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:

 

The Transitional cabi Jacket and Pants Pieces You Need Now: The Adventure Anorak and the Traveler Pant

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These are the last two pieces of the Seven Transitional cabi Spring 2016 Pieces That You Need Now—the Adventure Anorak and the Traveler Pant. These are both great pieces that can clearly work together or separately! These are both pieces I own and adore.

 

Note: I am modeling sample Traveler pants,  and they are a size bigger than I would purchase. So, know a proper fit would be tighter.

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW.  Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE …

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

 

The Adventure Anorak

This is a casual coat in a great blue. It has an internal adjustable draw-string, which allows you to make it as loose or nipped in as you want! The pockets are huge and great for any lifestyle where you are juggling a lot—such as parenting, traveling, photography, and more. The style is casual, with a touch of funky with the asymmetrical hem. It’s lighter weight jacket—perfect for spring days and cooler summer nights.

Styling Tips:

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

  • It’s in the denim neutral color of indigo blue; so you can wear it with whatever you wear jeans with!
  • Belt it for a more hourglass and put together look—consider the La Belt for a casual look
  • Wear with the denim for a take on the denim-on-denim trend
  • Or wear with brightly colored or white pants for a fun pop of color (the Traveler Pant, Citron jeans in Curvy or Regular, or the Destructed Slim Boyfriend all look great with it)
  • With the asymmetrical zip you can zip it all the way up for warmth, or create a collar look by zipping it partially
  • Play with contrasts—consider wearing it with very feminine pieces to counter the casual, comfortable, and rugged look of the jacket

 

Traveler Pants

As soon as I saw these pants, they were put at the top of my “must have” cabi list. These pants have so much going for them! They are incredibly soft and comfortable. They are slightly cropped and have an elastic hem with and zipper. This is very on-trend and always for easy rolling and style adjustments. The olive green is a fabulous “new neutral” and goes with everything.  If you buy one cabi item this spring, let me suggest these. I’d live in them if I could (and may have worn them three days in a row... maybe...)!

Styling Tips:

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

Outfit: Adventure Anorak, Traveler Pant, Plume Top, Locket Necklace, and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016, along with the Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. 

  • Roll the cuffs up for a trendy & fresh look (and to show off rocking shoes)
  • Treat this olive green as a neutral, just like your jeans, and don’t be afraid to style the pants with bright colors
  • Balance the strong almost military look of the pants with softer, feminine pieces, such as the Plume Top (shown), the Siena Blouse, and the Vita Blouse
  • Wear with bright colors for a fun pop, such as the Campo Top, U-Neck Tee, and the Lounge Sweater
  • These pants can work well for casual, date, or even work (more casual workplaces), just be open to different ways of styling it—tee shirt, sexy blouse, or jacket!
 

Inspired Outfits

Outfit: Traveler Pant and Vita Blouse from cabi Spring 2016. Eva Ear Jacket earrings, “Always” Inspiration Bangle, and Tiered Lariat Necklace by Stella & Dot. Wingback heels by Aerosoles.

Outfit: Traveler Pant and Vita Blouse from cabi Spring 2016. Eva Ear Jacket earrings, “Always” Inspiration Bangle, and Tiered Lariat Necklace by Stella & Dot. Wingback heels by Aerosoles.

Outfit: Adventure Anorak,  Flora Scarf,  Luisa Tank, Destructed Skinny in regular or Curvy, and Dolce Charm Earrings,  all from cabi Spring 2016, with Layette Sandals by AeroSoles.

Outfit: Adventure Anorak,  Flora Scarf,  Luisa Tank, Destructed Skinny in regular or Curvy, and Dolce Charm Earrings,  all from cabi Spring 2016, with Layette Sandals by AeroSoles.

 

 

 

 

Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and 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 L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan. At first I thought dressing this up would be hard, but it really was not. I was lucky that I had the cabi Frolic skirt in this lovely dark pink lace that is the same color as one of the stripes in the blouse. However, I could have gone with a variety of colors and still had it work. Since the shirt is flannel, I really wanted to go dressy on the skirt to counteract the casualness of the flannel. Lace works perfectly. Other things could work too, like sequins, tulle (the adult tutus that are so popular), velvet, and more. Once you add a dressy skirt, the rest is adding the right dressier accessories. When dressing up flannel, denim, or other casual shirts, feel free to go extra dressy with the accessories—faux fur details, luxurious jewelry, fancy clutches, shimmering shoes.

 

Tips:

  • Look to very dressy and feminine skirts in lace, velvet, tulle, sequins, and other special fabrics to balance out the casual flannel
  • Use this as an excuse to bring out those extra special fancy accessories
  • Roll the sleeves up to add a modern touch and a bit of class to the shirt
  • Play off the colors in the shirt as much as possible with the skirt
  • Feel free to be lavish with the dressy accessories—yes you can add a statement pearl necklace, faux fur trimmed scarf, vintage bead clutch, and sparkling heels
  • Make sure your hair is also dressier than normal—consider some sort of an up do if you have long hair

 

Outfit Breakdown:

  • Flannel Shirt: L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan
  • Skirt: This is the Frolic Skirt from cabi Fall 2014 and not available. Consider instead:
    • Lido Skirt: Not as dressy, but consider it—from  cabi Spring 2016 collection
    • Floral Lace Pencil Skirt: This striking Ann Taylor pencil skirt may be even dressier than the Frolic Skirt 
    • Tulle Midi Skirt: This is a lovely tulle skirt (by Anthropologie), but on the pricier end of what I suggest ($168)
    • 6-layer Tutu: Not as gorgeous at the Anthropologie skirt, this is an inexpensive tulle skirt (414.98)—perfect for testing the trend out
  • Shoes: Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels—I’m surprised they are still available at Kohl’s! I got these last year and now they are only $34.99!
  • Clutch: This is a vintage clutch (I’m guessing from the 1950s or 1960s) that my mom bought me for Christmas. I’ll put the shop name in where she got it when she gets back to me.
  • Scarf: This is the cabi Fall 2015 Twist Scarf, which sold out in black and cream. You can go a few different ways to substitute. You can go with fur or a scarf, or, if you find it a combination. Here are some options: 
    • Marabou Bolero Shrug: By INC International Concepts and sold at Macy’s this is a faux fur shrug 
    • Persian Cartouche Burnout Shawl: By the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, this shawl is a striking black scarf with bright colors and a rug design
    • Louis XIV Arabesque Burnout Shawl: Also from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, this striking silver and black large shawl will allow you to bring your metal (silver in this case) into your shawl too 
    • Dunand Deco Floral Scarf: This stunning black, white, and gray has a leaf design based on a beautiful lacquered wood panel and is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store
  • Necklace: This is the Fall 2014 cabi Contessa Necklace and no longer available. Consider instead these Stella & Dot options: 
  • Earrings: These are cabi Fall 2014 Vintage Stud earrings and no longer available. But, consider these Stella & Dot options:
    • Vintage Crystal Studs: These are about the same size and I tend to wear these interchangeably
    • Maddie Pearl Earrings: Perfect with the Starlet Pearl necklace, these elegant earrings will fancy up your outfit
    • Déjà vu Studs: With a pearl on one side and s spike on the other, you can go classy or edgy

 

For a spring or summer variation on this look, start with the boutique-styled cabi Spring 2016 Bardot Shirt. Add the 6-layer Tutu, Jennifer Lopez’s Women's Metallic High Heels, 1930s beaded bag, along with the Stella & Dot Starlet Pearl Necklace and Maddie Pearl Earrings.

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