Pencil Skirt POW: Vintage Flair and Chic Classy Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Play off the classic pencil skirt with vintage-inspired pieces for a chic, sophisticated, and fun special occasion outfit

 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 pencil skirt in general, and the cabi Fall 2016 Sigourney skirt in particular. The pencil skirt easily dresses up for a special occasion. Since the pencil skirt comes with chic sophistication and elegance, it is easy to combine with other pieces for a special look. Look for other pieces with chic sophistication and elegance to mix with the pencil skirt for maximum impact in any a special occasion.  For this outfit, I played off the classic vibe of the pencil skirt with vintage-inspired bold pieces, for a fun, yet classy look.

Tips:

  • To play up the classic style of the skirt, consider other pieces with classic inspirations, like Channel-inspired cardigan
  • Feel free to mix vintage pieces (or vintage-inspired pieces) from different times, just choose a common theme like color or print to tie them together
  • Dress up solid colors with bold accessories and prints to add a pop of interest
  • Choose accessories, like your scarf, shoes, and clutch, that pull out one of your main outfit colors, like the turquoise of the skirt—even if the pieces don’t “match” you will have a sophisticated look
  • Add a small “arm party” of a few pretty bracelets that play off the colors of your outfit for a special pop
  • No room for a pearl necklace with your scarf? Add the classic touch of pearls in a pretty bracelet instead
  • A classic French twist always adds a chic elegance and sophistication

Outfit Breakdown:

*For all eSBe orders and questions, I recommend my eSBe Stylist, Suzanne Wall Joffrion—her ID is 246131. She will be featuring a $50 gift certificate drawing for all orders $50 or more using the new eSBe app made between April 1–5! What a great time to try out eSBe or add to your collection!

Related Posts:

 

  1. Beyond POW: Chic Classy and Faux Fur Sunday Best Posted October 15, 2016: 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
  2. Michelle POW: Backwards Lace and Some Flutter Sunday Best Posted March 13, 2016: Don’t throw a cardigan on, choose a special cardigan and plan your special occasion outfit around it!
  3. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best Posted February 28, 2016: Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories

 

Or peruse the other Sunday Best special occasion outfits.

Beyond POW: Chic Classy and Faux Fur Sunday Best

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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:

 

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

Chic Cape From the back: Panels draped over shoulders

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

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

From the front: Panels draped over shoulders and then tied

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 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.

Pleated Star POW: Beach Easy Elegant Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement:  Mix up your dress up by pairing a feminine, elegant skirt with a high end tee, easy beach hair, and pearls for the perfect look for a special occasion and a stroll on the beach after

 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 Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands’ End. Since this skirt radiates elegance and femininity, it is easy (and rather predictable) to dress it up, perhaps with a lovely white wrap top, or a soft gray silk draped tank, maybe a light pink chiffon shell, or a navy lace top. With this skirt, dressy is easy. So, I went a more casual route—think beach easy elegance not ballroom polished elegance. In fact, I wore this, on a beach vacation, for my anniversary dinner with my husband. It doesn’t get much more special occasion than that! Instead of a dressy top, think laid back but still nice, such as this hi-low cross design cropped high-end tee. Add pearls, sandals, and a French braid with ponytail for and elegant beach ease.

This look works for summer, fall, and in-between with the mix of dark navy and white georgette. If it cools down, just throw on a wrap, cardigan, or tailored jacket. This is the perfect look for when you want something special, but not stuffy, and when the night might end with a walk on the beach.

 

Tips:

  • Look for unexpected twists on your special occasion outfits, such as a dressy tee with a fancy skirt
  • To maintain a certain level of dressy, keep the tee higher quality with special features (such as this hi-low cross design) in dark or bold colors
  • For easy beach elegance, add casual elements to your dressy pearls and skirt—such as the loose French braid with ponytail
  • Don’t be afraid of a top that is slightly cropped, they may be more flattering than you think. If your tummy is a problem area, look for:
    • A longer crop that covers more and shows little to no skin
    • Special details that will slim and distract, such as the cross design 
    • A looser top that does not cling to the belly
    • Quality fabric that drapes and hides
    • High-wasted bottoms to go underneath that over the problem area
  • Think pearls for ease and a touch of both class and grace (plus they nicely pop on darks or bold shirts)
  • If you might end up walking on the beach, make sure those sandals are easy to remove
  • Keep the look in a limited palette of two to three main colors, such as the white and navy here, if you need to be dressier—broaden the palette is more casual is fine

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Interested in purchasing? If my post inspired you to buy the lovely Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands’ End or other items from Lands’ End, please consider using my referral link. I’ll get 25% off my next order and be very grateful! Let me know you used my referral link, and give you a shout out including links to your social media.

Photos for this photo shoot were taken by Bill Ruhsam at the King and Prince Resort.

Related Posts:

  1. 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!
  2. Bardot POW: Boho Southwestern Sparkly Princess Sunday Best posted May 29, 2016: To dress denim up for a special occasion look, throw on the fancy—think tulle, sparkly gems, embroidered velvet, statement pieces, and amazing shoes

  3. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best: posted February 28, 2016: Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories

 

 

 

Or, I cordially invite you to view the rest of the Sunday Best special occasion ensembles.

 

 

Destructed White POW: Pretty in Pink & Pearls Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Dress your destructed denim up for a special occasion look with fancy, feminine pieces for a pretty, edgy, feminine, and comfortable outfit!

 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 Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans. Ripped jeans are not what some of us would think of as an appropriate special occasion look. But, you can dress them up to make them work for at least some special occasions. The trick, as with any casual piece, is to combine it with dressier pieces, even over-the-top dressy pieces. Together the outfit averages dressier. Plus, it can be fun to mix pretty with edgy and dressy with casual! Still, these jeans may now work in some special occasion situations. If you cannot do destructed, consider replacing these with white jeans. If you cannot do jean, consider replacing these with white linen pants, such as the Piazza Pant.

But, if you can do destructed white jeans for your special occasion, this outfit can be a lot of fun to rock! You can be pretty, edgy, feminine, and comfortable all at the same time! This may be one of my favorite outfits I’ve done here (and it is one of my favorite sets of photos!).

 

Tips:

  • Dress up your destructed jeans with fancy, dressy pieces; you can even go over the top if you want!
  • Play off the edgy destructed look with feminine, pretty pieces—think pinks, pearls, and sparkles
  • Grab a pretty shawl to keep you warm in places with two much AC or cooler nights (plus it adds to the dressiness)
  • Add a designer clutch or wristlet in a pretty matching color to add style (and convenience)
  • Dress your feet up in those sparkly, special occasion shoes and roll up your jeans to show them off
  • Put your hair up in a pretty hair accessory for an added touch of class & sophistication (plus you can show off your shoulders)
  • Look for dressy accessories with special touches, like ribbon bows in the back, for added touches of fancy
  • Choose a peplum top with a gentle ruffle bottom to hide any tummy issues and add more femininity

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 
 

Related Posts:

  1. Bardot POW: Boho Southwestern Sparkly Princess Sunday Best posted May 29, 2016. To dress denim up for a special occasion look, throw on the fancy—think tulle, sparkly gems, embroidered velvet, statement pieces, and amazing shoes.
  2. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best posted February 28, 2016. Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories.
  3. Margherita POW: Lace & Lockets Sunday Best posted on May 22, 2016. To dress your sundress up for a special occasion look, add pretty lace, a classy mixed media jacket, and vintage accessories.

 

 

 

 

Bardot POW: Boho Southwestern Sparkly Princess Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: To dress denim up for a special occasion look, throw on the fancy—think tulle, sparkly gems, embroidered velvet, statement pieces, and amazing shoes

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 Bardot Shirt. There are many ways to dress up a denim shirt. Check out Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best for dressy look you can make work with a denim shirt (denim and a lace pencil would be Fab-u-lous!). One fun thing you can do is choose a very dressy skirt. Denim tends to dress things down a bit, so with very dressy bottoms, you can average somewhere dressy, but not overly dressy. Tulle can easily be very dressy. Add denim, and bam, nice special occasion look that does not go too far. Adding fancy, statement pieces as accessories ups the dressy too. Together, you can end up with a fun, sparkly, pretty special occasion look with a touch of boho. I love the tulle and denim combo. Opposites attract, right?

Tips:

  • When dressing up a denim shirt, feel free to go far on the dressy side for the rest of the pieces to average the perfect amount of dressy
  • Add special, striking, and/or fancy statement accessories to further emphasize the dressiness (or go the other way and add casual accessories [like cowgirl boots, a distressed leather bag, and rustic jewelry] and end up in a casual, fun look with a touch of princess)
  • Mix metals for a lighthearted touch that may also allow you to bring together pieces you might not otherwise consider
  • Consider tying the denim shirt in a knot at your waist to emphasize the waist and continue the lighthearted touch
  • Keep colors in the same general tones for a more put together look, such as the blues and greys I focus on here, making sure each element has at least one of these colors

Outfit:

 

Related Posts:

  1. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best posted February 28, 2016. Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories.
  2. Plume POW: The Stylish Safari Princess Thursday posted April 14, 2016. For a trendy outfit with masculine and feminist touches, mix tulle and military/safari style.

 

Margherita POW: Lace & Lockets Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: To dress your sundress up for a special occasion look, add pretty lace, a classy mixed media jacket, and vintage 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 Margherita Dress. This is our last of the Margherita Dress looks, and it follows some of the themes you have seen with the other styles: adding a neutrals from the dress (white in this case) and working with layers. Both allow us to add some elegance to this fun, boho dress. Some sundresses may be on the fancy side and not require much work to be special occasion ready. But if your sundress requires some work, look for fancier, pretty, and/or more elegant pieces in your wardrobe that match your dress and can be layered over or under it. You may be amazed by what you can do with that normally casual sundress.

 

Tips:

  • Layer pretty, fancier, and/or elegant pieces over your more casual sundress for a special occasion look
    • For more formal situations, consider layering neutrals that match the dress, as this comes across as more sophisticated
  • Wear vintage/vintage-inspired jewelry and accessories to give your special occasion outfit a classic touch, which may add to the sophistication and dressiness of the outfit
  • Layer a lace top over your sundress for pretty way to dress it up
    • Add a jacket for warmth or just stick to this
    • A higher quality lace with texture come across classier and dressier—be care with cheap laces as they can make the look cheap
  • Choose a jacket with rich textures, mixed media, and special touches to further make your look special for your special occasion
  • Consider if under or over works best for some of your layers—for instance the lace may also work under the sundress

 

Outfit Breakdown:

the skirt is so flowy is blows in the breeze!

the skirt is so flowy is blows in the breeze!

 
 

Related Posts:

  1. 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.
  2. Margherita POW: White Out Over Navy Saturday Posted May 14, 2016. Be put together and carefree in your sundress by adding layers and accessories in a variety of whites.
  3. Margherita POW: Easy Professionalism Manic Monday posted May 16, 2016. For an easy-to-throw on Monday outfit, grab your favorite sundress and then add a jacket, simple matching jewelry, and comfy shoes.

Run Around POW: Simple Elegance Sunday Best

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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:

 

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

Plume POW: White & Bright Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Look for comfortable, classy clothes you can dress up with  good pants and 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 Plume Top. This is a versatile special occasion outfits, as it could work for fine dining, church, theater, or even work! The best part is, it is a very comfortable outfit! The Plume Top, as an easy, tee shirt style to it. The Portico Shrug is in a soft yarn and has an easy open style. The linen pants have classic styles but the wide legs provide comfort and flow. The linen pants and statement accessories bring a higher level of dressy to this outfit, elevating it to special occasion worthy. It’s a lovely mix of colors that says both classy and spring.

Tips:

  • Yes, you can wear white year round!
  • Consider ways to layer similar length necklaces so they look like one complex necklace
  • Look for comfortable fabrics that move in your special occasion outfits, so you can actually enjoy yourself
  • Keep in mind that linen quickly gets wrinkles, as shown, which may preclude it from some special occasions
  • White is very on-trend right now, so find ways to pop this color, including wearing accessories with white in them
  • When mixing whites, it is okay if the whites vary a bit in shade and color, as shown here
  • White provides a lovely contrast to bright bold colors, like the bougainvillea of the shrug, showing off both colors for a bold look

Outfit Breakdown:

 
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Go-To POW: Classic Pearls and Lace Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Sometimes simple is special—keep it simple with black pants, a lacy sweater, and classic 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 Go-To Trouser. The classic elegance with a modern silhouette of these trousers keeps suggesting to me simple styling, as I have for this Sunday Best and for Date Night Friday. The can also be dressed in less simple ways (check out the Black & White Manic Monday). But they do work well playing off the classic and simple styling of the trousers. To create a Sunday Best outfit, just add a lovely lace sweater, some pretty sandals, pearls, a purse, red lipstick, and a variation on a classic French twist. The looks is simple, elegant, and ready for many different special occasions.

 

Tips:

  • A classic pair of black pants and a lovely sweater with special lace details can make an elegant and simple special occasion outfit
  • Add classic details, like red lips, a French Twist, and pearls
  • Look good coming and going with details in the back of our top, like the lovely lace on the Sophia Sweater
  • Black and white outfits bring with them a certain classic sophistication that you can draw on with styling
  • Keep in mind that black and white outfits are hard to photograph, so look for something different if you know you will be photographed at your special occasion
  • Wearing classic, quality jewelry, such as pearls, increases the style and dressiness of any outfit
  • When layering with lace, wear a different color under the lace to accentuate the lace—this soft pink adds to the sophistication of the outfit but a bolder and brighter color can be fun in a more playful and/or sexy outfit

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 
An outtake for your pleasure. I think my kid may have been modeling too!

An outtake for your pleasure. I think my kid may have been modeling too!

Michelle POW: Backwards Lace and Some Flutter Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Don’t throw a cardigan on, choose a special cardigan and plan your special occasion outfit around it!

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 Michelle Cardigan. Often cardigans get thrown on over a dressy outfit to add a bit of warmth. However, the Michelle Cardigan, with the chiffon layer in back, is a perfect cardigan to make part of your dressy outfit. A navy pencil skirt keeps things simple and elegant. The navy in both create a lean line and a consistent look. Another color pencil skirt could work, but may not look as sophisticated. The, add some lace to really bring in the dressy. Any lace top could work. A black would be dressier and give a nod to French style.  A bone of off white cold be striking. Since navy is a neutral, any color could work, but be weary of bright colors, as they could bring down the level of dressiness (but, that may be perfect for you). A classic, romantic piece, like this locket, is the perfect accessory—dressy without being over the top. Then add nice shoes and fun, classy clutch and you are ready to shine!

 

Tips:

  • Don’t let your cardigan be a layer added just for warmth, choose a dressier one and plan your outfit around it
  • For a lean, elegant look choose a cardigan and pencil skirt in a dark neutral, such as navy 
  • Add a lace blouse as dressy layer for under the cardigan for an additional touch of “fancy” when done in white or black or fun if you choose a bright color
  • Classic, romantic accessories, like the locket and clutch, increase the dressiness of the outfit and add some good old-fashioned romance
  • Don’t limit your clothes or wardrobe by only wearing tops with the front in front—this lace top is actually worn backwards—the lace is the back of a lovely sweater. So, look for pieces that can be worn multiple ways, even backwards, and you can multiple its versatility (and pack much lighter)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

  • Cardigan: Michelle Cardigan from cabi Spring 2016
  • Cami: Simple Cami in nude from cabi Spring 2016
  • Skirt: Lido Skirt from cabi Spring 2016
  • Earrings: Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016
  • Necklace & Bracelet: Both part of the Locket Necklace from cabi Spring 2016
  • Lace Top: This is actually the Sophia Sweater from cabi Spring 2016, backwards
  • Shoes: Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels—I’m surprised they are still available at Kohl’s! I got these last year and now they are only $34.99!
  • Clutch: This is a vintage clutch (I’m guessing from the 1950s or 1960s) that my mom bought me for Christmas. I’ll put the shop name in where she got it when she gets back to me.

Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and 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 L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan. At first I thought dressing this up would be hard, but it really was not. I was lucky that I had the cabi Frolic skirt in this lovely dark pink lace that is the same color as one of the stripes in the blouse. However, I could have gone with a variety of colors and still had it work. Since the shirt is flannel, I really wanted to go dressy on the skirt to counteract the casualness of the flannel. Lace works perfectly. Other things could work too, like sequins, tulle (the adult tutus that are so popular), velvet, and more. Once you add a dressy skirt, the rest is adding the right dressier accessories. When dressing up flannel, denim, or other casual shirts, feel free to go extra dressy with the accessories—faux fur details, luxurious jewelry, fancy clutches, shimmering shoes.

 

Tips:

  • Look to very dressy and feminine skirts in lace, velvet, tulle, sequins, and other special fabrics to balance out the casual flannel
  • Use this as an excuse to bring out those extra special fancy accessories
  • Roll the sleeves up to add a modern touch and a bit of class to the shirt
  • Play off the colors in the shirt as much as possible with the skirt
  • Feel free to be lavish with the dressy accessories—yes you can add a statement pearl necklace, faux fur trimmed scarf, vintage bead clutch, and sparkling heels
  • Make sure your hair is also dressier than normal—consider some sort of an up do if you have long hair

 

Outfit Breakdown:

  • Flannel Shirt: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan
  • Skirt: This is the Frolic Skirt from cabi Fall 2014 and not available. Consider instead:
    • Lido Skirt: Not as dressy, but consider it—from  cabi Spring 2016 collection
    • Floral Lace Pencil Skirt: This striking Ann Taylor pencil skirt may be even dressier than the Frolic Skirt 
    • Tulle Midi Skirt: This is a lovely tulle skirt (by Anthropologie), but on the pricier end of what I suggest ($168)
    • 6-layer Tutu: Not as gorgeous at the Anthropologie skirt, this is an inexpensive tulle skirt (414.98)—perfect for testing the trend out
  • Shoes: Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels—I’m surprised they are still available at Kohl’s! I got these last year and now they are only $34.99!
  • Clutch: This is a vintage clutch (I’m guessing from the 1950s or 1960s) that my mom bought me for Christmas. I’ll put the shop name in where she got it when she gets back to me.
  • Scarf: This is the cabi Fall 2015 Twist Scarf, which sold out in black and cream. You can go a few different ways to substitute. You can go with fur or a scarf, or, if you find it a combination. Here are some options: 
    • Marabou Bolero Shrug: By INC International Concepts and sold at Macy’s this is a faux fur shrug 
    • Persian Cartouche Burnout Shawl: By the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, this shawl is a striking black scarf with bright colors and a rug design
    • Louis XIV Arabesque Burnout Shawl: Also from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, this striking silver and black large shawl will allow you to bring your metal (silver in this case) into your shawl too 
    • Dunand Deco Floral Scarf: This stunning black, white, and gray has a leaf design based on a beautiful lacquered wood panel and is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store
  • Necklace: This is the Fall 2014 cabi Contessa Necklace and no longer available. Consider instead these Stella & Dot options: 
  • Earrings: These are cabi Fall 2014 Vintage Stud earrings and no longer available. But, consider these Stella & Dot options:
    • Vintage Crystal Studs: These are about the same size and I tend to wear these interchangeably
    • Maddie Pearl Earrings: Perfect with the Starlet Pearl necklace, these elegant earrings will fancy up your outfit
    • Déjà vu Studs: With a pearl on one side and s spike on the other, you can go classy or edgy

 

For a spring or summer variation on this look, start with the boutique-styled cabi Spring 2016 Bardot Shirt. Add the 6-layer Tutu, Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels, 1930s beaded bag, along with the Stella & Dot Starlet Pearl Necklace and Maddie Pearl Earrings.

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

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Outfit Mission Statement: 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

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 fall 2015 Love Blouse. With the gathered ruffle-like collar and lovely colors, this blouse easily works for special occasions. It’s easy to dress it up with nice accessories and a skirt. I’m wearing a classic navy pencil skirt here, for slim lines and a neutral to play the other pieces off of. The skirt is also a ponte knit, so I am comfortable and can move easily, including squatting on the ground with my toddler. After the lovely blouse and the neutral skirt, it’s all about special accessories to bring up the glam. Most striking may be the faux fur-trimmed Twist scarf. This adds elegance and warmth (why are places always so cold?). Plus, as mentioned in Friday’s Spicy Sweet Friday Night Drinks, the scarf can add a bit of flirtation too! The long gold earrings add sophistication and fun. I don’t wear these enough, because they are “big” for my day-today look (I don’t tend to go big in the jewelry department. I’m working on it. It may become a Personal Style Challenge I try to conquer later this year.) But I do love occasions when I feel I can bring them out. It’s nice to have statement earrings! The length and style draw attention to my face, neck, and hair, adding a bit of sex appeal too. I continue the gold accents, with a gold belt (actually it’s a necklace, see Wednesday’s Working it Lady-Like for more on this and the belt/bracelet combo worn professionally). Then we get to my shoes. These lovely sparkly shoes are nice in that they are not over-the-board sparkles. It’s more subtle, if you can say that about stiletto sparkling heels! The clutch, which my son loved, is gold and silver beads, and add a fun vintage accent. Together, I have a look that is comfortable (except maybe the shoes), dressy, flattering, and fun.

 

Tips:

  • Start your special occasion outfits with a lovely blouse with feminine details
  • Have one main neutral garment that can act as a base for the rest of the outfit
  • While mixed metals are in, focusing on accenting with a single metal in various tones creates a more elegant look and one that may be easier for many (mixing metals can be hard for some)
  • When working with various tones of the same metal, do keep the metals separate so the differences don’t conflict
  • Look for ponte pencil skirts for elegance, clean lines, and comfort
  • Adding fur, sparkles, and beads can make anything fancier or cheaper—limit each by choosing items where it is more subtle or an accent, not the full thing (if one is the full thing, tone the others down even more)
  • Consider statement earrings—statement necklaces have been in for a while, but sometimes, especially when you have a striking collar, earrings are the better choice
  • Have at least one awesome pair of “wow” heels with some fun attribute like sparkles (or bows, or zippers, or whatever)
  • Realize you can do special occasions with separates and it may be both more fun and more striking

 

 Outfit Breakdown:

The clothing items in this outfit are all cabi Fall 2015, and no longer available. Contact me if you must have something and I may be able to direct you to a stylist who has it. Look for substitutes from your own closet or check out the alternatives below. I normally will make the POW a currently available item, but my blog launched later than planned and I wanted to share these outfits. The next POW will be of an available item, I promise!

  • Blouse: This is the cabi Fall 2015 Love Blouse. To find a substitute from your own closet, look for a feminine blouse with a special feature. If you don’t have quite the right blouse to substitute in your closet, consider these cabi Spring 2016 alternatives: 
    • Vita Blouse: This gorgeous draped blouse is also sleeveless, and has a sexy cutout in the back
    • Bella Top: This feminize, fluttery blouse has a similar feel to the love blouse
    • Tivoli Top: This fierce black and taupe blouse has plenty of cool features
  • Skirt: This ponte knit is a vintage cabi skirt, and not available. However, the Lido Skirt from cabi Spring 2016 collection would be a perfect replacement. This classic pencil skirt is in navy and has a tiered hem for a feminine touch that still can work as a neutral in your special occasion outfit.
  • Scarf: This is the cabi Fall 2015 Twist Scarf, which sold out in black and cream. You can go a few different ways to substitute. You can go with fur or a scarf, or, if you find it a combination. Here are some options: 
    • Marabou Bolero Shrug: By INC International Concepts and sold at Macy’s this is a faux fur shrug
    • Persian Cartouche Burnout Shawl: By the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, this shawl is a striking black scarf with bright colors and a rug design
    • Louis XIV Arabesque Burnout Shawl: Also from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, this striking silver and black large shawl will allow you to bring your metal (silver in this case) into your shawl too
    • Dunand Deco Floral Scarf: This stunning black, white, and gray has a leaf design based on a beautiful lacquered wood panel and is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store
  • Earrings: This are ones I’ve had for quite a while—they are Stella & Dot Devon chandelier earrings. They are not sowing on the site, but here are some great alternatives: 
  • Belt: I am wearing the cabi Fall 2015 Heirloom necklace as a belt—the necklace converts into several different pieces. The cabi Spring 2016 Locket Necklace is also a convertible piece and can be worn as a bracket and belt also, and has a similar feel to the Heirloom.         
  • Shoes: Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels—I’m shocked they are still available at Kohl’s! I got these last year and now they are only $39.99!
  • Clutch: This is a vintage clutch (I’m guessing from the 1950s or 1960s) that my mom bought me for Christmas. I’ll put the shop name in where she got it when she gets back to me.
  • Griffin’s necklace: Griffin loves my jewelry and hair stuff and always wants to wear my jewelry, have a ponytail, or have hair pins in. So, I commissioned this necklace from Shine Chaser Jewelry, based off her cute elephant earrings. Griffin adores it!
 

For a Spring cabi 2016 version of this, with mixed silver (instead of gold) try the: Vita Blouse, Lido Skirt, with the Louis XIV Arabesque Burnout Shawl, Casablanca Chandeliers, Metallic High Heels (in Pewter), and Vintage Silver Clutch Purse.

POW Sunday Edition Week 1: Put a Cape on your Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Add a cape, shawl, or other special piece to increase the formality of your outfit and add layering options

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 fall 2015 Media Jacket. While already a dressier item, to make it Sunday Best, I threw on a cape!  There is nothing like a cape to make something special. In addition to the cape, the outfit includes a little black dress and some nice heels. The dress, jacket, and heels, especially with some nice jewelry, would be a fine Sunday Best outfit. But the cape take it up a notch, while adding some fun and comfort. Also, the cape adds some nice warmth, which I often appreciate in fancier venues that seem to think they are refrigerators. The nice thing about this outfit is the layers. If you start with this, you can remove the cape for a nice dress and jacket look. Or, you can remove the jacket for a classy dress and cape look. Or you can keep the three for extra pizzazz. This gives your versatility based on things like the room temperate, being unsure about dress code until you arrive (who hasn’t been there?), changes of plans, spills (yes, I have a toddler), and anything else that may be best met by adjusting your outfit. I wore simple hoops for this outfit, but feel free to throw on a great necklace and earrings. I’d lean more towards big dangling earrings with no necklace or a small one, as the cape may be covering some or all of the neck, depending on how It is draped. Plus, its fun to rock some big dangling earrings.

 

Tips:

  • Look for a special piece, like a cap, to up the formality/dressiness of an outfit
  • A little black dress makes a great base layer for dressy outfits
  • Consider three versatile pieces, such as a dress, jacket, and scarf or cape, so you can wear the dress with either item or both, as needed during the special occasion
  • With a cape and flashy jacket, you can keep jewelry basic; but if you want to go beyond basic, focus on striking (like big and dangling) earrings, as your necklace may be hidden by the cape or at least may compete with it

 

Outfit Breakdown:

The clothing items in this outfit are all cabi Fall 2015, and no longer available. Contact me if you must have it and I may be able to direct you to a stylist who has it. I offer ways to substitute from you own closet or alternatives below. I normally will make the POW a currently available item, but my blog launched later than planned.

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  • Jacket: Shown is the Fall 2015 cabi Media Jacket, which is now unavailable. From your own closet, you can substitute a cropped jacket and/or a flashy jacket in a shorter style. Or, if you want to purchase, here are a few other cropped jackets to consider instead:
  • Dress: The is the Fall 2015 cabi Claire Dress, and no longer available. Likely you have a little black dress in your closet (if not, why not!? Go. Get one! Trust me. This is a wardrobe basic we all need), which you can use instead. You could wait for the fall. There often is a black dress in the fall cabi collection and they are great! Here are some similar dresses available now:   
  • Cape: This Gigi Cape from the cabi fall 2105 collection sold out fast. It’s an amazing piece
  • Shoes: Sorry, yes, another unavailable item. These are from Target last year, I think. But, Target has some good substitutes:
    • Orianna pumps: For the ankle strap look, from Sam & Libby, in faux lizard
    • Ankle Strap Stiletto Pumps: For something on the sexy side, from the Journee Collection 
    • I also like the Interlux: For glam, fun heal with beaded fringe, by Aerosole
  • Earrings: I kept it simple with gunmetal gray hoops. I bet you can find something similar easily. These were from Charming Charlie a few years ago. If you want to go with something a bit more special:
    • Plait Drop Earrings: From Stella & Dot, these silver earrings can be chandelier or drop and have a leather tassel 
    • Casablanca Chandeliers: It doesn’t much fancier than these stunning earrings from Stella & Dot. I have, and love, the matching necklace
    • Grace Chandeliers: Hand cast from a fern in gold, these are delicate and large, also by Stella & Dot.
    • Lagoon Earrings: These gorgeous intricate green and gold earrings will provide both a pop of color and a dash of old time glamour. I don't yet own them, but will.
    • Or go natural and handmade with the Rose Quartz Dangle Earrings by Shine Chaser: These lovely earring with at a blush of romance to any outfi