WIW: Black, White & Light Blue

I absolutely loved Angie's ensemble post for black, white & light blue and knew I could copy it with my pastel blue suit jacket.

So today's outfit started out with my light blue blazer - I've fallen out of love with the whole pastel blue suit and probably won't be sporting the jacket and pants together this spring/summer. But I love the jacket and hope it wear it a lot. I adore the polka dot lining, love the fit and the colour is such a nice change.

Underneath the jacket, I've got on my white wrap asymmetrical drapey tank. I bought the white and black tank from Danier and have found them to be incredible versatile layering pieces. So glad I picked them up.

I've paired the tank with my simple black knit pencil skirt, nude micro fishnets (not warm enough for bare legs yet) and black kitten heel pumps. 

I chose my cobalt/cream/black quilted leather handbag - the cream and black echo the white and black in the outfit and I like the bright cobalt against the pale blue. I'm also wearing a necklace today (feeling the pull back to some of my jewelry) of a beautiful moonstone set in a simple silver setting.

Would love your feedback - how this combination works for me, tweaks for improvement, etc.

Thanks for keeping us inspired Angie :)

Blazer: Anne Klein (eBay)
Top and handbag: Danier Leather
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Shoes: Calvin Klein

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

21 comments

Clarks version of Okala at Hudson's Bay

I had originally posted about these shoes on this thread http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....es-pending
but was unable to find them in the Clarks local store. Well lo and
behold, Hudson's Bay has them in both black and grey. It indicates heel
height of 2.5" but on the Clarks website it's 2".

I can't speak to the comfort and I haven't yet seen them in person - I probably am going to order them though to try out as Clarks do tend to work for my fussy feet. I'll update once I've tried them on.

9 comments

WIW: Simple Black & Navy

Today's outfit features two new items - I purchased both of these several weeks ago but they were off getting sleeves and hems shortened.

My outfit started with these slim fit black trousers. They are a cotton/spandex blend with a nice flat front and size zipper. The legs are slim but not skinny and they have small black zippers at the back of the ankle. These will be fabulous pants to go with pretty much everything from casual to dressy.

I then added a black lace cami and my new navy wrap front, hi lo, collared blouse. The blouse also has this pretty little jewel-like front button. 

I chose my trusty black pointy toe kitten heels (the only pointy toe heels that are still very comfortable - will be duplicating these since mine are starting to show some serious wear) and my citrony-olive/cobalt/black snakeskin clutch to finish off the outfit. Oh yeah…and my purple/clear specs and a swipe of berry lipstick.

This outfit is very simple - nothing fussy but everything fits and feels great on. Pretty much what I'm wanting from my wardrobe these days. Would love your thoughts/feedback as always.

Blouse: INC
Cami: Ricki's
Trousers: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Clutch: Trouve

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

15 comments

WIW: Lightening up dark olive

I didn't have time to take/post my pics from home so snapped a quick phone pic in the office when I got in.

Today's outfit started with my trusty dark olive slim pants. Wanting to lighten up the look a bit, I paired the pants with my cream animal print soft tee. I haven't worn this top in a while - don't know why 'cause I really like it. I semi tucked the top and popped on my cognac belt. I then topped that with my cream leather jacket. To continue with the cream color, I then chose my python booties and large cream handbag. Red specs, red lips and taupe/silver wrap watch finish off the outfit.

Thoughts? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome :)

Leather jacket & handbag: Danier Leather
Top: Lord & Taylor
Pants: Ricki's
Boots: Sam Edelman
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

16 comments

WIW: Nothing Exciting JFE

The weather is miserable here at the moment - we got a couple of inches of new snow yesterday, it's supposed to rain today and then snow again tomorrow - Spring in Winnipeg is always unpredictable. So today's outfit is for the weather - it's dark and moody, the boots are practical for the weather and the outfit is barely JFE, kind of like the weather.

My outfit started with my J Brand Earhart aviator trousers. I haven't worn these in ages since they are a little light weight for winter but it's warm enough for them now so out they come. I love the balloon-type leg and short length with the wide elastic band at the ankle and zipper detail. So fun! But I'm under no illusions that they are particularly figure flattering so I've tried to lengthen the leg line a bit by then adding my Doc boots. 

To continue with the black column of colour, I added my black knit tank untucked and then topped it all with my bronze metallic open weave hi-lo cardigan. My black leather w/gold hardware handbag, red specs and red lipstick finish off the outfit. I would love to be able to wear a large cuff with this outfit but I've learned no jewelry with this open weave cardigan - everything gets caught on the fabric. 

Thoughts ladies? Does this at least meet JFE standards or should I have gone with the black skinnies? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Cardigan: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Tank: Sears
Pants: J Brand (eBay)
Boots: Doc Martens (eBay)
Handbag: Danier Leather

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

13 comments

WIB, My Style, & Some Confusion

I went shopping yesterday with a friend with the intention of trying on black blazers (for replacement of current blazer which is becoming a bit worn looking) and generally to see what is in the brick & mortar stores in my city for Spring. I had a wonderful day and came home with some beautiful items that fit well, are good quality, felt good on and provide my wardrobe with some Spring refreshing. BUT....(oh c'mon...you knew that was coming!) I'm now feeling a bit of buyer's remorse (in fact I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning thinking about these items). I dropped a fair bit of coin yesterday for these things and although I'm still within my budget, I'm wondering if these specific items were the right place to put my money.

I'm primarily wondering if these items work with my current style direction and fit the goals I had set for purchases. Remember these parameters I had mentioned:

  • Simple lines.
  • Structured.
  • Quality.
  • Statement accessories.
  • Chic with hints of hard edge.
Below in Pictures 1-3 are the items I purchased - all from Melanie Lynn, a mid range Canadian retailer.

Pic #1 - a navy "drape with structure" soft jacket. Has fabulous seaming which gives shape to this softer jacket and makes me look like I have a waist. It also has small shoulder pads so actually gives me a bit of a stronger looking shoulder, which works well for me.
Pic #2 - a white/navy stripe pencil skirt reminiscent of the B44 tiered skirt. This would work with hose since it is fully lined and gives a bit more "presence" than the black/white striped VC midi tube skirt that I have. Would be a replacement for that tube skirt.
Pic #3 - a mint vest - a completely emotional wild card pick. It was love at first sight both on the hanger and when I put it on. Couldn't stop smiling.

The skirt is very versatile and will work with a great deal of my spring/summer current wardrobe. The mint vest will work well with black and/or white which is very well represented in my wardrobe.

I love all these pieces and feel good in them. But I feel conflicted in how they relate to what I had expressed as my style goals. Are these items too conservative for me? How would I introduce that bit of edge I crave when wearing these items?

Then I look at my favorite eBay seller's site and she has the following EF pieces (pics #4-7) that I know would work on my body and work play really well with what I currently have. Plus she has a black/white BCBG blouse (pic #8) that is the sister to my blush BCBG blouse - that great drapey wedge shape that works well on my apple frame.

Ok...I realize I'm rambling now...maybe I need to try on the new items again with some of my existing pieces to see how they all play together and post some pics for feedback. Maybe I'm just "in a mood" 'cause it's snowing!

Any words of wisdom out there for me???

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

34 comments

WIW: Corporate Denim

I'm soooo glad it's Friday - it has been one long and busy week!

Today's outfit started with my dark wash skinnies. I then added my drapey asymmetrical Danier tunic top (waving to twin Elizabeth and soon-to-be triplet Deborah!). On top of that, I added my trusty black blazer to bring in a bit of that corporate mood. I chose my black patent clutch for handbag, silver wrap watch and silver wedding band and black/white specs for accessories.

I'm also wearing my black pointy toe kitten heel pumps. I've had these pumps for a couple of years now but with increasingly fussy feet, the last time I wore them they were not as comfortable as they had been. So I stretched the two box a bit wider and added an arch support insert and we'll see how they do today. 

I've also decided to duplicate this blazer. A black blazer is an absolute MUST in my wardrobe as I wear the heck out of the item and this one is starting to show its wear and tear. I originally thought I'd duplicate with a more sharp shouldered version but have decided that the fit of this particular blazer is spot on for me as it comes in the perfect petite size and I really like the classic integrity of it as it can be dressed up and down, worn in a more edgy fashion or in a completely corporate and conservative fashion.

Thoughts/comments on today's outfit more than welcome :)

Blazer: Nygard
Top: Danier Leather
Jeans: Wit & Wisdom
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Clutch: Danier Leather (thrifted)
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

24 comments

WIW: Spring Scarf

My Mom was recently on a trip to London, England and while there, picked up this beautiful scarf from Selfridges and had it sent back to me. It is a gorgeous light weight green and white leaf print - you don't even feel it on your neck it's so gauzy and light. On the card she said she knows scarves aren't really my thing but this one reminded her of my beautiful garden :)

So today's outfit was centred around this pretty scarf. I chose my dark olive cargo pants and paired them with my simple white tee. I really like the shape and fit of this tee when untucked. I then popped on the scarf and topped everything with my light cream leather jacket.

For footwear I chose my sand coloured wedge Toms and then to pull a bit of that colour into the outfit, grabbed my taupe/sand/olive/cream snakeskin handbag (waving to handbag twin MsMary!).

Red specs, swipe of lighter red lipstick and silver wedding band round this out.

What do you think? Does this all work together? Should I have just gone with my large cream handbag or white clutch instead? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: Danier Leather
Tee: Joe Fresh
Pants: Ricki's
Booties: Toms
Handbag: Elliott Lucca
Scarf: gift

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

20 comments

The next shoe purchase

Now that I'm all sorted with flat black footwear http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rrived-and, it's time to move on to the next item. The bulk of this year's spring/summer wardrobe budget will be on comfortable yet still attractive footwear. I need to replace a number of shoes/sandals I currently have not because of wear and tear but because my need for comfort has increased tremendously due to my increasingly fussy feet.

Sadly my bone/silver shoe sandals are probably going to have to go (insert very loud sob here...). I have loved and worn these babies for three years now but alas, when trying them on this past weekend when closet cleaning, I discovered they don't really have the arch support I now need and border on too narrow across the mid foot. So I am in the market for a dressier light colored sandal for the warm weather. Lo and behold, these silvery-white Naot sandals (the color is called Misty Silver) are available at the same local store I got the Naot Lan shoes. The heel is only 1 inch in height and it has the same Naot anatomical footbed as my current Naot footwear. I also have a real soft spot for any type of footwear that wraps or crosses over on the top of my foot - have no idea why...

Thoughts on this style for MY style?

22 comments

WIW: Team Naot

I think Sharan (a.k.a. Firecracker) and I have decided to start the YLF Team Naot! I got these shoes yesterday and am wearing them today - no time to waste for happy feet!

My outfit actually started with my new black Naot Lan criss-cross shoes - oh my…I cannot say enough wonderful things about these shoes from the quality to the comfort.

I then grabbed my black skinnies and added my drapey wrap black tank, semi tucked so there is a peek of my black leather belt. On top of that, I chose my CM neutral colour palette floral moto jacket - this was an Angie pick from two years ago and I still love it. 

I finished off the outfit with my black/cream handbag and my black/white specs. Totally forgot lipstick for the pics - yikes :)

Does this all work together? Is the jacket a bit too short to wear with pants? I'm hoping the hi-lo hemline of the tank (due to the semi tuck) keeps the proportions in check. As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: Club Monaco
Tank: Danier Leather
Skinnies: Attitude by Jay Manuel
Belt: Danier Leather
Shoes: Naot
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)

1

Go to the full post to see all of the pictures →

10 comments