Pencil Skirt POW: Writing a Chic, Comfortable Play Day Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Write your own Saturday style with a pencil skirt, a bright print, and a stylish tee

I have a cute photobomber here

I have a cute photobomber here

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 pencil skirt in general, and the cabi Fall 2016 Sigourney skirt in particular. Once again, I’m offering too version of this outfit, a colder weather one and a warmer weather one. The key to a play day Saturday is mixing comfort and style. The right pencil skirt can be comfortable and stylish. Then just mix that with other comfortable but stylish pieces. This is a great time for a bold print and a fun accessory. I wore a similar top in both outfits, one with short sleeves one with long, to better highlight the seasonal takes. The cooler weather play day outfit far passed its comfort and style test, as I has the perfect play day and wandered around NYC in it (the pictures are taken in Morningside Park)!

Tips:    

  • To add some fun, choose a bold print and mix with neutral basics
  • If you have a busy play day, chose comfortable but enjoyable shoes—like clunky boots with a thick heel or owl flats (whooo doesn’t love owl flats?)
  • Consider adding a striking piece of jewelry, but one in a single metal to keep the focus on your bright print and keep the outfit tone more casual
  • For play days, look for casual and comfortable pencil skirts, like those made from a nice stretchy cotton knit or ponte
  • For a pulled together look, choose a main color and keep most of your pieces in this color
  • For comfort and style, choose a soft tee (long- or short-sleeved) in a stylish cut

Outfit Breakdowns:

Sigourney Skirt Outfit:

 

 

Spring Skirt Outfit:

 

*For all eSBe orders and questions, I recommend my eSBe Stylist, Suzanne Wall Joffrion—her ID is 246131.

hippose.jpg
Win money towards this beatiful jewlery in our April Style Challenge

Win money towards this beatiful jewlery in our April Style Challenge

Getting set up on a buys staircase

Getting set up on a buys staircase

 

Related Posts:

  1. Margherita POW: White Out Over Navy Saturday: Be put together and carefree in your sundress by adding layers and accessories in a variety of whites
  2. Pleated Star POW: Cozy Cabled Rocky Coast Saturday: For a cozy take on a pleated skirt, add comfy pieces like a big cowl-neck sweater and suede boots
  3. Off to the Races Saturday: For an effortless, preppy, horse-race-ready outfit choose modern takes on classic pieces, some mixing of prints, and the sophisticated combination of black and navy—plus a hat!

Beyond POW: Versatile Layers for doing it all Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: On days where you have too much to do, choose versatile pieces that can adjust with you and add a bright pop for color

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, walking your dog , shopping, picnicking, traveling, going to a museum or a zoo, doing last minute holiday errands—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 Beyond Tee from cabi Fall 2016. This is a perfect day before Christmas outfit. Not only does it have a pop of red, but it is cute, cozy, and very practical. With the Spacedye M’leggings, you can assemble a bike, make cookies, wrap gifts, greet Santa, play the dreidel game, or make latkes. The leggings and skirt combo is practical, comfortable, and cute. The layers make it versatile, should your errands or bike building make you hot. The mix of dark neutrals makes the red pop without the harsher contrast of only black and red. All three garments in this outfit are adaptable, so you can make adjustments to change things up:

  • Cobblestone Cardigan: This fiery red color light and soft cardigan fully unzips in the back, so you can wear it zipped for a traditional cardigan look or unzip it for open back look and show off your cute top underneath, or in this case the knot and draping of the Beyond Tee. This is a great layer over any top that has a cool print, lace back, or other cool feature you want to show off. It adds an element of surprise and gives interest to your outfit coming and going.
  • Spacedye M’leggings: These skirted leggings are a great mix of leggings and a skirt. They have the style of a skirt with the ease of leggings. The skirt covers your butt and means you do not have to layer a tunic or longer to over the leggings, and it works whether you think leggings are pants or not pants! If you wear a tunic, the skirt tend to look like another layer, creating a long, multi-layered look, which you can see in some of these pictures. If you wear a shorter shirt, then it makes the skirt more obvious, giving you the skirt with matching tights look.
  • Beyond Tee: We all know how versatile this is, as it is the focus of POW 12, and I style it at least nine different ways. Check out the other posts, if you have missed the multiple ways you can wrap, drape, tie, and otherwise style this amazing ultra-versatile tee. In just this post, I show you three techniques for styling it!

 

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Simple Back Tie

To enjoy the “Simple Back Tie” technique:

  1. Put it on the frontwards way with the tag in back for a lower neckline
  2. Take the two panels and wrap each back on its side—so wrap the right on around to your back on the right and left on the left
  3. Tie the two panels in back at about your natural waist
  4. Wear the tunic part of the tee as a tunic for an easy loose look

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Double Tie

To flaunt the “Double Tie” technique:

  1. Put it on the frontwards way with the tag in back for a lower neckline
  2. Take the two panels and wrap each back on its side—wrap the right on around to your back on the right and left back on the left
  3. Tie the two panels in back at about your natural waist
  4. Make sure the tunic part of the tee is out (not tucked in) and pull it down over your leggings (or whatever) as a tunic
  5. Gather the tunic fabric on one side and knot it high on your hip for a sassier, slimming take on this tee

 

 

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Hip Tie

To flaunt the “Hip Tie” technique:

  1. Put it on the frontwards way with the tag in back for a lower neckline
  2. Wear the tee with the tunic part of the tee down over your leggings (or whatever) as a tunic and the panels out and down in their natural state
  3. Gather the tunic fabric (not the panels) on one side and knot it high on your hip for a fun look with distinct layers
 

Tips:

  • On busy days, layer versatile, easy pieces that allow full ranges of motion and activities
  • Consider the legging and skirt look, whether a single garment or separate, for the style of a skirt and comfort of a leggings with no worries about your butt being covered!
  • If red and black are too stark a contrast for you, consider combining red with dark neutrals, such as dark grey, navy, along with black
  • If you are shy about bright colors, consider an otherwise neutral look with one bright pop in a blazer, cardigan, or accessory—that way you can always remove it if it feels like too much
  • If you have tops with cute backs, such as lace, prints, or a pretty fabric, consider one of the on-trend toppers that open in the lower back, such as this cardigan or a split back sweater
  • Layer two simpler necklaces for a polished, easy touch
  • Consider simple variations on your pieces to fit the day or to make adjustments based on what you are doing during the day, without needing to change your outfit
  • Do not be afraid of mixing dark naturals—but if you are not confident doing so, then mix a solid dark natural with subtle print/pattern dark neutral, such as a spacedye  

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

If you would like the Beyond Tee or other cabi, contact your cabi stylist. If you do not have one, please contact me in the comments or via email, reach out to my stylist Joni Allen (via email or phone: 770 502-5243 [call or text]), Leigh Cheatwood-Harris (a friend’s stylist whom I have worked with also and can recommend: email and her site) or find a cabi stylist near you.

Related Posts:

 

  1. Pleated Star POW: Cozy Cabled Rocky Coast Saturday: For a cozy take on a pleated skirt, add comfy pieces like a big cowl-neck sweater and suede boots
  2. Bardot POW: Casual, Easy Boho Saturday: For a distinctive, comfy, boho chic outfit, think outside the jeans box—wear flowy pull-on pants and a denim shirt instead.
  3. Love POW: Sweater Saturdays are Pretty Cozy: Start with a cozy sweater and add feminine and practical pieces for a casual, pretty, and lifestyle-friendly look

 

 

Pleated Star POW: Cozy Cabled Rocky Coast Saturday

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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:

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 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

Destructed White POW: Shady Lace & Rips Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: For fun, cool, sophisticated take on the white-out trend, opt for mixing off whites

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) the cabi Spring 2016 2016 Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans. This might be a little dressier than an outfit for taking your kid(s) to the park, but it is a fun, casual look complete with sun protection! This outfit could have also worked for Trendy, Transitional, and/or Terrific, because it is both trendy and rather terrific. The outfit is a great example of the “white out” trend of mixing different whites for a cool, put-together look. It is also terrific, if I say so myself. In fact, this outfit convinced me to purchase the Capri Top. In this shoot, I am wearing my stylist’s sample. I loved wearing it for the pictures, and then when I looked at the photos, I knew I had to have it. It is so terrific that I sold it to myself!

This outfit is a lot of fun. I love the mix of crochet lace, destructed white denim, shady hat, open-toed shoes, coin necklace, and woven bag. The mix of whites, mostly in the antique, ivory, and cream directions, looks and feels cool and comfortable. Can you tell it was 95 when I took these pictures? I was so hot, but do not look it! I love this outfit and I hope you do.

 

Tips:

  • When mixing whites, remember you do not have to include a “true” white, you can mix all off whites for an even more sophisticated take on the trend
  • Add a hat sun protection and a carefree, fun accessory
  • Oversized tops work best with slim or skinny bottoms, to give you a longer look and to balance out the top (oversized+oversized=oversized you)
    • If you like the ease of boyfriend jeans, consider a slim boyfriend for a great mix of ease with a slim bottom
  • Add a touch of color under the lace top to better pop the lace—here I went with blush that blends nicely with the off whites, looking like almost a darker white
  • Show off the shoes and add more of the casual to the outfit by rolling the jeans (but I don’t need to say this again do I?)
  • You can use the white as a platform to pop some bright jewelry or choose pieces that work with the theme, allowing the lace top to catch the eye (I prefer the later for this lovely top)
  • Try things on, and better yet, make them into outfits you would wear before deciding if they work for you —as I did this this top. You may be surprised what works and what doesn’t.

 

Outfit Breakdown:

If you want of these cabi pieces, contact your cabi stylist ASAP! The season has closed, but she may still be able to help you with samples or access to the retired season pieces. If you do not have a stylist, 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. 

 

Related Posts:

 

  1. Plume POW: Whites Out Saturday posted April 16, 2016: Try out the whites trend by mixing various whites in one or more garments, your, shoes, and your accessories.
  2. Go-To POW: Denim on Top Saturday posted April 02, 2016: Wear your denim on top with classic black pants for a casual, fun, and modern outfit with a touch of class
  3. Bardot POW: Casual, Easy Boho Saturday posted June 04, 2016: For a distinctive, comfy, boho chic outfit, think outside the jeans box—wear flowy pull-on pants and a denim shirt instead.

Or, check out my other Play Day Saturday posts!

Bardot POW: Casual, Easy Boho Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: For a distinctive, comfy, boho chic outfit, think outside the jeans box—wear flowy pull-on pants and a denim shirt instead

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) the cabi Spring 2016 Bardot Shirt. Casual, easy, boho cute is the theme of this outfit. Know what is easier than jeans? Pull-on pants! No need to wiggle, zip, and button—you just pull them on! These flowy on-trend pull-on pants are perfect with the easy, versatile denim shirt, especially the Bardot. Together they create a flowy boho vibe. Add a pretty white blouse with hand crochet trim and handmade natural stone jewelry and you have a wonderful easy, earthy boho vibe with some Southwester flair! I see this as great for the park, a day of flea markets and antiquing, or anything where easy, flowly comfort and style is best.

 

Tips:

  • When going casual and comfortable think outside the jeans box and reach for the flowy pull-on pants that are trendy right now (if you don’t like this style, consider a more modern version with a tapered leg and graphic print, such as the Strand pant)
  • For a cooler, even more casual look, roll your sleeves above your elbows
  • Layer natural stone, handmade jewelry for an unique, earthy, boho touch
  • Wear your denim shirt unbuttoned as a fun layer that can work to add style and a touch of warmth
  • Find pieces with interesting details, like embroidery, natural stones, and hand crocheted lace, to make your casual outfit distinctive
  • Strappy booties can add a fun finishing touch
  • Layer your handmade necklaces by choosing a pieces with the same main color

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

Related Posts:

Margherita POW: White Out Over Navy Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Be put together and carefree in your sundress by adding layers and accessories in a variety of whites

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) the cabi Spring 2016 Margherita Dress. This look says outdoor craft fair, festival, farmer’s market, antiquing, or going to a museum to me. It’s cool, comfortable, and versatile.  It’s something you can easily dress up or down, and the addition of the cardigan makes it good for changing temperatures.

This outfit also has a put-together look, but one that is really easy to put together! The mixed whites cardigan, cream purse, taupe shoes, and white belt, give it a more polished and complete look because of all the white pieces. It creates a good consistency. The easy part is these various whites items do not need to be the same white. In fact, it is trendier right now to mix whites (check out Plume POW: Whites Out Saturday for more on this trend). By mixing multiple whites, it gives outfits a more carefree feel, which is a nice mixed with the polish and put togetherness it also creates. Why not be polished, put together, trendy, and carefree? Then just add a subtle touch of a contrasting color to the sundress, and you have a fun yet polished play day outfit!

 

Tips:

  • For a trendy styling of your sundress, add layers and accessories in line with either the summer black out or white out trends
  • When adding white to an outfit, remember they do not have to all be the same type of white, you can mix together a bunch of various whites for a more carefree and trendy approach
  • When your outfit is two main colors, consider adding a subtle contrasting color in your jewelry for a bit of sophisticated fun
  • To create a more hourglass figure (especially with a boxy cardigan or jacket), belt your sundress—this works especially well with a white belt on a darker dress (as here) or black on a lighter dress
  • Add some funny strappy gladiator style flat sandals for a casual, comfortable, and trendy touch
  • Feel free to mix a print dress with a print handbag, especially when either is a neutral print (and yes, the leather cutout pattern on the handbag counts as a print)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 
 

Related Posts:

  1. Margherita POW: Trendy Terrific Print Play Thursday on May 12, 2016. Outfit Mission Statement: Mix prints in the same color family with a pop of a contrasting color/print for a lighthearted trendy outfit

  2. Plume POW: Whites Out Saturday on April 16, 2016. Outfit Mission Statement: Try out the whites trend by mixing various whites in one or more garments, your, shoes, and your accessories

  3. Run Around POW: Off to the Races Saturday on April 30, 2016. Outfit Mission Statement: For an effortless, preppy, horse-race-ready outfit choose modern takes on classic pieces, some mixing of prints, and the sophisticated combination of black and navy—plus a hat!

 

Plume POW: Whites Out Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Try out the whites trend by mixing various whites in one or more garments, your, shoes, and your accessories

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, 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) the cabi Spring 2016 Plume Top. One fun, but not exactly toddler-mom-friendly, trend is wearing a mix of whites together—linen, ivory, cream, eggshell, vanilla, flax, bone, and more. You can do this by making your whole outfit white, wearing one piece with a mix of whites, or having one or more white pieces mixed with some other pieces. And, you don’t even have to wait for Memorial Day to rock this trend! The all-white look may be hard for some to pull off (daring-wise, we can all find white that look great on us) want to pull off. This outfit is an easy way into the trend—two “white” pieces and then a printed shirt with a white base, plus accessories in shade of white. In addition, the Blanca Cardigan I am wearing is composed of multiple whites: cream, ivory, and white. So, it gives you several whites in one! I love the comfortable, casual ease of this outfit. It would be a great fresco dining, antiquing, and day of seeing the sights outfit! The destructed white slim boyfriend jeans add both an edge and some relaxed playfulness that really make the outfit.

Tips:

  • For an easier way to follow the white out trend, mix two white garments with pieces in different colors
  • Want an even easier way? Look for garments, like this cardigan, what have multiple shades of white and either wear that with clothes of other colors or use it as an excuse to wear another shade of white in another garment
  • Another fun way to follow the trend, which you can do with a white-out outfit or one of any colors, is to accessorize in various shades of white—they don’t need to be the same white!
  • Add an edge to any outfit with some destructed jeans, and if they are slim boyfriends you can also add some relaxed playfulness
  • Don’t forget your shoes! These can be a fun way to pull in more white (and white shoes have the advantage of going with so many other things too!)
  • For a casual and flattering look, go with looser pieces that are not too bulky or baggy, like these slim boyfriend jeans and the relaxed cardigan
  • A repeated tip: if you are rocking some awesome shoes, roll your jeans or pants up to better show them off!
  • Another repeated tip: You do not have to wait until Memorial Day to wear white—that rule has expired!
  • When mixing whites, it is okay if the whites vary a bit in shade and color (as discussed in White & Bright Sunday Best), in fact this is part of what the trend is all about. Choosing whites that are clearly different will work better. Ones that are close may cause the person to figure out what the problem is

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Go-To POW: Denim on Top Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Wear your denim on top with classic black pants for a casual, fun, and modern outfit with a touch of class

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, 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) the cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser. This outfit makes me want to go to a fair or antiquing. It’s fun, comfortable, and stylish. Plus the layers help for regulating your temperature in cool antique shops and warm fairs. The classic yet modern black pants work well with the cropped styling for more casual dressing, while maintaining just a bit of sophistication. The denim shirt adds to the casualness of the outfit, but the funky embroidery gives it a classier take on the typical denim shirt. The pops of color in the shoes, scarf, and tank top add a bit of fun and even whimsy to the outfit. Together you have an overall fun, casual, and modern outfit with a touch of class.

 

Tips:

  • Twist up the "denim as usual" casual look by wearing a denim shirt and not jeans—still casual, but with more stand-out style
  • When working the denim and a neutral add pops of color to liven up the outfit
  • The popular layering of necklaces works beautifully for a scarf and a necklace—just make sure one is longer and they are not competing for the same space
  • Denim shirts scan be worn in many ways, which is part of the beauty of them:
    • Tying your denim shirt, as shown, adds a bit of flirty fun and emphasizes your waist (works better with slightly oversized or oversized shirts)
    • Wearing it open creates a more casual take on this outfit (works best with slightly oversized or oversized shirts)
    • Tucking it and buttoning it is a slightly more polished look (works best with a true-to-size shirt)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle POW: Analogous Color Fun Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Combine analogous colors to create a fun, easy, and harmonious outfit

 

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, 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) the cabi Spring 2016 Michelle Cardigan. This outfit may look familiar. I loved it so much for the “The Transitional cabi Cardigan You Need Now: The Michelle” that I had to repeat it here. This outfit is worth a second look. This outfit I created playing around with cabi Spring 2016 collection. I had the blouse and cardigan on and thought I’d try the denim. I loved the result. This outfit is a mix of colors that go beautifully, but, possibly surprisingly if you don't know your color theory. The combination of yellow, green, cobalt, and navy in an analogous color scheme. These are harmonious color scheme often found and nature and that is pleasing to the eye. When applied correctly, analogous colors can create a striking and harmonious outfit that is easy to put together.

 

When putting together an outfit with an analogous colors scheme:

  • Choose a dominate color, ideally the brightest of the colors you are using (here I choose the bright yellow denim).
  • Choose a secondary color to support this dominate—this will work best if it is a darker color or lighter color than the dominate color (here I choose the navy in the blouse and cardigan).
  • Choose a tertiary color as an accent color. If you have more than three colors in your color scheme, make the remaining colors tertiary (The green in the shirt and the cobalt trim on the cardigan are my tertiary colors).
  • Make any black or white colors used accent colors.

 

Tips:

  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, you may be surprised with what works.
  • Go to the color wheel for color inspiration when planning outs. Here are a few good visuals: about web design but can be applied to style too, basic color theory, and a style-based discussion.
  • When wearing a bright outfits with a lot of saturated color, keep accessories and jewelry more neutral, such as gold, silver, or cream
  • Consider leaving a flowy top untucked under a cardigan for an graceful layer over your bottoms
  • Do roll those jeans to show off funky shoes (repeated tip but a good one)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Plaid POW: Flannel Geek Chic

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Outfit Mission Statement: Mix geek with trendy and a comfy flannel shirt, for a practical geek chic look

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Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, 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) the L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan. This outfit is the first of my chic geek outfits—waving your geek flag in chic ways. Expect more of these. They are so much fun. Not only does this outfit work for the above, but add to the list gaming, comic, and other geek conventions; going to the latest superhero movie; playing games in a coffee shop; a day or night of role playing with friends; drinks and video games at a geek bar.

Here I had taken the amazing cabi M’Leggings, which provide comfort and style and just a bit of sexy with the short skirt. I swear these are flattering on anyone. They cover the tush and front, so no need to wear a tunic over the leggings. Feel free to throw on even a geek t-shirt! The flannel adds comfort and can cover any tummy issues. Then add a geek necklace, some fun earrings, and animal print shoes. You are chic, geek, comfortable, and cute.

Tips:

  • Mix trendy with geeky for a geek chic look
  • Keep the geek aspects limited—go for one or two playful geek focus pieces (too many will be distracting and overwhelming)
  • Add fun on-trend pieces that are comfortable to compliment to geek and allow you to demonstrate that kick butt move your character just made
  • Flannel is a great layer and cover up and if you get warm at the con, you can always take it off and wrap it around your waist

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Want to try this with denim and dragons? Check out this Game-of-Thrones-ready geek chic outfit: cabi Spring 2016 Bardot Shirt and Mesh M’Leggings with the Dragons are a Girl’s Best Friend tee from Snorg Tees, Chemistry Periodic Table Necklace, Target’s Ellie Ballet Flats, and Sun Chaser’s Simple Hematite and Wire Dangle Earrings.

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Love POW: Sweater Saturdays are Pretty Cozy!

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Outfit Mission Statement: Start with a cozy sweater and add feminine and practical pieces for a casual, pretty, and lifestyle-friendly look

Play Day Saturdays are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, taking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, 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) the cabi fall 2015 Love Blouse. To me winter is all about the sweaters. I grew up in Maine and lived in as many sweaters as I could from November to March. Even here in Georgia, I wear them as much as a can. Sweaters automatically make things cozy! And you can do so much with them. Here, I took a longer, roomy open sweater with lovely stitches and a funky hem and added the sweet Love Blouse for a pop of femininity and some colors that suggest spring (which are often a nice promise on a cold day!). The skinnies carry the navy theme from the sweater and blouse, creating a longer line and a more put-together look. The brown buckle boots add practicality and contrast to the blouse. The rose-gold wire wrapped crystal earrings play off the blouse colors with adding a modern touch. Together, this look is cozy, feminine, and practical for whatever your errand or park game.

Tips:

  • Up the femininity of a roomy sweater by wearing a lovely blouse under it
  • Consider throwing on a cozy sweater instead of a coat when you need a warm layer but don’t want the bulk or coat look, or for when you will be going inside and outside often and don’t want the hassle of taking a coat on and off
  • Create longer leaner lines by having the sweater and jeans be the same dark color (or even the same color) 
  • Add a practical touch with sensible boots with strong details
  • Go for modern accessories that drawn on colors in the blouse to not go too feminine with the look and to keep a less fussy feel

 

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 
    • Positano Top: This flowy top reminds me of vintage fabric with very current colors 
    • Gemma Top: This bright green beauty, has eyelets and lace for a vintage and trendy feel
  • 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. 
  •  Sweater: This cozy delight is the Countryside Sweater—cabi Fall 2015 and not available. But cabi has some great Spring 2016 cardigans to consider: 
    • Blanca Cardigan: This white, ivory, and cream relaxed cardigan is a perfect layering piece for the transition to spring 
    • Sorrento Cardigan: This roomy black cardigan has over-sized pockets and a relaxed modern feel
  •  Earrings: These are rose gold wire wrapped crystal earrings by Shine Chaser Jewelry. She does not currently have any available on her Etsy page, but you may be able to commission some. She does currently have these similar White Sea Glass Wire Wrapped Earrings and others that will nicely work in a casual outfit (or any type of outfit!).
  • Boots: These are old Target favorites. Some available ones include 

 

 

 

Spring into Spring with this white version of the look: Take the cabi Spring 2016 Bella Top, Blanca Cardigan and Slimmie, plus the Fringed Reza Ankle Boot and White Sea Glass Wire Wrapped Earrings. I love this look! I may have to buy it all!




POW Saturday Edition Week 1b: Play Day at the Track Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Reach for your comfort classics in clean crisp colors and add a nice jacket for a comfortable, classy look

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, 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 cabi fall 2015 Media Jacket. This jacket may not say “park” or “dog walk” to you—it is on the more dressy side. But, even if you reserve this comfy outfit for something less casual, it will work nicely for a variety of things! The secret is—I’m wearing tack pants (or joggers). These are not designed for the track or working out, although I wish my running clothes were this comfortable. But they are still a very causal style and extremely comfortable! These are the same pants worn in the Manic Media Monday POW post for this POW series. See how they work for work or errands? The other secret is a nice tee shirt. This is a long sleeved tee with an oversized swing feature. So, I’m just wearing a tee shirt! But it looks all fancy. The white helps with that. Take track pants, add a tee and a jacket and look what you can wear! And you can be as comfortable (or more so) than that mom in mom jeans and her husband’s tee (plus your husband may get less grumpy). Of course, the Media Jacket pulls the two casual, comfy pieces together in a striking outfit. Depending on your workplace, this could even be work appropriate!

Tips:

  • Reach for nice and trendy versions of your favorites, like a tee shirt, to be comfortable and look good.
  • When going for comfort, look for colors, patterns, and styles that dress up more easily. A clean dark black will look nicer than a faded black or gray. A clean white is always striking.
  • Go beyond the jeans and yoga pants. Yes, they are comfortable. But you may find pants that are even more comfortable and more versatile. Plus, you can play with different silhouettes.
  • Think of ways to mix casual and professional clothes for casual outfits that work when you want to look a little nicer than your default casual—nice jacket can always pull a look together and add some sophistication to even the most casual pieces.

 

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.

  • 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: 
  • Pants: Like the other cabi pieces in this post, these are Fall 2015 and no longer available for order (likewise contact me if you must have them and I will see if I can find a stylist with leftover samples). ​
    • Traveler Pant: These are Spring 2016 cabi pants and I’ve hear they are so comfortable (I’m finding out today!)—the color is not as dressy, but olive green can work wonderfully as a neutral ($119.00)
    • Joie Mariner B. Track Pants: Very similar to the track pants shown, but pricier ($168.00) 
    • Gap’s Flannel Joggers: More casual than the track pants shown, but more affordable (and on sale! $34.99)
    • Crepe Joggers: The crepe should make these work quite nicely for work ($25.00)
  • Tee Shirt: This tee is the white cabi Fall 2015 Swing Tee, and not available. But there are some cabi and other alternatives: 
    • U-neck Tee: This is a fabulous drapery tee—I love mine from last spring and the combo is a favorite! ($76.00) 
    • Asymmetrical Tank: This tank comes in white or gray and has a great asymmetrical hem. Either color would work, but the white would match this the most closely for the pop of polish ($79.00) 
    • Long Sleeved Double-V Tee: This has the oversize appeal, with some tapering at the bottom, which does well hiding flaws. The heather white fabric may look more casual ($79.00)
    • Peri Swing Tee: By Anthropologie is more casual, in a heathered gray, but has a similar shape (sale $39.95) 
    • Sharkbite-Hem Long-Sleeve Swing Tee: Sold at Neiman Marcus Last Call also has a similar, but exaggerated, shape (sale $32.50)
  • Shoes: These are an old, beloved pair of A2s from Aerosoles. Here are some in-stock options: 
    • Stroler: Similar look, without the cutout (sale $39.99) 
    • Teashop: For something easier to run around in, these are ballet flats with cool colors (prices vary) 
    • Lambada: Slide slits, open-toes, and a zipper for a smooth, trendy professional look. ($89.99) 
    • Layette: These leather sandals are fun, comfort, and trend in one ($89.00)
  • Earrings: These are older Stella & Dot pieces, but they have a few that are similar: 
    • Sentiment Stone Drops: The smoky quartz is close to what I am wearing here, but there are nice blue and turquoise ones ($49.00) 
    • Isla Drops: These may have been part of the same collection, but are smaller, aqua, and round ($29.00)

Want an outfits that follows the same rules, but with spring pieces? Consider the cabi Spring 2016 Piazza Jacket, U-neck Tee, Traveler Pant, Layette sandals, and the cute Helios Necklaces.