Outfits Not Just Clothes

blazer-Gap(similar here ), sweater- Le Tote , pants-Old Navy(similar here  and here ), flats- Dr. Scholl's Shoes , watch-Michael Kors(similar here ), sunnies-Target(similar here ) Fall gets all of the sweater weather love, but when you think about it, Spring is also a prime knitwear season. Cardigans especially are key for spring layers, as you can see in this OOTD. FYI, this sweater snaps, which as a busty gal I appreciate, and pairs perfectly with these fushcia cropped pants and oversized tweedy blazer. Bascially, I dressed to match the tree in the background, expect upside down, with the color on the bottom and the dark "bark" up top. 

dress / necklace -Via Le Tote , cardi-Old Navy(similar here ), culottes-Everlane(similar here ), loafers-Zara(smilar here ), sunnies-Target(similar here )  The concept for this OOTD started with the skirt of this skater dress, the flare shape made me think of continuing that movement with these culottes. For the top half I wanted to keep the shoulders narrow for an triangle effect in the overall silhouette. I'm loving the results! This quilted dress is great on it's own, but makes for an edgy springtime look layered with culottes and a cardi. I wound the pendant to "fit" in the neckline and busted out these studded lace-ups to mirror the black and gold of the necklace.  Yes, I could have worn this dress on it's own, or with tights and the same cardigan, but layering it over these bottoms made for way more interesting midweek office wear, no? 

Sweater-via Le Tote , pants-Zara(similar here ), slip-on's-- Native Shoes , sunnies-Target(similar here ) It's finally and wonderfully spring and I'm wearing leather pants in this sunny OOTD! True, leather is not an obvious fabric for warmer weather, but the fact that it's unexpected makes for a fun look, especially when paired with these sneakers--a Crocs and Vans hybrid--kind of fabulous, right! I picked up these slip-on's from a newly discovered retailer Native Shoes , and while they've dubbed this shoe "Miles" I'm all for calling them the Van Crocs, which sounds quite fancy, and ironic since these are casual kicks.  Mixing fabrications and working in some pattern (hello sweetly striped sweater) are both ways to elevate clothes into an outfit. And, don't worry about not having an occasion to sport leather trousers with ventilated water resistant sneakers. Wearing the pieces together IS the occasion...

No outfit posts this week, but I wanted to share my upcoming reading this Saturday!!!! I'll be joined by very good friends and fellow poets, Tess Barry & Michelle Stoner. Reading starts at 7 at the White Whale Bookstore .  And here's a link to the dress I may wear from my latest Le Tote package. 

coat/tunic-H&M(similar here and here ), coatigan- J.Jill , pants /necklace-Banana Republic(similar necklace here ), flats- Dr. Scholls , sunnies-Ralph Lauren(similar here ) I love all of the reveals in these pictures. Like a blossom unfolding, each layer and pocket emerges for increasing chic-atude! What's also pretty chic, is how the color story of this look (and leopard flats) play into the bare branches and neutral landscape of early spring in this backdrop. I think I should do a lookback at how my outfitting and backgrounds have mirrored, informed, and called to each other over the years. I'm always really cognizant of the weather and how garments play with or against the season. This plaid coat, while it's an obvious autumnal piece, also works for the transition from winter to spring, and layers so well with longer cardigans(seen here ), and cardi-coat hybrids.  We have a few warm days ahead, so I'll be hanging up...