Loop Looks

Blazer – H & M (similar under $35) | Blouse – The Limited via Poshmark (similar) | Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet (similar) | Shoes – Eric Michael (similar)

Full disclosure: this photo of me in a bright pink blazer on a sunny day was taken on Sunday. Because today? It’s raining. Again. Also, it is almost May and I’m still wearing hosiery. There is something really wrong with this.

Actually, you can be honest, there might be more wrong with this outfit than the fact that I still have to wear hose. For some reason (I think it’s because I’m currently “enjoying’” being a woman if you catch my drift) none of my clothes feel right this week. Probably a mistake to wear pencil skirts right now, huh? Ladies, can you commiserate?

And now that you’ve gotten way more information about me than you wanted you can go back to your regularly scheduled Tuesday. I’ll be over here tugging down my skirt and trying to figure out if I should unbutton my blazer or not. Thoughts?

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Top – The Limited | Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet | Necklace – JC Penney | Shoes – Nine West

When I was in seventh grade I wore black (or black and white) probably 90% of the time.  I wasn’t goth.  I just really liked black and white.  I still do, actually.  And all black can be a really classic look.  Why do you think most women have a “little black dress” in their closet?

But all black can be badly done, too.  Many people think all black is slimming.  If you wear black clothes that are faded, too big, or too tight it just makes you look frumpy, not classy.

My suggestions?  Toss the old, faded, pilled black pieces.  Stick to flattering shapes no matter the color.  Look for items that are current in terms of shape and silhouette.  And remember, when in doubt, add a statement necklace or fun shoes.  That will definitely keep you looking from looking too funereal.

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Top – Banana Republic Outlet | Skirt – BCBG Outlet | Necklace – The Limited| Shoes – Tahari via TJ Maxx

Friday in my neck of the woods means casual.  Typically I wear jeans on Fridays since that’s the only day of the week they’re technically allowed.   But since Chicago is on its third day of record breaking heat there was no way I was leaving the house in jeans.

So, I put on my most casual, comfortable skirt.  This full jersey knit skirt is as comfortable as a t-shirt and can be dressed up with heels and a necklace or dressed down with a tank-top and flat sandals. 

Full, pleated skirts are very on trend right now.  This is actually the only full skirt I own!  Although, I just ordered some on crazy clearance from The Limited to try out.

We’ll see how I feel about those.  I doubt either of them will quite as comfy as the one I have on today!

What’s your go-to casual Friday outfit?

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Top – Ann Taylor Outlet | Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s | Necklace – New York & Company

I’m dragging this morning.  I had what I’m referring to as a “lost weekend”.  It was fun, don’t me wrong, but partying a bit too hard on Friday night followed by staying up all night on Saturday night (and riding my bike 25 miles) has left me a bit worse for wear this Monday AM.

So, here we are back at my uniform of black pencil skirt and interesting top.  This blouse is a teensy bit peplum so it’s got that going for it.  The necklace is more visually appealing than just the plain silver or pearl one I would normally wear.  And the shoes?  A last minute decision to break up the simplicity of the outfit.

But, really, I think it just goes to show you that even if you’re not feeling 100% you can still look put together.

P.S.  I added all my June looks over on Facebook? Let me know which one is your favorite!

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Top – THML via Stitch Fix | Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet | Necklace – Overstock.com | Shoes – Tahari via TJ Maxx | Earrings – gift

If I had my way today I wouldn’t leave the house.  I’d crank up the AC in my apartment and sit on the couch watching old episodes of Supernatural.  The heat and humidity was already stifling at 8:30 AM.

Alas, I not only have to go to work I also have to facilitate a professional organization meeting this evening.  What do you wear when it’s going to be a scorcher outside?

Something lightweight!  This top that arrived in my latest Stitch Fix fit the bill perfectly.  It’s 100% cotton and the top is just a little bit sheer.  Unfortunately I need to wear a camisole under it to make it totally work appropriate but otherwise the material is perfect for a hot, summer day.

Sadly, the blazer I plan to wear with this for the meeting this evening is not so summer appropriate.

That will definitely be going on at the last minute, for sure.

Is it hot where you are?  What do you wear when the mercury climbs?

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Top – The Limited | Skirt – Banana Republic Factory Outlet | Shoes – Nine West | Necklace – gift from my husband | Earrings – Bergner’s

Last night I did a closet consultation with the goal of helping her break out of the rut of neutral bottoms and a plain top.  As someone whose uniform consisted of very similar things for years it was fun to help someone else see how to jazz up plain items.

Which is why I found it funny that this morning I was drawn to the very  mold I was trying to break my consult out  of!  However, I stuck to the “rule of three” I taught her last night.  Neutral bottom (black skirt), colored top (with some fun details), and simple but funky jewelry (big hoop earrings).  We also talked about not wearing two blousy things together.  That just makes you look frumpy!

It can be difficult, though, to talk office appropriate and fashionable outfits when it’s almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside!  When it’s this hot a skirt, tank  and simple jewelry are about all I can handle.

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Chambray shirt – Target | Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet | Belt – The Limited | Necklace – Overstock.com | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s

This is the second time I’ve paired this shirt with this skirt but, as you can see, I’ve totally changed the accessories to make it seem like an entirely new outfit.  Different necklace, different belt, and different shoes.

Sometimes changing up the accessories is all you need to make the same pieces seem new again.

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Jacket & Top – Dots

Skirt – The Limited

Shoes – Bandolino via DSW

I picked up this jacket and the tank underneath it last week at the Dots Spring & Summer Style Party I attended.  Did you know everything at Dots is under $40?  I’ve been wanting a bright pink blazer for awhile and the price of this one made it too good to pass up.  The tank is a bit big so I layered another black tank top from The Limited underneath it to make it a little less low-cut.

I actually had one of those mornings where I tried on several things before deciding on this.  I had a different outfit in mind but it just wasn’t working.  And of course since I had to leave my house earlier than usual today I was in a bit of a panic.  Still, I think for a last minute change-up it didn’t turn out too badly.

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Cardigan – Target

Tank top & Necklace – The Limited

Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet

Hose – Target

Shoes – Tahari/TJ Maxx

Apparently peplum is all the rage right now.  I didn’t know this when I bought this cardigan on the clearance rack at the end of last year.  I guess I was ahead of the trend for once!

This cardigan is actually just an open cardigan.  No button or zipper.  But I found I was fussing with it too much this morning so I decided to improvise.  Don’t have a button or a nice pin?  Use an earring!  Yes, that’s a stud earring holding my cardigan closed.  Pretty ingenious, huh?

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Scarf & Skirt – The Limited

Shirt – Old Navy

Blazer – Gibson/Nordstrom Rack

Shoes – Tahari/TJ Maxx

I’m wearing 4, count ‘em, 4 different patterns today!  Floral, stripes, tweed-ish, and pinstripes.  It’s a pattern explosion!

I used to be very averse to wearing multiple patterns but now, as I believe I’ve shown in many of my outfit posts, I’m really getting into pattern mixing.

This outfit would be just fine without the scarf but I think the greys in the scarf go with the grays in the jacket and the teals go with the neutral black and gray palate.  Plus, the scarf adds a touch of spring to an otherwise wintery outfit.  Finally, the pinstripe in the skirt is so faint that it’s barely noticeable.

If you’re a little wary about the pattern mixing thing, I suggest starting with one small pattern and one big pattern in the same color family.  Once you get comfortable with that you can start going further out on the pattern mixing limb!

P.S.  Yes, I dumped some water on my plant.    It’s already perked up.

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