Monochromatic Minimalism

Happy Wednesday, everyone!!

Today's black and white look was inspired by one of my favorite major fashion trends of the 90s - minimalism.  

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)

I spent my formative fashion years, high school and college, in the 90s.  The 90s saw the height of grunge, a look I spent many years rocking.  At the time, I was quite inspired by both the street and high-fashion aspects of the grunge movement.  

Around that same time, minimalist looks began being featured by many designers.  Calvin Klein was one of the leaders in this trend and was definitely one of my favorite designers of the time.

Mid-90s Calvin Klein
Source:  www.thewickedwallflower.com

Taking 90s minimalist inspiration to 2013, I paired black skinny pants with a black and white jacket and simple grey top.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

I cheated a little with my "black and white" theme by adding in touches of soft grey, but I love the overall effect of the neutrals paired together.

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

To maintain the minimalist effect, I fought the urge to add a big statement necklace and kept my accessories pared down to only a pair of silver earrings and silver band.  I finished the look off with a white and pale grey clutch.  

Shoes:  Target (old)

I tend to see perfume as a bit of an accessory, often choosing my fragrance based more on what I'm wearing than specific occasion.  Today, my look inspired a few spritzes of one of my favorite fragrances, CK One.  In 1994, Calvin Klein released this zesty, unisex scent and it's been one of my regulars ever since.


Do you like the minimalist look?  What are some of your favorite fragrances?

Denim and Tweed

This is a look from a previous casual Friday at work.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available at eloquii.com here )
Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)

I like mixing tweed with denim and other non-traditional fabrics.  I also like the mix of pastels with off-whites, like this mint and cream combination.

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (old)

This outfit isn't groundbreaking fashion, but it's a good way to do casual at the workplace.  Dark denim is crisp and looks professional.  A slightly unconventional blazer adds a personal twist but keeps the overall look work-appropriate.

I'm usually against any lists that tell people what they should or shouldn't wear; however, we all have to follow certain rules at work.  

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited
Earrings:  Gift (handmade)

Work dress codes vary, so it's important to know yours.  Generally speaking, if your work place allows denim, it's important to keep it fresh and crisp with no holes or stains.  Denim that is super-faded or is overly trendy, such as floral, reptile print, or tie-dye prints, should probably be saved for evenings and weekends.

Do you wear denim to work? 

For this blazer styled differently, see here.

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.

 

Casual Comfort

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today, I had a ton of errands to run.  I wanted a look that was super comfortable and warm.

Tunic blouse:  Target (Available here)
Cardigan:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Leggings:  Wal-Mart (Similar here)
Purse: The Limited (old)

 I opted for leggings and a cashmere cardigan and then added in a tunic length top and wedge boots for a look that felt very pulled together but completely comfortable and cozy.

Boots:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  Forever 21 (old)

Tank:  Old Navy (Available here)
Turquoise ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Leggings, sweaters, and boots are a common winter weekend go-to for me.  Do you have a favorite winter weekend look?

Soft and easy

Lately, my main priority in fashion has been comfort.  I don't know if it's the onset of cold weather, daily stressors, or something else, but I find myself with a strong desire to wear sweats to work everyday.

Blazer:  New York & Company
Blouse:  LOFT (No longer available on-line, see top here)
Silver locket:  Target (Similar here)

Since I can't do that, my second choice has been to choose easy, flowy pieces.  Today, I opted for my ivory chiffon babydoll top (quickly becoming a new favorite) and paired it with a light pink blazer and grey pants for a soft and feminine work look.

I love a pastel color palette like this during winter.  Mint, light pink, and soft blues mixed with ivory, grey, or taupe reflect both the iciness of the season but also a desire for softness in contrast to the harshness of winter.

Pants:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (old)
Rondell crystal necklace:  The Limited

Purse:  Target (Available here)
Handcuff bangles:  The Limited (no longer available)

Do you favor certain colors or color combinations during winter?

See this blouse in other looks here and here.   
See this blazer style differently here, here, and here.

Tunic Time!

Hi everyone!  On this fair Tuesday, I paired my new green and grey printed tunic with a grey blazer and what have become a recent obsession - black skinny pants.  I really love this pair with the faux leather tuxedo stripe.

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

I recently got this tunic from Target, and I can't wait to style it in different ways.  It's a little hard to see in the picture, but I belted this top to shorten the top for work.  The tunic actually hits me just above the knee.  I think it will look great worn loose with leggings and boots.  I'm also thinking that it would be great with some grey, teal, or white skinny jeans or pants.

Purse:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  Handmade

"Pisces" ring:  H&M
Turquoise ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

For more on fall's leather trend, see here.
To see this blazer in other looks, see here and here. 
For more looks with the pants, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Pants: The Limited (No longer available online.  See them here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Mix It Up!

I love dresses for their ease and comfort; however, they definitely offer fewer styling options than pants or skirts.  Pants and skirts offer lots of mix and match options that allow you to create a range of versatile styles.  

With most pants or skirts, you could wear them more than once a week, and with different styling, no one would know.  With dresses, there's only so many ways to wear them and they tend to be more memorable, which definitely makes styling them more limiting. 

Dress:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I wore my cobalt dress.  I chose the same formula as the last time I wore it:  blazer, belt, tights, and boots. 

For how I wore the blue dress before, see here and here.  For the blazer in another look, see here.

Tights:  Target (Similar here)
Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Earrings:  The Limited

This time, I chose a thinner belt, my grey suit jacket and grey and black leopard tights. 

I like the combination of cobalt blue, black, and grey.  I also like the idea of taking a piece as potentially stuffy as a classic grey blazer and loosening it up with bright blue and leopard print.

Boots:  Payless
Purse:  The Limited
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Do you like dresses, or do you tend to stick with pants and/or skirts?

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.

Mixing Neutrals + Spring 2013 Inspiration

Hey everyone!

Hope your Tuesday was a great one!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar:  here)
Blazer:  The Limited
Purse:  Target (Available here; see satchel here)

I have been playing around with non-black neutrals, so today, I decided to mix grey with navy.  It's not the most exciting color combo, but I love the idea of mixing neutrals in a streamlined, modern silhouette.

I was also inspired by pics from the Spring 2013 runways.  As excited as I am for coated denim, burgundy and hunter green, and jacket weather, I can't help but feel a bit excited about what's on the fashion horizon for Spring.  My inspiration for today was the gorgeous brights shown by Diane von Furstenberg. 

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2013 look

I added an aqua silky tank and aqua and citron bracelets to add a little "Spring" to my early Fall outfit.  

Bracelets (l to r):  Target, Express, The Limited

Top:  New York & Company
Necklace:  New York & Company (Similar:  here; See necklace with different look here)
Shoes:  Target (Available: here)

My outfit is less full-on bright and more business casual than DVF's looks, but I love the overall color combination.

Do you like mixing neutrals?  

Would you wear head-to-toe brights as shown by Diane von Furstenberg?

Fifty Shades of Grey

Well...really only two  ;-)

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

I really like a monochromatic look on occasion.  Wearing one color is lengthening, and it doesn't have to be black.  

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

 For a subtle pop of color, I added burgundy patent leather heels.

Beaded Bracelet:  Express (5+ years old)
Metal bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

Recently, I have been getting into DIY nail art.  I'm not very good yet, but I like the idea of adding more fun and visual interest to a simple look with nail art.

Earrings:  The Limited

Cardigan: LOFT Petites

Are you into nail art?  Do you have any favorite manicure ideas to share?