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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
1 Comment

7 day style forecast

2/12/2013

4 Comments

 


It is very easy to fall into uninspiring style patterns. When life gets busy, the default is to your most basic outfits, so the key to staying stylish is to plan ahead. Take a few moments before the start of a busy week and plan it out.

This fictional schedule is packed with activities that require clothes that work as hard as you do. Choosing pieces that transition from work to evening to weekend can help add more spark to your outfit rotation and make sure that you always love what you wear.
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LOFT
Sunday

    The best part of the weekend is that you can dress up in fun pieces that might get the side-eye at the office, like this fantastically bright pencil skirt. But this is perfect for a mimosa filled Sunday brunch and an afternoon at the symphony. Dressed up, but not dowdy. If you live in a cold climate like I do, simply add black tights to minimize the wind chill and then the electric blue will really pop.
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Banana Republic
Monday

The first day of the week is notoriously hard, so I like to put extra effort into looking & feeling cheerful. A bright cardigan set against a soft pattern is a sure way to smile when you catch your reflection. Although work appropriate, this outfit will not look out of place when you swing by the bookstore for a reading by your favorite author after work.
Tuesday

Don't forget that you can add and subtract layers throughout the day to match all your dress codes. For your work day, just wear the sheath dress, belt & scarf for simple lines with a few fun details.
After work, head to the art museum for a preview of the new exhibit & throw on the moto-jacket for chic costume change.
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Banana Republic
Wednesday

Some days the only way to go is a traditional suit, like for the monthly board meeting. But when you go out for sushi with your coworkers at lunchtime to celebrate a job well done, don't be afraid to take off the jacket and roll up those cuffs. You'll be surprised how refreshed and relaxed you feel.

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Ann Taylor
Thursday

This week Thursday is Valentine's Day, so of course this outfit is themed. After all, with such a busy schedule, chances are you are heading straight from the office to dinner at a restaurant that doesn't hold your reservation. Just switch to a small evening clutch and add a couple sparkly bangles for an easy evening look.
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WHBM
Friday

Casual Friday is no excuse to look schlumpy. The only thing that should change from your daily wear is that you can exchange your trousers and skirts for a pair of dark, crisp denim. Plus, comfortable pants have magic restorative properties, so you'll have plenty of energy to stop by the grocery store to pick up fixings for homemade pizza and then settle down for a game night with your friends and family.
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Gap
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J. Crew
What are your biggest style challenges? Post them in the comments!
Saturday

Just because it is the weekend, doesn't mean you won't run into your boss or clients while running errands. However, since it is your off day, pull out your favorite, worn-in jeans and a soft tee, just make sure to layer with a cardigan or blazer. It is amazing how much a third piece can polish up even your most comfortable pieces. It also gives you the option to try out the new wine bar around the corner without feeling under-dressed.
4 Comments

work to weekend 

1/12/2013

1 Comment

 
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Lands' End Canvas Shrunken Blazer $79.99
The Blazer
This work staple should not be confined to your office 9-5. For a business casual look that transitions to Friday happy hour, pair with black, slim ankle pants, a collar-less oxford (tucked in and with a belt through the loops), and shiny, patent pumps. Don't forget to cuff your sleeves for a more relaxed look!

For a Saturday morning spent running errands or watching your kid's soccer game, layer a turtleneck underneath and wear with denim and boots. My favorite thing about tweed blazers is that they are some of the warmest winter layering pieces without having the bulk of quilted down. For a little extra pop, add on a colorful pendant.

Finish your weekend with Sunday brunch and afternoon at the symphony. Pair your blazer with a great wool pencil skirt. Cuff the sleeves and leave unbuttoned to show a chic, patterned shell underneath. Finish with heels and a couple bright bangles.
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Banana Republic Francine Framed Sheath Dress $140
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Banana Republic Vibrant Purple Ponte Sheath Dress $120
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LOFT Pencil Skirt $69.50
The easiest style trap to fall into is only buying pieces for specific occasions-work, weekend or party-instead of finding pieces that are for your life in general. With a little creative layering and accessorizing, your favorite work pieces will become your favorite everything pieces. Plus, these three versatile pieces are probably already in your closet!

The Sheath Dress
My go-to piece when I am running late for work is a cobalt blue ponte sheath dress. It is one of the easiest pieces to coordinate with, it is comfortable and rarely gets wrinkled.

For work, pair with a cardigan or blazer. Don't be afraid to mix bright colors. A coworker paired the same blue sheath I have with a citrine belt worn at the waist and layered with a green cardigan for a spring-fresh look. For a wintery look, pair with black tights, a grey cardigan or blazer and black pumps.

For dinner out on Saturday night, belt at the waist with a metallic or brightly colored belt. Add a patterned scarf that can be used as a shawl if the restaurant is chilly and a sparkly bracelet or two.

Dress it down for your Sunday afternoon book club with a cozy sweater, ribbed tights, and riding boots.

The Pencil Skirt
A knee-length pencil is a chic choice for almost any event. Whether you prefer basic black or something a little more daring, this is your ultimate work to weekend piece.

Pair with a ruffled top and slip into your favorite heels to create a Friday night look that will make your party dresses jealous.

For coffee with friends on Saturday, layer a striped long sleeve tee under a cardigan and accessorize with a patterned scarf. Pair with flats or boots, depending on the weather forecast.

Hosting a dinner party on Sunday night? Tuck in your favorite sweater, wear a metallic skinny belt around the waistband and finish with colored heels and a sparkly, statement necklace.
1 Comment

jane's closet part six: cardigans

12/13/2012

0 Comments

 
PictureLunch with friends

I have a slight obsession with cardigans. I wear one almost every day and I even have "lounge" cardigans that I wear with my sweatpants. In my opinion, there is no fashion crisis that can't be fixed with a cardigan.

Every wardrobe should have a few cardigans in it. The three cardigans highlighted in these outfits showcase a healthy variety- one dressy cardigan; one basic, solid-colored cardigan; and one printed cardigan. Armed with those three pieces you will be able to add polish and pizzazz to almost anything.

Cardigans are also a great way to get additional use out of your sleeveless blouses during the colder months. The tops in these outfits are all sleeveless and because of that my mom was rarely wearing them. Instead of thinking about cardigans covering up a shell, I like to think of them as complementing the entire outfit.

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Church to brunch
Cardigans I Love Now:

Ann Taylor Deco Trellis Print Cardigan $78

Banana Republic Velvet Trim Merino Cardigan $69.50

WHBM Sequined Sweater Jacket $148

J. Crew Tippi Cardigan $49.99-$85

Lands' End Rhinestone Cardigan $34.99
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Monday morning meeting
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Desk to dinner
Banana Republic Lace Front Cardigan $89.50

Ann Taylor Ruched Front Cardigan $78

LOFT Sequin Diamond Print Cardigan $54.50

Gap Eversoft Thermal Knit Cardigan $59.95

LOFT Colorblocked Cardigan $54.50
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the sheath dress: day to night

11/12/2012

3 Comments

 
PictureBanana Republic Jackie Textured Sheath $140
This is the first installment of the cold weather outfit series. All of the pieces mentioned in this post (except for shoes & hosiery) are part of the cold weather wardrobe post.

Wear to Work:
Pair with a black blazer, black sheer tights and black patent heels. Tweed is a classic look for work and although this dress has a sheen to it, when paired with a high contrast color such as black it will read more as camel.

Business Dinner:
Pair with a black ruffled cardigan, black sheer tights and heels. Leave the cardigan open and wear a metallic belt at the waist. This outfit channels the same principles as the "wear to work" outfit but in a softer way.

Evening Out:
Skip the outer layer and flaunt every inch of this fabulous dress. Play up the sparkle with a metallic belt, short sparkly necklace and a gold bangle. Pair with jewel tone suede wedges and your best smile.

Holiday Party:
Pair with a taupe cardigan, short sparkly necklace and gold bracelet. Pair with your favorite metallic heel or for a festive pop, a pair of plum suede pumps. Sparkle is a must at any holiday party, but keep the rest of the outfit monotone so that you look sophisticated and not like a disco ball.

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