She Rocked It: Leather Trend

Happy Monday Fashionistas! We hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving. We certainly did. What did you wear? We'd love for you to share it by emailing thegatheredlady@gmail.com or tagging us on Instagram @ TheGatheredLady.

As for today, I'll share a personal style victory- Rocking Leather. I've always loved leather for it's expensive appeal and ability to be hard and feminine at the same time. Sometimes it can be hot and bulky, but because of the flood of leather designs, I was able to take a classic skater-cut leather skirt and make it chic and classy.  I accessorized with a leather hand-clutch purse and a vintage white blouse. Do you like? Then show me how you can rock it too!

Leather Trend from Fall 2013 Runway

She Rocked It: Big Coats Trend

We love when one of our readers is caught bringing hot fashion to real life. Gathered Lady Deanna did a fabulous job with rocking one of the hottest trends this season  "Big Coats". We listed it in our 7 Heavenly Trends for Fall 2013 post, but have yet to see many women successfully pull of this look.  Check out our trend examples and the catchy way Deanna used color blocking and contrast for a eye-catching combination. Notice her coat is only a half size to one size larger than her frame. The structure of the coat balances the body conscience style of her chic pencil skirt. That's how it's done! Style. You have it. We Love it.

Big Coats from Fall 2013 Fashion Week Runway

 LA Fashionista Deanna

Have you rocked one of our style picks or the hottest trends? If so share your pics with us @ The Gathered Lady on facebook, twitter, or instagram. If we like it, we'll share it.

She Rocked It: Boho Style

Happy Monday! We love when our readers translate our 'How To Rock' and Heavenly Trends posts into real life wear. Check out this fashionable lady and her Boho style. Style. You have it. We love it.

Fashionable cutie Amy P.'s boho style for work 

Our Style Inspiration Have you rocked one of our style picks or the hottest trends? If so share your pics with us @ The Gathered Lady on facebook, twitter, or instagram. If we like it, we'll share it.

Fashionista Feature: Queen Aftan

Happy Friday fashionistas! It is our pleasure to feature none other but our Atlanta fashion affiliate, the illustrious Queen Aftan for your fashion inspiration. Aftan is 27 year old self-described "southern girl" born and raised in New Orleans and currently located in Atlanta Georgia. A truly accomplished renaissance woman, we love Queen Aftan not only for her bold, versatile, and fashion forward style, but also her faith, service, talent, and entrepreneurship. 

But aren't you wondering how she got the "Queen" title attached to her name? Aftan founded Music Uniting Sisters Initiating Courage, Character and Care (M.U.S.I.C.).  This program came about after she was bit by the “pageant bug” in 2002. The pageants she competed in all had a set platform and focus but none of them affected her in her personal life. She had always noticed young ladies carrying themselves as less than a queen with low self-esteem, and she was determined to fix that problem. She teaches and encourages young ladies to be queens at all times, think as queens, to call themselves queens and require the same of others. The company is now known as I AM A QUEEN ROYALTY PRODUCTIONS, LLC. Aftan, of course has a collection of crowns... don't you love it? 

The good news is we can all be queens! And even better, ATL fashionistas can support her empowering and uplifting mentoring events for young ladies like the "All Hail the Queens" event this Saturday. Invite a young girl you know and make an impact. But just before you do that, let the fashion stylings of Queen Aftan make an impact on your wardrobe! 

 

1. Describe your fashion style in 5 words. Big, Fun, Vintage, Glam, Royal

2. Who are your favorite style icons? Tika Sumpter, Kerry Washington, Jessica Biel, Emma Stone and Jennifer Lopez

3. Finish this sentence: I can’t help but buy more _Betsey Johnson Anything_ for my _Collection_.

4. Surprise! Impromptu interview with interview for Essence Magazine in 2 hours! What do you wear?  A bad shoe accompanied by a hot pink waist accentuating dress, chunky jewelry, an understated clutch and crown brooches at my chest.

5. Favorite stores to supply your fashion habit? H&M, Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx and many thrift stores.

6. Best fashion advice you live by? "A bad shoe can make any outfit"

7. Worst fashion mistake you ever made Wrong undies :(
8. Secret fashion look you wish you could pull off? A sheer sided dress! Might be too much for the people to handle lol!
9. What traits make up a gathered lady to you? A "gathered lady" is poised, well put together, understands who she is, knows her worth and presents classic beauty at its height. Which do you have? I humbly yet confidently believe I have a sprinkle of them all! :)
10. Favorite childhood fashion item you were obsessed with? I loved all of my mother's shoes even when I wasn't allowed to wear heels and I couldn't fit them.

Love what you see? Know someone else perfect for a fashionista feature? Great! Email or facebook us and let us know about it. If we like what we see, we'll share! 

Fashionista Feature: Leah

Happy Monday! This week we've brougth you another beautiful gathered fashionista. Leah is a 29 year old California native who currently is finishing her PhD in biomedical science with ambitions to become a cancer researcher. Leah is smart, fun, social and fabulously stylish. Currently in Nashville, Tennessee, Leah enjoys hosting dinner parties, going to lounges, live music and sports events. Leah  says "My style is edgy and chic. I love color, prints, accessories, and shoes. Also, I like to show off my legs, so it's sexy too." We agree, but don't take our word. See for yourself and check out this week's fave fashionista's pictures and interview and be inspired to be gathered like Leah!

1. Describe your fashion style in 5 words. edgy. colorful. chic. sexy. tribal.

2. Who are your favorite style icons? Beyonce! Rihanna for her edgy appeal. Also, being plus size, I look up to Mia Amber. I admired her style, presence and poise. Queen Latifah.

3. Finish this sentence: I can’t help but buy more shoes and accessories for my closet.

4. Surprise! Impromptu interview for Marie Claire in 2 hours! What do you wear?  Denim trousers, a plain T, a striped cropped blazer, platform sandals, and hot accessories. Casual but working it!

5. Favorite stores to supply your fashion habit? For budget friendly items I go to Target & Forever 21, Sears and Khol’s, sometimes Ross. Some of the online places I shop are Dorthyperkins.com and  ASOS.com.  I also like a lot of random cute boutiques from Instagram.

6. Best fashion advice you live by? “Dare to be different.”. My style is very daring and uniquely me, so I follow trends but I always make it my own. Also, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to look amazing. It’s about piecing things together in a creative way.

7. Worst fashion mistake you ever made? Yeah... in the late 90’s when wearing super baggy tom-boy clothes were in style. I pray that trend never comes back. I wore baggy jersey’s and jeans. I’m so glad I had a come up from that time. It was rough, lol.

8. Favorite childhood fashion item you were obsessed with? Baby doll dresses and the wedge keds! I’ve always been into accesories, so I loved little lace necklaces too.

9. Secret fashion look you wish you could pull off? Hmm, definitely a crop top. I can show a little something- something, but I want to rock the fitted top with tight jeans.

10. What traits make up a gathered lady to you? Which do you have? A gathered lady is a confident, successful, stylish woman who knows how to be causal chic and can look great in anything. The most essential feature is her confidence. When I wear stuff, and I slide my heels on, I tap into my inner diva, own the look and no one can tell me anything! That’s gathered!

11. Favorite asset to accentuate? How? My legs. I’m tall and when I wear heels it accentuates their long length. And I keep them toned, so I try to rock them when I can with skirts and sexy dresses.

12. How do you dress your body concerns? I’m not the curviest girl as far as hips. I love bodycon-dresses, but I go more for one that has patterns that gives my curves more bang.  I adore A-line dresses and skirts, because it creates an illusion of fuller curves. My corsets and foundations garments also help me work my magic.

13. Lazy day- what are you wearing? Regular black leggings, oversized T shirts from Target (the cotton one's with  a top pocket), and converse chucks-- I am from california, gotta love my chucks!
14. Fun fashion fact: I hate wearing tennis shoes (my chucks are excluded), unless it has a wedge. I just always gravitate to shoes that make me feel fabulous!

 Are you a fashionista with fabulously gathered style? Send us your pictures to thegatheredlady@gmail.com and if we like them, we'll share them! If you're really gathered, we may even feature you!