Reader's Choice: Casual Wear

In response to a reader's request, I am featuring some casual options today.

Shorts:  The Limited

I personally don't wear a lot of super casual clothes...unless you count my sweatpants and tees that I wear to lounge around the house.

That said, sometimes the situation calls for a more casual look.  During the weekends when the weather is warm, I sometimes opt for denim shorts to run errands, sit in the backyard, or visit with family. 

I'm not much of a shorts person, but for some reason, denim shorts are a little easier.  I have two pairs - this shorter cuffed pair and longer Bermuda shorts. 

Tee:  Peter Som for Kohl's

Cardigan:  LOFT

Sandals:  Kohl's

One reason that I don't like wearing shorts is my dimply thighs.  While I still have my issues with it, I am getting more comfortable with showing my thigh cellulite.  I am learning that while I may not love every detail of my body, there is no shame in any part of it either. 

These shorter denim shorts are comfortable, and as I age, I am gravitating more towards comfort which means I'm caring less about other people's thoughts of my fat. 

Glasses:  Firmoo.com (Available here)
Bracelet:  LOFT

Not to say I don't care.  The honest truth is that I most definitely still do. That said, my body image is improving and the amount of f*cks given about what other people think has decreased considerably!! :-)

Earrings and Clutch:  The Limited

Okay, back to casual wear...Besides this recent look above, I have a few favorite options:

More Denim Shorts & Oversized Tees

From left to right:  Honorable Mentions 4; Adventures in Traveling:  Cape Cod, Massachussetts

Denim Bermuda Shorts

From left, clockwise:  Adventures in Traveling:  Cape Cod; Massachussetts; A Shorts Story;
From the Street to the Backyard

White jeans

From left, clockwise:  Adventures in Traveing:  Plymouth, MA & Middletown, NY;
Citrus with Bite; Casual in White Jeans

Casual Skirts and Relaxed Tops & Tees

From left to right:  Touch of Boho; Tropical Fruit; Honorable Mentions 3

Loose Dresses and Comfy Shoes

Left from top to bottom:  Dress It Down; Earthy Glam
Middle and right:  A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock-n-Roll; Vintage Floral

So, this was my round-up of looks that I would wear (and have worn) for running weekend errands, for casual school events with my kids, for visiting with family, for casual lunches/dinners out, for road trips, and for backyard lounging/barbeques. 

 Hope this gave you some inspiration! What do you wear for casual wear?

P.S. Another casual look (and more body image talk) on the blog tomorrow in the next installment of #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful!!

Black and White Cutouts

Hope you've all been having a great week!  It's Thursday, which means the weekend is soon, and I, for one, am ready!!!

Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Jacket:  LOFT Petites (Available in regular sizes here)

Today's look is a recent work outfit.  I love this top with the cool cutout detail along the yoke.  The varied lines in the cutouts are pretty bra-friendly too.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

I wore the outfit with black pumps and jacket for work.

Purse:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

The neon yellow pumps add a fun pop of color that would work week for after-hours.

Earrings:  The Limited
Cuff:  Express
Heels:  Target

For this blazer in other looks, see here,  here, and here.
For more on spring/summer's black and white trend, see here.

Skirt Week: Cabana Coral

Happy Thursday!

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Tee:  The Limited (Available here)

Today's casual look makes me long for the beach.  It's perfect with a floppy hat for a cantina brunch or for sipping daquiris under a cabana.

I wish I had this outfit during my trip to the Cape, but this outfit works well as a casual summer outfit in the city as well!

Necklace:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; Similar here)

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

The hooded sandals give the draped jersey skirt a little bit of an urban edge that made it perfect for a casual after-work dinner last night.

Sandals:  Target (old)

This skirt fits me longer than it was intended, but I liked the midi-length and decided not to have it altered.

This outfit is not the most flattering in the usual sense of the word. It accentuates my shortness, for example.  I'm okay with that!  There's plenty of tall people in the world - why not embrace petiteness?

See more discussion of the notion of "flattering" here.

What does "flattering" mean to you in regards to fashion?

Dress Week: Coming Up Roses

Today, I conclude Dress Week with an ikat rose print maxi dress.

Dress:  Target (old)

Paired with wedge sandals, this dress has a relaxed and laid-back vibe that's perfect for summer.  The floor-length of this dress gives it an easy sophistication that feels casual but a little glam.

I would wear this to an outdoor party, to a casual dinner, or even to go shopping.

Cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target (old)
Clutch:  Vintage (eBay)

For cooler evenings or air-conditioned buildngs, this moto-style cardigan is a perfect lightweight touch.  I bought this cardigan last summer and it continues to be one of the favorite pieces in my wardrobe.

Bracelets:  Target, Claire's Express

Earrings:  Target
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

Do you like maxi dresses?  Where would you wear one like this?

For this cardigan in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Dress Week: Mixing Decades

Happy Saturday, everyone!

We have been having a lot of 90+ degree days lately.  This season, I am forcing myself to dress for the season and rid myself of the constant need for cardigans and blazers, at least when I'm not at work in my chilly office.

Tunic:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

In the past, I would have thrown a cardigan over this look, even in the height of a balmy Midwestern summer.

Today's look has a modern appeal but references the 1920s and 1940s.  

I am completely inspired by the 1920s.  The decade was such an amazing period of progress and change for women's political and social rights in this country.  With the social changes came a change in fashion.  I really can't get enough of 1920s fashion - so beautiful and interesting.  The dropped waist of this dress and bead necklace is a subtle nod to the flapper era.

With World War II in full swing, the 1940s also brought about a lot of change for women as women were told it was their patriotic duties to join the paid labor force and support the war efforts.  This decade led to war-time rationing, and the fashion of that decade also reflected those changes.  These color blocked bow heels give reference to 1940s fashion.

Necklace:  The Limited (old)
Clutch:  Target

Shoes:  eBay (Available here)
Bow earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Mixing fashion from two decades that brought such major change for women feels modern, fun, and just a little bit quirky!

Ring:  LOFT

Do you like wearing vintage or vintage-inspired fashion?  What fashion periods do you find inspiring?

For this tunic/dress in another look, see here

Casual in White Jeans

Hope you're all enjoying your weekends!

It has been a very busy few weeks at work, and I still have a couple more weeks of crazy before things settle down a bit.  Thanks for bearing with me over the last month while my blog posts have been more sporadic than usual.  I should be back on track in a few more weeks with my regular daily/semi-daily posting.

Today I feature yesterday's casual Friday look.  

Please excuse the messy hair.  I took these pics after a long day!  I make no apologies for the make-up free face!  :-)

Top:  The Limited (Available here)
Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites (old)
Bag:  The Limited

I wore the cardigan for work due to sometimes frigid office air conditioning.  I also actually wore flats to work since I was running around a lot, but I thought the heels gave the outfit a little more polish.

Necklace:  LOFT (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I love the floaty trapeze shape of this fun tangerine top.  It's so airy and lightweight.  Perfect for the 90+ degree temps we've been having!

The best part is definitely the back of this top, with the cute cutout and button details. 

I should note for those of you who aren't 4'9" like me, the bottom of the top is designed to reveal the small of your back.

For these white jeans in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Sun and Sky

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a great day!  Things are pretty frenzied at work right now, so I'm doing my best to squeeze in new blog posts.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in blue; Available in navy and black here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Today's featured look is inspired by the summer sky and sun.

I paired blue pants with an off-white blouse and white blazer.  I added a yellow clutch for a pop of sunny color.

Blazer:  The Limited (old)
Shoes:  Target (old)

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

I added grey heels and silver and blue jewelry to finish off the look.

I love simple, streamlined looks like this for work during the summer.  The pieces are easy and comfortable, the colors light and airy.

Bracelets:  Target and The Limited

How do you make your work wardrobe more summer friendly?

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here
To see this blouse in other looks, see here and here
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here