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essential fall pieces

8/30/2013

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It's finally Labor Day weekend and the end of summer which means that we can start seriously prepping our closets for fall. At the beginning of every season I like to take stock of what I already own so I can avoid missing staples or buying duplicates--fall is especially important since these pieces can be worn through April!

When going through your clothes, be sure to try on anything that you haven't worn recently. You may discover that some of last year's favorites no longer fit or are looking rather threadbare. Pay particular attention to your pants, even your work trousers that you may still be wearing regularly. Many dark colors start to fade so if it looks like you will be needing an update soon, it is better to start your pant search early in the season when there are plenty of options available- don't wait until your current go-to pieces are no longer salvageable.
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Boden Holborn Dress $138 (available in navy, black, grey, & red)
Remember that although dark colors do feel seasonal, you are not limited black and grey. Blue, burgundy, and teal all add brightness to an outfit while still feeling appropriate for the cooler temperatures.
One of my top must-haves for the season is a well tailored ponte sheath dress. Ponte is one of my favorite fabrics for work because it has stretch, but still creates a a structured look and the weight of the fabric helps to skim over any body imperfections. Throw on a blazer or cardigan for the office, add statement jewelry to transition it to dinner, or layer it over a long sleeve tee and pair with riding boots for a casual chic look. I love the contrast detailing and buttons on this sheath from Boden, but if you are wary of online shopping, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor usually have good selections of ponte sheath dresses. In a dress as a versatile as this I like to choose one with some color so that it can pair back to the neutral blazers that I already own without having to worry about whether or not it matches exactly.

A colored pant is also a great way to add a stylish pop to your outfit. We generally expect to see color on the upper half and a neutral on the bottom, so flipping it around helps to create a more dynamic ensemble. I love the styling of the Lands' End pant in the photo.
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Land's End Side-zip Ankle Pants $59 (available in raisin, black, evergreen, walnut, & navy)
If you find that your wardrobe is missing entire types of pieces, make sure not to go overboard and buy multiples of the same item in many colors. Cardigans are a great example of this. As any long time reader of this blog knows, I am obsessed with cardigans and wear them everywhere--I even have a dedicated cardigan for wearing while doing laundry! Although my passion for those buttoned sweaters has not wavered, I do find myself going through waves of admiration for specific ones. To be prepared for these moods, I have every style of cardigan imaginable: v-neck and crew neck; long, short, and 3/4 sleeve; cropped, boyfriend, and hip length; zippered and buttoned; patterned and solid; and even the cousin of the cardigan, the sweater jacket/blazer. The point is that not every style works for every occasion and although it is tempting to buy up a rainbow of colors in the first one you find that fits, it is better in the long run to do the extra legwork and find a few different options so that you are not limited by your clothes.
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Banana Republic Issa Collection Colorblock Cardigan $79.50 (available in black, navy, & red)
For the cooler weather of fall, cardigans really are the superstar of your closet. They are polished enough for work, easily dressed down with a pair of jeans and a tee, and a lifesaver when you are shivering in a cold restaurant in your cute little black dress. If you are not convinced and only want to try out one, my suggestion for maximum versatility would be the Banana Republic black and grey colorblock cardi.
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Lands' End Floral Print Cardigan $79
For the warmer days of early fall, try layering your favorite summer tops underneath long sleeve cardigans, but make sure that any new cardigans you buy have room in the arm to wear a shirt underneath. For additional styling ideas, check out pretty much any post from the archives!
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Ann Taylor Cardigan Jacket $98
When not rocking a cardigan, I am almost definitely in a blazer and one of the best things about fall is that the temperatures are finally cool enough to wear a tweed blazer without sweating half to death! While I am not usually one to shy away from color, I do recommend choosing a neutral color for your tweed. A well fitted blazer is not a disposable piece so while the pink or kelly green tweed may be appealing now, your wardrobe would be better served with an investment piece in a more traditional grey, black, navy or brown. That doesn't mean, however, that the piece needs to be boring to be serviceable--the Boden blazer that is shown below has great trim detailing and beautifully polished buttons.
I mostly wear my tweed jackets when I am trying to add polish to my denim for an elevated casual look, but they are also great layered over sheath dresses for work or mixed with your existing solid suiting options.

A tweed skirt is also a key cold weather piece, but it doesn't necessarily need to match your tweed jacket. I have an over abundance of tweed in my closet so although I do own a matching tweed skirt suit, it is rare that I wear it as such. Paired back to a crisp oxford and a solid blazer or cardigan, a tweed skirt is a great office wear piece, but I also like to wear it with dark tights, a cozy sweater, and riding boots for a weekend look.

If you do decide to wear a matching tweed skirt suit (or for the very brave, a tweed pant suit), try adding a lighter colored top underneath the blazer to visually lighten the weight of the fabric. To avoid creating a dated look, skip the pearls and heavy gold jewelry and instead choose colorful, light, and modern accessories.
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Boden British Tweed Blazer in Blue Stripe Herringbone $228
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J. Crew Crystal Wildflowers Necklace $59.50 (available in crystal, spearmint, & grey)
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the tie bar "checked up" mother of pearl cufflinks $20
To avoid boring work looks, take inspiration from menswear styling and pair colored oxfords under contrasting pullover sweaters. To add a feminine detail in place of a tie, layer a statement necklace under the collar but over the sweater. I love a chunky piece like the J. Crew necklace pictured because it doesn't get lost in the layers, but can also be worn as a wow factor with a dress for evening.
If you are looking to add sparkle or detail without the big statement, try accessorizing with cuff links. I love thetiebar.com because they have stylish options and reasonable prices. A few of my favorites are here, here, and here. Need a french cuff shirt to be able to wear all those fabulous cuff links? They can be found at Brooks Brothers as well as many department stores.

Also, remember that the same rule about variety with your cardigans apply to your pullovers. Having both crew neck and v-neck options in your rotation will allow you the freedom to wear many styles of blouse underneath the sweater and to display different lengths of necklaces.
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BR Oxford Shirt $64.50 (available in 7 solids & 2 stripes)
Sparkly jewelry is a great way to create visual interest as the colors become more subdued in the cooler weather, but if you prefer playing with pattern, there are still many options! Tweed is great for adding texture, striped tees can be layered under just about anything, scarves run the gamut of prints, and patterned skirts are one of the season's most darling pieces. A printed skirt is great for mixing up your traditional suiting options and this grey and black Boden polka dot skirt is one of my favorites.
I love that the cut of the skirt gives it movement without feeling heavy (although this polka dot print is also available as a pencil skirt if you prefer a straighter fit) and the small size of the dots keep it work appropriate. If you have a closet full of dark clothes, this is a great piece to help break up the monotony. Pair with a black sweater, tights and riding boots for an outfit that kicks it up a notch without taking you out of your comfort zone. For a conservative office, tuck in a white oxford and layer on your favorite black blazer to create a classic three piece look.
Not a fan of polka dots? Try a scarf to add an extra pop to your outfits in any pattern you can imagine. I like to have (at least) one neutral scarf and one brightly colored scarf. That helps to ensure that my scarves are complementing my outfits but not determining what I can or can't wear. These scarves should be a medium weight that will be comfortable enough to wear as an accessory indoors. Heavy duty knitted scarves are great for keeping snow off of your neck, but they aren't quite as practical as an everyday fashion piece.
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J. Crew Cubist Houndstooth Scarf $55
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Boden Smithfield Wool Skirt $118
What fall clothes are you excited to be able to wear once the weather cools down? Let me know in the comments! I hope that everyone has a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend!
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fall color forecast

8/28/2013

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Banana Republic Anna Houndstooth Cardigan in Tulum Turquoise $79.50
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Rockport Wedge Pump in Blackberry Wine $140
Although current temperatures make any hope of cool weather seem a distant dream, fall is not that far away and the combination of back-to-school and Labor Day weekend means that there are great sales going on right now. It might be too soon to consider wearing a chic tweed skirt suit to work, but it is not too early to start planning and buying your style for the season.

I love to wear bright colors year round so one of my favorite parts of the season change is seeing the new color palette. Pantone has put together their seasonal collection of the top ten color trends that we can expect to see and I am very excited that there will still be some bold colors.
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Boden Pleat Sleeve Top in Sea Green & Pine $58
Before you head out to the your favorite store (or start filling up your online shopping cart) take a close look at your own closet. Bring your fall pieces front and center in your closet, check for accent and layering pieces in the fall color trends, and if your fall palette is looking bland, then decide what colors would fit in most easily with your existing selection. Then when you hit the sales you will be prepared to make quick decisions about what pieces are must-haves for your fall wardrobe.
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skipping the pencil skirt

8/20/2013

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Pencil skirts (and straight cut skirts in general) are very popular right now since the clean lines make a classic shape feel very modern and wearable now. However, many women dislike the hip hugging that a pencil skirt promises and instead feel more comfortable in an a-line or full skirt.
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When you are wearing a skirt with volume on the bottom, it is important to pair it with a top that creates an hourglass silhouette. It may be tempting to leave your blouse untucked or pair back to a chunky sweater, but that will only add unwanted width. Even if your waist is not as small as you would like it to be, it is smaller than the bottom of the skirt so you need to accentuate that difference. My preferred method is by simply tucking in my blouse and adding a belt to draw the eye in. If you create a strong shoulder with a ruffle detail or even just add a scarf, you will help balance the volume on your bottom and make your waist look even smaller.

Of course we all know that is can be difficult to find nice blouses that actually have sleeves so it is often necessary to add an extra layer. Although you should still tuck in your bottom layer, the cardigan can be left out as long as the waist is still accented. Either add a belt on the outside of the cardigan or get the same effect by buttoning only one or two buttons right at the smallest part of your torso.

Don't wear skirts? If you are a fan of wide leg pants, these same rules apply to you!
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navigating the end of summer sales

8/16/2013

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Summer is pretty much over in the retail world although most places have at least another month of warm weather. It can be tempting to go wild in the sale section but since summer pieces are often the least versatile and transitional, it is important to be a discerning shopper.

  • The easiest trick is to put your items on hold instead of buying them immediately. If you are on the fence about something this gives you the space to think about it without the worry about it being sold while you ponder. While you do the rest of your shopping you'll realize fairly quickly if it is something you really do want; if you are thinking about it throughout the day then you go for it, but if you have to remind yourself what it is, then leave it.
  • If you go in looking for something specific, you will likely be disappointed. Summer specific pieces that defy trends (such as seersucker shorts or white denim) often sell through earlier in the season so if it is your mission to find a pair, be prepared to do your research online. Most stores have a "find in store" option on their website and many even allow you to hold an item via the website. Since these items are out of season now, if they are still available be prepared to pick through the sale racks to find your size.
  • Use the low prices to stock on basics like tees and tanks or for transitional pieces such as short sleeve oxfords and pencil skirts. If you are trying to stock up on summer pieces for 2014, skip the trendy pieces since you don't know what will be in style next year. I would avoid peplum tops, high-low skirts, and printed denim.
  • If you wouldn't normally wear it, then no matter how low the price is, it is not a good deal. If it's not your size, then don't try to "make it work" just because it is cheap. It's not a competition to get the most clothes at the cheapest price. It is better to spend more money on fewer items that make you look and feel great than to clog up your closet with pieces you don't wear.
  • If you were happy with your summer wardrobe this year then avoid the sales altogether. Fall clothes are generally more expensive since the fabrics are heavier so there is no point on blowing your clothing budget on pieces for next year. There will be more clothes for sale next summer (I promise!) and you might like them even better than the leftovers in the sale section now.
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secondary neutrals

8/13/2013

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Your closet is probably full of what I refer to as "secondary neutrals." Your primary neutrals are those basic colors that go with everything: black, grey, navy, brown, taupe, white and ivory. Secondary neutrals are colors that coordinate most of the time. Lots of dark blues and teals fit into this category because of their proximity on the color spectrum to both navy and teal, but warmer colors such as burgundy and plum also lend themselves quite nicely as neutral foundation pieces. The beauty of secondary neutrals is that they allow you layer color without being overwhelming.

When looking through your closet to identify the secondary neutrals, it is important to remember that, just like your primary neutrals, that any pattern or texture should be minimal since these items are meant as base pieces to be built upon. Although there are colors that are more versatile than others, your secondary neutral colors will be unique to you because they are determined by how well they work with the majority of your wardrobe. If your closet has lots of warm, bright patterns in it, then coral and red might be secondary neutrals for you to try. However, if you gravitate more towards heathered jewel tones, olive and teal greens might be a better fit.
It is important to know what your secondary neutrals are so when you are out shopping you are not only picking up black, grey and white tees, but also some easy to wear color.

Hopefully most of us have closets filled with a spectrum of colors, so that means you want your secondary neutrals to work with both warm and cool colors. As shown in the picture, the dark teal shell creates a nice backdrop to showcase the warm hued scarf. Color mixing has more room for forgiveness when the shades are darker so play around with some of your fall or winter clothes to expand your neutral palette.
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