Loop Looks

A few months ago I saw a shirt on Fran and emailed the link to my friend Kim with the subject “Classy cat shirt”.  Kim is a HUGE cat person so I thought she needed some cat clothes.

No, not like that. Like this:

We have a ongoing joke about ugly cat shirts and how I believe they should not be allowed outside of your house. Ever.

(Although, to be honest, the top right one isn’t half bad)

So, of course, Kim was excited that there was actually a Loop Looks approved cat print shirt. Which means when I asked for “You Pick” posts for this week while I’m on vacation, she immediately responded asking for more Crazy Cat Lady-friendly yet office-appropriate cat print clothing items.  Believe it or not, they were easier to find than you’d think. This first one I actually saw being worn by Sarah’s Real Life!

Carousel Animal Print Shirt

Other Items

It helps that fun prints such as cats, birds, household objects, and other animals are trending right now. The key, though, is to keep the print small or in just one or two colors.

Dress One | Dress Two

Other Items

Shirt One | Shirt Two | Shirt Three

Other Items

Would you wear a cat print shirt? Are you a cat person or a dog person?

P.S. If you want to see actual photos of my outfit from last Monday, they’re up at Work Your Wardrobe along with my tips on how to incorporated printed pants in to your wardrobe if you’re scared of looking like a clown.

(Full disclosure: I am a dog person all the way)

Tags: printed dress, printed top, you pick wednesday

Cardigan – The Limited (similar) | Tank – The Limited (similar) |Pants – The Limited (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar) | Shoes – 6pm.com (similar)

This week is Bike to Work Week in Chicago and since I only live 1.5 miles from my office I do occasionally bike there. The most difficult part for me, though, is figuring out what to wear while on my bike. Do I wear my regular work clothes? Do I wear workout clothes and change once I get to work? I’ve done it both ways and it really depends on the weather.

For example, today was supposed to be cool in the morning. So I decided to wear running tights, a t-shirt and a jacket (and bike shoes, of course) on my bike and change into my work clothes when I got to work. Except it was actually quite warm on my bike! Which means even though I overdressed, I’m glad I didn’t wear my office outfit because I sweated in my Chicago Marathon shirt instead of my polka dot cardigan.

Riding my bike to work can be quite a challenge and requires a bit of planning the night before. Deciding what to wear, what to pack, and making sure I don’t forget anything. Still, it’s a nice way to start my morning and Bike to Work Week always reminds me to get out on my bike more often.

Do you bike? How do you get to work?

Also linking up with Mix & Match Fashion and Vodka Infused Lemonade

Tags: bubble necklace, cardigan, gray heels, gray pants, polka dots

Target | Old Navy

Old Navy | Forever 21 | Kohl’s

Kohl’s | American Eagle | Macy’s

Kelly recently asked me to help her find an affordable denim jacket. The great thing about a denim or jean jacket is that you can find one at literally every price point. I stuck to suggestions for under $50 but they can range from $20 to $200. And, to be honest, I can’t really tell the difference in quality! It all depends on what you want in a jacket. I bought mine over 10 years ago from the GAP outlet and it’s still in great shape. I’m looking to replace it myself, though, because the style is getting kind of dated.

So what should you look for? Here are some key things I would suggest:

1. Nothing to light and nothing too dark. An in-between shade is more likely to go with lots of different tops, pants, skirts and dresses. However, if the jacket is cheap enough maybe get two, one lighter and one darker!

2. Not cropped. A cropped jacket will go out of style faster than one that hits at or just above or below your hips.

3. Tapered in at the waist. Mine is way too boxy on me and makes me look wider than I am. I would like one that shows off my waist instead of hiding it.

Denim jackets are also a great thing to look for at thrift stores or on Poshmark since they’ve been around a long time. Just remember the three key features mentioned above so you pick out a modern looking one. Unless you’re going for a 1950s vibe. Then, by all means, grab that vintage jacket and rock that style!

Don’t forget to ask your own questions! Hit me up on Twitter at @looplooks and get a You Pick Wednesday post just for you.

Tags: denim jacket, shopping, you pick wednesday

Shirt – Old Navy (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Nine West (similar) | Necklace – Gordman’s (similar) | Bracelet – House of Gemmes (same) | Belt – The Limited (similar)

Sometimes you see an outfit on someone and you think, “That works, but I don’t know why.” That’s what I thought when I saw Rachel from Suburban Style Challenge put a striped shirt with her patterned a-line skirt. I immediately thought about putting my black and white striped shirt with my purple, black, and pink pleated skirt. This skirt has no white in it but yet the two seem to go together.

Already I’ve gotten two compliments on this outfit. One from my husband who told me it was cute and another from a worker who said she liked my “dress”.

I think it’s because this outfit has repeating bands of color but they are separated by a large section of solid purple that your eye is tricked into seeing it as a cohesive outfit. Also, for anyone who is afraid of horizontal stripes, wearing a belt at your narrowest spot (typically your natural waist) will keep you from feeling like the side of a barn.

How do you feel about horizontal stripes?

Tags: belt, black and white, pleated skirt, purple, stripes

I’m still recovering from my crazy two day, 195-mile, 12 person relay race which  means I completely forgot my camera this AM. And my photographer is studying for finals (yay for being married to a college student!) so we didn’t take pictures in advance.  But, thankfully, you don’t have to be left with this sorry photo collage of what I’m wearing today. Nope, you can head over to the other Chicago Erin at Color Me Styled and read my guest post on what I’m planning to pack for vacation next week!

Or you can go vote for your favorite outfit from May! So far the chambray shirt with the black pleated skirt is winning. But was that your favorite??

Back tomorrow with (hopefully) our regularly scheduled programming!

Tags: green blouse, lace, leopard heels, navy

Oh my gosh, you guys, it was SO HARD to pick a favorite outfit from May. I really knocked it out of the park this past month, if I do say so myself. And I do. Obviously. Anyway, I narrowed it down to two. My sequined skirt (that garnered me no more than 15 “Sparkly!” comments in real life) and the tweed jacket and navy skirt outfit I fell in love with as soon as I put it on.

But, really, I loved a lot of the outfits I wore in May. So, now it’s your turn to tell me which ones YOU loved!

Again, you should be able to click on each individual picture to go the full outfit post.

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Tags: best outfits

Cardigan – Nordstrom Rack (similar) | Shirt – The Limited (same) | Pants – The Limited (similar) | Scarf – NYC street vendor (similar) | Shoe – Bandolino (similar) | Bracelet – gift (similar)

Apologies for the indoor photos today. Chicago has decided that we don’t get summer yet and I just wasn’t in the mood to brave the chilly, drizzly weather to get a photo this morning.  But, hey, at least it’s cool enough that I can keep wearing my favorite scarf. In fact, this black, white and leopard outfit is basically just a dressed up version of one I wore last October. Swap the white jeans for white dress pants and the riding boots for heels (and take out the turtleneck because I refuse to wear one in June) and you’ve gone from Friday casual to business casual.

FYI – I’m out of the office tomorrow because I’m running the Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay. But that doesn’t mean you should skip Friday’s post! Nope! It’s time for my favorite outfit of May and your turn to vote for your favorite. So come back tomorrow and cast your vote.

Tags: black cardigan, leopard print, nude shoes, white pants

Looking for your own outfit ideas today? Here’s my guest post on Coming Unstitched about how to look professional even when it’s hot outside.

Ahh, The Limited gets me every time with their 40% off everything sales. In my defense, here’s why I bought the things I bought even after I said that I was going to keep with my shopping hiatus.

1. J. Crew Factory  Pink Gingham Shirt – $30.92 (same)

This is to replace my pink gingham shirt that bit the dust during my mechanical bull riding experience in Arizona.  I wore that shirt a lot so I’m thinking this one will get worn just as often, if not more since it’s a tad bit dressier.

2.  The Limited Black Top – $22.14 (same)

I’d been wanting a replacement plain black dressy short sleeved shirt to replace my black drape neck top that I bought at the Banana Republic outlet three years ago. This one from The Limited is a perfect replacement and I couldn’t pass up the price. When and if they go on sale again or they come out with more colors, I will be stocking up.

3. The Limited Pleated Skirt Cream – $20.99 (same)

Okay, admittedly, I don’t NEED more skirts, but I’m really trying to branch out from pencil skirts and I liked the length of this one. Plus, for just over $20 it was a steal.  And it’s a more neutral color than my other pleated skirt so I can wear it with more items already in my closet.

4. The Limited Gold Double Strand Curve Necklace – $14.94 (same)

Since I’m still growing my gold jewelry collection I’ve realized on more than one occasion that I don’t have a simple gold necklace. This fits the bill!

5. Flower & Pearl Necklace from Dreaming Leo Designs on etsy – $13.25

Total impulse purchase but for under $15 with shipping in colors that I love I decided it could be mine.

6. The Limited Red Sweater – $25.74 (same)

7. The Limited Black Sweater – $25.74 (same)

These two sweaters are the only iffy items of the bunch. I still can’t decide if I’m going to keep them or not.  The red one looks good with the new pleated skirt but I also have a red top I could wear it with already.  Thoughts?

8. Old Navy Maxi Dress – $20 (same)

I have three other maxi dresses but all of them are a bit more form fitting. I like this one because it’s more flow-y and will work even if I’m having a not-so-skinny-feeling day. This dress is definitely going on vacation with me this month!

Total – $173.72

I spent a bit more in May than I had planned and actually $23 more than I usually budget myself. Although, since I’m still undecided on the two sweaters from The Limited I might take those back and actually be just fine. But, I feel like almost all of my purchases were to replace items in my closet or fill holes that I had discovered now that the weather has gotten nicer.

Did you find anything fun in May? Want to see how other bloggers are doing with their budgets? Check out Fran’s Budgeting Bloggers link-up!

Also linking up with Small Town, Big Wardrobe for Whatever Wednesday

Tags: shopping

Blazer – J. Crew (same) (similar) | Shirt – Gap (similar) | Skirt – New York & Co (similar) |  Shoes – Bandolino (similar)

Approximately a gazillion years ago (okay, it was actually 9 months) I pinned an outfit featuring a navy blazer, a polka dot blouse, and a pink skirt. At the time I had a pink skirt and a polka dot top. That was it. Then I when I finally got my navy blazer for my birthday in January it was too cold to wear the pink skirt. But not today! No, today I finally put the three of them together and I feel pretty awesome.

It’s like, I’m wearing a suit but it’s so much more fun. I’m all preppy up top but having a party on the bottom. I think this is what I love about bright skirts. They add life to an outfit that might otherwise be super traditional. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with traditional but every so often I look in the mirror and want something a little different.

Which is why I bought a pink pencil skirt. And it’s why I think everyone should have at least one bright skirt in their closet. For those days when you just want to wearing something fun but you still have to look professional. A structured bright skirt totally fits the bill.

Tags: navy blazer, nude shoes, pink skirt, polka dots

Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (same) (similar) | Shoes – Anne Klein via Marshall’s (similar) | Navy necklace – J. Crew via Poshmark (similar) | Gold bar necklace – The Limited (same)

So, uh, Chicago. In June. It’s a fickle time of year. The sun is out and warm but the air temperature is cool. So even if I wanted to wear a dress as summery as the one in today’s Inspiration Monday to work it was not going to happen today.

Source

But that’s okay. Because that means I got to wear my new skirt (details coming on Wednesday)!

After feeling like I was all pencil skirts all the time I’ve been looking to branch out. The key, though, is making sure that the skirt isn’t too full or too long lest I feel like a ballerina or like it’s accentuating my hips. This one was an online purchase that worked out in my favor. I’m already looking forward to other ways to wear this skirt.

Although, I realized when putting this outfit together that I don’t own any brightly colored heels! I think I will be using my Sole Society credit to remedy this situation. What color do you think I should get?

Tags: lace, pleated skirt