Pencil skirts: Confident and Feminine
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As you can see, I’m a little obsessed with tucking tops into pencil skirts. It’s one of my favorite styles because it’s elegant, professional, and confident. It’s also incredibly slimming. Something about the pencil skirt combination makes me stand up a little straighter every time I wear it. You can even tuck sweaters into pencil skirts as I’ve done here. Just make sure you wear a thin sweater so it doesn’t look like you’re suddenly in your third trimester of pregnancy.
Top: Sandra Angelozzi (similar here, and here)
Skirt: Banana Republic (In black here and similar here)
Scarf: MICHAEL by Michael Kors
Heels: Calvin Klein “Whinnie“
Bag and keychain: MICHAEL by Michael Kors
The Magic Combination
Pencil skirt + cardigan = The Magic Combination. It’s a foolproof outfit for work. As long as the pencil skirt is not tight or short, I think it makes every woman look slimmer, taller, and more professional. It makes the legs look longer and highlights the narrowest part of the waist. Depending on the colors and details in the cardigan and the shirt underneath, it can be on trend and feminine as well as serious. You just can’t go wrong with a pencil skirt! I’ve paired the traditional grey suit skirt with a colorful cardigan that has cute little pearl buttons and a mint green tank top. I’ve accessorized with a trendy necklace and bracelet but I can also wear this outfit with a pearl or silver necklace to be more conservative. There are countless ways to wear a pencil skirt. It’s one of the most-worn items in my closet.
What’s the most-worn item in your closet, and what do you pair with your pencil skirts?
Skirt: Banana Republic (similar here)
Cardigan: Joe | Top: Wilfred for Aritzia
Heels: Calvin Klein “Whinnie”
Necklace: Banana Republic (similar here) | Bracelet: Coco bFrend (from Vancouver!)
Behind the lens: Backflip
Looking at that photo makes me excited for longer days and summer sunsets. Chris takes the majority of the outfit photos on this website, but sometimes we switch roles and I go behind the lens.
Have a wonderful weekend friends!
Easy and Versatile Work Outfits: Slim Pants and Silk Shirts
Right after I wrote a post about discovering that pencil skirts and sheath dresses look best on me, I went and bought a pair of pants. In my defense, these pants are different than all my other ones. Really! All my other pants are straight-leg pants and I wanted something slimmer at the ankles. I took my 40% off coupon to Banana Republic and bought these lightweight wool pants that are perfect for the summer and in a light grey color that goes easily with black and bright colored shirts. You know what else is perfect? These are actually “ankle” pants, meaning, for a woman of average height, these would hit right above the ankle. However, on me, they are the perfect full-length pant. Being able to wear a pair of pants immediately after purchasing them is a pleasure I do not get to experience often. I should just get all my pants and jeans in capri/ankle length from now on. No hemming required! What’s up!
As far as shirts go, my choice for work is silk. They are more comfortable than stiff pressed collared shirts and they don’t get as hot as cashmere. I’m wearing two different black silk shirts here to show you how versatile these pants are and how great silk shirts are. Silk shirts are very “forgiving”. Silk flows and drapes smoothly over your body and doesn’t expose every curve. And, of course, silk feels amazing on the skin. Is there anything more feminine than silk? So luxe. When it comes to maintaining the look of silk shirts (and other garments for that matter), I highly recommend getting a steamer if you don’t already have one. If you’re like me, you can’t perform complicated domestic tasks like ironing and you’re afraid of ruining delicate fabrics with your lack of ironing know-how. Steamers are so easy to use and I use mine all the time. They get the wrinkles out of fabric in no time and you don’t have to worry about the heat settings. In the mornings I just steam and go!
What do you think? Too much color in these outfits?
Photos by Christopher Bartens
Pants: Banana Republic (Similar here. Find it also in black and navy. Comes in Petite sizes)
Long sleeve blouse: Wilfred
Short sleeve shirt: Banana Republic
Heels: Calvin Klein “Whinnie“
Necklace: Jeweliette
Affordable ankle boots a la Rachel Comey, Isabel Marant, and Rag & Bone
Follow me on Pinterest for new and up-to-date picks of affordable ankle booties!
1. Rachel Comey “Hitch” (also here) and check out Rachel Comey Mars – a similar style here in a gazillion colors, $420 | 2. Isabel Marant “Dicker” (also here + here + here), $580 | 3. Rag & Bone “Newbury” (also here + here + here), $450
I have been eyeing the wooden heel ankle boot trend for the last few months and it has been growing on me steadily. Ankle boots by brands like Rachel Comey, Isabel Marant, and Rag & Bone were styled with everything. They looked comfortable, relaxed, and effortlessly chic. My shoe collection is divided into two main categories – black heels for work and winter boots. Flats make my feet hurt and summer sandals can be too casual and impractical, so I wanted shoes I can wear casually but comfortably and still look chic and put-together. Aritzia just received a selection of Rachel Comey “Hitch” boots in store, which is shown in the picture, and I tried them on Friday night. I was immediately in love. They are made of perforated leather, which meant they were breathable; the heel height was perfect; and they looked amazing with my jean leggings. I took it home to see how it would fit with my wardrobe and because the price was prohibitive, I checked to see if I could buy it for less online.
I couldn’t find cheaper Rachel Comey boots online and there weren’t any on eBay, but I did find many affordable versions that looked almost identical. Of course none of them are exactly like “Hitch”. The heel shape on Hitch is quite exquisite and the soles of the boots are rubber (i.e. anti-slip and long-lasting). It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to the Rachel Comeys, but I’m going to return them and buy a pair at a quarter of the price from my finds below. I thought I’d share my research with you! If you know of any other affordable versions, please let me know!
Check out my ankle boot selections on Pinterest.
Ankle boots under $100 after the jump:
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