To see all three looks, click here. To see the first look with the dress, click here.
I love how a structured blazer can immediately take an outfit up a few notches. You can’t go wrong with a wool blazer for business events. If I’m not wearing a full suit, I like to pair blazers with a dress or a silk top for a more feminine look. Some blazers like the one I’m wearing have a pretty lining that you can show off if you roll up the cuffs. The two places I always go to for blazers are Banana Republic (Petites) and Aritzia. They carry blazers that fit my hard-to-fit narrow shoulders.
A skinny (or wide) belt for the waist (as opposed to the hips) is a must-have in my wardrobe. I can use a belt to cinch my waist and give my body a nice shape when the outfit I’m wearing does not have a natural waistline. As a shorter person with a long torso, I can use a belt to shorten my torso and lengthen my legs. Your belt should go around the narrowest part of your waist to give you the best shape. I’ve collected a number of different colored skinny belts that I love to wear with dresses and long tank tops. I wear the black one most often, but I love how a belt can also be used to add a pop of color to my outfit.
I used to think pearls were reserved for very formal occasions or for older ladies, but I’ve decided that pearls are too pretty to be limited to so few occasions. The pearl necklace I’m wearing in the photos are strung closely together, but if you want a more trendy or less formal look, loosely strung pearls are a great option. I love what Nina Garcia wrote in her book, The One Hundred, “But if you wear pearls in a precious way or take them too seriously, they lose their cool. You have to get creative and don’t let ’em get too snotty […] They can be real or they can be fake. It really doesn’t matter – but they must never, ever be haughty.”
Photos by Chris Bartens
Dress – GapBlazer – Talula Babaton (Similar here)Belt – Ann Taylor (similar here) Heels – Ann TaylorSwarovski earrings – Jeweliette (local Vancouver shop)
Thank you for reading!