Outfits Not Just Clothes

  jumpsuit- Banana Republic Factory , tee- For Days , sunnies- DIFF Eyewear , rings- Mejuri , bag- ModCloth (more options here ), sneakers- Zara (more options here ) The season is starting to turn toward fall (finally) and I figured I'd mark the end of summer as I started it--with this jumpsuit ! As in the first post I styled this with a tee and this bright blue crossbody bag. However, for this #OOTD I switched out the striped shirt for a darker v-neck and sandals for sneakers.  I like how this chambray jumpsuit is almost like a grown-up, elevated version of denim overalls, which just goes to show you can recreate casual/youthful looks for your sophisticated lady self. 

cardigan-J. W. Anderson for Uniqlo(more cardis here ), "tunic"-Style Mint(similar here from Everlane ). pants- Gap Maternity , boots-H&M(similar here ) So I just found out about  National Stripe Appreciation Day coming up here on Saturday, the 31st! 😀 Which is something as a stripe aficionado I can really get behind, even if it IS just a made-up day to promote the New Spring Arrivals at J.Crew . Of course, stripes are for every season and go great with other prints like the Fair Isle neckline on this sweater. And while this striped top used to be a T-shirt dress, it now serves as a tunic for my growing baby bump, much like the mini-dress from this post . There are quite a few challenges to endure while pregnant (I'll spare you the gory details) but one that I actually enjoy is re-calibrating my style and finding new ways to wear pieces, like this T-shirt dress, that is now a tunic, until further notice.  There you have it folks, stripes...

blazer- H&M , pants-Uniqlo(more options here ), sweater- J.Crew , loafers- G.H. Bass , watch-Michael Kors(similar here ), scarf-street vendor  Started this week in rustic earth tones here , now it's all cool blues. Sure, we all love the reds, oranges, and dark green for fall, but navy, slate, and icy blue are also great shades to wear for this season. Besides color, this outfit also features some grade A seasonally-appro print mixing, what with the rustic basketweave blazer and darkly whimsical bird print, which features a flying flock--a nod to the migration season we are about to enter.  Nature, Not Just Clothes, eh? 

I proclaimed Blue as my power color in this post . And after slowly, but surely trolling through the spring collections I am pleased to see my choice is kind of right on trend. Proof: Jonathan Saunders Mary Katrantzou Antonio Berardi  Erdem  Michael van der Ham Suno As you can see, blue in a variety of shades spanned across many designers' runways.  The great thing about blue is that it looks good on everyone and has so many variations in tone and shade that it can be worn anywhere for anything.  Plus, the bright cobalt blue of the Beradi and Katrantzou looks feels so surprising and fresh for spring and summer.    all images via Style.com

It has been well documented here and here  that I am a frequent shopper at Jcrew and Jcrew Factory. So when I was looking for a new pair of shorts for this summer, of course I checked them out.  And I found this: Tweed Front Tee Now you are correct the above is NOT a pair of shorts, but instead a tweed t-shirt. BUT the colors/textures of this shirt reminded me of my summer outfitting palette from here .  So I've decided to get these shorts: Chino Shorts And in doing so I am proclaiming blue my official power color of spring/summer 2013.  Last year here , it was orange.  Plus I think the tweed tee and chino shorts are going to make a great summer casual outfit. Let's go blue!