Hot Pink

I have been wearing a lot of black lately.  Anytime the temperature dips, I want to wear my black tights, which in turn leads to me wanting to wear black shoes.  Since  black shoes with black tights elongates the leg, that is what I always reach for.  I attempted to add some color to my darker pallet by wearing a hot pink dress last Thursday for a mini hunt.gather.style pop-up.  I think it is time to ban black from my wardrobe for a week and rely on bolder colors.  Do you rely on black come winter?

Vintage dress and blazer, Spanx tights, Forever 21 belt, Bongo oxfords.  Photo snapped by Sharon.

Wardrobe Basics: The Coat

Everyone needs a great coat, no matter the climate you live in.  Since it is warmer in Austin, and I only need a coat every once in a while, I don’t spend a ton of money on mine. If I lived in a climate where my coat got a lot of wear, I would spend more on it.  My two favorite coats come from Old Navy and Forever 21.  The Old Navy coat is black with a funnel neck and works great when we travel to cold places.  My Forever 21 coat is mustard yellow and adds a bit of cheeriness to a dreary day.  I think every woman needs at lest two coats: one in a dark color and one in a fun color.  Here are some of my picks.

How great is this bright pink coat from Old Navy?  It looks a lot more expensive than it really is and the neckline makes it perfect for fancier nights out. And, it has a striped lining!

If I lived somewhere that required a coat every day during the winter I would spring for this one. 

This bright orange coat is guranteed to make you smile even on the darkest, coldest day.

I own this Old Navy coat and I love it.  It is warm and goes with everything.

I love this classic camel coat.  

What does your winter coat look like?

Too Trendy?

I was shopping with a client on Wednesday when I spotted a fellow shopper wearing what seemed like every trend for 2011.  Wearing head-to-toe trends made it seem like she was trying too hard.  I knew that she would look back on photos and be able to pinpoint the exact date of the picture.  This is something that I try to avoid.  Am I successful all the time? No.  But I try to combine of-the-moment-pieces with classic pieces.  I don’t want to look back on pictures and say, “Oh.  That is when I started reading blogs and thought that I could mix patterns, wear open toe booties, colored tights, and a neon necklace all at once!!! “

So, how many trendy pieces are too many?   1? 2? 5?  I don’t think there is an exact number, but I always think your trendy pieces should be grounded by classics.  If you are wearing a colored skinny jean (very trendy!) the rest of your look should be classic.   It doesn’t get more classic than a white button down shirt and navy blazer.  These pieces play well with the trendy jean and allow you to look current, but not like you are trying too hard.  The second look features a camel sweater; camel is a classic color and is a great contrast to a colored jean.

Whenever you are wearing trendy pieces, remember that it is important to incorporate classics in your look.  Piling on trends creates a look that might make you cringe later. Who wants that?  So, how many trends do you wear at once?  Do you have a specific formula you follow?

Suit with Shorts

I have never owned a suit before, nor have I ever had to wear a suit.  I know many people complain about having to wear suits, but it is something that I want to do, just once.  For now, I will sport my own interpretation of a suit.  Obviously, this version is NOT work appropriate, but it is a fun way to add a bit of polish to shorts.  This outfit was worn to shop with a client and then dinner with my sister-in-law.  Do you have to wear a suit to work?  If not, do you ever make your own version?

Vintage blazer, top from Langford Market, 81 Poppies shorts, Payless shoes.

Unexpected Cocktail Attire

I know it is hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us.  Which means many family gatherings, holiday parties, and office parties.  Many of these events require cocktail attire, and since I love an excuse to dress up, this excites me greatly.  Sometimes instead of the trusty LBD, you want something different, something a bit unexpected.  If this sounds like you, then I have some options for you.

I am absolutely in love with this mock turtle neck dress.  I love how it is covered up, but still sexy at the same time.  I would switch out the black shoe for a colored shoe for an extra pop of color.

I have one pair of dressy pants, but I definitely wish I had more.  These Alice and Olivia pants  are a fun way to stay warm and still look nighttime ready.  I would pair them with a white t-shirt, statement necklace and sparkly clutch.

While a sequined mini definitely says cocktail attire, I would make it a little more unexpected by pairing it with a fisherman’s sweater, tights, and booties.

What do you wear when you don’t want to wear a cocktail dress?  Also, my Thanksgiving dress is on sale here and here.  I totally caved and bought it.  Maybe you should too.

 

Time for Tights

While it is not quite tight season here in Austin, most of the country is experiencing weather cold enough to warrant tights.  I buy the same tights every year–Spanx Tight End Tights High-Waisted tights.  They are wonderful.  They stay put all day and they are comfortable.  They don’t cause a fat roll that I have found some tights create.  And the best part?  I have found they last at least two seasons.  That is two seasons of regular wear.  So while they are more expensive than your average drugstore brand, they are worth every penny.    What kind of tights do you wear?  Are you a Spanx devotee like I am?

Leather Pencil Skirt

I scored this leather pencil skirt at Thrift Town this past summer for 3.00.  To make the deal even sweeter?  It fit like a glove.  I have always loved the idea of a leather pencil skirt, but wasn’t really willing to spend the money on something I wasn’t sure I would wear all the time.  I tell my clients all the time that pieces that aren’t going to get a lot of wear should not cost a lot.  It is all about the cost per wear.  So far my cost per wear is 3.00.  I am hoping to get the cost per wear down to pennies.  At first this skirt didn’t seem like something I would wear all the time, but I have a feeling it is going to get  a lot of use.  Would you wear a leather skirt?

Vintage leather skirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim sweater, Stella Dot necklace, Payless shoes, and Forever 21 trench.

Black Blazer

We had a cold front, ok a cool front , come in yesterday and I finally had the opportunity to wear my wool black blazer.  Ok, I have worn it before yesterday, but I almost passed out from being too hot.  Wool is meant for chilly temps.  This fitted blazer is going to get a lot of wear this fall/winter.  If you don’t have a fitted blazer yet, that should be on your list of pieces to buy.  This one came from Goodwill for under 10 dollars.  Goodwill/thrift stores are a great place to pick up blazers.  I would head to the little boy’s section first to check out what they have.  Little boy blazers tend to be more fitted (duh. They are for little boys) and it great condition.  If not, look in the women’s section for something that is a little cropped, fitted, and gives you a waist.  If the arms are a little short, no big deal.  Just roll up the sleeves so it looks intentional.  They are also great to wear on top of billowy dresses for some added structure.  Do you have a fitted black blazer?

Thrifted blazer, DVF dress, Payless heels, billowy look courtesy of wind from cool front.

Wardrobe Basic: Statement Necklaces

Gracey from Fashion for Giants wrote me last week asking about statement necklaces.  You all know I LOVE a statement necklace, so I am happy to create a post demystifying statement necklaces.

While they might not seem like a wardrobe basic,  statement necklaces are a wardrobe basic.  They add some visual interest to a t-shirt and jeans look or help a cocktail dress become a showstopper.  Every woman should have a statement necklace and a cocktail ring in her jewelry arsenal.  So, if you don’t own one, how do you choose?  Here are few tips to help you pick out your own statement necklace.

1.  When trying something out of your comfort zone for the first time, I always recommend going a bit cheaper.  If you realize you wear it all the time, then it is worth the upgrade.

2. Out of all my statement necklaces, I gravitate towards my blue ones and my bronze one the most.  They play well with the majority of my clothes and aren’t too flashy, making them perfect for everyday wear.  What colors will go well with your wardrobe?

3.  Proportion is key here.  I have broader shoulders and am a bit taller, so I can wear a large statement necklace.  If you are petite, make sure you pick a smaller statement necklace.  Remember, it only needs to be a statement on you.

4.  Keep the earrings simple.  I either wear studs or no earrings at all.

5.  Keep the rest of your outfit simple.  If I am looking to make a really bold statement, I will pair my necklace with a bold outfit, but many times you will see me using my statement necklace to dress up a casual outfit.

6.  You can never go wrong with pearls.  If you can find a statement necklace with pearls, I promise you will get a lot of use out it.  It is classic and goes with everything.

Still can’t decide?  Here are some of my picks:

This is a simple and cheap way to give statement necklaces a try.

This black J Crew necklace is super easy to wear.  I broke my black statement necklace and I always wish I had one to wear with everything from t-shirts to stripes to dresses.

I love this Stella and Dot pearl necklace.  It is classic and works well with t-shirts and dresses.

Want a bold statement necklace?  Then this J Crew one is for you!

I ordered this one this past weekend.  I think it would be the perfect way to add some sparkle to a t-shirt.

This one is pricey, but worth it.  It plays well with black, navy, camel, white, brown, and gold.

 

If you are petite, this necklace is perfect for you.

So, tell me.  Do you have a statement necklace?

Basic

Yesterday I wore a pretty basic outfit.  It was finally sweater weather here and the thought of wearing a sweater AND jeans was quite exciting.  Since I had a long day of shopping (oh poor me, right?), a consultation with a super nice new client, and a few other meetings, I knew I needed something comfortable and warm-ish to last from morning to night.  So, I went with something simple: a striped sweater, jeans, and one of my most comfortable pair of heels.  Surprisingly, to me at least, my expensive  heels are not my most comfortable.  I have a few designer pairs of heels and they are nowhere near as comfortable as these ones from Payless .  Go figure.  Since I knew I would be on my feet all day,  the Payless heels won over designer.  Comfort doesn’t win every time in my book, but sometimes, you have to give into it.

 Old Navy sweater and jeans, Payless heels, Forever 21 necklace.

 A vintage turquoise ring that I lovingly stole borrowed from my mom.