Our Top Summer Essentials (Video)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny_R_vnuwAo&app=desktop
Why You Should Invest In A Lace Dress
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A lace dress is always nice to have in your clothing arsenal. It's classy, elegant, and versatile. What we love about this blush dress is that it can easily transition from day to night. During the day it can be worn with casual sandals or even wedges, and at night you can throw on some patent leather pumps for a dressier look. Lace is a wise investment because it's a classic, it will never go out of style. It always looks chic and polished. Having quality dresses that stand the test of time are essentials to have our closets stocked with.
To achieve a similar look to the one pictured above, click the links below:
What are some of YOUR closet staples that you can't live without?
Happy Styling,
Photography by: Elisabeth Huijskens
Summer Trends On A Budget
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Summer is just around the corner and before you know it, you'll be tanning poolside (enjoying the sun) and making memories to last a lifetime! So here are two affordable summer trends that will help YOU look fabulous while doing it.
1. White Pants: The white pant trend can be worn in a variety of ways. Walmart's skinny dress pant is great for a summer job or internship; Forever 21's joggers are comfy for a casual day out with friends; and Target's palazzo pants make a bold statement and can be dressed up or down.
Walmart | Forever 21 | Target
2. Flower Crowns: These cute hair accessories make us ladies feel extra feminine and fairy-like! They come in subtle styles with small flowers or even giant head-turning arrangements. Flower crowns are most popular for a trip to a summer festival, but they definitely can be added to any outfit to conceal a bad hair day.
Charlotte Russe | Forever 21 | Target
Whether you're working with a $5 budget or have loads of money to dish out, investing in these two summer 2015 trends will make for priceless photo-ops!
The Ultimate Color Combo: Blush And White
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Ask any fashion expert or fashionista and they will tell you that neutrals are the building blocks of a successful wardrobe. These staples allow you to easily mix and match pieces along with creating a solid base to incorporate colors and patterns. Neutrals are an absolute must have in every girl's closet.
When you think of neutrals, you automatically think black, white or grey, but blush is a neutral that is a wonderful addition to any closet. It’s ultra feminine and can be worn with many color palettes and patterns.
A popular color combination to wear is blush and white. These two neutrals complement each other well and the addition of gold in the accessories adds a bit of glam and polish to the look.
What's your favorite neutral or color combo to wear? Let us know in the comments below!
To purchase outfit items similar to the look above click the links below:
Tank | Jacket | Jeans | Watch | Necklace | Purse
Happy Styling,
Photography by: Elisabeth Huijskens
The Moto Jacket For Summer
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The moto jacket was the hot ticket item to keep the chill off this past season. For many, it was a daily staple worn with anything and everything. However, with temperatures rising, it's time to find a lighter alternative that keeps us cool without sacrificing the edgy factor of the moto jacket. Meet the moto vest, the trendy sleeveless version of the moto jacket. It's lightweight and versatile enough to be a staple in your summer wardrobe. Layering always adds a wow factor to an outfit, this vest is perfect for the warmer months.
Like the moto jacket, this vest comes in a vast variety of colors, prints, and materials. We love chambray because it can basically be worn with anything. We're all about stocking our closets full of pieces that can be styled several different ways. For more vest inspriration and ways to wear them, click here and here.
To purchase a vest similar to the one pictured above, click here.
Happy Styling!
Photography by: Elisabeth Huijskens
Get the Look: Kristin Cavallari
/This Hills and Laguna Beach star is known for being spotted on the streets wearing some of the hottest trends in the most put-together ways. We love Kristin Cavallari (who is now a mommy of two!) for her simple, classy style and the way she mixes trendy pieces with timeless pieces. She provides wearable looks that are oh-so-cute and oh-so-easy to copy!
Move over, little black dress! The LWD is the hottest classic look for this summer. A white dress can be dressed up or down (just like a black dress) and can be mixed with almost any piece. We love the way Kristin wore her white maxi dress with a classic denim jacket.
Drapey pants are making a huge comeback this season. They're adorable, versatile, comfortable (perfect for summer traveling), and come in an endless array of patterns. What's not to love? Kristin dresses her drapey pants up with low heels and a casual white top which matches the pattern in her pants. We also love the idea of going all-out comfortable and pairing them with Birkenstock-style sandals (a hot summer item).
Lastly, Kristin was spotted wearing a simple, yet stunning outfit while shopping on the streets. Her distressed denim adds a casual flair to her leather shoes and black top, adding a subtle edge to her sleek look.
Dress | Drapey Pants | Jeans
3 Ways To Wear Gingham
/The go-to print for spring is gingham. It's a classic that is re-surfacing as a must have pattern to have in your wardrobe this season. Here are a few ways to style this charming, ladylike print. Wear it loose and untucked with a pair of distressed boyfriend shorts. Top it off with a hat, aviators, and clutch and you have an edgy, laid back outfit that's perfect to wear on a casual day out on the town.
{image via}
Dresses are key this spring. Go beyond the standard gingham print shirt and wear a dress. This one is adorable.
{image via}
Be daring and pair gingham with another pattern, like floral. A tip for successfully mixing prints is making sure the patterns have a grounding color that flows throughout the look. In this outfit, blue is in the floral top and the pants. The coral shoes complement the color found in the shirt.
{image via}
Will you be wearing this trendy print for spring? If so, how will you style it? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy Styling,
50th Annual ACM Awards: Our Picks For Best Dressed
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April 19th was a star-studded night in Arlington, TX as country superstars and celebrities gathered for the 50th annual ACM awards. The red-carpet event featured Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan as hosts, and awards were won by Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, and performances from guests such as Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley were unforgettable. However, some of our favorite looks from the glamorous evening belonged to the faces that were seen on the red-carpet, but not necessarily the stage.
Dierks Bentley had a successful night performing "Riser" (possibly his next single) and he also had a beautiful date, wife Cassidy Black. Cassidy rocked strappy, simple black heels which are a huge trend right now. The more simple of the heel, the better for summer. We love the intricate pattern of her dress and the flattering and unique neckline. Dierks and Cassidy win for hottest couple of the night.
Olivia Culpo and Nick Jonas made a stunning pair. We love her entire look for its simplicity, yet Olivia was one of the more stunning appearances. Her look is proof that simplicity can be key with the right accessories, makeup and hair choices. Why was Nick Jonas (formerly from "the Jonas Brothers" and known for his pop vocals) at the ACMs? He contributed to a fun and unique twist as he performed his two hits, "Chains" and "Jealous" along country duo Dan + Shay.
Tracy Ripsin and Troy Aikman were another hot couple seen on the red carpet. We adore everything about Tracy's look, from her blush-colored gown to her metallic beaded statement necklace to her soft curls and most importantly her radiant smile.
Reese Witherspoon made a guest appearance on the red carpet alongside Hot Pursuit costar Sofia Vergara. Reese also chose to wear trendy, simple and strappy black heels to compliment her bold, glittery gown which we love for its cute skater-girl shape.
Shop Spring's Hottest Trends: Long Vests and Fringe
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Long vests and fringe are two popular trends this season. They were all over the Spring/Summer 2015 runways and were two of the bigger hits to grace the catwalk. Long vests are perfect for layering, adding interest to an outfit, and creating a long, lean silhouette. You can achieve a large variety of looks depending on your vest. From minimalist to bohemian, there’s a style that fits every personality.
70's inspired boho looks are huge this season, hence the comeback of fringe. You can find it on just about everything, from skirts to tops to bathing suits. It's fun, carefree, and slightly edgy.
The above look knocks out two trends at once. The lightweight vest with fringe embellishment is the highlight of this outfit. Not to mention the on-trend fedora and chunky sandals.
To achieve a similar look, click the links below:
Hat | Tank | Vest | Pants | Shoes
Happy Styling,
Photography by: Elisabeth Huijskens
4 Winning Looks from the 2015 MTV Movie Awards
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This year's MTV Movie Awards featured a wide variety of looks. Actresses (such as Pitch Perfect 2's Rebel Wilson and Kelly Osbourne) rocked black, chic looks, while others (such as Bella Thorne and Victoria Justice) chose bold outfits that included lots of color and pattern mixing. Here are the ensembles we consider red carpet (or in the case of these awards, blue carpet) winners.
Sunday night was a big night for young actress Shailene Woodley, who you may have seen in the Divergent series or The Fault in Our Stars. She started out the evening by boldly taking on the blue carpet with an interesting take on pattern mixing. Shailene's look was one of the more casual of the night, but we love how she chose to mix thin stripes with a tribal print. Also, her red lips really pop with the look and add a fun flare, which is fitting for the 23-year-old. Shailene took home the awards for best female performance for The Fault In Our Stars, in which she gave a memorable speech that brought the author of The Fault In Our Stars, John Greene, to tears.
Pink seemed to be a hot color at the awards, and Pitch Perfect 2's Brittany Snow brought back the popular color-blocking look in a classy and fun way. Her slicked-back hair really leaves the bright look polished and sophisticated.
Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers Age of Ultron) was wearing one of the most trendy looks of the night with her jumpsuit, which she paired beautifully with a turquoise clutch. We love the details of her look, like the subtle cut-out neckline.
Awkward actress Molly Tarlov rocked an ultra feminine, pretty, all-white dress. The shape of her dress makes it unique and we love the simplicity of her hair and subtle silver shoes. Simplicity is always in, and white is another hot color this season!
To compare trends from this year's MTV Movie Awards and the 2014 awards, click here.
Love Yourself From The Inside Out (Video)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdxgvkiNYkM&app=desktop
Classy Boho Style
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It’s no secret that we have a deep love for bohemian style at Top Buttons. We always enjoy highlighting an outfit that’s on point whenever we spot one. It's always refreshing to see how people take a popular style and truly make it their own. There are many expressions of boho style, from ultra 70's to romantic-chic. What stands out with Katy’s outfit is that it has a distinct classy, feminine vibe to it. She’s incorporated pearl earrings into her look which adds a classic, refined feel to her outfit.
Kimono’s are more popular than ever this season. This cream kimono with lace and fringe detail is a smart investment as it is a neutral and can be worn with several different pieces in your wardrobe.
Katy’s necklace is the epitome of boho chic and her Alex and Ani bangles add a fun, care-free flare to her overall look.
To purchase items similar to Katy's outfit check out the links below:
Kimono | Tank | Jeans | Necklace | Bracelets | Purse | Shoes
For more Kimono outfit inspiration click here and here!
Happy Styling!
Photography by: Elisabeth Huijskens
Trendy and Inspiring: Taylor Madu
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Farewell to the woman that I used to be. No more lies from the enemy. Bye-bye insecurity. Now I'm free, no more history defining who I am. In Your arms I'm clothed with strength and dignity.
These are beautiful lyrics from Taylor Madu's first single, You Are Life, which was initially released on iTunes. From this came a campaign that would find its way all over Instagram, Twitter, on black t-shirts with gold foil lettering and on baby onesies.
Don't let Taylor Madu's beautiful blonde curls and sweet southern accent fool you– She is one hardcore lady with an edgy style. Her fiery, determined and fun spirit is portrayed through what she wears, and we love following her Instagram account (taylormadu) and getting inspiration on how to mix unexpected pieces. She's a new mother to a beautiful baby girl, released a single on iTunes with 100% of the proceeds being donated to Hope Mansion--a home for single mothers, and is a social media enthusiast.
Recently, we talked about how to rock this spring's hottest accessory, a hat (The Accessory Every Girl Needs This Spring). It's fitting that for Easter, Madu posted this picture of her adorable wide-brim hat, round sunnies (another hot accessory for spring and summer) and a playful skirt. The look above is one of her more girly, softer looks, but she throws in a cute muscle tank to add a modern edge to this look.
We also love Madu's incredible ability to rock flannels in multiple ways! Here she wears it both tied around her waist and in a jacket-style paired with distressed denim, a graphic muscle tank, killer boots and tinted aviators (trend alert).
There are a million reasons to love this powerhouse of a woman from her generous spirit to her awesome fashion sense. For more Taylor Madu-inspired looks, visit her blog here.
{Images via Madu's official site}
Pinterest Inspired Thrifting
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Before I go to Salvation Army (or any thrift store), I like to search Pinterest for current specific trends and outfit ideas. I usually create a Pinterest Board, and then I venture off to the thrift store with these items in mind.
My most recent trip to Salvation Army was a success! I spent about $28 during their 50% off sale and purchased 10 items!
This lace pencil skirt is Forever 21!
This sweater from Salvation Army is Banana Republic. It features a slight high-low style, with frontal pockets, and two different knits on the front and back.
This might have been the biggest steal of the day! It had the ORIGINAL Nordstrom tag for $89.99 still on it, but was purchased for just $2.50. The brand is a vintage Jeffrey & Dara and therefore can no longer be purchased in retail stores.
Most people are familiar with the classic Burberry plaid, but its high price is a quick deterrence. This plaid shirt is actually a MEN's shirt, but it has a similar eye-catching plaid pattern with its tan-red-and-black color scheme.
Free People is pretty notorious for its flowy oversized and worn-looking tee's and sweaters. When this high-low oversized sweater was found in the plus-size* section at Salvation Army, I saw so much potential in it. By belting it mid-waist, it creates an A-line fit.
(I starred plus-size because I want to encourage you to PAY NO ATTENTION TO SIZE NUMBERS or SECTIONS while shopping at thrift stores. Don't let a number throw you off, some items at second-hand stores are so vintage that they may have shrunk, may have been tailored, or can vary in fit depending on brand. Try EVERYTHING on and wear what fits and looks right.)
Tribal, Aztec, Southwestern – these diverse ethnic prints have risen in popularity for long enough that they aren't considered a fading trend. This sweater is a great find because of its beautiful multi-colored pattern.
Army green and studded anything are two trends that are popular apart from each other, but combining them together in ONE LOOK is even better!
"Overall, I had a great day" -- My favorite thing to say every time I wear a great pair of overalls.
This overall dress is a rare find. It is a vintage look that may not be popular with everyone, but I proudly admit to owning about 6 pairs of overalls all together. They're so comfortable, versatile, and easy to wear!
Waterfall cardigans are great because they can be thrown over almost any outfit to transform it from something simple to something styled. They are flowy and are perfect for those days you just want to cover-up a little more. This one I purchased is Forever21 brand!
So, not everyone loves the "School Girl" look, but it can definitely be classy when worn right. I love this Pinterest-inspired outfit. I've been looking for the right plaid jumper for a while, but they are hard to come by. I lucked out when I finally found this one. The cashier checking out my items even complimented my find.
All together, I was very satisfied with my purchases. After only spending 28.38 on ten items, each one averaged out to $2.84!
The Accessory Every Girl Needs This Spring
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The one item you need to invest in this spring is (drumroll)....a hat! It is the accessory that adds a definite "wow factor" to an outfit. You can wear hats with shorts, pants, or our personal favorite-- dresses. Besides our trusty mascara, hats are a girls best friend! We can always count on them to make us look chic no matter how bad our hair day is. Priscila's look is simple, yet sophisticated with a sundress, button- up shirt, and sandals. The icing on the cake is the hat, which pulls the outfit together making it look like a glamorous afternoon on the town.
Luckily, you don't have to look too far for the perfect hat these days. Since, they are extremely popular this season, you can find budget-friendly hats of all styles at Target, H & M, and Forever 21.
Dress: Target (old), similar / Hat: Target / Shoes: New York And Co (old), similar / Shirt: Ralph Lauren (old), similar
If you've never worn a hat before, this is the time to branch out. Stop by your local Target and try on a few different styles. From floppy hats to fedoras, there are a ton of options. Not all shapes and sizes will work, but the more you try on, the easier it will be to find one that fits your style.
Will you be wearing a hat this season? If so, what's your favorite style? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy Styling,
Photography by: Elisabeth Huijskens
Spring Dresses Under $40
/Dresses are the highlight of my spring and summer. Not only are they feminine, lightweight and comfortable, they are a complete outfit. That simplifies my “getting ready” process along with being easy on my pocketbook. No more expensive, complex layering, warmer days have arrived! Since Easter is fast approaching, we thought it would be the perfect time to round up some of our top picks for dresses, ALL under $40.
Forever 21, $29.90
Old Navy, $36.94
Forever 21, $22.90
Old Navy, $34.94
Forever 21, $22.90
Happy browsing ladies! Let us know if you find a dress that catches your eye.
Happy Styling,
Get the Look: AnnaSophia Robb's Romper
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Soul Surfer star, 21-year-old AnnaSophia Robb took the photo above (which was published in Teen Vogue) while in Florence, Italy. This travel friendly outfit is ideal for spring break traveling and family vacations as we approach the summer months. AnnaSophia's outfit is totally adventure-worthy. With celebrities rocking rompers all over the streets as the weather gets warmer, AnnaSophia wears it best in our book. The romper is a classic piece that has a history dating back to the early 20th century, but is making a huge comeback. Rompers are cute, comfortable and provide coverage while still being cool enough for the summer, or wearable when it's colder in the evenings when paired with a cardigan. We love how AnnaSophia's romper features long sleeves and a button-up look along with a really fun pattern. AnnaSophia accessorizes her plaid romper with a neutral-colored belt, sunglasses, comfortable flats and a long gold pendant necklace. The trick to wearing a romper is choosing one with an interesting pattern or material and having fun pairing it with accessories.
Good news! You can get a look similar to AnnaSophia's, all at Forever 21, and all for under $60.
Romper/Belt/Sunglasses/Necklace/Shoes
We love our Top Buttons photography lead, Elisabeth Huijskens and how she is choosing to rock her romper this spring! For more romper history and details on where she scored her outfit, visit her blog here. Happy spring!
Written by: Katy Abramowich
A Thrifted Look for Spring
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You may look at this outfit and question how black or leather are spring trends, but the truth is that they are classic looks. Black can never go out of style, no matter what season; and leather is one of those trends that comes and goes but you can be confident that it will always come back. The main spring piece in this outfit is the emerald green lace dress. Bright colors are a must for spring! Check out Alexis' thrifted look below.
Believe it or not, but this entire outfit was thrifted! Some people are surprised when I show up in an outfit where every piece is second-hand, but I like to be living proof that you can dress for success without going broke getting there!
This emerald green lace SHIFT dress was just $3.50 at Salvation Army during their weekly 50% off Wednesday sale, and my jelly wedge shoes were $4 thrifted there too. They both even came NEW WITH THEIR ORIGINAL TAGS!
The leather leggings were a $7 investment from Platos Closet– a second-hand clothing store that sells gently used name brand items! The classy cameo earrings are a vintage-inspired gift from a friend. Lastly, although the white oversized handbag is Jessica Simpson brand, it was actually found for a couple bucks at Goodwill.
My ENTIRE OUTFIT totals to about $20, but it makes me feel like a million bucks!
Unfortunately because all the items are thrifted, we can't link back to the original ones, but here's a few similar looking pieces:
Emerald Green Dress Macy's Price: $89 | Thrifted Price: $3.50
Leather Leggings Macy's Price: $7-22 | Thrifted Price: $7
Jelly Wedge Shoes Lulu's Price: $28 | Thrifted Price: $4
Cameo Earrings Overstock Price: 20 | Gifted Price: FREE White Handbag Forever 21 Price: $20 | Thrifted Price: $4
TOTAL SAVINGS: About $150
I encourage you to flip through some positive fashion magazines and our Instagram feed to get your latest inspiration on fashion, make a list of the items you want in your wardrobe, and go on a thrift shop hunt to find them! When purchasing the items for this look, I knew there were a couple things I wanted: jelly shoes, a statement purse, and leather leggings. The lace dress was an added bonus!
Blogger Style: Get The Look For Under $100
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Boyfriend shorts, panama hats, and striped shirts are just a few of my favorite items for spring and summer. I absolutely love this look worn by style blogger Kat Tanita. It's perfectly casual, yet chic all at once. On a recent stroll through Target, I came across a few items that looked very similar to Kat's look. To my delight, the entire outfit was under $100. This is an amazing deal, especially since the Rag and Bone shorts alone from her look are $209! Although, I love Rag and Bone, a cheaper alternative is always a plus. Also, there is a promotion going on now through March 28, buy 1 get 1 50% off clothing, shoes, and accessories. That makes this outfit even more affordable!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your keys and head over to Target! Let us know if you score any deals!
Shirt / Shorts / Sandals / Hat / Sunglasses
Happy Styling!
Why Kari Jobe Wins Best-Dressed for March
/At Top Buttons, we are always looking to draw inspiration from women who are smart, talented, and classy. Singer/songwriter Kari Jobe fits these descriptions perfectly. Her many roles include worship pastor at Gateway church in Texas, Dove award recipient, Grammy nominee, and recently, wife to hubby Cody Carnes.
While Jobe is well-known for rocking neutrals, we absolutely love how she chose to add a bright pop of emerald green to her outfit. This is a great piece to draw inspiration from with St. Patrick's day just around the corner. Kari Jobe illustrates perfectly how green can be mixed with other pieces to tone down the vibrancy of the color and keep the outfit d0-able.
We love everything about this classy, cute and fun look. For this particular ensemble, Jobe chose to add classic oxford heels in a pretty mustard-color, sticking to her vintage-style roots in a subtle way. We love oxfords and their recent comeback over the past year. Choosing a pair with a heel like Kari did adds a little dressiness to her frock, leggings and casual scarf. She chooses to accessorize with bold nails and a stack of bracelets.
Kari Jobe is one lucky lady, but we adore her for being such a brilliantly talented Christian role model for girls of all ages. What's not to love?
Written by: Katy Abramowich {Image via Pinterest}