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/.

Tweed, Leather, and Volume

One of the big trends in outerwear this fall is volume.  Voluminous coats were shown by Jil Sander, Michael Kors, Burberry Prorsum, and many other designers.

Now, being petite and extra curvy, I had no intention of partaking in this trend.  Something that would make me appear shorter and wider?  No thank you!!

But, then I spotted this sweater jacket one day while out shopping.  I fell in love the mix of tweed patterns, the faux leather trim, and the floppy collar.

Sweater jacket:  New York & Company (Available here)
Belt:  Express Men/DIY (10+ years old)

I had to go down two sizes from my normal size (not that I'm complaining), and the jacket still seemed a bit too big; however, I also found the overall shape to be more flattering than I would have expected from a jacket with this volume.  

I added a belt to help create a little more shape.  I'd love to find some large brooches to work as closures as well.

This belt was actually a bit of a DIY creation.  I had a worn-out belt from a pair of jeans that I had since junior high.  I loved the sun buckle.  One day (over ten years ago) while out shopping at Express Men with an ex-boyfriend, I came across belts that came with separate buckles so that you could create your own design.  I chose a belt, ripped apart the old belt and added my old buckle to the new belt.  I don't wear it much now, but I still love the buckle so much that it still comes out of the drawer on occasion.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)
Earrings:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I actually see a lot of possibilities for this jacket.  I plan on wearing it with slim leg pants, as I've done here, and dresses of similar lengths with tights.

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

While admittedly, a jacket with this much volume is not the most flattering fit, finding a piece you love that gives you fashion warm fuzzies is sometimes worth it!

Besides, who wouldn't love a piece with the comfort and warmth of a Snuggie that you can actually wear to work?  :-D 

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

 Would you wear the oversized outerwear trend? 
 

Dark Moon Rising

My favorite color is green, but I have very little of it in my wardrobe.  I've been looking for some new green additions, and I loved the deep shade of this blazer.  Forest green is the perfect shade of green for fall, and I love the unexpectedness of pairing the color with black.  In the past, I disliked dark colors paired with black, but now, it seems really sophisticated and a little gothic, which I like.

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

Mixing slim cut trousers with a different colored blazer is an updated take on a traditional suit, which makes it a great choice for a business casual work environment.  

After years of working in a more relaxed environment, I sometimes feel constrained in my fashion choices due to the more conservative environment of my current job.

Purse:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target

The great thing about this look is that I would happily wear this outfit for a night out, but I think it is still completely work-appropriate.

Blouse:  The Limited
Tank:  Old Navy (Available here)
Necklace:  New York & Company (Available here)

This bold statement necklace ties the look together.  It may seem obvious, but I am a major accessories junkie.  As much as I love clothing, accessories are actually more important, in my opinion.  

Accessories allow you to change up more basic or classic pieces to extend your wardrobe options and transition your wardrobe from season to season.  Since accessories are usually cheaper than clothing, they are a practical and fun way of continually updating your wardrobe.

Today, I also treated my nails as an accessory and gave myself a variation of a fun moon mani. 

Do you like dark colors paired with black?  Any fun manicure ideas?

Sweet and Salty

Happy Thursday!

I'm obsessed with faux leather this fall.  These pants are my first September wish list purchase.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Top:  Torrid
Tote:  The Limited

The leather tuxedo stripe is cool, and I like that the pants are slim fit but not super skinny.

I paired these pants with a comfy crochet and sequin tank from summer and my pale pink blazer.

To bring the look together, I added a skull scarf.  The scarf is a total knock-off of Alexander McQueen's famous skull print scarf; however, unlike the hefty price tag of the McQueen scarf, I acquired this scarf for next to nothing.  

While I love a fabulous accessory and will occasionally splurge for a piece I love, I prefer inexpensive accessories to vary and update my wardrobe each season.

Zodiac rings:  H&M
Bracelet:  The Limited

I love how the faux leather and skulls add a salty touch to the sweet crochet of the top and pink of the blazer.

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available in black online here)
Scarf:  eBay (Available here)

To keep the look more professional at work, I used the scarf as a purse accessory rather than as a focal piece of the outfit.  

For evening, I could easily throw on the scarf to toughen (and warm) up the look.

Clutch:  Target (old)
Shoes:  Target (old)

The faux leather details and slim fit of the pants make these an easy day-to-night piece.  Switching out the work tote for a clutch and rocking the scarf, I'd wear this outfit to dinner, for drinks, or even a first date (if I were single, of course). 

September Wish List

So, due to too many recent shopping binges, I've decided to put myself on a bit of a shopping diet.

For now, I'm budgeting myself a modest $150 a month for new clothing, shoes, and accessories purchases, including alterations.

Here's what's on my September wish list.  I never shop without coupons, rewards, sales, etc., so I'm hoping that I can score all of these items and stay within budget! 

PONTE KNIT DRESS
I love the comfort and substantial-ness of ponte knit (also tends not to wrinkle too much).  This dress comes in a ton of great fall colors and has pockets (which I LOVE).  Just have to decide between the gold and the orange. :-)

Target knit dress

FAUX LEATHER PENCIL SKIRT
I can't decide right now whether I want this burgundy faux leather skirt or a black faux leather/ponte knit rendition that will be available in stores on September 6th. 

The Limited faux leather pencil skirt

FAUX LEATHER JACKET/BLAZER The number one item on my fall shopping list has to be a faux leather blazer or jacket.  It's a basic item, in my opinion, but I have yet to find one that I absolutely love.  I have my eye on a few from The Limited that are supposed to debut later this month.  The blazer featured has cool faux leather trim, but I want one with more faux leather detail.

FYI:  The Limited is currently having a suit promotion - free pant or skirt with purchase of any jacket

The Limited faux leather trim blazer

FAUX LEATHER TRIM PANTS
I love the faux leather trim on these pants.  They aren't available yet, but since they are already being featured on The Limited's web site, I think (hope) they will be available soon.  FYI:  The Limited offers free pants hemming for Couture cardholders, so this is one alteration, I won't have to factor into my budget.  :-)

The Limited pants

HUNTER GREEN
My favorite color is green, and I'm totally feeling this darker shade for fall.  Not sure if this sweater is what I'll be opting for, but I'm definitely looking for a staple piece in this color.

New York & Co. 3/4 sleeve cardigan

FUN PRINT TIGHTS
I purchase a pair of these lattice design tights every year.  They are fairly durable, and I love the design.  How cute are the houndstooth print tights?  So much more fun that plain black hosiery.

The Limited lattice tights

The Limited houndstooth tights

For more on the leather trend for fall (and my views on real leather), please see here.

What's on your September/fall wish list?  

Do you make a budget for clothing purchases?  If so, how do you determine your budget amount? 

What's your shopping style?  Do you splurge a few times a year, purchase weekly/monthly/etc.?