There is something so cozy and nostalgic about the fall season, it has always been my favorite. Hearing a football game on in the background, sipping mulled apple cider, seeing all of the beautiful colors on the trees, curling up under a fluffy blanket or hearing the sounds of leaves rustle and crunch under my feet as I head out for an evening walk all just remind me how grateful I am to experience this beautiful time of year, a season I missed for nearly a decade while living in the southeast before moving to California 2 years ago.
While many of us gravitate towards lighter and brighter colors during summer, I have to say that as a lover of classic style, black is a staple that I just love wearing year round, and there is nothing better than great fitting black jeans paired with heels, flats or boots during fall! They're easy to dress up or make more casual-a staple in every lady's wardrobe! What I love about this pair is that they hold their shape due to having a bit of stretch and have retained their color really well compared with other black denim I've owned in the past. I recently purchased a second pair on sale and also own 2 pairs in the dark denim wash, both colors are essentials for my fall casual wardrobe. I wear a size 4 long for reference (the long size is awesome for all of us tall girls!) these also come in regular and short lengths.
This rose embroidered ruffle sleeve top has just enough pattern and a pop of color and the best part is it's just under $20! While I could have paired this outfit with a solid black clutch, I find the pattern play against my top along with a red mani adds a playful twist which is perfect for date night or casual Friday at the office.
What's your favorite thing about fall? What pieces are you most excited about wearing this season?
Hello Lovelies and Happy New Year! Although I've been absent from blogging for a while, I couldn't begin my first post of 2017 without wishing you all a blessed, fun and prosperous year ahead!! Today, I'm sharing with you a few recent looks I put together that I hope will inspire your own wardrobe as we enjoy what's left of winter and prepare for spring.
MakeMeChic recently reached out to partner with me and since I was in the process of still stocking my closet with cold weather pieces after moving to Northern California with mainly an all-summer wardrobe after having lived in Florida for the past 10 years. I couldn't resist selecting 3 new jackets. I wanted to show how you could essentially take the same core outfit (in this case it was black denim + a black tee) and transform it into a few entirely different looks just by alternating a few accessories and of course the addition of a jacket. What I love about all 3 options is that they are so affordable (each is under $40)! You can stroll down to the bottom of each look to shop the look and get all of the outfit details.
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This first outfit is an everyday look that could be worn in a more casual workplace environment, lunch with girlfriends or pretty much anywhere out and about on the weekend. I'm loving blush pink for winter, it really is the perfect transition color into spring and a soft option for Valentine's Day and this pink collar wrap coat is heavy enough to stay warm on a cool day but lightweight enough so you don't feel weighed down by outerwear.
CLUTCH: Local boutique old (similar here + here) // EARRINGS: Majorica
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This next look is one that I wore this past New Year's Eve which I spent in a low key way ringing in 2017 with my sweet daughter. For those who live in a much colder climate, a great pair of pointy toe heeled boots would have been an appropriate option also. In the Bay Area our weather patterns change daily and we just happened to have a mild NYE allowing for an open-toe sandal. I love how this black & white faux fur jacket adds some serious glam, and paired with red it really pop!
As a Chanel lover, I've gravitated to the tweed jacket as it adds a polished, ladylike vibe whether dressed up or casual. This lightweight multi-color tassel hem jacket was a great topper for my black monochromatic look. It helps soften and add some much needed femininity when paired with denim and could easily be worn with a skirt or pair of black dress pants as a daytime option for the office.
What I adore about monochromatic outfits is that they offer a slimming effect, can make you appear taller and provide an elegant appeal. My favorite singular color schemes are off-white, black, blush, navy and camel/nude tones-essentially all of the neutrals. What I love about using a single color palette as a base is that outwear and accessories have an opportunity to really stand out, it's a great time to pull out statement pieces. If you've never tried a single hue look, I highly recommend giving it a try, black is the easiest and safest place to begin.
Do you wear monochromatic outfits? What is your favorite go-to single color palette?
Also, The Classy Woman blog turned 8 years old recently! In honor of this milestone, we're running a Kate Spade tote + MacBook Giveaway so be sure to enter right now via my instagram account!! It runs until tomorrow 2/7/17 @10pm EST and is open to everyone. Good Luck!!
XO
*In collaboration with MakeMeChic. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.
When I think of summertime, an array of images come to mind. Visions of bronzed sun-kissed skin, lazy beach days, strawberry picking with the family, relaxing with a big glass of sweet tea or lemonade in hand to beat the heat, making s'mores by the campfire at night and of course eating lots of juicy watermelon slices and picnics in the park. Summer is a time to kick back, relax and opt for less fussy attire and there's something about gingham that just reminds me of those picnic in the park (likely the red and white iconic picnic blankets and tablecloths). When the hazy, humid days of summer are ushered in, there's nothing better than a gauzy or breezy dress in a lightweight fabric like this one to keep things both comfortable and cool while still looking polished and ladylike.
As a lover of classic style, I tend to focus on staple fabrics, patterns and colors such as black and white (which my closet is filled with!) in a variety of patterns such as striped tees, solid blouses and dresses along with polka dots. When Make Me Chic recently reached out to me to collaborate with them, I couldn't resist adding this ruffle top spaghetti strap gingham dress.
Although off-the-shoulder looks are on trend and everywhere right now, I'm a practical gal at heart and with a toddler to chase after all day, not having to readjust my clothing often is important to me. The thin straps on this dress solves that issue and provides just the right amount amount of support while still giving it that strapless or off-the-shoulder vibe. The ruffle top adds a flirty, romantic feel (that accentuates your bust area-a nice perk for those who want a little extra oomph in that department) and because it's covered, while I wore a strapless bra, you could technically go bra-less and find them uncomfortable in the heat like I sometimes do. I also love how this dress cinches at the waist, it's quite figure flattering with a retro, ladylike vibe. You also can't beat the price at just $32!
Yesterday, Lily and I headed out for the day but I did't feel like carrying a large tote as I often do to carry both of our necessities. I decided to pair my new gingham dress with a red cross-body bag for a pop of color to hold my essentials (which can be worn as a shoulder bag too). I discovered it at a local FL boutique but I found some very similar options like this two-tone version, this slightly larger version, and this one that features the same type of gold hardware.
After heading out early for a couple short appointments and running a few quick errands, we made our way over to Julie's Waterfront, a very casual restaurant situated on the water with great food and service along with a cute patio area and of course a view. It was such a stunning day with the most beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds that often resembled popcorn. I couldn't resist snapping a few photos while there of this adorable summery mural below that was painted on the fence near the entrance.
After lunch, Lily fell asleep in the car (as she often does when we run errands midday) so I read and caught up on a few e-mails. Next, I swung by the house and loaded up on water, juice and snacks to make our way to the park after first swapping out my heels for my favorite pair of black flat Tory Burch sandals which are the ones I wear most often. I typically make shorts and a tee my go-to for our park days together so I can slide with her and worry less about getting dirty but there's something so lovely about getting to still feel feminine even in places where you might otherwise typically dress very casually. Because this dress is so lightweight, it was the perfect option, especially since we made some new friends there who just moved here from out of state and we ended up staying for a record 3 hours!
What I like most about this look is that it's easy and with it being black + white, you can add virtually any color to change up the look each time you wear it-yellow or hot pink are other fun options. I have long loved the versatility of separates, however, I usually end up with more dresses than skirts because they're something I can throw on without spending too much time coordinating, add a swipe of lipstick, a pair of heels (or flats) and out the door I go! This dress can easily transition from day to night by adding a cardigan as the temps drop along with a clutch for a slightly dressier look.
Here are a few other similar classic black + white gingham dresses for summer at varying price points (some are on sale right now), including this adorable toddler/child version (on sale!) which matches the style of my dress almost identically and would be perfect for you mamas who like to match with your daughter.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by! Wishing all of my Canadian friends a Happy Canada Day today and my American friends a Happy 4th of July weekend! Since I'm a dual citizen, I'll be celebrating both. Have fun and stay safe everyone. :)
XO
*Thank you to Make Me Chic for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend and Valentine's Day with your loved ones! Ours was busy but fun as we treated ourselves to seasons passes at Sea World and took Lily there on Saturday and spent lots of time working on puzzles, reading her many new books and cuddling. :)
Who says you have to wear a big splash of red or pink on Valentine's Day? Although both happen to be a couple of my favorite colors of mine but I opted for a more simplistic look this year. As most of you know my wardrobe is comprised mainly of classic pieces and as such, I happen to own a lot of black and white options which are perfect for spring! Both this striped top and ribbed flare skirt are new additions and I have to say that I really like both and just love this skirt! I bought it for just under $30 during a sale a few weeks back as it received great reviews and it didn't disappoint! I love that it has pockets and that it is so versatile. I was immediately drawn to the striped effect and the hi/low layered look, it just made for a unique skirt and it's such an easy care piece that doesn't need to be ironed and would pack so well in a suitcase for a trip! The shorter lining adds an edgy/sexy vibe in a subtle way without revealing too much, perfect for a date night.
I wore this outfit for our Valentine's lunch out to one of our favorite restaurants in the city, The Boheme at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. It was an extra sweet day as we celebrated my in-laws' 40th Wedding Anniversary which also falls on Feb.14th. We've been having such beautiful sunny, spring-like weather the past few days that it has been a dream to be outdoors. I can't believe it's February already, our 'winter' is nearly over here in Florida which means hot weather won't be far behind. I don't know about you, but I live in skirts in both spring and summer!
For today's look, since I focused on black + white, I wanted to add a bit of pattern play by pairing a ribbed skirt with a striped top. At first I was worried it might be too much, but once I slipped my heels on and adding my gold & black embroidered shoulder bag as well as gold + black earrings, it all came together. The pattern on my bag as well as the red lip helped keep things interesting (this gorgeous black Chloe-inspired crossbody bag is on my list which also comes in brown and it's under $50!). The black & white striped elbow-length scoop neck (and back) tee was exactly what I was looking for, it just feels very French and I'm a huge fan of two-tone stripes. Black & white as well as navy & white striped tops are a staple in every classy woman's wardrobe for spring as they have a fresh, nautical feel but are also ideal year round whether v-neck, crew, scoop or boat neck. I pulled out one of my favorite pairs of Nine West strappy sandals which are a decade old but still pristine as well as this tassel shoulder bag that I picked up a few months ago in a boutique in SC during our summer road trip (the gold metal chain tucks also inside to turn it into a clutch). I finished off the look with my favorite bracelets, a red lip, red mani/pedi and a black ribbon tied into my hair. This is a look I know I'll come back to again and again. If you find that the shorter underneath layer would not be possible to wear to your workplace or church, I also recently came across this one which also has the ribbed flare look without any transparency as well as several others that are longer.
If you enjoyed today's outfit, please share the love or pin it for yourself for future reference. :)
