Save this tip for a rainy day

There are two kinds of people in the world: people who love the rain and people who hate it. I'm still on the hunt for someone who has an opinion about rain that is in between those two extremes. 

Whichever kind of person you are, rainy days do not have to be an excuse to sacrifice your sense of style when you get dressed in the morning. Raindrops hitting your windshield like bullets or gray blankets of clouds are not excuses to get lazy! 

One thing we probably all have in common is that at one point or another (especially for New Englanders), rain has been so severe we may have needed rain boots. And anyone who owns a pair of rain boots knows that regardless of what style, color, brand or height of boot, that rain boots are not the most fashionable pair of shoes ever walked in by man. This is where Good, Better, Dressed comes in to save the day.

Although not trendy, rain boots are practical, so people afraid of getting their feet wet wear them, simple as that. But rain boots don't come attached to a hoodie and jeans or sweatpants because it's cold and wet outside. Contrary to popular belief, they can be salvaged as a portion of your fashion equation. 

Lindsay Somerville helps me show you how cheesy rain boots can look chic while doing their job quite easily.

Leg warmers are always a quick solution to the rainy day boot blues. They allow for a more sophisticated presentation of the boots and help separate any colors or patterns you may want independent of each other between pants and boots.

sweater: say what @ marshall's

pants: jennyfer

leg warmers: wet seal

boots: chico's

necklace: buffalo exchange

And here are a few more options 

sweater: say what @ marshall's

necklace: forever xxi

bracelets: claire's

skirt: forever xxi

tights: marshall's

leg warmers: target

sweater: weathervane

scarf: pashmina

earrings: forever xxi

bracelet: flea market

ring: buffalo exchange

tights: target

Designers are doing a great job at masking the less-than-beautiful design of the rain boot:

ebay.com

etsy.com

Ilse Jacobsen

Hunter @ topshop.com

aliexpress.com

obaz.com

NO MORE EXCUSES on rainy days starting today. Find yourself a great pair and get ready to look good the next time it rains

- nali xo

  

"I am what I am" - Doc Marten 2002/03

According to just about every 'greatest of the 90's' list, Doc Martens were one of the most worn trends between 1989 and 2000. I was never older than 7 in that timespan, so I can't vouch for it personally, but looking at old photographs of celebrities and everyday trailblazers it seems to be the case. 

Back in the day, Doc Martens were known to be worn by people in a 'grunge' or 'punk mod' fashion. But before that, they were one of the first kind of boot with sole cushioning inside, making them durable and reliable for postmen, police officers and factory workers. So they're a fashion statement for the rebellious teenager in all of us while also being substantial enough to support any kind of hard treading done in them. Originally Docs were only made in a variety of solid colors, but they now print patterns and have an assortment of different styles as well. You can see why I'd be excited when my new pair of gems, seam-packed full of history and potential was finally dropped on my front porch.

shirt: piazzitalia

leggings: burlington coat factory

necklace: new york & co

hat: h&m

top: forever xxi

cardigan: abercrombie

pants: target

belt: wet seal

shirt (view of back): forever xxi

scarf: kohl's

pants: target

These boots can give a grungy look to any outfit and depending on what color you get, can also give you the option to stand out completely. Who else do you know with floral or neon colored shoes? Use them to accent or base an entire outfit around them. Go out and make even more history in these bad boys.

- nali xo

Green With Envy

Let's make sure colored shoes become a huge thing this fall, so much of a thing that wearing black or brown shoes will be scarce. There's nothing quite like preparing a whole outfit around a pair of kickass shoes and it's much easier to do when the shoes are making a statement through color. Simply find a color that matches or contrasts with the shoes and build your outfit from the ground up. Here are this week's #shoesdaytuesday pick.

Winter is quickly approaching, especially with these rapidly dropping temperatures and when I say winter, I mean boot season. Boots and booties go together with winter better than your favorite TV couple. These Free Lance booties are like chameleons, easily blending with any style outfit you feel describes you that day. Check out what Monica was feeling like being

shirt: marshall's

army button down: pac sun

leggings: burlington coat factory

headband: forever xxi

Casual outfit + awesome pair of bootie heels = tres magnifique! Subtle yet sophisticated; perfect mixture.

Colored heels doesn't mean you have to match colors of your outfit exactly to them. Be creative and as always, don't be afraid to mix patterns.

shirt: delia's

cardigan: audrey & grace

pants: tinsletown @ marshall's

necklace: buffalo exchange

headwrap: urban outfitters

Dressy heels with dressy clothes is, of course, always an option as well. An unstructured blazer with striped skinny jeans is sophisticated and comfortable.

pants: target

blazer: olive & oak

shirt: old navy

necklace: flea market find

Grab yourself some olive shoes today and you're sure to find everyone around you green with envy (;

- nali xo

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

The clock is ticking away and in less than three days we'll all (hopefully) be dressing up for Halloween! I have a last minute Halloween week #manicuremonday for you all to use or be inspired by!

You can do the candy corn nails, or the new 'bloody' trend, OR you can come up with something completely original drawn by your own hand. The nail art pen I've used for manis in past posts is great for any kind of design, as opposed to previously made decals that can't be changed. I drew up a classic creepy style for Halloween week: graveyard theme. 

One hand covered in cobwebs, the other reads R.I.P. Personalize this idea yourself, the spookier when the lights turn off the better. 

What better way to match graveyard nails than to pair a cobweb look alike sweater with neutral 'tomb color' tones? Here's my fall weather approved/tombstone inspired/manicure Monday outfit.

This time of year leg warmers are obviously a must.

button up: american eagle (mens)

sweater: guess

jeans: my pretty denim by cache cache

necklace: ralph lauren @ buffalo exchange

leg warmers: wet seal

shoes: candie's @ kohl's

Giant, shapeless sweaters may leave you stumped as to how to wear them. Instead of just layering the same white tank top underneath why not try a patterned button-up or a flannel next time you cozy into the knit holes.

Every week's the same

We can all try to deny it, but laziness is in human nature. Even the most ambitious of people procrastinate and become trifling sometimes. My own personal downfall of laziness is dressing myself during a long week of school. My intentions are always good, but by the end of the week, negligence gets the best of me. I've created a #shoesdaytuesday timeline with a week of shoes, depicting the rise and fall of my urge to impress via my feet. Lucky for you guys you get to see what I see and think every day from my not-so-tall point of view. (hold your applause) Try to read these thoughts as if they were your own, will you?

MONDAY:

booties: jennifer lopez @ kohl's

leggings: just one @ marshall's

"I'm excited for the week. I know this week is gonna be different from last week. I'm gonna get dressed up really cute every day and put a lot of thought into what I'm wearing. It's gonna be great!"

TUESDAY:

boots: alma en pena

tights: forever xxi

shorts: urban outfitters

"Still putting in the effort. These boots are cute and my outfit isn't too casual... I'm doing pretty good this week."

WEDNESDAY:

moccasin booties: target

leather pants: target

"My feet hurt and it's cold out and I think it's raining and if it isn't then there are leaves everywhere I don't feel like wearing heels and these are still cute too ok"

THURSDAY:

sneakers: pom d'api

pants: bdg @ urban outfitters

"Is it Friday yet?"

FRIDAY:

booties: free lance

jumper: cache cache fr

"OMG I'm so excited it's Friday yay yay yay I have to get all dressed up so I'm motivated for the rest of the day I have a great weekend ahead of me oMG"

SATURDAY:

heels: free lance
leggings: pink @victoria's secret
sweater:   liz claiborne @ savers

 "The club can't even handle me right now"

And then the cycle starts all over again. If you don't consciously do it, pay attention to the way you dress yourself this week and I'm 73% sure you do it too. Or you will now once you've read this. May all your days be Mondays. (;

- nali xo

How do two hipsters communicate?

They

 














Although I wish I could take credit for that joke I found it on tumblr/pinterest/all other sites that show tumblr posts and I assume it has been swimming around the internet for some time now. The point of that cheesy yet ingenious punch line is to introduce the one kind of American shoe that will always be relevant no matter how times and trends change. Converse has been lacing up sneakers since 1908 and I don't see their legacy ending any time soon. I've always been a huge converse fan because as you expand your collection, you don't just end up with a bunch of different colored sneakers that are worn only in casual situations. Converses are made in so many varieties of styles, heights and patterns that an entire outfit changes depending on which pair of converse you decide to wear that day. For each kind of personal style, there is a converse to match perfectly. Haven't made the transition yet? Here's a little guide to help you find the pair of converse that's right for you


For the beginner: Classic Chuck Taylors, found wherever Converse are sold (Journeys, Kohl's, Amazon, etc.)

For anyone just starting out on their Converse journey, I suggest you get at least one classic pair of Chuck Taylors. They're a subtle top-off to any kind of casual outfit and can always be used to dress down a skirt or dress. This style comes in every color imaginable and is made in high-top and low-top cut.

For the free and the brave: American flag line of high-top Chuck Taylors (converse outlet, converse.com, ebay)

This line has styles ranging from grungy to girly to sleek and geometric, making it easy for anyone to honor their country and their style.

For the studmuffins: Various styles of studded sneaks (farfetch.com, free people, zappos.com, forzieri.com)

People choose to express themselves in different ways, but one of the main trends in fashion since last year in all different kinds of styles are studs as an accessory. Studs have been making appearances on handbags, shoes and other outfit extensions for about a year now. Whether you're feeling high top, low top, platform, solid or patterned, Converse has you covered for your sharp addiction.

For the comic obsessed: Chuck Taylor superhero/comic line (ebay, custom-dunk.com, converseamerica.com)

This line speaks for itself. Make a fashion statement while you're out saving the world.

For the bored: Different patterns and materials Converse has played with (shoes.com, nordstrom, free people)

If you're anything like me, you get bored with the ordinary quickly. Converse has made it easy to want to wear their brand forever by creating thousands of different patterns and designs on their shoes to make having variety easy and choosing what shoes to wear that day very very difficult (That's good business). Remember: different stores carry different kinds of converse depending on what audience they're trying to attract so keep your eyes peeled no matter where you are; Converse is not the only place to buy converse shoes. 

For the classic: Converse has created many different styles made entirely or partially or leather (forzieri.com, psyche.com, zappos.com)

Sometimes it's nice to have leather sneakers you know will last you awhile without starting to look old. I personally think Converse are the kind of shoe that look better when they're a little beat up but that goes only for the cloth ones. These leather models are timeless and classy and give a much more dressed up look to your clothes than the other Converse styles could give. 

Last but not least...

For the girly: (macy's, office.com/uk, ebay)

Converse understands that some girls don't like sneakers, or that sneakers aren't made girly enough sometimes, so they came up with these alternatives: sneaker heels and gladiator style shoes. And if hot pink platforms aren't enough to convert you to sneakers, nothing ever will. These styles are creative and original, you will hardly find them on any other feet around town. 

Find your style and pick up a slip into your pair of Converse today. 

- nali xo