Lace and Colorblocking

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Jacket:  Target Petites (Available here and in regular sizes here)

Today's look is a recent work look.  I always seem to add black jackets to this dress, but I really do love a black and white look!

Overall, I really like this outfit.  It has a simple color palette, but the textures and subtle prints add a lot of visual interest.

Dress:  The Limited

Boots:  Payless (old)

I tend to gravitate strongly towards neutrals in the fall and winter (especially my forever friend, black), but I also don't want to get bored with my clothes.  

Ring:  Torrid (Available here)

Long earrings:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)
Stud earrings:  The Limited

Adding special details keeps me from getting too bored.

Tights:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Tote:  The Limited

I wish these tights fit better though.  :-/

Most of my tights come from The Limited and fit very similarly; however, this pair is too big (hence the sagging towards bottom of the tights).

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)

To see this dress in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: The Luxe Sweatshirt

Sweatshirts were a big trend on fall runways.  No longer relegated to the gym and other super casual situations, sweatshirts were elevated a notch this fall through various fabrications.

Sweatshirt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores; Similar here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Sweatshirts were paired with lady-like brocade skirts, matching and mixed prints, leather, and more.

DKNY Fall 2013 look
Souce:  Style.com

J.Crew Fall 2013 look
Source:  Glamour.com

Yesterday, I paired my chiffon-front leopard print sweatshirt with a black blazer and burgundy pants for work.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

I'm hoping to find a chambray or black button-down top to layer under the sweatshirt for a slightly preppy look that would be perfect for a casual Friday at work.

I've been looking for a chambray shirt that doesn't gap, pull, or have tons of extra fabric in the shoulders...forever!

Milly Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Tibi Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Shooties:  Soft Styles by Hush Puppies (Kohl's) (Available here)

Do you like the luxe sweatshirt trend? 

Today concludes my series on fall trends.  Hope you've enjoyed my interpretation of some of the season's biggest trends!

To see this sweatshirt in another look, see here.

Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Peplums

Peplums continue to be a major trend this fall. And why not?  They're super flattering and can look retro and feminine or sleek and modern depending on the particular styling.

Blouse: LOFT Petites (Similar here)

Blazer:  The Limited

Today, I paired my lace peplum top from last fall with a simple pair of black pants.  

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Purse:  Express

I like how the basic pants and champagne tuxedo blazer downplay and streamline the overt femininity of the blouse, making it a great balance for work.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Peplum looks from the runway:

Prabal Gurung Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Calvin Klein Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Kate Spade Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Bracelet:  The Limited

Do you like peplums?  Which runway look is your favorite?

More on the peplum trend here

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

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Military

In both fall and spring, military-inspired looks were a major trend.  This look has continued into this fall and is a major source of all the green we're seeing on fall runways (see more here).

Here, I've taken the trend in a more casual direction. 

Jacket:  Old Navy (Similar here and here)
Dress:  The Limited (Similar here, here, and here)

Soccer mom duty has officially started back up, and I spent the day outside (and make-up free!) in 100 degree heat.  I kept the look simple and casual today to beat the heat, giving this sailor striped dress a bit of a bohemian look.  I like how the chain link necklace adds to the nautical vibe.

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  Torrid

Sandals:  Target

When the temperature cools down, I will definitely be wearing the look with my army jacket and booties.  I'll add black tights when it gets colder.

Here's a few of my military-inspired favorites from the runway:

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2013 look
Source:  HarpersBazaar.com

Prabal Gurung Fall 2013 look
Source:  HarpersBazaar.com

I have to get virtually everything altered to fit properly.  Sometimes, alterations aren't enough to get a perfect fit, but they definitely make a huge difference in how an outfit looks.

Here's a quick before and after:

Purse:  Express

I had the dress hemmed a couple inches.  To get a better fit on the jacket, I washed and dried it. Then, I had the sleeves taken in a bit for a slightly slimmer fit.

The result is loose and comfortable, but much more figure flattering.

Booties:  Target

Do you like the military trend?

For the army jacket in another look, see here.

Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Grey is the New Black

Black continued to be a major color on fall's runways as did winter white; however, grey took center stage as the neutral for fall 2013.  While nothing can replace black as my favorite go-to neutral, grey is a wonderful and softer option that works well with many skin tones. 

Sweater:  Target (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Head-to-toe grey is super sophisticated, but grey also works well with black and white as well as camel, cognac, navy, and the gorgeous jewel tones that were all over fall runways.

Haider Ackerman Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.Com

Rachel Zoe Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Blouse:  The Limited
Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

I love this batwing cocoon sweater.  When I first saw the sweater, I thought it was so chic, but then I started thinking that maybe it looked a little like Dorothy on "Golden Girls."  Then, I decided that this is not a bad thing.  "Golden Girls" is an amazing show, and Dorothy is my favorite character.  So, hey, whatev...  :-)  

Shoes:  Target
Cuff:  The Limited

Necklace:  Target

The sweater is lightweight and airy, but it is still warm.  The black piping adds a cool touch. I have a few different outfit ideas for this sweater that I'm looking forward to wearing this fall.

Do you like using grey as a neutral?


Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Below-the-knee and Midi Skirts

This fall, hemlines generally are staying at or below the knee.  Below-the-knee and midi skirts are a big trend for fall.

Skirt:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Target

Blouse:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

I've never considered midi-length skirts to be flattering for someone as petite as me, but I was intrigued by the idea of changing up my hemline this season.  

DKNY Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Proenza Schouler Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

BCBG Max Azria Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

I found this faux-leather trim pencil skirt from Target, and I decided it would be a great choice for trying out this trend.  The slim fit of the skirt and heels create an elongating effect.

The faux-leather trim extends along the waistline, so it will look good worn with a tucked-in blouse and blazer for work.  Today, I decided to pair it with a flowy colorblocked top.

Cuff:  Express
Earrings:  The Limited

Shoes:  Target

I like the look of the high-low hemlines of both the skirt and top. I think it adds to the overall elongating effect of this outfit.

For more on the leather trend, see here.
For more on the green trend, see here.

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Over-the-knee boots

One of the biggest trends in footwear this season are over-the-knee boots.  I love this trend, and it is surprisingly more versatile than you might initially think.

Tibi Fall 2013 look
Source: HuffingtonPost.com

Chanel Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Over-the-knee boots can completely elevate a casual jeans and t-shirt outfit.  They can be worn to work with a dress or skirt that skims over the top of the boot.  With brocade, chiffon, or velvet, they are a stylish way to stay warm while still looking festive this winter.

Paul & Joe Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

I am on the hunt for a pair that works for me.  Buying boots is one of the great footwear challenges I have encountered being so petite.  The shaft of boots never hits in the correct spot, making it difficult to find boots that work.  Also, boots tend to simply too long for my legs.

If and when I find some boots that work for me, I'll be sure to share the info. with you all.  In the meantime, here are some possibilities:

Oasap.com

Call It Spring boots

What do you think about this trend?  Would you wear over the knee boots?

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!