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blazer questions answered

1/27/2013

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Ann Taylor Stretch Crepe Ampere Jacket in Rose Taffy $69.99
    During further discussion with Jane about her comment, several additional questions were raised about length, style, and fabric. The one thing that she seemed sure about was color: black. As a result, my first suggestion to her was decidedly not black. Since Jane does not need this for her professional life and most of her dresses are black, I decided on this bright pop of coral to add freshness. Although I believe wholeheartedly in the power of a fabulous black blazer, pairing it over a black dress creates a more melancholy outfit than most occasions call for. This particular blazer appealed to me because of the beautiful crepe fabric, the tailored fit, and the easy-to-wear color.

Three ways Jane can wear it:
    #1: Tuck a white scoopneck tee into jeans and wear with a red or metallic skinny belt. Add the blazer (with cuffed sleeves, of course!) and accessorize with a sparkly bracelet and a patterned scarf.
    #2: Slip into your favorite LBD, add a metallic belt at the waist and wear the blazer open as an alternative to a cardigan or wrap.
    #3: Pair with a burgundy skirt and a grey silk shell. Add a garnet necklace to play up the color-on-color pairing.
    While I was searching the sale racks, I also found this black crepe wool blazer (which is no longer available online) which is closer to what Jane had in mind. The main reason I don't suggest buying a traditional suit jacket to wear over a dress for formal event is that it is hard to shake the business look. Fabric can make a huge difference; I have a soft spot for crepe blend fabrics because they are more associated with "dress up" than with work.

    A decidedly non-work detail like this ribbon tie not only elevates the jacket, but also creates a small waist. Although not visible in this photo there is a horizontal seam underneath the ribbon that defines the waist and gives the jacket a tailored look with a flirty edge. Be aware of where seams are hitting you; a horizontal seam should be pretty close to your natural waist. If not, try Petite or Tall sizes or shop around at other stores until you find a clothing line that uses torso measurements similar to your own.

    Generally shorter jackets are easier to transition into evening than the longer, "boyfriend" style pieces, however, as shown by the coral blazer, the sum is more important than all of the parts so don't be afraid to try something out of the box!
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Ann Taylor Crepe Wool Ribbon Jacket $89.99
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work to weekend 

1/12/2013

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Lands' End Canvas Shrunken Blazer $79.99
The Blazer
This work staple should not be confined to your office 9-5. For a business casual look that transitions to Friday happy hour, pair with black, slim ankle pants, a collar-less oxford (tucked in and with a belt through the loops), and shiny, patent pumps. Don't forget to cuff your sleeves for a more relaxed look!

For a Saturday morning spent running errands or watching your kid's soccer game, layer a turtleneck underneath and wear with denim and boots. My favorite thing about tweed blazers is that they are some of the warmest winter layering pieces without having the bulk of quilted down. For a little extra pop, add on a colorful pendant.

Finish your weekend with Sunday brunch and afternoon at the symphony. Pair your blazer with a great wool pencil skirt. Cuff the sleeves and leave unbuttoned to show a chic, patterned shell underneath. Finish with heels and a couple bright bangles.
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Banana Republic Francine Framed Sheath Dress $140
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Banana Republic Vibrant Purple Ponte Sheath Dress $120
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LOFT Pencil Skirt $69.50
The easiest style trap to fall into is only buying pieces for specific occasions-work, weekend or party-instead of finding pieces that are for your life in general. With a little creative layering and accessorizing, your favorite work pieces will become your favorite everything pieces. Plus, these three versatile pieces are probably already in your closet!

The Sheath Dress
My go-to piece when I am running late for work is a cobalt blue ponte sheath dress. It is one of the easiest pieces to coordinate with, it is comfortable and rarely gets wrinkled.

For work, pair with a cardigan or blazer. Don't be afraid to mix bright colors. A coworker paired the same blue sheath I have with a citrine belt worn at the waist and layered with a green cardigan for a spring-fresh look. For a wintery look, pair with black tights, a grey cardigan or blazer and black pumps.

For dinner out on Saturday night, belt at the waist with a metallic or brightly colored belt. Add a patterned scarf that can be used as a shawl if the restaurant is chilly and a sparkly bracelet or two.

Dress it down for your Sunday afternoon book club with a cozy sweater, ribbed tights, and riding boots.

The Pencil Skirt
A knee-length pencil is a chic choice for almost any event. Whether you prefer basic black or something a little more daring, this is your ultimate work to weekend piece.

Pair with a ruffled top and slip into your favorite heels to create a Friday night look that will make your party dresses jealous.

For coffee with friends on Saturday, layer a striped long sleeve tee under a cardigan and accessorize with a patterned scarf. Pair with flats or boots, depending on the weather forecast.

Hosting a dinner party on Sunday night? Tuck in your favorite sweater, wear a metallic skinny belt around the waistband and finish with colored heels and a sparkly, statement necklace.
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new year, new sales

1/9/2013

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January is a great time to go shopping because the stores are free of the holiday chaos and they have fantastic deals. Below I have gathered some practically stylish pieces that won't break the bank (including a few favorites from previous posts that are now on sale!). Style numbers are provided for easier in-store shopping and, as always, clicking on a photo will link you to the item.

If you have questions about outfit pairings for any of these pieces, let me know in the comments! Happy hunting!
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Lands' End Ponte Ankle Pants $24.99 #41250-1WA6
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LOFT Rose Print Tank $49.99 #295344
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J. Crew Patent Leather Square Buckle Belt in Dried Papaya $14.99 #29943
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LOFT Lace Overlay Shell $44.99 #298313
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WHBM Geo-Print Appliqued Skirt $89.99 #570062615
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Banana Republic Metallic Bow Skinny Belt $32.99 #230643
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Banana Republic Zoe Floral Scarf in Magenta $41.99 #414550
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Gap Ponte Academy Blazer in Navy $54.99 #903293
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Lands' End Drapey Ponte V-Neck Dress $44.99 #42248-0WA9
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WHBM Button Detail Long Sleeve Turtleneck $49.99 #570062202
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Ann Taylor Sorrel Boot Skirt $54.99 #294131
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Lands' End Canvas Lambswool Sweater Coat $89.99 #42313-1XQ1
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J. Crew Sterling Skirt in Heather Acorn $79.99 #13543
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Ann Taylor Deco Trellis Bangle $34.99 #296618
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LOFT Princess Stripe Chalet Tee $24.99 #291608
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the winter blues

1/8/2013

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Find pieces with interesting details. What sold me on this striped top was the chambray cuff detail. It gives the top more pizzazz and thus more versatility than your basic tee.

Stripes are the easiest pattern to mix with (in my opinion) so I added the navy, floral scarf. The large swath of solid navy in the scarf helps tone down the patterns and the hint of pink in the scarf (see right) gives the perfect excuse to add in a belt!

Pair this ensemble with denim and boots for your new go-to day look. If you live in a colder climate, try layering a basic long sleeve tee underneath the striped top for added warmth.

Love this top as much as I do? Get it at Ann Taylor for $58.
What's the best part of the winter doldrums? Nautical themed resort wear is back in fashion. Even if (or rather, especially if) you are stuck in cold weather for January and February, you can still rock a vacation worthy look. These pieces add a bit of brightness to your winter taupes and greys and will be very wearable through spring.

I love a bold stripe for my casual wear; navy is always a classic choice, but there are also some great reds, yellows, and oranges out right now.
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Want more options? Here are my picks for a chic nautical look:

BR Geo Dot Pencil Skirt $89.50

LOFT Striped Drop Shoulder T $44.50

Gap Ponte Academy Blazer $88

Ann Taylor Striped Boatneck T $48
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If you are feeling bold, try pairing your stripe with a more heavily patterned scarf. The key is to minimize the number of colors in the outfit so it still feels thoughtful and focused. Three colors is usually a safe bet- only two can feel boring and heavy and four or more has the potential to be chaotic. If in doubt, try on the outfit in front of full length mirror and go with your gut.

Looking for more subdued blues? Try layering different shades of the same color for subtle flair:
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style resolutions

1/1/2013

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Martha Stewart Collection Recipe Box
Happy New Year! It is the time to start dodging all of our well-intentioned resolutions and create busy work for ourselves to avoid going to the gym. If you are at home, regretting the promises you made to yourself (or just regretting staying out so late last night), I have an easy style challenge for you to get your spirits up. We are going to start our own style boxes for 2013. It is common practice to collect favorite recipes in a recipe box, so why not put all of your best fashion ideas in one place?

Step 1: All you need is a pack of index cards and a small box to fit them in. Just like a recipe box is organized by cookies, meats, sides, etc, our style box will be organized by dress code: Work, Casual, Dressy Casual, and Party. As your box fills up, feel free to add additional dividers for seasons.

Step 2: Start your style box with 8 outfits, two in each category. These should be your go-to favorites, the ones that always make you feel good about yourself. On individual index cards, write a description of your outfit.
Example:
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Step 3: When you wear an outfit that you like, write it down on an index card and file it away. Aim to add at least two outfits per week. The more you add, the more helpful it will be for you. When I get a new item (or rediscover an old favorite), I tend to put it heavily into my style rotation for a few weeks before moving onto something else that is at the front of my closet. A style box will help ensure that just because a piece is stuck in the back of the closet (or in the pile waiting for the dry cleaner) doesn't mean you have to forget about it.

Step 4: The next time you are are having trouble picking the perfect outfit or need help packing for a trip, pull out your style box. It's the perfect low-tech way to get an easy outfit without needing a Clueless style closet computer.

Want to add some artsy extras to your style box?
-Try using different colored index cards for each style category
-Take photos of you in your outfits and paste them to the backs of your index cards
-Use markers to color the upper right corner of each index card with the colors in the outfit

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