Loop Looks

Blazer – Macy’s (similar) | Shirt – Old Navy (similar) | Pants – Gap (similar) | Heels – Macy’s (similar)

Total outfit cost = $98

Today is the Third Thursday link-up at Work Clothes, I Suppose and I had grand plans of recreating an outfit that Bri herself had inspired me to wear. However, I totally failed and recreated the wrong red pants outfit! Instead, I put together an outfit similar to one I saw last fall on Lily Says Go.  Either way, it’s red pants and a camel blazer with leopard shoes. I just wore chambray instead of my gold polka dot top. And now I have that outfit to look forward to!

Anyway, today’s Third Thursday theme is “Work Wear”. Considering I wear what I think of as “work wear” every day, this isn’t a stretch. But I think the fact that I paired two pieces that could be considered slightly casual (cropped pants, chambray-ish shirt) but added heels and a blazer that my outfit is work appropriate without being traditional.

I mean, I own several suits (and have even worn them on the blog on occasion) but I think that’s an easy cop-out! One of my goals for this blog is to help women dress for work without feeling constrained by traditional work outfits! So, wear those red pants, add those leopard heels, wear something other than black! You can do it, I promise.

Also linking up with Mix & Match Fashion.

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First, thanks to the 37 of you who filled out my reader survey!  I was hoping for a few more but, hey, that’s about 20% of my daily page views and my psychology degree tells me that 20% is a good number to hit!  So that’s pretty awesome!

And, of course, since it’s no fun to fill out a survey if you don’t get to see your responses in action, I want to share the results with you along with my thoughts (and if you’re here for the outfit photos just skip to the bottom of this post).

Since the biggest goal of Loop Looks is to provide you with outfit ideas, I’m thrilled that those are the reasons most of you are coming here.   Some of my favorite “Other” responses reinforce this since they stated “The style you exhibit is practical (both aesthetically and financially) and I can actually apply the inspiration” and “To get ideas on how to dress in Chicago winters”.

And it appears that most of you love everything I’m doing!  Hooray!  I wasn’t surprised to see the Saturday Shots posts weren’t as popular since I admit many times I skip over those myself when reading other blogs.  I was a bit surprised at the one response that said the daily outfit posts were their least favorite.  Maybe they just come for my eloquent writing?  (Where’s the sarcasm font?)

Again, I’m not totally surprised at the responses about wanting to see more casual outfits.  I’m still figuring out how to reflect my weekend wear on the blog since that’s typically the only time you’ll find me in casual clothes since I spend most of my evenings in fitness attire.  Speaking of which, I do have a fitness blog that I try to post in a few times a month if you’re interested in that.  It didn’t rank too highly in the survey so I probably won’t be adding too many fitness-only posts here.

As for shopping suggestions, I do always include links to items that are similar to what I’m wearing but I can try linking to more sales information and discussing why I frequent certain stores more than others. What are your thoughts on that?

I’m happy to see most of you both look at the pictures and read the text!  Lets me know that those words I put here aren’t in vain.

Most of you didn’t care one way or another about seeing Loop Looks posts on the weekends which is good since I like not having that pressure.  Also, no one cared that I use affiliate links.  Chances are good that I’m never going to make a living from this blog but being able to pay for itself (or pay for me to purchase more items for giveaways!) would be lovely.  Right now my only source of income is the affiliate links so I’m glad they don’t bother you.

One of you mentioned that you wanted to see recaps of the closet consultations I do.  Well, I do try to post links to the reviews and write-ups on other bloggers’ sites when I do one for another blogger.  For example, this weekend I did one for Kelsey and posted a link  on Facebook to her recap on her blog.  So, that’s one bonus to following Loop Looks on Facebook!  But I’m also glad to know that you don’t mind seeing the outfit photos in both places.  Probably makes it easier for you!

It appears that most of you think that doing a 30×30 would be fun.  I agree, it’s not the most original thing out there, but I think it can be a useful tool for those of you who are working with a limited wardrobe.  Seeing how someone takes a small set of clothing and makes it work for them for a month could be helpful, right?  Something for me to think on.

Of course, many of you took the chance to share your opinions in the open-ended questions, too, and I love that!  All the compliments made me feel amazing!  And just reminded me that the reason I do this is to help YOU and it sounds like it’s working. So yay!  I wanted to take a moment to address some of the comments, too, so you know I read ALL of them.

My feed reader doesn’t always show your posts right away! Sometimes it shows three at a time and I know you didn’t post them all at the same time.

When I switched from looplooks.wordpress.com to looplooks.net I tried to change my RSS feed.  The one you should be using is http://looplooks.net/feed/  If you are using that one that should take care of most of your issues.  I hope.  I’m still working out all that fiddly technology stuffs.

I think an overall blog redesign would freshen up the look of your style blog.

I will take anyone up on the offer to help me redesign the blog!  Or, you know, if you have a WordPress theme you particularly love, show me the way!

There’s no “Like” button for WordPress.

I do have a plug-in that adds a “Like” button at the bottom of each post.

However, it is tied to Facebook.  Which means I will be looking for a additional plug-in that allows you to “Like” something without having it tied to Facebook!

Photos taken in the same locations – I like the more varied ones

So, for the past three weeks my husband has been taking my outfit photos instead of me hauling my tripod all over the place.   Since the weather has been iffy lately we haven’t been venturing far from home.  But, as the weather warms up you can bet we will be checking out locations around the city.

It might be nice to see some collaborations with other academic/professional style bloggers, like “4 ways to style [insert item/trend]…”

Love this idea!  Thank you! I will be reaching out and seeing what I can concoct.  And if other bloggers read this and want to collaborate, let me know!

Would love to see more responses to reader questions and more posts on affordable fashion.

I do answer every reader question I get although sometimes it takes me a few weeks to write a post on it.  That’s what You Pick Wednesdays are for!  If you have a question, any question, leave it in a comment or send it to looplooks@gmail.com and I WILL answer it in a You Pick Wednesday post.  I’m currently working on one about when to wear nude shoes since a reader asked me that in a comment a few weeks ago.

As for affordable fashion, I try my hardest to pick similar items to link to that are under $100.  Perhaps some of you have questions about how to put together an outfit on a budget?  Tell me your budget and you’ll get an entire You Pick Wednesday post to yourself!

And with that, I want to thank you again for taking the time to fill out the survey!  It means a lot to me to know what I’m doing is worthwhile and to get ideas on how to mix it up a bit.

And now what you’ve all come here to see: hardcore nudity!

No, not really.   It’s just today’s outfit for the Take One and Pass It On challenge from Sarah’s Real Life.

Sweater – Gap (similar) | Shirt – Forever 21 | Pants – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s (similar) | Bracelet – gift (similar)

So, yes, the item carried over from yesterday is the leopard print shoes!

What do you think will make a repeat appearance tomorrow?

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Shirt – Target (similar) | Tank – The Limited (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s (similar) | Necklace – JC Penney (similar)

For everyone who guessed the necklace in yesterday’s post as my Take One and Pass It On item, you win!  Not sure what you win.  Bragging rights, maybe?  Anyway, yes, I chose to wear the necklace again.  It’s such a statement piece so I wanted to show how it could be toned down a bit.

However, the rest of my outfit just isn’t working for me.  I think I just prefer to wear black shoes when I wear black tights.  The shoes are just jarring to my eyes.  I think there’s just a big too much going on in this outfit for me.  Thoughts?

Also, what do you think I’ll be wearing from today’s outfit tomorrow?

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Shirt – LOFT (similar) | Vest – Express via Poshmark (similar)| Pants – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s (similar) | Earrings – The Limited | Belt – Target

Faux fur vests were everywhere earlier this fall and winter.  And I totally see why.  They keep you warm without causing you to overheat.  Similar to the concept of wearing a wind-blocking vest when running in the winter.  Keeps your core warm!  I’ve worn my faux fur vest to work at least one other time and I also wore a belt with it then.  The belt helps define your waist so you don’t get swallowed up by the vest.

I actually saved an inspiration photo for this outfit almost 3 months ago.

Original Source

I loved the fur and the animal print with the stripes and the neutral pants.  Apparently this is Joanna Hillman, the senior fashion market editor for Harpers Bazaar and she is known to be quite fashionable.  The fact that I was easily able to recreate her outfit tells me that it can’t be too difficult to emulate looks that you love.  In fact, this outfit may be one of my current favorites!

Of course, it helps that my husband took some rocking pictures!

Yes, strangely, the parking garage of our building has the best indoor lighting.  Who knew?

Anyway, faux fur.  Love it?  Hate it?

Linking up with Texas Love Birds

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Blazer – The Limited (similar) | Blouse – Express (similar) | Pants – Ann Taylor (on sale!) | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s (similar)

And we’ve reached the cold and gray portion of the year.  It’s usually about this time that I just want to wear sweat pants every day.  But I can’t so these stretchy dress pants from Ann Taylor will just have to do.  These pants seem to show up on Inspiration Monday quite a bit.  I think it’s because so many of the inspiration photos from Two Birds include skinny or boyfriend jeans and these pants are my workday answer to that trend.

 Jessica Biel aka Jessica Timberlake

I really like Jessica’s outfit here.  But, alas, I don’t own a funky blazer or a fun orange blouse.  In fact, I don’t own anything orange.  I’m much more partial to red.  So partial that I’m wearing it in two layers today.

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Shirt – Loft (similar) | Cardigan – Target (similar) | Pants – Ann Taylor | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s (similar) | Necklace – Groopdealz (similar)(similar)

Recently I’ve come to the conclusion that one of my favorite things to do is take an inspiration photo where the person is wearing jeans and figure out how to make it appropriate for an office where jeans aren’t considered every day work wear.  In the case of today’s Inspiration Monday photo I changed things up by swapping the jeans for dress pants, adding a plain cardigan instead of a fringed Bohemian style one, and ditching the boots for heels.

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I kept the stripes and the neutral accessories color scheme, though.  And I added my new mini bubble necklace in black as a sort of fringe.

Speaking of this necklace, Maggie introduced me to Groopdealz which is a great website that sells all sorts of jewelry, home accessories, and crafty goodness for really reasonable prices.  In fact, I’m planning on doing a giveaway with Frills for Thrills next week with an item I purchased from there!  I’ve already drooled over quite a few of the offerings but am trying to behave myself this close to the holidays.  Perhaps I should unsubscribe from their emails, huh?

But, you know, if anyone is looking for a gift for me, Groopdealz might have one or two things.  Specifically in the jewelry and scarves sections.  Not so much in the inspiration quotes or baby clothes.

P.S. Emily recently asked if leopard heels are office appropriate.  As you can see, I definitely think so.  Just wear them with black pants if you want to keep them toned down at first.

P.P.S.  Don’t forget these are the last few days to boost Loop Looks readership and win a $50 Visa gift card!  For your reference, here are the stats:

Days with more than 200 page views: 3 (we just need two more days!)

Number of Facebook fans: 66 (just 34 more!)

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Jacket – Target (similar) | Shirt – Gap (similar)| Skirt – J. Crew Factory | Necklace – J.Crew via Poshmark | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s | Belt – Target

I’ve been wanting a polka dot skirt for months.  MONTHS, I tell you.  When I saw this one in a set on Polyvore I clicked on it thinking, “Oh, it’s probably sold out.”

When I realized it was actually available via the new J. Crew Factory website and was on sale for only $40 I practically ran to my wallet.

I ordered it in two sizes and was a little bummed when it arrived because the smaller size was a hair too small and the larger size was a hair too big.

So, I took a cue from Stylish Petite and washed and dried larger size of the 98% cotton skirt to see if it would shrink.  And you know what?  It did!  Now it fits perfectly.

There are a lot of polka dots going on in this outfit and along with the red jacket it feels very Fourth of July.  Still, I don’t care that the leaves are falling and it’s October, not July.  We have a warmer than usual day today so I’m wearing my new skirt with pride.

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Blazer – H&M | Top – Old Navy | Jeans – Old Navy | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s | Necklace – J. Crew via Poshmark

It’s CopyCat Friday from Frills for Thrills!

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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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I admit, I did my copying a little backwards.  I had pieces of an outfit in mind so I just Googled until I found something that would tie it all together.

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At first I was a little annoyed by how all the ‘”whites” in my outfit didn’t match exactly.  But after looking at the picture I see hers don’t either!  One of those fashion “rules” it’s okay to break: colors don’t have to match exactly!

A few other interesting notes:

• I do own a white blazer, but since it’s another warm summer day (and the air conditioning in my office was on the fritz yesterday afternoon) I decided to go with this short-sleeved option.
• And speaking of this short-sleeved option, it actually goes with the shorts I had on last week.  Don’t you love things you can wear as separates?
• Don’t want to wear leopard print heels when it’s hot outside?  I don’t really, either.  Here’s what I wore on my commute.

The Limited

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