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.

 

 

Plume POW: The Stylish Safari Princess Thursday

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Outfit Mission Statement:  For a trendy outfit with masculine and feminist touches, mix tulle and military/safari style

 

TTT Thursday outfits are Trendy, Transitional, and/or Terrific—in other words my choice. It can be whatever other outfit ideas the garment gave me. It may be something very trendy, transitional, terrific, or something else. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Plume Top. I had so much fun with this one. It hits two of the Ts—Trendy and Terrific. Let’s start with trendy. Tulle skirts are very trendy right now (and let’s face it, pretty terrific too!). The military-style vest is back on the trendy list too! The elegance and sex appeal of the D’Orsay shoe is also in right now. The shell statement necklace follows the statement necklace trend and even reflects the Pantone colors of the year—Serenity and Rose Quartz. The ring also has rose quartz as a main color. The belt in either styling is on-tend. Leopard print is so in right now and the skinny belt is a darker rose quartz color. In addition, the mixing of feminine (tulle skirt, colors, D’Orsay shoes, top pattern) with the more masculine and tough (vest) is very trendy right now and always terrific! All of these pieces are terrific, but I especially love the skirt, vest, top, and necklace… and shoes, and ring! I can’t decide, they really are all terrific. Together, this makes for one very trendy and very terrific outfit.

Did you notice the two belts? I like them both and felt they each give the outfit a different feel. The skinny, pink, metallic belt colors with the colors of the outfit and adds to the femininity. The leopard print contrasts more with the colors and thus pops. It also goes more with the military/safari vest, moving the outfit into a more adventurous and fun direction. The wider width and popping colors draw more attention to the waist and create more of a waist and hourglass shape. They both work and are great ways to finish the outfit. Which do you prefer?

Tips:

  • If you want to try the tulle skirt trend but don’t want to look too “princess” or fancy, dress it down with casual pieces, such a tee shirt and military style vests— or consider contrasting it with more masculine pieces (like the military style vest)
  • When going with bold, trendy, statement pieces, accessorize in a single, more neutral color that supports the outfit and doesn’t compete (although the accessories can still be statement pieces, like this necklace, shoes, and ring)—you can even choose one that matches one of the outfit pieces like I did here with silver/gray
  • But, you can still pop one accessory like the leopard print belt—look for something eye catching, but also in a neutral (and yes, oddly enough, leopard print can be a neutral!)
  • Some military or safari style vests don’t have strong waists and can give a bulky look—to beat this add your own belt (wider belts work best, to a point) in a color that pops from the outfit may appear to give you more of a waist and hourglass shape
  • Try out alternatives—such as different belts—to see what works best for your mood or style
  • Don’t be afraid to have fun with your outfits

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Go-To POW: Simple Affairs Date Night

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Outfit Mission Statement: 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!

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 Go-To Trouser. Sometimes the perfect look for a date night is simple. Take a pair of black pants, add a romantic & sexy blouse, then some jewelry, neutral shoes, a clutch, and you are done. This outfit is one example of why you need a pair of black pants—why these are wardrobe essentials. They work wonderfully for work, of course, but they can also be wonderful for a date. With the right blouse to balance out the practical, business feel of these pants, you can create a classic, simple, and sexy go-to date night outfit. Look for a blouse with feminine and sexy details to balance the pants and look great on your date or night out.

 

Tips:

  • Look good coming and going by finding a blouse with some detail on the back, such as this cutout
  • To keep it simple with unassuming and delicate jewelry and neutral sandals
  • To make it date-ready, look for a blouse with some color and avoid unadorned neutrals
  • Balance the business of the black pants with feminine and/or sexy details like a draped neck; feminine print; sheer, flowy fabric; pretty colors; and/or a striking cutout in the back
  • Remember, all you need for a stunning & simple date night look is a feminine blouse and your wardrobe essential black pants, and basic accessories—sometimes less and simple is more

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

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.

Love POW: Working It Lady-Like Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Look for feminine details, like gathers, ruffles, and flares, and add a feminine blouse to turn a blah business suit into lady-like office style

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 fall 2015 Love Blouse. This blouse makes a great pop of color in an all-black (or other neutral) suite, as you see here. I paired the Abbott Jacket with the Skater Skirt, creating this black suit. Black suits can often appear harsh, but I tone this one down not only with the feminine Love Blouse, but also by choosing suiting options with feminine features. The Abbott jacket has amazing three-quarter length sleeves with gathers and a twist to give them a unique and very lady-like appeal. The Skater Skirt has a fit and flare styling, which give it swing and more femininity. Together we have gathers, flares, ruffles, and twists for elegant business wear of the tenue de ville (or international business attire/informal) level of dress code. The skirt is also the very comfortable ponte knit I mentioned before—perfectly professional and perfectly comfortable.

 

Tips:

  • Tone down and bring a lady-like style to the stark black suite with feminine details, like a flared skirt or gathered sleeves
  • Add a pop of feminine color with a lovely blouse to also tone down the starkness of a black suit
  • As I said in Monday’s post, get ponte knit career clothes, if you don’t already have some (and add more if you do
  • For more formal office, keep your accessories small and neutral (such as gold or silver), but feel free to sneak in extra touches, like a belt
  • When you have a lovely collar, pop it up over the jacket collar
  • Create your own suit from separates, so they work great together and apart

 

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 with 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. 
    • Plaza Top: This classic, flowing blue and white blouse has a cute Henley collar.
    • Tivoli Top: This fierce black and taupe blouse has plenty of cool features.
  • Jacket: Shown is the cabi fall 2015 Abbott Jacket. For a business look, any jacket could work. But for this look, something with feminine details is best. 
    •  Verde Jacket: Not as formal, but t has his cotton/spandex mix is soft and stretchy and this green color is amazing! It also has lovely feminine details on the jacket pockets  
    • Lido Jacket: Also not as formal, this longer navy ponte jacket pairs well with the XXXX shirt for a suit look 
    • Cruise Jacket: Not as formal, but this nautical theme jacket can work in dressier business settings with ease
  • Skirt: This Skater Skirt is also from cabi Fall 2015. There is one skirt in the cabi Spring 2016 collection that could work, the Lido Skirt. This classic pencil skirt is in navy and has a tiered hem for a feminine touch. It is a works perfectly with the Lido jacket to make a skirt. Some skater or fit and flare skirt options: 
  • Shoes: These are older black open-toed shoes with a bow detail. Consider instead:  
    • Good Lux: Aerosoles with an open toe and buckle detail
    • Benefit: Peep toe shoes with a bow details, also by Aerosoles    
    • Benn Station: Also peep toed, with a punch design that almost looks like lace, by Aerosoles
  • Jewelry: For belt and bracelet, I am wearing the cabi Fall 2016 Heirloom necklace—the necklace converts into several different pieces. My earrings are Vintage Stud earrings for cabi Fall 2014. 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. The Dolce Charm Earrings go well with the necklace, and continue the feminine feel.
 

Want to work a Spring version of this outfit? Consider this outfit that applies the same rules from the cabi Spring 2016 collection: Lido Jacket, Bella Top, Lido Skirt, Locket Necklace, and the Dolce Charm Earrings. Add the Good Lux: Aerosoles for the finishing touch.





Love POW: Lovely Manic Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Integrate ponte knit into your career wardrobe and mix it with feminine blouses for strong, comfortable, and sweet office looks!

 

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on two things: comfort and feminine details. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi fall 2015 Love Blouse. Since the season is now over, this blouse can no longer be ordered. I have some substitutes below that are available. To substitute from your own closet, look for a feminine blouse with s special feature, like a riffled collar. If you must have this jacket, contact me and I may be able to put you in touch with a stylist who has a sample left.

For this outfit, I combined this lovely blouse with a career-ready jacket, for a professional look. But, then I toned it down and added comfort with skinny jeans and flats, for a comfortable, business casual look. One feature of the Love Blouse is the gathered collar, which looks great over jacket collars. With this collar or other blouses with special features near the neck, a necklace is not necessary. Another feature of the blouse is the ombré coloring that goes from light pink to a dark blue. Worn with dark blue jeans or pants, this creates a longer line, giving you additional height (even without heels!). But the jacket is a bit of a comfort secret weapon. It may look all professional, but it moves like a dream because it is a ponte knit—clean, career-minded lines with lots of give and take. If you don’t already have some ponte knit career clothes, get some! These pieces make it feel like you are working in yoga pants and a tee shirt.

Tips:

  • Get ponte knit career clothes, if you don’t already have them
  • Skinny jeans can work at the office, just stick to darker colors, make sure your butt is covered, and make sure the rest of the outfit is dressier (smart business or dressier)
  • If you have a conservative office, tone down bright pieces with neutrals
  • Add a feminine blouse to a jacket and jeans combo to show your soft side along with your strong side
  • Pop that awesome collar over your jacket for added interest
  • Look for flats with feature that look like nice, career heels, such as this buckle for added polish

 

Outfit Breakdown:

I have no idea what I am doing here, but I love the picture.

I have no idea what I am doing here, but I love the picture.

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 with 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!

Still learning how to take good pictures. 

Still learning how to take good pictures. 

  • 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
    • Plaza Top: This classic, flowing blue and white blouse has a cute Henley collar
    •  Tivoli Top: This fierce black and taupe blouse has plenty of cool features
  • Jacket: I had a hard time finding good replacements for this cabi fall 2015 Crew Blazer. Your best bet may be to wait for the fall, when there should be at least one on the cabi Fall 2016 collection. 
    • Lido Jacket: A longer navy ponte jacket in the cabi Spring collection
    • Notched-Lapel Ponte-Knit Cropped Blazer: This black or light pink blazer is by Bar III and available at Macy’s
    • Playful Ponte Blazer: Another black option in a classic blazer style, by Chico’s
    • Modern Ponte Pieced Jacket: Available in a white and camel by Chico’s—the reviews are questionable, but it looks cute 
    • While not ponte, there are some other cute jackets in the cabi Spring Collection:
      • Neo Jacket: This is in a French Terry!
      • Verde Jacket: This cotton/spandex mix is soft and stretchy and this green color is amazing!
      • Cruise Jacket: Another soft jacket with give; this one with a nautical theme
  • Jeans: Skinny jeans are everywhere. If you don’t already have some dark skinny jeans, I’m sure you can find some you will love. If you want something a bit less skinny (and white), consider the Slimmie. Or for a similar look, but with pants, consider the navy Capote Trouser.
  • Jewelry: I kept my jewelry simple with gunmetal hoops (not the same ones I wore last week).--no idea where I got these, or when
  • Shoes: These are older Aerosoles flats. Consider the Megaphone by Aerosoles, which has a cute, tailored look and silver details

Interested in a Spring version of this outfit? Consider this outfit that applies the same rules from the cabi Spring 2016 collection: Vita Blouse, Lido Jacket, and Capote Trouser with the Megaphone shoes by Aerosoles and the Dolce Charm Earrings.