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jane's closet: bold printed skirt

2/26/2014

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It's been awhile since I've done a Jane's Closet post! These photos have been in a folder for several months, but I think this skirt is a great piece for the transition into spring. Although the fabric is a light cotton, the color palette is season-less. While the weather is still a bit chilly, this skirt could easily be paired with black tights.

With such a bold pattern, I wanted to play up the contrasting colors so I kept the theme of black, red, and white throughout the outfits. However, that is not the only way to style the skirt. For a pop of color that is not in the pattern, try coral.

A pleated, a-line skirt like this has a lot of width on the lower half of the body. It is important to define the smallness of the waist when there is lots of fabric on the bottom. This can be achieved with either a belt (as shown in the outfits on the right) or with the ribbon detail on the blazer (as shown on the left). Don't be afraid to have some fun with your belt. The belt shown in the upper-right photo is a black and white animal print. Although the patterns are quite different, the color palette unites the two pieces.

Having a patterned skirt like this one is a great addition to any wardrobe. It can be paired with more traditional pieces for an office look or worn with a white tee and riding boots for a more casual outfit. 
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nautical wear for spring

2/24/2014

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After a cold and snowy couple months, we enjoyed a taste of warm weather this week in Chicago. However, it will still be awhile before we can break out the shorts and sandals. During the slow transition from winter to spring, I embrace nautical fashion because you can combine the spirit of warm weather without losing much-needed layers.
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Image Credit: Damian Gadal via Flickr
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Old Navy Contrast Stripe Tee $16.94
An easy way to add a nautical feel to your look is by switching your neutrals. Leave your black, grey, and taupe pieces in the back of your closet. Instead try navy and bright white for a fresh, crisp look, with bonus points if you wear them together, preferably in a horizontal stripe. Since bright hues are always important in spring fashion, throw in dash of cobalt, orange, red, and/or yellow.

Nautical inspired tops are very versatile because they can be worn with denim and dark bottoms now and later with white skirts and shorts for a summer look.
Striped sweaters and long sleeve tees are especially easy to find this time of year since stores have their January resort collections on sale and are also beginning to stock their spring lines. You'll be able to layer the pieces now and then wear them on their own during chilly spring days and cool summer nights. Blazers and jersey knit dresses also often come in nautical inspired color palettes and patterns and are great statement pieces! Add solid colored accessories like a coral belt or yellow ballet flats to keep the pieces looking fresh and relaxed. 
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Ann Taylor Striped Sweater Jacket $129
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Vineyard Vines Wavy Stripe Boatneck Dress $168
This is not the first time I have written about nautical clothing, so be sure to check out my old post here as well as more nautical outfit ideas and color inspiration on my Pinterest page.
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gear for rainy days

2/20/2014

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When the snowy days of winter begin winding down, we can all look forward to the rainy days of spring. However, just like the cold weather requires appropriate clothing, you'll need to be prepared to stay dry in the rain.
rainy days

rainy days by practicallystylishblog featuring tall boots
Classic Trench Coat
Make sure your trench is waterproof or at the very least water- resistant. That way you'll never be caught totally unawares in a downpour. Plus, a trench coat is one of the most polished and versatile options in spring outerwear. It can be worn to work, to the grocery store or to dinner and will keep you looking stylish.

Colorful Rain Boots
Warm weather means bright colors, which are especially necessary on those grey and rainy days. Choose a boot in your favorite color and it'll put a smile on your face every time you splash through a puddle.

Patterned Umbrella
I have a terrible habit of misplacing umbrellas, so I don't like to spend much money on them, but even the cheapest options come in a variety of bold patterns. Coordinate with your rain boots or just pick a print that speaks to you.
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effortlessly plan your outfits for the week

2/16/2014

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One of the tips I always see in magazines for getting organized is to plan your week on Sunday afternoons. That is easier said than done. I would rather spend that time curled up on the couch with a good book than filling in a spreadsheet of meals and outfits and whatnot for the upcoming week. However, 20 minutes of effort before the start of the work week will save you time and energy in the mornings. It probably won't be the most fun activity of your weekend, but by Thursday morning you'll be glad you did it:

1. Check the weather. The 5 day forecast won't be perfect, but at least you'll have a general overview of the week. Plan to wear your dresses and skirts on the warmer days and save your pants for the rain and cold. 

2. Take a look at your calendar. If you have any big meetings, you'll want to make sure that you plan to wear a suit (or your sharpest business casual look, depending the office dress code). Also be sure to look at your post-work commitments. If you have a dinner date that doesn't leave you enough time to change, you'll want to wear versatile "desk-to-dinner" pieces.

3. Tweak a basic formula. It can be overwhelming to come up with five outfits all at once, so start simple. For example, each week you might wear a dress one day, a skirt one day, trousers two days, and denim one day. That decreases the number of options you have to sort through so just have to add tops to match the weather and the formality of the specific day.

4. Move the clothes to the front of your closet. It is much easier to put an outfit together when you can look at the actual pieces. Go to your closet and hang the base pieces from your formula front and center. Then add the rest of the pieces so the full outfits are hanging together. If you want, you can even hang jewelry and accessories with the pieces to increase ease of getting dressed. 

The beauty of this is that even if you wake up late and are not feeling confident about that day's outfit, you will have other options ready for you. Plus, planning out the week means that you'll know if you need to do a load of laundry on Sunday, rather than on Wednesday morning as you are trying to run out the door. How do you make getting dressed a little less crazy in the mornings? Let me know in the comments!
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happy valentine's day!

2/14/2014

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I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, no matter how you are celebrating. I wish that I could send cards to each of you, but since that's not feasible, here are some virtual candy hearts to let you know how wonderful I think all of you are:
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