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holiday outfits that aren't glitzy or jewel-toned

11/7/2014

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One of my favorite things about blogging is getting comments and notes from my readers. I especially love when you all tell me what style issues you need addressed because it gives me an idea for a post that I know will be useful. Today I will be answering one of your questions about holiday outfits:
"Recently, I've concluded that jewel tones are Not Really For Me (I think they don't work well with my skin tone), and I'm trying to dress in more natural / earthy / autumnal tones. But when I look at ideas for holiday and party outfits, pretty much everything is jewel-toned and glitzy.

Do you have any advice/ideas on looking good for a holiday or party occasion, without wearing a ton of jewel tones or a bucket of sequins?"
Although I do tend to suggest glitzy pieces around the holidays, most of my holiday season is spent in more comfortable basics since the dress code at most of the events I attend is fairly casual. There is a joke in my house that your Thanksgiving outfit needs to include elastic waist pants so you can stuff yourself silly with mashed potatoes and pie. I do try to wear a ponte dress instead of yoga pants, but my look is far from being featured in a magazine spread.

Before I give specific suggestions about party pieces, I want to talk about shopping for pieces that aren't the most popular style for a season. Pretty much every store will start getting in a collection of glitzy dresses for the holiday so it can quickly feel like there are no other options. But if you approach your outfit search from the right angle, you will be able to find a great look without a lot of stress.

First, check out the sale section. All the fall pieces (with their lovely autumnal colors) are going to be marked down and put together in an overwhelmingly crowded section at the back of the store. It takes a little bit of patience, but there are often gems back there. When shopping the sale rack, be willing to try on multiple sizes. Sometimes pieces end up back there because their fit was slightly different than the brand's normal sizing and other people were unwilling to try a size up.

Second, shop at department stores. They have a much wider selection because they need to cater to a large audience (and also because their larger physical space means they have room to display more pieces). You can also try a store that focuses more on vintage-inspired or bohemian fashion, such as Anthropologie, because the color palettes there tend more towards the earth tones. 

Now onto answering the original question. My immediate thought when I read this question was that bronze would be the perfect party color. It is earthier and more subdued than gold or silver, but it is still in the metallic family so you have a bit of shine. Plus, the great thing is that bronze comes in many variations as some lean more towards rust red and others to chocolate brown. 

If bronze still feels too glitzy for your tastes, instead focus on the fabric. Taupe or olive green may not seem like party colors, but if your dress is made of flowing silk or delicate lace you will look appropriately dressed. For the holiday season I absolutely love jacquard and flocked fabrics because the texture adds visual interest and since they are thicker fabrics, they feel seasonal.
Also, don't forget about navy and black. While they are darker and harsher than most earth tones, they are great as a contrasting color in a pattern. For example, you will have many more options for party dresses off the rack that are a black and taupe pattern than for one that is only taupe. A pattern or print also is great when you want a piece that feels festive without layering on sparkle. For many of the less popular colors the only options you may be able to find are bridesmaid dresses, which I rarely recommend buying for anything except a stint as a bridesmaid. 

I have created a Pinterest board with party outfit inspiration that is completely free of sequins and that focuses mostly on neutrals and earth tones. A sample of the board is posted here, but be sure to click through to see all the options. (And I will be adding more pins as the holiday season gets underway, so check back to see what else I find.) Also, if anyone else has holiday outfit ideas that fit these requirements, please share them in the comments!
Follow Alice @ practically stylish's board sequin-free party outfits on Pinterest.
Do you have a question you would like me to answer? There are lots of ways to contact me and I'd love to hear from you! 
4 Comments

cardigan question answered

2/4/2014

1 Comment

 
I was recently asked whether cropped cardigans could be worn and if so, when they would they be appropriate. The answer to the first question is yes, but the second requires a bit of explaining. Cardigans can (mostly) be separated into one of three category lengths and each length works best with a different silhouette. Here are some tips for determining which cardigan will work best with your outfit:

Cropped Length
Works best over a dress with an a-line or full skirt. The bottom of the cardigan will ideally hit at the horizontal seam line between the bodice and the skirt, maintaining the shape of the dress. Although a longer cardigan may look fine with the dress when you are looking straight on in the mirror, if you turn to look at your back you will notice that the proportions are off. The top of the skirt gets smushed down by the cardigan and then poofs out dramatically directly below the cardigan which adds extra fabric (and emphasis) on your rear end instead of highlighting your smaller waist.

Regular Length
These cardigans hit at or around your hips and they are great for keeping the look of long legs. Pair with wide leg or bootcut trousers and straight skirts. (An a-line skirt should follow the same rules as an a-line dress.) You want to avoid a long cardigan with these types of bottoms because they interfere with the line of the leg. The eye starts measuring the length of the leg from the bottom of the cardigan so if you have yours pulled down past your butt, you have not only lost several inches of leg, but added those inches to your torso. That creates a disproportionate body shape. 

Boyfriend Length
The long length works well with skinny jeans (and slim cut pants in general), especially when the pants are tucked into riding boots. The pant in boot phenomenon means that there is no exposed hem of the pant to visually bisect the leg. Since riding boots come up fairly high, we see the boot as a continuation of the leg, rather than it marking the end of the leg. This gives a longer leg line to work with which means you can add extra length to your torso without creating a wonky silhouette. 
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your most difficult pieces

5/11/2013

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A little over seven months ago I started this blog after my sister was complimented on an outfit I created for her. Her friends and colleagues were envious of the styling cards I wrote up for her so that even her most difficult pieces could be easily thrown together on a hectic morning. Without knowing the contents of every reader's closet, I have not yet been able to replicate those cards on a larger scale, but I am going to try anyway.

If you have a difficult piece in your wardrobe or are pondering the purchase of something that you like but have no idea how to wear, I want to help. Take a photo of the item or copy the link and send it to me at practicallystylishblog@gmail.com or by filling out the comment form on the contact page. (If you send a photo, please include a brief description as well.) Hopefully some of those hard-to-wear pieces can return to being your favorites!
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work to play dresses

4/23/2013

1 Comment

 
Emily asked,
"Do you have any suggestions of casual, summery dresses out right now that could be dressed up for work? And are there any cute blazers that you could recommend that might go with them?"
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LE Canvas Linen Slit Neck Dress in Aubergine $98
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Gao Neon Stripe Ponte Academy Blazer $49.99
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Ann Taylor Seersucker Jacket $138
Solidly Bold:

Pair your solid colored dresses with a fun blazer. I love a striped blazer because it is an easy pattern to find and to wear and a solid dress can coordinate with lots of styles. A patterned blazer can be as bold or as classic as you want. The two options I have shown here are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

The neon stripe blazer is an edgy statement piece that will move between seasons. The coral stripe keeps it fresh and bright for spring and summer, but the darker background grounds it for your fall and winter wardrobe.

A classic seersucker blazer is a great summer piece if you don't want a bright, bold stripe. It won't transition through the seasons, but it is good investment because it will not go out of style.

By changing your shoes and jewelry, your dress can pull double duty for date night and for casual wear try pairing your blazers back to denim and shorts!


Add Some Sleeves:

Not every summer dress needs to be sleeveless. In the heat of the season, it can actually be cooler to wear a dress with sleeves than to layer a blazer or cardigan over a sleeveless dress.

This half-sleeve striped dress is very easy to accessorize. I chose to add a wide belt to break up the stripes and to balance the strong shoulder. I love the pop of cobalt in the belt because it will work with both your navy and your black stripes. To keep in the nautical theme, the necklace has stones that are reminiscent of sea glass.

Another simpler work option would be to wear this dress with a summer-weight or silk scarf and a pair of nude heels. A brightly colored cuff bracelet (I love orange and yellow paired back to navy) will also give a nice pop!

For casual wear, you can skip the accessories and pair this with sandals (as shown in the photo).
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LOFT Long Chunky Stones Necklace $39.50
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Ann Taylor Perforated Stretch Belt $58
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Vineyard Vines Portside Stripe Dress $69.99

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LOFT Exotic Ikat Cotton Dress $49.50
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Gap Piped Ponte Academy Blazer $59.99
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Nine West Aloha Peep Toe Flat $79
Fun & Flirty:

For a softer look, choose a subtly patterned dress and layer with light neutrals and pastels. This dress is great because the tone on tone pattern adds texture without being a loud, statement piece. The pastel pink belt (sold separately) matches the piping in the dove grey blazer and creates a greater sense of matching. Leave the blazer unbuttoned to show off the belt. To keep the soft edge of this outfit, I chose a nude peeptoe flat, but a fun gold sandal would be a nice substitution for post-work.

You will get use out of a grey blazer all year long so if you are only looking to invest in one, choose a lighter grey. This will coordinate with both your black and navy separates while also feeling light enough for the spring and summer.

Additional accessorizing is not necessary for the office and for casual wear try wearing the dress without the belt and instead adding in long, chunky necklace.

Summer Colors:

Nothing screams summer like a fresh white blazer paired with navy and coral. I like the very narrow, vertical stripe on this dress because it adds texture without screaming "nautical!"

On nearly any dress with a horizontal seam near the waist, I will add a belt. I generally prefer patent belts because they are clean and modern, but any bold and bright belt will do.

This dress is the most "sundress-y" of all the ones I've shown so this outfit really requires the blazer for work. A white blazer is most appropriate because of the fact this dress is so summery. A dark blazer will feel out of sorts with the rest of the outfit.

After work, take off the blazer and slip into your favorite sandals and this dress will transform into an easy, casual summer look.
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Express Studio Stretch Jacket $98
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LOFT Mid Width Glossy Belt in Coral Breeze $29.50
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Banana Republic Striped Ponte Full-Skirt Dress $130
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chic shorts

3/30/2013

1 Comment

 
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Spring is beginning to feel like a possibility here in the Midwest as well (50 degrees today!) and although shorts weather is still a ways off for me, it is always fun to start planning ahead. The outfits that I have curated show a range of layering options that should keep your shorts looking spiffy and polished from the cooler spring days to the heat of summer. Also, since many buildings run their air conditioning at levels that resemble Chicago winters, it is usually handy to have an extra layer in your bag.

You'll notice that none of my outfits include a polo shirt; this is mostly because the only polo I own has a giant "Legoland" logo embroidered on it. I don't buy polo shirts because there are many other options that are just as easy to wash and wear and that I find more flattering on my frame. The neckline on most polos is high and has the extra bulk of the collar (which I can never manage to keep looking crisp) which limits your ability to layer with necklaces and scarves.
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I absolutely love half-sleeve, ballet neck tops. The neckline is open without being low, the shoulders are substantial enough to cover your bra straps, and the sleeve length feels dressier than a typical cap sleeve tee. Plus they are a knit which means they can be thrown into the washer and dryer without any special consideration.

An easy way add polish to a shorts look is with a belt. I tucked in my ballet neck tee in green gingham shorts and tied it together with a belt that match the tee. The denim blazer is a very dark indigo in a thin fabric. Stay away from bulky, light-colored denim jackets since they will add weight and look outdated. The necklace is more glitzy than most people will wear casually, but even a simple chain will help add some extra interest to the outfit.
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Since there is both a bold color and a bold pattern in this outfit, it was important that everything felt related. Choose either all warm colors, all cool colors or, like I did here, colors that mix together to create the third (yellow + blue = green).
Looking for ballet neck tees? Here are a few to get you started:
Ann Taylor (stripes) / (solids)
Banana Republic (stripes) / (solids)
J. Crew (stripes) / (solids)
LOFT (stripes)
Want a pair of patterned shorts that aren't super short-shorts? I love these:
Lands' End (paisley) / (stripe)
Lands' End (walking length)
LOFT (straight fit) / (curvy fit)
LOFT (floral)
Modern denim jackets? Don't worry- I've got you covered:
GAP (chambray)
Nordstrom (dark denim)
ModCloth (dark denim)
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For a business inspired summer look, layer a collar-less button down shirt with a cardigan. Losing the the collar keeps the outfit relaxed, modern and allows for accessorizing, if one so desires. I chose a neutral cardigan and belt to continue the business-casual formality, even though most offices frown on shorts. Pair with a patent, slingback flat and a gold bracelet. This is a great outfit to wear for for lunch dates on the patio, to meetings of your volunteer or hobby groups, or for an evening stroll around the city.

A collarless shirt is an easy way to add polish to any outfit. Here are a few to add a crisp edge to all your favorite summer shorts:
Ann Taylor (solid) / (patterned)
Banana Republic (solids) / (patterned)
GAP (solid)
J. Crew (solids)
LOFT (floral) / (solids)
The best outfits should maintain their integrity even when they are deconstructed. Everyday life requires transitions so when you are getting dressed you should think about how each layer works on its own and as part of the whole outfit.
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This base of this casual outfit is a pair of army green walking shorts (rolled twice at the cuff) and a simple summer-weight sweater. This is no heavier than a polo shirt, but adds variety to closet rotation. The most basic layer can be accessorized with a belt, a pendant necklace and your favorite sandals. A light scarf and/or a 3/4 length sleeve blazer add extra coverage for cool nights.
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The great thing about summer layers is that you can actually show them off. In winter, most of your layers remain covered because you need them for warmth. In spring and summer you travel between the heat of outdoors to the chill of indoors a/c so your layers are much more likely to be taken on and off.

I prefer to layer short sleeve and 3/4 length sleeve tops instead of long sleeve ones. The outfit shown to the left consists of a half-sleeve ballet neck top, a half-sleeve summer weight cardigan and a 3/4 length sleeve blazer.

Wear a layered outfit like this for a weekend of running errands or any time when you will be back and forth between heat and a/c.
Not all belts need to be worn through your belt loops. If you don't want to do any other accessorizing, a belt can make the difference between a boring outfit and a stylish one. I chose a dark grey patent belt to offset the lace tiered top, however, one with less contrast (such as a metallic) would be an equally appropriate choice.

Belts worn around the waist work best when they are following a detail of the top, perhaps a horizontal stripe or tier. Here are a few tops that can be easily belted:
J. Crew (patterned)
LOFT (stripes)
LOFT (lace)
WHBM (ruffles)
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The necklace style you choose can make a big impact on your outfit. The short, glitzy necklace on the far left dresses up an otherwise casual outfit. Paired with a metallic sandal, this can be worn for a sunset drink at your local wine bar The longer necklace can be worn in day to day life, from dog walking to grocery shopping.

Somewhere along the way accessorizing got a bad rap. Never feel like you need to apologize for looking nice. Accessories are not just the purview of fashionistas; they should be embraced by even the most practical dressers.
Don't be afraid of bold patterns, especially in spring and summer. A print on a short is much easier to wear than a print on a full length pant. Choose patterns that are classic, such as gingham and seersucker, that you will get use out of for several years or ones that you feel especially drawn to and will be excited to wear. If you prefer to keep solids on your bottom half, invest in patterned tops. Even a small amount of pattern will help you avoid the pitfall of boring blocks of color.

As you switch your closet around for the new season, keep your accessories and jewelry front and center so that it is easy for you to see what options you have when you are getting dressed. Don't leave the house without at least one accessory; you may feel strange and overdressed at first, but after you start getting compliments from your friends and coworkers, you'll soon get used to the extra pieces.

Other questions about summer clothes? Ask me in the comments, send me an email or fill out the form on the Contact page!
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