Pick your Pleated Poison: Spring 2012

Pleats are slowly, but surely devouring my closet. As one of my new favorite wardrobe staples, I love pleats for their comfortable, free-flowing feel and versatility. You can easily dress pleats up or down and they transition perfectly across the season.

Here's a mood board I created to give just a few examples of ways that I like to wear pleats.

Perfect Pleats by purpose featuring a collared shirt

VERSUS pleated dress

$2,250 - net-a-porter.com

Zucca collared shirt

$343 - lagarconne.com

Mara Hoffman cropped shirt

$165 - lespommettes.com

Miss Selfridge white shirt

$42 - missselfridge.com

Roberto Cavalli floral blazer

$3,660 - net-a-porter.com

Nonoo gold sequin jacket

$515 - lespommettes.com

Madewell denim vest

$88 - madewell.com

McQ by Alexander McQueen pleated skirt

$1,660 - net-a-porter.com

Maison Martin Margiela pleated maxi skirt

£860 - brownsfashion.com

Rag & bone pleated pants

$275 - rag-bone.com

Steven by Steve Madden kitten heels

$159 - macys.com

ASOS flat shoes

$64 - asos.com

Ballet flat

$55 - lebunnybleu.com

High heels

gojane.com

Matthew Williamson bridal hair accessory

$195 - matthewwilliamson.com

Warehouse hair accessory

$45 - warehouse.co.uk

Tasha flower hair accessory

$38 - nordstrom.com

Oasis flower hair accessory

$15 - asos.com

Graduation Inspiration

With the myriad of dresses available for us females it is hard to funnel through all of the choices and pick just ONE for a special day like graduation. I am falling hard for the bright colors of this season, like magenta, olive green and aqua blue, but I still love my delicate, elegant pastel colored classics. If I can marry the two styles together to find the perfect dress then I will be one happy (and fashionable) graduate.

Since it will likely be warm on May 12 when I walk across the stage, covered in a graduation gown and cap, I want to pick a dress that is an airy, comfortable length for the weather and occasion. Yet, I also need a picture-perfect piece for the many snapshots (some that may be the last =( ) with fellow classmates and professors.

Hence, the graduation inspiration I put together as I prepare to find the greatest grad dress! Can't wait to see what I discover on my search ;-)