Drapey Blazers & Python Clutches

So, I've been feeling a little obsessed with drapey blazers lately.  They're a nice hybrid between super professional blazers and comfier sweaters.

Blazer:  Torrid (Available here)Skirt, Camisole, and Tank:  The Limited

As I just recently featured, I love mixing blues together, and I thought the navy and muted aqua shade of this blazer created a pretty pre-fall color palette.

Necklace:  Target

Tote:  New York & Company

I went with a tote for work, but to take this look from day to night, I would substitute the tote for a clutch, like this colorful python print.

Clutch:  The Limited

Bracelets:  The Limited

For today's second look, I paired gold and coral with dark denim flares for a casual Friday look.   By pure accident, I discovered that this coral python clutch was a perfect match for the top and blazer combo.  

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited

Jeans:  New York & Company

I love that the gold of this jacket is subtle, easily allowing me to wear it for daytime or for an evening out.

Booties:  Target

Bracelets:  LOFT

Do you like draped blazers? 

For the maxi skirt in another look, see here.

For the jeans in another look, see here.
For the coral top in another look, see here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here and here.

Black Pants for Work 2: Sailor Stripes

I've been working long hours lately which means I haven't been able to get a lot of blog photos in and the ones I've been doing have mostly been at night, which means the quality isn't as great as I'd like.


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

Cami:  The Limited

That said, I did want to share with you some recent office looks.  Black pants are a workwear staple, and I love finding new cuts and accents for black pants and coming up with different ways to wear them.

Blazer:  Outback Red by The Limited

Earrings:  House of Harlow 1960 (WON! from giveaway at Economy of Style)

Boots:  Target

When cold winter weather hits, it can be hard to find the motivation to get very creative with work looks.  Black pants always look great, and since they go with everything, it is easy to change up your look without having to put forth a ton of effort.

Last year, I offered up my first "Black Pants for Work" series with the following posts:
Subtle Details
High-Waisted Trousers  
Teal and Brocade
I Adore Me
Modern Tuxedo

Since I've been living in black pants lately, I figured why not do it again?

Satchel:  The Limited

Today's look has a spring nautical inspiration - sailor pants, a striped tank, and red. While the look has a spring feel, it's warm enough for winter wear.

Wide leg pants are coming back big for spring, so these are right on trend while still having a very classic feel.

How do you make your black pants feel fresh for work?

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

Casual Friday + Winterizing a Dress

Happy Sunday!

Sweater:  New York & Company

Hope the weekend has found you well!  I'm excited to have some time off work during a very busy and stressful patch.  That said, the next week will be busy with lots of Christmas shopping, baking, and family visiting.  I plan on being fairly laid-back and casual during the next week - wearing sweatpants when I can and lots of stretchy knits, oversized sweaters, and jeans when sweatpants just won't cut it.

Jeans:  The Limited

Camisole:  LOFT

I'll be bringing you some of these casual looks, and today, I have one for you.  This one is actually a recent casual Friday look.  When it's a  casual day at work, I tend to prefer to stick with dark denim as I think it looks most professional.  A comfy sweater and loose cami underneath were super comfortable, but still managed to have a crispness with the dark denim. 

Tote:  New York & Company
Booties:  Target (Available here)

Wanting comfy shoes as well, I went for my beige booties.  While heeled, these have a thicker heel that is very sturdy and provides a lot of support to the foot.

Bracelets:  Ann Taylor and Target

When it's not a casual day at work, I'm always looking for new ways to wear the more professional pieces in my closet.  One of my favorite ways of expanding my wardrobe is winterizing dresses.

Dresses tend to be the least versatile part of a wardrobe.  Unlike separates, you can't mix and match them to create new looks.  Adding or taking away blazers or sweaters, layering tops underneath, and changing up accessories/shoes are helpful though in giving your dresses a little more range.

Dress:  Ann Taylor Petites (Similar here)

Blazer:  New York & Company

Tights:  New York & Company (Available here)

Some dresses are easier to mix than others.  As much as I love this neutral color blocked dress, I've struggled with ways of increasing its versatility. 

Today's look isn't too far off from the first way I wore it.  Same boots, same necklace and purse, even a black blazer. 

See first look from "Neutral Zone" here

But, to winterize the look, I added cheetah print tights, and I changed up the basic blazer to one with faux leather sleeves.

Satchel:  Express
Boots:  Target

Necklace:  Ann Taylor

How do you transition dresses for the season? 

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

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

Fall Color Week 2: Autumn Medley

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Today, I'm concluding Fall Color Week with a mix of autumnal hues.  I plan on wearing this look for a future casual Friday at work.  

I'm loving how this mix of navy, oranges, mustard, burgundy, sand, and cognac works with my auburn hair. 

Jeans:  The Limited Petites (Similar here)

Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you remember or are you familiar with the '80s phenomenon that was "Color Me Beautiful"?  My mother, and probably every other mother of my generation, had this uber-popular book on seasonal color analysis.  As a young girl, I spent many days poring over this book, analyzing my "perfect" colors.  

Bag:  Target (Similar here)

Bead bracelets:  Express (old)
Gold Bangles:  The Limited

My yellow undertones make me more of an autumn (warm earthy shades, like I'm wearing here), but I often favor colors that lean more into the Winter color family (black and cool reds, blues, and greens).  I usually opt to wear whatever I want, but since I've colored my hair, I have found myself leaning more towards these warmer fall colors.

Shoes:  Target

Earrings:  World Market (old)

Have you ever had your colors analyzed or analyzed your own?

For other Fall Color Week looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For these jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Maxi and Moto - 3 Ways!

Today, I wanted to share with you the surprising versatility of a maxi skirt/moto jacket combo.

Work:
On a recent casual Friday, I decided to wear my maxi skirt and moto jacket to work.  To keep the overall feel a little more professional, I added a button down shirt.

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Torrid

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Clutch:  The Limited

Casual:
Substituting the button-down shirt out for a cute tee and swapping the clutch and heels for a tote and low-heeled sandals, this outfit is ready for a casual weekend day.

Tee:  Peter Som for Kohl's (Available here)
Tote:  Ruben & Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

Rings:  Torrid
Bangle:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Evening:
For evening, a lower-cut top with lingerie-inspired details and a fun clutch help amp up the night-time appeal.  I wore this look last night for a blogger event, and it's my favorite look of the three.

Clutch:  Amazon.com (Available here)

Tank:  The Limited (Available here)

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

Bracelets:  The Limited, Ann Taylor, New York & Company

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

Which look is your favorite and why?  Do you like a maxi/moto jacket combination?

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For the button down shirt in other looks, see here and here.
For the t-shirt in another look, see here.