Max Mara Coat app. $3250 H&M Coat $59.99
Dorothy Perkins Turtleneck $3.88
Mango Blazer $59.99
J Crew Factory Trousers $49.50
Naturalizer Gold Pumps $98.95
Saint Laurent Spring 2017 via Vogue
Jacket Approximately $3900 Leather Jacket: French Connection $228Jeans $690 Jeans: J Crew $115
Pumps $995 Pumps: Louise et Cie $99.95
Ear Climber $895 Ear Climber: ABS by Allen Schwartz $52.50
Drop Earring $895 Drop Earring: Kristin Perry $58
Total: Approximately $7375 Total: $553.45
I know we’re just about to find out what Saint Laurent has in store for us for Spring 2018, so what better time to look back at what they brought us for Spring 2017 and bring it to real life. I’ve had the picture of this outfit saved in my favorites file for a year now. I’m not sure what keeps drawing me back to it, but there seemed like no time like the present to dust it off and try to recreate it for a real woman over 40.
I could not find a leather jacket with anything approaching the cut of the Saint Laurent jacket. The neckline and shoulder detail are one of a kind and notice the puff on the shoulders. Hello 80s. But artisan incorporation of blouse detailing in a jacket and it’s a leather jacket. I compromised with a butter-soft version from French Connection that adds a little bit of length in the midriff to keep away from the crop. Saint Laurent styled their jacket with nothing beneath…The French Connection jacket has more of a traditional cut, so feel free to wear a tee shirt underneath.
Pairing the jacket with slouchy jeans brings a casual, livable vibe to the outfit. I went with my favorite boyfriend jean from J Crew. This jean is affordable and seriously looks good on everyone.
It’s the accessories that take this casual jean and leather jacket combo and move it into date night territory. It’s also the touch that really mirrors the look and makes it attainable for real life. If you have the confidence, pair the ABS ear climber on one ear with the Kristin Perry drop on the other. You’d look great matching either pair on its own too though, but the mismatch gets it closer to right off the runway.
The final piece, and the item that just pulls it all together for me is the ankle strap pump. Pairing this conservative pump with the edgy outfit makes it one of a kind, and the heel height is not too high making it a shoe that’s realistic to wear out especially if there’s a walk of more than 10 feet involved.
This week I've linked up to the #SaturdayShareLinkUp on Not Dressed as Lamb. Please check out the other bloggers there, too.
This week I've linked up to the #SaturdayShareLinkUp on Not Dressed as Lamb. Please check out the other bloggers there, too.
White Blouse: H&M
Kimono: Dorothy Perkins
Trench: MANGO
Suit Blazer: J Crew
Suite Pants: J Crew
Tee Shirt: Iris and Ink
It's been a scorcher of a month so far, but it's about to
get rainy in my area, so I'm taking stock of my favorite pieces and working on
putting together light layers. These are some of my current favorites:
Tops
This white eyelet blouse from H&M is perfect to wear
with jeans, shorts or skirts and go either to the beach or to the office. The
peplum means wear it with something fitted like a pencil skirt or skinny jeans.
The Iris and Ink white tee shirt is just a good basic
layering piece in the softest finish imaginable. If you are like me, I'm always
looking for my next perfect white tee.
Light Outer Layers
I have bought into the kimono trend in a big way. They are
colorful, soft, light and flattering. I wear them most often with jeans and a
tee.
For days when you need a little something more substantial,
this MANGO trench is still one of my favorites. I paired the khaki version of
it previously here for a work outfit. Now I'm liking the black version to wear
either casually or for a more formal work outfit.
Speaking of work outfits, this blazer from J Crew is the
ultimate summer suit option. Instead of the usual summer seersucker, this
version is a lighter very thin pinstripe in sky blue. This blazer looks very
summery, but when paired with a light cashmere sweater and a blouse underneath,
it will be a very transitional piece for fall. If you want to make it work for
fall, try sizing up to make it comfortable with the multiple layers.
Trousers
I don't usually like matchy-matchy even in suits, but I do
like the matching pinstripe pant that pairs with the J Crew blazer mainly
because the pants are so different from the usual suit panting. The ultra-wide
leg is flowing and makes the outfit flexible enough to work for the office,
brunch or a day wedding.
Sweater: Joseph
Blouse: J Crew
Skirt: Dorothy Perkins
Loafers: Jeffrey Campbell
Perfect for transitional spring days, what's better than light layers? And these loafers are like some of the pricier versions with embellished heels that I'm seeing everywhere right now.
Coat: MANGO
Pants: J Crew
T-shirt: J Crew
Necklace: Nadri
Ring: Dara Ettinger
As things start to warm up, you need some more casual Friday options for the office. Why not try a monochromatic outfit with some statement accents?
Coat: Dorothy Perkins
Skirt: Alice + Olivia
Shirt: J Crew
Sweater: Acne Studios
Cuff: BaubleBar
Boots: Jeffrey Campbell
Is it an office outfit, a casual outfit, or a date night outfit? This outfit could be the perfect mix that will work for all three. If the boots are too chunky for work and the sweater too slouchy, switch them out for a pair of heels and a fitted v-neck. The ruffled blouse is a mix of feminine and traditional tailoring and will work well into many different outfits.
Sweater: J Crew
Pumps: Christian Louboutin
Flats: Kate Spade
Earrings: Bottega Veneta
Boots: Giuseppe Zanotti $1,595 Boots: Steve Madden $169.95
Skirt: Off White $880 Skirt: Zara $ 69.90
Jacket: Jacquemus $855 Jacket: J Crew $ 350
Skirt: Off White $880 Skirt: Zara $ 69.90
Jacket: Jacquemus $855 Jacket: J Crew $ 350
While flipping through October's Vogue, I was stopped by this image of Karlie Kloss in the spread "Live and Kicking". This outfit is just how I would have loved to dress when I was in my twenties. So how to translate it to a wearable outfit now? By finding a less overt way to bring the plaid into the outfit while still bringing the color of the skirt and the texture of the boots in. Oh, and by reducing the sticker shock from $3,330 to $589.85. That's less than 18% of the original cost...
Dress: J Crew
Loafer Pump: Sarto by Franco Sarto
Spanx Tights
Too Faced Grand Hotel Cafe
Tom Ford Noir
Loafer Pump: Sarto by Franco Sarto
Spanx Tights
Too Faced Grand Hotel Cafe
Tom Ford Noir
I have never met a striped dress I didn't like. Some will say they don't work on everyone, but I think this one has a flattering cut, great contrast arms, and it's navy, which seems to be everywhere for this fall. Partnered with these great burgundy loafers that have a chunky heel, this outfit is perfect for all of the running around we all have to do as it gets closer to the holiday season.
Eyeliner: Stila All Day Waterproof in Midnight
Clutch: Urban Originals
Jacket: Dion Lee
Jeans: J Crew Factory
Pumps: Jimmy Choo
Clutch: Urban Originals
Jacket: Dion Lee
Jeans: J Crew Factory
Pumps: Jimmy Choo
I don't know about you, but I'm so excited that navy is everywhere for fall. I'm a fan of slamming up jeans for a night out, and these pumps are so super sparkly that keeping everything else toned down is key. Even better is that the clutch is now on sale for under $30, and the jeans are under $50.
Sweater: Michael Kors Collection $155 Sweater: J Crew $230
Trousers: Isabel Marant $460 Trousers: Current/Elliott $91.20
Scarf: From the Road $250 Scarf: J Crew $78
Earrings: Leigh Miller Jewelry $ 325 Earrings: Bauble Bar $32
Heels: Sportmax $585 Flats: Nine West $88.95
Trousers: Isabel Marant $460 Trousers: Current/Elliott $91.20
Scarf: From the Road $250 Scarf: J Crew $78
Earrings: Leigh Miller Jewelry $ 325 Earrings: Bauble Bar $32
Heels: Sportmax $585 Flats: Nine West $88.95
This look was grabbed out of the September issue of InSTYLE. The outfit in the magazine comes in at $1775. Using the cashmere turtleneck from J Crew, my outfit totals $520.15, but for once the original sweater is less, so if you keep the original sweater, you could get the price of the outfit down to $445.15. That's a whopping 75% reduction in the price, and that's only if you need to buy every piece new. Using pieces from your closet, how much would it cost you to recreate this look? I'd love to hear, so leave a comment if you are going to try to recreate the look.
Jeans: Current/Elliott
Sweater: Raoul
Flats: J Crew
We are having a really mild lead in to summer here in Southern California. We have had a few hot days along the way, but usually by this time of the year, I'm bemoaning not getting enough use out of my sweaters over the "winter." I've actually been wearing sweaters every morning for the last two weeks, so this casual outfit seems perfect to me for a weekend of chores and errands.
Dress and Shoes: Valentino Sweater: Dorothy Perkins
Skirt: SheInside
Blouse: J Crew
Heels: Anthropology
I think I was first drawn to this editorial shot by Karl Lagerfeld in the September 2013 issue of Harper's Bazaar because it so exemplifies everything that I always wanted to be. Tall, thin, icy blond - check. On the surface, sweet and icy pink - check. The fact that I once had a fuzzy pink angora dress probably also played into the equation.
Dress 1: Miss Selfridges
Dress 2: J Crew
Watch: Michael Kors
Pumps: Nine West
If I were to be completely honest, I would have to own up to having three versions of the classic grey shift dress in my closet right now, so when I saw this picture of Clare Danes in the August 2013 issue of Vogue, I knew it would be easily recreated. Little did I know that it's pretty hard to find a plan grey shift dress at an affordable price right now. The hunt was on, and the two dresses above are options if you want something but are on an extremely tight budget or if you have a little bit more to spend on a classic that you'll have for years. The Miss Selfridge dress is on a huge sale right now and is only $18. It won't last long, so if you like it, you better grab it.
Hat: Forever21
Coat: BCBG (No longer available but this jacket is amazing) Jacket: Dorothy Perkins
Sweater: Marc Jacobs (Check out this colorblock) Sweater: J Crew
Skirt: Miss Selfridge
Necklace: Bauble Bar
Ring Stack: Banana Republic
Ring: Bauble Bar
Bag: ASOS
