Black for Summer: Culotte Jumpsuit

Today, I'm concluding my series of all black looks with a fun cropped culotte jumpsuit.

Jumpsuit:  eShakti custom (currently sold out on-line)

You may recognize this jumpsuit from my recent post on eShakti.  I loved it for its chic simplicity and modern design details, but I was skeptical about whether culottes would work for me.

I had some gift cards for eShakti, so I decided to give it a try.  I'm so glad I did.  

Heels:  Candie's (Available at Kohl's here)

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

Clutch:  Torrid (Available here)

The culotte style can be so tricky for petites, especially curvy petites, but the jumpsuit style really makes it work.  Plus, I finally have a jumpsuit that was made for me!!  Using eShakti's custom fit options, I have a jumpsuit that is the perfect length and doesn't have a ton of extra room in the torso.  Nothing worse than a crotch that hangs down to your knees! LOL

The pocket area of the jumpsuit is a little bulky, so I'm planning on having the pockets partially sewn shut to create a sleeker silhouette in the hip area.  Other than that, I just love this piece.

I kept the styling simple and monochromatic with the addition of white pumps, a statement bag, and my faux Dior tribal pearl earrings.

Earrings:  etsy

Rings:  Torrid; New York & Company

Are you a fan of the culottes trend?  Have you tried it out yet?

A more colorful look up on the blog soon!!   

Black Pants for Work 2: The Jumpsuit

Sometimes black pants aren't really black pants, but a whole jumpsuit.  I've been loving this knit jumpsuit for its easiness and versatility.

Jumpsuit:  Torrid

While my favorite way of wearing it is to dress it up for evening, I find that it is also really easy to make it work ready by adding professional touches like a blazer and pumps.

Blazer:  The Limited
Pumps:  Target

Bracelet and Scarf:  The Limited

I've playing around with different mixes of colors lately, so for today's look, I decided to add a red belt and tote to the light blue blazer.  The glen plaid scarf adds a conservative print and a warm touch to the look, which is perfect since it was snowing here much of last week!!

Tote and Belt:  The Limited

Earrings:  Gift (old)

If you work in a professional/business setting, do you wear jumpsuits for work?  How do you make them appropriate?

To catch other black pants looks from this series, see here and here.
For my first series on black pants for work, see here, here, here, here, and here.

For the blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For the jumpsuit in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Favorite Pairings

I'm really loving this arrowhead pendant from 11 Twenty Eight, especially paired with my cognac moto jacket. 

Jumpsuit:  Torrid (Available here; Similar here)

This is the third time that I've worn this combo together on the blog.  Here, I give these pieces a sophisticated but casual fall twist with my black jumpsuit and booties.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

Necklace:  11 Twenty Eight (Similar here)

When I first got this necklace, the first thing I thought to wear it with was actually this black jumpsuit. I love the idea of a minimalist canvas to showcase fabulous jewelry.

Booties:  Target

Satchel:  The Limited

Plus, I think this necklace gives the jumpsuit a really cool vibe that could be appropriate for both casual days and evening, while also being über relaxed and modern.

Bracelets:  Target and Ann Taylor

I wore this outfit yesterday to run errands and for dinner out with my family.  I rolled the legs up a bit on the jumpsuit to give the look a more casual feel, and I just loved the comfortable easiness of this look!

Do you have favorite clothing/jewelry combos that you tend to re-wear?

For this jumpsuit in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Evening Jumpsuit

I know I'm a little late hopping on the jumpsuit bandwagon.  It's not that I haven't liked them - I have loved them for YEARS, well before they became uber-trendy.

Romper:  Torrid (Available here)

Necklace and Bracelets:  Express

Problem?  At 4'9" and with curves, I was never able to find one that would work for my body - even with alterations.

Recently, I stumbled across this knit jumpsuit from Torrid.  I wasn't sure it would work or that I would like it in the knit fabric, but I find their size 0 to be a rather good fit without too many alterations, so I decided to give it a try.

Clutch:  The Limited

The jumpsuit certainly wasn't a perfect fit, but I was so excited to see that it was workable!

The pants were too long, and the shoulders were too wide.  I still need to get the jumpsuit hemmed, but I was able to create a fix to the ruched shoulders of the jumpsuit by hand-ruching some additional gathers, creating a more narrow shoulder.

White, black, and neon pink accents lend a cool summery vibe to the jumpsuit, but I'm eagerly thinking of ways to style this piece for fall.

My experience in trying to find a jumpsuit was a lesson/reminder of the realism required in deciding whether a piece will work or not.  Being so petite and curvy, I'm used to having to have everything altered. 

Some pieces can be re-worked without a ton of effort and expense (like this jumpsuit), while some pieces are just not meant to be.

Over the last holiday season, I bought a different black jumpsuit and had it altered, and altered, and altered.  The end result?  A jumpsuit that fit incredibly poorly in the crotch area and that made me feel larger than I am.  In trying to take photos with it...I actually split the crotch!  This jumpsuit, as cute as I may have thought it was at first purchase, was just not meant to be.  I plan on eventually having that jumpsuit altered into a dress so that it won't be a total loss, but for now...it sits in my room as a reminder to pick my clothing purchases more carefully!

Are you a fan of jumpsuits?