Skirt Week: Cabana Coral

Happy Thursday!

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Tee:  The Limited (Available here)

Today's casual look makes me long for the beach.  It's perfect with a floppy hat for a cantina brunch or for sipping daquiris under a cabana.

I wish I had this outfit during my trip to the Cape, but this outfit works well as a casual summer outfit in the city as well!

Necklace:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; Similar here)

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

The hooded sandals give the draped jersey skirt a little bit of an urban edge that made it perfect for a casual after-work dinner last night.

Sandals:  Target (old)

This skirt fits me longer than it was intended, but I liked the midi-length and decided not to have it altered.

This outfit is not the most flattering in the usual sense of the word. It accentuates my shortness, for example.  I'm okay with that!  There's plenty of tall people in the world - why not embrace petiteness?

See more discussion of the notion of "flattering" here.

What does "flattering" mean to you in regards to fashion?

Skirt Week: Drama Queen

Hi everyone!  Today kicks off Skirt Week, and I'm super excited about this first look.

Skirt: The Limited (Available here)
Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target (Available on eBay here)

Tank:  Torrid (Available here)

I fell in love with this skirt from The Limited the second I saw it and just knew I had to make it mine!  The mini with sheer overlay is a clever and sexy way to show off the legs while still having some coverage.

Shoes:  Target

I hear a lot of petites say that they can't wear maxi skirts because they are too long.  Well, this one was definitely too long, but hemming is generally one of the easiest and least expensive tailoring options.  At 4'9", I have virtually all of my pants and skirts hemmed, even petites sizes.

I had both layers of the skirt hemmed to get the right fit, and I couldn't be happier with the result.

Jade ring:  Vintage (Similar here)

I have some ideas for how to style this skirt for early fall, but after playing dress up for a bit, I came up with this dramatic summer evening look.

I love how these separates create the look of a dress. 

The bold beaded chainlink necklace adds to the drama and really works with this simple color palette and easy, flowy pieces.

Necklace:  Target

Do you like the trend of sheer maxi skirts layered over minis?

For this top in another look, see here.

Dress Week: Coming Up Roses

Today, I conclude Dress Week with an ikat rose print maxi dress.

Dress:  Target (old)

Paired with wedge sandals, this dress has a relaxed and laid-back vibe that's perfect for summer.  The floor-length of this dress gives it an easy sophistication that feels casual but a little glam.

I would wear this to an outdoor party, to a casual dinner, or even to go shopping.

Cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target (old)
Clutch:  Vintage (eBay)

For cooler evenings or air-conditioned buildngs, this moto-style cardigan is a perfect lightweight touch.  I bought this cardigan last summer and it continues to be one of the favorite pieces in my wardrobe.

Bracelets:  Target, Claire's Express

Earrings:  Target
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

Do you like maxi dresses?  Where would you wear one like this?

For this cardigan in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Dress Week: Mixing Decades

Happy Saturday, everyone!

We have been having a lot of 90+ degree days lately.  This season, I am forcing myself to dress for the season and rid myself of the constant need for cardigans and blazers, at least when I'm not at work in my chilly office.

Tunic:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

In the past, I would have thrown a cardigan over this look, even in the height of a balmy Midwestern summer.

Today's look has a modern appeal but references the 1920s and 1940s.  

I am completely inspired by the 1920s.  The decade was such an amazing period of progress and change for women's political and social rights in this country.  With the social changes came a change in fashion.  I really can't get enough of 1920s fashion - so beautiful and interesting.  The dropped waist of this dress and bead necklace is a subtle nod to the flapper era.

With World War II in full swing, the 1940s also brought about a lot of change for women as women were told it was their patriotic duties to join the paid labor force and support the war efforts.  This decade led to war-time rationing, and the fashion of that decade also reflected those changes.  These color blocked bow heels give reference to 1940s fashion.

Necklace:  The Limited (old)
Clutch:  Target

Shoes:  eBay (Available here)
Bow earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Mixing fashion from two decades that brought such major change for women feels modern, fun, and just a little bit quirky!

Ring:  LOFT

Do you like wearing vintage or vintage-inspired fashion?  What fashion periods do you find inspiring?

For this tunic/dress in another look, see here

Dress Week: Red, White, and Blue

Hi everyone!

After featuring several evening looks, Dress Week continues today with a recent work outfit.

Dress:  New York & Company (old)
Blazer:  The Limited (old)

Earrings:  New York & Company (old)
Belt:  The Limited (old)

I had been trying to come up with a fresh way to wear this cobalt dress.  Since it's summer, I thought a lightweight white blazer would look crisp and be cool.

Heels:  Target (old)

Red really pops against cobalt, and together, I wound up with a red, white, and blue combo perfect for July!

Bangle:  The Limited (old)

Do you like wearing red, white, and blue?

For this dress in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here
 
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here

Dress Week: Tribal-Inspired

Global-inspired fashion was a huge trend on spring runways (see more here). 

I've long been inspired by everyday clothing and costume from around the world.  I'm particularly inspired by tribal clothing and jewelry - the rich textures, vibrant colors, and interesting metal work have influenced my home decor, and today, they influence my fashion choices.

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Available here)

I added a tribal-inspired necklace and zebra print bag to a bright orange dress for a fun evening look.  I especially love the bright orange of this dress paired with the bright citrine bag.  I tucked the strap into the bag to use the bag as a clutch, giving it a slightly dressier feel.

Necklace:  LOFT
Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Jacket:  LOFT Petites (Available in regular sizes here)

I purchased this strapless dress recently from LOFT.  The fit was a little off, and the dress kept sliding down in an unflattering way.  Since I needed the dress hemmed, I decided to use the extra fabric to add straps to prevent slippage.  

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Little tweaks like adding straps are an inexpensive and easy way to make pieces work for you.  

Do you like tribal-inspired fashion?  What are your fashion inspirations?

For this jacket in another look, see here.

St. Louis Fashion Week - Blogger Nominations

Hope you're all having a great evening.  I have fall fashion on the brain and am loving all the fall fashion on Style.com and in the glossies.

In local fashion news, St. Louis Fashion Week is right around the corner!  I've been to a few Fashion Week events but missed the shows last fall and spring.

Since Fall is this fashionista's favorite season - for fashion and everything else - I am definitely looking forward to attending to see what talented local designers have to offer!

I'm also looking forward to sharing the shows with you!

If you're so inclined, please consider nominating me for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards honoring St. Louis area bloggers. 

Here's the link:  http://www.saintlouisfashionweek.com/bloggers/st-louis-fashion-blogger-awards/

Thank you!  :-D