Manic Monday: Invested

While many of us may have had the day off of work to commemorate our fallen soldiers, we still have to figure out what to wear to work for the rest of the week!  So, I'm back with a slightly late Manic Monday work style post.

Vest:  Eloquii (Available here)Dress:  Who What Wear for Target (Available here)

Today's look incorporates a long-line vest.  I'm not going to lie - I love the look of vests on others, but I have struggled with how to style this piece.

Tee:  Who What Wear for Target (Available here)

For work, I layered an elbow-sleeve tee under a slip dress and threw the vest on top to add a little polish.  The vest is a great alternative to a blazer for warmer weather.  If you're like me and prefer sleeves for the workplace or your dress code requires them, then the tee adds the right touch.

Shoes: Candie's (Available in other colors here)Clutch:  Who What Wear for Target (Available here)

If your job doesn't require you to wear sleeves, you can let those underarms breathe by skipping the tee.

Necklace:  Ann Taylor (old)

Belt:  Torrid

A metallic belt adds a little shape to the look, while the necklace adds just enough bling.

Bangle:  Target
Glasses:  Coach

Are you a fan of vests?  How would you style this one?

For the dress in another look, see here.

Shop Your Closet: The Plaid Shorts

With spring here and Memorial Day being the unofficial kick-off for summer festivities, it's time to start thinking more about warm weather style.  To that end, I'm starting a new regular feature on the blog called Shop Your Closet! 

As I have been trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to reduce my clothing expenditures and stick to a budget, I have been playing in my closet a bit more, looking to wear pieces that I already have in a greater variety of ways to increase their use value.  So, periodically, I will be featuring an item from my closet worn at least three different ways to help give you all ideas on how to style pieces in your closet.  In addition, this feature will help me slow down with new purchases - does the article of clothing I'm considering meet a wardrobe need? Is it functional for my life?  Do I already have what I need to make at least three outfits with this new piece? 

Shorts:  Myrda J Designer Apparel (Available here)

I start the new Shop Your Closet feature today with shorts!

Enjoying shorts is somewhat new to me. I didn't have much problem with them as a kid, but by college, I was not a huge fan.  It seemed like every pair I ever tried would ride up between the legs and as my body confidence waned, I didn't feel comfortable showing off my thick thighs.

In the last few years, things have really started to change for me regarding shorts.  Don't get me wrong...I still prefer a cute skirt or culottes over shorts, but I have a newfound love of shorts.  Saint Louis has hot and humid summers.  They can be quite miserable - a pair of cool cotton shorts like this flirty pair from Myrda J Designer Apparel is a great solution.  Plus, I think printed shorts are less overwhelming than printed pants on my petite frame.

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)

I can easily pair these shorts with a blazer as I did here for a pulled-together but not too serious look for evening. 

Bodysuit:  BoohooUSA (Available here)

This is my favorite of the three looks featured today!  It's a little sexy, a little sophisticated, and it makes me at 4'9" look like I have legs for d...well, legs for a day at least.

Shoes:  Candie's (Available in other colors here)

Clutch:  Ann Taylor
Bracelets:  LOFT and gift

Tee:  Torrid

For an easy, breezy summer look for wrangling kids, running weekend errands, etc., I could pair the shorts with a tee and sandals for a more casual feel.

Wedges:  Sugar

Bracelet:  The Limited

Bikini top:  GabiFresh for SwimsuitsForAll

Lastly, I took a little summer inspiration from Chastity of Garner Style and paired my plaid shorts with a bikini top, perfect for laying out in the backyard with a good book or hanging poolside with the kids.

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Do you like wearing shorts? Have you tried Myrda J - this indie designer carries petite plus sizing to fit us shorties so well!!! :-D

How would you style this pair?

Want to try a pair for yourself?  Myrda is graciously offering all Style Cassentials readers a coupon worth 20% off your entire cart!  Head to MyrdaJ.com now through June 15, 2016 and use CASSENTIALS2016 at checkout to save!

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

From Look #1
See the bodysuit in another look here.
See the blazer in other looks here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

From Look #2
See the tee in other looks here, here, and here.

From Look #3
See the bikini top in another look here.

Manic Monday: Bright Stripes

Spring always leads me to wear way more color than I do in the fall and winter.  Maybe it's the colors of the season, all the blooming flowers and trees, for example, that makes color seem more enticing.

Shirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

And, while I do appreciate a pretty pastel or a bright color, I tend to gravitate towards more subdued shades.  Today's look is certainly colorful, but it doesn't feel too over-the-top.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

A button-down shirt with a full midi skirt creates such a classic silhouette, making it a good choice for work.

Loosening the buttons on the shirt and folding up the cuffs creates a bit of a laid-back vibe that feels right for spring. 

Clutch:  ALDO

Bracelets:  LOFT, Target

Lace-up shooties add comfortable polish.

Shoes:  Target

How would you style this skirt? Do you like the combination of button down shirts with midi skirts?

For the skirt in another look, see here.
For the shirt in another look, see here.

Wild Card Wednesday: Who What Wear Slip Dress

For today's Wild Card Wednesday post, I'm featuring one of the two outfits I wore on Mother's Day.  I went out to dinner with my husband and kids at a delicious local Italian eatery.  I decided to wear this chestnut-colored slip dress from the Who What Wear line for Target.  I'm really in love with so many pieces from this line, and the dress is no exception!

Dress:  Target (Available here)

It's super comfortable and versatile.  The dress can be layered with a trench as I did here, given structure with a blazer, worn loose or belted, layered over a tee, or worn as a slip dress.  Options - LOVE IT!

Shoes: New Look

Jacket:  Boohoo Plus (Available here)

I love this chestnut color for summer, but it's also a great color for fall, so this dress will got a lot of wear all year round.

Cuff:  Eloquii

Glasses:  Coach

I added layered necklaces and other gold accents to complete the look.

Necklaces:  Target (Available here)

I hope all of you mothers out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! 
How would you style this dress?

Clutch:  The Limited

For the trench in another look, see here.

Manic Monday: Day & Night

Lately, I have really been interested in increasing the versatility of the pieces in my wardrobe.  When I ordered the bow-front tunic from Eloquii, I was immediately drawn to the sweetness of the piece, but I knew that I would also want to add more edge to it.

Dress:  Eloquii (Available here)

So, for work recently, l lost the bow but kept the dress fully buttoned-up.  I added a polished blazer to add structure to the dress and to create a more professional feel. 

Jacket:  Apt. 9 Petites (Available at Kohl's here)

I think it's important to keep a spark of your personality in your work style, so I went with floral heels with lace-up detail.  They add a little extra flair to this simple look.

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target

I finished this look with a coated tweed clutch to add a bit of no-nonsense texture.

Clutch:  The Limited

While I kept things a bit more tailored and polished for work, I could easily transition this dress to evening.

Jacket:  Boohoo Plus (Available here)

Here, I loosened the collars on the dress and popped on a black moto jacket. 

The floral heels and ruffle clutch keep things a little sweet, but the overall feel is more laid-back and a little sexy.

Clutch:  Hollywould for Target

I love that even though these two looks are very similar, they have different vibes and allow me to enjoy this dress for both night and day.

Glasses:  Firmoo.com

What are some ways you increase versatility in your wardrobe?

For the dress in another look, see here.
For the moto jacket in other looks, see here and here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Wild Card Wednesday: That Versatile Skirt

This skirt is such a favorite that I excitedly keep styling it in different ways.  Today, I went for a flirty, feminine look that I would wear for an evening out, a date, or even a daytime event.

Skirt:  Lane Bryant (Available here)

Top:  Eloquii

I considered a shoe or clutch in another bright color, but I decided that I preferred the simplicity of black and white. 

Shoes:  New Look Wide Fit (Available here)

The white clutch creates a nice graphic contrast.

Clutch:  NY&CO
Glasses:  Coach

I finished the look with a simple gold bangle and dangly earrings.

Earrings:  Eloquii
Bangle:  Target

How would you style this skirt?

For the skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For the top in other looks, see here and here.

Manic Monday: The Floral Dress

Happy Monday everyone!  Hope you all are feeling great and re-charged from the weekend! 

Dress:  Target (Available here)

Today, I'm wearing a dress from the Who What Wear line for Target and styling it simply for work. 

Shoes:  New Look

I really like the black floral pieces from this line that I previously styled here, so when I saw this tie-neck dress in white with a similar floral pattern, I decided to scoop it up.

Satchel:  The Limited

I like that the tie can be tied in a variety of ways or left loose.  Actually, I am quite surprised at the versatility of this piece, in general.  This fall/winter, I plan on styling this dress with a blazer and tights for work.  I will pair it with a moto jacket and booties for weekends, and I could throw on some pretty strappy sandals for a wedding or date.

Glasses:  Coach

Today, I went with closed-toe two-piece heels and added a quilted work satchel for a super simple work look.

Bracelets:  The Limited & Macy's

While I'll definitely be adding some pops of blush and green to this dress later down the road, the black and simple gold accessories really let the dress be the star.

Are you a fan of florals?  Have you checked out the Who What Wear line from Target?