Casual Friday: Dressing Down

One of the things I love most about fashion is the chance to explore my creativity and play around with my clothes in new ways.

Jacket:  ELOQUII (Similar here)

For today's casual Friday post, I took one of my favorite fancy maxi dresses and styled it for a casual look.  This dress is backless and has a thigh high slit, so it's not something I would typically think to pair with a bomber jacket or sneakers.

Dress:  LOFT

But what's fashion without trying new things?

I love the green shade of the dress with the navy and red trim on the bomber jacket.  The sneakers pull out the same navy and red which ties them together.

Shoes:  Converse (kids) (Available at Kohl's here)

Glasses:  Valentino

Overall, I'm mixed on this look - it was super comfortable and I do love the color combo.  I'm not sure yet though if the total look is really "me."

Earrings:  NY&CO

What do you think about the look?  Do you like to mix casual with more dressy pieces?

The Metallic Bomber Jacket

I have long been a fan of metallics, so I am always excited when they trend because that means there will be a greater variety of options available.  This fall, metallics are back in a big way, and while gold is the number one metal this season, silver isn't far behind. 

Jacket:  Eloquii (Available here)

I heard a rumor that a silver bomber jacket was going to be available on Eloquii, so I excitedly stalked Eloquii's site for a couple weeks until it finally appeared!!!  I have already talked about the bomber jacket trend, and the thought of one in silver sounded positively amazing!

Dress:  ASOS Curve

In my head, I envisioned a silver quilted bomber, so I was surprised when I saw this sporty number.  Once I adjusted to the image I had created in my head, I realized I was totally in love with this piece.  A metallic bomber jacket in this sporty fabrication is so unexpected, which is part of its allure.  I am not really one for athletic wear, but I love the idea of adding sporty elements to my look in a more sophisticated or fun way.

Sneakers:  Juicy Couture Kids (old)

This silver jacket does just that!  Here, I paired the bomber with a flirty dress and sneakers for a mix of elements.  The dress ties in the back, but I decided to wrap the tie around my neck and create an on-trend choker.

I am already thinking about what else to pair with this dress - definitely a maxi dress, for starters.

Glasses:  Valentino

How would you style this bomber?  Are you a fan of wearing metallics?

For the dress in another look, see here.

It's Only Rock-N-Roll...

For casual weekend and evening looks, I love outfits that have a little bit of a rock-n-roll vibe. 

Dress:  H&M (Available here)

This outfit, with its mix of metallic accents, fringe, easy shift, and moto style jacket, definitely has a rocker feel.  I love that this look would work for an evening out at a bar, club, or concert but could also work for daytime due to the overall casual feel.

Jacket:  eShakti (Sold out on-line)

Booties:  Target

While I'm completely loving this look now, it did require some alterations.  The jacket is from eShakti and was custom fit.  The jacket is a wool blend, high quality, and warm!!  I went with the above hip length, and the fit was great except for the sleeves.

Purse:  The Limited

Cuff:  The Limited

I tend to find sleeves one of the more difficult parts of fit.  I have bigger upper arms, but they narrow down quickly, which means that sleeves are often too wide for me.  I decided to take this jacket to the tailor and get the sleeves narrowed down a bit.  The difference is subtle, but it creates an overall slimmer silhouette that I prefer.  

Slimmer Sleeves on the Jacket

The H&M dress, which was designed to have an easy shape, was definitely made for a taller woman, and the overall fit was quite off.  But, I loved the dress, and I knew that the alterations would actually be fairly simple.  

I promise I wasn't trying to look high in the before pictures. LOL

Dress shortened

Arm Holes Sewn Up

I had the sleeves/underarms taken up to cover my bra and to create a slimmer fit in the chest and upper torso.  I also had the dressed hemmed up, which created a more flattering shape and length for my body type.  I may even take it back to the tailor to go a bit shorter.

Necklace:  Shoxie.com

Ear cuff:  Torrid

The difference that tailoring has made to this dress is striking, and now I'm just trying to think of more excuses to wear it.  I'm also longing for warmer days where I can rock this dress with bare legs like I am here. 

Did I say I hate winter?  LOL

Are you a fan of shift dresses?  Would you wear so much metallic for day?

Black Pants for Work 2: Brocade

Today, I'm concluding my second series on black pants for work with another recent work outfit.  Here, I combined black brocade pants with a tunic length cowl neck sweater.

Pants:  LOFT Petites

The fitted pants work with the tunic length, and this was a comfortable and easy look.  During the winter, I can get a little lazy with my style.  I want clothes that are quick to throw on, and nothing is easier during cold weather than pants and a sweater.

Sweater:  New York & Company

Tote:  The Limited

Booties:  Target

To add more interest to such a simple look, I opted for the brocade pants instead of plain black and added the pop of plum.

Gold medallion dangly earrings accent the gold in the pants, while the sweater and simple black booties help tone the pants down enough for daytime work wear.

Earrings:  The Limited

What are some of your winter wear go-tos?

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

To catch up with the rest of the series on black pants for work, see here, here, and here.
AND take a peek at last year's series for more ideas on styling black pants for work here, here, here, here, and here.

Dress Week 2: Metallic and Fringe

Hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day and weekend!

My honey was busy studying this week for a licensing exam, so we decided to postpone our plans for a weekend getaway for later this month.  Instead, we enjoyed a quiet Valentine's Day dinner at a new Mexican restaurant we discovered and then went shopping for household supplies.  You know what - it was so much fun!  It's so rare that we have the opportunity to do simple errands together. It may not seem like much, but just spending the alone time together was very lovely! :-)

Dress:  eloquii by The Limited (old)

Blazer:  The Limited (See here - no longer available on-line)

I'm continuing with Dress Week tonight with this fun fringe dress.  I featured a very simple styling of this dress to accommodate the sticky heat and humidity of last July during my first Dress Week here.  Now, the weather is decidedly colder, so I added a blazer with metallic lapels and high boots. 

I first envisioned this outfit with crochet tights and ankle boots, but I'm so over winter and wearing tights that I opted for these boots to add the needed leg warmth (sheer or printed tights could still be added for extra warmth).  I like the length of this dress well enough with heels, but I'm thinking that it should have been shorter to wear with high boots - to give it a more evening, less business-y feel with the blazer.  What do you think?

Boots:  Payless (old)

What I love about this look is how the metallics and fringe give the outfit a little bit of a rocker edge.  And, the hot pink is just so cheerful for the winter time!

Earrings:  The Limited (old)

Bracelets:  LOFT (Not available on-line; may be available in stores)

This dress was my only purchase from eloquii - a plus-size line that was previously owned and operated by The Limited.  I'm excited to announce that eloquii is coming back very soon!!  The company is under new ownership, so no word on what the style direction of the company will now be, but it's great news for plus fashionistas! 

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Did you shop at eloquii?  Are you a fan of high boots?

For this dress in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other outfits, see here and here.

12 Days of Holiday: Solid Gold

I hope you all have having a wonderful holiday season! 

Yesterday marked the start of Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  I'm not a particularly religious person, but I love the themes of birth/re-birth, community, family, and giving that the winter holidays celebrate. 

A new year, in particular, is a time for reflection on the blessings and challenges of the past year.  A new year gives rise to the possibilities of change, renewal, and revitalization.  It's a time to celebrate the past, present, and the future.

No matter what I do for the evening, New Year's Eve is one of my favorite times.  With this special night just around the corner, I'm thinking of party fashion!

Dress:  The Limited (old)

Jacket:  The Limited

I'm still not sure what my New Year's plans will be.  For the last several years, New Year's Eve has consisted of music, snacks, sparkling grape juice, and board games with the kiddos as we counted down to the new year with the Times Square Ball drop on TV. 

This year, we are toying with the option of a New Year's Eve date night, so I'm having fun considering my wardrobe options.

Shoes:  Payless (old)

Clutch:  The Limited
Belt:  The Limited

This look has a slight 70s disco feel.  It's super comfortable and would be perfect for a drinks and dancing with the man. 

Tights could certainly be added for extra warmth.  Truth be told, I was freezing during these pictures, so if I were to wear this outfit, I'd be adding some fun printed tights.

Earrings:  The Limited

Do you celebrate New Year's Eve?  What are your plans for this year?  Know what you're wearing?

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Pancha Ganapati, a joyous Yule, a fantastic holiday season...here's to making 2014 our best ever year!!!

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

12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Eve Sparkle

I'm not sure what I'll be wearing for New Year's Eve yet, but this is one outfit idea.

Skirt:  Forever 21+ (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I love the mix of metallics, and I'm a sucker for sparkle.

I'm absolutely loving this faux leather envelope skirt from Forever 21+.  

Tank:  Gap (old)

Tights:  The Limited (Available here)

Unfortunately, it's a little too big and longer than I'd like it to be, so I'm not sure it's a keeper.  Some items can be easily altered, but this skirt may be more trouble and costly than it's worth.  On bottom, I am typically a 10-12 in misses/straight sizing.  Being bigger on top, blouses, sweaters, and dresses from F21 usually fit great.  The junior plus-size fit gives me perfect proportions in those items. 

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here, here, and here)

This is my first attempt at buying a bottom from the store, and I am wondering if their bottoms fit more like traditional plus-size 12 vs. straight size 12.  I can only get F21+ on-line, and I don't want to keep attempting buying skirts or pants if they are very unlikely to fit. Anyone know how the sizing of bottoms generally compares to straight sizing?

Clutch:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergaliciious by Fergie (Available here)

Will you be wearing sparkle this New Year's?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.

Denim Week: Slouchy Blues

Hi everyone!  Denim Week continues today with a cropped denim jacket.

Denim jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)
Pants:  Outback Red by The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Similar here)
Tank:  Target

I grabbed this denim jacket as a quick casual topper to some super comfy weekend pieces.

The sporty pajama-like pants are the ultimate in comfort.  They look more stylish with heels, but since we were running around with the kids, I paired them with flat gladiator sandals for comfort.

Pewter and silver accents keep the relaxed blues and greens from looking too bedtime-ready.  The "evil eye" ring adds a fun touch.

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company
Bracelet (and matching necklace in other photos):  Target

Sandals:  Target Kids' Department

The baggy pants and cropped jacket created a boxier shape than I would have liked, but at the end of the day, I was so comfortable that it was only a minor grievance for me.

Do you like denim jackets? Pajama-style pants?

For this jacket in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.