Beyond POW: Black, White, and Comfy Manic Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Take knit pieces in white and black for a strong, chic, and comfortable Manic Monday look

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on creating a fun, high-contrast, but still comfortable work outfit. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the Beyond Tee from cabi Fall 2016. In this look, I take advantage of the long panels to create modern, open jacket look. The outfit is also very comfortable, with a knit pencil skirt and tee shirt—it may be more comfortable than your pjs! Together with the mixed prints, this is a chic, yet comfortable look to rock some manic Mondays. The high contrast of white and black gives it a dressier and more sophisticated air, meaning you could be both more comfortable and dressier than your coworkers—always a great combo. I am wearing the Beyond Tee backwards here, for a higher neckline that looks more professional with the sleeveless style. If you add a layer, you could wear it either way.

If your autumn has been as warm as mine, you are looking for new ways to style cool work outfits, so you do not overheat. But, if you are having crisp fall days, consider adding a cardigan, cropped jacket, long sleeved top, or turtleneck with this outfit to keep your arms warm.

 

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Long Vest

To rock the “Long Vest” technique:

  1. Put it on backwards with the tag in front for a higher and more professional neckline 
  2. Tuck the bottom of the tunic part of the tee shirt (not the panels) into your skirt
  3. Wear the panels down each side as they naturally fall
  4. Add a thin print belt at your natural waist for curves

 

Tips:

  • When going sleeveless in the office, go with a higher neckline to add coverage and a more professional air
  • Don’t forget to follow the rules of mixing prints--in this case the prints works because the prints are different sizes and the same colors, plus animal prints can often be considered a neutral (when in their natural colors)
  • To add curves, wear a bold skinny belt at your natural waist
  • When wearing something that could be seen as casual, stick to black or black and white for a more professional feel
  • A low soft ponytail is an easy, yet professional, manic Monday hairstyle
  • Remember, when mixing white, they do not have to be the same shades of white
  • Play up the pattern mixing by wearing shoes with some type of a pattern, even straps

 

Outfit Breakdown:

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.

 

Related Posts:

  1. Bardot POW: Ponte and Knotted Manic Monday Posted June 06, 2016: For a comfortable, professional Monday outfit, dress up your denim shirt with a navy ponte pencil skirt
  2. Plaid POW: Manic Flannel Monday Posted February 22, 2016: For a cozy yet professional look, take one casual flannel and add lots of professional pieces
  3. Michelle POW: Manic Peasant in Ponte Monday Posted March 07, 2016: For a casual, yet professional, office look, consider ponte and a peasant blouse with your cardigan

Destructed White POW: Bare Shoulders, Strong & Sexy Date Night

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Outfit Mission Statement: For an ageless, sexy date night look, bare your shoulders (but feel free to keep everything else covered)

Friday Night Drinks POW outfits are for going out on a date, getting drinks, seeing a band play, going to dinner and a movie—something where you want to look good and may wear some sexier clothes and statement pieces. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans. If you have been fallowing this blog, you know I like to mix opposites—pretty with tough, fancy with casual. This is a bit of both of those.  We have the casual destructed jean that have the tough edge, with the pretty sleeveless, floaty, and sparkly blouse. This mix is particularly fun for date nights, when you can play with opposites for a sexy, on-trend look.

One nice thing about current trends is the shoulder. The shoulder had been given its time to show off. Halter tops, off-shoulder, cold shoulder, “x-factor,” and more bare the shoulder. Luckily, the shoulder is a body part that tends to look good for a wide range of ages and sizes. We all have sexy shoulders. So, our sexy shoulders are perfect for an on-trend, sexy date night. If you don’t like your upper arms, go with an off-shoulder or cold shoulder top that covers your areas of concern. One nice thing about bare shoulders is you can be otherwise covered up and still be sexy.

Tips:

  • Mix the edgy destructed jeans with a pretty, flowy blouse for a strong & feminine look
  • For a sexy, on-trend date night look bare those shoulders
    • But if you need some arm coverage, go with an off-shoulder cold shoulder tops that have coverage where you want it
  • Add playful touches, like an unexpected higher ponytail
  • Dress up your destructed boyfriend jeans with sparkles, beads, and a shiny clutch
  • For an easy, put together look, limit your pallet to two neutrals, one metal, and bold color (although feel free to add a red lip for sass)
  • Yes, roll those jeans to show off your awesome, sexy, sparkly shoes
  • If your shoulders are bare, go for long, dangly earrings to further emphasize those shoulders

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

If you want the jeans, contact your cabi stylist ASAP! The season has closed, but she may still be able to help you with samples or access to the retired season pieces. If you do not have a stylist, 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. Or, consider these alternatives:

 

Related Posts:

  1. Love POW: Spicy Sweet Friday Night Drinks posted February 05, 2016: Outfit Mission Statement: Mix romantic pretty items with ripped denim and black leather for a look that is both sugar and spice and certainly nice.
  2. Run Around POW: Simple Elegance Sunday Best posted April 24, 2016: For an elegant, sophisticated outfit that is easy and comfortable, pair your black skirt with a neutral silk and similar accessories.
  3. Go-To POW: Simple Affairs Date Night posted March 25, 2016: For a simple date night look, take your wardrobe essential black pants, add a romantic & sexy blouse along with a few accessories and you are good to go!

Or, check out my other Date Night Friday posts!

 

Margherita POW: White Out Over Navy Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Be put together and carefree in your sundress by adding layers and accessories in a variety of whites

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, traveling, going to a museum or a zoo—out and about or home having fun clothes. These are the clothes you often live the best parts of your life in! The POW (Piece of the Week) the cabi Spring 2016 Margherita Dress. This look says outdoor craft fair, festival, farmer’s market, antiquing, or going to a museum to me. It’s cool, comfortable, and versatile.  It’s something you can easily dress up or down, and the addition of the cardigan makes it good for changing temperatures.

This outfit also has a put-together look, but one that is really easy to put together! The mixed whites cardigan, cream purse, taupe shoes, and white belt, give it a more polished and complete look because of all the white pieces. It creates a good consistency. The easy part is these various whites items do not need to be the same white. In fact, it is trendier right now to mix whites (check out Plume POW: Whites Out Saturday for more on this trend). By mixing multiple whites, it gives outfits a more carefree feel, which is a nice mixed with the polish and put togetherness it also creates. Why not be polished, put together, trendy, and carefree? Then just add a subtle touch of a contrasting color to the sundress, and you have a fun yet polished play day outfit!

 

Tips:

  • For a trendy styling of your sundress, add layers and accessories in line with either the summer black out or white out trends
  • When adding white to an outfit, remember they do not have to all be the same type of white, you can mix together a bunch of various whites for a more carefree and trendy approach
  • When your outfit is two main colors, consider adding a subtle contrasting color in your jewelry for a bit of sophisticated fun
  • To create a more hourglass figure (especially with a boxy cardigan or jacket), belt your sundress—this works especially well with a white belt on a darker dress (as here) or black on a lighter dress
  • Add some funny strappy gladiator style flat sandals for a casual, comfortable, and trendy touch
  • Feel free to mix a print dress with a print handbag, especially when either is a neutral print (and yes, the leather cutout pattern on the handbag counts as a print)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 
 

Related Posts:

  1. Margherita POW: Trendy Terrific Print Play Thursday on May 12, 2016. Outfit Mission Statement: Mix prints in the same color family with a pop of a contrasting color/print for a lighthearted trendy outfit

  2. Plume POW: Whites Out Saturday on April 16, 2016. Outfit Mission Statement: Try out the whites trend by mixing various whites in one or more garments, your, shoes, and your accessories

  3. Run Around POW: Off to the Races Saturday on April 30, 2016. Outfit Mission Statement: For an effortless, preppy, horse-race-ready outfit choose modern takes on classic pieces, some mixing of prints, and the sophisticated combination of black and navy—plus a hat!

 

Run Around POW: Off to the Races Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: For an effortless, preppy, horse-race-ready outfit choose modern takes on classic pieces, some mixing of prints, and the sophisticated combination of black and navy—plus a hat!

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, going to a museum or a zoo—out and about or home having fun clothes. These are the clothes you often live the best parts of your life in! The POW (Piece of the Week) the cabi Spring 2016 Run Around Skirt. This play day is more race day—at the horse races that is! Think preppy, classic, effortless style with a hat, of course (or not). The Run Around skirt is effortless and elegant. Add a nice blouse, in a classic navy; a hat; a nautically inspired clutch; and a black hat and you are ready to cheer on your favorite thoroughbred!  

 

Tips:

  • As discussed many times before, black and navy is a classic (and French) sophisticated color combination  (see here, here, and here)—do not be afraid to try it!
  • For effortless style, pull out the main colors in your outfit in your accessories—such as the navy from the blouse in the bracelet and clutch, but don’t be afraid to include other colors such as burgundy in the bracelet, as this can increase the effort and not look too matchy matchy
  • Yes, mix prints! The small (martini olive inspired) dot shapes go perfectly well with the broad nautical stripes
  • A big black hat with a floppy rim adds a bit of elegance (and fun) to anything
  • Tuck and blouse your top out for an easy flow and a bit of tummy masking
  • Strappy booties can be a trendy accent in a classic look
  • Not sure if an accessory, like a clutch or scarf, goes with an outfit? May sure the outfit and the accessory have something in common, such as a color, a pattern, or a style.

 

Outfit Breakdown:

My toddler was watching from the doorway

My toddler was watching from the doorway