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?

True Romance

Today's black and white look features a color blocked chiffon dress with pretty pleating detail.

Dress:  The Limited (old)
Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Belt:  The Limited

I added a cropped jacket, knotted belt, and floral lace-up heels.  

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target

I love that this look has a very romantic vibe.  

I also really love this dress, but I have difficulty styling it.  Dresses offer limited styling options anyway, but so far, I've only paired this with black blazers and jackets.  I think the dress might work with pastels like mint or pale pink, but I still seem to reach for the black to wear with it.

Purse:  Target (old)

How would you style this dress?

For other ways I've styled this dress, see here and here.
For more of spring's black and white fashion trend, see here.

Graphic Flow

Pants:  Target (old)

Today's black and white look pairs silky pajama style pants with an asymmetrical trapeze tank.

Tank:  Target (old)

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Neon pink heels add a pop of color and the polka dot clutch adds another fun graphic print to the look.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

I love this look!!  It's super comfortable and is such a relaxed way to look chic while going out.

Cuff:  The Limited

Slouchy pants and a trapeze tank definitely break the fashion rules for short curvy girls, but who cares?  Rules are meant to be broken, right?! ;-D

Today's look also provides a segue into this week's feature - black and white!  All looks this week will feature this major spring trend!

Hope you enjoy!!

Urban Safari

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Today's post features an outfit that I wore to work yesterday.

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available in other colors here)

I paired red pants with a black wrap top, camel blazer, and leopard print heels.

I originally conceived of this outfit with just a simple black silky tee, but I decided that I wanted a slightly longer and more detailed top.  The pics with the plain top are from this past weekend (before my haircut).

Top:  Old Navy Petites
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Purse:  Express (Similar here)
Necklace:  Forever 21 (Available here)

I love that this look has a slight safari feel with the camel jacket and leopard print.  The red makes the look perfect for navigating the urban jungle!  ;-)

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

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Would you pair red with leopard print?

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

Spring To It

Today, I bring you a professional spring work look.

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

I paired a green pencil skirt with a white top and jacket.  To add some visual interest, I added this floral scarf.

Top:  Torrid (old)
Scarf:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Bracelets:  Express, Target

This outfit is quite conservative, more conservative than I usually go for.  I like it though because it feels so fresh and springy with the combination of green and white.  It's a great way to bring a little of the joy of spring into the office.

Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)
Purse:  The Limited (Similar here)

Hope you all have a great day!!

For this skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For this top in another look, see here.

Easy Black and White

Last week, we had some chilly weather.  I wore this outfit to work to stay warm.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available in ivory here)
Purse:  The Limited (old)

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

I love this outfit!  It's my favorite color combo; the top has a great graphic print; and I can't get enough faux leather lately!

Heels:  Target (old)
Necklace (worn as bracelet):  Target

What's your favorite color combination?

To see this blouse in another look, see here.

For this jacket styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

For more on the black and white trend for spring, see here and here.

Stripes & Polka Dots

Today's work look takes a nautical inspiration.  I love playing with prints, and mixing stripes and polka dots is a fun and simple way to do it. 

Skirt:  The Limited
Tank:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

The striped A-line skirt (it has pockets!) complements the coral dotted tank.  The navy blazer and pumps pull the look together and make it perfect for work.

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

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I love that the color blocking on this necklace also creates a striped effect, adding to the pattern mixing of this look.

Satchel:  The Limited (Similar here)

Do you like nautical-inspired looks?  Would you wear mixed prints?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For this tank in another look, see here.