Plume POW: Staying or Leaving Home Tuesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Travel in versatile, comfortable neutrals and add pops of color for fun and adventure

No place like Tuesday outfits are casual, comfy clothes for working from home, working at home, stay at home parenting, and anything else where comfort is key and you are home or in this case leaving home. Although they will work for errands, travel, and anything else casual. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Plume Top. There are so many ways to style this easy and casual. Simply wear it with jeans, and you are good to go (see something similar in “No place like Tuesday in a Blouse”). Also, the Traveler Pant and top are a great casual combo. I took it one step further and played off the outfit I posted in “The Transitional cabi Jacket and Pants Pieces You Need Now: The Adventure Anorak and the Traveler Pant”. I took the Travel Pants and Plume Top, added the Adventure Anorak and topped it off with a belt! Now you have casual, comfortable, practical, and fun! This is great outfit when you are not sure of the weather or will have a lot of changes in temperatures! You can just take off layers.

I just traveled in the Traveler Pant and Adventure Anorak, and I am more in love with them than I was. The Traveler Pants handled a cross country flight with a toddler, followed by a gymnastics meet (watching), my first In-N-Out Burger stop, more time in the car, and a visit to in-laws (all in one day). I spilled coffee on them and it wasn’t even noticeable after it dried! The Adventure Anorak I wore multiple days—as a layer on the plane, as a coat with hood to keep California rain off, to hold my toddler’s juice and other various things, and a layer on the chilly beach (still have sand in the pockets). It is so practical and versatile! Just add the comfortable, casual, and pretty Plume Top; a belt; and some fun shoes and you have a perfect travel and exploring outfit!

Tips:

  • Look for versatile, comfortable clothes especially for travel
  • Make your coat look like part of your outfit (and not just something you threw on) by wearing a belt over it
  • Put together travel or regular outfits with multiple layers that can easily be worn alone and look great together
  • If you are wearing two neutrals (like the pants and jacket), pop color elsewhere in your shirt, shoes, accessories, and jewelry
  • When a coat may add bulk, consider belting it to show off an hour glass shape and not look bulky yourself

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

Go-To POW: No Place Like Tuesday for Sky & Earth Explorers

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Outfit Mission Statement: Dress down those work-appropriate black pants with a boxy tee, explore vest, and handmade jewelry

No place like Tuesday outfits are casual, comfy clothes for working from home, working at home, stay at home parenting, and anything else where comfort is key and you are home. Although they will work for errands and anything else casual. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser. Even business-appropriate pants can be part of your casual work-at-home or chasing-after-toddlers look. Just add casual pieces!  But don’t just go for your white tee shirt. First, white and toddlers mix really well—if you want to look like everything your toddler ate and did that day. Second, white and black are a more sophisticated combinations and may look less casual. Instead shoot for muted colors. Heather gray is about as casual as you can get. For some pop of interest, consider stripes with some other color like this lovely pop of sky blue. A military/safari inspired vest, such as this olive green one, adds casual, fun, and practical. Jewelry that is handmade, muted or antiqued, and of natural stones adds more casual, but also some earthiness. Strappy leather and canvas sandals play off the safari look, but should be traded out for something with more traction if toddler chasing.

 

Tips:

  • For a casual and practical look, add a an olive green military/safari inspired vest
  • Wear simpler, natural accessories, like handmade jewelry with semi-precious polished stones for a touch of casual and earthy
  • Look for tee shirts in casual (and stain hiding) colors like heather gray
  • A boxy tee shirt adds extra casual and comfort, while being on-trend
  • Remember, olive green is a “new neutral” and can be worn with anything, including three other neutrals
  • Do add a pop of color, such as the sky blue stripe, to make sure your casual outfit is not too dull

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

The Transitional cabi Jacket and Pants Pieces You Need Now: The Adventure Anorak and the Traveler Pant

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These are the last two pieces of the Seven Transitional cabi Spring 2016 Pieces That You Need Now—the Adventure Anorak and the Traveler Pant. These are both great pieces that can clearly work together or separately! These are both pieces I own and adore.

 

Note: I am modeling sample Traveler pants,  and they are a size bigger than I would purchase. So, know a proper fit would be tighter.

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW.  Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE …

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

 

The Adventure Anorak

This is a casual coat in a great blue. It has an internal adjustable draw-string, which allows you to make it as loose or nipped in as you want! The pockets are huge and great for any lifestyle where you are juggling a lot—such as parenting, traveling, photography, and more. The style is casual, with a touch of funky with the asymmetrical hem. It’s lighter weight jacket—perfect for spring days and cooler summer nights.

Styling Tips:

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

  • It’s in the denim neutral color of indigo blue; so you can wear it with whatever you wear jeans with!
  • Belt it for a more hourglass and put together look—consider the La Belt for a casual look
  • Wear with the denim for a take on the denim-on-denim trend
  • Or wear with brightly colored or white pants for a fun pop of color (the Traveler Pant, Citron jeans in Curvy or Regular, or the Destructed Slim Boyfriend all look great with it)
  • With the asymmetrical zip you can zip it all the way up for warmth, or create a collar look by zipping it partially
  • Play with contrasts—consider wearing it with very feminine pieces to counter the casual, comfortable, and rugged look of the jacket

 

Traveler Pants

As soon as I saw these pants, they were put at the top of my “must have” cabi list. These pants have so much going for them! They are incredibly soft and comfortable. They are slightly cropped and have an elastic hem with and zipper. This is very on-trend and always for easy rolling and style adjustments. The olive green is a fabulous “new neutral” and goes with everything.  If you buy one cabi item this spring, let me suggest these. I’d live in them if I could (and may have worn them three days in a row... maybe...)!

Styling Tips:

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

  • Roll the cuffs up for a trendy & fresh look (and to show off rocking shoes)
  • Treat this olive green as a neutral, just like your jeans, and don’t be afraid to style the pants with bright colors
  • Balance the strong almost military look of the pants with softer, feminine pieces, such as the Plume Top (shown), the Siena Blouse, and the Vita Blouse
  • Wear with bright colors for a fun pop, such as the Campo Top, U-Neck Tee, and the Lounge Sweater
  • These pants can work well for casual, date, or even work (more casual workplaces), just be open to different ways of styling it—tee shirt, sexy blouse, or jacket!
 

Inspired Outfits

Outfit: Traveler Pant and Vita Blouse from cabi Spring 2016. Eva Ear Jacket earrings, “Always” Inspiration Bangle, and Tiered Lariat Necklace by Stella & Dot. Wingback heels by Aerosoles.

Outfit: Traveler Pant and Vita Blouse from cabi Spring 2016. Eva Ear Jacket earrings, “Always” Inspiration Bangle, and Tiered Lariat Necklace by Stella & Dot. Wingback heels by Aerosoles.

Outfit: Adventure Anorak,  Flora Scarf,  Luisa Tank, Destructed Skinny in regular or Curvy, and Dolce Charm Earrings,  all from cabi Spring 2016, with Layette Sandals by AeroSoles.

Outfit: Adventure Anorak,  Flora Scarf,  Luisa Tank, Destructed Skinny in regular or Curvy, and Dolce Charm Earrings,  all from cabi Spring 2016, with Layette Sandals by AeroSoles.

 

 

 

 

Michelle POW: Working It Navy Power Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: For an easy, chic, classic, and powerful formal office look, dress in all navy

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Michelle Cardigan. One easy way to look professional is to choose professional pieces in the same neutral color. Monochrome dressing is chic and classic. This can get rather boring though, or it can get very formal if the neutral is black. The best way to prevent either is to choose a “new neutral” with some pop, like navy. Another way to prevent it is to choose different fabrics along with garments that have unique elements, such as bold trim, chiffon ruffles, tiered hems, pockets, and drapes. Then, add some bold accessories. Depending on the formality of the office go with neutral shoes (formal) or fun bold shoes too (more casual).

Let’s talk a bit about the choice of navy for a moment. Navy is a fabulous color. I saw navy called a “new neutral” in some places, because it is not the traditional black, white, or earth-toned neutrals, but it still goes with everything. Try it. See? It does! (Olive green is another new neutral.) Most women can find a flattering navy, and really many navy tones are flattering on everyone. For those who want a dark color, but get washed out with black, navy is a great choice. Navy reads as professional and business-like, so it is the perfect choice for a more formal business environment. It is also a timeless color, which gives it some sophistication. The darkness and strength of the color makes it a power color—perfect for your power suit (or running for president). Because it is a dark color, it tends to be more slimming. I also saw it suggested as a good color for petites. Thus, navy is the perfect neutral color for a formal business environment and really the perfect color for any environment. Why aren’t you wearing more navy?

 

Tips:

  • For an easy to put together, chic, and more formal office look combine three professional garments in the same neutral color, but consider navy or another “new neutral” to add visual interest
  • Choose pieces with other elements of visual interest, such as bold trim, chiffon ruffles, tiered hems, pockets, and drapes, to keep the single color look from being boring
  • Add bold accessories to also add visual interest and to make a statement—the monochrome dressing provides a perfect platform to display these pieces
  • For a more formal work environment, consider natural shoes—but in a more casual environment feel free to be bold there too
  • Turn your necklace over and see what the back looks like—some pieces have interesting backs that can also be worn and may work better for some outfits. Here I am wearing a lovely necklace with bottle green etched glass, but backward so you see the gold and silver backing, which is its own fabulous necklace too. I have a few other necklaces I can do this with, which extends my necklace wardrobe significantly
  • For important meetings, presentations, days with the client, or other days you want to look strong, powerful, and sophisticated, consider dressing in navy

 

Outfit Breakdown:

Note: The Michelle Cardigan I am modeling here is a sample and a size too big. Correct fit would be more fitted and flattering.

Images in this photo shoot were taken by Bill Ruhsam.