These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

Hi everyone!  Hope you all had a great day!

Skirt:  Target (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company

Today was still a little chilly in my area, but I finally decided it was time to skip tights!!!  I went with my knee-high boots for warmth, but it was so freeing to be able to wear a skirt without tights!!!

Tights can be fun, but I get lazy and find them to be too much work sometimes.

Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Available here)
Boots:  Payless (old)

Tote:  The Limited

I paired my boots with a brocade A-line skirt and simple tank and blazer.  The tank was a little low-cut for work, so I added the scarf for coverage and a little extra warmth during the work day. 

Scarf:  Paul Smith (15+ years old)
Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Removing the scarf makes the outfit perfect for transitioning to dinner or drinks after work.

Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show
Howlite necklace:  eBay (Similar here)

Do you like wearing boots?  Do you prefer bare legs or tights/pantyhose?
 
For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Metallics and Lace

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in navy; Available in other colors here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I decided to wear my new gold jacket.  I love that this jacket is super lightweight but looks like leather and suede.

Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)
Purse:  The Limited

Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)
Bracelets:  The Limited; Target

I paired the jacket with a matching beige lace and gauze top and navy pants to keep the metallic subdued enough for work.
 
I love mixing neutrals in interesting shapes and textures.  The bold green pendant adds just the right amount of color.

Necklace:  Forever 21
"Evil Eye" ring:  H&M

Do you like mixing textures and fabrics for interesting neutral looks?

For these pants in other looks, see here, here, and here. 

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Tailored shorts

The cold weather is ruining my spring fashion buzz, leaving me a little less than inspired in coming up with new outfit ideas that I can actually wear right now.

So, instead, I'm featuring one of spring's major fashion trends:  tailored shorts.  Bermuda shorts are hugely popular for spring, but you can also find plenty of mid-length shorts as well.

I'm a hesitant shorts fan.  To wear shorts in an easy, breezy way for summer can sometimes be a little too casual for my tastes.  Then, there's the dreaded chub rub problem and riding up that shorts often seem to do.

That said, I love the idea of tailored shorts for a slightly dressier look during the spring and summer.  My favorite way to wear shorts is for evening.  I love wearing shorts in dressier fabrics (silk, lace, leather) with heels for a summer evening out.

Below are my picks from the runway: 
Work/Day looks:

Rachel Comey Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.elle.com

Emporio Armani Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.thefashionspot.com

Evening:

Gianfranco Ferré Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.elle.com

 Casual looks:

Mara Hoffman Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.realbeauty.com

Nicole Miller Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.realbeauty.com

 More attainable options:

LOFT printed walking shorts

The Limited denim metro shorts

Forever 21 shorts

ASOS shorts

Do you like wearing shorts?  How do you like to wear them?  Casual? Work?  Evening?

Mod Squad

Sorry I've been a little out of commission the last several days.  We got a major snowstorm, and I spent the weekend at home in sweats.

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

Today's look is inspired by 1960s mod dressing.  The black and white graphic, almost 3-D print of the blouse has a cool pop art feel that makes me think of mod styles from the 60s, especially when color blocked with the red pants. 

I added a vintage necklace from the 60s and a graphic ring to complete the look.

Vintage Necklace:  Philadelphia Vintage and Consignment Shoppe

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited

Our clothing choices always take place in a social context. My choices today are related to the fashion and style of the 1960s and a major social movement that still influences us today (learn more about the mod movement here and here). 

My outfit today is also tied to current social events sure to make history.  Today, I'm wearing red to show my support for marriage equality, an issue that is very near and dear to my heart.  As the U.S. Supreme Court debates the future of California's Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act this week, my thoughts are on creating a more equal society that recognizes the rights of all of its citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.

Jacket:  The Limited
Ring:  LOFT

Do you like mod styles? 



For more information on the Supreme Court hearings, see here.
 
See these pants styled differently, see here, here, and here.
See this jacket in other looks here, here, here, here, and here.

If you dress for it, will it come?

Well, we are expecting snow this weekend!!!  So much for spring weather anytime soon (grumble, grumble)!

Peplum blazer:  Target Petites (Available here)
Pants: The Limited (Available here)

Feeling the urge to bring on spring, I chose a fresh and spring-y color palette of navy, coral, and white.  Polkadots feel happy and always make me think of spring.

Cuff:  Express
Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Top:  Forever 21+

I've been trying to think of more fun and trendy ways to wear my several pairs of dress pants.  I find them to be the most work-appropriate pants; however, I find that they can get dreadfully boring and sometimes stodgy.

I am not a fan of a super-classic or preppy style, so I like that the trendy peplum and bold cuff add in a little of my own flair.

Tote:  The Limited (old)

Do you wear dress pants for work?  How do you make them more stylish and more "you"? 

To see this blazer styled differently, see here and here.
For these pants styled differently, see and  here.
 

Where's Spring?

Ugggghhhhhhh!  I am sooo tired of the cold weather we keep having!  It's the first day of spring, but the temperature is anything but spring-like.  

The sun was shining, but I was freezing while taking these pics!!!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Top:  Forenza by The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)

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

This cold weather is leaving me in a little bit of a fashion rut.  I have bare legs, bright colors, and sandals on the brain, but the weather isn't cooperating.  

In a fashion rut, I always seem to stick to my comfort zone - neutral (okay, black) pieces in comfy shapes.

I wore the black heels (first pic) for work to help polish up this somewhat more casual look.  I would grab the studded flats to run errands or go shopping after work.

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

Purse:  The Limited (old)

The white tote gave a touch of spring to the outfit.

How's the weather in your area?  

For this blouse in a different look, see here.
For this jacket styled differently, see here, here, and here. 

Mint to Be

Today, I paired this faux leather gored skirt with a mint crochet tee and beaded chainlink necklace.  

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Not available on-line; available in some stores; see here)

For work, I kept the look simple (and warm) with a classic black blazer, black mesh tights, and ankle boots.

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

I debated whether to wear the cropped blazer or classic suit jacket this morning.  I opted for the longer blazer for work, but after seeing the pictures, I definitely prefer the cropped jacket with this look as the proportions work better together.

I had originally conceived of this skirt and top as part of an evening look.  Floral lace-up heels from Prabal Gurung's recent line for Target and a straw clutch help make the outfit evening-ready.  

I love the fresh and modern shape of this skirt.  Leather is somewhat unexpectedly a major trend for spring.  Expect to see many leather and faux-leather options in stores this spring.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  Target (Sold out on-line; may be available in some stores)

I'm also super excited about all of the mint green items popping up in stores.  It's one of my favorite colors!

Clutch:  Target (old)
Bracelets:  Express, Claire, local jewelry show

Would you wear a faux leather skirt in spring? Will you be wearing mint green this spring?

To see cropped blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

See classic blazer in other looks, here, here, here, here, here, and here.