This is one of my favorite outfits I’ve ever seen Mary Kate wear and she looks amazing in a Pleasure Doing Business banded skirt and leather jacket. Unlike the majority of the other ensembles she’s been photographed in, this one is easy to pull off in real life (without looking like a over-caffeinated high fashion hermit).

I was recently in Ireland where growing up I used to spend my summers and winter holidays visiting family. I quickly learned from my Irish female cousins that the best way to spend my time whilst in Omagh was to go "up the town" to Topshop, if only just to browse.

Today, many people in the US have now become familiarized with Topshop after British model Kate Moss designed her first collection for them in May 2007, the recent success of which led the brand to introduce the range to the United States market.

Topshop's current trends are said to be "Urban Travellor," "Prim & Polished," "Gypsy Rocker," and "Shanghai" alongside luxury garments and designer affiliations under "The Boutique," so if you might qualify as any of the aforementioned (or are a fan of luxury garments and/or designer affiliations), you best check out Topshop online if you haven't already.

And here are the links to get Mary Kate's undoubtedly pricy (but totally re-creatable!) ensemble without breaking the bank:

Panel Bodycon Mini Skirt, topshop.com, $45

Faux Leather Bomber Jacket, topshop.com, $106

Burgundy Heart Lock Clutch, topshop.com, $50

(ps don't forget to switch the site to the US version if it doesn't already open on that option automatically ;) )

Now that we're halfway through October, it's time to really commit to our fall wardrobe and finally give in wholeheartedly to the cooler temperatures. Try a pair of trendy flare jeans reminiscent of the 70's to bring any outfit a laid-back vibe while hugging your curves and elongating your legs (taking you to lengths you haven't reached since the advent of the skinny jean!). Dark washes are particularly figure flattering and go great with oversized knit sweaters to show off a snug, sexy silhouette on the bottom while remaining comfy and not revealing too much on top. Hilary Duff gets it right with her casual fedora (this late in the year pick browns or maroons & stick to a fall palette) and singular clip-in feather extension, showing sometimes it's best to choose just a few high-impact accessories - a refreshing change after a summer of piled boho bangles, multiple chunky rings, and attention-grabbing pendants.

Get the items here:

Fedora

Sweater

Jeans

Feather hair extensions

This fall you can cast aside the old myth that horizontal stripes should be avoided at all costs. Inspired by the super-sized style from the runways of Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Jill Sander, this season sees big bold stripes in neutral colors patterning wear-with-anything cable sweaters and knit tops alike. Leopard print shoes are undeniably one of the season's hottest trends, spotted on every celebrity as of late whether it be in a flat, a wedge, a pump, or a bootie (the Alexa Chung for Madewell "Zowie" booties, for example, are not to be missed!) so fittingly a leather bag in a rich brown is the perfect choice to offset the complementary tones of your leopard kicks.

We love LC's standout Chloe Coffee Paraty Tote and recommend a bag in a similar shade that calls to mind the caramel apples and warm cider that make autumn one of our favorite seasons. This brand-new B. Makowsky bag made of 100% genuine leather even has a gorgeous leopard interior to match your statement shoes!

Get the other items to complete the look here:

Stripe Knit

Leopard Shoes

Sunglasses

Skinny Jeans

Leather Bag

Last fall, I was able to take advantage of an opportunity to study in a country that is awesome in every sense of the word: Australia. The Australian take on fashion really resonated with me and I find myself often incorporating it into my personal style now that I'm back stateside. Aussie model Abbey Lee Kershaw summed it up well in an interview for Australian mag Cleo when asked what she misses most about Oz by saying, "I miss walking barefoot in Melbourne." Along the lines of that sentiment, I view the Australian way of dressing as sort of floaty, earthy, and laid-back but conversely also having a tough edge. While we usually pair summer sandals with our pretty shorts and dresses, Australians are far more likely to have on socks and lace-up boots or beat-up sneakers, even with the frilliest of frocks. Sort of like if you were to wear your laciest beach coverup with men's workboots for a walk from Bondi to Coogee (google image search for reference. . breathtaking). 

Australian celebrities such as Miranda Kerr, Gemma Ward, and Sophie Monk are all familiar faces in the US whose styles of dressing seem to embody the Aussie laid-back lifestyle, but none to the degree of Australian model Isabel Lucas in particular. She'll often be seen complementing her relaxed sundresses with a hippie-chic headband or a menswear hat, along with a no-fuss satchel and those unexpectedly (and unnecessarily--is she really going for a hike in her best dress?) sturdy leather boots. Queens of juxtaposition, Aussie girls will also let their most tattered old sneakers stand in for the boots at times, which of course are coupled with flowy skirts or their prettiest paisley blouses. 

There are three brands that I fell irrevocably in love with whilst abroad that I think stateside fashionistas should be familiar with: MINKPINK, sass & bide, and Tigerlily. Fortunately, said brands are all available in the US (online if not in boutiques) and I've listed a few choice pieces from each below (many of them on sale!). For those who are taken with the Australian way of mixing boho/flirty silhouettes with earth-toned/sturdy extras, I've also included the shopping links so you can snag some Aussie swag yourself. 

MINKPINK 

1. MINKPINK Mozambique Flare Tank, shopbop.com, $30

2. MINKPINK Darling Buds of May Sundress, shopbop.com, $103 (sale $51.50)

3. MINKPINK Drama Queen Lace Vest, shopbop.com, $28.50

sass & bide

1. sass & bide Keeping My Freedom Top, shopbop.com, $133

2. sass & bide Getting It Right Shirtdress, shopbop.com, $429 (sale $128.70)

3. sass & bide The Same Answers Tunic, shopbop.com, $165 (sale $82.50)

Tigerlily

1. Tigerlily Elba Jacket, tigerlilyaustralia.com, $161

2. Tigerlily Consuelo 1PC Monokini, tigerlilyaustralia.com, $94.50

3. Tigerlily Odyssey Shirt Dress, tigerlilyaustralia.com, $100

4. Tigerlily Equator Mumu, tigerlilyaustralia.com, $75

5. Tigerlily Varadero Dress, tigerlilyaustralia.com, $110

What do controversial rocker Courtney Love, treacherous pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, and bubbly Disney star Miley Cyrus all have in common? . . . An affinity for leather and lace! (though if you answered rum, that might also be a plausible suggestion after Miley's salvia debacle..) It's a classic pairing of delicate/pretty with sexy/edgy that works best for going out, especially when dressed up with bold, antique-style jewelry. Subtle, creamy colors on top will contrast best with black leather and strike the right balance between bold and feminine. Get the look with these items from the marketplace, including a few great picks from brands like Free People and Juicy Couture.

Leggings

Top

Boots

Necklace

Cocktail Ring