Pleated Star POW: Cozy Cabled Rocky Coast Saturday

Outfit Mission Statement: For a cozy take on a pleated skirt, add comfy pieces like a big cowl-neck sweater and suede boots

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) is the Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands’ End. This outfit, especially with the boots, makes me feel like I should be walking along the costs of Maine in the fall—warm cable sweater over a pretty skirt with some (more or less) practical boots. I can see it in my head. A gray day, with some fog, crashing surf, rocky shores, a crisp feel to the air, and some color in the trees. Why this picture? Partially because this sweater seems like an updated and stylish fisherman’s sweater. Partially because I’d often throw a cozy sweater on for warmth over a pretty outfit, when doing something like walking in cold weather; and often it didn’t matter if the sweater, flannel, or whatever went with what I was wearing. I just was adding warm. Of course, in this case, the sweater goes quite well, and the combined outfit is cozy, and pretty, and as good for walking a museum as walking a rocky coast.

I do show two versions of this—one with flats and one with boots. This is to show the transitional versatility of the skirt and sweater. You can wear flats if it is still warm or transition to boots if it is colder. And feel free to go more practically with the boot. I’d be wearing some wellies if I had them for this outfit, but I didn’t at the time (I do now, expect to see them soon1).

Tips:

• Don’t rule out some of your childhood clothing practices, like throwing a big sweater on over a pretty outfit for warmth, but do consider ways you can make this work into a cute outfit
• A big cozy sweater will add a casual, comfortable feel to a fancy pleated skirt
• Don’t be afraid to throw on casual boots, wellies, or rain boots with a pretty pleated skirt for a casual and practical look
• Have a favorite outfit? You can make it work in another season, or transitioning between seasons, by switching out the shoes (swap flats for boots and vice versa)
• For a more casual, walking-the-rugged-Maine-coast look, keep to a neutral color palette, such as white, navy, and gray
• If you live anywhere that has some cold winter days, make sure you have a wardrobe staple cozy cable sweater, such as the one here, in a neutral color—it will become a go-to piece and can easily be dressed up or down!
• With a mixed metal necklace, you can accessorizes in any of the metals in the necklace for a put-together look

Outfit Breakdown:

• Skirt: Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands’ End
• Sweater: Cable Cowl from cabi Fall 2016
• Necklace: Chelsea Charm Necklace from cabi Fall 2016
• Earrings: Hammered Crescent Moon Gold earrings from Fab’rik, which are no longer available. Consider instead Crescent moon earrings by EmelyRoseBoutique, Gold Crescent Moon Earrings by TheSilverWhale, or Gothic crescent moon dangle earring by TheCryptOfCuriositie, all on Etsy.
• Flats: Older L.L. Bean blue suede ballet flats. Consider Mira Ballet Flats at Talbot’s, Cinch Ballet Flats from Gap, or either these great velvet shoes from lands’ end: Velvet Skimmer Shoes or Pointed Toe Mary Jane Shoes (see below for my referral link)
• Boots: Wonderful by Aerosoles (or, for wonderful wellies, consider these from L.L. Bean—I love the Hounds tooth ones)

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.

Related Posts:

1. Plume POW: The Stylish Safari Princess Thursday

2. Love POW: Sweater Saturdays are Pretty Cozy!

3. POW Tuesday Edition Week 1b: No place like Tuesday in a Jacket

1. 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
2. Love POW: Sweater Saturdays are Pretty Cozy! Posted February 13, 2016: Start with a cozy sweater and add feminine and practical pieces for a casual, pretty, and lifestyle-friendly look
3. POW Tuesday Edition Week 1b: No place like Tuesday in a Jacket Posted January 26, 2016: Integrate dressy jackets into your casual style, by keeping the other elements casual

POW 10: The White Destructed Slim Boyfriend Jean

Do you have white jeans? Do you have multiple pairs of white jeans? I must admit I was first very leery of white jeans. I am a bit of a klutz and am always getting things on me. So white jeans did not seem like a wise option. But I tried my first pair (will it shock you to learn they were cabi?) and loved them. I also didn’t spill anything on them! Now, I am a big fan. They add a fresh, summer look and work well with so many different styles of clothes. They have become a wardrobe staple for me. I’d not say they are a wardrobe essential, but certainly a staple. You don’t need them, but they will become a go-to piece perfect especially for spring and summer.

Outfit: Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans from cabi Spring 2016. Lemon Zest Blazer from babi Spring 2015. Button Back Tank from cabi Spring 2012. Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. Grey Shell Statement Necklace by Solid Treasures. Shimmer Hoop Earrngs by Vera Bradley. INC International Concepts Gold-Tone Beaded Faux-Leather Bracelet at Macy’s.

Outfit: Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans, Capri Top, and Simple Cami from cabi Spring 2016. Shady Hat from cabi Spring 2014. Coin Necklace from cabi Fall 2014. Giani Bernini Diamond Woven Crossbody handbag from Macy's. Bird Cage shooties by Aerosoles.

I have three pairs of white jeans now: boot cut, skinnies, and these fabulous Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans from cabi Spring 2016. I love the laid back ease with a bit of edge these have. They are slouchy loose without being baggy and are made of a very soft denim that is a pleasure to wear. The contrast stitching is a nice touch and adds to the style of the jeans. They are also an on-trend “vintage white,” which will mix beautifully with other whites. I didn’t plan to make them a POW (Piece of the Week), but Kendria Thompson of Solid Treasures Jewelry suggested them. I wasn’t sure about styling them a more formal office or special occasion. But I decided to take on the challenge. While I found ways to style them for formal offices and special occasions, they still make not be dressy enough (with the rips) to work for these two environments. However, you can easy substitute other white jeans or pants for a similar look without the destruction.

If you would like the Destructed Slim Boyfriend, 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. If you want some white jeans, but do not like the style of these (perhaps you are not a fan of destruction in our jeans), you can find white jeans almost anywhere right now. Cabi has another pair these season, the Slimmie, which is a new silhouette that is looser than a skinny, but not a boyfriend. It’s great for those who want a slim leg but don’t like the skinny look or feel. Old Navy has many different styles of white jeans—such as the similar Boyfriend Straight Jeans, Mid-Rise Stay White Rockstar Skinny Jeans, and the Mid-Rise Curvy Straight White Jeans (plus they are having a great sale right now and an additional 30% off order over $75 online today only! Banana Republic also has some choices, including the Destructed White Boyfriend Jean and the White Flare Jean.

Do join us for the tenth POW and discover seven ways, from a night on the town, to the playground, office, home, and more to style this laid back, soft, and edgy wardrobe staple, the Destructed Slim Boyfriend, or any white jean!

POW 9: The Southwestern, Boho, Boutique Staple Denim Shirt

I’ve never been a fan of the denim shirt, at least not for me. They look great on other people. They are a wardrobe staple. They are incredibly versatile—easy to dress up and down, wear as layer or wear on its own. But just not my thing.

That is, until I met the Bardot Shirt. Yes, this is another cabi Spring 2016 piece. It is also not your typical denim shirt. It is a faded blue, which you can find many a denim shirt in. But, it also has a boho, Southwest feel with lovely navy embroidery. This shirt makes me think of New Mexico or maybe Arizona. Clear blue sky, turquoise jewelry, horseback riding, red dusty ground, and that desert vibe. It also has a casual, but tailored fit and distressed silver buttons. Plus, each one is unique with the fading of the denim. My cabi stylist, Joni Allen, says this is like a boutique version of a denim shirt, and I must say I agree.

Outfit: Bardot Shirt, Villa Pant, and the Marisa Top from cabi Spring 2016. Earrings and Necklaces by Shine Chaser Jewelry. Bracelets by Solid Treasures. Acme Bootie by Crown Vintage, sold at DSW.

Outfit: Bardot Shirt and Destructed Curvy Skinny jeans from cabi Spring 2016. Yet Another sandals from Aerosoles. English Arrow Wrap Bracelet by Sloan Ranger. Earrings by Solid Treasures. Necklace from Target.

Outfit: Bardot Shirt, Fresco Dress, Villa Necklace from cabi Spring 2016. Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW.

I see this shirt being what a flannel shirt is to me in the winter and late fall—a cozy shirt, a layer, something I throw on when cold or needing the lightest of jackets, something easy, practical, and worn on its own and as a quick go-to addition to nearly any outfit.

Now I’m a big fan of this denim shirt. And I may find my way to loving the more typical denim shirts. Yes, the Southwestern, boho, boutique Bardot Shirt will be my ninth POW (Piece of the Week). If you do not have the Bardot Shirt and are not interested in buying it, feel free to use any denim shirt in the styles I will show you. It will work best if the denim shirt is a bit loose so you can tie it. Otherwise, pretty much any denim shirt will work. You can also replace your denim shirt with a flannel shirt for fall and winter and try similar styles. I did feature a flannel shirt for the third POW, so feel free to follow those styles replacing the flannel shirt with a denim one!

If you would like the Bardot Shirt, 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. If you want a more typical or different denim shirt, check out L.L. Bean’s Denim Work Shirt (in two colors) or the Signature Chambray Shirt (on a huge sale!) or the classic Levi's® Long-Sleeve Denim Western Shirt at Macy’s (on sale and in four colors).

Do join us for the ninth POW and discover seven ways, from the office, night on the town, playground, home, and more to style this casual, versatile, unique wardrobe staple the Bardot Shirt!