Work Wardrobe: Pleats Please

I love this clearance find of mine.  I found this dress at Kohls (of course) from the fantastic Catherine Malandrino line that I gave rave reviews to last year.  See the full review here.

This dress gives a hint of sexy in the length, a pinch of interest in the offset and over-sized buttons, and a Fall/Winter vibe in the fabric and color.  Most importantly, its the pleats.  (Anchorman fans, I will give you a minute to quote the movie.  "It's the pleats...in the pants...I am taking the back to the pants store."  You're welcome.)

I got away with wearing this to work with tights but I was cutting it close!  See my tips here on how to add some extra length to your favorite skirts & dresses!  ~B

Pleated Grey Dress - Catherine Malandrino for Kohls - $12.00 on clearance
Black Tights - Assets by Spanx - $24.00
Black Knee-high Boots - Fergalicious from Famous Footwear

Try these other pleated options!

Apt. 9 Geometric Fit & Flare Dress
$42.00 at Kohls 

Studio Pleated Faux Leather Midi

$110.90 on eloquii.com (it is a splurge but look for sales like 50% off!)

Faux-Suede Pleated Mini Skirt

$32.00 at Old Navy

Weekend Wardrobe: Bordeaux Date Night

It is date night in the middle of November.  I refuse to believe Winter is upon us.  So how do you put together a look that is sexy enough for date night but won't give you frostbite?  It's all in the colors!  

Oxblood, burgundy, bordeaux or whatever pretentious name you can find (I mean really) is the perfect Fall/Winter color.  I paired a "leather" a-line skirt with black tights and form fitting top to keep things dressy .  Finish up with a little ankle boot to remind yourself it is only Fall and you don't have to yet wear long underwear underneath every outfit.  

I kept with the pretentious color scheme on the make-up too.  I layered a mauve eyeshadow over top of a champagne base.  I also found a great bronze-y brown lip color to bring it home.  I definitely felt femininely Fall!  ~ B  

Try these options!

Ponte Circle Skirt in Wine Tasting (haha) - LC Lauren Conrad for Kohls - $32.99

Short Sleeved Bodysuit in Black - H&M - $34.95

Paris Wyno Wedge Bootie - BCBG - $69.95

Part 2 Leggings: Solids and Prints and Leather, Oh My!

Now that you have read my post, Leggings: Tales of the Misunderstood Tights, you can proceed to the next step.  If you haven't read it yet, start here before reading what is below.  
With great body comes great responsibility...to cloth it tastefully! ~B


The Legging Breakdown (break it down now!  And I'm dancing...)

1.  The Solid Legging:  A tried and true closet staple.  I like to stick to dark colors such as black, brown, and teal.  The best leggings around are from American Apparel, no contest.

American Apparel Cotton Spandex Jersey Legging - $28 (In 36 colors)

2.  The Patterned Legging:  Proceed with caution.  Prints can be very fun but stick to only a few colors per pair and make sure you try them on first!  What looks good on the rack doesn't always translate once you put them on.

Floral Jersey Leggings - H&M $12.95

3.  The Faux-leather Legging:  I love this option.  I own a pair and I feel like a chic bad ass when I wear mine.  If your outfit is getting a little to girly or over thought, throw on these bad boys.  There are some great legging options with patches of faux-leather.  Try these patched pairs on, they don't always hit in a flattering place!

Simply Vera Vera Wang Faux-leather Leggings - Kohls $26.99

 

4.  The Fleece Legging:  Holy crap, talk about wearing clouds on your legs!  Fleece-lined leggings are just about the coziest thing around.  Pair these with a chunky knit sweater (long of course) to bring it on home.  The coziness factor of this combo will cause you to take a nap and drink hot chocolate, just warning you.

Anthroplogie Fleece-lined Leggings - $18

 

5.  The Embellished Legging:  I am in love with embellished leggings.  I can't afford them, but they are fabulous.  I am also convinced you have to clean them gently with a toothbrush for about three hours.  They are amazing and I wouldn't hesitate to rock them with a long tee and blazer!

I don't have the heart to tell you the price of these.  Sigh.

Work Wardrobe: Falling for Floral

Fun with Florals!  (If you watch The League you know where I got that, haha)  I am still obsessed with Oxblood or it's more casual synonym, maroon.  Plus oxblood makes me think of playing the Oregon Trail in grade school but I digress (of dysentery).  I really love reinventing a classic combination and this time I played with the fool-proof and flattering combination of the button-up shirt and pencil skirt. 

Instead of a button up I chose a v-neck, ruffled, and floral blouse.  There is a lot going on up top so everything else really needed to remain simple and coordinated.  I chose a navy pencil skirt instead of the classic black.  Top (or bottom) that off with oxblood tights and brown booties for an unexpected ensemble.  The floral print and softer color combos create a more feminine Fall look.  ~B

Maroon Floral Top - Elle for Kohls
Navy Pencil Skirt - The Limited (I have had this staple for at least 6 years and still get good use out of it!)
Oxblood Tights - Simply Very by Vera Wang for Kohls
Brown Booties - a TJ Maxx clearance purchase

Fall Trends - Bootie Boot Camp

It's Fall and for me that means cozy sweaters, tights, scarves, and BOOTS baby!  The bootie is where it's at this Fall.  Cheaper than a knee high boot, booties will also make your legs look great.  Let's take a look at some Fall must haves that will boot up your wardrobe!

Booties - Resembling full boots but generally stopping around the ankle.  I will not call them shooties, that sounds like an alcoholic beverage.  Cheers!

The Basic - Candie's Shooties in Taupe - $47.99 at Kohls

These basic beauties come in black or tan and are the best basic.  These are appropriate for work and happy hour.  They look fantastic under jeans, skinny, bootcut, or wide-leg.  The silhouette is curvy resembling a bootie obsession of mine.  The Mui Mui Glitter Booties from last year.  (OBSESSED)

The Wedge - Mudd Wedge Bootie - $51.99 at Kohls
I own and love these casual wedge booties.  They are comfortable but cool.  Cue over-sized sweater and leggings.  Just make sure the sweater covers your actual bootie!  That is a rule of mine.

The Colorful - Ziggy Soho Strut Wedge Bootie in Mustard-$59.95 at DSW
I love this style, the separate buckle creates a dressiness and I love the mustard color.  I could see these with a tribal print black and white skirt or black leather leggins. 

The Chill - The Patagonia - $39.95 at JustFab
Just enough pattern to relax the boot.  You can wear these babies all weekend!  These will be a year round wear but I would stick with leggings or skinny jeans to keep these Fall-worthy.

The Dressy - Carlos by Carlos Santana Crown Dress Bootie - $89.00 at Macy's
Love these!  The fact that the "bow" is relaxed and half-hazard is intriguing and I love the wine color!  This is a great pop against a black or jewel colored pair of tights.  And when your shoes are this fantastic, you can keep the rest of the ensemble in basic black.  Just add a long silver necklace!

You really can't go wrong, but I could go on and on.  Try a combat boot for super casual days or to feel like a bad ass.  Try a peep toe bootie for dressier looks.  Booties are a staple so be smart about your purchase and make sure they are versatile for you.  Have fun shaking your booties!  ~B