Loop Looks

Jacket – Express via Poshmark (similar) | Shirt – Old Navy | Jeans – Old Navy| Necklace – Groopdealz (similar) | Bracelet – House of Gemmes (similar)| Shoes – Bandolino (similar)

Time to be honest.  I am not loving this outfit. There’s nothing wrong with it.  And black and white is totally on-trend for the fashion world right now.  But for some reason I just don’t feel like me today.

Maybe it’s the white t-shirt. I so rarely wear t-shirts that it feels out of sorts.  Actually, I think that’s really what’s doing it.  The white t-shirt is just too unstructured for me.  Fascinating.

See, playing around in your closet can help you figure out what you do and don’t like about your wardrobe.  Not to self: white t-shirts are only to be worn as layering items under sweaters.

Would you wear this outfit?  Would you change anything about it?

P.S.  I have a fun post coming up next week that requires reader participation!  Look for it on Tuesday.

Linking up with Two Thirty Five Designs

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Sweater – Kohl’s (similar) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Pants – The Limited | Shoes – Eric Michael | Bracelet – House of Gemmes

There was an entirely different outfit on the docket for today.  One involving a sequined skirt and a cardigan.  But here’s what happened.

My husband is in college getting his bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  And, as some of you may recall,  when you’re an undergraduate you have to take elective courses.  One of his courses this semester?  Digital photography for non-majors.

Now, I am super excited about him taking this course.  Why?  Because either this means I can rope him into being my photographer and using his new skills or he can teach me what he’s learned and I can apply those same skills myself.

The downside to this class?  We only have one camera.  Which means that in addition to scheduling things like who’s taking the car when and who’s using the washer and dryer when (yes, we do our own laundry) we now have to schedule who’s taking the camera when.  And he needed it this morning.  So, this outfit is actually from yesterday when I still had the camera and the chance to take a photo on my lunch break.

This outfit isn’t that different from the last time I wore this sweater but, hey, that’s how it goes when you’re trying to wear what you’ve got in your closet.  Still, swapping out the skirt and booties for pants and flats does a new outfit make!

But I still owe you a sequined skirt.

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Plaid Shirt – J. Crew (similar)| Sweater – Gap (similar)| Pants – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Bandolino (similar)| Necklace – JF&A Tradeshow (similar) | Hat – Boutique in Sausalito, CA

It’s 2013, I have a closet full of new items, and I’ve decided to embrace my preppy side.  I’ve always been studious, getting straight As, beating everyone at Trivial Pursuit, reading books the way some people eat potato chips.  Over the years my personal style has ranged from wearing all black (junior high) to wearing an assortment of items that were too big or too small (high school) to basic jeans or black pants and a plain shirt.  For the past few years, though, I’ve been working on developing my personal style into what makes me feel good at work.  And I think 2013 is the year I find it:  the year of preppy.

How do I define preppy?  Tailored, classic items.  Mixing traditional patterns but keeping the silhouette professional.  And occasionally tossing in a fun and unexpected item (zebra print heels, anyone?).

This means I’ll most likely be purging my closet of items that I don’t think are “me” anymore.  Which means all the better for you if your style differs from mine since they’ll be up for sale!

I may extend my preppiness from just my clothes and look towards learning something new.  Whether that’s playing around with my camera, learning some Photoshop skills or just experimenting with different technologies I don’t know yet.  Whatever way I choose to express my prep, I’m sure by the end of 2013 we’ll have all learned something!

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Blazer – The Limited (similar)| Shirt – Target (similar) | Pants – Ann Taylor (on sale!) | Shoes – Bandolino (similar)| Necklace – JF&A Tradeshow  (similar) | Belt – Target

You’d think that a black and white outfit would be one of the easiest ensembles to put together.  You’d think black and white can never go wrong.  But, I’ll be honest with you, this outfit looked way better in my head than it did when I put it on.

Is there anything inherently wrong with it?  Nope.  Black and white together is classic and the addition of the pearl necklace just makes it even more so.  The zebra print shoes?  That adds a little bit of edge without being too over the top.  But maybe it’s the cold and gray day (and I swear I see snowflakes flying past my 8th floor window) but I couldn’t bring myself to take an outdoor picture and I’m never thrilled with my indoor ones.

So, in reality, there’s nothing wrong with this outfit.   Wear your black and white with pride!  Just don’t mind me if I’m in the mood to prefer mine in the way of black yoga pants and a glass of white wine.

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Blazer – Dots | Top – Banana Republic Outlet | Necklace – Macy’s (Gift) | Jeans – Adriano Goldschmied via Bloomingdale’s | Shoes – Bandolino via Bergner’s

I FINALLY found white jeans and even thought it was a Monday I decided to sneak them into my work outfit anyway.  Hey, my boss was out and I didn’t have any meetings so why not?

This outfit was inspired by Jessica at Bows and Sequins although I don’t have much in the way of bright, funky jewelry.  Most of my jewelry is pretty “traditional” I guess you could say.

Do you prefer big, bold, colorful jewelry or simpler baubles?

The other reason I wanted to wear this outfit was so I could participate in Simply Sarah’s Pink Link Up!  Lots of fun pink ideas there, so check it out.

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Blazer & Necklace – The Limited

Blouse – Gap

Cropped Pants – Express

Shoes – Bandolino

I’m holding an apple in this photo because after one bite into it I thought “I should take my outfit photo before I get food on myself”.  So, I did.

And then as I sat down to write this post I took another bite and promptly dropped an apple bit on my pants.  See how well I know myself?

Also, yes, the green pants are back! I hope you aren’t sick of them after my green pants challenge!

I originally had this outfit on with strappy black heeled sandals…but it’s currently 48degrees outside and my toes were cold. Ahh, Spring in Chicago.

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Blazer – Forever 21

Dress – BCBG outlet

Shoes – Bandolino

Necklace – The Limited

Our warm weather has finally arrived (again) so I’m breaking out the dresses!  I actually wore this outfit last Thursday to the Dots Spring & Summer Style Party but since I spent most of that event trying on other clothes I feel that it didn’t really get a chance to shine.

Dresses are great because, as evidenced by this one, you can wear them to work AND you can wear them to fun events.  Don’t have a job that is conducive to wearing a dress?  You can always dress them down with casual footwear and a cardigan or denim jacket.  See? Versatile!

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Top – Old Navy

Scarf – Accessories trade show

Pants – Express

Boots – Cole Haan

And the winner in the One Piece, Three Days challenge was the green pants!

Unfortunately, our weather in Chicago today is pretty chilly so cropped pants with cute flats, sandals or strappy heels was just not going to cut it.  So, I employed my usual fix for cropped pants in chilly weather:  knee high boots!  This is a great way to extend the wearability of cropped pants when you live in a climate that isn’t warm enough to wear them alone year-round.

Also, if you’re feeling gun shy about colored pants green is probably a good color to start with.  It’s not as bright as red or orange but it’s still fun.  Pair it with a neutral colored top like black, navy or white and you’ll be good to go!

BONUS: I attended the Dots spring and summer launch party last night and took some pics of the outfits I created.  I’ll do a full recap when the professional photos are released but until then check out my album on my Facebook page!

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White shirt – The Limited

Sweater – Kohl’s

Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet

Tights – Walgreens

Boots – Liz Claiborne/DSW

Necklace – NY&Co

I have grand plans for this sweater.   It looks great with black, it looks good with jeans….and it’s going to look amazing with red!  I’m just waiting a little bit longer to bust out my red pants.  Come on Spring, get here faster!

I think this outfit would look better with a more streamlined shoe, but I’m actually living out of a suitcase this week so my shoe choices are limited.   I tried not to bring my entire shoe collection.  Funny story:  when my husband and I went on a week-long cruise for our five year wedding anniversary I had an entire carry-on suitcase full of shoes.   The TSA agent at the airport even commented on it!

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Scarf – Accessories trade show

Dangly earrings, Sweater, & Pants – The Limited

Stud earrings – Gift from Jason (years ago.  I wear them almost every day.)

Shoes – Bandolino

I swear, I laid in bed last night and this morning trying to figure out what the heck to wear today that wouldn’t be a repeat of something I’ve already worn recently.  What I ended up with isn’t all that different from things I’ve worn in the past, but I never would have thought to put this scarf with this sweater before.

I’m telling you, trying to wear something different as often as possible does help you get a little creative!

Oh, and here are some close-ups of the accessories:

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