With month in full swing and spring collections making their retail debuts, I am feeling more inspired than ever to up my style game for spring. Despite buying up new crisp, ruffled white frocks and pastel accessories, I am clinging to this little bit of chill we have left--sorry Northerners, but Florida "cold" coasts around the 50-degree mark--and wearing out my winter knee-high boots, turtle necks, and sweater dresses while I still can. On a more personal note, I think I have finally recovered from the chaos that was my last semester of grad school and am full-force planning my first career move--yes, I'm "adulting" now.

As Stuart Vever's recently delivered his latest Coach 1941 ready-to-wear collection for Fall 2017, I thought I'd share my first dress from the collection, featuring the ever-fierce and fashion-friendly Rexy the dinosaur, Coach's latest mascot.

I started working for Coach shortly after entering the grad program, right after Stuart's first collection arrived in stores. Over my two years with the company, my style has evolved under Stuart's influence, and I have always appreciated his whimsical, oftentimes tongue-in-cheek approach to fashion and personal style. Rexy is a particular favorite icon of mine, just like the creatures featured in the Coach x Gary Baseman line, because she is so playful and unexpected, especially coming from Coach. Both Rexy and Baseman creature "Buddy" made it into this look, including some other Coach favorites.

I love the ease and comfort of a sweatshirt dress, but I particularly like this one's sporty and whimsical details from the varsity-striped cuffs, collar, and hem to the metallic embroidered Rexy. It also features a leather tassel on the back zipper, a subtle nod to Coach's history as the original American House of Leather. And yes, I am using my sales lingo--it just comes out naturally now, okay!

One trend I hope will never die? Over-the-knee boots. I have three pairs and with warm weather year around, all three look fresh out of the box with such minimal wear (actually, one pair is brand new since I have never had the chance to wear them 😳). Though I know this trend will fizzle like all trends eventually do, I am living for this greige--is that officially a color yet?--pair by Catherine Malandrino, a recent steal from Nordstrom Rack with a price tag a fraction of the Stuart Weitzman Lowland originals.

Neutral tones and biker-inspired details finish off the look, with my go-to Coach motorcycle jacket and edgy curb-chain Shadow bag. My Coach tea rose Delancey watch juxtaposes feminine florals with a tough aesthetic, finished in leather with gunmetal rivets, a new favorite of mine. Jewelry is kept in gunmetal and silver tones, with bold obsidian and graphic bar rings mixed with pavé safety pin earrings.

What are your favorite trends this season? Are you all for the over-the-knee trend or so over it? Let me know in the comments below!

Till next time...

Rock n' Rexy in Coach Winter Wear