How to Dress Like Zac Efron

Zac Efron is the younger version of a Brad Pitt, a Tom Cruise...a hunky hunk hunk! All girls want a piece of him and guys may want to dress more like him. Zac's style is preppy, casual, comfortable and a lot trendier than most guy friends I know. So with a little help from me, you'll be sure to get the ladies flockin too.

 

Zac Efron Look #1
I love this look. It's simple, it's great for daytime, evening, or even work (if you can rock the jeans for casual Friday). I love the crispness of the white shirt, white belt and stark white shoes. The blend of the gray vest, and then the contrast with the dark blue jeans. I know Zac has a dark burgundy tie on, but I thought for summer, it would be great to pop the whole outfit with a bold pink and blue wide striped tie. Gorge!

 

Zac Efron Look #2
This guy really knows the art of layering. Here, Zac is sporting a wide pin stripe white collared shirt, with a black vest, a horizontal striped brown and gold tie (love the mix of subtle patterns), skinny blue jeans, and a quilted leather jacket with a brown wool collar. Lots of stuff going on, but still very clean and well thought out. What I love about this look is that he's wearing all the "staples". You can use any of these pieces to formulate a million different combinations in your closet, but still throw it all together for a very polished look. Trendy, but definitely timeless.

 

Zac Efron Look #3
This is a great outfit for a weekend daytime look when the weather is just a little windy. Again, very simple pieces paired together. He accessorizes with a simple scarf, and the high tops are very trendy. For my replica, I choose to go with a v-neck tee with a little graphic design for more interest. A lightweight brown scarf, which is perfect for cooler days or nights. I love the jacket because it's casual, but looks really hot on guys, and you can pair it with all of your more casual outfits to complete the look. As for the high tops, I found white basic ones that Zac is wearing, but you can also go with a blue sole to give it a little splash of color. Color always spices up any plain ole outfit! All in all, the look is simple clean and well packaged...and what a pretty package he is!

Replicate Christian Louboutin Shoes for Less!

I know what you must be thinking..."Replicate a Christian Louboutin shoe?? Blasphemous!" or...you're thinking, "Heck yea! The shoes are cute, but I'm not paying all that money for a pair of shoes." If you're thinking the second comment, glad to have you on my side. If you're thinking of the first comment, hear me out.

Ok, I love Christian Louboutin shoes as much as the next fashionista. But let's be real, people are trying to save money. At the end of the day, you're only really paying for the name. Christian Louboutin carries normal pumps and platforms that you see everywhere. Not a challenge to replicate. But there are some shoes that are just impossible to find, as they're just too beautiful. So, I've been put to the challenge: replicate some of their cutest shoes for fractions of the cost.

Christian Louboutin Sandal For Elephant Rescue
This is indeed foot candy. Great shoe for going out, great shoes for the summer, and most of all, girly girls love pink right? But for $895, you can find a pink strappy platform heel for so much less! Although the Michael Antonio replica is a more muted pink with a dark brown platform heel, it definitely gives the same look as the Louboutin's with the ankle strap and the overall strappiness of the shoe. The muted pink of the replica gives it a more casual vibe so you can pair it with more casual daily outfits. And with a price tag of $54.95, you just can't beat it!

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Christian Louboutin Forever Tina - Magenta
A cute pair of fringy boots can spice up any casual outfit. That's why a fringe boot is a must in your shoe collection. However, this purple/magenta Christian Louboutin heel has a hefty price tag of $789. So what I found was a flat black boot with the same tiered fringe at only $38! What's great is that black it will go with any outfit and flats are much more comfortable. And with a savings of $751, how could you say no?

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Christian Louboutin Deva 120 suede fringed boots
Since it's summer and the knee high boots might leave you feeling sweatier than you'd like, try the fringed booties! Now the Christian Louboutin bootie is truly unique and very hard to replicate. No wonder they're $1095! After searching like crazy, I came across these Betsy Johnson's for $303 that's a combination of black and pink fringe. Although not entirely the same look, definitely the same feel. I personally like the added pink touch. With a savings of $792, you still get to sport a name brand and add a cute bootie to the collection.

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Christian Louboutin black satin 'Mount Street' t-strap sandals
Ok, now here's the tricky part. There really is nothing like this shoe. It's absolutely gorgeous and seemingly worth the price tag of $716. These t-strap sandals have sheer cut out flower petals that nicely fall all over the shoe. So so so hot! But honestly, if you were to buy these shoes, you could only wear it on special occasions. So the replica by DKNY for $115 has the same idea, but more casual.You save $601 and it gives you a lot more versatility with outfits and more usuage. If you're crafty and you have a special occasion coming up, then I have the perfect idea for you. Buy any plain ole t-strap sandal. If you buy something strappier, ever better. And then apply these black flower petals with mighty mendit, or a hot glue gun (careful it can be messy) and voila! A t-strap sandal that drips with black flower petals. The project would only cost you the price of the shoe and about $5 for the flower petals.

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Christian Louboutin Carnival d'Orsay Peep-Toe Pumps
It seems as though Christian Louboutin loves this flower petal look. And so do I! He spiced up a plain peep toe pump by adding an abundance of black flower petals to the back. It's gotta be hot with that price tag of $1165. Now, there just aren't any replicas of this shoe. None. Zero. Zilch. So you must get creative with this one. Please Note: You do not have to be a genius or Martha Stewart to perform this trick. Ok, all you have to do is buy inexpensive peep toe pumps (as shown). Then, I found a black flower brooch from ebay -- just make sure the brooch is made of fabric and not hard plastic or crystals. You will then proceed to pin the brooch on the back of the heel, one on each side. If there is space between the brooches, get 3 brooches for a fuller look. And there you have it. You're very own Christian Louboutin replica. The great thing about this is, you can wear the plain pump to work and pin the brooches on for special occasions. If you do not want to puncture your heel with the pin, find black flower hair clips. Then you can just clip is on the back of your heel. Even easier to remove and apply! Your cost: price of shoe and about $5 each for the brooch. You easily save $1000!

Vera Bradley Sunglasses

While researching for my Vera Bradley post, I stumbled across some of their other products. The Vera Bradley eyewear is actually....kind of cute! Their usual grandma-ish floral patterns translate well when used sparingly on the side frame of a pair of sunglasses. And it's fun! The sunglasses are about $75 on the Vera Bradley site, but on ebay, they average about $45. I've seen them as low as $20, but I'm sure that's a rare occasion. So if you're in need of some cute sunglasses, be sure to check them out!

French Designer Pierre Paulin Dies

Pierre Paulin inspired me throughout design school as well as my previous "Crazy Chairs" post. As a designer, the biggest thrill is to see the look on your client's face when you unveil their new home. To open their eyes to the art you've created is an unexplainable feeling. Imagine if you did that to the whole world of design. That's what Pierre Paulin did. Born in Paris, it's hard to imagine where he got his inspiration from. French design is all about the traditional heavily gilded chairs and furniture that is super ornate. But Pierre was inspired by the simplicity of Japanese drawings and American Designers Charles and Ray Eames. So with that, he shook up the traditional french design world and brought it into the future. His designs are ultra sleek, sophisticated but no doubt ultra fun and unique. So unique, he was asked was chosen by two former French presidents to furnish the presidential palace.

Pierre Paulin died in Montpellier, France on Saturday, June 13th at the age of 81. Although I am sadden to hear of his passing, his legend lives on in many museums in New York, Paris, and London.

View some of Paulin's designs: