practically stylish: style tips & fashion finds

pink & red for valentine's day

2/6/2014

Valentine's Day is next week and whether or not you have big plans, it is a great excuse to wear bright colors in the middle of winter. Even if you are normally color shy, there are light pink sweaters as well as fun accessories to add a pop while still staying in your comfort zone. Below I collected a few of my favorite pieces in Valentine's Day hues:

Banana Republic Striped Faux-Wrap Dress $98

J. Crew Tassel Trim Scarf $49.50

Ann Taylor Silk Legacy Blouse $99.99

Anthropologie Rosily Tweed Jacket $168

LOFT Scalloped Ruffle Sweater $49.50

Gap Printed Pointy Flats $39.95

Boden Palermo Tote $228

Charming Charlie Alluring Lady Necklace Set $8.99

These pieces are great for showing your holiday spirit at work without being the lady wearing the sweatshirt with musical hearts. Plus, pink and red transition nicely into spring so you'll have plenty of opportunities to wear your Valentine's Day outfit again! Enjoy a color confident week!

2 Comments

my winter obsession: down vests

12/13/2013

1 Comment

Every season I find myself wearing a single item over and over. Usually it is something old that I rediscovered in the back of my closet and then couldn't believe I had ever forgotten. This season I have been all about the down vest. During late fall I ignored my lightweight coat in favor of tweed blazer layered with my dark red down vest and even now that the temperatures require a heavy outer layer with sleeves, I still look for excuses to wear it. Although I have been trying hard to rein in my obsession, it is almost impossible because this season has the cutest down vests for sale. Here are my favorite options in bright colors, bold patterns, and interesting quilted designs. All of the images are clickable and link back to the product details.

Here are my favorite ways to style a down vest:

1. I love to dress down a tweed blazer with a down vest. Pair a long sleeve tee under your tweed blazer, add a patterned scarf and then layer on a down vest. You get lots of color and texture because scarf shows at the neck and the tweed is visible on the arms, but this looks weekend-casual instead of business-casual. Throw on a pair of jeans and your favorite boots and you are ready to run out the door!

2. Do you have a long, tunic style top that sometimes feels a little frumpy? Pair with a slim leg pant and add a down vest to add definition through your torso. It may seem counter intuitive to add a puffy vest over an unstructured top, but the difference in color and pattern sets apart your arms from your body (which can blend together in an over-sized top) and helps to create a flattering shape.

3. If you took my advice in my last post, you have already dug around in your closet and found a long sleeve knit dress as your winter alternative to sweatpants. I suggested pairing it with a pair of leggings and a cute scarf for warmth. If you want another layer to keep you toasty or just want to look a little less dressy while you are puttering around the house, throw on a down vest. It is a great casual alternative to a cardigan and has the added bonus of pockets!

1 Comment

glitzy tops for the holidays (under $50)

11/17/2013

2 Comments

It's only a week and a half until Thanksgiving which means that the holiday party season is about to start! Nothing says holiday like sparkle and glamour so this is the time to dust off your sequins and slip into your dancing shoes. The most versatile (and often the least expensive) way to add seasonal glitz to your outfit is with a festive tank. To avoid looking like an over decorated Christmas tree, choose pieces in grey, gold or winter white tones.

For the office holiday party: Tuck your glitzy top into black or grey trousers and add a black cardigan. If you want to add a pop of color, opt for a red pump. Even for work parties held off premises, make sure to have a cardigan handy; if these are people you mostly see in a work environment, then even your social outfits should feel professional and polished.

For a night out with friends: Slip into your most flattering dark wash jeans and leave your glitzy top untucked. If you think you will be cold, add a black blazer with the cuffs rolled up, however If you're going somewhere warm, like to a crowded bar, skip the outer layer. Add a sparkly bangle bracelet and your favorite heels.

For your friend's holiday open house: Tuck your glitzy top into a neutral colored pencil skirt and add a bright cardigan (I'm partial to burgundy and emerald). You will probably be standing around so finish your ensemble with a comfortable pair of flats or wedges. Unless it is an evening affair, feel free to skip the sparkly jewelry since your top is already the statement piece.

2 Comments

the asymmetrical moto-blazer

10/4/2013

3 Comments

One thing that I love about fall is that it is easy to find asymmetrical zip blazers. The motorcycle jacket inspired detailing creates a fun twist on the season's wools and tweeds, but still looks chic. The side zip also gives plenty of styling options. I like to wear it half zipped so that the upper half flaps over, but it can also be worn totally unzipped to create asymmetric lapels or zipped all the way up for a cleaner silhouette. The versatility of this piece is incredible; you can wear it with trousers or a skirt for work, throw it on with jeans and a tee for running errands or layer it over your favorite little black dress for a night out! Check out the slideshow to the right for my favorite moto-inspired blazers and jackets this season!

3 Comments

curate your closet for spring

5/10/2013

0 Comments

It's the season of spring cleaning and many people are taking the opportunity to edit their closets. When you are sorting your clothes into "keep," "toss," & "donate" piles keep in mind what pieces make up a well-balanced spring and summer wardrobe. That way you will start with a great canvas and have a list for your next big shopping trip.

Start with the classics: