Category: Piperlime

An arsenal of in-between outfits

7/9/2014

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.

dELiA's Floral Button-Down Shirt, $29.90

GAP Straight skirt, $49.95 minus 30-40%

GAP Fitted Boyfriend Burnout Dot Shirt, $26.99 minus 30%

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.

GAP Slim Cropped Chambray Pants, $21.99 minus 30%

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.

Piperlime Collective Concepts Trim Tape Back Cutout Mini Dress, $44.97

A few more outfits from my arsenal (from previous posts):

Tunic with white pants

J. Crew Factory tunic, New York & Co. pants

Tees with dressy skirts

GAP tee, Talbots skirt

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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Lots of tunics

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Tunics: what to wear in the heat

6/18/2014

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There's a reason why people in the hottest climates around the world--particularly those in India & Africa--wear tunics: they're easy & cool.

Here in the States, tunics have come in & out of favor. A sweeping craze for them about eight summers ago faded; they're just beginning to come back, & I've pulled out all my old ones. You'll find new ones now sometimes listed as "swim cover-ups," & they're often surprisingly affordable.

You might also try visiting an Indian store to find one; many tunics are made in India anyway. A tunic may also be called a kurta or kaftan. Most traditional Indian tunics are longer, more colorful, & more intricately embroidered than the American styles.

Tunics can have a boho feel to them or look more conservative--I like both styles. Wear them fitted, not tent-like :-). I think they're cutest with mid-thigh shorts. I believe tunics are perfectly work-appropriate with white pants or crops. I'm partial to tunics made of cotton with long or 3/4-length sleeves.

Street musician in India By Hmundol (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I've been hunting for tunics to wear to work & for fun with shorts this summer. Here are some of my favorites...

From Calypso St. Barth
Many more tunics from Calypso St. Barth at all prices & styled with white skinnies & shorts here.

Glinda Embroidered Linen Tunic, $29

Calypso St. Barth Cherylin Stripe Hem Tunic, $19

From J. Crew Factory

J. Crew Factory Printed Crinkle Tunic, $29.99 minus 30% (I ordered this one)

J. Crew Factory Tipped V-neck Tunic, $36.99 minus 30%

From Athleta

Athleta Kimssa Tunic, 4 colors, $89

From Piperlime. Many more Piperlime kurtas here.

Piperlime Roberta Roller Rabbit Classic Kurta w/ Border, $39.97

Piperlime Roberta Roller Rabbit Classic Kurta w/ Border, $49.97

From Ebay

Ebay J Crew Liberty of London Amy Hurrel Floral Tunic, Size Medium, $19.99

Ebay J. Crew Crinkle Tunic, no longer available except in xxs, $22 (I bought the other one :-)

Ebay Jcrew 100% silk sandbar boho tunic top coverup paisley small, $49.99

J. Crew Linen Tunic, $28.99 starting bid; buy outright for $37.99

From Old Navy

Old Navy Women's Tunic Cover-Up, $20 minus 20%. If you visit an Old Navy store, you'll see an amazing image on the wall of a girl in this tunic--it's prettier than it looks here.

From Boden

Boden Printed Beach Throw On, 6 colors, $66

Boden Stitch Detail Tunic, $43.50. I'm having a hard time not buying this one. I love the red!

From Tea Collection

Tea Collection Neutral Long Sleeve Dress, $59.95 minus 30% with the code MORE30

If you want to look put together when you're melting down, a tunic might be the answer. Do you agree?

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What to wear to a backyard barbeque (& what not to wear)

6/11/2014

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Barbecue season is upon us. July 4th is on the horizon. The neighbors are grilling right now. You will be at a bbq near you any day now, maybe this weekend!

Some of you will probably relate when I say that a bbq is not the ideal fashion venue for me. The quintessential masculine event, the barbecue--
worse yet, kegger!--asks you to look casual yet pretty.

Most people go the shorts & t-shirt route, but I just feel bland in that. But I think I might feel ok if I had perfect printed shorts (they're popular right now, examples below).

Some girls can pull off a maxi dress or cute sundress for the event. You just don't want to look like you're too dressed up.

Here's what not to wear.
Have fun but don't overdress; you'll just feel self-conscious.
Let's face it: most people do not dress up as much as this for a bbq (but most of our backyards aren't like this either :)...

Image photographed from a Build.com catalog that came in the mail

So what should you wear? Here are 5 options.

1. Printed shorts & a t-shirt, cami/tank, or simple top
Almost every store is carrying cute printed shorts in a variety of different lengths right now. Throw on a t-shirt or simple top, & you're good to go.

H&M Shorts, $12.95

Zara Bermuda Shorts, $39.90

LOFT Botanic Print Linen Cotton Riviera Short with a 4-inch Inseam, $44 .50

LOFT Paisley Print Walking Shorts in Marisa Fit with 10-inch Inseam, 2 colors, $54.50

2. White jeans or cropped blue jeans with a sleeveless top or tunic
Last summer, my standard bbq outfit was rolled-up skinny white jeans & solid tees. It was kind of sporty without being dead casual.

For today's bbq, I like the idea of cropped jeans & a halter top. I think I can vary this outfit throughout the summer with any sunny tunic or sleeveless top.

What I wore to the last bbq, details right

A tunic is another great option with white jeans, shorts, or blue jeans

Boden Boho Tunic, $82.60

Level 99 Lily Crop Jeans, $98

Piperlime Pim + Larkin Harper Bow Tie Halter Top, $44

Boden Easy Tank, $26.60 to $30.80

H&M Peasant Blouse, $34.95

3. A Zand skirt & a swimsuit top, tankini, or t-shirt
Just add a swimsuit top & you're sure to look cute but still pretty casual (you may still hear "you're dressed up!" but you're just as likely to hear "what a cool skirt!").

Zand Amsterdam Anna long skirt with pouch, €55

Zand Amsterdam Anna Gobelin short skirt. €45

Zand Amsterdam Anna long skirt with pouch, €55

I own two Zand Amersterdam skirts (see them here), & I wear them every summer, at least once a week, for work & play.

Most are cotton, reversible, & snap to fit whatever size you're feeling that day. Each one is unique, & most include a detachable pouch with shoulder strap.

Some of the styles are sold in town at boutiques, or you can order online. They ship worldwide.

I wrote more about them here.

4. A truly casual dress

PrAna Quinn Dress, $75

Piperlime August Salt Havannah Stripe Dress, $29.99

5. Beach pants with a swimsuit top, tankini, or tank
I've been so happy to see the resurgence of wide-leg pants, especially in thin, gauzy fabrics!

Swell O'Neill Johnson Pant, $48

Victoria's Secret The Beach Pant in Linen, $79.50

Swell Element Vanessa Beach Pant, $39.99

So what are you wearing to the upcoming Father's Day barbecue? Maybe you'll just throw on some shorts & a t-shirt or just wear whatever you have on now. I guess it doesn't really matter, but I do hope you have fun!

What do you wear when you go to a barbecue??

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Pretty as a flower

5/19/2014

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A slideshow of 8 wearable floral-print dresses, $24.95 & up. Do you like one of them? 

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The peplum question

5/12/2014

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I didn't buy peplum when it first came out, did you? One, I couldn't find anything I liked that wasn't too expensive. Two, there was some question--especially for shorter women--if it might (gasp, sigh) make us look fat.

But peplum is popping up again this season, & it seems to have softened its lines & become more wearable, less
airplane-wings-like.

I've ordered a couple of these tops. I'll be reporting back to let you know if they work out!

Fossil Camille Peplum Top, $49.99

GAP Eyelet Peplum Top, $34.99

back view GAP Eyelet Peplum Top, $34.99

Banana Republic Black Peplum Top, $29.99 minus 40%

Banana Republic Denim Peplum Top, $69.50 minus 40%

Love Culture Plus Size Strappy Peplum (also in orange), $27.95

Dillard's Sanctuary Clothing Ponte Peplum Top, $59.40

J. Crew Factory Ponte Peplum Top, $54.50 minus 30%

Nordstrom Lauren Ralph Lauren Peplum Top (Plus Size), $85

Piperlime Wells Grace Ellery Vegan Leather Peplum, $27.97

H&M Off-the-shoulder Top (also in black), $29.95

Fossil top, no longer available dang it!

Garnet Hill Sleeveless Peplum Top, 3 colors, limited sizes, $38

Do you own any peplum? Has it worked out well for you?

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What would Lily wear?

3/6/2014

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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

Sundance Catalog Lily Of The Valley Dress, $138

Jessica Simpson Eyelet Trim Dress, $128

Nordstrom Jessica Simpson Laser Cut Eyelet Trim Dress, $128

Piperlime Pim + Larkin Embellished Eyelet Dress, $129

Piperlime Pim + Larkin Embellished Eyelet Mini Dress, $129

Lillie Dress from dELiA's for $31 after discount

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? :-)...

Here's a white lace skirt from Garnet Hill, $128

Garnet Hill Full Lace Skirt, $128

Full photo, same skirt as above

Garnet Hill Full Lace Skirt, $128

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Two trends walk into a bar

2/17/2014

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Two trends are hitting the stores: the side-stripe pant & the high-ankle cuff sandal.

The side-stripe or piped pant

Ann Taylor Petite Side Striped Straight Leg Pants, $79.99 minus 50%

J. Crew Piped Andie Chino, $78

The Limited Exact Stretch Side Inset Pants, $49.99, also in red, $69.95

GAP True straight piped pants, $59.95 minus 35%, also in black

The high-ankle cuff sandal

Piperlime Chinese Laundry Time Flies, $89

Sundance Catalog Skye Belt Sandals, $228, from Frye, also in black & camel

Piperlime Chinese Laundry Cosmos, $89

6 p.m.com Steve Madden Figo, $54.99

LOFT Alissa Colorblocked Ankle Strap Heels $89.50 minus 50%, also in animal-print

Victoria's Secret Cut-out Sandal, $78

Who's buying?

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Several spring dresses under $30 that you don't need

12/26/2013

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These are just the types of dresses that keep me up at night. You don't need them, not one bit. They didn't all even get very good reviews. But they're $29 & under ("but it was 99 cents")! And they're cute!

Do you buy things you don't need sometimes because they're an amazing deal?

Piperlime Paisley Dress by Ark & Co. Final sale, $34.97 minus 50%

Piperlime Ruched Mini Knit Dress by Tinley Road Final sale, $34.97 minus 50%

Victoria's Secret Dolman-sleeve Dress, solids $29.99

Piperlime Sequin Floral Motif Dress by Rhyme Los Angeles Final sale, $34.97 minus 50%

Zara Dress with Crossover Neckline, $29.99

Piperlime Print Mix Shift Dress by Pim + Larkin Final sale, $34.97 minus 50%

Banana Republic Belted Shirttail Dress, $39.97 minus 50%

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A little flounce in your skirt

10/28/2013

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A little flip in your hem, a ruffle in your step--something playful, flirty, & flattering about flounce skirts.
Do you own a flounce-hemmed skirt? Where did you find it?

From Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor High Low Hem Pencil Skirt, $89 minus 50%

Ann Taylor Faux Leather Ponte Flounce Skirt, $88 minus 50%

Ann Taylor Tweed Flounce Skirt, $98 minus 50%

Ann Taylor Leopard Jacquard Flounce Skirt, $69.88 minus 50%

From Anthropologie

Anthropologie Cateline Skirt, $69.95

From Banana Republic

Banana Republic Fluted Shine Skirt, $98 minus 40% (code BRSAVE40)

From Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers Peplum Skirt, $148

From J.Crew

J. Crew Fluted Skirt in Double Crepe, $98

From Piperlime

Piperlime Fannie Boucle Knit Skirt by DV by Dolce Vita, $88

From Boden

Boden Hayley Skirt in sage, $98

Boden Hayley Skirt in fig, $98

From Talbots:

Talbots Seasonless Crepe Flounced Skirt, $99

Talbots Italian Flannel Trumpet Skirt, $129

From The Limited

The Limited Ponte Flounce Skirt, $59.95 minus 50% (code BIRTHDAY)

The Limited Houndstooth Flounce Skirt, $59.99 minus 50% (code BIRTHDAY)

The Limited Ponte Flounce Skirt, $59.95 minus 50% (code BIRTHDAY)

The Limited High-Waist Flounced Hem Skirt, $17.49 minus 30%

Dress 'em down or dress 'em up.
Try 'em with a bird tee... with a lace top... or with a crisp shirt or sweater.

Bird tees

Lace-topped tees

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Dressing down fancy

9/18/2013

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In my dream world, every item in my closet would be getting worn. As someone once said, your clothes need to pay rent for closet space, earn their keep, get out into circulation. So I was excited last week to see the fashion tip from Piperlime that we wear a nightlife dress out to lunch. Since then, I've been thinking about ways to dress down my fanciest dresses, the ones that almost never see the outside of the closet door. Not sure about wearing them out to lunch, but I'm thinking you can wear most anything to happy hour :-)

Here's the look Piperlime suggested we wear to lunch...

Piperlime Diamond Horizon Dress by M Missoni, $795

This dress is a little over my budget :-)

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated" --Oscar Wilde

Now that fall's on the way, our options open up a bit. One way to dress down the fancy is to throw on a casual jacket. What do you think of topping your fancy dress with a military-inspired jacket?

Urban Outfitters Ecote Canvas Military Jacket, $89

You could also add a casual vest or wear funky boots with your fancy dress. Reminds me a bit of the bride I saw over the summer in a wedding dress & high tops :-)

Sadly, I can't afford one of those cute little jackets right now, so I'm settling for trying the jacket I bought off season over the summer:

Backcountry,com prAna Sylvie Jacket, $57.17

In today's uber casual world, you can often be accused of being "dressed up."
Do you like to dress up? Do you wish we weren't all so casual all the time?

You may remember this Urban Outfitters Staring at the Stars Dress I bought a year ago. It's featured in this post with a beautiful leather PoseManikin necklace.

I last wore it to a Roaring 20s themed fundraiser.

It doesn't get out much :-)

So here's the outfit I plan to wear to see Glenn Berggoetz's film "To Die is Hard," being shown free Tuesday night (Sept. 24) at The Forest Room 5 in Denver. This showing will benefit the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Details here.

I realize the dress is not so dressy, and the jacket's not so casual. But I'm excited to take the jacket out for the night, and I'm thrilled to put my dress back into circulation! (even though I'll probably hear "why are you so dressed up?" Lol.)

Do you have a fancy dress you'd love to get into circulation? Any other ideas how to dress down fancy?

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