Black Pants for Work: Modern Tuxedo

I cap off my feature on black pants with black tuxedo trousers.  I love that these pants have a classic trouser shape while the ivory stripe adds on-trend flair.

Pants:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

My love for tuxedo-inspired styles is never-ending.  For this look, I paired the tuxedo trousers with a cropped ivory tuxedo blazer and a bib-front tank for a modern take on the tuxedo.

Ivory tank:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Black tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Bag:  Target
Bangles:  ??? (old)

I added wooden bangles and a bright zebra print bag for an unexpected mix.

I like this outfit quite a bit, but I think if I were to do it over, I would up the tribal accessories and inspiration to make the mix of tribal and tuxedo more deliberate looking.  If you're going to do something, commit, right?  :-)

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Are you a fan of tuxedo-inspired looks? How do you keep your black pants interesting for work?


For these pants in another look, see here.
For this tank in another outfit, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: Relaxed Tuxedo

Happy Friday everyone!

Holiday looks continue today with a relaxed tuxedo look.  I love tuxedos on women, and I really enjoy new twists on the tuxedo, like these pants with ivory stripes.  

Pants: Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

The flowy pants and loose open jacket have a relaxed feel that give this outfit less formality than one typically associates with a tuxedo. 

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)
Bracelets:  Torrid and The Limited (Available here and here)

Heels:  Target (Available here)

I wore a variation of this look to work yesterday, but I added a gold clutch here for more of an evening feel.

I think this is a perfect day-to-night look for last minute holiday parties and events.

Clutch:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

Earrings: The Limited (Similar here)

Do you like tuxedo-inspired fashion?

To see this blazer in other outfits, see here, here, here, and here.

12 Days of Holiday: Black Swan

If you've been following my blog, you know that I love ballet-inspired fashion.  When I spotted this dress at Forever21+, it had me at the tulle.  The full skirt just feels fun and special. 

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Forever 21 can be a pig in a poke for finding quality clothes that look mature enough for a 30-something professional.  When I do find something though, I am usually quite happy with the fit.  Because Forever 21 has more of a juniors' fit, their XL is often perfectly proportioned for my petite curvy frame.

Belt:  LOFT (Available here)

Blazer:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here) - Sleeves shortened

 This dress required no alterations.  While it's a little longer than featured on the web site, I love the longer fit.

I added a burgundy velvet jacket, sparkly belt, and floral satin lace-up heels for an evening feel. 

I decided to skip tights, but you could easily add some glittery or lace tights for a little extra warmth.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Available on eBay here)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Right now, I have nowhere special to wear this outfit, but I would definitely wear it for a winter wedding or dressy holiday party.  I don't usually purchase dressier items without some place to wear them, but I think this dress has a classic feel that I will love for years to come.  When an event comes up, I'll have something to wear!  :-)

Bracelet:  The Limited

What would you wear to a formal winter wedding or holiday party?

12 Days of Holiday: Casual Glam

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

Today's holiday look is something I would wear to an evening holiday house party or a low-key evening out.  

Camisole:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Necklace:  LOFT (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited

The sequins, silk, and rhinestones feel festive and fun, while the jeans and relaxed shapes keep the look laid-back.

To make the look more casual or snow-friendly, you could switch the heels out for a pair of knee-high or over-the-knee boots.

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here and here)

What you wear for an evening holiday house party or holiday evening out?

P.S.  Sorry for the wrinkles on my shirt.  I decided to snap pics before I got the iron out!  :-)

Pencil Me In

Many in the body acceptance movement would say flattery-schmattery, that worrying about traditional constructs of figure flattery (taller, thinner equating better) is a waste of time and that promoting such is regressive or unenlightened.

I tend to disagree with that idea somewhat.  While I generally say, wear what you want (and I sometimes wear pieces that aren't traditionally flattering to appease my fashion desires), I think most of us are drawn to what makes us look most streamlined.  Most often, the pieces that make us look taller and thinner are those that show off our bodies in the best of ways.  

Skirt:  Target Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Earrings:  Target

For example, pencil skirts are super flattering for most curvy women.  They show off curves while creating a streamlined silhouette.  In a pencil skirt, you're certainly not hiding fuller thighs or a fuller bottom.  You're showing them off in the best of ways!

Ankle boots:  Payless

I am especially in love with this new pencil skirt I just picked up from Target.  Because it's knit, this skirt is a little more fitted and pencil-y than I am usually able to get from other pencil skirts (even after alterations).  

I'm also in love with the on-trend midi length of this one.  I've largely moved passed the high-low look, but I have to admit, I love the way that it really adds a lengthening element to this skirt.  I manage to look taller in what I usually think of as an awkward skirt length.

Bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)

Clutch:  Vintage (eBay)

Full disclosure:  The first time I featured this skirt on my blog, I was wearing a misses size.  I had only thrown the outfit on for pics and hadn't worn it out yet.  When I realized that the skirt was available in petites on-line, I decided to give the petites version a try.  I was in between sizes on the misses skirt, had opted for the larger version, and wasn't 100% content with the fit.  The petites version in the same size provided a more streamlined fit without being too tight.  The difference between the petites and misses size was slight, and probably imperceptible to most, but it made this picky girl happier!

I'm always excited when I can wear a new item without spending time and money on alterations!

How much does figure flattery play into your fashion choices?

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blouse in another look, see here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, and here.

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.

Stripes Week: Crochet Flowers

Happy Friday, everyone!

Today, I end Stripes Week with another work outfit, and I figured why not wrap it up with more black and white!

I like that the stripes on this top aren't literal but created out of the pattern of the crochet flowers.

Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites
Jacket:  LOFT Petites (Available in regular sizes here)
Tote:  New York & Company

The textured detail of the top adds visual interest to this outfit, and the blue pants add just enough color.

Pants:  The Limited (Available in other colors here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Sorry for only two pics - I have had a squinty-eyed smile ALWAYS, and my eyes were closed in EVERY other picture.  ;-D

Hope you enjoyed Stripes Week!

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

P.S.  Check out this awesome young lady from my hometown!  Link to her Facebook page here.  Trendy juniors clothier Wet Seal has developed a plus size line, and Karrie recently caught their attention.  Her dreams of becoming a model are about to come true!  Kudos to Wet Seal for appreciating diverse beauty.  Karrie is so awesome and determined - a true inspiration!

Honorable Mentions

Today, I feature several looks from the last two months.  I call these looks honorable mentions.  These are outfits that for various reasons I decided not to include in full blog posts.

The first of these looks is from a recent casual Friday at work.  I paired dark denim (a casual Friday staple) with a more professional blouse and blazer.  I generally try to keep my casual work looks very polished, with fresh denim, dressier blouses, and an overall clean look.

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse, blazer, and purse:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target (old)

The next two looks pair my workhorse skinny black pants with cute blouses and blazers - a look that has definitely become a bit of a uniform over the last year.  I added in mixed bracelets and other accessories to liven up these looks.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse, blazer, and necklace:  The Limited
Bracelets:  Target, World Market, Claire's
Shoes:  Target

Pants, blouse, blazer, and clutch:  The Limited
Earrings:  Purchased local jewelry sale
Bracelets:  Express and eBay

Today's last featured look is an evening outfit, pairing a faux leather skirt with a fringed top and cropped blazer.  Dangly bead earrings (same as in third photo) and lace-up stilettos complete the all black look.

Skirt:  The Limited
Fringe top:  Ann Taylor Petites
Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available here)
Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target
Clutch:  Target

Hope you enjoyed my "honorable mentions"!