic game up, I polished off the ensemble with a floppy hat and a matching green purse. Now do you see why these not so basic basics are an important addition to your wardrobe?

Shop my favorite ruffle sleeve tops and similar fall styles:

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Spring Cleaning

Kelsey K. — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:00:15 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with spring cleaning. It is so refreshing to walk into a well-organized closet, yet the act of folding clothes is mind numbing. While you get ready to pack away your heavy sweaters and over the knee boots, here are a few items you should add to your spring “it” list: high-waisted shorts, fringe vests, lace-up shoes, and floppy hats.

High-waisted shorts are a great versatile item to have on hand. You can wear them with crop tops or with your go-to blouses, and they pair nicely with jean jackets, blazers, and vests. Depending on the material or pattern, you can get away with wearing them during the day or night, with stockings or bare legs. In the featured outfit I styled this striped pair for daytime wear.

The options are endless when you are working with a fringe vest. You may recall this Valentine’s Day look. Think of a vest as the spring version of a blazer – it’ll add just enough pop to a basic ensemble. This boho version is fabulous, and the perfect topper for your high-waisted shorts. Choose a “neutral” and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how often you wear it. Burgundy is one of those in my book, as it matches with black or brown ensembles.

Lace-up shoes are all the talk and chances are high that you’ve noticed a pair or two on the shelves among your favorite retailers. To all of my high-heel loving short legged friends, if you are going to give in to a pair of flats, this is how to do it! These sexy little things add a nice kick to your casual weekend wear and a playful touch to your business attire. Stick to a nude hue – it will elongate the appearance of your legs.

Floppy hats are IN and the good news is that they are suitable for wear all year round. Whether you are wine tasting, jammin’ at an outdoor concert, or brunching with your gal pals, an attractive hat can go a long way. Not to mention they instantly take the tragedy out of a bad hair day! My color choices are: navy, camel, and black this season.

Shop this post at Elle Rae Boutique or browse similar high-waisted shorts, fringe vests, lace-up shoes, and floppy hats below:

A special thanks to Elle Rae Boutique for bringing you this post and to Ava Trimble for capturing the moment.

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Touring Avery Island

Kelsey K. — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 14:00:17 +0000

I lived in Louisiana for five years and my husband was born and raised there. It is safe to say I have hit almost all of the touristy spots around the “boot” during my life as a Louisianan. For whatever reason, however, I never toured Avery Island, home to the world’s most renowned hot sauce, TABASCO®! That’s right, the fiery red topping you can always count on to give your food a kick is made, bottled, and shipped to over 180 countries worldwide on this very island.

But there is more to Avery Island than the TABASCO® factory…a tour of Jungle Gardens is a MUST! The 170 acre semitropical landscape exemplifies nature at its finest. Ride along the bayou admiring the Spanish Moss, bamboo, and live alligators. Stop and enjoy the blooming Azaleas, then make your way up the path to a shrine, housing an ancient Buddha. A setting like this calls for one thing: Blog Pics!

How does a California girl dress for a day in the swamp? In lightweight clothing, of course! Living in San Francisco, for the past three years, has turned me into a fair weather snob. It is safe to say that my tolerance for heat and humidity is nonexistent. As demonstrated here and here, I dressed for the tropics, during my Louisiana tour.

I decked out in another two-piece set, but this time, a skirt and top combo from Current Clothing. This look is a knock-off of the popular label, Faithful The Brand. Constructed out of a cotton and gauze blend, this pair was perfect for the swamp-like conditions. I styled the look with a boho tassel necklace, my go-to gladiator sandals, and a black floppy hat. Prepared for the sun to go down, I carried a black fringe jacket just in case.

Add Avery Island to your itinerary during your next trip to Louisiana. In the meantime, shop this outfit at Current Clothing, or text (415-980-4772) to order. A special thanks to my bff, sister, and part-time photographer, Ava Trimble, for capturing the moment.

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Cape Cardigan and Skinny Flares

Kelsey K. — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:00:02 +0000

The only thing better than a chunky cardigan, is a cape cardigan! These cozy garments make wrapping up in a blanket, in public, totally acceptable! With a trip to Sedona quickly approaching, I’m starting to collect desert friendly pieces, and this cape cardigan is one of them.

My favorite five minute outfit is black on black with a pop of color. The color can come in many shapes or forms. Maybe it is your shoes, lipstick, or purse. In this instance, the turquoise cape cardigan was my splash of color. Underneath I paired skinny flares (this is not a typo) with a cold-shoulder mock-neck top from Current Clothing. When your ensemble isn’t amenable to a necklace, a good compromise is to wear a top with an interesting neckline. I accessorized with a gold tassel bracelet and fab floppy hat (thanks to the ladies of Jest Jewels!).

About those skinny flares…where have they been my whole life?! I cannot adequately describe my excitement when I came across ’em at H&M. A tapered leg like your go-to skinny jeans, flaring out to a modest bell bottom. The perfect happy medium if you ask me! This pair features distressed details and are only $34.99.

Shop this Post:
Sweater | Pants | Boots | Hat | Bracelet

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Perfect Patterned Jacket

Kelsey K. — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:00:17 +0000

As a professional shopper, aka fashion blogger, I am no longer a “grazer” at the mall. What I mean by that is that I try to shop with intention. Either I have a vision of an outfit I want to put together, or I am on the hunt for a specific style top to match with a particular style of bottoms that I already own. I failed epically when I came across this patterned jacket last week at H&M…oops!

Without a plan in sight, I had no idea how I would style this jacket at the time of purchase. Luckily, I did know that it was too good to pass up, or it would have haunted me in my outfit dreams! Anyway, when you live in a moderate climate like San Francisco, you can never own enough lightweight jackets. I rarely leave the house without something to wrap up in once the sun goes down. Being a rather low key weekend, I paired this jacket with flare jeans. Although I debated over winter white, or traditional blue, I stuck with a classic hue hoping to accentuate the jacket’s tribal print. To pull out the golden tones I accessorized with a mustard purse and gold jewelry.

Make it a goal to shop with intention in 2016. You’ll quickly find yourself spending less money on more pieces you truly love and/or need.

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It’s All About the Cape

Kelsey K. — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:00:19 +0000

Over the weekend we had the pleasure of attending “movie night” at the San Francisco Symphony…it really is as enjoyable as it sounds! Sit back and indulge while the symphony plays the soundtrack live – we watched the Nightmare Before Christmas. I highly recommend attending a show like this in a city near you. It is definitely the “young way” to appreciate what the symphony has to offer.

A sharp black on black ensemble seemed very fitting for this quirky film, so I paired a lace bodysuit with distressed jeans. Keeping the edgy vibe going, I accessorized with a floppy hat, peep-toe booties, and an ombre box clutch. This outfit would have been far less interesting without the finishing touch, the cape! The black and olive combination created just enough contrast and as a result, the lace sleeves really popped.

It’s all about the cape! If there is one chic item you are going to treat yourself to this holiday season, make it a cape. Shop this cape jacket at Current Clothing for only $58 (text to order 415-980-4772) or shop some of my cape favorites below:

Are you reading this from your email? Visit kelseykaplan.fashion for the web version and to peruse all other outfits of the day.

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Side Zip Trousers and a Pop of Yellow

Kelsey K. — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:00:21 +0000

“Summertime” in San Francisco is quite different from the typical summer season. Although 10 months out of 12 it is at least 65 degrees and sunny, historically June and July are “cold.” When the rest of the country is in shorts and tanks soaking up the Vitamin C, San Franciscans are often in pants and sweaters. While you probably think I am being dramatic, a windy and foggy 50 degrees feels cooler than you’d think! It is something about the biting air whipping off of the bay. For that reason alone, the outfit below is a good choice for a ~~summer~~ day in San Francisco.

If you cannot already tell, I am mildly obsessed with printed pants – specifically printed trousers. They are so easy to dress up and way more interesting than standard khakis or black slacks. Naturally, when I came across this pair of side zip paisley trousers, I had to have them. Aside from the comfortable stretch material, the neutral color scheme makes for simple matching and all-year-round wear. To balance out the hip-hugging fit, I went with a beige oversized tunic sweater this time around, although I am already envisioning them with an orange tunic during the fall. I accessorized the look with some statement jewelry, and a python metallic clutch – mixing prints/textures is the latest hip trend. I completed the look with a floppy hat and yellow patent leather pumps. Don’t let the yellow scare you! These kicks match with a lot more than you think, and the sunny hue is a great way to add some pop to your ensemble.

Shop this Post:

Pants | Sweater | Shoes | Hat (similar)| Clutch

If you are reading this from you email, visit KKandGG.com for the web version and to peruse all other outfits of the day.

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When You Find a Fuchsia Hat

Kelsey K. — Thu, 28 May 2015 14:00:13 +0000

When you come across a colorful hat, and it actually fits your head, do yourself a favor and purchase it! Just like a marvelous scarf, the addition of a hat is another great way to transform a bland outfit into a fashion masterpiece in a matter of seconds! When I came across this fuchsia floppy hat at American Apparel, I got really excited. Not only was the color perfect, but it was a good fit and it did not break the bank. Don’t be surprised if this pretty little thing makes an appearance more than once on KK and GG!

While venturing out near Rio Vista, CA (aka the wind turbine capital!) for a summer soirée with relatives, it seemed like a rather fitting occasion to break out my fabulous find! The rest of my outfit consisted of what I like to call my “uniform.” Just like anything else in life, when you find something that works, take it and run with it. For me, that is a pair of jeans, a blouse, a statement necklace, and a blazer. In the ensemble below I styled a pair of mauve distressed skinny jeans. These chic pants can easily take the place of your traditional blue jeans – consider them a neutral. I paired a navy blouse with them and topped it off with my go-to cropped white jacket. To incorporate fuchsia back into the mix, I hung an iridescent rhinestone necklace around my neck, and threw on my favorite hot kicks.

In case you’re wondering, it was extremely windy during this shoot – hence the reason for windblown hair!

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If you are reading this from you email, visit KKandGG.com for the web version and to peruse all other outfits of the day.

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