Since I have not been able to post as often as I would like, I have finally caved and joined Pinterest. This means that I can easily and quickly add photos of style inspiration for your (and my) enjoyment. I will have a new post up here in the next couple days, but until then, check out the looks that I am loving at www.pinterest.com/practicalstyl. Thanks for your patience with my erratic posting schedule!

    Jane's other new blazer is a little less traditional- a boyfriend style in a bright, vibrant color. However, that doesn't mean that it can't easily be integrated into a more traditional wardrobe. The base layers in these outfits are the same as the ones shown in yesterday's black blazer post, but the overall effect is quite different.

    A boyfriend style jacket is defined by the longer length and, often, a straight fit. This means that you have to be aware of the proportions you are creating. Defining your waist, either with a belt, a tightly fitting top or by buttoning the jacket, can help elongate your legs instead of your torso.

    This jacket is more casual and fun than the short, black one and as a result gives these looks a fresher, trendier vibe. I have already discussed the two outfits on the right in great detail here, so I will instead concentrate on the dressy look to the right. With such a focal blazer, I don't like to add in many other eye-popping elements. The base pieces are both dark and even though the skirt is a colored lace, it does not compete with the jacket for attention. Make sure that your eyes are not pulled in multiple directions, because the most important part of the outfit is you, not your clothes.

    Dark colors and neutrals are not the only ways to wear this statement jacket. A patterned shirt in the same color is a fun way to layer. I found this ruffled bird pattern top in the back of Jane's closet which was a near perfect match! Chances are if you find a color you are drawn too, you have already bought something in it previously. This makes for fun and unexpected pairings.

    Since the top is very bright and busy, I felt that it was important to ground the outfit with a neutral. I paired it here with a dark brown skirt, but in the warmer months, this could just as easily be done with white or khaki on the bottom. A bright color can be just as practical in your wardrobe as a neutral as long as you are thoughtful about how you are wearing it!

    When Jane was looking for a new blazer, one of the most important things was that it would be versatile. I paired it with denim, a white tee and a cotton scarf for a relaxed look that is perfect for lunch with friends or any day that just requires a little extra polish. When I am wearing a blazer with a casual, daytime look, I like to scrunch  or cuff the sleeves to add a softer edge. As far as accessories go, a scarf is generally less formal than a necklace and still adds a finishing touch. When trying to dress down a blazer, go with cotton, not a silk (or other shiny) scarf. An untucked layering piece can also help tone down the formality of a blazer, but make sure it doesn't hang too far below- just about an inch is good and you get bonus points if there is an interesting hem detail!

This weekend I had the opportunity to style Jane's new blazers as well as a few other new pieces in her closet. As a tie-in to my last post, this post is about dressing up t-shirts. The base tee layer pictured here is a white lace front tee, but these same looks could easily be done with a simpler tee as well.

After you get into the habit of layering and accessorizing, one of the easiest traps to fall into is to always wear an outfit the same way each time. This makes it easy to get dressed in the morning, but it also is a quick way to become disillusioned with your wardrobe. A varied assortment of accessories in your closet is the key to a dynamic style.

In general, a scarf makes an outfit more casual and jewelry dresses it up. 99% of the time I choose either a necklace or a scarf, not both. Wearing a long pendant necklace underneath a scarf can be a fun pop, but can have the downside of adding extra (visual) weight to your neck.

Note that the teal and brown scarf is not a perfect color match to the cardigan. We don't expect our jewelry to match perfectly so we need to apply those same standards to scarves. Keep in the same or a complementary color palette and don't forget to embrace a great pattern!

When wearing a tee without an outer layer, an extra accessory can make the difference between boring and chic. I added the brown belt to give extra definition, but instead placed it right above the top of the pant waistband instead of right at the natural waist. This feels relaxed but structured.

A scarf makes a bigger impact that most necklaces which I prefer when wearing the tee on its own. One pitfall to avoid is pairing oversized necklaces with a tee- it's just a knit so don't accessorize it the same way you would a cocktail dress.

Paired underneath a blazer, a tee takes on a whole new level of polish. I paired a skinny red belt (sorry for the photo quality) under the blazer because I wanted to leave it unbuttoned to show off the lace on the tee, especially the great scallop detail on the bottom. Since the blazer is a bright, bold color, the accessories have minimal contrast.

The garnet necklace and red belt are the same darker red that helps to ground the look. Although in this case the scarf is very close in color to the jacket, the dark brown scarf in the picture directly above would also be appropriate. If you are not matching the color exactly, going with darker neutrals is a relatively safe rule of thumb. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident so take a look in the mirror and trust your gut if you have any misgivings.