Loop Looks

Blazer – Macy’s (similar) | Shirt – Gap (similar) | Pants – Express (similar) | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar)

First, I need to get a shout-out to Katie for inspiring me to put together my camel blazer with my green pants. She wore it first and wore it well, I must say. My outfit is basically a blatant copy but, hey, that’s the sincerest form of flattery, right? Or is that just what we tell ourselves when we’re feeling uninspired? Anyway, I loved the color pairing so much that I wanted to wear it, too.

I also used my own trick of adding an ankle bracelet between the clasps of my necklace to make it longer. Such a great way to get more use out of a necklace. And, yes, I’m one again pairing leopard print with brightly colored pants. I don’t know why I love to combine the two, but it always looks great to my eye. Especially when paired with neutrals on top.

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Cardigan – Target (similar) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) |Pants – LOFT (similar) | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s (similar for $12!) | Bracelet – Gorjana

Today I’m actually contributing over at Work Your Wardrobe with some hints about how to wear colored pants. Since I’m featuring my cobalt blue pants over there I thought I’d show you a few more looks here.

Outfit 1 | Outfit 2 | Outfit 3

Still not a fan of colored pants? What about colored skirts? All the same advice applies!

Have cobalt pants or a skirt in your closet and looking for some other outfit inspirations? Here are a few of my favorites that I will be recreating in the future!

1/2/3/4

And don’t forget! Any time you have a style question you can ask and I’ll feature it on You Pick Wednesday!

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Blazer – J. Crew (similar under $35) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Scarf – JF&A Trade Show (similar) | Earrings – The Limited | Jeans – Gap Factory Outlet (similar) | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s (similar)

Hooray for Friday! Seriously, this week has felt 1,000 years long, am I right? At least I had one piece of this outfit planned out when I heard that today’s Friday Fancies theme was lace. Throw on my lace top with jeans and a blazer and I’m good to go. At least, I thought I was.  I originally planned to wear this outfit with either my nude heels or my nude, gold studded flats, but I feel like I’ve been wearing those nude flats all the time! I  wanted to give some love to something else in my closet. Hence the leopard print flats.

And then I was struggling with what necklace to wear. Finally it struck me: wear a scarf. Wear this floral scarf, actually. It hasn’t gotten love on the blog and I thought it contrasted nicely with the lace and the leopard.

So, there you go. My thought process when getting dressed.  Seriously, throw a scarf and a blazer on with just about anything and your outfit will go from “eh” to “yeah”!

Also linking up with Two Thirty-Five Designs

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Shirt – H & M (similar on sale!) | Sweater – Gap (similar) | Jeans – Express | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Tradeshow (similar)

I bought this shirt because I wanted something in pink gingham.  I got this sweater as a gift and never knew what to wear it with.  I bought this necklace because I’d seen something similar online and loved the way it looked with various outfits.  But it wasn’t until I saw images on Pinterest that I got the idea to wear them all together.

Some people will tell you that you should only buy pieces if you know exactly what you’re going to wear them with.  Can you make three outfits with it off the top of your head?  Then you should get it.  I sort-of subscribe to this theory.  But, I also love finding new ways to wear the items in my closet that I didn’t think of when I purchased or received the items.  There is so much inspiration available that I don’t think you should leave something out of your closet just because you couldn’t think of a way to wear it. Just commit to looking for ideas and you’re bound to find that it works in your wardrobe perfectly.

Also, you may notice that I’m wearing jeans on a Thursday.  That’s because this is my  Friday.  I’m off work starting this afternoon until January 2nd.  I’ve got some fun guest posts scheduled for next week, though, don’t you worry!

P.S.  Thanks to my girlfriends who suggested I try Express for “skinny” jeans that aren’t as tight on my ankle or calves.  The Stella fit are perfect if you’re looking for something similar!

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Dress – Express (similar) | Necklaces – J. Crew via Poshmark (similar) | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s (similar)

After yesterday’s dress code discussion I admit I felt a bit odd going to work in what is essentially an outfit that pushes the envelope of a professional dress code.  But, considering my only work obligation was a meeting on our more casual campus and then I was off to the JF&A Show (post on Sunday!) I felt I could get away with it.

Plus, the dress does meet the fingertip criteria.  What’s that?  If a dress or skirt is longer than your fingertips when your arm is hanging by your side then it’s not too short.

Okay, maybe it’s still too short for work for many people but for the day I had planned it worked okay.

Also, did you notice the pattern mixing with the stripes and the leopard print?  I have a post coming up next Wednesday on pattern mixing!

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Top – Target | Jeans – AG Adriano Goldschmied via Bloomingdale’s | Scarf – The Limited | Necklace – NY & Co | Rain boots – Kamik via Zappos | Flats – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s

Look.  If it’s going to rain during the work week I’d much prefer it rain on Friday.  That way I can wear jeans!  Rainy days make me want to dress comfy.  So my rules for rainy days are:

1.  Wear jeans you can tuck into your rain boots or a skirt or dress. Soaking wet cuffs are never fun.

2.  Have some fun with your rain boots.  They should be comfy but why not get them in a fun pattern?  Chances are you won’t be wearing them all day so show a little spunk on your commute.

3. Feel good in your outfit.  Rain can make you want to curl up on the couch in your pajamas, not go to work.  So put on some of your favorite pieces that will make you want to get out the door and show off.

Also, you may have noticed I’m wearing white after Labor Day.  I love these jeans.  They can be tucked into my rain boots.  This outfit can be accessorized a million ways from Sunday.  So it fits all my criteria.  Bah I say to the no white rule!

P.S.  Thanks for all the suggestions on yesterday’s post! I’m planning to rework this outfit in the near future.

P.P.S.  Last night’s Fashion’s Night Out fashion show at Macy’s State Street was a blast!  Thanks to Corals and Cognacs for letting us know about it.   I got some fun outfit ideas (printed pants, anyone?) and had fun hanging out with Molly and Heather.  Plus I finally got an opportunity to wear shorts and heels which is something I’ve been dying to do for awhile.

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Don’t forget about the BISTM giveaway!  The tote bags are totally worth it!

Blouse – Gap | Pants – Gap | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s | Necklace – Accessories Palace in NYC | Belt – came with a top from The Limited | Jacket – c/o Holly Haley, independent CAbi consultant

Holly Haley, a friend of mine from way back, recently became a CAbi consultant.  She generously sent me this jacket because she thought I could pull off the unique color and style.

I admit, when I pulled a short-sleeved trench coat out of the box I was a bit stymied.  Perhaps a short-sleeved trench works in California (where Holly lives) but I didn’t know about Chicago.  But then I realized that for those few days we have when it’s 55 degrees in the morning and 80 by the time you leave the office a short sleeved trench is the perfect accessory.

And since today was one of those days, I took my inspiration from What I Wore and threw it on over a simple black and white outfit.

CAbi has some really cute options and their website even allows you to play virtual dress up!  Here are some of my favorite outfits I put together.

If you’re interested in shopping the CAbi catalog, contact Holly and she’ll get you set up!  Or, if enough Chicago-area people are interested I’m sure we could convince her to come out and do our own shopping party.

Until then, I’ll be figuring out new ways to wear my California-inspired jacket.

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Dress – Marshall’s | Blouse – Target | Watch – Fossil | Bracelet – Kristin Hassan | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s

It’s You Pick Wednesday again and this week you chose the denim and lace look!

Source

I admit, this outfit may be a tad bit too casual for the office but I’m able to pull it off because A. it’s summer B. I don’t have any meetings and C. my bosses are out of the office.

Still, for those of you who can’t wear sleeveless to the office, throwing a blouse over the top and tying it at the waist is a nice alternative to a cardigan.

And my bracelet?  I’ve been craving a wrap bracelet since they came on the scene earlier this year.  Kristin Hassan was having a sale at the end of July so I snatched up two of these babies.  Although, to be honest, they’re not that expensive at regular price for the quality!

Finally, while I work on a reader request post, I had so much fun seeing what you guys voted on, that we’re doing it again for next Wednesday!

Don’t forget, I’m also always looking for reader requests or suggestions so hit me up either in a comment, by emailing looplooks@gmail.com or on Facebook or Twitter!

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Shirt – Old Navy | Pants – Express | Shoes – Lucky Brand via Marshall’s | Necklace – The Limited | Earrings – Bergner’s

Some Mondays you  just can’t face getting all dressed up.  Am I right?  Thankfully the weather cooled off to a more manageable degree that gives me a lot more options in my closet.  Plus, we’re on “summer casual” at work so I get a bit more leeway.

So, I broke out the green pants!  I paired them with this navy shirt with sheer stripes because I loved green and navy together.  The stripes give this shirt some interest while the sheerness keeps it summer-appropriate even though it’s a darker color.  And, of course, leopard flats because why not?  They go with just about everything.

The other reason I wore the green pants?  Well, remember when I had you vote on which item you wanted to see me style?  You chose the green pants and I had a lot of fun styling the reader suggestion.

Which is why I’m introducing my new series:  You Pick Wednesday!

On Wednesdays I will be showcasing reader suggestions!  Which means I need your help!  What can you do?

• See a photo of an outfit online that you love and want to know how to make it happen in real life?  Send the photo to looplooks@gmail.com and I’ll show you how!
• Have something in your closet that you’re not sure how to style?  Send a pic or a link to a similar item to looplooks@gmail.com and I’ll take on the challenge.
• Did I wear something that you want to see again?  Let me know and I’ll make it reappear!

Basically, Wednesdays are YOUR day to tell me what you want to see!

So, start sending in your suggestions!  Let’s do this thing.

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Jacket – Gap Outlet

Scarf – NYC Street Vendor ($5!  Holla!)

Top – LOFT

Pants – Gap

Shoes – Lucky Brand/Marshall’s

Purse – Kate Spade

Still in NYC!  Thursday was MUCH colder than Wednesday and I immediately regretted my outfit choice the closer we got to Battery Park.  Thank goodness Kim had an extra pair of gloves in her purse.

I kept seeing everyone in boots and wool coats and I wished I was more bundled up.  Still, I loved this outfit and plan to wear it more often.  Something about the combination of the stripes and the leopard print with the red pants is fun and unexpected without looking like I got dressed in the dark.

Speaking of dark, after traipsing around lower Manhattan for the day (WTC Memorial, Wall Street, Trinity Church, Battery Park, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island) we went to Times Square and Broadway.  But first I stopped at the hotel to put on more weather-appropriate footwear.

I also added a slightly thicker scarf and a black blazer under my denim jacket.  Warmth in layers!  If I had realized how chilly it was going to be this would have been my look from the start.  Oh well.  Live and learn and enjoy what you’ve got!

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