It's been a while since I did an installment of Cassential Links...these are my links for the month of April. Enjoy!
Fedora. Check. Citron. Check. Ultra cool laid-back look. Triple Check.
Aztec print and leather with pretty pops of berry. Perfect look for an evening out.
Clothing is never without social meaning. Interesting take on lingerie as a tool of empowerment.
Needing a little body image inspiration? Look no further than here.
Head-to-toe, this look is gorgeous. The Aztec print dress and starfish cuff are so unique.
Mindy Kaling reacts to the characterization of her wearing a crop top as "courageous."
Amani Terrell makes a bold statement towards body acceptance.
This article explores the desire to be the "right kind" of fat.
Amazing collection of photos...the beautiful diversity of humanity
Blogger Nicolette Mason reflects on the tools that led to her success and talks size discrimination in fashion.
This look manages to be cool, edgy, and summer chic all at the same time. Love the jacket and organza panel!
Especially agree with Rules #1 and #5 for dressing a curvy figure.
4.28.2014
Dress Week 3: Pastels and Lace
Happy Monday!
Today I end Dress Week 3 with a recent work look.
I paired my ivory lace and crochet dress with a pale blue blazer and yellow clutch for a soft look that also still manages to look professional.
Multiple textures add visual interest to this look, while the color palette keeps the various textures from being overwhelming.
I enjoy pastels quite a bit, but I find that many soft colors wash me out. This blue is one of the better pastels for my complexion. I usually wear any color that I like, regardless of "flattery," sometimes wearing slightly darker make-up to avoid the wash-out effect.
If you're a fan of pastels but don't like them with your skin tone, you may find adding accessories, like this clutch and necklace (worn as a bracelet), to be a more suitable way to enjoy the pastel trend. Sage green nail color adds another pastel pop.
Are you a fan of pastels? How important is "flattery" in your choice of wardrobe colors?
For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this blazer in other outfits, see here and here.
Today I end Dress Week 3 with a recent work look.
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| Dress: LOFT Petites (Similar here) |
Multiple textures add visual interest to this look, while the color palette keeps the various textures from being overwhelming.
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| Blazer: The Limited |
If you're a fan of pastels but don't like them with your skin tone, you may find adding accessories, like this clutch and necklace (worn as a bracelet), to be a more suitable way to enjoy the pastel trend. Sage green nail color adds another pastel pop.
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| Clutch and Necklace: The Limited Bracelet: LOFT |
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| Booties: Target (Available here) Necklace: Target (Available here) |
For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this blazer in other outfits, see here and here.
Dress Week 3: Breezy and Easy
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| Dress: Babooshka Boutique (Available here) |
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| Skirt: The Limited (Similar here) |
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| Necklace: The Limited Ring: Earthbound Trading Company |
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| Sandals: Target (Kids) (Similar here) Tote: Isabel and Ruben Toledo for Lane Bryant (Similar here) |
For this dress in another look, see here.
4.25.2014
Dress Week 3: Black and White for Evening
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| Dress: The Limited (old) |
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| Moto jacket: Peter Som for Kohl's (Available here) |
I paired a black ruched mini dress with an ivory knit moto jacket and open-toe booties for a easy rock-n-roll inspired evening look.
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| Boots: Target (Available here) |
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| Clutch: The Limited |
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| Bangles: The Limited and Target (Available here, here, and here) |
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| Necklace: Ixora Boutique (Sold out; View here) |
For this jacket in another look, see here.
4.24.2014
Dress Week 3: Put On Your Spectacles
It has been beyond crazed at work for the last few weeks, but I am back tonight with another post for Dress Week 3.
My spectacle print dress from eShakti is so summery and relaxed feeling that I thought it would be fun to take it a different direction by adding a cropped moto jacket, open-toe booties, and a studded bag.
As much as I love each of these individual pieces, this is not my favorite way to style this dress. Ultimately, I felt like this look involved too many similar colors which almost created a clashing effect.
That said, the cropped fit and peplum of the jacket is a good shape for pairing with a fit-and-flare dress.
How would you style this dress?
For the dress in another look, see here.
P.S. eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers! Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 5/11/2014.
My spectacle print dress from eShakti is so summery and relaxed feeling that I thought it would be fun to take it a different direction by adding a cropped moto jacket, open-toe booties, and a studded bag.
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| Dress: eShakti (Available here) |
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| Jacket: The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores) |
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| Tote: Target (Available here) |
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| Booties: Target (Available here) Ring: The Limited |
For the dress in another look, see here.
P.S. eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers! Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 5/11/2014.
4.22.2014
Dress Week 3: Leopard for Spring
Dress Week continues today with a leopard print trapeze dress.
I always think of leopard print and other cat prints as more for autumn and winter; however, there is no real reason that they should just be for the cooler seasons.
Safari-inspired clothing and accessories are back for spring, so I decided to take this big cat print into that direction by adding a camel messenger bag and neutral booties.
I kept accessories fairly minimal adding a couple bangles and an orange beaded necklace with gold coins for just the tiniest pop of color.
I love the easy breezy feel of this look - I think it's perfect for the more laid-back vibe of spring and summer!
Are you a fan of leopard prints for spring and summer?
For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
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| Dress: Eva Mendes for New York & Company |
Safari-inspired clothing and accessories are back for spring, so I decided to take this big cat print into that direction by adding a camel messenger bag and neutral booties.
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| Booties: Target (Available here) |
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| Bag: The Limited (old) |
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| Bracelets: The Limited |
I love the easy breezy feel of this look - I think it's perfect for the more laid-back vibe of spring and summer!
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| Necklace: The Limited |
For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
4.21.2014
Dress Week 3: Cutouts and Polka Dots
This dress had me at hello.
Sometimes clothes just speak to me, and in this case, the dress was yelling, "PICK ME! PICK ME!" Okay, clothes talk to me a lot - it's a problem. LOL
I love the cutout detail of this - it shows just enough midriff without making it the central focus. It also gives the dress a modernity that blend really well with the 1950s shape and cut of the dress.
The shape of this dress flatters curves. The sweetheart neckline adds a bit of sex appeal which is perfectly balanced by the knee-length hem.
Rather than play up the inherent sweetness of this dress, I decided to give it a little bit of a more womanly feel while adding just the slightest touch of edge that I love. The chain-link necklace mixed with the lace clutch is for me the perfect mix - all lady, but with a bit of attitude! ;-D
How would you style this dress?
P.S. eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers! Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 5/11/2014.
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| Dress: eShakti (Available here) |
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| Shoes: Target (Available here) |
I love the cutout detail of this - it shows just enough midriff without making it the central focus. It also gives the dress a modernity that blend really well with the 1950s shape and cut of the dress.
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| Necklace: Torrid |
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| Bracelets: The Limited |
Rather than play up the inherent sweetness of this dress, I decided to give it a little bit of a more womanly feel while adding just the slightest touch of edge that I love. The chain-link necklace mixed with the lace clutch is for me the perfect mix - all lady, but with a bit of attitude! ;-D
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| Clutch: Jason Wu for Target (Available on ebay here and here) |
P.S. eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers! Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 5/11/2014.
4.18.2014
Neutrals for Work and Play
Today, I'm featuring a look I wore last summer and never got around to posting on the blog.
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| Dress: Target (old) |
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| Blazer: The Limited (Similar here) Bag: New York & Company |
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| Clutch: Target (old) |
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| Necklace: The Limited (old) Shoes: Target |
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| Rings: The Limited and local jewelry show |
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| Jacket: Torrid |
For this dress in another look, see here.
For the cropped blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the suit blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
4.17.2014
Honorable Mentions 3
I know that I just did an honorable mentions post recently, but I had another, more spring/summer set of photos to share. Some of these are from last summer, and some are more recent, which explains the variance in hair length/style. :-)
Casual/Evening:
Work:
Look 1:
For the denim shorts in other looks, see here and here.
For the cropped tuxedo blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Look 2: For the faux leather skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the tee in another look, see here.
Look 3:
For the top in other outfits, see here, here, and here.
For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here and here.
Look 5:
For the polka dot dress in other looks, see here and here.
Casual/Evening:
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| Shorts: Torrid Blouse and Blazer: Forever 21 |
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| Shoes and Clutch: Target |
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| Skirt, tee, and clutch: The Limited Shoes: Target Bracelets: World Market and Target |
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| Top and Sandals: Target Jacket: Torrid Skirt and Purse: The Limited |
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| Skirt: Wet Seal (Available here) Tee: LOFT Petites Earrings: World Market |
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| Moccasins: Minnetonka (Available here) Bag: The Limited Bracelets: Baker's, Target, Express |
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| Dress, Satchel, Belt, and Earrings: The Limited Blazer: LOFT Petites Sandals: Payless |
Look 1:
For the denim shorts in other looks, see here and here.
For the cropped tuxedo blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Look 2: For the faux leather skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the tee in another look, see here.
Look 3:
For the top in other outfits, see here, here, and here.
For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here and here.
Look 5:
For the polka dot dress in other looks, see here and here.
4.15.2014
Tickled Pink: Blushing Zebras
I wrap up Pink Week today with a whimsical dress look that I'm planning to wear to work soon (the weather here took a cold turn, boo hiss).
The zebra print is so fun, but I love that it is almost abstract enough to also appear as just a pattern from a distance.
The soft cream color has just the slightest pink tint, so this blush jacket was an easy pick to pair with the dress.
Black shoes and purse ground the look and give it a little more seriousness that makes it work appropriate.
Do you like animal prints on clothing?
For this blazer in another look, see here.
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| Dress: The Limited (Available here) |
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| Blazer: New York & Company (Available here) |
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| Necklace: Shoxie.com (Available here) Ring: Purchased at local jewelry show |
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| Earrings: New York & Company (old) |
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| Purse: New York & Company (old) |
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| Shoes: Target (old) |
For this blazer in another look, see here.
4.14.2014
Tickled Pink: Fringe Shift
One of my most favorite pinks is the bright, almost neon, shade of this dress. It is such a cheerful shade without being super girly.
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| Dress: eloquii (old) |
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| Booties: Target (Available here) |
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| Clutch: New York & Company |
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| Bracelet and Necklace worn as bracelet: The Limited |
For me, the fringe makes this dress appropriate mostly for evenings or special occasions. I like to keep hemlines that I wear to work at a more conservative length, but a few inches above the knee is perfect for date nights, weddings, and other social events.
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| Earrings: The Limited |
For this dress in other looks, see here, here, and here.