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.

Go-To POW: Working It Classic Nautical Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Combine the perfect black work trousers with a classic nautical jacket for chic, preppy, and professional look that implies success

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 Go-To Trouser. These are the perfect professional pants—classic with an updated, chic silhouette. A good pair of black work pants are clearly a wardrobe staple and easy to style in a professional look. Anyone can throw on a jacket and blouse and have a more formal business outfit with these pants. But, you can also take the typical black pants outfit to new place—like say the sea?

The trendy, yet always chic, nautical style easily works in a formal office setting, especially with such a lovely, tailored jacket as the Cruise Jacket. The fine details, like the buttons and double-breasted styling, take it beyond your normal jacket or low-end nautical style. This preppy or even bon chic, bon genre jacket speaks of wealth and success. It also combines two power colors—navy and red! And yes, the navy striped blazer can and should be worn with black pants. Wearing navy and black together is not only very in, but is a classic and French look (adding even more sophistication to the outfit—see previous discussions about the combination here and here). In addition, it can be easier to combine black and navy than either color with itself. I’ve found it tricky to take two black separates and combine them. Often the blacks are close enough in color but do not fully match color exactly—so it looks a bit off or even like a mistake. The similarities and slight differences create a conflict the eye stumbles over—say with two separate navy pieces. However, you can take one black piece and one navy piece and easily combine them. The differences are enough that your eye recognizes them as intentionally not the same color and doesn’t stumble.

 

Tips

  • Do wear navy and black together for a sophisticate, smooth, and classic look
  • When wearing nautical pieces in a formal office setting, go for rich, preppy pieces that pull on the classic, tailored look
  • As discussed before, and especially in a more formal office setting, limit the nautical pieces to one  
  • Look for fine details like flattering seeming, special buttons, and delicate lace details to display professionalism, prep, and success (but not scream it)
  • A simple bun always works for more formal office dressing
  • To really play off the classical feel of the nautical style, choose vintage or vintage-feel accessories, like this classic locket
  • With such bold and strong colors, consider a neutral shoe to put focus on your outfit

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

For this photo shoot, I am modeling the sample cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser, which are a size too big. My own pair did not arrive in time. Keep in mind these should be a bit tighter and smoother if they fit correctly.

 

POW 5: Getting Down to Business

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Black Pants. Black pants are a wardrobe essential for any woman. They are more essential if you have a career that requires business casual and dressier. But even those whose career is raising their child or something on the casual side should have a pair of flattering black pants. This next POW will focus on a pair of chic, flattering black pants that may be a perfect addition to your wardrobe.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Cruise Jacket, and older Target suede pumps.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Cruise Jacket, and older Target suede pumps.

Let me introduce you to our fifth POW: the cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser! These are a modern, chic take on the classic! The big difference is a slightly shorter length, making them ankle skimming (or so, depending on your height). They are a comfortable, flexible, and lifestyle-friendly mix of cotton, modal, and spandex for a crisp professional look you can move in. They are relaxed in the hip (great for those of us with bigger hips) and have a straight leg. The name is perfect—they will be my Go-To pants this spring and long into the rest of the year (and I suspect beyond). Do join us for the fifth POW and discover seven ways, from the boardroom, to the playground, to the fancy dinner, to style this chic version of a wardrobe essential.

In at least some of the photo shoots for this POW, I am wearing the sample, which is a size too big, including the pictures here. These pants should fit a bit tighter and smoother in the correct size. I hope to get my pair in time to finish the POW in them!

 

If you want to buy, please contact me in the comments or via email or my stylist (Joni Allen via email or phone: 770 502-5243 [call or text]) and we can get you set up.  It is possible any order you make will be included in a show total for me. If that is the case, for each $250 spent in my show, I get one half priced item. So, I’d be quite grateful of any orders! I promise to blog about what I buy!

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.

Michelle POW: Date Night Aflutter

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Outfit Mission Statement: Mix a cardigan with flirty and romantic pieces to set hearts aflutter

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 Michelle Cardigan. There are many ways one could style this for a date. I went sweet and romantic. Skirts are always good for dates, as they give you a chance to show off your legs. Guys seem to like this. Gals seem to like it too. The flounces on this skirt are both fun and flirty. They also mimic the flouncy chiffon trim in the back of the cardigan, creating some nice continuity. The flounces and the chiffon add a romantic air to the outfit, which is supported with the locket necklace and charm jewelry, resulting in a romantic and flirty outfit for having a date or finding one.

 

Tips:

  • Cardigans make wonderful layers over cute date outfits, especially if you need a layer of warmth or have a cute cami or tank and you don’t want your bra straps to show
  • Look for skirts that have ruffles, flounces, or other romantic and flirty features for date night outfits
  • For some classic romance, add an antique style locket, like the one here—even better if it is a functioning locket with a picture of your love or a lock of hair (this locket is function. I will soon have pictures in it)
  • When wearing a navy (or other neutral) cardigan for a date night, pair it with a colorful skirt to keep a playful air

 

Outfit Breakdown: