STYLE GURU STYLE: Winter Utilitarian

Winter brings in a wave of neutrals. The blacks, grays, browns, creams and whites all seem to seep out of our wardrobes, mimicking the colors of the environment outside. But neutrals donโ€™t have to be boring and predictable. Enter the Rebecca Minkoff pre-fall 2015 collection. Minkoff paired neutrals in textures such as leather and knits with utilitarian pieces, like olive green jackets, skirts and sweaters. I liked how, when paired with neutrals, the military-inspired pieces were able to stand out while still sticking to a muted color scheme.

I donโ€™t really own too many utilitarian-inspired pieces, but I do have this skirt that I thrifted about two years ago. The length had been unflattering so I cut it to hit above the knee. I loved that it was high-waisted and had cute little buttons all the way down the front. I paired this with a chunky gray sweater because I love the juxtaposition of a streamlined skirt or pants with an oversized top. To define my waist I added a thin belt. Because my town is currently under a wind chill advisory, I added this Forever 21 long, boxy coat I got for Christmas to keep me warm and to stick to with the neutral color palette. An outfit isnโ€™t really me without accessories, so I wore a pendant to add a little color and some gold rings to go with the belt and the skirt buttons. I finished the look with some warm socks, my old Clarks boots and a red lipstick to add a fun pop of color.

The military trend is easy to incorporate into your wardrobe. The easiest way is with a jacket or coat. Or, go for a skirt or some trousers. When these items are paired with understated colors, they look sophisticated and chic.

Get My Look: 1. Military-inspired skirt. 2. Chunky neutral sweater. 3. Long coat.

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