Beyond POW: Chic Classy and Faux Fur Sunday Best

Outfit Mission Statement:  Combine rich colors and textures with an elegant draped top for an elegant and sophisticated special occasion look that will make you feel like a million dollars

Sunday Best POW outfits are special occasion clothes for dinning, theater, opera, holiday parties, church, and other such occasions that need something special. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the Beyond Tee from cabi Fall 2016. I show off the versatility of this amazing workhorse tunic tee right off, by showing two slightly different ways you can wear it, which are perfect for a special occasion. For both ways, I draped the two panels over my shoulders. For one way, I left it draped, for more of an open-sleeved look. For the other way I tied a corner of each panel in back, creating a draped cape look. Both ways are elegant and very stylish, perfect for a special occasion.  The lovely draping and flow we get from each style adds a special occasion feel. We can emphasize that with a sophisticated and pretty lace skirt, and a camel faux fur Duchess Scarf (see, it’s even royal), some sexy shoes, gold pearl earrings, and a stunning beaded clutch. Once again, a few elegant and sophisticated additions and we have a classy, special-occasion ready out. The mix of rich, refined colors—plumberry and caramel—compliment the black, and bring class to a tunic tee. Also, the mix of textures—lace, fur, suede—add additional sophistication. The colors, textures, drapes and flows, create a fabulous, striking, elegant special occasion look that will make you feel like a million dollars (and look like it too!).

Tips:

• Mix rich, unexpected colors for a sophisticated look
• Carmel is a great neutral that adds a bit for class to any outfit, plus it is on-trend right now
• When working with a more casual knit, add opulent textures, like lace, suede, and faux fur, to add polish and refinement
• Make a versatile piece work for you, by styling it in unexpected ways, such as draping and tying it
• Add elegant pieces to dress up your special occasion outfit
• For a refined look, limit your pallet to two or three rich colors
• Keep your neutral colors in the majority, with a single pop of a deep, rich color for a sophisticated take
• You can be sexy and somewhat modest at the same time with a knee-length (or longer) pencil skirt and top that dips in the back
• Compliment the outfit by matching your accessories to the color scheme—gold earrings and accents on the shoes to go with caramel, for instance
• When wearing the Beyond Tee in a style with draping in back, wear it backwards, so you get the v-neckline to show off some extra skin in back, further empathizing the back, while presenting a higher, more elegant neckline in front

Outfit Breakdown:

• Top: Beyond Tee from cabi Fall 2016
• Skirt: This is the Frolic Skirt from cabi Fall 2014 and not available. Consider instead: either the Tulip Pencil Skirt  or Floral Lace Pencil Skirt from Ann Taylor or the Scalloped Lace Pencil Skirt by Vince Camuto from Macy’s.
• Scarf: Duchess Scarf from cabi Fall 2016
• Shoes: These are from Target last year, I think. But, Target has some good substitutes: either the Journee Collection Fancy Ankle Strap Mesh Pumps or Piett Ankle Strap Round Toe Mary Jane Pumps both from Target or the Interlux from Aerosoles.
• Earrings: Faux gold pearl earrings bough years ago, consider the Gold Pearl Earrings by chicagolandia, shell pearl earrings by JupiterMoonJewellery (very similar), or Yellow Pearl Teardrop Earrings on Etsy.
• Clutch: Old clutch from Coldwater Creek; consider their current Shooting Star Evening Bagor Art Deco Beaded Clutch

If you would like the Beyond Tee, contact your cabi stylist. If you do not have one, please contact me in the comments or via email, reach out to my (Joni Allen via email or phone: 770 502-5243 [call or text]), or find a cabi stylist near you.

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Chic Cape and & Elegant Cape

To grace the either of the cape techniques:

1. Put it on backwards with the tag in front to for a more elegant back and to show off the back treatment
2. Take each panel and put it over the shoulder of the side it is on (left panel over left should, right panel over right shoulder), and let them hang down your back and over your arms
3.  For Chic Cape: you are done
4. For Elegant cape: take the inside corners of each panel and tie them in a knot, then let this hang down your back

Chic Cape From the back: Panels draped over shoulders

Elegant Cape: From the back: Panels draped over shoulders and then tied

From the front: Panels draped over shoulders

From the front: Panels draped over shoulders and then tied

Related Posts:

1. Love POW: Just add Sparkles, Fur, and Beads to make it Sunday Best

2. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best

3. Destructed White POW: Pretty in Pink & Pearls Sunday Best

1. Love POW: Just add Sparkles, Fur, and Beads to make it Sunday Best Posted February 07, 2016: Take a pretty blouse and a neutral pencil skirt and turn it into a sophisticated special occasion outfit with fur, sparkles, beads, and mixing a single metal
2. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best Posted February 28, 2016: Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories
3. Destructed White POW: Pretty in Pink & Pearls Sunday Best Posted June 19, 2016: Dress your destructed denim up for a special occasion look with fancy, feminine pieces for a pretty, edgy, feminine, and comfortable outfit

Or peruse the other Sunday Best special occasion outfits.

Run Around POW: Simple Elegance Sunday Best

Outfit Mission Statement: For an elegant, sophisticated outfit that is easy and comfortable, pair your black skirt with a neutral silk and similar accessories

Sunday Best POW outfits are special occasion clothes for dinning, theater, opera, holiday parties, church, and other such occasions that need something special. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Run Around Skirt. Sometimes simple is best. Take a black skirt add a silk blouse and there you go. The ease and comfort of the Run Around Skirt suggests an easy comfortable dressy look, something of simple elegance. Don’t get me wrong. This skirt can be dressed up all sorts of ways—lace, sequins, chiffon, more drapes... the list goes on.  For instance, this skirt is a knockout with Tivoli Top and the Vita Blouse (see Simple Affairs Date Night for the Vita with black pants for an example outfit with the blouse and black on bottom). Or you can go for power and elegance of all black with a black top. Consider either the white or black Sophia Sweater (with sheer lace backs) for another dressy look. This skirt is versatile and easily dressed up.

But, you can also pair it with a simple silk blouse in a neutral color for a classic, but easy, look. This gives you a fun base to accessorize. You could go for bright colors to really pop them. Or go for a more sophisticated look by playing off the color of the blouse, such as I did here—gray blouse and silver accessories and shoes. With the draping and layered skirt, gray silk, and silver accessories you have a sophisticated, elegant look that is easy and comfortable.

Tips:

• For a simply elegant look, pair the draped black skirt with a simple neutral silk blouse
• With a gray silk blouse, you can play up the color with silver accessories (if going with a cream or brown, consider gold)
• Keep things simple by keeping your hair down
• With neutral garments, you can show off a statement necklace as the highlight of your outfit
• For a layered, wrap skirt, consider D’Orsay heels to compliment the lines
• Choose a neutral silk blouse with minor embellishments, which as the slightly draped neckline, to keep with the simple elegance of the outfit

Outfit Breakdown:

• Skirt: Run Around Skirt from cabi Spring 2106
• Blouse: Spirt Tunic from cabi Fall 2102, which is no longer available. Consider the Nine West Charmeuse Tie Neck Blouse from Belk, the Lafayette 148 New York Gray Silk Charmeuse Bias Cut Tank from Saks Fifth Avenue and on lyst, or the 3.1 Phillip Lim Gray Classic Silk Tank Top from FarFetch also on lyst. Or go for a stunning navy on black French look with the Sleeveless Double Drape Tee from cabi Spring 2016.
•  Shoes: Audrey Brooke Glenda Pump from DSW
• Earrings: Vintage Crystal Studs Earrings from Stella & Dot
• Necklace: Sadly this Casablanca Necklace has sold out at Stella & Dot (they do have earrings and a bracelet if you like the look). If you want a longer statement pieces, consider the Nile Necklace, the Azure Tassel Necklace, or the Alila Lace Necklace.
• Bracelet: This is an old bracelet and I have no idea where I got it. Consider the aforementioned Casablanca Bracelet, the Bardot Spiral Bangle, or the Vintage Crystal Bracelet all from Stella & Dot.
• Clutch: An old clutch from Coldwater Creek; consider their current Shooting Star Evening Bag or Art Deco Beaded Clutch.

Photography by Bill Ruhsam of The Evil Eyebrow. Check out more of his photography.