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An arsenal of in-between outfits

7/9/2014

2 Comments

 
The parent/teacher conference, the meeting with a consultant, casual Friday, training days--times when you need to look presentable but not too dressed up. These are the occasions that cause me the most trouble figuring out what to wear. 

The order of the day is for these events is something like business casual (an oxymoron if ever I've heard one) but perhaps even just a little more relaxed. Men seem to have this category down (albeit a bit boring) with khakis & golf shirts, but women have it a lot harder. Let's see if we can break it down:
  • Suit? No, too formal.
  • Dress? Yes, but not too short, not too tight, not too nightclub, not too prissy, not too dressy. 
  • Jeans? Yes, but not too faded nor too tight.
  • Sleeveless blouses? Sure, but no tank tops, nothing too low cut.
  • Skirts? Of course! But not too short nor too tight.

I've made it my mission to create an arsenal of easy-reach, easy-match in-between outfits. 

Here are some of the key pieces I'm turning to...



White or denim knee-length skirt, crisp shirt.
White & denim go with everything. My first choice: pair it with a long-sleeve oxford tied at the waist. I like that I can roll the sleeves up or down to make the outfit more or less formal.

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dELiA's Floral Button-Down Shirt, $29.90
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GAP Straight skirt, $49.95 minus 30-40%
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GAP Fitted Boyfriend Burnout Dot Shirt, $26.99 minus 30%
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J. Crew Factory Pencil Skirt in Denim, $36.99 minus 50%
Trouser jeans.
I'm not sure about jeans or skinny jeans in particular for the workplace--what do you think? But I think they're fine for 
in-between days in a slim cut, trouser style, in a dark rinse like these. I like them with a sleeveless white shirt. 

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GAP Slim Cropped Chambray Pants, $21.99 minus 30%
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J. Crew Factory Ruffled Neck Cami, $34.50
A casual, knee-length dress.
I look for a higher neckline like this dress has. This dress has a fun back for after work but looks perfectly appropriate with a cardigan for the workplace.

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Piperlime Collective Concepts Trim Tape Back Cutout Mini Dress, $44.97
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Piperlime Collective Concepts Trim Tape Back Cutout Mini Dress, $44.97
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A few more outfits from my arsenal (from previous posts):
Tunic with white pants
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J. Crew Factory tunic, New York & Co. pants
Tees with dressy skirts
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GAP tee, Talbots skirt
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GAP top, H&M skirt


The shoes make a big difference in how dressy the outfit appears. I have a stockpile of mid-heel sandals. 

I think the workplace over the warmer months is a more casual place in general--please correct me if I'm wrong. 

Do you face this same dilemma? What are some of your go-to in-between outfits?








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2 Comments

What would Lily wear?

3/6/2014

4 Comments

 
Would Lily wear one of these dresses? Would I? 

White dresses seem to be appearing everywhere, many with eyelet lace, some named Lily. Lily is lily-white & very sweet. I'm a bit edgier than she is. What do you think? Should I keep or return the dELiA's Lillie dress I ordered?


Lily Dress from Sundance Catalog for $138
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Sundance Catalog Lily Of The Valley Dress, $138

Jessica Simpson Eyelet Trim Dress, $128
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Nordstrom Jessica Simpson Laser Cut Eyelet Trim Dress, $128

Piperlime Pim + Larkin Embellished Eyelet Dress, $129
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Piperlime Pim + Larkin Embellished Eyelet Mini Dress, $129
Lillie Dress from dELiA's for $31 after discount
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dELiA's Lillie Eyelet Dress, $44.90 minus 30% with the code 30SUPER


The photo below is the dELiA's Lillie dress on me. Keep it? Return it? Size up? (Iron it? :-)...
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Here's a white lace skirt from Garnet Hill, $128 
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Garnet Hill Full Lace Skirt, $128
Full photo, same skirt as above
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Garnet Hill Full Lace Skirt, $128
4 Comments

Valentine's eye candy

1/29/2014

0 Comments

 
5 gifts under $40...

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Boden Velvet Trim Cami, $34
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Anthropologie Charmed Dots Serveware, $12.95
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Anthropologie Scarlet Thistle Set, $29.95
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dEliA's Xoxo Sweetheart Necklace, $5.90
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Sundance Catalog Loveable Ruby Ring, $38





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Spot on

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Side-by-side: leather-like leggings

8/30/2013

4 Comments

 
 "Every girl should have a good pair of leather leggings! Super chic! Makes her stand out!" 
                                                                                    --Noah Dingley (The Nomadden)

Do you remember the episode of Friends when Monica and Rachel give Phoebe a pair of leather pants when she's pregnant with twins? Well, you may feel like you need a pair of leather-like leggings almost as much as Phoebe did then.

But sometimes you want to look a little tough, a little edgy.  
If you want to give 'em a try with low commitment, you may want to know the lowest priced options out there. Most of the leggings are not leather but leather-like, cruelty-free. 

J. Crew shows you some ways to wear your p/leather pants here. Click on "Leather."

Warning: wearing leather-like leggings, you might make you feel HOTHOTHOT, & I don't mean because it's still summer. 



Expensive Pair of Pleather
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This is the pair we're comparing against. 
Garnet Hill offers these leather-like leggings for $140. 

Details:
Leticia Faux-Leather Ponte Leggings, Poly faux leather in front; rayon/nylon/spandex ponte in back. From Velvet by Graham & Spencer. USA/Imported. 
XS inseam: 29 1/2"
S inseam: 30"
M inseam: 31"
L & XL inseam: 30 1/2"
Rise: Low from Velvet by Graham & Spencer






The Pair I Want that has Some Cotton Involved
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This is the pair I'm leaning toward ordering. They're only $12.90, and they're made with COTTON and spandex, which seems to me a good mix.

Details:
Body Central Solid liquid leggings. 26" inseam. Domestic cotton/spandex. Sizes S, M, L,  $12.90
 






The Least Expensive Pair of Pleather
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This is the least expensive pair I've found out there, very low commitment factor. 

Details:
Alloy High Waist Pleather Legging, stretch high waist pleather jegging, 8" leg opening, poly/spandex, By K Too
USA, 29", 34" inseam, $9.90






If You Want the Real Thing...
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ASOS Skinny Leather Pants with Biker Detail, $118.13, free shipping

Eek!
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Madewell leather leggings, $550
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J. Crew Collection Leather Pant, $695


This pair of leggings from Victoria's Secret has a lot of leather in it but still isn't 100% leather. It's $298.
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Victoria's Secret Ponte and Leather Legging, $298


Two More Pairs
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dELiA's Pu Legging

Details:
Solid stretch pleather legging.
Poly-spandex
S-L, 28" long, USA
Catalog and web exclusive, $16.90

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Express (Minus The) Leather Ankle Zip Legging

Details:
Banded waist, hidden side zipper
Hidden ankle zippers at outer seams
Inseam 31"
Polyurethane coated Polyester
Machine wash
Imported,

$41.94



So what's your poison? Real leather or fake? What do black p/leather leggings say to you?







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4 Comments

Let's talk swimsuits

4/26/2013

0 Comments

 
Swimsuits cost too much, don't you agree? 
It's one of those times I'll hazard any alternatives to find more affordable choices.

Seeing spots...
Retro is in. If you love dots & stripes, check out dELiA's, Alloy's, and Old Navy's swimsuits--cute & affordable.

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dELiA's Cinch Bandeau, $24.50, & high-waist bottom, $19.50, avail XS-XL

A couple cover-ups...
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Lands' End Stripe Crewneck swim tee cover-up, $39, minus 40%=about $23
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Stripe Rash Guard, $75
Compare to J. Crew  rash guard

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Amazon Nice cover-up, $12.99
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J. Crew top, $54; bottom, $50
Compare Alloy suit to the left with 
J. Crew spotted bikini>>>

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Old Navy Mix & Match Tankini, $19; boyshort botton, $15, all minus 20% off
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Alloy cinch bandeau, $13.90, & string bottom, $11.90, avail XS-XL


My summer swimsuit...
My suit for this summer comes from two unlikely sources: my top was on sale last summer at Long Tall Sally, 
a British clothing company for tall women (I'm not tall), and my skort is from Lands' End girls' department. 

Girls' swimwear is less than half the cost of women's. Lands' End Girls' Plus sizes will fit women up to about a size 10. 
Ask me for help with the sizing if you're thinking of ordering a girl's suit for you.

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I could sure use some color! :-)
                                                                              


Where's your swimsuit from for this summer?









Here's the swim skort I'm wearing>>>
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Lands' End Girls' Woven Swim Skort, 7 colors, avail in sizes 14 & 16 & plus sizes, about $15
0 Comments

A return to styles of the 80s & 90s

4/15/2013

29 Comments

 
In past years, we've seen a return to the 70s (bell bottoms and boho--right on!), a return to the 20s (a toast to Gatsby!), and a return to the 60s (hello Madmen). Now, for better or worse, we're seeing a return to the 80s & 90s. 
What 80s or 90s fashion do you welcome back and which ones should we banish forever? 


Sweaters with bobbles...

Then

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Etsy.com 90s Purple Bobble Cable Knit Cropped Sweater (XS/S), $36

Now

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Wrap London Skye Sweater, $134
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Garnet Hill Hand-Knit Sweater, $68


Big shirts...

Then

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Asos 90s Blue Faux Suede Collar Tip Shirt (L), £22

Now

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J.Jill Linen Big Shirt, $69
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H&M shirt, $24.95


High-waisted jeans...

Then

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Cast of 90s tv show Friends, all in their high-waisted jeans

Now

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Victoria's Secret High Rise Legging Jean, $59.50
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dELiA's Color High Waist Skinny Jean $29.50

Off the shoulder...

Then

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The 80s movie Flashdance

Now

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Victoria's Secret Fleece Off-the-Shoulder Tunic, $48

Overalls...

Then

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Celebrities from the 90s

Now

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Urban Outfitters BDG Denim Overall, $69


Flirty, high-waisted skirts...

Then

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Sweet Madonna in the 90s

Now

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Victoria's Secret Cotton Voile Miniskirt, $69.50
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Boston Proper Summer boho skirt, $98. That cropped faded denim jacket's pretty 80s/90s too--$98


Topsiders and Docs...
Then & Now
Perhaps they never went out of style?
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Bloomgingdale's Sperry Top-Sider A/O 2-Eye Classic Boat Shoe, $85
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Fashion Systems Dr Martens AirWair Classic 1461z 3 eye Non Safety Shoes Black Smooth Leather with Yellow Line, £42.70


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29 Comments

Rosy puffy vests

9/14/2012

0 Comments

 
A puffy vest is the perfect layer for fall and winter. The rose color brings out your rosy lips and cheeks.
Great prices on Burton, Patagonia, and other major athletic brands from Altrec, Backcountry, and Sierra Trading Post.
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Altrec Burton Women's AK Squall Down Vest in sangria, $89.99
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Backcountry Patagonia Down Sweater Vest in magenta, $105
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dELiA's Nordic Puffer Vest in deep plum, $14.99
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Sierra Trading Post Obermeyer Kassi Hooded Down Vest in fuschsia cheetah print, $74.95
0 Comments

Skin that shows in patches

6/16/2012

0 Comments

 
I've been seeing a lot of these back-bow tops and dresses--very pretty, I think. 
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Swank Boutique Tulle bow-back floral top, $48, free shipping
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Urban Outfitters Pins and Needles bow-back lace top, $19.99
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dELiA's bow-back knit dress, $29.50





...Silky smooth
Lips as sweet as candy, baby
Tight blue jeans
Skin that shows in patches...
   
   --from "What It's Like to Be a Girl" by Madonna
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0 Comments

All right already—I give in

3/24/2012

2 Comments

 
I’ve been sort of resisting the onslaught of colored jeans. But the other day I saw a woman riding a bike wearing red jeans and a striped top, and her outfit looked so fresh and classic, I'm about ready to surrender. 

Keep your pants on: cool article on the red pants trend: http://www.npr.org/2012/04/19/150984878/pants-trend-makes-a-red-hot-statement

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Urban Outfitters BDG Roadie boot jean - Red, $19
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dELiA's Britt low-rise skinny color jean, $39.50 (buy one, get one 50% off)
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GAP slim cropped refined pant, $49.95 minus 25% with the code SPRINGSAVE
2 Comments

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