practically stylish
  • practically stylish
  • pursuit of practical style
  • contact
  • bread and flowers

snow day style hack

2/1/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Can you tell I am wearing cropped pants?
We are getting snow in Chicago and that means finally dusting off the snow boots. It also means dealing with the annoyance of tucking my pants into my boots. When there is snow on the ground, you don't want to leave your pants untucked because then they get wet, but the extra fabric around your ankle can be incredibly irritating.

Today I solved the problem (at least a little bit)! I dug around in the back of my closet until I found my summer clothes and pulled out a pair of slim leg cropped jeans. I then pulled on a pair of wool boot socks over my pants so that my pants were tucked into the socks. Since the pants only reach mid-calf, the little bit of extra fabric was around my leg and not inhibiting the mobility of my ankle. Plus, the exposed boot sock added an extra bit of flair to my otherwise boring outfit.

Although this style hack won't work well when you going somewhere, like a friend's house, where you would take your boots off, it is perfect for a snowy day of running errands. Your toes stay warm and you don't spend time fidgeting to adjust your pant leg in your boot.

What snow day style hacks make your day a little bit easier? Share your thoughts in the comments!
1 Comment

what to wear for bowl sunday

1/25/2015

4 Comments

 
Superbowl or Puppy Bowl? Regardless of which one you choose to watch next Sunday, you will need a casual party outfit that is comfortable enough for a long afternoon of lounging on the couch and gorging on game day food. I suggested a simple (and machine-washable!) outfit last year, but this year I'm in the mood for something a little more festive.

This season I keep stumbling across sweaters featuring dogs and the Puppy Bowl is the perfect time to show your love of canines. Boden has a terrier sweater (as well as slippers available in the pink puppy print) and LOFT has an adorable schnauzer sweater. Layer under a cozy down vest and pair with denim and your favorite ankle boots. For a finishing touch, add a fun piece of dog-themed jewelry.
puppy bowl outfit

puppy bowl outfit by practicallystylishblog featuring pink tops
A game day outfit doesn't have to include a team jersey, especially if you are only watching to see the commercials. Take a unique approach and use the leather of the football as your inspiration. Start with a brown leather jacket and brown riding boots. Then play on the word "jersey" and slip on a jersey dress in your favorite color or pattern. Lastly, don't forget a pair of thick tights or leggings to stay warm (it is February after all)! You'll have a football inspired look that is chic and cozy.
leather & jersey

leather & jersey by practicallystylishblog featuring a brown jacket
P.S. Do you need a great chili recipe to round out your game day menu? Try this one!
4 Comments

3 ways to look stylish while staying warm

12/8/2014

1 Comment

 
The current season requires us to be bundled up in warm coats and cozy accessories, but until we get another polar vortex or a foot of snow on the ground, your winter attire can, and should, still look stylish. These three items will improve your look without sacrificing warmth or comfort:
1. Great Pair of Ankle Boots
Picture
Pikolinos Brighton Boot $205
Snow boots are great for the snow, but the rest of the time a leather ankle boot will be your best friend. They look equally great with pants, skirts, and dresses and come in colors and patterns that are sure to brighten up even the dreariest December days. This is the perfect footwear option to complement your holiday social calendar because it will keep your feet protected from the elements (unlike pumps or ballet flats) and garner you tons of compliments!
Picture
Boden Chic Ankle Boot $178
2. Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves
Picture
J. Crew Tech Gloves $98
Leather gloves add a polished touch to any outfit and with a cashmere lining you will never want to take them off. While there are plenty of leather gloves available in black or brown, I prefer a bolder color to add a pop to your outfit especially if your winter coat is a dark, neutral color. The nice thing about your outerwear accessories is that they don't have to coordinate with every outfit that you own; they only have to look good with your visible clothing. So as long as your coat, hat, scarf, and gloves look good together, you will look great. If you aren't feeling very color confident this season, choose grey instead of black. Both styles featured here are available in grey.
Picture
Lands' End Leather Gloves $69
3. Patterned Scarf
Picture
Boden Skye Scarf $58
Of all your outerwear pieces, your scarf is the most likely item to end up in photographs. With a prime location next to your face, it will be visible while ice skating, caroling, or just taking a stroll through the snow. Choose a color that you love with a bit of pattern. Remember that your coat will cover up most of the scarf so you can go with a bold choice without overwhelming your look. I prefer an oversized scarf so that if I get caught outside without a hat, I can wrap it around my head and keep my ears from freezing off. This is especially helpful when going to holiday parties where it can be easy to lose track of your cold weather accessories.
Picture
Banana Republic Diamond Knit Scarf $79.50
1 Comment

temperatures drop & pants take center stage

11/19/2014

0 Comments

 
So the past few days were pretty cold, huh? Last week there were still holdouts wearing sandals and sweatshirts, but I think now everyone has officially switched over to their winter coats and boots. Another side effect of the weather is that many women stop wearing skirts and dresses on a regular basis. If your commute requires waiting at a bus stop or train platform, even tights under the dress may not keep you warm enough. The result is an increase in the number of days wearing pants, which can sometimes feel monotonous. Try these styling tips to make wearing pants a little less boring:

1. Make sure your pants are not all the same color. Even in a very conservative office you can choose from black, navy, various shades of grey, and brown. A tweed or herringbone pattern can also add some pizzazz without causing you to look unprofessional. If you are dressing for a more creative workplace or for the weekend, be adventurous with a deep eggplant, burgundy, or forest green. 

2. If your bottoms will be essentially the same every day, your tops are responsible for making your look stand out. This means that you shouldn't wear a cardigan every single day of the week (although I have totally been guilty of this). In a five day work week, try to limit your sweater wearing to three days. Of those three days, one day is for cardigans, one for pullovers, and one for sweater jackets. The other two days you might wear a blazer, or just a long sleeve blouse without any layering piece. By enforcing limits on how often you can wear certain things, you will be less likely to fall into a style rut. Also be sure to accessorize with jewelry, scarves, or belts if your ensemble is feeling drab. 

3. Get a few great pairs of shoes. An ankle boot can look very chic under pants while also offering extra protection from the elements. I adore my wedge ankle booties and although they are not flashy or glamorous, I feel really happy and confident every time I put them on. Different shoes can put you in different moods so you can use them to add some swagger to an outfit.

4. Check the weather report at the beginning of each week to see if there will be a warmer day in the mix when you can wear a dress or skirt without freezing your legs off. Even if you only get to ditch the pants once or twice a month, it can be refreshing to wear something different. For those who really do not want to wear pants all winter, you can add extra layers to your legs during your commute. It is fairly common in the winter for me to see women at the bus stop wearing sweatpants underneath their dresses and skirts. All it requires is a quick costume change in the bathroom at work.

How has your style changed now that the weather has gotten colder? Share your thoughts in the comments!
0 Comments

start prepping your holiday wardrobe

11/2/2014

0 Comments

 
Can you believe that it is already November? It's gotten cold enough that I have finally switched to close-toed shoes and begun wearing a down jacket. A burst of cold weather last week got my mind focused on the holidays and last Thursday I even completed all my Christmas gift shopping! Although the holidays may not be on your mind yet, this is the perfect time to start evaluating your closet to make sure that you are ready for this very social season. It's still about three and a half weeks until Thanksgiving but you don't want to wait to prep your party outfits until you put the turkey in the oven.

Since shopping takes time to find the right pieces, it is important to do an assessment of your party clothes before you need to wear any of them. Starting the process now means that you have time on your side so you will be able to order from online stores without paying for rush shipping and you won't end up buying a less-than-ideal outfit just because it is the only thing in the store that fits. Be sure to check out last year's 12 Days of Holiday Parties series for photo inspiration. I have compiled a list of pieces that you should have in your closet so that you are ready for holiday dinners, cocktail parties, open houses, and any other event that you might be invited to:
Picture
A statement skirt is an incredibly versatile piece that can be dressed up or down depending on the top and accessories. The skirt looks festive, yet understated when paired with a long sleeve tee or a sweater, but is perfect for a glam night out when worn with a silk blouse and heels. Lace, sequin, or metallic jacquard are all ideal for a holiday skirt. If you are not a fan of skirts, patterned ankle pants (lace, jacquard, or flocked fabrics are especially nice this time of year) can substitute for a statement skirt in most outfits. 

Another great way to add some sparkle to your outfit is with an embellished sweater or top.  Paired with dark denim and heels, this is the perfect look for a night at a trendy bar. You can also pair it with a simple black skirt for a dinner party. There are many options for embellished tops, from the minimally detailed to the fully decked out so you can find one you love in your style comfort zone.

One accessory that should be in every woman's closet is a metallic belt. This is an easy addition of glitz to nearly any outfit. Wear it with a dress to add definition to your waist or with denim to make your outfit feel more polished. However, a little goes a long way so choose a narrow style, no more than one inch wide. 

No closet is complete without a fabulous holiday dress. Most of you already have a go-to Little Black Dress that you rely on when you need to get dressed up, but a true party dress is just as important. You may only wear it once or twice a year, but this piece should be a showstopper that you feel fantastic in. The rich jewel tones are pretty much always in style during the cold weather months so if you are looking for a dress with staying power, stay within that color palette. I personally prefer a dress with a fuller skirt because I love the way it moves, but there are plenty of party dresses available in a slimmer fit.
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Tweets by @practicalstyl

    RSS Feed

    Visit Practically Stylish's profile on Pinterest.

    categories

    All
    12 Days Of Holiday Parties
    Accessories
    Athletic Wear
    Beauty
    Birchbox
    Blogher
    Books
    Casually Stylish
    Cold Weather Wardrobe
    DIY
    Emily's Closet
    Evening Chic
    Fabulous Shoes
    Fall Essentials
    Fashionable Food
    Fashion Finds
    Gift Guide
    Guide To Elegance
    Halloween
    Holiday
    Inspiration
    Jane's Closet
    Key Pieces
    Men's Fashion
    Nautical Inspired
    Office Attire
    Ootd
    Outerwear
    Outfit Guide
    Packing Tips
    Polyvore
    Q&A
    Review
    Room For Debate
    Shopping Tips
    Spring Style
    Style At Home
    Style Tips
    The 10 Basics
    The 10 Basics
    Warm Weather Wardobe
    Wedding Season
    What To Wear
    Work To Weekend
    YouTube

    Picture
    Picture

    archives

    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly