My Style: Getting Dressed Up - Black Cardigan and Leopard Print Skirt

Today’s outfit pictures were actually taken a month ago. I was going to do an Instagram post where I copied someone else’s style. Unfortunately, I never got around to making that post, so I thought, why not use it for this week’s Fashion post on the blog.

I rarely get dressed up anymore, and this outfit was only put together for the IG challenge that I was going to do. I never actually wore this anywhere. However, if I had a reason to dress up and look fancy this would definitely work. Here’s the original inspiration. Zilla is a beautiful Instagram gal who posts from Australia. I love her classic, chic style. This is the outfit I came up with to mimic her style and still stay true to myself.

I decided to use a 3/4 sleeve black cardigan for my top that I have posted on the blog before. This has been in my closet for a number of years and still gets occasional wear. I typically use it as a topper rather than an actual top, but I wanted something that would look classy and still cover my muffin top, and was a tad bit warmer for the changing season. This is Croft & Barrow brand and was originally from Kohl’s. Here is a similar version from Kohl’s. There is also this version, and this one.

Style Tip: If you are ever looking for a specific piece and don’t know where to look just go to your browser and type in what clothing item you want to search for and it will bring up numerous options that you can then navigate to for specifics on store, sizing and pricing. Easy, peasy.

I got this fully lined skirt this past summer while thrifting and I think it was the perfect alternative to polka dots for this outfit. I had been looking for a long pleated skirt and when I found this print in a neutral and white color I knew I could use it all year round. I hope to do a future post on this skirt with knee high boots, and a comfy, oversized grandpa cardigan or a pullover sweater in a similar neutral color or in a dark brown. Check back for that. Here is a solid neutral from Walmart, a berry color from Kohl’s that would be pretty for the upcoming holiday season, a floral print from Nordstrom Rack, and this gorgeous plus size version from Woman Within.

I decided to keep my feet more neutral to elongate the lower half of my body and match the print of the skirt. I have had these Sonoma suede, block heeled booties for years. Sorry for the crummy pics. Ha, ha. You can see how I styled them for another fall outfit here.

Style Tip: If you can find, or afford good leather or suede boots, shoes or bags they are worth the investment. They last forever, and wear well, especially if you use suede spray or keep your leather polished. Clean them as best you can after they have been out in the elements and they will keep giving back for a lifetime.

In keeping with Zilla’s copy of the original outfit, I layered a couple of my pearl and faux pearl necklaces, and added a faux pearl and gold layered bracelet.

To dress things up just a smidge more I opted for my grayish black sparkly clutch. I always think sparkles snazz things up a little more, and for some reason, to me a clutch is more dressy than a hobo bag.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I did a good job taking inspiration from Zilla’s post, but still kept it my own? Do you have pieces in your closet that you could do a similar look with? I always love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I have included some shopping links for you to look over. I hope you have a great week!

Hugs!

Shopping our Closets - Colorful Skirt and Pantone Spring 2023 NY: Beetroot, Crystal Rose, Gray Lilac

(The colors used in these Pantone posts are approximations and not exact matches. The reference to the Pantone Color Institute is meant as a guide and only for your consideration. I do not receive any money from Pantone for these posts. I do it because I love color.)

This week we are shopping our closets looking for a colorful printed skirt to build an outfit around. I chose this floral maxi skirt that I have styled on the blog before as the place to start. Once again, I am incorporating three of the colors from the New York color palette just to give you a sampling of what the Color Institute came up with for this spring and summer.

These colors definitely fall into our radar for spring and summer. For some people pastels are a year round affair. For me, I tend to reach for these lighter, pale colors in the summer months as a way to stay and look cool. In my opinion Beetroot is very similar to Viva Magenta, although a bit more pink. Unlike years past, this year, the Color of the Year is not on the New York or London palettes. I guess they decided they could add one more color on each if they left the Color of the Year as its own entity.

My pleated maxi skirt was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. Chaps brand, it has a full lining and is very fun to style with its swishy, pleated loveliness. You can see this skirt styled with a gray tee and pink cardigan another Pantone season a few years ago.

Style Tip: As with our unique cardigan from last month’s Shopping our Closets post, start with your printed skirt and build your outfit around it, either focusing on one color in the skirt or a few different colors.

My Crystal Rose pullover sweater is a brand called Colorado Clothing and was thrifted. One of the reasons I give you the brand names on my thrifted pieces is so that if you like the brand you can take the name and plug it in on second hand clothing apps like Ebay or Poshmark and maybe find something you like.

My utility jacket from Maurices is the closest thing I have to the color called Gray Lilac. I had a bag, but in my messiness of clutter, I couldn’t find, it and might have gotten rid of it, but don’t remember. Oh dear, my brain! Ha, ha. It is a darker shade, but if you look it up on the Pantone Spring/Summer 2023 New York Palette page on their website you can see that it is similar.

I kept the accessories fairly simple as I wanted the skirt to be the focal point. I also made it my own by adding combat boots with a blingy clutch.

Style Tip: Make outfits about you and your personality. Just because a particular outfit typically is worn with a certain type of shoe or blazer, doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up a bit and choose pieces that are more to your liking and make your personality shine. The necklace and clutch were both clearance finds; the clutch at Kohl’s and the necklace at Meijer. My boots are a brand called ID Required and are thrifted.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have these in your closet? Do you have a love/hate relationship with pastels? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you.

How would you change up a style like this to make it your own? What do you like about this outfit? What do you not like? Let me know what you think!

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

You can now also buy me a cup of coffee by clicking on this link. I appreciate all of your support.

Pantone Spring 2018 - Spring Crocus, Almost Mauve and Little Boy Blue

This is already week four of my Pantone Spring 2018 series. You can check out the previous weeks' posts by clicking on the links: Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3. This week I am featuring the colors: Spring Crocus, Almost Mauve and Little Boy Blue.

Since my daughter and I have to arrange time to get together for photos, we often shoot as many outfits as we can fit in at a time. If you follow me regularly you already know these pictures were all shot on a wintery day. Not very spring like, but then spring is taking its sweet time to make an appearance this year, so I guess this is appropriate. 

I found this Chaps maxi skirt on the clearance rack at Kohl's back in January. When I began looking for pieces for this Pantone series, I thought the flowers on the skirt were a good representation of both Spring Crocus and Almost Mauve. 

My NY & Co tee is also Almost Mauve. I tucked the tee in to give more definition to my waist and topped it with an H & M Harbor Mist cardigan. Pantone has included four classic foundational colors with their palette this year, which serve as a great way to keep an outfit from getting too overwhelmed with color.

I decided to add the Little Boy Blue color as a bright pop against the floral back ground. It makes me think of a sunny blue spring sky. The crossbody bag is Rosetti brand. My SO flats are also blue and probably a tad bit closer to the actual Little Boy Blue color. 

For jewelry I wore a necklace and bracelet with light blue colored beads and silver embellishments. 

Here are a couple of pictures of me being cold! Ha, ha. Don't I make the goofiest faces? I have always thought I could mimic Lucille Ball and some of her funniest looks. Sound like a future blog post.

The things we do for the blog! Ha, ha. This was the last picture we took outside that day, so the next three weeks you'll see indoor pictures. We had had enough. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at three more of the Pantone Spring 2018 colors. Which one do you like the most? I really love Spring Crocus, but Almost Mauve makes a great neutral that can be paired with almost any color. Little Boy Blue will be great color for the transition from spring into summer. 

I've included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click on a link. I really don't make any money on this blog, but your clicks will add up, so that maybe in the future I will. I appreciate all your support. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up by Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Marvelous Maxis - Pleasantly Pleated

This is the first week in a series that centers around the marvelous maxi skirt. For me, a maxi skirt is a perfect option for summer dressing. As I have probably mentioned before, I have bad varicose veins. These began after my second daughter was born and then I started gaining weight. They are ugly, bulgy and cause my legs to be discolored a rather purply blue. While these can be somewhat treated, insurance companies can be rather persnickety about paying for a procedure that isn't an absolute necessity. Believe me, my veins are more of a pride issue than a health issue. Eventually, I will look into having something done, but they really don't bother me that much...I've had a kidney stone, so I do know pain. Ha, ha.

Back to the maxi skirt. These are great for running around town, hanging out at home, or going out with the hubs for a date night. They are comfortable and affordable. A maxi skirt extends all the way to the ankle and below. I prefer them to skim the tops of my feet so I am not tripping over the material.

Today's outfit is a pleated maxi. I love this piece and have featured it on the blog before, here. 

Look 1 - Casual

I wanted to show you two ways to style each of the skirts I will feature in this series. This first look is more casual. I topped the skirt with a gray slub tee. I love the drape and feel of this fabric. 

I opted for my macrame drawstring bag with wooden beads. It give the outfit a bit of a hippie look and the taupe color goes well with my shoes. 

I kept the jewelry very simple. I found this bead at a a little shop down near Mohican State Park called Creative Outlet Indian Store. They don't have a website, but you can click here to see some reviews. They have all manner of Native American jewelry, moccasins and CD's, as well as the usual touristy type stuff. I simply bought the bead, then looped a piece of leather through to make it into a necklace. Easy. 

Look 2 - More Dressy

For the second look, I swapped out the slub tee for a sheer top with a fancy crocheted area around the neck and down the front. 

I tucked the top in and wore a wide brown belt, to give the outfit a more polished feel. I carried my multi colored clutch and added a necklace and bracelet with a coppery tone.

For shoes, I swapped out the ankle boots for a pair of dark brown heeled cage sandals. 

Here's a look at the two outfit side by side.

A long pleated maxi skirt is a great addition to your wardrobe. I know for some petite women, finding a maxi that doesn't drag on the ground can be hard. There is always the option of having a seamstress hem it up for you. Also, check out the petites section of your favorite stores. Maxi's a pretty popular right now and they may have something just right for you. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. Be sure to check out Thursday's Awesome Accessory column, where I will be looking at summer bags. 

Below are a few pleated maxi's that I thought were pretty. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots in the Ageless Style Link up.   Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Sunday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever....