Outfits Not Just Clothes

For those of us who follow such things, the Resort, formerly known as Cruise Collections have been showing this past month. I've been browsing through some of the runway/lookbook pics and was quite taken by Ports 1961's showing. If you follow my Outfit Ideas board on Pinterest you may have seem some of the looks I pinned.  Ports 1961   Look 17 was the inspiration for yesterday's office outfit!  culottes-Everlane(similar here ), vest- H&M , blouse-Urban Outfitters(more options here ), loafers-Zara(similar here ), necklace-Etsy(similar here ) Of course, not an exact replica of the Ports 1961 design, but that's the beauty of inspiration--take what works and make it your own. From the above pic I started with culottes and loafers, then thinking about interested tops I picked our this abstract-printed blouse, and used the vest to provide cinching and structure.  Inspiration doesn't just come from the Runway. Check b...

sweater-BB Dakota(more options here ), shirt- Banana Republic Factory , culottes- Target , loafers-Sole Society(similar here ) As I did in this post , I'm starting off the work week in culottes!  You may recall this floral pair from posts this past spring, here and here . And the culotte train keeps rolling as we head toward the official first day of summer on Wednesday!   Summer style, especially for work can be challenging, but it's the type of challenge this outfitter loves! What's so challenging, you may ask? Well, for starters, there's the urge to dress more casually in summer, even if your office dress-code is fairly formal. There's also the need for strategic layers when faced with freezing AC, plus you want to be seasonally appropriate, but still covered up for the work place. AND, if you're like me, you want all of the above, plus having your work-wear reflect your personal style. That last one can be challenge year round....

Summer is finally here! And with it comes my need for easy thrown-on pieces that don't ask too much, yet are still flattering and chic. I've long flirted with jumpsuits, some past posts here , here , and here , but have yet to find the quintessential piece to fulfill all of my summer dreams! Here are some contenders.  Urban Outfitters Unfortunately, this is sold out, but I do like the slate blue color, that fact that it's cropped, and of course pockets!  BDG from Urban Outfitters Here's an overalls option, again pockets are key, and this could be a fun to layer with flirty tanks throughout the summer months. THEN, come fall I see some flannel under this onepiece.  Asos A very casual option with this jersey number. Of course, side-boob isn't really my bag, so layering is key here as well.   Silence + Noise  For me, summer garments need to have flow, and this black jumpsuit definitely has that going for it, plus the pleati...

vest-Banana Republic(similarish here ), dress-Need Supply(similar here ), belt-Gap(similar here ), necklace-Le Tote(similar here ), heels-Shoe Mint(similar here ) Remember when " Safari Chic " was THE summer trend back in 2008... Well, some trends ironically never go out of style. I've certainly been a fan of this aesthetic for several years, check past posts here . In this 2017 iteration I've used this little white dress as clean palette to showcase safari-esque add-ons for a chic outfit to take on the urban jungle. 

blazer-J.Crew(similar here ), blouse-Banana Republic(similar here ), culottes-Mango(similar here ), necklace- chloe + isabel , flats-Just Fab(more options here )  This bright blue blazer has been a shining star in my wardrobe for years, seen here , here , and here . It's a versatile piece that's chic, yet graphic and serves as a vibrant third piece . In this look it's bringing some color to otherwise black 'n white office ensemble and creating a nice balance against these oversized culottes. 

cardi/shorts-J.Crew Factory(similar here and here ), tee-Uniqlo(similar here ), slip-ons- Champion via Target (more options here ) This T-shirt's color palette of olive green and peachy orange dictated the rest of the outfit. I went with a brighter orange in the shorts and then darker green cardi. For early summer I love topping off a look with a mid-to-light weight sweater, especially on mild days where it can be cooler in the shade. The trick with summer layers (which I've explored in past posts here and here ) is for your bottom layer to be just as dynamic as the top one. In winter, the top layer is usually the final look, while in warmer months layers need to be more versatile. The top is what you wear inside with the AC, while the bottom, or first layer is what you're walking around in outside in the sunshine! And yes, that IS an ostrich on my shirt!  Summer is finally here!!!! 😀  😎🌻