Category: Zara

Serious fun: what to wear the first day of school

8/15/2014

A balance between serious & fun is the goal as we prepare for the first day of school. Whether a student or a teacher, you want to look like you mean serious academic business but also that you're planning on having a good time!

It's actually pretty simple to create this impression: just mix one playful element with one serious element.

Here are 3 examples...

1. All black (serious) paired with a fun accessory like a patterned scarf, big earrings, or heels (fun):

Zara Palm Tree Scarf, $2.99

Victoria's Secret The Kate Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton, $29.50

2. A collared shirt (serious) paired with a playful patterned skirt (fun):

Garnet Hill Favorite Casual Cotton Shirt, $68

J. Crew Factory Printed Pencil Skirt, $34.99

J. Crew Factory is offering an extra 25% off to teachers in store through Sunday!

3. Black pants (serious) paired with a printed top (fun):

I hope to wear these pants >>
with the top once they arrive,
as long as they're not too much fun! :-)

Zara Printed Top, $19.99

Boden Bistro Crop Trouser, $26.40

So which outfit do you think I should wear?
What will you be wearing for the first day of school??
Have a great first week back!

More schooly posts...

What I've worn for the first day of school in the past

Back2school tees

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New Year's Eve in July

7/13/2014

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I spent a lot of time around New Year's Eve looking for a sequin skirt. Who knew we could buy one now for next to nothing, probably to save for the Big Event but possibly to wear for a fun night out?

Banana Republic Sequin Mini, $29.99 minus 50%

J. C. Penney Joe Fresh Sequin Graphic Skirt, $19.99 minus 15%

Forever 21 Ditsy Sequined Skirt, bronze or mint, $11.99

Zara Seqinned Skirt, $19.99

H&M Skirt with Sequined Embroidery, $20

Styling suggestion for now...

Garnet Hill Modern Sequin Knit Skirt, $49

And later...

Sole Society image, accessories, & shoes

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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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Who's wearing the pants?

4/4/2014

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...the printed pants, that is.

A year or so ago, printed pants--in everything from polka dot to brocade--hit the scene hard. Now I find they're on sale!

Is it because they aren't as popular as they used to be? Or are you wearing them regularly & ready to bring back out your cropped ones for spring?

Printed pants can take you to work, out for lunch, to an afternoon gathering, or out for the night because of their playful styles & dressy fabrics. They're easy to match with (black, white, cream). The only tricky part, I think, can be the shoes.

Are you the one wearing the pants?

In jacquard, brocade, sateen, & medallion prints

H&M Jacquard-weave Pants, $49.95

J. Crew Campbell Capri in Lattice Medallion, $69.99 minus 30%

Talbots Signature Dot Jacquard Ankle Pants, $29.99

Boden Bistro Pant, $52.80-$74.80

J. Crew Factory Skimmer Pant in Metallic Brocade, $64.50

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $27.60

Boden Wow Bistro Crop, $27.60

In blues

New York & Co 7th Avenue Pant Cuffed Crop Sateen Print, $25

J. Crew Factory Skimmer Pant, $39.50

Boden Bistro Crop, $17.60

Boden Bistro Pant, $70.40

J. Crew Minnie Pant in Foulard, $79.50

J. Crew Campbell Capri in Abstract Wave, $69.99

In animal print

Zara Printed Trousers, $59.90

Talbots Signature Animal-Print Ankle Pants, $23.99

Ann Taylor Maven Leopard Ankle Pants, $89.99 minus 40%

H&M Pants Loose fit, $17.95

In black & white

Garnet Hill Jacquard Capri Pants, $68

New York & Co. Crosby Street Slim Leg Pant, $21.18

H&M Slacks, $20

Ann Taylor Windowpane Slim Ankle Pants, $79.99 minus 40%

LOFT Floral Print Stretch Cotton Pants in Marisa Fit, $49.50

Banana Republic Hampton-Fit Geo Print Crop, $69.99 minus 40% with code BRSPRING40

In florals & nature patterns

Garnet Hill Santeen Capri Pants, $78

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $17.60

Zara Floral Printed Trousers, $59.90

Zara 5 Pocket Printed Trousers, $49.90

Zara Floral Printed Trousers, $59.90

Zara Printed Trousers, $59.90

In artistic designs

Zara Printed Trousers with Side Zip, $79.90

Zara Cut Work Trousers, $99.90

New York & Co. 7th Avenue Ankle Pant, $24.97

Boden Bistro Crop Trousers, $117.30

Boden Bistro Crop, $17.60

J. Crew Collection Cafe Capri in Iced Lilac Paisley, $129.99 minus 30%

Zara Palm Tree Print Sarong Trousers, $59.90

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A rant against transitions & in-betweens

3/14/2014

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I can dress for winter, & I can dress for summer, but most challenging in my book is dressing for spring. You're hot & you're cold. You're yes & you're no. You're sun & you're snow. You're freezing in the morning & burning up in the afternoon.

I can dress for work, & I can dress for play, but I'm most challenged dressing for in-between events. You know, the Friday trainings when you don't want to look like you're trying to outdo anyone by being dressed up, but you also don't want to look underdressed for the workplace? Ugh!

Here are my grumpy tweets from last week, & several suggestions to help us through these transitions...

Dressing for spring...

Spring colors...

In March, you are expected to dress warmly yet in #spring colors--I find this a challenge! :-)
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 5, 2014

Monica tried to help me... :-)

@OpenMindFashion Mint green tights! Brilliant orchid scarves! If anyone can do it, you can!
— Monica F (@nlmtys) March 5, 2014

Colorful tights--image from Boden

Boden Printed Scarf, $19.20

The shoes

Another problem with #spring is the shoes. Boots seem too heavy, sandals too light.
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 6, 2014

Nikki tried to help me... :-)

@OpenMindFashion great time for brogues, flats and maybe an ankle boot #iheartspring :)
— Nikki Duckworth (@NikkiOnStyle) March 6, 2014

Boden Wedge Ankle Boot, $84-$142.80

6 p.m.com DV by Dolce Vita Manta, $34.99

Another option is a sandal boot...

Zara Suede Leather Block Heel Ankle Boot, $69.99

Zara Slingback Leather Ankle Sandal Boot with Buckle, $99

Dress in layers?
The problem, of course, is that sometimes the layer underneath doesn't look so good after it's been smashed under a heavier top layer much of the day.

The last two days, in my attempt to dress for spring, I've been cold. I hate being hot, but I also hate being cold. #springtroubles
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 9, 2014

So I was cold last week, so on the weekend I went back to heavier sweaters, & then I was too hot. #springtroubles
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 10, 2014

Dressing for in-between events...

Start with denim...
If you start with a denim base (trouser jeans, dark ankle jeans, a denim skirt), you'll never seem overdressed.

Old Navy Women's The Pixie Skinny Ankle Jeans, $25 minus 15%

Boden Chic Denim Skirt, $68

Other suggestions:

Sometimes it's all in the shoes. Wear casual shoes, & your whole outfit will look more relaxed.
Layer a casual top--maybe something stripey--under a dressier tunic or dress.
Bring along a blazer for an instant upgrade if needed.

Image from Boden

Do you have any other suggestions for how to dress for in-between events?

April may be the cruelest month, but it's March that drives me to madness. Throw in a time change, & I'm a complete mess :-) Many thanks to Monica & Nikki for helping me through!

How do you feel about transitions & in-betweens?

You may also like...

More booties

How to wear
a blazer

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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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Tartan returns!

12/2/2013

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Although the Countess of WEssex says that tartan never left, I think its popularity had waned.

But now it's back in crazy colors as well as traditional red. Please don't ask me the difference between tartan & plaid--seems a heated debate brews about this topic--I just think it's more crissy-crossy than plaid.

Boden Wool Bistro Crop in blue or green tartan (& other colors), $96.60

Talbots Tartan Plaid Wrap, $59.50 minus 30%

Boohoo Charlotte Side Panel Tartan Skinny Trousers, $40

Zara Fitted Checked Dress, $99.90

Many more tartan/plaid/checked things from Zara here.

Macy's Hanky Panky Highland Tartan Triangle Bralette ($48) & Boyshort ($37)

This one might be plaid, not tartan :-)

Forever 21 Plaid Skinny Jeans, $24.80

Fossil Tartan Duffle, $228 minus 30%

Express Textured Tartan Plaid Skirt, $24.94

Zara Mini Skirt with Zips, $79.90

So would you wear it?

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It's decided.

2/22/2013

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My birthday's coming up in a few days, and I've decided this Zara draped sweater is what I'd really like. I want to wear it with tights and these Piperlime shorts I have or with yellow jeans. What do you think of the combos? I figure I could wear it out for coffee, lunch, or dinner. I could wear the sweater to work too. Do you ever buy yourself a birthday gift?

Zara Draped Sweater, $49.90, free shipping & returns

Piperlime Pim + Larkin Metallic Tweed Shorts, $19.97, free shipping & returns

GAP 1969 always skinny jeans in lemon meringue, $29.99

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Falling in love with Zara

2/20/2013

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The first trait that attracts me to a store is style, of course. But what makes me fall miserably in love are low prices.

Zara has both. And with free shipping & returns on every order (yes!), it seems love is in the air.

Zara is Spanish in origin with nearly 2,000 stores worldwide, just under 50 so far in the U.S. It's one of the most popular stores in Europe and, as The Guardian reported last week, it has taken London's High Street by storm.

Not everything is lovely at Zara, of course, and I'm tempted to draw a mustache on their automaton model, but I've fallen in love with all these looks below, and I'm about to make my first purchase.

Do you have a Zara where you live? Have you ordered from them online? Are you in love?