Loop Looks

So, I know it’s spring in Chicago and for many of us our thoughts are turning towards sandals and open-toed shoes. But for anyone who is dealing with cooler temperatures this post is for you!

A reader recently contacted me and asked for help with a pair of ankle boots she just bought.

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Here’s what she had to say:

My problem: So the Nine West store here had booties on sale. I loved a pair but as soon as I opened the shoebox at home, I started freaking out. Although I appreciate looking a few inches taller, these booties scare me to death LOL. What kind of outfit can I wear them with?

I bought my first pair of ankle boots in fall 2011.

Admittedly, I didn’t know what to wear with them, either! But it turned out that they are quite a staple in my wardrobe now. So here are my suggestions on how to wear ankle boots.

1. Putting them with black tights or even sheer black textured tights/nylons will help ease you into wearing ankle boots with skirts and dresses.

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2. If you like the look of bare legs with booties, you could wear them with a skirt and no tights.

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3. Wear jeans or pants over the top of the booties.

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4. Tuck skinny jeans into them or roll the bottom of the jeans up so they hit the top of the booties.

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Want more ideas? I have to give a shout-out to Katie from Alaskan Weredork who does the best job I’ve seen of wearing her many pairs of ankle boots with almost any outfit you can imagine.

Do you have ankle boots? How would you wear them?

Don’t forget you can always submit your own questions for You Pick Wednesday!

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For this week’s You Pick Wednesday a reader asked on Facebook for ideas on how to wear her new printed pants. This particular pair from Old Navy are adorable and can be paired so many different ways. Below you’ll find four different outfits, at least one of which you’re sure to love!

1. Pair them with a sold colored top. Chambray is a sure thing for a casual look but if you’re looking to be a bit more dressy just add a solid colored shirt. For these pants I would go with pink, emerald, red, or another shade of blue. Throw on a necklace that sits right under the shirt collar and pops against the shirt color and you’ve added some visual interest to your blouse without going too crazy. Sandals make it casual but if you add a pair of heels or wedges you’ve got a more office-appropriate look.

Shirt | Pants | Shoes | Necklace

Outfit total = $100

2.  Another color that goes well with navy or blue is yellow. Old Navy has these AMAZING boucle jackets in multiple colors. The blue one would also go nicely with these pants but for more visual interest the yellow is a great complimentary and spring-y color. Add a tie-neck blouse instead of a necklace and some nude wedges and you have the perfect spring outfit for the office. Not a fan of the boucle jacket? Try a yellow cardigan instead!

Jacket | Shirt | Pants | Shoes | Earrings

Outfit total = $154

3. We all know I love pairing stripes with polka dots and it’s honestly one of the easiest ways to dip your toe into pattern mixing. In this case the shirt has blue stripes in it which play off the different blues in the pants. Wearing the bright cardigan over the top only gives you a strip of stripes (say that 5 times fast) so your eye isn’t overwhelmed by the two patterns. This outfit would be perfect for a casual Friday or a weekend out and about.

Cardigan | Tank | Pants | Shoes | Necklace

Outfit total = $106

4. But if you really want to go crazy with the pattern mixing, I’m loving this floral blazer from Forever 21. It has two different shades of blues, yellows, and reds all of which go great with the blues in the pants. And because the pattern of the pants is tiny the bold floral pattern doesn’t compete with it the same way a smaller floral print might. The striped heels balance out the bold pattern on the top by bookending the pants with more pattern.  But if that feels like too much to you, nude heels or flats are a perfectly acceptable option. This outfit is bound to get you compliments in the office! Not feeling the floral blazer? A solid colored one in any of the colors in this floral one would also pair just as nicely with the pants.

Blazer | Shirt | Pants | Shoes | Earrings

Outfit total = $174

So, thoughts on printed pants? Would you wear them? Which of the above outfits is your favorite?

And don’t forget, I’m here every Wednesday answering YOUR questions! You tell me what you want to see or know about and I’ll make it happen.

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Last week I asked for You Pick Wednesday submissions on Twitter and Maggie responded by asking for ideas on how to wear red that don’t include wearing it with black and white. So today I give you 10 different colors you can pair with red that aren’t so black and white.

Color Pairing #1 – Red and Tan

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Color Pairing #2 – Red and Chambray

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Color Pairing #3 – Red and Lavender

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Color Pairing #4 – Red and Gray

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Color Pairing #5 – Red and Gold

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Color Pairing #6 – Red and Brown

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Color Pairing #7 – Red and Mint

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Color Pairing #8 – Red and Navy

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Color Pairing #9 – Red and Pink

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Color Pairing #10 – Red and Leopard

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Which color pairing is your favorite? Can you think of any others I left out?

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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!

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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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Today I’m flying home from Phoenix. And I’ve had the idea for this post in the back of my head for awhile but just haven’t had time to write it. So, here’s the CliffsNotes version.

Here’s the thing. I’m going to be honest; I know I’m probably smaller than a lot of other people. I’m 5’4” and I typically wear a size 2 or 4. I’m also in my early 30s so I can probably get away with some things that other people can’t. I’ve gotten comments from people that indicate that my outfits may not always be accessible to everyone. I mean, I hope I give you enough ideas that you can go out and incorporate them into your own wardrobe (the rule of three, wearing monochrome, pattern mixing, etc) but I know some people are visual learners.

Not all style bloggers look like me, I know.  But do you know what that means? Even if you don’t look like me, you don’t have an excuse to dress like a slob.  Nope.  Sorry.

Instead, why not check out one of these lovely ladies and get some inspiration! You can click on each picture to go to the full post.

Hems for Her

A Colorful Canvas

Girl with Curves

Not Dead Yet Style

And because I don’t want to leave anyone out here’s a list of some other style bloggers you might be able to relate to.

Also, the ladies over at Work Your Wardrobe have some great tips that can apply to anyone.  Every day they feature a different blogger with a different style which means you get to get tips from all ends of the spectrum.

Plus, you know you can always ask me for help, right? Even if we don’t have similar body shapes or similar amounts of lines on our face I can still help you figure out what to wear to an event, on a daily basis, or with that piece you bought that just called out to you. Just send me an email!

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Clockwise from top left:

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Last fall I wrote a post about three ways to wear military-inspired jackets since they were shaping up to be a big fall trend.  These jackets and vests are still going strong and I’ve had a few new questions about ways to wear them.  So, since today I’m actually contributing over at Work Your Wardrobe and discussing my olive blazer/military jacket I thought I’d show you a few more ways to wear one.

Above are 12 different looks I’ve come across through various blogs.  Many of these I’ve saved on Pinterest so that I have inspiration for myself. I’ve notice that many of these looks are in neutral colors such as black, navy, white, and tan.  However, it’s easy to add some punch with sequins, leopard, or patterns.  Toss on a belt over the jacket, too, and you can have it be more shape-defining.  Or add a scarf or a necklace to amp up the professionalism.

Just because some of the above outfits are vests instead of jackets don’t let that make you think you can’t wear the outfits with either!  For some people a jacket or blazer might be more versatile and for others it might be a vest. Either way, you can probably wear them with lots of things you already have in your closet!

Admittedly, I’ve been searching for the “perfect” military-inspired jacket or vest since last fall. My current jacket is filling the hole…for now.  In the mean time, here are some of the other ones I’ve either tried on or want to look for, including this one that is currently under $35!

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Dress 1 | Dress 2 | Dress 3 | Dress 4

Mica recently contacted me with a question.  See, she’s getting married in a few months but doesn’t want a big, fancy, traditional wedding dress.  In fact, she wants something she can wear to multiple events, wedding related or not.  The lucky couple is not only having a small main ceremony but then they are planning a cross-country road trip to celebrate with as many friends and family in as many locations as possible.

Mica also wanted to make sure she didn’t break the bank on a dress since they’ll need that money for their road trip! So, she asked me for some suggestions on places to find dresses that fit the bill.

Earrings (L) | Sandals | Earrings (R) | Jacket | Shoes

My first stop is always The Limited just because it’s my favorite store.  This lace yoke dress with a bit of an a-line skirt would be perfect because it’s not so over-the-top fancy that it can’t be dressed down. And it’s under $100.

Other retailers such as Banana Republic and J. Crew also carry nice dresses but they tend to be more expensive.  The Limited has good prices and GREAT sales. However, if you find a dress at a store that you love but it’s out of your price range, check ebay! I once fell in love with a beautiful dress at J. Crew but it was way too expensive. And by the time it had dropped in price they were sold out of my size. So I wrote down the dress name and searched for it on ebay. A trip to the tailor and significantly fewer dollars later I had the perfect dress.

Necklace | Sandals | Cardigan | Belt | Shoes

Other good options are department stores.  Yes, they can be overwhelming but they do have the best selection of different items. Which is why I prefer to order items online and then return them at the store! So much easier than trying to find an item in the store if the sales clerks aren’t helpful.  Nordstrom seems to have the best balance of price to customer service level, but Macy’s has the best sales. Which is why the rest of the dresses here are from Macy’s. However, if you have a Nordstrom near you then why not check it out?

In the mean time, the dress above is great because it’s cotton, has a small tonal print that makes it a bit more fun, and has the belt that can swapped out to be dressy or casual.

Earrings | Shoes | Blazer | Bag | Sandals

A sheath dress would be perfect because in this white cotton eyelet fabric it looks great alone or under a blazer, jacket or cardigan. It could even be transitioned to wear in an office with the blazer and the nude peep toe wedges.  Many people don’t think they can pull off a sheath dress but it can be done and most women actually look great in them. And if it’s too big in the bust when it fits you in the hips, consider how much you paid for it.  Did you save enough that it would be worth it to get the top tailored?

Necklace | Sandals (L) | Earrings | Bag | Sandals (R)

Finally, this cotton eyelet trimmed dress might be my favorite of the four I’m highlighting.  Why? Because it just seems like the perfect, light, airy dress to wear when you’re getting married in a park. The wide waistband will work on just about anyone, the v-neck is flattering, you can probably wear a regular bra with it (hooray!) and looking at it just makes me happy!  Plus, I could easily see it with a cardigan or the denim jacket above to make it even more casual. And, like the others, it’s under $100.

Other great places to look for a dress?  Well, if you don’t mind a bit of a hunt, I’ve found amazing dresses at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Burlington Coat Factory (yes, they are more than great coats).  However, there’s no guarantee they’ll have anything so you have to be willing to leave empty handed. Some people also swear by thrift or consignment shops for exactly this sort of situation but I’ve never been thrift-lucky.

However, since I know what size I wear in a few brands, I can use apps and websites such as Poshmark or Threadflip to search for items in my size and preferred brand and get good deals that way. Or, I can use my little online shopping secret: Shopstyle!

So, Mica, I hope you find the prefect dress for your needs!  Congrats on your upcoming wedding and be sure to send me some pictures!

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One of the reader questions I received recently was about how and when to wear nude shoes.  Now, when I say “nude” I mean shoes that are one to two shades lighter than your skin tone no matter where it falls on the color spectrum. I only added nude shoes to my closet this past year when I realized that with some of my outfits black shoes just weren’t going to cut it.

Case in Point

Notice that the black shoes draw your eye down and almost make the shoes the focal point of the outfit. Whereas the nude shoes just blend in and draw your eye up so you notice the actual outfit itself.

Here’s another example.  Nude shoes are the best when your legs are bare.  When I’m wearing blackish gray hose and a black cardigan my black shoes balance out my outfit.  But when I’m bare-legged and wearing a brown jacket nude shows off my outfit (and my legs, if I say so myself) better.  I could have worn brown but, again, it might draw the eye downward.

These pants are interesting because these outfits could have gone either way with the shoes.  My burgundy shoes match my pants so they do tend to blend in more.  But since the top half of the outfit on the left looks heavier to my eye I think the heavier color shoe goes better with it.

Again, same pants, different shoes.  In this case both shoes would go well with either outfit. Sometimes you get the option!

So, when should you wear a nude shoe?

1. When you want the attention to be on your outfit

From ByBy Style Studio:  When you’re wearing colorful or busy print ensembles that you want to emphasize. The nude shoe will keep they eye focused above your feet.

2. When you want to look taller or more streamlined

From DivaVillage:  When you wear a pair of nude pumps with a dress or a pair of pants that are a similar color, your legs will actually look longer.

3. When another color just won’t work

From Girl Next Door: Your shoes should complement your [outfit], not compete with it.

And for more nude shoe inspiration, you can see all my posts where I’ve worn them here.

Need some nude shoes in your life? Here are some that caught my eye.

I hope that helps clarify when nude shoes are the best option. Or maybe it made it more murky!  Tell me in the comments. And, as always, if you have your own style questions let me know! I’m happy to help!

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Riding boots came into style for everyday wear a few years ago and seem to be here to stay!  And by riding boots I mean basically any knee-high boot with a slight heel, the occasional buckle, strap or button, a zipper and with a slightly more casual flare.   There are tons of riding boot options available and at this time of year you can probably get a good deal on a pair since stores are clearing out their fall and winter items to make way for sandals and swimsuits.  But don’t get me started on that rant.

Love these riding boots

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Anyway, due to the overwhelming number of options at multiple price points it can be difficult to narrow down a pair that will be both functional and flattering.  Sure, it’s easy to find ways to wear riding boots, but how do you know what criteria to consider when purchasing a pair?

Here ten suggestions you can use when looking for the perfect pair:

1.  Make sure the heel isn’t too high or chunky.  That will help them last through lots of seasons & styles.

Good                                                    Not Good

2. An almond or more pointed toe is better than a completely round toe as these shapes will help elongate your leg.  But don’t go too pointy! That’s a different kind of boot altogether.

Round                                       Almond                             Pointy

3.  They should hit you just above the widest part of your calf or 2-4 inches below your knee.  If they are too short they can make you look stumpy.

Same jeans, different boots

4. Real leather or faux leather is your choice depending on your feelings, but I will say that real leather ones will last for years and years and can be repaired and polished whereas faux leather will fall apart eventually and cannot be polished or repaired as easily. Also, I have found it difficult to buy faux leather brown riding boots that don’t look cheap.  But, if that’s not your priority then that’s okay, too.

5. Measure your calves!  And note the shaft circumference on the boots.  You don’t want them too tight or they’ll be uncomfortable and you’ll never be able to tuck pants into them.   Note:  the calf circumference noted on most online shoe stores is measured from a size 7 or 8.  The larger the shoe size typically the larger the calf width as well.  If you’re right on the edge of the stated calf circumference but your shoe size is larger than the one listed as the standard then I would suggest going ahead and ordering them.  Zappos has free return shipping so it’s easy to send back anything that doesn’t work.

6. I personally prefer to avoid anything that has a strap at the ankle as I think these can make you look sawed off at the ankles.  Some people don’t minds this, though.  Try on a pair that have an ankle strap and see how you feel when you look in the mirror.

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7. The fewer the embellishments the classier the boots look.  Simpler boots also tend to outlast trends.

Classy                                           Trendy

8.  Brown boots or black boots?  Personally, I wear my brown riding boots WAY more often than I wear my black riding boots.  If you’re okay with mixing brown and black you can always pair your brown boots with black pants.  But, really, it just comes down to personal preference.  Sometimes it’s easier to make black riding boots look classier for the office and brown more casual, but you can make outfits with either.

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Similar outfits, different boots

9.  Let’s be honest about price.  Nice riding boots that last will not be cheap.  $100 seems to be the lowest price you can expect to pay for a new pair unless you find a great deal in the clearance section at DSW or have some killer coupons.  Both of my pairs cost me just under $100 and both are from DSW.  Leather riding boot can cost upwards of $700 to $1000 or more.  I certainly don’t think you have to spend that much, though!  $100 to $150 should get you a great pair that will last you season after season.

10.  Finally, think about your lifestyle and where you plan to wear them.  Are you mostly casual?  Then you might be able to spring for a pair with more flair.  Do you get tired of your clothes and shoes and want to replace them every season?  Then why not get something trendy.  But if you want to wear them to a more business casual office then you’ll probably have to stick with a more traditional pair.

Thoughts? What did I forget? Do you already own riding boots?  If you do, what did you take into consideration when you bought them? 

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Wait, what?  Rockabilly?  What is that?  Let me explain.

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Sara recently contacted me and wrote the following:

I have a style question I need help with: I love the rockabilly pin up style, like the clothes from Pin Up Couture. Everything with anchors, swallows, cherries and polka dots in particular. But how do I calm down this striking look for a more office-appropriate setting?  Our dress code is very casual. Most of my coworkers don’t care and wear washed out jeans everyday. I don’t want to stand out to much, but on the other hand I don’t want to lose myself and my clothing style.

Since this is not a style I rock on my own, I did a little research and found Rockalilly.  Per Rockalilly the key components are:

1. Rockabilly Prints and Patterns – leopard print, polka dots, gingham, nautical prints, tattoo prints.

2. Jewelry – A statement rockabilly piece, earrings, rings, bracelets. Usually pretty cheap and cheerful.

3. Cut of clothing – jeans can be cropped, skirts are pencil etc.

4. Hair – Victory rolls or bandanas are easy ways to give any outfit a rockabilly girl twist.

5. Glasses – vintage or cats eye. Statement pieces.

6. Make-up- Red lips and rockabilly eyeliner flicks.

7. Colours – Red, Black, Blue, White. Classic rockabilly colours.

8. Tattoos – Not essential but certainly help!

9. Shoes – Converse are pretty comfortable for a rockabilly girl doing casual.

With that in mind and Sara’s comment that her office is pretty casual, I went about finding ways to incorporate the rockabilly motif into casual yet office-appropriate outfits.

Sara told me she’s just recently purchased this cardigan so of course I had to incorporate it into one of the looks!  I originally had it paired with black and white polka dot jeans but felt that might be a bit too casual for the office.  But, if it’s not, just know it looks awesome that way, too.

For this outfit I went with the cherry print and made it the focal point of the outfit.  I toned it down by pairing it with a cropped black cardigan with a fun retro-style button, some cherry heart earrings, and a pop of color with the shoes.  The jeans could be worn cuffed or straight.

If you’re feeling spunky you could wear a fun skirt to the office.  Although a polka dotted pencil skirt would work well here, I personally feel that a full skirt is a little more casual, especially when paired with the denim jacket.  The stripes and anchors on the shoes and the animal print scarf bring in two more typical patterns for some fun mixing.  The scarf could be worn around the neck of the sweater or even in your hair!

Cat-eye glasses and bright red lips can take an otherwise preppy outfit and turn it rockabilly.  And changing up the shoes can take this outfit from casual to a little crazy.

Finally, I took one of the va-va-voom dresses from Pin Up Couture and made it more appropriate for the office without losing the rockabilly edge.  By tying a chambray shirt over the dress and adding some (fishnet!) tights but keeping the cherry pattern, the mary-jane heels and the bow headband you get the rockabilly look while not being too over the top.  You could even swap out the heels for flats and the patterned tights for plain ones and still keep enough of the rockabilly vibe.

What do you think?  Are you into the rockabilly style?  Sara, I hope you got some good ideas from this post!  And for the rest of you, don’t be afraid to submit your questions to looplooks@gmail.com for a future You Pick Wednesday post!

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