Feminine Suiting

Whenever I think I've dressed a little too casually for work (see yesterday's outfit), I often purposefully choose something more formal to wear the next day.

Pants:  The Limited (old)
Blouse:  The Limited (old) (Similar here and here)

Today, I chose my black high-waisted pants and paired them with a polkadot bow-front blouse.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Belt:  The Limited

I love the retro vibe of the look. It's classic, but in an interesting way as it has a 1940s vibe.

I paired the outfit with a peplum blazer for work since it was chilly today.

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

Today's look isn't too different than one I previously posted (see here).  I had originally planned on wearing a red blazer, but I just felt like this one worked better.  

Shoes:  Target (old)

Sometimes it can easy to get stuck in certain outfit pairings, but if it ain't broke, why fix it, right?

Suit and Flowers

Hi everyone!

Blazer:  The Limited (Avalable here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Tote:  The Limited

This look is from last Friday.  I wasn't feeling ultra-inspired in the fashion department, and suits are always an easy way to look put together without much effort.

Blouse:  The Limited
Locket:  Target (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (old)

Since I tend to find grey suits a little too conservative and corporate for my tastes, I added a floral top with large pink and red flowers to help brighten and soften up the look.

It's amazing how I can feel just as much at home in a suit as I can my Gaga outfit.  Seem like such polar opposites, but I think the two looks are just manifestations of different aspects of my personality.  Both looks exhibit power to me, which I love for women!  :-)

Do you tend to steer towards one style - preppy, business, creative, bohemian, rock-n-roll, etc., or do you like to mix it up?

To see this blouse styled differently, see here.

 

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Stripes

Happy Monday, everyone!

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)

This week I will be featuring my favorite picks from the Spring 2013 runway shows.

I love designer fashion straight from the catwalks, but like most people, I don't have the budget for it.  Designer fashion is often inspirational and certainly helps determine what we all see in our neighborhood stores and mall chains each season.

Trends keep fashion fun and help keep your wardrobe new and interesting, but great style is definitely not about being a slave to trends.  For me, great style is about incorporating trends into one's wardrobe in a way that suits one's own personal style, lifestyle, body type, and budget. 

One thing I have noticed about the trends over the last year or so is that most of the major runway trends have been extremely wearable.  For example, one of the major trends on Spring 2013 runways was stripes.  Stripes are super easy to wear.  

Don't believe the hype that curvy or petite girls can't wear stripes.  Wearing stripes is all about getting the right fit and proportions.  Diagonal and chevron stripes are almost always lengthening and thinning.  Narrow to medium horizontal stripes can be very flattering to all figures.  I've already featured a few of my favorite striped looks off of the runways here.

This spring, many designers took stripes in new directions or used stripes in creative ways.  For me, the most innovative was definitely Marc Jacobs who showed a variety of striped dresses, suits, and tunics.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.style.com

Other favorite striped looks from the Spring 2013 runways:

Jonathan Saunders look
Source:  www.thefashionspot.com

Michael Kors Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.style.com

I am not a winter girl, so even though it's only January, I am ready for spring fashion!

I recently purchased this chevron stripe blouse.  I love the bright orange color of the stripes.  It's great now under a suit, but I am looking forward to pairing it with pencil skirts, white pants, and boyfriend jeans for spring.

Pants: The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

Shoes: Target (old)
Earrings:  World Market (old)
Cuff:  New York & Company

Do you like the stripe trend for spring?  Do you have your sights set on any spring fashion yet?

Halloween Sequins

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween is my favorite holiday!  A day of playing dress-up?  Yes, please!  Sign me up!

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Old)

Unfortunately,  I couldn't go to work in a costume, so instead, I decided just to have fun with the classic colors of Halloween by incorporating them into my work look.

Cardigan:  Converse One Star by Target (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

I chose my black tuxedo stripe skinny leg pants and black biker-style cardigan.  Then, I opted for my coppery orange sequin top with sheer black overlay for a subtle, work-appropriate display of sequins.  I added orange and black glittery nail polish and a slightly gothic-looking ring.

Ring:  Claire's (old)
Bracelets:  Claire's, Target, The Limited

Earrings:  Express (Available here)

Lastly, I added large gold disc earrings, paying homage to the almost full moon.

Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween!!!

P.S. Hope all of you in the Northeast are staying safe.  Sending lots of positive, healing energy your way! 

The Yin and Yang of Dressing

Hi Everyone!!

Pants:  New York & Company Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)

As I have discussed previously, I love the look of women in well-fitting suits and traditional menswear fabrics and styles.  

As much as I like dresses, lace, and other "feminine" clothing, there's something about a woman in a tuxedo or suit that I find much more provocative.  

A woman's natural curves, no matter how slight, balance out the "masculine" presence of the suit creating a look that is ultra-powerful, in my opinion.  It's a look that feels complete in that it mixes the hard and soft, "masculine" and "feminine" - the entirety of each of us as human beings.

Today I was inspired by the Helmut Newton photograph, "Le Smoking."  

Le Smoking - Photo by Helmut Newton (1966)

My version adds some 2012 touches - faux leather details on blazer, burgundy patent leather pumps - while keeping the androgynous feel.

Blouse:  New York & Company (Sold out online; see here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Belt:  The Limited

See this great blog post for more discussion on the history and gender-bending impact of the women's suit and tuxedo:  http://monicadmurgia.com/tag/le-smoking/.

Fine and Dandy

Today I was Inspired by menswear. I pulled my vest from the back of my closet and paired it with my favorite black suit.  

Suit:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar pants here; Similar vest here; Similar blazer here)

I have worn vests off and on since junior high school. I have never stopped liking them, but for some reason, I find my vest to be an occasional piece that I only put out a few times a year.

Belt:  The Limited
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

I love the look of traditionally masculine looks, like this three piece suit, on women.  The polkadot scarf, worn like a necktie, adds a slightly quirky touch.  It also helped conceal cleavage during work hours.

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

Menswear inspired fashion was very popular on fall runways, so this outfit feels right on trend but very "me" at the same time.

Lest the look be too masculine, I wore my hair down and threw on a cuff to give it that feminine mix.

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

Do you have items in your wardrobe of which you don't want to let go, but that you don't wear too often?

Do you like the menswear look on women? 

Leather or Not

Hi everyone!

Today I decided to wear my new blazer purchased from my September Wish List.  I love the faux leather sleeves and pocket detail.  

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)
Pants:  New York & Company Petites (Available here)

The high-waist and wider leg of the pant gives a subtle nod to the 70s, while the jacket shape and faux leather details keep the look modern.

Blouse:  The Limited
Belt:  The Limited

Leather is such a major trend this fall (See here).  Thankfully, vegan alternatives abound, so it's easy to find plenty of great pieces using faux leather.  I love the use of mixed materials in this blazer.  The woven fabric moves better than (faux) leather, and I think it makes the blazer more work appropriate than an all leather blazer might be.

Do you plan on nabbing any leather pieces this fall?  How would you rock them?

Tried and True

Hey everyone!

Today, I didn't have an outfit planned out, so in a pinch, I chose my favorite black suit.

Trousers:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)
Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

I really do think a black suit is a wonderful staple in my closet.

I could wear this suit twice a week and be happy.  It's completely professional and classic, but it can be styled in a myriad of ways, and because it's black, it's easy to give the suit a slight touch of moody glamour.

Today, I chose an ivory silky cowl neck top to pair with it.  A cowl neck is just as flattering as a v-neck, but adds a little more design and dimension to a top.  The flowers on this top look like a charcoal drawing, which is so gorgeous.  Seriously, I don't think the pictures do this blouse justice.

Blouse:  The Limited (old)
Earrings:  Target (old)

The only downside of this top (and being so petite) is that the print goes down the full length of the blouse, but the blouse is much too long to wear without tucking.  I'm literally losing half of this blouse's lovely print by tucking.  :-(

Bracelet:  Target (old)
Belt:  The Limited

For more on why I love suits (especially this black one), see here.

Do you have any favorite tried and true wardrobe staples?  

In the Navy

I haven't always been a fan of navy.   I often find navy looks to be too preppy and conservative for my taste, but I really like the deep navy of this suit.  

The suit fits well, and navy is a more flattering neutral for many skin tones, including my own, than black.

Blazer:  The Limited (Out of Stock online - may be available in stores)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited

I love Indian clothing and jewelry, and today, that was my fashion influence.

2009 Indian runway looks - Metro.co.uk

Though my outfit looks nothing like the looks above, I was inspired by the bright fuchsia and gold.

Blouse:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target

Bracelets:  Old - Brands Unknown

A dark navy suit is a classic and traditional choice for business interviews.  Adding a bright top, such as this one, will get you noticed without being over-the-top.

Earrings:  New York & Company (5+ years old)

Getting the Right Fit

Finding clothes that fit off the rack is nearly impossible for the curvy petite woman.

Most of my clothes are altered, especially suit jackets.

AFTER

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

I love blazers for their structure and versatility, but without a good fit, they can look very sloppy.

BEFORE

When I bought this suit, the jacket's sleeves were too long, the arm holes too large,  and the shoulders too wide.  The pants were "short" fit, but they were also a bit too long.

While it's difficult to get a perfect fit without having an item made especially for you, a good tailor can get you close.

When purchasing a blazer, you should buy to fit the largest part of you.  Letting a jacket out is usually not as an option as manufacturers do not leave a lot of excess room in women's clothing.  Even if there's enough extra fabric, letting a jacket out may lead to unsightly holes depending on the color and fabric.

Bracelets:  The Limited (Available: here and here)

Ideally, if you can wear petites, do so as a petite jacket will be better proportioned all around, making the need for alterations fewer (and usually leading to a better fit after alterations).   

Now, my suit flatters my body and doesn't make me look like a kid playing dress up. :-)

Shirt:  The Limited

Extensive tailoring doesn't come cheap, so it's important to weigh the use value of the clothing item against the cost of getting it tailored.

A grey suit is classic, is functional for a conservative work place like mine, and is perfect for job interviews, so in my opinion (and for my life), it's worth it to invest in the tailoring.

Today, I paired my grey suit with a purple floral knit top that has a surprise back.

Lose the jacket, add some dangly earrings and a clutch, and you have a suitable (pun totally intended ;-D) look for an after-work dinner out.

Chocolate Watercolors

As is probably obvious by now, black is by far my go-to neutral.  Whether worn with other neutrals, brights, pastels, deep colors or head-to-toe, I can't seem to get enough of the color black.  

In my opinion, it is easier to look chic, modern, and edgy in black (which is my preferred style) than it is in browns.

For home decor, I love warm earthy colors in shades of brown and green.  Black seems sterile and cold for a home environment, but when it comes to fashion, I veer towards the completely opposite direction.

I scarcely wear brown because I rarely seem to find the right combination of browns that I don't find to be too dowdy or conservative, especially when it comes to work wear (brown dress pants, skirts, for example).

Suit:  The Limited (old) (Similar jacket:  see here; Similar pants:  see here)
Top:  The Limited (old)

Today, I decided to wear my chocolate brown suit that hasn't left my closet since last January.  I think the suit is slightly large and am thinking that this suit may be ready for resale (more discussion here).  That said, I love the pretty sorbet colors and watercolory pattern of this top.  I also think the mix of dark brown and grey is classy.

Shoes:  Target (Similar: See here)
Earrings:  The Limited
Bracelets:  The Limited

What is your perspective on wearing shades of brown?  Do you like them?  Do you find them harder to wear than black?  Why/Why not?

Does your personal style match your tastes in home decor?

More Fall 2012 Trends: Reptile Prints

Today, I had a departmental meeting at work, so I wanted a more conservative look.

I opted for my black suit (see the suit styled differently here) and a cowl-neck top.  

Suit:  The Limited Black Collection ((Similar blazer:  here; Similar pants:  here)
Tote:  The Limited (Available here)

Reptile prints are huge for fall, and I love how this top has a subtle snake print.

Top:  Target (old)
Bracelet:  eBay (Similar: here)

To continue with the snake theme, I added this fun coiled snake bracelet.  No matter how simple or modest you go with a look, I think it's important to always add a personal touch.  The snake bracelet and red tote add personality and keep the look from being too boring.

Some casual snake print pieces for fall:

The Limited snake print jeans

Target snake embossed satchel

Do you like snake prints? 

Suited up

While I don't always think "high fashion" when I think of a suit, a great fitting suit always feel sharp and sophisticated.  My workplace has a business casual dress code, so I don't have to wear suits, but I often do.  Frigid summertime air conditioning necessitates a top layer, and I tend to think dress pants and cardigans can be a little too conservative and boring if not paired to perfection.

Suit:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar blazer:  http://www.thelimited.com/Black-Collection-Essential-Jacket/2515593,default,pd.html?dwvar_2515593_colorCode=144&start=1&ppid=c1&cgid=suits&prefn1=colorFamily&prefv1=Black; Similar pants:  http://www.thelimited.com/Drew-Black-Collection-Pant/6623054,default,pd.html?dwvar_6623054_colorCode=144)
Leather tote:  The Limited (Similar:  http://www.lordandtaylor.com/newbury-black-leather-tote-bag-9.shtml)

Why I love suits:
1.  The structure and strong shoulders of a blazer accentuate curves, help disguise belly bulge, and helps balance shoulders and hips.
2.  The monochrome of the matching pants and jacket is lengthening and slimming.
3.  Suits are surprisingly versatile - Change your top and accessories and your look goes from preppy to elegant to sexy.
4.  Suits can be broken up, leading to infinite wardrobe possibilities.  Wear the blazer with jeans, shorts, skirts, or dresses. Wear the pants or skirt with different color blazers, cardigans, dressy tops, a jean jacket, etc.

I love sequins!  This top has clear sequins for a subtle sheen that works for work.

Top:  The Limited

Vintage jade and gold bracelet:  Gift  (Similar:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Chinese-Carved-Jade-Jadeite-14K-Gold-Wash-Silver-Bracelet-/160853407840?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item25739c3860 )

Earrings:  Target (Available: In stores)

Do you wear suits?  How do you make a suit "you"?