Spring Transition - Layering with a Vest

There are other ways to keep warm in the spring, besides adding jackets, although with our crazy weather, a light weight jacket is a perfect option. This week, however, I wanted to include a vest in the spring transition mix. Wearing a vest is a great way to add a layer, not only for warmth, but to add interest to an outfit. 

There are all sorts of vest options, ranging from heavy weight knits to lighter chiffon styles, as well as those that are more structured. Vests range in size from short to long, streamline to those with extra material made to cascade down the front. For today's post I am using a longer knit vest.

This long, brown knit vest is a piece I picked up at a thrift store. It is a brand called Fever. It has a belt, so can be belted for a different look. I usually wear it open, although, I think it would have worked just as well for this outfit if it had been closed and belted. I keep the belt attached and have one side tied to the belt loop to keep it from slipping out. Doing this keeps the belt with the vest and gives me the option of tying it, should I desire. 

These plaid ankle pants I have styled on the blog before. You can see that post here. I am a firm believer that as many pieces as possible, in my closet, should be able to be worn over and over as different outfits. Obviously a pair of pants is still a pair of pants, but one time it can be styled with a long knit vest and the next time with a chambray shirt. One time it can be worn with boots and the next time with sandals. Try to look at those pieces in your wardrobe as the beautifully versatile things they are, and start imagining all the many ways you can change them up to style whole new outfits. 

The royal blue, short sleeve embellished sweater is a favorite from Christopher and Banks. I like that I don't have to worry about jewelry, although in this case, I did add a simple bead on a leather strap. The bead has brown, gold, navy and bright blue flecks and really pulls the whole outfit together. 

I decided on my ivory Simply Vera Wang cross body bag for my purse choice. It is quality leather and simple enough to go with any outfit. For my shoes I went with my newer Sonoma perforated peep toe heeled sandals. 

Here is another shot of the whole outfit.

This is a great outfit for work, or even for a lunch date with the hubby or friends. What do you think of this outfit? Do you own a pair of plaid pants and you have been wondering how to wear them? Do you like to wear vests? I'd love to hear from you. I always appreciate the input and I always respond to your wonderful comments. I learn a lot from you all so keep up the feedback.

I've included a few shopping links below. Please feel free to click around and see what options are out there. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Have a great day. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Color Crash Course - Orange and Red

Since I have started blogging, I find myself thinking more and more, how do I do something outside the box. I'm not talking about wearing a sheer dress with little or next to nothing underneath like some glitzy stars might. I'm referring to wearing colors that we don't normally think of putting together or mixing prints. 

I decided on today's color combination because I was thinking about fall. It occurred to me that my favorite maple trees often blush orange and red as they are changing from their summer to autumn wardrobes. I love the look of these two colors on trees, but how would it look on me? That was enough to inspire today's post.

When I told my daughter/photographer the colors I was intending to pair up, she said something like, "Wow! You are really going bold aren't you?" Ha, ha. 

As you can see part of mixing bold colors without looking like some sort of walking torch or neon sign, is to combine differing shades, textures and fabrics into a cohesive and complimentary unit.

I decided to go with the coral jeans for a more muted orange color and a softer texture. The sleeveless blouse contains orange, red, black and even some pinkish, orangish something or other. You can tell I am not an interior designer or a fashion designer. 

Since there is so much going on in the top I decided I needed an accessory that was elegant, simple and a completely different color. I really like this gold and cream three strand necklace. The shortest layer is a simple beaded chain, the middle layer holds a pendant that looks to be made of shell and the longest layer ends in a long cream colored tassel with a gold filagree leaf. The nice part is they are all connected at the clasp point, meaning I can't wear them separately, but I wouldn't really want to.

Of course, I had to get a silly picture in there. But these photos show off the red jacket. This jacket is one of the ones you might have seen in my post on faux leather jackets which you can see here. It is a rich, vibrant red and has a bit of a sheen to it, so dresses up or down. I used the same burnt orange bag that I styled for Tuesday's Pantone Potter's Clay post (see that here).

Since ankle boots are so on trend right now, I wore my suede tan and brown booties. These are comfy with a low heel and easy to get on and off with an inside zipper.

One more look at the whole outfit. So what do you think? Would you wear this color combination? What do you think I could have done differently? Let me know in the comments section below. I love to hear from all of you and want your ideas and input. 

Have a great weekend and Happy First Day of Fall.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Red Faux Leather Jacket - Macy's - $104.99

Printed Blouse - 6pm - $24.99

Coral Jeans - NYDJ - $59.98

Tan Suede Ankle Boots. - DSW - $79.94

Triple Strand Gold Necklace - BaubleBar - $42.00