
Fashion Week is so much more than a chance to ready your next-season style wish list — it’s the perfect place to gather much-needed mid-season style inspiration. But the right-now outfit inspo doesn’t come from the runway itself, but rather the streets, where the fashion set — style bloggers, editors and It girls — strut their stuff in carefully curated outfits that are down-right dreamy. If fashion month gives you a serious case of FOMO, brush it off. You don’t have to be swimming in invites to get in on all the action. Just shop this hand-picked list of under-$100 finds to give your style repertoire a dash of street style star edge.
1. ASOS Bomber Jacket With Zip Detail ($95): Bomber jackets are going to be big this spring, so be prepared to see them popping up on the streets all fashion month long. Get a head start on your own new-season style by dressing one up It-girl style with a flowing frock or sporty sheath dress and ankle boots.
2. Front Row Shop Oversized Color Block Sweater Dress ($85): No Fashion Week is complete with a bit of artful layering. Oversized sweaters and midi skirts? Straight-up sartorial gold, and a look you can effortlessly rock both on and off duty. Take the foolproof combo to the next level by creating dramatic contrast with fabric and color.
4. Topshop PU Pleated Midi Skirt ($100): Bold color is a shortcut to a standout look, but it’s not the only way to make a statement. Meet the understated piece redefining power dressing: a pleated leather skirt in a powdery pink hue. The fusion of flirty feminine and femme fatale styles is a total game changer. Make it ready for the boardroom with a sleeveless turtleneck tunic and belt. Crop tops, oversized sweatshirts and leather jackets take it into off-duty-cool territory.
Bauble Bar Ishigaki Drops
6. ASOS City Maxi Stripe Column Dress ($66): Traveling light doesn’t have to mean compromising on style. No matter what your destination — NYC, Paris or your favorite small-town locale — incorporate a multifunctional piece with plenty of personality. Toss a biker jacket over this striped stunner and you’re good to go; accessories and footwear will switch up your look from day to night.
7. H&M Jacquard Knit Top ($40): Your basic tee gets a major boost with look-at-me graphics and contrasting color. It would be perfect layered under blazers (even on the job) or playful pinafores, or paired with cropped jeans.
8. Topshop Premium Shearling Clutch ($95): While you don’t want to outshine that killer mani, this shearling-trimmed clutch is too good to pass up. It might feel intuitive to take the rest of your outfit in a more minimalist direction to create balance, but a vivid backdrop will really make this soft, textural gem pop.
9. Mango Belt Straight-Fit Trousers ($80): Good news for (fashion-forward) lazy girls everywhere: Culottes and wide-leg pants aren’t going anywhere in 2016. And that means endless on-point outfits with comfort built right in. Style these belted bottoms up with printed blouses and slip-on flats for a relaxed-yet-refined look.
Contemporary Textured Culottes Jumpsuit
11. Cooperative O Loop Belt ($29): You don’t need dozens of new duds to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh. Give new life to classic coats, A-line dresses and tunics, all with a super simple, budget-friendly accessory: a sleek belt. Knot it up for a hot-off-the-runway look.
Brixton Leonard II Hat
13. H&M Shoulder Bag ($35): When you want to go hands-free (hello, dance floor), a crossbody bag is it. Skip the mini bag and channel some serious Jane Birkin vibes with a saddlebag style. The cool carryall has a subtle laid-back edge and provides plenty of space to tote your can’t-live-without-them items.
14. Forever21 Contemporary Front Slit Pencil Skirt ($20): No matter what you’re wearing on top — tees and sweatshirts included — a pencil skirt gives any ensemble an Insta-worthy boost. Add drop earrings and pointed-toe boots for an extra-polished finish.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.