Casual, Daytime Look, Fall/Winter, Real Talk, Shopping Guide

Proportionally Speaking

At this point in my life, I’ve seen hundreds, maybe thousands, pictures of myself, but for whatever reason it was this picture (above) that Ryan snapped of me this summer that made me notice something totally new about myself. Could it be? Is that right? Right there in front of me, I noticed that I have a short torso. All of the pieces started to fall into place: high-waisted pants and empire waists always look flattering on me and longer tops always felt way too long. Right then, at the age of 28, I realized I have a short torso.

A friend and colleague of mine who happens to have excellent style and taste always says the first two rules of fashion are “Find your waist, and then find a tailor.” When I’m dressing clients or friends, I always consider their “lengths” first—it’s the easiest way to pull together outfits that truly look amazing on you. There are tons of little tricks to make sure that you’re dressing in a way that suits you proportionally, like always wearing heels with midi-length dress or wearing shorts with an oversized jacket to keep your legs looking long. Skinny jeans end up making lots of people looking stumpy when worn with flats, but so much taller with heels—something about that extra few inches of ankle and top of your foot make all the difference. Since I realized I have a shorter torso, I’m looking for more cropped tees to wear with high-rise pants so I look taller.

So how do you figure out where you fall length-wise? For one, if you’re always having to get your jeans hemmed or if they’re never long enough, you can probably gauge if you have short or long legs. If jumpsuits always result in a bit of a camel toe, you’ve probably got a long torso and if crop tops hit where a regular shirt would, I’m calling a bit of a shorter torso. Also note—I’ve discovered that this concept is incredibly difficult to express by writing, but I’ve found some articles that express it better than I do here and here.

I’m a list maker and getting dressed is so visual, so I pulled together some images (yay! my Illustrator skills on display!!) and a checklist of some super steller looks from some of my style icons. I’m deeply obsessed with how Kortney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Sienna Miller (I know, why not Kim? Probably because it’s hard for anyone I know to relate to her shape) dress. I know, I’m the worst, but I think they’re solid examples three different body builds: short torso + petite figure, long torso + long legs, and equal lengths torso + legs. Pulling images of them gave me such great inspo for my fall wardrobe too!

For my girls with long torsos – look to Kendall Jenner!

Ladies, you are the drop waist queens and can rock an oversize tee like no-one else. If you’re blessed like Kendall with super long legs, lean into wide-leg pants and flares, because it’ll just make you look more sky high! Make friends with a front tuck (Hi, Tan France) to define where your torso ends and legs begin. It’s also likely that you can wear a the ever-tricky mid-length bootie, just in time for fall.

For my girls with shorty torsos – go for Kortney Kardashian!

I’m so obsessed with Kortney’s style. She’s a tiny petite person, but still manages to look super fly and leggy no matter what. The biggest take away – cropped tops are your friend! And no, you don’t need a six pack to wear them. Even if they hit the top of your pants and show no tummy at all, it’ll still make your legs longer looking.

If you can’t decide if you have a particularly short or long torso, you may be “Equal Length! Good for you, this means life is a little easier for you, but not without need for tailoring or some nuances.

I think Sienna Miller, although petite still, is pretty proportionate. She’s just kinda fashion heaven too. Take a close look at wear pants hit her—even full length pants are expertly tailored to hit right at the ground to avoid “pooling” or having too much of a break. She almost always wear a high-waisted pant to make herself look long and lean.

There you have it. It’s a good exercise to survey your own lines! Consider this the next time you’re trying something on. And please, remember, just because something doesn’t fit you right does NOT mean that you’re body is wrong or bad, it might just mean that proportionally, it’s not the right fit, or you just need some tailoring or the right pair of shoes to make it right! Be kind to yourself. We all have different, beautiful bodies. I’m just here to help you get dressed in a way that makes you feel 100% you and 100% amazing.

xx – hh

Casual, Cold Weather, Color, Real Talk, Recap, Shopping Guide

What Am I Even Wearing – Part 2

A few weeks ago, I started a blind trek into my fall and winter wardrobe, feeling a little under-prepared and undereducated on what’s hot and trendy for Autumn 2016. In need of a little fashion inspo-I turned to the street style stars of fashion week to figure out just want to put in my cart during my late night shopping sessions. I’m thrilled to announce that the 90s are alive this fall, but so are some new looks. I’ve rounded up my top picks to make your weekend trips to the mall a little more streamlined.

TREND 4 – WEIRDLY-SHAPED SWEATERS

Photo Cred: Vogue.com

Thank goodness for the asymmetrical sweater, because its sister-knit, the regular sweater, really needed an upgrade. Be on the lookout for splits, cutouts, and dangling hems on brightly hued, deeply saturated knits. Last winter, I finally ponied up the cash for an Equipment sweater and it quickly became my go-to (as evidenced here and here), so I recommend shelling out a little more for a squishy-soft designer piece. But if that’s not your jam, try out a steal option.

TREND 5 – SAY IT WITH SLEEVE

Photo Cred: Vogue.com

If summer was about the shoulder, fall is all about the sleeve. The statement sleeve is here and taking every mass retailer by storm. Some tops are tied up, laced up, or cinched, while others bell out or puff in the middle. For the first time in a long time, we have the opportunity to express ourselves with the bottom portion of our arms (FINALLY, amiright?) and I find that novel and exciting. If you’re gonna say something, say it with a sleeve that screams, “NOTICE MEEEEEEE.” Choose wisely how much you spend, or just be careful when eating large bowls or soup or reaching by open flames.

Quick shop = Tibi or F21

TREND 6 – PANTS YOU CAN REALLY LIVE IN

Billowing bottoms are totally what’s up for fall, as as a women with hips and a booty, I’m thrilled. Skinny jeans aren’t going anywhere, but I’m so aware of my lack of stick-skinniness when I wear them. Say it with me: Wide leg pants that float away from your widest part are your friend. I live in a black trouser from Zara and can’t wait to take their cold-weather counterpart for a spin. A light-colored hue will keep chunky sweaters feeling too heavy. Pro-tip: A heel is best with these pants so your ankles still look lean and pretty. If you’re a flat devotee and you pick up some full-length wide trousers, have your tailor hem your pants so there is no break; this will keep your legs from looking stumpy or frumpy.

TREND 7 – BLOCK PARTY

Photo Credit: Vogue.com

This season’s boots go in two extremes: high or low. You can either opt for the sexy over the knee boot—highly recommend this – it really will boost your morale!—or the street smart block heel bootie that literally goes all day and doesn’t bat an eye (if booties had eyes that is..). Having nearly walked holes into my Stuart Weitzmans, I’m seeking out a relief hitter from Rag and Bone, but these nearly identical ones really gave my designer dreams a run for their money. I love the block heeled boot because you get the lift of a pump, but the mobility of a flat. #cantstopwontstop

TREND 8 – SLIDE TO THE LEFT

The uber trendy slides are the perfect way to show everyone that the world is your bedroom. These super-chic, difficult to walk in slides a la Gucci’s Alessandro Michele are popping up everywhere. They certainly have curb appeal don’t they? Shop at Saks for a pair, or head to Zara, to join the club of ladies slip, slidin’ around.

Happy shopping! I can’t wait to see the fabulous outfits my friends start putting together; and with the temperature dropping every day, I’m pretty sure I won’t have to seek inspiration from social media much longer. We’re taking it to the streets! Be sure to follow my N E W Pinterest board for more fall-fashion picks.

Stay cozy, lovelies.

xx – Haley

Casual, Daytime Look, Real Talk, Spring/Summer

Hi, Denim on Denim

When it comes to shopping, we all have a different approach. Some people shop to bring home something fresh, while others shop to lift their mood or stay on top of the trends (that’s you, bloggers). Still others shop because they have an event coming up, such as an interview or a party or a big date. The latter-est group is where I fall. I like event-based shopping because all of the pieces I’ve purchased for weddings, work parties, fashion weeks, or whatever else have now become little closet bookmarks for me. Many pieces in my closet hold significance because of where I wore them—my rehearsal dinner, my first party on Park Avenue, my last day in Nashville.

But it’s not just party dresses that I hold dear. Some of my casual go-to’s bookmark my life too. Case in point: my trusty denim shirt. Really, I should say this denim shirt because it wasn’t mine to start. I still remember standing over my friend Lynsie’s open trunk in an empty parking lot in Jackson, TN. We had just finished another work day and closed up the little boutique we worked in together and trudged to our cars, a bright orange sunset likely burning over our heads. Lyns—ever older, wiser, and cooler—let me rummage through a pile of clothes before she dropped them at the local consignment store. I triumphetly fished out this soft, oversized chambray shirt. The brand is Velvet and its role in my closet is pivotal.

Canadian Tux

I wear this guy with pencil skirts, leather pants, white jeans, and, oh yes, regular jeans to pull off what is known as the Canadian Tuxedo, more commonly known as Denim on Denim. D on D is the perfect weekend look with boots or the perfect unassuming date night look with stilettos. It goes preppy with a little knit jacket over top or hipster with a beanie on your head. It truly is a workable palette for every style. Get thee to a store this week if you don’t have a chambray shirt (or blue-jean shirt as my friend Mallory calls it)! Commit to whatever title you want, but seriously, just pick one of these up. Wear it on a date or out on an epic girl’s night, because something this cool should feel just as special.

Need some more inspiration? Welcome to my brand new Pinterest board – where I’m shopping as I post. There’ll be a new board with every post so we can all keep up together. Follow me on Pinterest because, yes, I think it is still a thing. More a thing than LinkedIn. #relevant Hi, Haleyannie x Pinterest

Have fun bookmarking this week –

xx – Haley

KEY PIECES: Denim Shirt – Velvet // Distressed Jeans – Joe Fresh

Per usual, all photos taken by Julia Hembree. Isn’t she great?

Casual, Daytime Look, Fall/Winter, Real Talk, Shopping Guide

Layer Up! Dresses Over Denim

It’s Saturday morning and I just came back from a quick three-mile run, it’s a balmy 65 degrees and feels like heaven. And side note – it’s November! November as in last November we had definitely turned the heat on and had most likely seen a snowflake at some point. I don’t know why the good Lord is choosing to bless the North with some very Southern-like weather but I am not going to argue. I’ve still not fully switched my closet over to my winter clothes, because, you know, pulling down my small bin sweaters is SOOO hard. To be fair, the sweaters are on the highest shelf of my closet. I mean, I have to get a stool or enlist Ryan for help. So of course you can understand why I haven’t done this yet.. #LazyGirl

One of my favorite outfit combos of late is the pairing a tunic dress with distressed jeans. The end result is an outfit that looks updated but still casual and cool. If you’re out of ideas for a weekend look, this I highly suggest. If you’re a newbie, definitely go for fitted or skinny distressed jeans and opt for a dress that does not have a super fitted waist. Think tunic or shirtdress styles. If you are a well-practiced layer-er, I dare you to go for a straighter leg jean. Do this with caution though. If your jeans are too wide and your dress too flowy, you may just look like a very bad version of an Olsen twin circa 2005. Just google Leandra Medine of Manrepeller or Miroslava Duma (Former VOGUE Russia editor) for help. Those girls layer like no one else.

And don’t forget to really ROCK this look out. I added my favorite stilettos, an amazing vintage felt hat and of course, a trusty bandana. Never thought I’d say “here comes the sun” in November..

Just to help out, I shopped a few outfits for both crowds – the new and not-so-novice. I also exclusively shopped the amazing Barney’s warehouse sale – prices are amazing until November 11th!

All images taken by the amazing Julia Hembree.

Happy Layering! – Hales

Casual, Daytime Look, NYFW, Real Talk, Spring/Summer

#FBF – Remembering September

WHAM BLAM KABLAM September is dead and gone and I’m not kidding, we are nine days into October and I just realized September is over. If “delayed style blogger” is not yet an established genre of blogging, I am sure as heck owning that label all on my own.

I have a friend who always jokes that I am not unlike Beyonce in that I somehow manage to fit 26 hours in a day. I get it all done. In September, much to my dismay, I did not get it all done. Thankfully, “accepting the situation” has been a running theme for me during 2015. I was dissappointed I didn’t catch much of NYFW last month and I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the ideas I have for Hihaleyannie.com. But situations much larger than my little dream of a blog are taking priority and I’m trying my best to accept the fact that, once again, things are not going to according to plan.

So we press on. And we write when we can, as well as we can.

Even though I attended a mere handful of fashion week events, I still tried my best to dress the part. Who knows, Fashion GPS might send out last minute show invites and I may just have the opportunity to take what I like to call an “executive lunch” and slip down to some abandoned West Side post office to take in a show. Not saying I did this during the work day, but I’m also not saying I didn’t do this. 😉

There’s a famous saying, “Dress for the job you want to have.” I aspire to be an editor so as I styled myself each morning during that first week of September, I asked myself, “Would Tonne Goodman or Amy Odell wear this?”

Whether it was a midday show on the West Side or discovering a new obsession-worthy line at the Hanley presentation that I rushed to after a long day at work, I’m so grateful to even experience a nanosecond of this industry. If you are kind and work hard, amazing things will happen. Here’s hoping.

Thanks for hanging with me. XX

Haley

Key Pieces // Heels – Celine | Chain Crossbody – Longchamp | Pants – Trina Turk | Boots – Stuart Weitzman (similar)

All photos by the amazing Julia Hembree, per usual.

Casual, Daytime Look, Real Talk, Spring/Summer, travel diaries

There’s More to Explore

As the dog days of summer truly start to become their most dogged – long hot days that drift into nights, last minute trips into Zara because you’ve worn all of your sundresses at least thrice, and the ~~fear~~ fact that fall and winter (!) are just around the corner, I’m beginning to reflect on the places I’ve seen since Memorial Day.

Many plane rides drew me southward while numerous other free weekends led my husband, Ryan, and I to new sights in the city. There was a weekend a failed attempt to visit the Bronz Zoo on a dime turned into a full on exploration of the Bronx and a new venture into Ecuadorean food. Another weekend we lounged on an old blanket at Rockaway Beach and watched the surf set catch wave after wave. There was also a hot Saturday in July when we attended the DETAILS magazine pool party at the McCarren Hotel and then afterwards I dragged Ryan ALLL the way to the upper east side to take in China: Through the Looking Glass at the Met.

We’ve had picnics at dusk in Central Park and an evening where we ran through a torrential downpour on the way to catch Jurassic Park at the Battery Park movie theatre. The streets were so empty I thought maybe we were living out the plot from I Am Legend and two of us were Will Smith and the dog.

My husband always laughs at me come May because my alter-ego, “Summer Haley,” comes to life. Summer Haley does more, sleeps less, and takes in absolutely everything possible. Summer Haley is my best me, for sure. When my photographer friend, Julia, suggested we shoot up in Harlem, I was so game. Welcome to the best wall mural you’ve ever seen, in all its Sesame Street, primary-colored, happy-drawing glory.

My best piece of advice for loving where you live? Experience it. Every part of it. Get outside, because there’s more to explore.

Lots of love,

Summer Haley

Key Pieces // Tank – Vince | Hat & Pants – Joe Fresh | Shoes – Sam Edelman | Clutch – Anthropologie

Casual, Daytime Look, Spring/Summer

The Beautiful & Damned

“Mine is going to be outstanding. It can’t, shan’t be the setting – it’s going to be the performance, the live, lovely, glamorous performance, and the world shall be the scenery.”

I’ve been reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Beautiful and Damned since my first summer trip waaayyyyy back in May. I feel super literate and cultured when I sit on the train and read this book, but honestly, I’m reading it because that one season of Gossip Girl when Serena is hired to intern on a movie set and oversee the script adaptation of the book. (OH TO BE SERENA VAN DER WOODSEN)

The story chronicles New York’s privileged and eccentric who are kind of just kicking around and spending money and avoiding having to work for anything (this is probably why Serena VDW loved the book). In the book, the two main characters keep having these seasons of panic where they realize they’re running out of money but also don’t have any skills to keep afloat. I can empathize with the panicky times, but differ from them with the lack of skills category. I feel a huge swell of pride when I think of the things I can bring to the table in life – for one, I can cook, so I can literally bring things to the table. Another skill in my repertoire is dressing for summer – this week I’m wearing my most favorite print-on-print, two piece playsuit. This outfit is especially special to me because I bought it for my first trip to NYC and subsequently lost it during my move to NYC but then FOUND it at the beginning of this summer. A whole year gone, but now we’re back together. #truelovewaits

On an unrelated, but related note about NYC’s eccentric. We shot these looks in front of the house featured in Wes Anderson’s film, “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Be still my perfectly symmetric heart.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some reading to do.

xo – Haley

Key Pieces // Playsuit – ASTR Clothing c/o Nordstrom | Necklace – Vanessa Mooney | Bag – Longchamp | Shoes – Rowan

Casual, Daytime Look, Real Talk, Sporty, Spring/Summer

Weekend Warrior

My week days start at 6:30 am with a 3 mile run (only if I’m really on it, 7:20am and no run, if I’m not) and they end at 12:30am with me putting the finishing touches on a blog or a tweet or a post or something that requires brain power that I usually don’t possess at that hour. I fully work full time. Day to day outfits are skirts and dresses and heels and intentional outfits – attempts to subliminally make people respect me and think “hey, she should probably style our next campaign.” But the weekend is when the magic happens.

Weekend warrior. That’s what I am. Rather, that’s what my new summer obsession called THESE OVERALLS are. Only recently have I started experiencing this thing called “weekends” and, glory be, those two days off in a row are life changing. Saturday and Sunday lay open before me and my closet. So here I am, with two days of adventurous, city-life bliss up for grabs and this denim hero. You better believe I am wearing them TO EVERYTHING. Beach trip – over my bikini. Day at park – make it french, opt for a Breton striped shirt. Concert in Brooklyn – racer back tank and platform sandals. Fourth of July Weekend in Connecticut – still not sure, but will report back about this on Monday. I think my husband is a little over the ‘alls, but I honestly can’t stop. I feel younger and cuter, I feel patriotic, I feel gutsier, I feel this weird mix of nostalgia and the pride you get when your outfit is actually ‘on-trend.’

I guess if I had an Independence Day wish for you, I would wish that you find what I’ve found. Whether it’s overalls, a vintage army-green jacket, or a sundress that just won’t quit, I hope you stop thinking about what you need in your wardrobe so much and just buy what makes you feel happy. Make my July 4th wish come true (please, sorry mom) – shop these pieces I’m loving and experience the Overall Attitude life change. Be the weekend warrior you’ve always dreamed you can be. And then let that bleed over to Monday. Deal? Deal.

OVERALLS by anthropologie89 featuring a denim overall

Hoping God blesses you, your closet & our lovely country this weekend.

Happy 4th ya’ll.

– H

Key Pieces // Overalls – Forever21 | Top – JCrew | Watch – Skagen

Fabulous images by Julia Hembree

Casual, Daytime Look, Spring/Summer

Flared Up

Ready your ankles because there’s about ta be a whole lotta room in the region below your calf and above your foot. That’s right, wide-leg, flared, and trouser jeans are staking a claim for legitimacy this season. The ol’ skinny jean + heel look is a trusty standby but now the fashion gods are asking us to branch out – way out.

A few years ago the bell bottom sweep through a spring season, but the effect was short lived – much like the spring-like loveliness I experienced on Tuesday, but now it’s Friday and snowing even as I type. Suffice to say, SNOW is becoming a four letter word. While cold precipitation is out, roomier denim is most definitely in. So pull out your trusty bells (like I did) or get thee to an Intermix to pick up the latest cut. I like my flair denim to act as polished alternative to actual trousers, but the styling potential is limitless. Take it the opposite direction and hem these suckers to be worn only with Rainbow flip flops and a crop top – I hear that music festival calling..

I call the following look St. Patrick’s Day meets Menswear meets Janis Joplin – that’s a thing, right?

All photos taken by the talented Julia Hembree – she’s doing big things in the NYC photo world!

Love you all way more than snow,

Haley Hoover, SMP Stylist – New York

Wearing: Blazer – H&M (old, similar), Top – Rag&Bone (sold out, similar), Jeans – JBrand, Shoes – Nine West (old, LOVE THESE), Hat – Nordstrom Rack (similar, cooler option), Rings – Topshop, Necklace – Vintage, Sunnies – Borrowed from Propmaster Julia Hembree (similar here), Bag – Zina Eva, Earrings: Gifted!

Casual, Cold Weather, Fall/Winter

Get Loose: Winter Edition

Last week, I mused about winterizing a very un-warmthed wardrobe into one that can handle nor’easters and blizzards with ease. This week, I’ll share what I’ve come up with. As I’ve struggled thought sub-zero dressing, I’ve turned frequently to whowhatwear’s 30 Day Winter Challenge! It’s had me doing all sorts of things like belting chunky things and layering skinny things, etc.

The best way I’ve found to change it up is to switch up my jeans. We ALL wear denim, every day! But some days, skinny jeans just won’t cut it. I truly recommend boyfriend jeans (Bonus Points for Distressed Ones). You can tuck a fitted turtleneck into loose jeans with a belt and accentuate your whittled waist or layer up loosy-goosy sweaters and tunics to look oh so downtown and OH-so-COOL! I’m still lending wide-leg kudos to my trusty pair of distressed American Eagle boyfriend jeans that I’ve had since SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. Sadly, I’m on the wrong side of 16 and am now realizing that these jeans have lasted me closed to a decade. A decade, ya’ll. How’s that for the best $20 bucks I’ve ever spent?

Grown up BF jeans can be found for a steal here and a splurge here. I’m here to report that there’s life beyond the skinny and so much worth in a solid cuff and chunky heel. Let loose and get loose with oversized pullovers and your high school jeans.

To recap: I recommend you opt for a wider leg jean (even for one day) and to check out WWWD.com’s 30 Day Winter Challenge to play with your wardrobe. If you’re serious about staying stylish or even just bored with your wardrobe, this article is for you!

If it looks like I’m cold in these pictures it’s because I am. Happy Friday love bugs!

– Haley

Wearing: Sweater – JCrew (Sold Out, Try This – big sale! Code: SALETIME), Tunic – Zoa New York (Similar), Jeans – American Eagle (the oldest, see links above!), Shoes – Nine West (old, try these), Hat – Gifted from Mama (try this), Necklaces – Anthropologie (Similar), Bag – Alexander Wang, Cuff – JCrew x BaubleBar (similar)

HI, HALEYANNIE | STUDIO H

style, self, & motherhood

Category Archives: Casual