Plaid POW in Review

Our third POW (Piece of the Week)  is the L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan! This was a fun one. In three weeks, we took this comfortable plaid flannel and added faux fur, a geek tee, a lace skirt, pearls, a black jacket, ripped jeans, and a nice cardigan--going from career to casual to special occasion. I proved myself wrong by styling a flannel shirt into such a rage. Just goes to show how versatile any garment can be with the right styling!

So, let's see what I did!

Manic Flannel Monday: For a cozy yet professional look, take one casual flannel and add lots of professional pieces.

Outfit: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, cabi Fall 2104 Billi cardigan, cabi Spring 2013 Bon Voyage skirt, belt a few seasons old and from Target, shoes are also older and from Mod Cloth, cabi Fall 2014 Vintage Stud earrings, gunmetal and silver bar necklace by Shine Chaser Jewelry. To see a spring version of this out fit and get some tips for styling, check out the post.

February 22, 2016

Twisting the Classics Tuesday: Twist a classic outfit by switching out trendy and fun pieces for the norm.

Outfit: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, cabi Fall 2105 Cozy Cowl, cabi Fall 2015 Dark Destruction Slim Boyfriend jeans, wire wrapped sea glass earrings by Shine Chaser Jewelry. Visit the post for details, alternative clothing options, and a spring version of this look.

February 16, 2016

Working It Flannel Wednesday: Even flannel can work in a formal office when combined with very professional pieces.

Outfit: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, black ponte knit pencil skirt from a previous season of cabi (fall 2013 or earlier, I think), Turner Jacket from cabi Fall 2015,  Aurora Necklace, Aurora Stud Pack earrings, Ivie Bangle by Stella & Dot purchased in 2014, the shoes are older and from Target. To learn more about composing professional outfits with a casual shirt, along with a spring version of the outfit, read the post.

February 24, 2016

The Trendiest Thursday: Don’t be afraid to mix trends.

Outfit: LL. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, Gathered Tee, Mesh M'Leggings, cabi 2014 Fall Infinite Vest, Twilight Fringe Necklaces, vintage bracelets, and old Aerosoles shoes. Go to the post for more information and inspirations.

March 03, 2016

Date Night Flannel Heat: Don’t rule out a flannel shirt for a sexy date outfit—just add other pieces with plenty of sex appeal.

Outfit: Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, Target shoes from last year,Twilight Fringe Necklace, Vintage Crystal Studs earrings. The mesh-trimmed cami, faux leather pencil skirt, and belt are all seasons past cabi and not available (alternatives are listed in the post).

February 26, 2016

Flannel Geek Chic: Mix geek with trendy and a comfy flannel shirt, for a practical geek chic look.

Outfit: Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, a previous season of cabi (current season: cabi Mesh M’Leggings), Tea Rex t-shirt, Silver "Ag" chemical symbol necklace, Ellie Ballet Flats, and dangle star earringand dangle star earrings from Hancock Fabrics. 

March 05, 2016

Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best: Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories.

Outfit: Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan, Frolic Skirt from cabi Fall 2014, Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels, vintage clutch (I’m guessing from the 1950s or 1960s), cabi Fall 2015 Twist Scarf, Fall 2014 cabi Contessa Necklace, cabi Fall 2014 Vintage Stud earrings. For more details and a denim and tulle outfit inspired by these tips, check out the full post.

February 28, 2016

And for fun, my favorite picture of the POW:

Plaid POW: Flannel Geek Chic

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

• Flannel Shirt: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan
• Skirted Leggings: These are a previous season of cabi M’Leggings, but there is a great pair this season--cabi Mesh M’Leggings 
• T-Shirt: This Tea Rex t-shirt is available at Snorg Tees 
• Necklace: This silver necklace is has the chemical symbol for silver on it and mimics the Ag cell in the periodic table of elements (did not get a good picture of it). It was a Christmas gift purchased on Etsy. I’ll post a link to it when I can get more details from Jacob. Similar, similar, and similar. 
• Shoes: Ellie Ballet Flats at Target
• Earrings: This dangle star earrings were purchased in the late summer of 2015 at Hancock Fabrics but I cannot find any earrings on their site. Consider instead:
  • Handmade Antiqued Brass Star Dangle Earrings 
  • Handmade Silver Star Drop earrings  
  • Handmade Double silver star earrings 
  • Handmade Silver Star Earrings

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.

Plaid POW: The Trendiest Thursday

Outfit Mission Statement: Don’t be afraid to mix trends

TTT Thursday outfits are Trendy, Transitional, and/or Terrific—in other words my choice. Whatever other outfit ideas the garment gave me. It may be something very trendy, transitional, or something else. This week I went with all the trends! The POW (Piece of the Week) is the L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan. Honestly, flannel is so in right now that just wearing flannel makes it trendy. But, why stop there? Just add fur! Not enough? How about the short skirt over leggings look? And then a wrist party and statement necklace? BAM. You have trends! But the nice thing about this is while these are all trends, they also all have a touch of the classic and of the normal. Flannel may be trendy, but it’s also a favorite of those in cold climes. Plus, those of us who did the alternative thing in the 1990s remember this classic fondly (I hope) or at least with some amusement. I love that flannel is back. Cozy trends are my favorite! Fur is always a classic. Now this shaggy version may not be a classic sleek version, but it still speaks to something humans have been wearing for a very long time. The black color makes it more versatile and not as “in your face” as some of the fur in clearly faux colors. The skirt over leggings trend is interesting, because it really just looks like a skirt with very opaque tights. But it has the comfort of leggings (much better than tights in my book) and means you don’t have to worry about flashing the world when playing with your kid. Statement necklaces come and go, but certainly have a history (think Ancient Egyptians, for instance). Same with arm parties, although that name is new. So, the trick here is to mix trends but go for those with a rich history and grab versions that are not too over-the-top for a multi-trend look that works on all ages. This outfit is fun and trendy, but it doesn’t hit you over the head with it. You could wear it out to some hip hotspot or to run errands without getting odd looks in either place. Now how often can you say that about an outfit? Also, it’s wicked cozy. I was out in slightly above freezing temps to take these pictures (note how bundled up my kid is) and I was quite warm. And I don’t think that was all hot flashes.

Tips:

• When mixing trends: 
  • Choose trends that are at least somewhat established and/or have a rich history
  • Select trendy items that are not too over-the-top or at the far reaches of the trend
• Choose one garment that pops for color and keep the rest neutral (and ideally the same neutral
• Work with trends you are comfortable in—if you are not sure about the trend or garment the mixing and wearing may be awkward
• Start with a key trend and build from there with trends that “go” or can “go” with your clever styling (for me it is the POW flannel)
• Don’t be afraid to mix casual and dressier trends, they can play off each other nicely and calm each other down just enough

Outfit Breakdown:

• Flannel Shirt: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan
• Tee Shirt: cabi Spring 2016 Gathered Tee
• Leggings/Skirt combo: cabi Spring 2016  
• Fur Vest: cabi 2014 Fall Infinite Vest, which is not available via regular retail. Other options include Parkhurst Women's Nathalie Vest, Via Spiga Women's Black Faux Fur Vest, and DKNYC Women's Lush Faux Fur Vest all on Amazon
• Necklace: Twilight Fringe Necklace by Stella & Dot
• Bracelets: These are some vintage bracelets. I don’t remember where I got the black one, and the silvers ones are from Charming Charlie a few years ago. Charming Charlie has many silver or black options for a similar effect
• Booties: These are old Aerosole. Here are some current ones that could work: 
  • Sundae: The black wedge boots have an elastic cross strap
  • Duble Trouble: These low heeled (1”) ankle boots that look like you could keep up with twins wearing them
  • Soterday Night: These Oxford-style ankle boots are also wedges