Beyond POW: Trendy Layers and a New Basic Tuesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Go beyond your tee and jeans with a unique tunic tee and trendy layers

No place like Tuesday outfits are casual, comfy clothes for working from home, working at home, parenting (at home), and anything else where comfort is key and you are home. Although they will work for errands and anything else casual. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the Beyond Tee from cabi Fall 2016. In this outfit we see the Beyond Tee in its most basic form—with no extra styling of the panels. This is what it looks like—tunic length tee with two longer panels. It works perfectly in a casual, comfortable, yet stylish outfit. If you are a tee-and-leggings type of person, here is your stylish and funky version of it. You can add a warm layer, like the amazing Sweetheart Sweater, shown in some of the pictures. I love the mix of lengths with long sweater, long tee panels, and the tunic length tee underneath. Such fun! This is perfect for working from home, running errands, parenting, or just being chic and comfortable.

As a working mom, I often need to head out the door in a hurry while juggling kid, stuff for the day, and more. Adding a jacket and keeping track of it can be hard, especially when temperatures are variable. I find that a longer sweater can do double duty as an inside layer and a light jacket to run out the door with. Yes, you can throw the sweater on when heading out, or just have it as part of your outfit for when you will be doing a lot of in and out activities. It’s so much easier than stopping each time in and out to put something on/take it off. I know I am often juggling to much to do so. I love the Sweetheart Sweater for this. There are some other great choices from cabi this fall, including the Lara Sweater and Napa Vest.

 

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Basic Beyond Tee

To work the “Basic Beyond Tee” technique:

  1. Put it on the frontwards way with the tag in back for a lower neckline
  2. Make sure the tunic and panels are not tucked in
  3. Go!

 

Tips:

  • Think outside the normal leggings or jeans with a tee and look for unique pieces that are just as comfortable, like this Beyond Tee
  • Wear a longer sweater as both an inside layer and a coat for a quick and easy day of going in and out
  • Keep your sweater lighter to not add bulk or a few pounds
  • Go for a longer sweater with shape, such as a defined waist, to give the outfit shape—this may help shorter people rock the longer sweater too!
  • Add a gray leggings to break up an all-black look, but still keep the feel; or add some fun bright leggings to liven this up
  • Keep your shoes practical and fun with some patterned sneakers
  • Thrown on an easy over-the-head long necklace to go with the flow of this easy look

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

Related Posts:

  1. Cozy Layers Four Ways and a Mom Bun Tuesday: Dress down your pretty skirt with casual, comfortable layers and a mom bun.
  2. Go-To POW: No Place Like Tuesday for Sky & Earth Explorers: Dress down those work-appropriate black pants with a boxy tee, explore vest, and handmade jewelry
  3. Destructed White POW: Take me out to the ballgame Tuesday: For a cool, casual, and stylish outfit for a ballgame (or any occasion where cool and comfortable is key), wear layers in the colors of your favorite team.

 

 

If you would like the Beyond Tee, 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.

 

 

Fall into Spring (or Summer) 5 & 6: Bring Your Fall Blouses Forward into Spring and Summer!

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This is part five and six of my Fall into Spring adventure (see below for a list of the previous four). I’m highlighting six great pieces from the cabi Fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and showing how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection or your own spring pieces. If you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

Outfit: Love Blouse from cabi Fall 2015. Capote Trouser, Portico Shrug, Dolce Charm Earrings, Locket Necklace (part of it as a bracelet),  and Dolce Charm Necklace from cabi Spring 2016. With the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. No…

Outfit: Love Blouse from cabi Fall 2015. Capote Trouser, Portico Shrug, Dolce Charm Earrings, Locket Necklace (part of it as a bracelet),  and Dolce Charm Necklace
 from cabi Spring 2016. With the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW.

Outfit: Stained Glass Blouse from cabi Fall 2015.Citron Curvy Skinny jean (also available in regular), Michelle Cardigan, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Dolce Charm Necklace from cabi Spring 2016. With the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW.

Outfit: Stained Glass Blouse from cabi Fall 2015.
Citron Curvy Skinny jean (also available in regular), Michelle Cardigan, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Dolce Charm Necklace
 from cabi Spring 2016. With the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW.

Since the fifth and sixth pieces have much and common, and because it is now summer, I am combining them into a single post. Most of the tips can be applied to either. The fifth piece may look familiar, as this lovely pieces was our second POW, the Love Blouse! This is a pretty, longer-length sleeveless blouse with a gathered collar. It’s a great year-round piece, as I will show. Another great year-round piece, is another sleeveless fall blouse—the Stained Glass Blouse. This blouse has over twenty different colors in it, and is a striking, artistic blouse that goes with anything. The bolder, darker colors may see more fall-like, but they can work perfectly for the spring and summer. If you do not own either of these cabi blouses from Fall 2015, look in your closet for other colorful, sleeveless fall blouses (or really any colorful sleeveless blouses). Or, you can consider spring blouses instead, such as the Bella Top, the Blossom Top (which will work well in the fall too—another year-round option!), the Gelato Top, or the Vita Blouse.

 

Tips:

  • Make your fall blouses more spring or summery by mixing them with bright warm weather colors like citron and bougainvillea
  • Add spring layers, such as shrugs and cardigans, over the fall blouse to help bring them forward
  • Since they are sleeveless, consider wearing the blouses without layers and with shorts or skirts for a quick warm-weather look
  • Wear the blouses with the classic summer neutral, navy, for instance summer appeal (consider the Mariner Trouser, Capote Trouser, Michelle Cardigan, Lido Jacket, and Lido Skirt)
  • Add summer accessories and shoes, like off-white sandals, for a summer feel
  • Combine the fall blouses with spring fabrics, like chiffon and linen, to aid a spring air
  • Wear the blouses more casually, as summer and spring have a more casual feel
  • Consider lighter layers, such as ones with three-quarter sleeves (or rolled up) or thinner fabrics to enhance the summer vibe
  • Wear button-up fall blouses, such as the Love Blouse, unbuttoned over tanks, camis, sundresses, and even swimsuits for a fall twist on a summer layer
  • Rock the blouses with some of the spring trends to give it a fresh feel—such as the Traveler Pant

There are many other ways to spring that fall blouse forward—mix with summer colors, styles, and weights and wear it in ways you wear your normal spring and summer sleeveless blouses. Let me know how you are rocking them!

 

Check out the other Fall into Spring Posts:

1.       Fall into Spring: Rocking Your Fall Moto in the Spring

2.       Fall into Spring 2: Mediating Your Fall Media Jacket in the Spring

3.       Fall into Spring 3: Back in Your Black Fall Jacket for Spring

4.       Fall into Spring 4: Bring Your Navy Lace Forward into Spring and Summertime!

 

 

 

 

 

Destructed White POW: Pretty in Pink & Pearls Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Dress your destructed denim up for a special occasion look with fancy, feminine pieces for a pretty, edgy, feminine, and comfortable outfit!

 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 Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans. Ripped jeans are not what some of us would think of as an appropriate special occasion look. But, you can dress them up to make them work for at least some special occasions. The trick, as with any casual piece, is to combine it with dressier pieces, even over-the-top dressy pieces. Together the outfit averages dressier. Plus, it can be fun to mix pretty with edgy and dressy with casual! Still, these jeans may now work in some special occasion situations. If you cannot do destructed, consider replacing these with white jeans. If you cannot do jean, consider replacing these with white linen pants, such as the Piazza Pant.

But, if you can do destructed white jeans for your special occasion, this outfit can be a lot of fun to rock! You can be pretty, edgy, feminine, and comfortable all at the same time! This may be one of my favorite outfits I’ve done here (and it is one of my favorite sets of photos!).

 

Tips:

  • Dress up your destructed jeans with fancy, dressy pieces; you can even go over the top if you want!
  • Play off the edgy destructed look with feminine, pretty pieces—think pinks, pearls, and sparkles
  • Grab a pretty shawl to keep you warm in places with two much AC or cooler nights (plus it adds to the dressiness)
  • Add a designer clutch or wristlet in a pretty matching color to add style (and convenience)
  • Dress your feet up in those sparkly, special occasion shoes and roll up your jeans to show them off
  • Put your hair up in a pretty hair accessory for an added touch of class & sophistication (plus you can show off your shoulders)
  • Look for dressy accessories with special touches, like ribbon bows in the back, for added touches of fancy
  • Choose a peplum top with a gentle ruffle bottom to hide any tummy issues and add more femininity

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 
 

Related Posts:

  1. 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.
  2. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best posted February 28, 2016. Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories.
  3. Margherita POW: Lace & Lockets Sunday Best posted on May 22, 2016. To dress your sundress up for a special occasion look, add pretty lace, a classy mixed media jacket, and vintage accessories.

 

 

 

 

Fall into Spring 4: Bring Your Navy Lace Forward into Spring and Summertime!

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This is part three of my Fall into Spring adventure (see below for a list of the previous three) I’m highlighting six great pieces from the cabi Fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and showing how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection or your own spring pieces. If you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

Our fourth fall piece is the London Top in a lovely navy lace. One great thing about navy is that it is a year round piece—great for fall, spring, winter, and summer! You can check out another styling of this pieces that will also rock for spring in A Chic & Vintage About Town Thursday. This top is a fairly seasonless top, as it is a dark year-round color, lace, and short sleeved. In fact, it may seem more like a spring piece given the sleeves. As it happens, this is a very on-trend style for this spring too! The button-down style makes it versatile too—wear it as a shirt (buttoned) or a light jacket (unbuttoned). The color fits perfectly in to the cabi spring 2016 collection and the spring navy trend in general.

If you do not have this top, there are some other options available, including

Tips:

  • Layer over a pretty spring blouse, such as the Bella Top, Positano Top, or the Fall Love blouse (as shown in A Chic & Vintage About Town Thursday, which can work for spring too
  • Mix it with the spring navys for a single color look, such as the Lido Skirt, Lido Jacket, and the Drape Double Drape Tee
  • Wear it under the denim Bardot Shirt (or other denim shirts) for a fun peek of fancy under the boho casual shirt
  • Make it part of a power suiting outfit, as shown here, by mixing it with a single bold color, such as this amazing jelly bean green you see in the Verde Jacket and V-Neck cami
  • Or turn it into a sexy date look with a pop of color by taking off the Verde Jacket, and wearing the London Top with navy  Lido Skirt and the jelly bean green V-Neck cami
  • Pop any bright cami under it for some fun (either V-Neck cami for example)
  • For a cute date night look, wear it as a light jacket over your favorite sundress, such as the Fresco Dress
  • Create a lacey nautical look by wearing it with navy stripes, such as over the Boat Stripe Dress or under the Cruise Jacket
  • For a pretty safari look, were it under the Explorer Vest or some other olive military or safari style vest
  • For a pretty date night look, find a fun flirty summer skirt, such as the Isabel Skirt, and wear it with a cami as a top

It goes well with a number of spring styles for pants and jeans:

  • Wear it with a nautical style navy pants, such as the Marine Trouser, for a lean long lacy nautical look
  • Go for a light hearted casual look by pairing it with the Strand Pant
  • Combine new neutrals, while mixing opposites by pairing ti with the olive utility style pants that are all the rage, such as the amazing Traveler Pant
  • Go for an easy, breezy look by pairing it with a casual white linen pant, such as the Piazza Pant
  • Create fun contrasts in style by pairing the pretty lace with the destructed skinny jean (in curvy or regular)
  • Create fun contrasts in color by pairing the navy with the bright citron (in curvy or regular)
  • Go edgy, casual, and feminine by combining the London Top with the white Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans

I could keep going because there are so many ways you can rock your all navy lace with your spring navy, nautical, destructed, feminine, and other pieces and fall into your spring and summer wardrobe!

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

The Fall into Spring Posts:

 

Photography by Bill Ruhsam of The Evil Eyebrow. Check out more of his photography.

Margherita POW: Trendy Terrific Print Play Thursday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Mix prints in the same color family with a pop of a contrasting color/print for a lighthearted trendy outfit

 

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 Margherita Dress. This POW we are focusing on Trendy! Prints are classic, of course, but very in right now, and mixed prints are quite on-trend. Mixing prints can be scary, but it doesn’t need to be. It can also be very fun—it adds a fresh and exciting flair. This outfit is a mix of four different prints, and is a fun, lighthearted, and a pleasure to wear.

 

Tips:

When mixing prints:

  • Keep your colors in the same limited color family—here I focus on whites, navy, and black (but don’t be afraid to pop a small piece in another color)
  • Consider your stripes (or leopard print) to be a neutral, as I did here with the square dots stripe pattern
  • Work with similar types of prints: the dress and jacket both have geometric prints of lines and shapes that are square or square-like
  • Mix fabric textures and styling, such as a flowy dress and structured jacket
  • Choose a print of neutral for one of the main prints, as shown with the jacket
  • Play with size—the stripes on the skirt are large (with small elements) while the jacket has a small sprint and the scarf has a larger print with a lot of white space
  • Match one color—as I did with the navy in the dress, scarf, and clutch
  • Be adventurous and have fun with it, you may be surprised what actually works together (this outfit was exactly that—I tried the prints together and loved them)
  • When wearing an outfit of prints, consider popping one accessory in a bold color or bold and different print
  • Match your shoes to the dominate color to go easier on the eye or make this another area of print play!

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

Fall into Spring 3: Back in Your Black Fall Jacket for Spring

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This is part three of my Fall into Spring adventure (check out Rocking Your Fall Moto in the Spring and Mediating Your Fall Media Jacket in the Spring if you missed parts one and two). I’m highlighting six great pieces from the fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and showing how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection or your own spring pieces. If you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

Our third fall piece is the Turner Jacket! This was a very popular fall 2015 cabi piece. It has a few features that make fun and a bit different than your run-of-the-mill black jacket:

  • It has pointed ¾ length sleeve, which give it a fun edge and are easy to roll up
  • It doesn’t have a lapel, but has styling that makes it look like it does
  • It is a longer length, but no too long, providing a slimming overall look
  • The styling makes it perfect for work, but also great for more casual wear.

 

 

 

 

Black jackets are a classic wardrobe piece—a wardrobe essential! If you don’t have one with these features, you can pull out any of your fall black jackets. Or consider these blazers from White House Black Market:

 

Tips:

  • A black jacket is such a versatile piece you can really wear it with anything, but for spring think brights and florals to best make it work in the season (and not look all wintry)
  • Consider wearing it over a sundress to add warmth, cover bra straps, and possibly make the sundress work appropriate (cabi has some lovely sundresses, like the Fresco Dress, Margherita Dress [the white one may work best, but either], or the Safari Dress (currently out of stock)
  • Black jackets totally rock with the fun, flirty skirts of spring! For instance, try it with the Isabel Skirt (either color) or any spring skirt you have in your wardrobe! This can be a great way to wear those skirts to work or a way to add a fun layer to a date night look
  • Black jackets and distressed jeans were all over the place in the fall—transition this look for spring with either white distressed jeans (such as the Destructed Slim Boyfriend) or over cut-off shorts
  • For an easy, casual look, wear the black jacket with the on-trend olive green utility, jogger, or cargo pant styles--I love mine with the amazing Traveler Pants from cabi (will get myself two pairs of these as they may be my all-time favorite pants), or other options like the American Eagle Utility Joggers I particularly like the ribbed cuffs in the sightly cropped length
  • The “black out” look is quite in this spring, so also consider ways to wear your black jacket with other black pieces:
    • For a casual, versatile, go-anywhere look, pair it with the Mesh M’Leggings
    • For a comfortable, modern yet classic work look, pair it with the Go-To Trouser (a favorite of mine this season)
    • For a trendy and fun look, wear it over a black or mostly black blouse, such as the Flore Top or Tivoli Top (as shown)
    • For a funky, casual, playful look, wear it over the Marble Pant

Your black jacket, whether the Turner Jacket or any other, can be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe—don’t just wear it the in fall and winter! Rock it all year long!

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

Sometimes I accessorizes with my toddler--or he photobombs

Sometimes I accessorizes with my toddler--or he photobombs

Fall into Spring 2: Mediating Your Fall Media Jacket in the Spring

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This is part two of my Fall into Spring adventure (check out Rocking Your Fall Moto in the Spring, if you missed part one). I’m highlighting six great pieces from the fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and showing how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection or your own spring pieces. If you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

Our second fall piece is the Media Jacket! Mixed media was a popular fall & winter trend. In fact, I featured this very same Media Jacket as my first POW! But the media trend is not one you need to throw away come spring. Pull out that jacket of different mediums and rock it with a flowing spring blouse and white jeans! If you did not purchase the, no longer available, Media Jacket from cabi Fall 2105, look in your own closet for a cropped jacket with mixed materials. If you don’t have anything that works, consider:

This cropped Media Jacket has a few cool features that let it slide right into your frequently worn spring list! The cropped style allows those print spring blouses to flow right down under it, creating a pretty layered look. The cropped length also cuts at a problem spot for many, masking any issues. Plus the metallic green plays nicely with popular spring colors. I love it as shown here with the Gelato Top—the greens are perfect together!  This Media Jacket could work with several other cabi spring collection blouses such as the Bella Top,  Linea Cami, Luisa Tank, Plume Top, Positano Top, and the Tivoli Top. Or, those pretty blouses in your spring wardrobe!

Style Tips:

  • Pair your media jacket with flowing longer blouses for a pretty, fluttery outfit
  • Mix your media jacket with white jeans for a trendy jolt of spring
  • Pull out soft colors in the jacket by matching them to colors in the rest of your outfit
  • Lighten your dark fall media jacket with a light blouse and white or light jeans
  • Create a long lean line by choosing one light color as the main color in your blouse, pants, and shoes
  • Brighten the fall jacket further by adding light flowy jewelry
  • Dress the jacket down with some destructed jeans

 

 

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

 

Photography by Bill Ruhsam of The Evil Eyebrow. Check out more of his photography.

Fall into Spring: Rocking Your Fall Moto in the Spring

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In any good wardrobe you can mix fall pieces into your spring looks. One of the many great things about the cabi collections is the pieces work across seasons. I’m going to highlight six great pieces from the fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and show how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection. But if you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

First off—the Twilight Jacket! This is a motorcycle-inspired jacket in a dark steel color. If you don’t have this piece, any dark neutral moto jacket can be styled similarly. I bought this jacket in the fall, but am finding that I am wearing it a lot more this spring. I tend to wear it in two ways—one as an inside layer jacket (think blazer) and the other is as an outside jacket/layer (think motorcycle jacket). In either case it provides a nice edge with the moto styling. I find the dark grey softens the edge somewhat, making it work even better for office wear. The asymmetrical zip and cropped style are slimming, creating a lovely waist right at where we may have a problem area (masking it wonderfully.

If you are looking for a moto jacket in dark colors, checkout:

For moto jackets in spring colors, try:

The moto styling is a fabulous contrast to the bright, feminine colors and lace of the spring, adding an edge to the sweet. You may find this is a nice balance for you if the more feminine styles this spring are not your cup of tea (or snifter of whiskey). I especially love how the grey of the moto goes with the bright colors of the Plume Top (styled in seven other ways here). Other cabi spring 2016 tops that work wonderfully with the Twilight jacket or other motos include the Bella Top (a lovely combo), Gelato Top,  Linea Cami, Luisa Tank, Positano Top, and the Vita Blouse. From your own spring wardrobe, look for pretty and ideally colorful short or sleeveless blouses.

Style Tips:

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  • Use your fall moto jacket to add some edge to your spring florals and laces
  • For a comfortable yet edgy business casual outfit for work, wear the moto as a jacket with your bring blouse and some comfortable ponte pants, such as the Capote Trouser (as shown)
  • For a fun date outfit, consider the same type of outfit, just replace the pants with skinny jeans, perhaps the Destructed Skinny (regular or curvy)
  • Roll the sleeves of the moto up for a fresh, on-trend look that may make you more comfortable on these warming days
 

Outfit Breakdown:

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:

 

Plume POW: Manic Pretty Strong Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Mix a military-inspired jacket with skinny jeans and a feminine top for a strong, pretty, casual, yet professional work look

 

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on creating a chic work outfit. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2106 Plume Top. While styled with the ease of a tee shirt, this blouse can easily be styled up for work. It especially works is a more casual work look with a blazer and jeans. I’m a huge fan of the blazer and jean combination anyway. Add this Plume Top and you have an amazing, casual apropos of work look! Due to all the colors in this top, you can easily pop any of them with your accessories or shoes. I felt the orange made a nice contrast to the green and was less expected than purple or magenta. This top is great for the casual office look for many reasons, but one of my favorites is layering! If you get hot, you can take the jacket off, and not worry about showing off too much (including a bra strap). Make sure you have some blouses like this in your work (and rest of life) wardrobe!

Tips:

  • For a casual work look, combine a pretty top, nice fitting blazer, and skinny jeans
  • Pop a less expected color in the blouse with your accessories or shoes for added interest and sophisticate styling
  • Roll those jeans to show off your shoes and look more put together
  • Roll the jacket cuffs for a more modern take on the classic (and keep cooler during the summer heat or a hot flash)
  • Consider playing off the safari feel of the jacket with some fun shoes
  • Contrast the femininity of the blouse with a safari- or military-styled jacket for a strong, yet pretty look that is ready for anything
  • When doing business casual, lean towards darker washed jeans, as they look more professional
  • Look for blouses that layer well and can work without layer on top for when you get hot
  • With a neutral jacket and dark wash jeans (also a neutral), you can grab any blouse for a quick, professional work outfit

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 
 
 

POW 6: The Summer-Styled Blouse

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Everyone woman needs pretty, light blouse—something she can wear alone or with a jacket or cardigan. Something that can be dressed up, down, or worn to work. Something feminine without going overboard. Something flattering without revealing too much. Something sleeveless (that covers the bra straps) or something shorter-sleeved that works for spring and summer. Hopefully you have one or more of these types of blouses in your closet. This is another wardrobe essential—like the black trousers of the last POW. If you have one or more of these, then take this next POW as inspiration for styling that blouse.

Outfit:  Plume Top from cabi Spring 2016. Knight Skinny Jean from cabi Fall 2015. Olive Jacket from cabi Spring 2015. Metal Statement Neck with Cabs from Target. Orange Quartz bracelet by Solid Treasures. Shoes Older, not sure of brand.

Outfit:  Plume Top from cabi Spring 2016. Knight Skinny Jean from cabi Fall 2015. Olive Jacket from cabi Spring 2015. Metal Statement Neck with Cabs from Target. Orange Quartz bracelet by Solid Treasures. Shoes Older, not sure of brand.

If not, or if you need another, consider adding this lovely blouse to your wardrobe—the Plume Top. This is a pretty and casual cap-sleeved blouse that can easily be dressed up. The Plume has an easy tee-shirt style but with lovely, feminine features. The v-neck creates a longer, flattering look. The soft feathers are in magenta & pinks, purples, blues, greens, gold, and more. With all these colors, this blouse can go with so much, and it looks good on many different people. Plus, this is machine washable (on gentle) and machine dryable!

Outfit:  Plume Top, Lido Skirt, and Loren Sweater from cabi Spring 2016. Contessa Necklace and Vintage Studs from cabi Fall 2014. Suede Target shoes from a previous season and current season sunglasses from target.

Outfit:  Plume Top, Lido Skirt, and Loren Sweater from cabi Spring 2016. Contessa Necklace and Vintage Studs from cabi Fall 2014. Suede Target shoes from a previous season and current season sunglasses from target.

Some other current season blouses that can be styled similarly are the Blossom Top, Gelato Top, Luisa Tank, and the Positano Top. cabi often carries blouses like this each season. A few that are similar (or could be styled sim similarly) from the Fall 2015 collections are the Reign Blouse, Evermore Blouse (very similar in shape and style), the Love Blouse (checkout the Love POW for even more styling options for this style of blouse!), the Flaunt Wrap, the Stained Glass Blouse, and the Flutter-Sleeve Blouse. I welcome other suggestions, from cabi or elsewhere! I’ll add any I get to this post with credit.

Do join us for the sixth POW and discover seven ways, from the playground, to the special occasion, to the boardroom, to style the wardrobe essential pretty short-sleeved or sleeves blouse!

 

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!