As promised, here is my second and final installment of my Spring Shoe Trends. All of the shoes below can be found at Forever21.com or at your local Forever 21 store, except the final pair which are available at wetseal.com or at your local Wet Seal store.  

To purchase any of the shoes shown above, simply double click on the picture to be taken to the website! Happy Shopping! 
-Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin

It's not quite Spring weather where I live in Kansas, but it's never too early to put your mind on Spring! While my favorite season is Winter and I would rather wear boota year-round over sandals and wedges anyday, I've decided to take the time to highlight some of the spring shoe trends I'm looking forward to! I'm using the Spring issue of W Magazine and the March InStyle Magazine as my spring shoe guide. Both issues are on newsstands now! The Spring Shoe Trends post will be a two-part series! All of the shoes featured in this post are available at Forever 21 and Forever21.com!

Clogs

That old pair of clogs deep in your mom's closet? Dust them off and pull them out! (If you're lucky enough to wear your mom's shoe size like me!) This 70's shoe trend that made a brief appearance in the early 2000's is back (and possibly here to stay!) Clogs first started making an appearance on NYFW's Spring/Summer 2016 runway this past autumn! This shoe can be worn year-round with a thick sock in the winter and barefoot in the cooler Spring/Summer days. If you're not quite ready for a Spring shoe, you can opt for the clog boot! Create a fun boho look by pairing clogs with bell bottom jeans and a flowly top or poncho! But buyer beware, not all clogs are comfortable clogs and these shoes weren't made for walking and being on your feet for extended periods of time.

Mules

I first started seeing mules at the end of last summer and fell in love with this shoe. Another 70's trend, this shoe trend also made an appearance in the 90's and early 2000's. Mules are slip on shoes that provide both comfort and style. They are very versitile and can be dressed up or down, and work well with a dress, a short outfit or jeans. Stay tuned to The Mod Little Melanin for a DIY with mules!

Platform Slingbacks

When most hear the word slingback, they picture the dreaded shoe they wore to their 9th grade homecoming dance that they wouldn't be caught dead in today (or at least I do). Get that image out of your head! Slingbacks are back and better than ever! When combined with a platform heel, slingbacks become a sleek and sophisticated shoe that is perfect for pairing with a maxi dress in the Spring! Platforms also make a very comfortable shoe to wear for a night out!

Cutout Sandals

I posted the America the Beautiful Cutout Sandal from Shop Hope's on my blog about a month ago, and knew this would be a popular shoe trend! Thankfully, I was able to get the shoe for only $9.00. Cutout sandals are a great upgrade to your typical Spring/Summer sandal. This shoe adds sophistication to any outfit and is a more appropriate sandal for work and a dressier occassion. It's the perfect "coming of age" sandal to transition your closet from college girl to a young professional woman.

Jellies

Remember the jelly shoe you wore in the 90's with every single outfit? It's back and my favorite summer shoe! I have this look in a platform shoe I purchased from DSW for $10.00 last year. Similar jelly shoes are sold at Urban Outfitters for $60.00 (cringe), but you can get a pair of jellies from Forever 21 for a low as $9.90. This shoe goes perfect with a "grunge" look (which I'll highlight in a later blog post), or a sweet Spring/Summer look.

Part two of my Spring Shoe Trends series will be up on Wednesday, March 30th! Stay tuned for more from The Mod Little Melanin!

- Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin

Hopefully every Sunday, you can be found in your best dressed attire, but Easter Sunday is the day to pull out all the stops! Here are three Easter dresses that have been stamped with a seal of approval by The Mod Little Melanin!

The first dress comes from my favorite online boutique Shop Hope's! If you're a non-traditional Easter Sunday dresser like me, choose the Where I Come From Dress. While keeping with a traditional Springtime color, the black lace sleeves give the dress an edgy vibe, perfect for all the fashion setters out there! Pair a pair of chunky wedged heels or black booties as your shoe wear. Add a large, wool floppy hat and a fringed black purse as your accessories, as well as a long feathered necklace and large hoop earrings, and you've got a completed look! If you live in an area that is still chilly on Easter Sunday, add a long faux fur vest in black for warmth.

My next dress comes from Charlotte Russe, and is a more traditional Easter Sunday dress. The Lace Mock Neck Shift Dress, avaliable in white, has a high neckline and gorgeous lace detail. Pair the dress with a pair of nude or blush pumps and a matching purse to keep the look simple and sophisticated. Choose a pair of pearl earrings and pearl bracelets to keep the look sweet! If you're feeling edgy, add a blush or cream faux fur coat for warmth or even a leather jacket and combat boots.

My final dress also comes from Shop Hope's! I'm normally not a fan of floral print dresses, but this dress is to die for! The Botanical Garden Dress from Shop Hope's features a high neckline, a popular trend for dresses this season, and colorful floral prints throughout the dress. The variety of color in the print of the dress makes it versitile, meaning you can get multiple looks for your buck! I would add a pair of brown open-toed boots and matching brown clutch to accessorize. The high neckline on the dress means that you do not need to add a necklace; instead opt for a pair of small studded earrings and a few bracelets on your wrist. Or take a fashion risk by adding red patent leather pumps and a navy blue clutch to pull color from your dress into the accessories.

To find any of the dresses in this Easter Sunday Lookbook, simply go to the website and search the name of the dress in the search engine! Show me your Easter Sunday style by including #themodlittlemelanin in your pictures!

Happy Easter!

- Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin

Lately, my fashion taste has heavily reflected the 1970s. Bohemian or Hippie style, as some call it, is my go to look! Here's a simple 70s inspired outfit you can throw together yourself!

Start with flared or wide leg pants. I choose a paisley printed pair of  highwaisted, flared leggings purchased from Pacsun during their crazy buy one get three free sale! This sale occurs at the end of every season, and is one of my favorite sales. I ended up getting four pairs of pants in this style for only $28.00 last summer!

This was a quick look that I threw together, so I added a solid black shirt. The black shirt matches the black print in the pants, and is a simple way to play it safe if you're unsure of how to style this type of pant. Normally when I style this type of pant, I add a shirt that can provide a contrasting look, such as a graphic tee or another printed top in a similar pattern. My favorite top to pair with these pants is my Jimi Hendrix top, purchased from the men's department of Walmart for only $1.00.

To amp up the 70s vibes, I included a black fringe vest that has been seen on The Mod Little Melanin once before. This vest was purchased from Forever 21, and was slightly pricey because it is genuine suede (don't tell PETA). However, thanks to their recent end-of-season clearance markdowns, I have seen this vest for as low as $20.00.

Complete the look with a large black fedora (which I would have added if my hair had been straightened) and a fringe black purse! If you're not quite ready for fringe on fringe, add a simple black purse. My flared leggings are pretty long,  even on my 5'8" frame, so I added a heeled boot to keep the pants from dragging the ground.

70s vibes made simple! If you're inspired by 70s vibes like me,  add the hashtag #themodlittlemelanin to your photos! 

P.S. This look is also perfect for festival season if you substitute a crop top or tank top for the long sleeve shirt and comfy sandals for the boots!

-Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin

Ponchos are the perfect transition piece from Winter into Spring! They're the perfect outer piece for layering and can keep you warm on frigid days and cool on windy days. Here is the first look in my Ponchos and More Ponchos Series.

Chevron has been a popular print for a few seasons and is a fresh take on a traditional striped pattern. The chevron poncho I'm wearing below was purchased from Rue21 for $10.00 during their Christmas sale. Unlike most ponchos, it features arm holes rather than the typical flowy shape.

I choose to style this poncho with a pair of flared jeans for a boho look, and an orange shirt layered underneath to one of the many colors in the poncho. The flares I'm wearing were purchased from Charlotte Russe for $10. I feel ponchos look best with a flared or wide leg pant to elongate the leg, however, this look could also be styled with a skinny pant.

If you're feeling daring, pair this poncho with a pair of boyfriend shorts and gladiator heels on a warm Spring day. On the contrary, rugged look can be created by adding this poncho with a pair of heavily distressed jeans. Because the poncho is such a bold color, I would recommend avoiding a colored pant with this look.

Stayed tuned for my next look in the Ponchos and More Ponchos Series!

- Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin

Several denim trends are sweeping the fashion world this Spring. Here are several of them. This Spring's denim trends are all about the 70's! All of the below looks are available at Forever21.com! Simply search for the name of the piece in the search engine on Forever21.com to purchase!

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits have always been popular, but this Spring opt for denim jumpsuit. I'm loving this cropped jumpsuit from Forever 21. It's flowly, and gives a bohemian vibe. Layer it with a kimono for a boho look or add a grunge band graphic tee underneath for an edgier look. If you're unsure how to style the outfit, start with the way it's styled on Forever21.com for inspiration! If you live in a colder climate where Spring weather is (typically) months away, opt for a long sleeved denim jumpsuit. I have a similar jumpsuit in khaki that I love to wear.

Overall Dress

I love overalls, as you'll see in a later post. This overall dress is giving me a true 90's vibe, and can be worn in so many different ways! I would pair the dress with a black striped turtleneck and my extra large fedora. To accesorize, I would add my yin yang choker (because who says you can't wear a choker over a turtleneck) and either my leopard or white Doc Martin style boots or a pair of heeled black boots. If you're willing to take a fashion risk, add a pair of black tights underneath (I would choose my pair of lace fishnet tights) or a pair of black knee high socks. If you own a pair of Jeffrey Campbell like boots, they would pair perfectly with this dress!

Crop Top

Put away your denim button down shirt, and pick up the new take on a denim shirt, in a crop top form. Distressed denim has been making a comeback in the fashion world for the past few years, and is shown in the frayed look of the top. Denim shirts are incredibly versitile, so this top can become a major staple in your Spring wardrobe. I would pair this look with a flared jeans to give a denim on denim look. The Contemporary Denim Culottes below go perfect with this top. Finish off the boho look with a tan floppy hat, and clogs. Or add a leather jacket and tall leather boots for a grunge look.

Capris

I hate capris, if they're in your closet, toss them out. This Spring's capri pant is available in a gaucho style (you remember those pants you wore in middle school) and has a distressed look. This pant will look perfect with the top above. Or if you aren't quite ready for a denim on denim look, choose a white/cream turtleneck or a white/cream off the shoulder top. If you want add a hat or put some ways in your hair to give a 70's vibe. I would select a floral headband for headwear. For shoes, a brown chunky heeled boot would work great or a pair of gladiator sandals that lace up around the leg. I would wear my tan gladiator heels that I purchased from Shop Hopes  with this pant.

Flares

Skinny jeans no more, flared denim is back! I love flared pants; they give you a sleek and slender look and give the allusion of a long leg, when paired with the right shoe. Any top goes with flared denim. I always prefer to tuck my tops into my flared jeans to give off an hour glass shape, as most flared denim is also high waisted, perfect for slimming the waistline. A turtleneck is my go-to look for flared pants, and suede or faux fur vest creates the perfect layering look for Early Spring. However, if you're not ready to go out and buy a new shirt for your flares jeans, pair the jeans with a V-Neck shirt and tuck it in your jeans. Add a heeled boot, wedged sandal, or clog shoe, oversized earrings and a cute hat, floral headband, or a thick tie back headband and you've got yourself an easy made outfit for any occasion. If you're feeling risky, tie a printed scarf around your neck like an ascot or a bow and create a true 70's look with your V-Neck tee.

Show me how you style these Spring denim trends by including the hashtag #themodlittlemelanin on your pictures! Be on the lookout for other ways to style Spring denim on Styled by Mod!

-Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin