Blueprint

Suits and architectural shapes...these are two things I really love, and today, my looks include both.

Jacket:  The Limited

The first look is what I actually wore to work yesterday. 

This pleated top from Target was interesting and unique, and I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive tops to layer for work.  I get tired of shirts more quickly than anything else, it seems, so I try to save money on those.

Top:  Target (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited

Booties:  Target (Available here)

For work I paired the top with black skinnies and blazer and my trusty (and super comfortable) booties. 

Necklace:  Target

I added some subtle gold jewelry and a purple satchel for an added pop of color.

Satchel:  Target

As I was getting dressed yesterday morning, I played around with some different jacket options and tried the same pants and top with a long ivory tuxedo blazer.

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)

I felt like the proportions definitely worked better with the shorter jacket, but I liked this jacket as an evening option.  The tuxedo jacket made the look feel more formal, which I thought was just right for evening.

I kept the jewelry the same but swapped out the shoes and purse for simple stilettos and a printed clutch.

Heels:  Target

Clutch:  Target

I love how the zippers on the pants play off the zipper on the jacket.

Glasses:  Valentino

For me, a suit of some sort, even if it is simply a mix and match pants/jacket combo, and an interesting top is a simple blueprint for work or evening style. 

I think that sometimes people make style/fashion too complicated.  It can be easy to get too hung up on whether something "goes" or whether something is on trend.  Great style is really all about trusting your gut, dressing without fear, and following simple formulas (or blueprints) that you create.

Which look do you prefer?  Do you have a "blueprint" for dressing for work?

For the pants in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the black jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For the ivory jacket in another look, see here.

Honorable Mentions 5

Today on the blog, I'm featuring a round-up of some recent looks that didn't quite make the cut as full posts.

Have you seen my previous honorable mentions?  You can check them out here, here, here, and here!

First up are a couple recent work looks.  Skinny pants and textured tops are staples of my work wardrobe.

Pants and Top:  The Limited (Top Available in Peach here)

Sweater:  New York & Company
Heels:  Target

Clutch:  The Limited
Earrings:  Torrid (Available here)

Pants, Jacket:  The Limited

Tank:  LOFT
Sandals:  Payless

Bangle:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Next is a work outfit from a year ago - somehow, it just never made it to the blog.  A shift dress is a comfortable choice for office work, in my opinion.

Dress, Jacket:  LOFT Petites

Jewelry:  Target

Lastly, I'm included this recent casual look.  I sweetened up my grey jeans with a sheer floral top and sandals.

Jeans, Top:  The Limited

Bracelets:  New York & Company, Ann Taylor

Tote:  Target
Sandals:  Payless

Hope you enjoyed these honorable mentions.

I have a new series starting this week inspired by fall color, so stay tuned!!

Dressing for Comfort

Feeling very OVER winter and being cold, I find myself desiring clothes that are comfortable and easy.

I don't want to wear skirts or dresses because they require tights, and I am just too lazy to care anymore. 

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; see here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

For me, a black suit is the mashed potatoes of the clothing world.  It is comfortable, makes me feel good, and is always in good taste.

Camisole:  LOFT Petites

Until spring weather gets here, I'm likely to reach for familiar and classic pieces that make no-brainer outfits.

Hopefully, you won't get too bored in the meantime! 

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Scarf:  LOFT (Sold out on-line; see here)

Do you have "comfort clothes" to get you through the moody days of winter?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For this top in other looks, see here and here.

Black Pants for Work: High-Waisted Trousers

I've featured this suit on the blog before here and here, but it really is one of my favorites.  

Pants:  The Limited (old)
Blazer:  The Limited (old)

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

As much as I enjoy skinny pants and jeans, I love the elegance that wide leg trousers have.  Wide leg trousers are making a major comeback for spring, and I'm hoping to find another pair.  The high waist and tie belt add a little flair.

I've featured this suit in vintage-inspired looks before, but today I took the suit in a more contemporary direction with a modern dot print blouse, gold horn necklaces, and open-toe booties.

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Clutch:  Vintage

The red clutch adds a fun pop of color.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available here)

Are you a fan of wide leg trousers?

For these pants in other looks, see here and here.
For this blouse in another look, see here.

Singin' the Blues: Black and Navy

Singin' the Blues Week wraps up with one of my favorite color combinations - black and navy!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

I'll wear just about any shade of navy with black, but the lighter shade of this top works best with black.

Blouse:  Outback Red by The Limited
Boots:  Payless (old)
Satchel:  The Limited

Gold jewelry adds a touch of lightness to this dark outfit (silver would work well too).

Bracelet:  LOFT (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited (old)

Do you like mixing black and navy?

For this blouse in another look, see here.

Ode to the Black Suit

I know that most people don't find suits very fashionable or comfortable, but I love them...especially when they are fitted and come in black like this one here.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blouse:  New York & Company

Mixed with a houndstooth bow blouse and pumps, the suit is classic but has a chicness to it.

Heels:  Target
Purse:  New York & Company

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Co.

I always love adding an edgy touch or two to my work looks.  Here, I added a silver knuckle ring for a simple but bold statement.  A black suit offers virtually limitless fashion possibilities.

Earrings:  Target

A few of my favorite black suit looks from the blog archives:

Tuxedo Redux

Suited Up

The Dark Side of the Sun

Neutral Sophistication

Channeling Chanel

Gaga for Lady Gaga

Graphic Flow

Do you like black suits?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

The Dark Side of the Sun

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! 

Pants:  The Limited Black Collection (old)
Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (old) (Similar here)

Today's look is the epitome of my style - simple black, somewhat androgynous pieces, mixed with a few unique or trendier touches.  

To mix the look up and give the outfit a sexier and cooler vibe, I added in an on-trend cropped bustier top and neon yellow pumps. 

Top:  Target (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Belt:  Express Men (old) + older buckle
Clutch:  Target (Similar here)

Finishing off this look, I added a sun-buckled belt, bangles, and crystal dangly earrings.  

I love the little pops of yellow on the top and the pumps which bring it out.  The silver sun is cool in contrast to the warm golds, oranges, and yellows that typically make me think of sunlight. 

Earrings:  Prabal Gurung for Target
Bracelets:  Express and The Limited

In astronomy, the dark side of the sun refers to the area of the sun that we don't usually see.  Here, it refers to the cooler/darker color combination and a side of me you don't usually see.

In a continued effort towards complete self-love and self-acceptance, I find myself reaching for pieces that only a few months ago would have been outside of my comfort zone.  As much as I loved the midriff trend, I wasn't sure it was for me. 

I'm 35, and I wore cropped tops back in my early twenties.  Was I too old to wear this trend again? 

I also don't have the same tummy that I did in my twenties.  Was I simply too fat to wear the trend?

At the end of the day, my love of fashion has won out against any self-doubt.  My artistic spirit has conquered my critical one. 

To paraphrase Neil Armstrong, that's one small step for womankind, one giant leap for this woman.   :-)

More looks with this blazer here, here, here, here, here, and here.
To see matching skirt in other looks, see here and here.