What To Wear To Fashion Week

by Austen Tosone

Fashion week in New York is one of those things that always sneaks up on you. One minute you're talking about how far away it is, and the next moment you're in the throes of it all and every year I ask myself the same question: what the hell do I wear?  My three must-haves for a fashion week outfit are classic accessories (like a black leather bag and sunglasses) a statement outfit piece (like this suede midi dress), and a pair of comfortable shoes. It is so tempting to wear sky-high heels, but at the end of the day I find I'm always better off in sneakers or flats. Other survival tools (recommended, not required): a cell phone charger, deodorant, gum and a good sense of direction since the shows are scattered across the city. To see more of my NYFW experience, follow along on Instagram and Snapchat!

Photos by Elly Ayres

Outfit Details: T-Shirt: Vintage Havana (similar), Dress: LF Stores (similar), Shoes: Puma (similar), Bag: Brandy Melville (similar), Sunglasses: Free People, Necklace: Gypsy Warrior (similar)

yours,

Austen

cool for the summer

by Austen Tosone

I've spent most of the posts this summer sharing different variations of my summer uniform; a light-weight top and denim shorts, and this time around is no different. In order to add some variety to the predictable tank, I went for this split back piece I got a few years ago from Gypsy Warrior. It's perfect for a hot summer day when you want an alternative to cotton tops because of its breezy cutouts. The shorts are also an old favorite with their high-waistedness and perfectly faded wash they're suitable for any and all summer moments. These caged sandals that I bought on a whim have become an everyday solution to summer footwear have just enough height to show the effort of wearing a heel with zero discomfort. I hope everyone is staying cool in the last few weeks of the summer season!

Photos by Helen Lo

Outfit Details: Top: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Shorts: One Teaspoon, Shoes: Forever 21, Necklace: Free People (similar), Sunglasses: Free People (similar), Bag: Brandy Melville (similar)

yours,

Austen

queen for a day

by Austen Tosone

Well NYC, it has been a long and hot summer. With a few exceptions inevitably scattered throughout September, we have most of our unbearably hot days behind us. So what does that mean? It's time to welcome fall fashion with open arms and embrace the warm tones, lengthened tops and bottoms and really get in to the layering mentality that fall is known for. With that being said, if you go shopping in the next few weeks, (especially as everyone heads back to school and I don’t, for the first time ever) you’ll likely be bombarded with the phrase, “transitional pieces.” The thing I don’t like about that name is that it suggests you’re buying something that will serve as a fashion layover from one season to the next, when really you should be looking for something really multi-functional that will stay in your closet for many seasons. Take this amazing sheer dress. I love that I can wear it right now with a bralette and high-waisted shorts underneath or that I could wear it over a pair of ripped jeans in a few weeks and under a fluffy coat in the last months of the year. In the next few weeks when you're on the lookout for the perfect pieces for fall, try to be on he lookout for the perfect pieces you're going to wear, always. 

Photographs by Julia Brice 

Outfit Details: Dress: NYLON Shop, Necklace: Express (similar), Sunglasses: Free People (similar), Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, Boots: H&M (similar)

yours,

Austen

Keep Calm and Chiffon x JoJo's Jewels

by Austen Tosone in

Happy Sunday! Last Friday I was given the gift of a day off (woo!) and I was able to take some photos for a collaboration I'm really excited about! For some people being given a day off warrants nothing more than laying in bed and watching Netflix. And while even I can admit that has its own appeal, I'm too antsy to truly take a day off. I did laundry for the first time at a laundromat and to my surprise didn't ruin any clothing. After that, I made my way into Manhattan to meet up with Helen for a large iced coffee and some much needed catching up. We walked around the East Village and dipped in and out of several thrift stores. We then stumbled upon this graffiti wall which I knew would  be the perfect background for my more monochrome outfit before wandering off to happy hour at The Brazen Fox. (See, I can have fun too!)

For this post, I'm happy to be collaborating with JoJo's Jewels, a brand that launched this past spring. Alex and Olivia, the girls behind the brand, approached me for a collaboration and I was immediately drawn to this necklace (which, as the name suggests, can also be worn as a bracelet). It felt easy and I knew it would be the perfect piece for summer. Definitely check out their Etsy shop for more designs!

Photographs by Helen Lo

Outfit Details: Top: Forever 21, Shorts: Free People, Shoes: Converse, Bag: Free People, Sunglasses: Free People (similar), Necklace: JoJo's Jewels

yours,

Austen

Roebling & Roebling

by Austen Tosone

I guess walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of those things that I never did growing up around the city because I knew I'd always have the chance to. As you may remember, I did try to walk the bridge once before in February of all times, but only made it halfway  before it started snowing (which admittedly made for some great photos). This time around, I planned on making it all the way across, which is just what Elly and I did. After we made it to the other side, we headed for Brooklyn Bridge park where we grabbed Shake Shack and hung out in Dumbo with perfect skyline views. Whenever I plan a day that has a lot of walking involved I always prefer to wear sneakers and I knew pairing them with a black dress with lots of FRINGE was a no-fail outfit option. We had such a fun day and I'm glad I got to experience the bridge in the sunshine. Another thing checked off my unofficial NYC summer to-do list.

Photographs by Elly Ayres

Outfit Details: Dress: Gypsy Warrior, Necklace: Forever 21 (similar), Sneakers: Puma, Bag: Free People, Sunglasses: Free People (similar)

yours,

Austen

heat wave

by Austen Tosone

Well, New York, you never cease to amaze me with how hot you can get in the summer. Seriously, when I think about the fact that last summer I lived in an un-airconditioned room I start to wonder how I even survived. Even between carefully plotted routes that maximize time spent in AC and minimize potential heat stroke, I can't deny the fact that the rising temperatures can be super uncomfortable. That's why on the weekends I've been showing much more skin with airy crop tops, miniskirts and low-backs. This look was perfect for meeting my friend Elly at the Met, grabbing some (you guessed it) pizza, and then finding a shady spot in Central Park to people watch. A perfect day spent on the Upper East Side. Also, shout out to my parents who got married on this day 36 years ago (when the temperature was 99 degrees!). Happy Anniversary!  

Photographs by Elly Ayres

Outfit Details: Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Forever 21 (similar), Shoes: Forever 21 (similar), Bra: Free People, Necklace: Forever 21 (similar), Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (other color)

yours,

Austen

June/July Instagram Roundup

by Austen Tosone

It's crazy to think that it's already been a month since I started my new job at NYLON, and I think the time has gone by so quickly because of how much I love the work I'm doing. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming as I've settled in these first few weeks and I'm so happy to have landed in exactly the right place. 

I've also moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn which has been a bit of a crazy experience! If you watch New Girl, you'll know that there are no guarantees with roommates you meet online but it's safe to say that I really lucked out with mine. I feel like I've already explored so many new parts of the city as a result of the move including going to Smorgasburg for the first time, revisiting the Garment District and thinking about how crazy it was that just four years ago I had my first internship in the world of fashion and seeing some of the locations where photos appeared on Keep Calm and Chiffon which has also been a thing for FOUR YEARS! This blog has so much to do with who I am as a writer and as a person and I am so grateful for the last four years I've had to share my life and experiences with you all. As always, thank you for reading!

 I know it's been a while since you've heard from me on here, but I can promise that the writing and the photo-taking has not stopped! If anything, it's almost doubled, which is why I've decided to do a quick round-up of some of my favorite outfits so far this summer.

Follow along for more on Instagram!

yours,

Austen

summer staples

by Austen Tosone

I'm sure you all know this already, but whenever I do a shoot with the brilliant Sarah Ratner, I can't post the usual ~9 or so pics. At the very minimum, I have to double the amount of photos because they're just so damn good. This time around, I wanted to share three things that I'm sure I'll be wearing for all of the sweltering and steamy months that await us. For those of you who have experienced a New York summer, you know that it's no joking matter, so here are my three essentials to wear in the summer. First up is the loose mesh top. It's a great way to wear black but not have a heavy fabric that can heat up quickly. Next the bodysuit. It reduces the layers you need underneath and therefore reduces the amount of clothing to sweat through. Last but not least is the perfect pair of denim cutoffs. I'm obsessed with all of American Eagle's denim but I think this pair (link below) is perfect because of the stretchy denim and the perfectly placed rips.

Photos by Sarah Ratner

Outfit Details: Top: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Bodysuit (worn underneath) Free People, Shorts: American Eagle, Necklace: Free People, Boots: Hinge (similar), Hat: Forever 21 (similar)

yours,

Austen

Keep Calm and Chiffon X ASOS

by Austen Tosone in

Hey everyone! I just want to say that I could not be more excited about this latest collab because it's with one of my all-time favorites, ASOS as part of ASOS on Campus! This is actually really rad because it gives a community for students to share their style and access to bonus promos! Oh, and did you know students get 10% off? I know, right? I think the reason my friends and I gravitate to ASOS is because the clothing is super accessible, the styling is always on point and more than that, the brand encourages fashion to be fun and I couldn't agree more. 

 

 

Photos by Lynne

Outfit Details: Jacket, ASOS; Jeans, ASOS; Heels: Free People x Jeffery Campbell, Top: Urban Outfitters, Necklace: Brandy Melville (similar), Sunglasses: Forever 21

yours,

Austen

 

*This is a sponsored post in partnership with ASOS and Her Campus Media. All words and opinions are my own.*