The Look 2 Ways: Sporty & Chic

Hi there!

Isn’t this warm fall surge lately insane? So nice! I headed outside to shoot this look two ways. My photographer friend Prash and I collaborated at Toronto’s Graffiti Alley for some of these looks, the ones in the park were shot by my Hubby. Follow Prash on IG @blinking.lens. My goal was to style this new London Rag collection coral lightweight sweater as a casual sporty chic look with their black joggers and their cropped puffer jacket and then elevate it with black paper bag high-waisted slacks (recent Simons find in Canada and now ON SALE!) and an older black velvet blazer (also from London Rag and still available on the site. You might remember my red one from a past post). I love the way the nude heel adds a dressy office look that can be worn out to dinner/drinks, or you can throw on the joggers after work and your sneakers to head out to the gym after your work day! My code Car20 gets you 20% off on London Rag’s website.

Additionally, I really love these London Rag black vegan croc print ankle booties which are super on trend with the pointy toe and block heel. They were also sent to me with the pieces I mentioned above and you guys they are SO GOOODDD. I would size down as they run a little big (I’m usually an 8 and this 8 was a bit roomy). Again use my promo code Car20 for a 20% discount. I love how they finished the sporty chic look but with a bit of a dressy vibe. I honestly felt like Posh Spice leaving the gym and ready for a meeting.

My next post will include a resort wear look from London Rag that is so perfect for your next vacation but doubles as loungewear (so versatile)! Stay tuned!

Be sure to follow me on the @liketoknow.it app under “Carolina Santos Read” for all outfits linked and alternative options of the items in my blog posts (if I can’t find them on there but also just to give you guys other options to go with). Note: London Rag doesn’t have a presence on LiketoKnow.it so your best bet for their items is to shop their website with my links on here using my promo code. Happy Shopping!

Xo,

Carolina

Out on the Town Style: Classic Meets Modern

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Here I am at NYC's new Whitney Museum in the Meat Packing district, wearing my new Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) wrap dress, Aldo studded flats, and Louis Vuitton Alma bag.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

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This time shot from the outside patio of the Whitney Museum.  For outfit credits please see photo above.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there! 

I am back on US soil after a hop down to South America to be in my cousin's wedding in Brazil which was spectacular.  It was much warmer there than in NYC (as it is springtime there), and I had fun playing with summer/resort wear for a little while longer before returning to what is finally colder fall weather in NYC.  

Even though the weather is getting colder, the holiday season is always a time of celebration and fun cocktail parties.  Next week I will do a feature on holiday dresses, but first I want to talk about a classic timeless piece: Diane Von Furstenberg's wrap dress in a traditional print (the iconic kisses) but in a pop art design shown in my photos above.  I recently purchased this dress because it is modern, flirty, and fun but also timeless.  In my opinion the backdrop of the new Whitney Museum of modern art was a perfect setting to shoot it, among some of my favorite Rothkos, Pollocks, and Warhols: modern and iconic art.

A little over a year ago I visited the DVF "Journey of a Dress" exhibit in LA at the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and I was so inspired by the evolution of her iconic wrap dress.  Diane's slogan is to "Feel like a woman...wear a dress" and the effortless wrap dress is easy to wear, chic, and transitions beautifully from day into night.  I styled mine with my Louis Vuitton red Alma bag, black Aldo studded flats for a little edge, and a leather jacket.  It can also easily be worn with tights and heels and added accessories for a night look. As one of my fashion idols, I believe owning a DVF wrap dress is a closet staple like the Chanel quilted handbag, a LV speedy, or a Cole Haan loafer.  What are your closet staples?

Happy Holidays!

Xo,

Carolina 

My Favorite Fall Color and Fall Florals

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Burgundy vegan leather pants and booties by H&M, turtleneck by Zara, jacket by Blank NYC, purse by Kate Spade.  Photography by Francisco Graciano

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In the same vegan leather H&M burgundy pants and black booties and Zara top as the previous picture.  Perfect for a fall family foliage stroll in CT!

Hi there!

I'm not sure about you, but this fall in NYC the weather has been a little nuts.  First it's cold, then it warms up to 70s, then it goes back to the 40s.  For this weather I find layers most suitable, but a fun color palette to play with makes layering so much more fun.  In the two above photos taken in 5th Avenue NYC (by my talented photographer boyfriend) and in the Connecticut shoreline with my parents, you can see I'm pretty into the color burgundy for fall.  This burgundy has been described as oxblood or bordeaux depending on the shade, but it's an unmistakable deep red that is so beautiful and fun to pair with black, pink, grey, army green, brown, and orange.  These vegan leather H&M pants are not only affordable but comfortable and can be dressed up or down.  I paired them here with a chunky heel lace-up bootie (also from H&M) and a black sleek turtleneck (and opted for straight hair to round out a polished look).  I've been layering a black jacket with it, army jackets, and my light pink vegan leather jacket in my photo below (see florals below).

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Over-the-knee leather boots by Nordstrom, patchwork suede mini skirt by Zara, purse by Celine.

Here's another example of burgundy done in a patchwork suede mini skirt I recently purchased at Zara.  I paired it with over-the-knee black leather boots from Nordstrom and my brand new fall splurge: the Celine nano cross body luggage handbag in beige.  As you can see the skirt has suede patches of beige, black, and navy to go with the burgundy.  I styled the skirt with the same black turtleneck, an older necklace from Urban Outfitters and my new Celine nano luggage tote. I was ready for a night in Lincoln Center last weekend to see Marcelo Gomez's choreography premiere "After Affect" at American Ballet Theater. Of course this required I pay homage to my bunhead days and sweep my hair into a high bun!

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Shopping at the famers market in fall florals.  Vintage skirt, shoes by H&M, top by JCrew, jacket by Zara, and purse by Chanel. Photography by Graham Scott.

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For outfit credit see photo above.  Photography by Graham Scott.

Lastly, in these two photos you'll see I styled the same H&M lace-up platform booties with hose, a floral mini skirt, an army green (with black vegan leather collar) silk button-down blouse, and pink vegan leather jacket with my matching light pink Chanel tote bag.  This spring-looking outfit can be worn into fall when the weather isn't too cold, layered with a jacket, long-sleeve, and hose underneath.  This look was so much fun to wear to buy pumpkins and fall flowers. I love the way light pink looks with army green (just like in my maxi dress from my previous post), and florals can easily transition from spring into fall.

Xo,

Carolina

Fitness & Fashion Merge

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Dress by Haute Hippie, shoes by Aldo, bag by Chanel.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.  

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Dress by Haute Hippie, shoes by Aldo, purse by Chanel.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

For my second fashion blog entry I wanted to talk about the merging of fashion and fitness.  As a professional dancer, fitness is a big part of my life.  Maintaining a healthy fit body is exceptionally important for a long, successful career.  This doesn't mean we can't have fun doing it.  Lately I've been really into merging my passion for fitness with my fashion aesthetic.  It all sort of started when I was invited to a Fitness & Fashion night in September by my friends at one of my favorite brands: Haute Hippie.  They are the epitome of chic hippie style with a high fashion edge.  In the two photos above (shot once again by my talented photographer boyfriend Francisco) you'll see me in a Haute Hippie army green maxi sleeveless dress I've been rocking on these warm fall days we've had lately.  To buy this dress (on sale currently I believe!) head to www.hautehippie.com.  I layered a Zara cream lace vest over it and Aldo metallic gold espadrille sandals that I bought over the summer.  My bag is an older Chanel tote that I cherish, and the baby pink is fun to transition into fall with neutrals such as army green, tan, and cream.

On the evening I went to the party in my Upper East Side neighborhood, I looked at the fall lines of Haute Hippie, Zadig e Voltaire, and Rebecca Taylor all in the cool townhouse setting of the exclusive Fitness Cell gym.  I had a moment as I photographed the clothing and mingled with fashionistas and personal trainers.  There's no reason these two loves can't all be combined.  Check out my fun new workout-wear looks below of new Free People and Athleta sportswear I've added to my fitness clothes.  These are pieces that can be worn under street clothes to add a sporty chic look to an outfit, or can be worn in a complete going-to-the-gym look that looks great and makes you feel like a rockstar.

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Athleta spokesmodels in all Athleta looks at the Wanderlust Festival in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.  I'm in the middle wearing Athleta pants, bra, and sweater. 

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Here I am heading into one of my favorite fitness studios: Flex Pilates.  Ready to get my sweat on in my new Athleta pants with Under Armour top, Louis Vuitton bag, and Aldo shoes!

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Top by Free People Movement, yoga pants by Head.  Taken after an antigravity yoga class at Crunch gym. 

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Here I am upside down after antigravity yoga class at Crunch gym with the same Free People Movement top.  I love the detailing of the top that you can see in the back mirror.

In all the above photos you saw some great athletic-wear that can transition into day to day outfits.  I've worn the Athleta pants everywhere and the pink sports bra under street clothes, as well as the Free People Movement top which has a great neckline to show off toned shoulders, and cutouts in the sides and back to show off muscle.  With leggings and an ankle boot and fall scarf and sweater its perfect for a sporty everyday look.  I chose the burgundy color because I'm sort of obsessed with this color for fall.  

I also wanted to let you know of some great fitness opportunities out there that are money-savers and a fun way to check out new classes.  I participated in the Athleta Fit 6 challenge after Wanderlust festival which allowed me to take some workout classes at new studios at half price, and recently I began a two week free trial of Class Pass which is a great way to take unlimited workout classes per month at participating studios.  I've been taking everything from barre classes to pilates, antigravity yoga and regular yoga, kickboxing, boot camp, pole, and even dance classes (there are all levels on class pass).  My favorites so far have been Joyce Wong's antigravity yoga at Crunch gym, any of the barre classes at Exhale Spa, and pilates with the reformer machine at Flex Pilates.  Let me know what your favorites that I should check out are in your comments!

Xo,

Carolina

Summer To Fall & jumpsuit love

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Photo by Francisco Graciano www.franciscograciano.com

Hi there! My name is Carolina Santos Read.  Born in London to Brazilian parents and raised in Madrid, CT, and New York, I am a freelance dancer actor and model with a HUGE passion for fashion and travel.  I decided to create this fashion blog as an extension of my website after a lot of encouragement from friends (and my handsome dancer and photographer boyfriend) and family to do so.  I hope you enjoy!

For my first post I wanted to talk about how much I love jumpsuits.  Pictured above is this jumpsuit I bought recently on my South America trip with Francisco (who was touring with Paul Taylor Dance Company where he works, and I went along as Taylor wife and unofficial translator post closing of my regional production of South Pacific I was performing in).  The tour culminated in a stop in Rio de Janeiro (where I've been many times to see family), and I can not make a trip to Rio without stopping at my FAVORITE Brazilian clothing store, Farm.  I brought some of the dancers along with me after a fun sightseeing adventure and I explained Farm as an Anthropologie or Free People (some of my favorite American stores) meets JCrew. They are great at fusing hippie laid-back Rio style with bright colors that are festive and fun to wear.  My fashion sensibilities always incorporate color and a little gypsy/boho with a little rock and roll.  I like to mix it up, one day preppy another hippie, another more edgy, but at the heart of my dressing is always a femininity. 

It's starting to get cold in New York, but this jumpsuit can transition into fall because of the dark mixed with a pop of color.  I was pictured here on September 1st heading to Francisco's birthday dinner (a surprise party I set up at Officina Latina restaurant) in SoHo on an end of summer day, so I didn't need a jacket just yet.  I would now style this with a closed-toe heel, leather jacket, and scarf. 

Visit www.farmrio.com.br for the jumpsuit.  Don't forget jumpsuits aren't always just for tall bodies.  I'm 5'6" and have an athletic dancer body but with curves, and I love the way a tight top and baggy pant jumpsuit lengthens and leans me out.  Other jumpsuits have looked awkward on me, but this one was perfect.  With a platform I felt like I was in the 70s and super tall. Another jumpsuit I bought recently was an all-black one from H&M with baggy dress pants attached to a tight tank mesh top with a crop top underneath the mesh.  It's all black and I style it with a pop of color in my makeup and a statement shoe or bag (like my red Valentino rock stud heel for a killer rock and roll look).  With that jumpsuit I tend to wear my hair in a high ponytail or swept into a high bun to draw focus to the high tank neckline and detail of the crop top under the mesh.  

Xo,

Carolina