Bad To The Bonez

Tough and feminine. My style of choice. I love things that have an edge, but don't take away the fact that I'm a girl. It's a challenge for a girl to look tough without being intimidating to the boys. Looking "too tough" can send out the wrong message. But looking "too cute" can make you look too girly. The last thing I want to appear as, is a biker chick ... or high maintenance. Because I am far from both.

Basic, tattered attire is a sexy, creative alternative to the typical jeans & tee. Mess up your hair and then style it for an extra punch.

Dead on.

We all have a pair of black denim laying around. My favorites are all super faded from washing them too many times. Slash a pair in a few places, wash them to let them fray, and you have a pair of tough looking jeans. My favorite thing to do has always been to take a steak knife or hand cheese grater, (sorry mom!), and rub the grated edge against the denim in random spots. This makes for a distressed look and if you wear them enough, natural holes will form. Always the best approach. Pair the denim with a black ankle boot (even ones that you studded yourself!) to give it an "I'm still a chick" look.

Simple black leggings with a buckled ankle boot and a sleeveless leather vest are flattering on anyone with killer legs. If you got it, show it.

Load your arms up with bracelets: I love walking through the streets of Soho on a nice day and scavenging the street vendors for different bracelets. Hand made stuff is always the best. And nobody else will have that piece! Original and unique is the first and foremost element in my style. When My grandmother passed away, she had loads of bags and tins of fabric, trim, zippers, vintage buttons,  everything you can imagine. She was quite the sewer in her years. (She actually used to work in a garment factory in her younger years, and had tons of stuff from doing that.) The colored zippers are my favorite, and the trims are beautiful! I love taking the trims and turning them into super original bracelets. People always ask me where I got them from. I'm currently toying with the idea of taking a colored zipper and lining the sides with pretty lace that I'm going to feed super thin chain through. A tough Luxe original!

Add a sequin or ruffled piece to a couple of tough pieces is also a cute way to incorporate all the right elements. Rachel Bilson does this best, i think. She always has on a cute dress with black tights and a leather or sequin jacket or a frilly scarf to add as a cute touch. Her shoes almost always make her outfit. If the rest of her is looking grunge, she pairs it with the cutest ankle boots, or sexy over the knee boots. Nothing about her is ever "off" looking. So important when you're your own stylist!

Rachel Bilson making simple black look anything but ordinary.

All the right elements.

Pretty Young Thing inspired shoulder adornments are a super creative way to punch up any dress. If you're brave, sew on a few chains to swoop across your chest or back ... or both!

I love extra adornments. While I like to go simple most of the time and add a few punchy pieces, I love when I find a piece that I can add to any outfit so that it makes the outfit what it is. With the beauty of DIY bedazzling, you can funk up your boots, a slouchy beanie, or the edges of your boyfriend blazer.

I found this awesome rouched-at-the-waist "painter's shirt" that's super baggy in all the right places, paired it with a black & gold studded belt and a tube bra from American Apparel, liquid stirrup leggings, and black platform patent heels. The soles of the heels are red, making it a little interesting. 

I'd kill for that blazer. Not to mention that killer clutch...

Hopefully this inspired you to dig up an old piece from your closet, and turn it into something cool and new. Don't be afraid to wear it out and show it off. I've found that some of the pieces that I've made myself, and let sit in my closet for months, only to finally muster up the courage to work it into an outfit, were most appreciated by my audience that are my friends/total strangers. Have fun with your clothes. When you're shopping, instead of staring at yourself in the fitting room mirror thinking, 'This doesn't fit right', or 'I wish with dress had a mesh back.', go home and make it yourself! That's the best part of shopping, for me at least.