Margherita Week in Review

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Our eighth POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Margherita Dress. With this pocketed, flowy, fun, print sundress, we learned to dress like a button-downed boardroom style maven; an easy office worker, a trendy print mixer, a white-out craft fair attendee, and a vintage lace beauty.  We learned to play with contrasts, prints, color, the white-out trend, layers and more. The Margherita Dress adds an easy breezy style for any occasion all! 

For your viewing and styling pleasure, here are the seven looks!  Which is your favorite?

Easy Professionalism Manic Monday: For an easy-to-throw on Monday outfit, grab your favorite sundress and then add a jacket, simple matching jewelry, and comfy shoes

Outfit: Margherita Dress from cabi Spring 2016, Club Blazer from cabi Spring 2015,  Bandolino Galatee Slingback Wedge Mules from Macy’s, Studded Collar by Bauble Bar, Navy Enamel Knot Studs by Sloan Ranger, White Filigree Stretch Bracelet by M. Haskell for INC at Macy’s,  Lid Smoothie™ Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colour in Pink Biloba by Clinique. Discover more in the post.

Posted: May 16, 2016

Easy, Breezy Contrasts Tuesday: For coverage and/or added casualness, wear a contrasting tied tee shirt over your favorite sundress

Outfit: Margherita Dress and U-Neck Tee from cabi Spring 2016. Wanderer Necklace from Stella & Dot. Orange Quartz Bracelet from Solid Treasures. Gold hammered rectangles from Fab’rik. Restricted Newport Flat from DSW. Learn more in the post!

 Posted: May 10, 2016

 

Working It Buttoned-Down Flowy Wednesday: Turn a sundress professional by wearing a white button-down shirt and a blazer over it

Outfit: Margherita Dress from cabi Spring 2016, Beachwalk Blazer from cabi Spring 2015, white button-down from a past season of cabi. INC International Concepts Gold-Tone Beaded Faux-Leather Bracelet at Macy’s. Necklace older & brand unknown. Curvaceous Ear Jackets by Bauble Bar. These are beige suede pumps from Target last year. See the post for available suggestions and inspiration.

Posted: May 18, 2016

Trendy Terrific Print Play Thursday: Mix prints in the same color family with a pop of a contrasting color/print for a lighthearted trendy outfit

Outfit: Margherita Dress from cabi Spring 2016, Coupe Boomer from cabi Fall 2014, Butterfly Print Scarf from In The Bag Design, Kate’s Garden from Sloan Ranger, Pink wire and bead ring by Shine Chaser Jewelry, off-white earrings I think I got from Charming Charlie three or more years ago, Bandolino Galatee Slingback Wedge Mules from Macy’s. Check out the post for alternatives, tips, and more.

Posted: May 12, 2016

 

Simple Sundress Date Night: Go simple and easy and knock your date’s socks off!

Outfit: Margherita Dress, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace from cabi Spring 2016. Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. Want me? Read the full post!

Posted: May 20, 2016

White Out Over Navy Saturday: Be put together and carefree in your sundress by adding layers and accessories in a variety of whites

Outfit: Margherita Dress, Blanca Cardigan from cabi Spring 2016. Belt unsure.  BMC Womens PU Faux Leather Perforated Cutout Pattern Boston Top Handle Handbag at Amazon. Yet Plane by Aerosoles. Necklace: Citrine Chunk Bar Pendant by Shine Chaser Jewelry. Yellow Bead Earrings from Fab’rik. Love Bracelet by Shine Chaser Jewelry and Samantha Jewel & Bead Stretch Bracelet Set from Cents of Style. For some available alternatives to these no available item, along with styling tips, check out the post!

Posted: May 14, 2016

 

POW: Lace & Lockets Sunday Best: To dress your sundress up for a special occasion look, add pretty lace, a classy mixed media jacket, and vintage accessories

Outfit: Margherita Dress, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Locket Necklace from cabi Spring 2016. Needle Lace Shell and Occasion Jacket from cabi Spring 2014. White Filigree Stretch Bracelet by M. Haskell for INC at Macy’s and  Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. See the post for available suggestions and inspiration.

Posted: May 22, 2016

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!