Casual Formula

I love oversized robes and kimono-style jackets.  Working in an office, I don't have the chance to wear them a lot, so I've tended to stay away from buying them. 

Jacket:  Target (Available here)

This one just seemed to be super versatile.  I like the longer length, and I immediately imagined this one with both denim and silky shorts for casual and dressier occasions.  Throwing on jeans with it, as I did today, was an easy option.  And, I think this will make a fantastic swimsuit cover-up come summertime.

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

Tee:  LOFT (Available here)

Shoes:  Kohl's (Available here)

I wore this outfit with a black top to work for last week's casual Friday.  Since I work in an office, this is more casual than I normally would wear to work, even on a casual day, but sometimes you just have a lazy day where you feel like being super comfortable.  Also, I couldn't wait to break in my new jacket!!

Yesterday, I decided to throw it back on with a white tee for a casual dinner with the family.  This formula is so simple:  jeans + tee + completer piece.  If you're ever at a loss for what to wear for a casual situation, this is a safe bet.

I realized that I haven't featured a denim look on the blog since December.  I'm really not much of a jeans person, but I didn't realize it had been that long!

Necklace:  Target

Clutch:  Target

Do you wear jeans often?  Do you like kimono-style jackets? 

For the jeans in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Gearing Up For Winter

Happy Wednesday!!

Sweater:  New York & Company (Available here)

Hope your week is going well and you're staying warm if you've been caught in this Arctic weather.  We've been faced with record cold temps, but the weather is starting to warm back up a bit.

I am doing my best to stay cozy, wearing my favorite cold weather staple - warm, oversized sweaters.

Pants:  The Limited

Camisole:  The Limited (Available here)

I immediately fell in love with the drapey fit, interesting neckline, and teal color of this sweater.  The sweater has buttons at the neckline to close the sweater, or it can be worn open for a cascading fit.  It does run a tad big, and I probably could have sized down, but the large fit in this style didn't bother me.

Booties:  Payless

Clutch:  Target (Available here)

Cuff:  The Limited

I wanted to keep everything else sleek, so I added black skinnies, a silver cuff, and cutout booties.

Whether you're still having moderate temps or experiencing record cold, winter is right around the corner for those of us in the northern hemisphere. 

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company (old)

How are you gearing up?

For the pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

It's A Jungle Out There

Happy Thursday, everyone!  Hope you have been having a great week. 

This week, I've been preparing for a fall feature that will start on Sunday.  I'm really excited about it and hope you'll enjoy it!

Sweater:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the brisk temperatures we've been having here in the St. Louis area and pulling out some of my new fall pieces.

Pants:  The Limited (Available in khaki and navy here)

Cami:  LOFT Petites

Earlier this week, I wore this long zebra print sweater coat to work. An orange cami added a pop of color.

Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

Purse:  Express (old)

Earrings:  The Limited and New York & Company

A lot of "experts" will tell petites (especially curvy petites) to avoid long sweater coats like these, but I love them.  I think they're super comfortable and cozy, and, if worn over a streamlined silhouette, they can be flattering too!

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

My office is always so cold that it makes it hard to resist pieces like this.  Chic, easy, and warm.  What else does a girl need in the fall? 

P.S.  The sweater is currently sold out on-line, but it may be available in stores.  While I normally wear an XL in tops from NY&CO (and alter certain proportions), I tend to size down in sweaters, and this one was no exception.  I'm wearing a M/L.

Are you a fan of sweater coats?

For the camisole in another look, see here.
For the pants in other looks, see here, here, and here.

P.S.  Voting is still open for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards until Friday, September 19th.  Style Cassentials is up for three awards, including Blog of the Year!  Check out all the bloggers of Saint Louis Fashion Week, check out the events, and cast your votes here!!

Size Doesn't Matter

Yes, a cheeky title!  But no, I'm not talking about man parts.

I am talking about clothing size!

So much emphasis is put on the number or letter inside a clothing label, but I'm here to tell you today that SIZE DOESN'T MATTER!!

Case in point?

Sweater:  New York & Company (May be available in stores)

The sweater I'm wearing today is a recent purchase from New  York & Company.  It is made to have a big, oversized fit.  The one I'm wearing has the intended loose fit. 

You know what size is on the label?  It's an XS/S!!

Tank:  The Limited (Available here)

Now, I haven't been either of those sizes in a long time, and yet, this sweater fits, and I was drowning in the larger sizes.

Women's clothing often has no sizing consistency, even within the same retailer.  For example, I have had to purchase jackets in an 18 Petite from this same store, though that is bigger than my typical jacket size at other retailers.

Pants:  The Limited

The number or letter you see on the tag has very little meaning in even accurately depicting our size, so why do we so often use this arbitrary figure to determine our self-worth?

The fact is - WE SHOULDN'T!!!  We are no less valuable if we are an XS or a XXXL, a size 2 or 22.  I'm the same person wearing an XS sweater as I am wearing my normal size XL.

Shoes:  Target (old)

Another aspect in which size doesn't matter?

The issue of fit and flattery.

Being petite and being curvy, we're often told by the "experts" to belt everything and to keep clothing close-fitting but not tight.  Oversized clothing like this sweater are heavily discouraged.  On the flip side, there seems to be a trend towards wearing tight, body-conscious clothing among fatshionistas who have rightfully rejected the message that they must hide their bodies in shame.

I'm not a fan of overly body-conscious clothing for myself - I'm not hiding, it's just not my personal taste.  I also don't feel the need to define my waist in everything I wear.

Cuff:  The Limited
Rings:  Torrid (Available here and here)

And, if following that advice of "experts" all the time means missing out on drapey tops and oversized sweaters like this one, then I am happily a RULE-BREAKER!!

Personal style is all about wearing what we want, participating in trends or fashion for personal enjoyment.  I'm not about to let someone else tell me how to do this!

Necklace:  Target
Clutch:  The Limited

When it comes to fashion, size doesn't matter.  Wear what YOU want when you want, and don't let the label or someone else's rules decide what you like.  Make your own rules, or better yet, enjoy a little fashion anarchy!  ;-)

For more on the arbitrariness of sizing, check out this piece on vanity sizing by J.Crew.

For the tank in another look, see here.
For the pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

P.S.  I realize my perspective has changed a bit in the last two years!  I wrote on the topic of wearing oversized clothing back in 2012, and my focus was much more on figure flattery.  I still love the pants and shoes though!  ;-)

Thanksgiving Casual

Hope you all have had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Being the most casual of the fall/winter holiday season, I kept my Thanksgiving look simple with jeans and a cardigan.

Sweater:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Jeans:  The Limited (No longer available on-line)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

The tuxedo bib-front tank and gold threads on the cardigan add just the slightest festive feel to my outfit.

The gold snaps on the jeans and gold jewelry accentuate the gold in the sweater and help bring the look together.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available in silver here and available here)Bracelets:  The Limited and New York & Company (Available here and here)

Purse:  Target (Available in navy here)

And, I love a pop of color like this deep green satchel.

Do you dress up for Thanksgiving or go casual?

Happy Thanksgiving again, and happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish readers!!  

Cozy Day to Night

Happy Monday, everyone!

Hope you all had a great weekend.  I spent the past weekend getting some much needed R&R; 'twas a blissfully lazy time.  :-)

Sweater:  Target (Available here)

Camisole:  LOFT (Available here)
Belt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

As pictured, today's look works well for evening, but this outfit is actually a tweak on a recent work look.  I wore this same outfit to work last week, but changed the accessories a bit to make the look more modest and conservative for work.  

For work, I paired the outfit with ankle booties and a classic work tote.  More importantly, I moved the belt down to the waist to create a blouson-y and less cleavage-y look.

Tuxedo stripe pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Target

Whether for work or play, this outfit is super comfortable, which is becoming more and more of a requisite in my book!

Cuff:  Express
Earrings:  Target

How important is comfort to you in choosing a look?

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

Playful Patterns

Hi everyone, and happy Friday!!!

Dress:  LOFT

I hope today's look puts a smile on your face because it certainly does mine! 

As most of you probably know by now, black and white is my favorite color combo and I love mixed prints.

Cardigan:  Torrid

Shoes:  Target (old)

The fit and flare shape of the dress and red peep-toe heels lend the look a retro vibe.

I only wore this outfit long enough for pictures, but I would definitely wear it to a bridal or baby shower or for another fun or festive occasion.

Clutch:  The Limited

And because joy is so often found in play...

Have a great weekend everyone!!  :-D

For this dress in another look, see here.

Stripes Week: Red-y for Work

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Cardigan:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I'm starting Stripes Week!  Not sure what's up with me and my themes lately, but hey, why not?

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)Shirt:  The Limited

Today's look is a recent work outfit.  I paired red skinny pants with black and ivory basics.

Earrings:  The Limited
Necklace:  Torrid

Tank:  Old Navy
Tote: The Limited

I love how this outfit looks classic and professional, but still has a modern flair.

Ring:  LOFT
Shoes:  Payless

Do you like stripes?

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

Denim Week: Heart On My Sleeve

Today's denim look is a recent casual Friday work outfit. 

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)

I love the Stiletto Skinny Jeans from Torrid.  When I got my blue jeans (see here, here, and here), the store didn't carry different lengths.  Now, Torrid carries both 26" and 28" lengths in this style, so I was able to get these black ones in a better length.  The shorter length works much better for me!

If you're 5'3" or under, you will likely prefer the 26" length for more of a true ankle fit.

Cardigan:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  The Limited and H&M

I recently picked up this cardigan with faux leather heart elbow patches.  This is an early fall clothing purchase.  I start thinking about fall fashion when it's still sticky and humid out - probably because I'm longing for cooler weather. 

This summer has had some oddly cool, but delightful, weather, so I was super comfortable wearing this outfit - even in July!

I kept the look simple and neutral for work, but I think this cardigan will be cute with more faux leather touches when fall actually gets here.

Purse:  The Limited

Sandals:  Payless

Are you thinking about fall fashion yet?  Any trends on your radar for fall?