Outfits Not Just Clothes

vest-H&M(similar here ), dress / jewelry - Le Tote , boots- Gap Yesterday's post featured a springtime cocktail-esque frock made more daywear appropriate with a blazer and scarf. Here today, is a casual, striped sweater dress given a bit of structure and edge with a vest and boots. Again, worn on it's own this knitwear number would have been perfectly fine for a Wednesday at work, but with some thoughtful styling an outfit emerges.  What I love about this look, is while the concept is similar to yesterday's outfit the aesthetic is quite different. Part 1 was all springtime romantic, and here it's graphic androgyny with the menswear vest, but both outfits were worn for work and fit into my style wheelhouse. It just goes to show you how fun, yet functional outfitting and playing with style can be!  

scarf-Gift from Tulchan (more scarves here ), blazer-J.Crew(similar here ), dress-Anthropologie(similarish here ), heels-Ralph Lauren(more pumps here ), necklace-Gifted(similar here from Macy's )  The great thing about a frock is that it's one-piece that you can throw on and be dressed for the day! However, if you're a serious outfitter like myself, there's always styling options to make a dress a bit more than "thrown-on-and-done". Here, I've topped this novelty-print number with my go-to navy blazer. And because, we are now in the throes of spring, I added this beautifully green scarf to match the budding leaves and grass. (I know such poetry!!!📚) Also, since it's been a while I busted out some pumps that echo the the blues and greens in the dress, while also adding another bit of print. You know how I love my print-mixing! Dress styled! 👗

cardi / jewelry - Le Tote , tunic-Anthropologie(similar here ), culottes- Everlane , flats- Dr. Scholls Let's talk about fit, silhouette, proportion, and shapes, shall we? These culottes are technically too "big" for me. They are a size & a half up from what I'm currently wearing, as is this tunic. So both top and bottom play into the oversized trend, which creates a rectangular shape. Now, you may think a rectangular silhouette wouldn't be all that flattering, HUHEVAH since the tunic is V-necked, showing off some skin, and this cardi has shoulder cutouts, showing a bit more skin the overall effect plays into the shapes and angles that may not be "flattering" in the typical sense, but is fashionably satisfying.  There is balance, a sense of structure, and the sliver-edged pleats of the tunic give a vertical, lengthening feel to the proportion as well. So much geometry for an outfit, amiright?! 😏 Basically, if y...

coat-H&M(similar here ), dress- Max Studio via Le Tote , shirt-Zara(similar here ), boots- Asos , ring/necklace- Le Tote   Yes, this coat again . But, it's perfect for this time of year, no?. True, plaid is more of a fall print, but the length, weight, and chic factor of this coat also work for spring. Plus, I think I've proven that I know how to rock plaids anytime of year( here , here , and here ).  Also, this knit sheath dress was so much fun to layer and of course pockets! 

jacket-H&M(similar here ), scarf-American Apparel(similarish here ), sweater- Le Tote , pants-Uniqlo(similar here ), boots-Landsend(similar here ) Sure, this look isn't setting the fashion world on fire, but sometimes outfitting leans more on functionality then style. Now that daylight savings has kicked in and we had a nice bout of springtime weather, Mr. Keller and I have resumed our evenings walks. So this is my walking outfit! I threw on this pink shirt to contrast the military-esque green with a feminine pop-of-color, PLUS that bit of pink underneath the dark green is much like the gardens and flower beds we pass in our stroll, as flowers are starting to bud! So, yes this IS a utilitarian-inspired outfit, but it speaks to the subtleties of the natural world--bam!