Trendy vs. Comfortable

I used to cringe at the sight of girls at the mall in Ugg slippers... but now I'm just jealous.

Personal Style has much to do with Life Style...  women in sports tend to wear gym gear most often, artists usually choose clothes that both express themselves and are easy to wash, individuals living in the country prefer sturdier, more durable garments - the list of correlations can go on forever.

So what's better? A fierce, enviable look that turns heads everywhere OR something more practical, livable and most of all - easier?  
Seems like its all about priorities. Lets see how Hollywood does it:

Trendy vs. Comfortable

Nicole Richie in a pair of mocassins and cut-offs - true comfort at its finest.

Leather dress? Tight bun? Amazing look!

Jennifer Aniston... keeping it casual, her hair is still perfect regardless of the occasion.

Beautiful dress, beautiful body, consistently beautiful hair.

Casual Whitney Port, taking a walk with her ponytail.

Sky-high heels and a maxi-skirt not made for long-distance walking. Photographs gorgeously on the other hand...

Who doesn't love throwing on their hoodie on a lazy day off? Not Kristen Stewart!

Looking fierce in this a look that obviously took more than five minutes.

Toms, the adorable trendy-casual-comfortable shoe, as worn by Agyness Deyn.

Having a Marilyn Monroe moment, I bet that hair took more than a moment to put together!

A rare au natural Kim Kardashian seen exiting the gym. The skin is looking flawless, she should definitely show it off more often!

Posing next to her wax double, wearing an unforgiving bandage dress, good thing those workouts are paying off!

An adorably casual Reese Witherspoon, no extra make-up or accessorizing necessary...

Glam and gorgeous Reese!

Jennifer Garner, on her down time she's too busy being the perfect mom to care about trends

....But when she puts in the effort it looks incredible.

Jessica Simpson, adorable as ever in her casual parka

Here she is looking absolutely beautiful and sparkly!

Jennifer Love Hewitt, rocking the ultimate in comfort; the plaid flannel shirt

Showing off her more formal side in this black and white number... the pretty smile transitions well between both looks!

Sometimes a girl just wants to hang out in some sweatpants! Notice that Annalynne McCord's hair is still flawless though...

Showing off her fantastic figure in something less comfy than sweats but totally sexy.

How is Rachel Bilson 30 years old?! Her casual-cool outfits make her look like a teenager!

Classy and statuesque AND rocking the animal-print, a major trend this season!

Totally casual Amy Adams, but her beautifully perky face is clearly a permanent staple.

Looking gorgeous in plum on the red carpet.

Winter Florals

As most retailers begin receiving their winter collections, a trend that I have been noticing is floral prints in darker hues. Who says you can only be a hippy when it's warm out? The blouse-y, loose, and easy style should definitely keep going. The end of fall palette this year includes navy, burgundy, plum, and blush - not to mention, a less-than-innocent flower design. Check out these outfits from Club Monaco's latest look book:

...A little celebrity inspiration:

Anne Hathaway

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Milla Jovovich

Eva Mendes (her smile is the best accessory any season)

Michelle Williams

Olsen Evolution

 

Not to sound creepy, but I've followed Mary-Kate and Ashley since I was five years old. Everyday I would do homework with my dad and as a reward for being a good girl (duh) he would promptly turn the TV on at 6:00 PM for me to watch "The Michelle Show." It didn't take long for me to find out there were TWO Michelles (how glorious!) and apparently they had different names in real life.

I'm sure plenty of girls in their early twenties can share a similar story of how they've been affected by the Olsen franchise growing up. The VHS movies, the mystery novels (detectives in trench coats, OMG!), the TGIF sitcom (Two of a Kind) and that other teen ABC Family show (does anyone even remember it's name??). And what about "New York Minute"!!! I was in the 8th grade and begging daddy to drive my friends and I to the movies to see it! 

  

Now for the clothing lines...

In 2001, the twins started their first, self-titled clothing line which debuted at Kmart. Today they are founders and C.E.O.s of Olsenboye, which is available at J. C. Penney, and Elizabeth and James, which is available at luxury department stores, and The Row. The Row is their highest-end line of the three and continues to expand (handbags have been the latest addition, more accessories are in the works), it is worn by the designers and various other celebrities alike. 

Mary-Kate and Ashley's sense of style has been debated for a few years now, though the CDFA both recognizes and respects their hard work. While some worship the Olsens for their effortless/cutting edge ensembles on the red carpet and the grocery store alike, there are others who just can't seem to jump on the Olsen bandwagon. Regardless, its a fact that the twins are trendsetters... at least to me. Between spending my summers working in the middle of SOHO in NYC and attending a trendy art school (SUNY Purchase College) the rest of the year, it is amazing how often I can spot an "Olsenesque" look. Maxi skirts, oversized button-down shirts, oversized anything, mixing and matching prints, furs, bohemian, classic, bed head hair,  John Lennon sunglasses, kitten heels, combat boots - the list of looks they made cool can go on forever....

My Favorite Olsen looks and trendy girls who emulate beautifully:

(courtesy of www.tumblr.com and www.lookbook.nu)

F.Y.I. The best Olsen fashion blog out there *in my opinion* is: olsensanonymous.blogspot.com