Basics

 Naturally

Source - Amazon

Designer - Allegra K

Let’s get down to basics.  In the office place, what is your best outfit?  Do you comply with business formal where industry dependent?  Are you allowed business casual where industry dependent?  Let me ask - if you have your own office or enclosed cubicle, can you shed a layer of business wear to strike relaxed happy medium?

I would answer the last question with yes - relaxed can shine with a touch of formal or tap into low key with just one change.  In this moment, basically the open front cardigan jacket defines the whole tone of the outfit. 

So let’s get back down to basics.  

Start with the color palette.  I chose natural colors to focus on the apparel and footwear only.  Bolder shades tone down the outfit to emphasize pop potential.  Natural, then, highlights the unique individual designs and style versatility.

Next, assemble the outfit one piece at a time.

Skirt - High waist, Elastic back, A-line, Belted, Midi, Corduroy … Brown

Top - Suit Vest Double Breasted Lapel Dressy Waistcoat … White

Jacket - Velvet Jacket 3/4 Sleeve Open Front Jacket Cardigan … Camel

Footwear - Platform Block Heel Knee High Boots … Brown

Lastly, shop the look…Basics look.

Allegra K

Allegra K

Allegra K

Allegra K

Basics

By LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist … LTK Creator

Layers

 Winter Layers

In Style

Source - Amazon

Soap box moment - In many climates, the winter season settles cold air.  In the mainland (United States), the West Coast experiences a chill.  In the Midwest and Northeast, a chill is better described as frozen tundra.  The Northeast may get brutal blizzards but the heartland seems to get the first glance at hell’s polar vortex.  The winter season in climates with snow, cold, and danger to health needs to be treated with serious respect.  In other words, layers!

Layers, though, can always be created in style.  Mix up the color palette.  Go chic with modern footwear against classic apparel.  Circle back to layer accessories.  Opt for a knit infinity scarf that will add its own extra layer of coverage.  Wear thick gloves to protect your hands while still being able to function.  Lastly, one of the most sensitive organs is the ear.  Without protection, frostbite sets in within minutes or less.  Wear earmuffs in style and always practicality.  I generally opt for faux fur, so the texture adds a touch of soothing comfort.  

On Couture Closet and in this Layers Look Book, start with the coat.  A sturdy wool coat that will last year after year for time to come.  A winter coat in climates susceptible to freezing or colder temperatures is one of the best investments you can make.  On ShopLook (where all of my look books are curated), Allegra K is my personally favorite designer.  My most favorite design by Allegra K is the understated pea coat in a variety of colors.  A pea coat with the right outfit can fit well with early spring chill and the first Fall frost. 

On that note, shop Amazon for Layers Look Book.

Allegra K

NE PEOPLE

NEOSAN

Tomily

LCXSHYE

Allegra K

Let me ask - In winter’s cold, fashion sense or fashionably practical?  

Find your personally defined aesthetic while staying comfortably warm.

- LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist

LTK Creator

Below Zero

When the wind chill is too chilled

Source - Amazon

The winter season in the Midwest is volatile.  The first snowfall can be early or delayed based on average expectancy.  The snowfall can be flurries or impressive.  I have witnessed two blizzards.  Average temperatures can go out the window either way - atypical mild or atypical frozen.  I have experienced at least one polar vortex.  I have also walked to college campus from my home three blocks away in subzero weather.  (Needless to say, those who made it got extra credit.). January tends to offer a mixed bag - light snowfall, inches of snowfall, calm weather, mild temperatures (such as in the thirties), or frozen tundra when the wind chill is in the double digits and the morning lows are in the single digits.  When meteorologists emphasize warning from undue skin exposure to the cold, listen and bundle up because physical harm can occur in a matter of minutes.

When the wind chill is too chilled.

My buzz words for this look book are simple - cozy casual, comfy relaxed, and layers.  Winter fashion sense defined.  In January cold, the holidays do not seem to be long ago.  The holiday season is filled with cozy and comfy.  Below Zero is a reflection of my go-to apparel and accessories when I desire December memories in winter weather I desire to forget.

With that said, bundle up as you head out the door.  Keep warm in winter always.

(in my closet)

AMiERY

Design by Olivia

Generic

Sillies Socks

(in my closet)

Burt’s Bees

(In my bathroom)

Neutrogena

I hope that Below Zero offers insight, interest, and/or intrigue.  I designed the look book with intent - to express my take on indoor winter fashion.  I also designed the look book with you in mind - tap into inspiration for affordable women’s style that is also practical.  Of course, fashion is an art form and therefore subjective.

Remember always that in dangerous winter weather, safety and care come well ahead of fashion sense, which tends to go out the window for more appropriate reasons.

On that note…

- LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist

LTK Creator

LUC Anniversary

On a personal note

Source - Amazon

In January 2004, I enrolled as a transfer student in Loyola University Chicago.  I majored in History and briefly minored in Secondary Education.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in May 2008.  In the time I began and completed my undergraduate studies at LUC, a person has been born and has either begun their higher education pursuit or graduated themselves.

In the whole of my college years, I strived to be the best in lecture engagements and exams both mid-term and final.  I struggled and excelled but gained foundational knowledge to last beyond student years.

As I reflect on those hectic yet rewarding years, I consider the fashion sense I had…and has not changed.

LUC Anniversary is a personal look book but is worth sharing to inspire those after me.  Classic, Urban, Relaxed.  Generally speaking, college fashion is year round but this outfit is of course in the winter season.  On ShopLook, my selected age ranges were 18-24 and 25-34.  I was 21 in 2004 and 25 when I graduated.  (Health reasons caused many semester breaks.)

Speaking of ShopLook, what are we looking at?  Dark denim skinny jeans (a size I now miss!), slimming turtleneck (a staple in my winter wardrobe to date),  timeless winter pea coat (similar to a winter coat I was gifted before my studies at Loyola), iconic Keds sneakers (outside of snow boots, I grew up with Keds), travel backpack perfect for heavy duty college books and supplies, lip balm (not just for winter though), and elegant watch for keeping an eye on the time (yes, I once was late to class and my professors always had strict rules…I imagine this has not changed).

On ShopLook, this is what we are looking at.  On LTK, we are looking at, yes, the exact same outfit.  Let’s dive in.

2LUV

Skinny Jeans

(Medium Blue)

Urban CoCo

Turtleneck

(Wine Red)

Keds

Champion Originals Sneakers

(Black Canvas)

Allegra K

Winter Pea Coat

(Dark Beige)

Light Flight

Travel Backpack (Women)

(Black)

Burt’s Bees

Lip Balm

(Peppermint)

Anne Klein

Leather Strap Watch

(Brown/Gold)

LUC Anniversary offers an ironic point to my trip down memory lane.  I invested time, energy, and finances in my education.  In the economic and political climate since, my degree has not fared well.  My education did not change but my future has been all over the place.  Yet in this fashion moment, creating ShopLook to LTK has been a constant with all I’s and all T’s being marked.  Sometimes finding a constant in its most random form means the most when surrounded by a flurry of specifics.  I never imagined LUC to LTK but here I am…and I hope you have enjoyed the ride.

- LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist

LTK Creator

The Understated Bride

Whisper Blushing Love

The full source for this look book was Amazon.  All but the rose flower bouquet were exact to both ShopLook and LTK.  The brand for the bouquet no longer reflects this product on their Amazon page.  

I curated The Understated Bride with one key in mind - maintain my personal aesthetic while in the mindset of a bride on her one and only day.  Classic, minimalist, romantic.  Elegant, timeless, memorable.  Formally perfect without formally couture.  My hope was for the aesthetic to focus on the bride and the gown, with all else falling in line.  

The wedding dress is everything and styling around it is impossible if the say yes bridal gown cannot be found.  The one in Understated Bride was found in a heartbeat.  Mermaid silhouette, ivory lace fabric, sweetheart neckline, silver accent detail.  This dress comes in several sizes but the default is a size 8.  

Sheer white is always glamorous but off-white and ivory sing so much more in subtle breathtaking beauty.  In a blend with romantic lace…

…Whispering blushing bride, blushing love

If a brick-and-mortar bridal salon is the only way to shop, go for it.  If the budget is big and fancy, ease some of the finances by considering Amazon as the bridal salon.  The comparison savings will be remarkable.  Plus, independent brands on a global marketplace always benefit!

With that said, explore the ShopLook look book below with reflection on LTK.

Likedpage

ERIJUNOR

(Ivory)

EMATI

(Silver)

Flyonce

(Clear)

AUNEAL

(Set 2)

L’Oreal

(Caramel Latte)

CYANLUX

Words set the stage and anticipation.  Visuals bring the story to life.  In fashion, the novel or short story or poem is best appreciated with a touch of the hand on fabric and detail.  Colors.  Styles.  Putting an outfit together.  Script all you desire but imagination runs best when it can be seen - in dreams, in reality, on screen.

On this screen…Are you a blushing bride with heartfelt love?

- LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist

LTK Creator

Naturally Understated

 Simple Hues

- Amazon -

Kate Kasin - Skirt … Shirt

Journee - Shoe

Kasqo - Handbag

Anne Klein - Watch

L’Oreal - Lipstick

- Naturally Understated -

Naturally Understated is inspired by the classic colors of Kate Kasin apparel.  The whole of the look book palette, included products, and visual story come together through the apparel set.  The shades in this look book hint at green, brown, hues of white, shiny gold, and soft caramel.  The subtle mixture whispers Fall business professional with lighthearted summer workwear.  She is always the consummate professional, any season, any color, any design.  Naturally Understated was styled on ShopLook.  What you see is nearly exact to what you get on the shopping source, LTK.  (Shop with me on LTK.)

- Look Book -

(The Kate Kasin Bodycon Pencil Skirt with Belt is not available in the Army Green color shown in this look book.  I chose the same style with belt in brown on Amazon via LTK.  Otherwise, the match is exact.)

Kate Kasin 

Short Sleeved Polo Sweater Knitted Ribbed Shirt, Apricot

Journee Collection

Faux Leather Espadrille Heeled Sandal, Off White

Kasqo

Crossbody Bag for Women Vegan Leather, Brown

Anne Klein

Women’s Leather Strap Watch, Brown/Gold

L’Oreal Paris 

Creamy, Hydrating Satin Lipstick, Caramel Latte 

Kate Kasin

Bodycon Pencil Skirt with Belt Solid Color Hip-Wrapped, Brown

Outside of brown instead of green, the color palette is the same, the blend of products is the same, and in fashion the visual story is the same.  Whispers of Fall professional and lighthearted summer workwear.

Is Naturally Understated still worth considering as a style?

Leave a shoutout in the Comments section!

- LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist

LTK Creator

New Year’s Eve Vintage Goth

Holiday Elegance in Black

- Amazon -

Lace Evening 3/4 Sleeve Formal Vintage Dress 

Pointed Toe Crystal Ankle Strap High Heel

Cinched Vintage Satin Clutch

Statement Luxe-Shine Lipstick, srsly red

Black Crystal Teardrop Dangle Clip-on Earrings

Black Onyx Nail Lacquer 

Perfume for Women

- New Year’s Eve Vintage Goth -

I chose a goth theme to send farewell to 2025 for many reasons, one being my love for the color black when styling classic & elegant specifically and second being mysterious intrigue with focus on her.  Vintage Goth tells a story of the past, both positive and poor.  The look whispers finality to a complicated year with hopeful tones beyond the eve.  Due note - I had to fill many next bests in New Year’s Eve Vintage Goth.

- Look Book -

MISSMAY

Formal Lace Chiffon Bell Sleeve Dress

VETASTE

Double Bow Pointed Toe Ankle Strap Crystal Pumps

(Nearly exact - Off heel detail)

CHARMING TAYLOR

Classic Pleated Satin Clutch Bag Diamante Embellished, Navy

(My original choice is by Damara, an independent designer on Amazon UK.  LTK does not partner with Amazon outside the U.S.  Therefore, I had to select a next best in design, style, and color.)

Milani

Color Statement Lipstick, Best Red

(My original choice is by bareMinerals and the product is Statement Luxe-Shine Lipstick in Srsly Red.  Although bareMinerals is an option on Amazon, the exact product is not available.  Therefore, I had to select a next best as close to the look book shade as possible.)

Mariell

Black Crystal Teardrop Dangle Clip-On Earrings

(Exact BUT low in stock)

OPI

Nail Lacquer Classic Nail Polish, Black

(Exact BUT low in stock)

Ash by Ashley Benson East 12th

Perfume for Women - Scent of New York

(Exact BUT low in stock)

Vintage goth may rather inspire Halloween fashion yet in this thoughtful moment may the black of apparel and accessories accent the black evening sky as this year formally says goodbye.  

- LaurenAlain

ShopLook Stylist

LTK Creator