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Hi, nice to meet you.

I'm Hallie, a Midwest native, New York City transplant and the mind behind corals + cognacs. If you're looking for an online destination for stylish inspiration and musings on Manhattan living, you've come to the right place.

Here's a bit more about me (and if you'd like to keep in touch, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook).

I hope you enjoy reading corals + cognacs as much as I enjoy writing it.

FAQ // LOCATION: New York, New York • BY WAY OF: The Midwest (Cleveland/Chicago) • HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Attainable, trendy and fun. I’m constantly wearing unexpected pairings – like statement pumps and a graphic tee. • FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET? The vintage Gucci clutch I thrifted for $40. • ANY OBSESSIONS? I like my coffee black, my heels high and my martinis dirty. • GUILTY PLEASURES? Complex carbohydrates and shoe shopping -- both in excess. (And SoulCycle, as a result.)

ARE YOU A FULL-TIME BLOGGER? No, I work as a Development Manager and Contributing Editor at Glam.com. • WHY DID YOU START YOUR BLOG? I've spent nearly seven years on the corporate grind, where sartorial humor and an expertly crafted color-block can get lost in the boardroom. As a result, I decided to create a blog -- a space where I’d hoped my writing, styling and excessive shoe collection would be better comprehended. • WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Living stylish and spontaneously in New York City – and beyond. I aim to inspire others to have fun with fashion and to live lightheartedly • HOW’D YOU THINK OF THE NAME? To be honest, the name just came to me. I’m a big color-blocker and a sucker for alliteration in writing. It just fit. • WHAT’S THE CORRECT WAY TO WRITE IT? corals + cognacs.

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE IT? corals and cone-yaks. • WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DO YOU USE? A Canon T3i with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. • DON’T YOU FEEL WEIRD TAKING PHOTOS OF YOURSELF? Absolutely. Everyone looks at me like I’m insane – especially when it’s cold. Wouldn’t you? • DO YOU WORK WITH ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS? Yep! Shoot me an e-mail and let’s talk. • HOW ELSE CAN WE KEEP IN TOUCH? On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

October 1, 2023

Leather Weather

It is, officially, leather weather…

… Or faux-leather weather, for many of us.

By request, I’m working on a handful of shopping-centric handful of blog posts (yay!) — but they’re taking me longer than I imagined… Or rather, I have a SERIOUS shopping addiction and just have too much knowledge to share.

At any rate:

We’ve got one on tap that’s all about where I shop for workout clothes (mentioned in last week’s fitness instructor post), but another discussion recently inspired me to start another round-up: The best jackets to buy this fall.

What kind of cold-weather coat or topper are you shopping for this fall? What do you wish you could find right away?

So, as I’m building that post (/those posts), I thought I’d share my current favorite — this lush, vegan-leather moto jacket that I found at Nordstrom… For less than $100!

This leather-looking jacket might not be the real deal, but with lush-looking fabric and quality construction, it certainly looks it.

I plan to get a lot of mileage out of it by layering, layering, layering. Hopefully not too soon, though… These Chicago winters are LONG, from what I remember.

… Again, under $100. It comes in black, too!

Linked below are a few similar options, rounded up after my outfit deets (below).

*In this post:

Clothing

Faux leather jacket: BlankNYC (also comes in black, under $100)
Printed midi skirt: Trina Turk (sold out, similar style here)
V-neck camisole: Topshop (my favorite! comes in 12 colors)
Blue pumps: Rachael Roy (similar style on sale here)

Beauty

Hair styling: Living Proof’s No Frizz collection (get the introductory kit here)
Blush: NARS ‘The Multiple’ in Riviera (blended with NARS Kabuki brush)
Mascara: bareMinerals ‘Lash Domination’ volumizing mascara
Red lipstick: NARS velvet matte lip pencil in ‘Dragon Girl’
Primer: Smashbox Photo-ready foundation primer
Tinted moisturizer: Jouer (with SPF20)
Eyebrows: Benefit Instant Brow pencil

*CLICK TO SHOP: Leather & faux-leather jackets | printed midi skirts | Topshop v-neck tanks | THIS POST (BELOW):

*SHOP THE TREND: Leather & faux-leather jackets
BUY AT: Nordstrom, below:

HALLIE’S PICKS: BlankNYC moto jacket, $98; Asymmetrical leather biker jacket, $320;
Faux leather jacket with removable fur collar, $105

///

Iron & Honey Photography

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

23 comments

Laura Kathleen on October 1, 2023 at 7:17 am

Wow, that is a beautiful jacket, doesn’t even look like faux-leather in these pictures! Love it!

Laura

http://www.lauraaimevous.com

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Lauren on October 1, 2023 at 7:23 am

That jacket really does look like real leather! What a great find!

Fizz and Frosting

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Natalie on October 1, 2023 at 8:06 am

What a babe! I got a great black moto leather jacket at Zara for less than $90!

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Leah on October 1, 2023 at 8:39 am

That jacket is perfect! I saw a similar color at J.Crew, but didn’t get it because it felt too preppy. This is a much better option!

xx Leah / http://www.eatpraywearlove.com

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Eleni on October 1, 2023 at 8:56 am

This outfit is so fun and beautiful! I love the wintery jacket paired with the summery skirt. You have such a great eye for style! 🙂
-E
http://www.misceleniousblog.com

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Emily @ Delta Chic on October 1, 2023 at 9:28 am

Love the color on this jacket! So perfect for Chicago weather!

Emily
http://www.deltachic.com

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dana mannarino on October 1, 2023 at 10:07 am

Killin’. The. Game.

Love this look, Hallie! And I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect (faux) leather jacket, and this one in black may be my next purchase!

Thanks for sharing!

Pink Champagne Problems

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Meagan on October 1, 2023 at 10:13 am

That jacket is amazing!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

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Jessica on October 1, 2023 at 10:16 am

Love it! I just bought a leather jacket at Zara for under $200 and I can’t wait to break it out this weekend!

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Anna H. on October 1, 2023 at 10:26 am

Love this outfit!! Perfect transitional look. I’m looking for the classics this year - a really great camel coat or trench coat. I’ve honestly always had good luck at Old Navy (I live in the southeast so I don’t see the point in spending hundreds on a coat) so I’ll be waiting to see what they put out this year!

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Kelly in the City on October 1, 2023 at 10:30 am

You’re the cutest! I love the leather jacket. 🙂

Kelly | Kelly in the City

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Ally on October 1, 2023 at 10:58 am

Great mix of leather with the bright colors of the skirt! I really like this look!

Xo Ally

http://www.allysoninwonderland.com

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Lauren on October 1, 2023 at 11:42 am

Faux leather is the way to go, and I LOVE this dark color! It’ll be amazing for fall and I can’t believe it’s under $100!

Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com

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The Avg Girl Guide (@AvgGirlsGuide) on October 1, 2023 at 3:33 pm

BlankNYC is SO good! I have a pair of their faux leather leggings from last year and they’re the best.

alyson
http://www.theaveragegirlsguide.com

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Taylor- Lights Camera Catwalk on October 1, 2023 at 5:03 pm

Oh my, that jacket gets all of the heart eyed emojis!

Xx Taylor
http://www.lightscameracatwalk.com

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Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on October 1, 2023 at 5:23 pm

I love that skirt so much!

Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com

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Erin on October 1, 2023 at 5:55 pm

I’m on the hunt for a new rain jacket - anorak style - that looks cute and is under $100. Got any tips?

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- Jordan Cathleen on October 4, 2023 at 12:24 am
  
  I would love to add an anorak to my wardrobe as well! I’d try Old Navy and Urban Outfitters.
  
  Reply
Larisa on October 1, 2023 at 7:22 pm

That skirt is adorable!

xx Larisa @ weheartbeauty.com

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Lauren Ludlow on October 1, 2023 at 10:53 pm

Totally lusting after that gorgeous jacket! I don’t see it listed in the wine/burgundy color online. Did it sell out?

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melissa on October 2, 2023 at 7:33 am

S O pretty Hallie!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

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Jordan Cathleen on October 4, 2023 at 12:23 am

I love the color of this jacket. Maroon (or burgundy) is so unexpected for a leather jacket that it makes it fresh!

The Polished Novice

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