Black and White and Bold All Over

I love how black and white is effortlessly chic in any situation.  Here, I'm in my the little white dress I just got from Nordstrom via Trunk Club  (styled before here). This time I topped it with a black pin stripe blazer with short sleeves. I just buttoned the middle button and added a belt over the blazer. I've found that while models can pull off the belted blazer look effortlessly, I can only manage it with fitted blazers that are intended to be belted like this one!

The blazer is the top half of a two piece suit. I used to hang my suits in sets in my closet.  I always kept the blazer with the skirt or pants it came with.  About a year ago I tried separating my suits so I have just the blazers with all of my blazers and the skirt with my other skirts, etc.  I found that by doing that I found other ways to wear the pieces separately; giving me more unique outfits and more mileage out of my existing wardrobe.  It's been a great trick.

 

 

White Dress - Classiques Entier, available here it comes in four colors, regular and petite

Blazer - Tahari ASL (old)

Booties - Tahari (old)

 

I've had these black and white booties for many years; long before booties were all the rage and became trendy to wear with skirts and dresses. I still think they look better with Capri pants, trousers, or jeans, but I figured I'd give the trend a go.  I think booties with skirts work better on women with super skinny calves or really long legs.  I need that extra couple inches of skin to help elongate my legs!

 

 

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Little White Dress

Every one is familiar with the "little black dress."  It's a wardrobe staple that is appropriate for just about any occasion.  Lately though, the little white dress has become just as popular. 

Hallie over at Corals + Cognac just did a great post on how to wear a little white dress five ways. Her post just happened to coincide with my latest Trunk Club delivery that included none other than a little white dress.  Hallie's post made me decide to keep it, so here's my first attempt at the now ubiquitous little white dress.

This dress is that wonderful ponte knit that looks professional, but stretches like a t-shirt and doesn't loose its shape.  Lucky for me it comes in comes in petites too, so it hits at mid-knee without alterations (I'm 5'3" for reference).  It's from Nordstrom via Trunk Club available here. (Read about my fun with Trunk Club here and here).

My coral blazer is a linen blend, so it's cool enough to wear all summer, but doesn't wrinkle like linen.  I got it last year at White House Black Market along with these shoes and belt.

Here are a couple of other go anywhere white dresses:
Jackie O Dress  - I've read lot's of good reviews about this dress and it comes in several colors

Tahari Dress - One of my "go to" brands

Lilac and Gray

I got my inspiration today from Outfit Post's blog, and she got her inspiration from the Nine Thirty to Five blog.  They both paired a lilac tank with a gray cardigan and I liked the color combination.  Cardigans are too casual for my workplace, but I can always substitute them with a blazer to bring it up a notch.  I don't have much lilac or purple in my wardrobe, but I do have these lilac pants that I got at White House Black Market last year.  I have always paired them with a white top and blazer but that post inspired me to pair them with a gray shell and blazer.  My blazer has a pink/lilac pinstripe in it as well. I got compliments at work and at the gym, so thank you fellow bloggers!

 

 

 

 

And how about these gray suede peep toe booties! Suede used to just be a fall and winter shoe material, but if you look at the number of suede sandals seen everywhere, that rule is obviously out.  They are Nine West, and I got these during Nordstrom's anniversary sale that is still going on.  You can order them here, on sale until August 8th. They come in red and black too. I think they would look better if my pants were just a little shorter.  I'll have fun pairing them with jeans on date nights too.

 

 

If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Black

Sometimes the outfits I put together in my Stylebook Closet App look better on my phone than on my body.  I intended to wear this outfit today, but when I put it on the top and the blazer just didn't look good together.

While the colors in the picture look like a perfect match, in real life they clashed, and the silkiness of the blouse didn't coordinate with the twill-type fabric of the blazer.  I wanted to wear the same general outfit with the blazer and skirt, so after trying 3 other blouses with this outfit I ended up in this, a black button down.  Black is so good at coming to the rescue!

J Crew Campbell Jacket

Mossimo button down blouse with ruffles 

White House Black Market skirt (I had to size up)

Halogen Rockstud look alike shoes

Don't you love these shoes! I've been seeing these Valentino Rockstud shoes all over the blogger-sphere lately, but at $995 I knew I wouldn't be talking them home with me any time soon. I asked my Trunk Club Stylist, Sheila if she had anything close with a more friendly price tag, and she sent me these (here's the post about that trunk ). They are by Halogen and only about $80.

What I love about them, is that even though they are black and nude they wear just like a black shoe. The nude part just blends in with my skin and looks like I have on black shoe with some extra bling. I also have these similar shoes with the colors in reverse, that I love and get tons of complements on,  but they don't wear like a black or a nude shoe and are much more difficult to style (Last worn with this outfit).

Trunk Club #2

I got my second trunk from Trunk Club, and it was really big!  My stylist, Sheila, put 14 things in there including 2 pairs of shoes, a purse, and a raincoat (which I asked for).

 

If you are unfamiliar with how Trunk Club works see my first post about it, or you can go directly to the Trunk Club website.

Trunk Cub is great for people who don't know what they want or for someone trying to breakout of a style rut.  It is also good for people who don't have the time and/or inclination to shop, and also for people who are trying to build their wardrobe.  If you're an avid do-it-yourselfer, know what you're looking for, or love to bargain hunt then you might be less thrilled with this service.

Here is my second trunk and the stacks of clothes included inside.  Doesn't it look like Christmas!










The rules are you have to try everything on, even if you don't think you like something. Then you keep what you like, return what you don't like.  There is no charge for shipping either way, and there is no styling fee, even if you don't keep everything.  And, it can all be done from an app on your phone.

Here's what I kept:

Michael Kors Raincoat $130

I told Sheila that I needed a new raincoat and she was so nice to send me 2 to choose from (the other was the Gingham Trim Double Breasted Hooded Coat by Laundry by Shelli Segal).  I loved this one, I think it will be perfect for my trip to northern Europe in July.

This light blue cashmere sweater by Theory was another keeper. It is the perfect color blue and will again be a good layering piece for my summer trip.

Finally I kept these pumps. I've been wanting a pair of Valentino's Rockstud pumps, but at $995, I just can't bring myself to buy them. I love the similar style of these and the price tag that's 1/10 of the originals. I'll get plenty of wear out of them.

I had trouble with fit of a lot of items in this trunk. Several items were just too small, and couple were too big. That wasn't a problem with my last trunk though. 

Here are a few of the things that I liked but ended up returning anyway. There were 2 pairs of black jeans - one skinny, one boot cut, both Paige Denim 'Transcend - Skyline' - that had a great cut, were nice and soft, with the right amount of stretch, but I just don't need them right now.
 

She also included a pair on linen cargo pants that were actually really cute on, but not my style and oh the wrinkles! I almost kept the Tory Burch crossbody bag, but it seemed to be the wrong length for me and didn't lay flat.


There was also this pair of white jeans that I really wanted to love, but it is so difficult to find a good pair of white jeans. The fabric in these was just too thin that every imperfection was amplified.

If you want to see what Sheila will send you, you can sign up here:
Trunk Club

Trunk Club #1

There is a personal stylist here in Houston that I've used before.  I hired her for a consultation for the first time ten years ago.  She came into my closet, made me get rid of a bunch of stuff, and then took me shopping for everything I was missing.  It was a great experience.  I've since had her come help my husband too, and even my sister has hired her.  A good expert in any field is usually hard to find and is often easily worth the cost.



In this digital age virtual stylists keep popping up.  I've tried a few: Stitch Fix, MM La Fleur, Keaton Row, and most recently Trunk Club.



Trunk Club has been around for a long time.  Originally they just serviced men.  I actually found out about it because my husband started using them.  They have recently been purchased by Nordstrom and they now help women too!



It's easy to get started.  You just fill out a little bit online and then your stylist gives you a call to get a feel for what you need and then she sends you a trunk.  I was a little nervous about the call (introverts worst nightmare), and almost didn't sign up because of it, but it ended up not being stressful at all, and it only lasted a couple of minutes.


Since I work in a very conservative office, I told her I'm always looking for more work wear.  I also let her know that I am going on a vacation this summer to Northern Europe, so I need summer clothes that are a little warmer, which is not something I own at all!



My stylist, Sheila, then curated a few items for me.  I got to check them out on the app before they were sent just in case she was way off the mark.  A few days later a trunk was delivered to my doorstep.  I had 10 days to try them in in my own house, looking in my own mirror, and styling the items with my own items.  I decided what to keep and what to send back.  When I was done I just packet up what I wanted to return in the same box and UPS came by to pick it up.  So easy!


Here are a few items that came in my trunk:



Tahari Aline dress - $128
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tahari-seamed-a-line-dress-regular-petite/3501047
It comes in 12 colors, and it comes in petites.
My stylist sized up one size for me, how did she know?, and it fit perfectly.  Tahari is one of my go to brands, and this dress did not disappoint.

 

Classiques Entier 'Malibu' Cotton Blend Bateau Neck Pullover      $148

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&keyword=Classiques+Entier+%27Malibu%27+Cotton+Blend+Bateau+Neck+Pullover+

This is one of the items Sheila through into the trunk for my European vacation.  I told her I wanted some yellow, and this fits the bill.  It's lightweight and summery, while still being a sweater.  I ended up wearing it last week in when I went to Boston too!

Attilio Giusti Leombruni Ankle Wrap Wedge Sandal $350
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/agl-attilio-giusti-leombruni-ankle-wrap-wedge-sandal-women/3854627?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=NICKEL
She sent these wedges.  They are totally cute, and comfy, but they are so reflective.  I could have literally used the straps as a mirror.  On, I felt a bit like Wonder Woman, so I sent them back.  They come in other colors though, black, nude, and blue snake skin.  If they go on sale I think I might buy them in the blue snake skin since they are so comfortable.





AG 'The Angelina' Bootcut Jeans Midnight Swim  $168
http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&keyword=AG+%27The+Angelina%27+Bootcut+Jeans+Midnight+Swim


Sheila also sent me a new pair of blue jeans.  Up until now I've never ventured down the rabbit hole of designer jeans, worried that I would never come back up.  Well, thanks to Sheila, I had to try these on, and yes, there is a noticeable difference between designer jeans and the ones I've been wearing for the past 5 years.  Oh they are so soft, and there is so much stretch, yet they keep their shape.  She sent them in petite so they fit in the rise and the inseam. Once I put them on I couldn't take them off, so I definitely kept them.



What do you think about personal stylists like Trunk Club?  Have you ever used one?