Spring Transition

Texas doesn't really have distinct seasons.  We pretty much just have summer and not summer.  Even so, I still try to be mindful of seasons when choosing an outfit even when the temperature doesn't require it.  Yes, it is probably just an excuse to have more clothes and shoes, but it keeps me from getting bored with my outfits. I did give up shopping for Lent though, so I won't have any new clothes or shoes to show you until after Easter!

As we transition into spring I'm trying to lighten things up both with colors and fabrics without pulling out white linen jackets and colorful sandals just yet.  I think this is a great transition outfit for early spring, and it would also work well in early fall.  The dark red skirt and suede cage heels lean towards cool weather while the oatmeal crop jacket and silk dot shell are more warm weather pieces.  It's this balance that makes great transitional looks.

  

Two Outfits, One Formula

I definitely have a couple of outfit formulas that I wear most often.  Jacket with straight skirt statement shoes is what I wear most work days.  That is closely followed by the very similar jacket with ankle pants and statement shoes.  Here are two outfits that are the same formula, even the same color palette, yet different.

Both outfits pair my favorite black ankle pants with a black jacket.  Since I love shoes, and I love outfits that are all about the shoes, ankle length pants are my favorite work pants because they allow the shoes to be fully seen.  They are also very comfortable and I've been wearing them on weekends instead of jeans to elevate my look as well. 

In this first outfit I added a bright pink blouse and black Hermes belt. This outfit is a bit less casual than the second.  The jacket is a little more tailored, the solid color shirt is more businessy, and the classic belt are all more professional than the second look.  This outfit I started with the shoes and picked out the rest of the outfit to go with them. In the second outfit I started with the floral blouse and went from there.

I fell in love with these embroidered heels as soon as I saw them.  I liked them even more after spending a day in them and realizing how comfortable they are.  I usually wear shoes with slim heels, and I really noticed a difference in these. My sister always tells me how chunky-heel shoes are more comfortable, I just never believed her!

 

Here's a close up of the shoes.  They are still available at White House Black Market.





This second outfit is the same black ankle pants with a slightly different black jacket.  I could have worn the same jacket though.  A few days ago my daughter asked me why I have so many black jackets and I honestly had no good reason to give her! I do wear and enjoy them all, even if I do need to take a course in minimalism!

This time I paired them with a floral peasant blouse. Floral prints are hit or miss with me.  There are a lot that I really do not like.  If the print is too small, or the colors too muted then I stay away.  The pattern on this blouse is a medium size and has enough vibrancy to not look matronly to me.

I finished the outfit off with these pink sandals that have been in my closet for a while and a matching pink belt.



  

Which is your favorite?  Do you have any go to outfit formulas that you use regularly?

Striped Dress for Valentines

Dresses can be tricky if you're not the same size on your top and bottom halves. I was skeptical about this one and them pleasantly surprised. It fits really well all over. The dress is a super soft stretch knit, so it feels like wearing my favorite night shirt! It has light and dark pink stripes, and the top part is white. The black vertical stripes down each side are very slenderizing and keep the horizontal stripes from overwhelming my frame.

I paired the dress with a berry pink jacket and black pumps. I love this jacket that I've been wearing at least once a week. I'll post more combinations with it soon. I'll definitely wear it on Valentine's Day next week.

The dress and jacket are both still available at White House Black Market in regular and petites.

 

 

Congac Leather Skirt Part I Burgundy

This is the first a three part series on this leather flared skirt.  But first, there are a ton of sales going on this weekend and some that have already started.  White House Black Market is having their Friends and Family sale – 25% off your order with free shipping. It officially starts Friday, but if you're on their mailing list you got the email with the code today.  Sephora has 20% off starting Friday too. Ann Taylor has 40% off begining Thursday.  J Crew has 25% off your purchase going on now, and Nordstrom has 40% off fall clearance items now through Friday.  If you've been waiting to buy something it might be a good time.

I bought this cognac leather skirt at White House Black Market last year and have loved it.  I've worn it to work, I've worn it to luncheons, and I've worn it out to diner.  It is available again this year but in a buttery soft beige suede. It is on sale now for $160, down from $300, and with your 25% off on top of that it is a great deal, but sizes are going fast!

This style of skirt is so flattering on hourglass and pear shape bodies.  It isn't slimming on my body shape, which is why I usually stick to straight or pencil skirts, but it is a fun change.  I love the way it moves, and the leather adds some variety to my wardrobe. 

For my first look I've paired it with a burgundy blazer and an animal print tank.  This combination would look great with the current beige version of the skirt as well. I'm wearing burgundy pumps to match my blazer as I usually do. And, I accessorized with a long necklace to lengthen my torso. 

My next post will show this skirt with an emerald green blazer.

 Recreate the look:

Same skirt in beige suede

exact burgundy pumps

Dark Red Trophy Jacket On Sale

Leopard Print Blouse

 

 

Breaking the Rules

I'm breaking the rules again today! I'm wearing white after Labor Day and I'm not matching my shoes to my hemline.

I've posted about this ponte knit white dress before (see initial review here).  You can see it styled here paired with gray, and here for a summery look paired with a coral blazer.  I recently wore it with a jean jacket, turquoise belt and booties for a very casual look that I will post soon.  It's been a great addition to my closet.  I was hesitant when I purchased it.  My stylist from Trunk Club suggested it, and I would never have considered it on my own.  White goes with everything though.  It can look as formal or casual as you want. And, contrary to passé rules, it can easily be worn all year long.

My cropped orange jacket is from J Crew.  It's been in my closet for a couple of years. It is made from a light wool herringbone fabric which helps make my white dress fall appropriate.  You can see it previously styled here with a houndstooth skirt, and here with a denim skirt.  The collarless style is so elegant and easy to wear.

Another passé rule is that your shoes and hemline should match.  Personally, I love the look of matching my shoes to my blouse or jacket, especially if it's a bright color.  I recently purchased these suede orange pumps to go with this jacket and a few other orange things in my closet.  I get lots of complements when I wear them, so that just reinforces my own "match shoes to jacket" rule!

Recreate the look:
White dress: Similar white sheath dress from Nordstrom
Orange pumps: Exact Marc Fisher Pumps
Orange blazer:  similar collarless orange jacket
Purse:  similar pre-owned one that's brown and black


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Leopard Skirt

I'm trying to dress for fall even though the weather still isn't cooperating.  Eventually I'll be able to get my boots out! 

I love this leopard skirt.  I recently saw another lady wearing it with a black silk blouse with billowy sleeves and black pumps; she looked so elegant.  It's a print that works with so many colors.  I've paired this skirt with black, burgundy, brown, beige, green, and pink.  You can dress it down with a white t-shirt and jean jacket, it can take you on a date with a silky black blouse like I described above, or you wear it to work like I'm showing here.

I've paired it here with a mock turtle neck in dark green and my camel blazer.  My suede shooties in dark green repeat the color of my top.  You can see the last time I wore these shoes here.  I added a long strand of cream and brown pearls to help elongate my bust, which is always helpful when wearing high collared tops.

Recreate the look:
Leopard Skirt: WHBM similar
Camel Blazer: J Crew Regent Blazer in Warm Camel
Green Shooties: WHBM Similar save, Similar splurge
Green Mock Turtle Neck: similar


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Bottle Green Ankle Pants

These bottle green ankle pants are from White House Black Market.  They are ponte knit so they are comfortable, yet still appropriate for work.  The matching green suede lace-up shooties are also from WHBM.  I purchased both of these items last year and have really enjoyed them. Bottle green didn't carry over into this year, though. It has been replaced by olive green.  The outfit idea still works paired with olive green pants and booties, so that is what I linked to below.

 

On top I have a beige and white stipe shell by Laundry. I got it from Neiman's Last Call a couple of years ago and it is still on heavy rotation. It is easy to wear under a blazer for work, but it works well with shorts and jeans on the weekends. I love versatile items.

My blazer from, you guessed it, WHBM, is the perfect topper for the outfit.  It's a longer jacket so it provides the little extra back side coverage which I think is needed for knit pants at work.  See it previously styled here with a dress. The waterfall lapel and collarless style keep this outfit from being boring, although, as we get further into fall I could replace it with my classic camel blazer for a different look.

Recreate the look:

Knit pants: similar option in olive green

Suede shoes: similar olive green Tory Burch wedges

Blazer: similar collarless ivory blazer

Top: similar with vertical stripes, similar with wider stripes

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http://www.twopeasinablog.com/, 

http://stylelixir.com/everyday-outfit-ideas/, 

http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/, 

www.elegantlyfashionable.com, 

http://notdeadyetstyle.com/, 

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http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/,  http://getyourprettyon.com/,  http://50isnotold.com,  http://www.shoppingmycloset.com/,  http://colorandgrace.com/,  http://thepleatedpoppy.com/category/what-i-wore/,  http://www.theblendedblog.com,  http://sydneyfashionhunter.com,  http://www.themummychronicles.com,