The Shop Your Closet challenge item is the turquoise blazer from Talbots. I bought it earlier this summer to wear to a series of executive-level meetings I was attending, and it promptly went to the back of my closet until more are scheduled. It occurred to me yesterday that maybe I should let my blazers get more use, instead of keeping them for formal work occasions. So out it came!
I like the structure of it against the frilliness of the tiered blouse; someone here or over on YLF suggested pairing it like this, and they were right!
The rest of the outfit is new, but very fun. That's the polka-dot blouse from LOFT, navy modern bootcut pants from Gap, a cream camisole from Kohls, and a beloved silver necklace from a local jeweler.
OH! And here's a tip and a product plug all in one; notice how my camisole is sitting in the perfect spot in the scoop of my top? That's not by accident. I have the worst time with camisoles; they droop down as the day progresses and often end up highlighting the cleavage I am trying to hide. For this outfit, it occurred to me to finally do something about it. I bought some double-side clear fabric tape at Target: the Hollywood Intuition line over in Accessories. Stuck a little piece between the straps and the top on each side, and voila! Stayed in place perfectly all day. (It's sold out at Target now, but you can get similar stuff at a lot of stores. It comes in a matchbook looking container, and lasts forever.)
But there's also a new piece in here, and I have to talk about it. As I mentioned last week, while I was at DSW, a completely unexpected pair of shoes caught my eye: loafers. I KNOW!! I was very much on the fence about them; they are, after all, loafers and I wanted to get a pair of flat oxfords. But the fabric and color of them were so different than any other loafers I've seen, and the fit and comfort were the same as a great pair of Me Too ballet flats. They're AK Anne Klein iFlex from DSW; I've seen lots of that style online, but none with this color. Not even on the DSW website.
Look at how cute they are!
I bought them, and I wore them around the house for bit. Hubby had the same reaction as me: initial dismissal, then growing fondess, then wondering if I could make them fit with my outfits. I knew the navy pants would be the make-or-break outfit; if they didn't work with those, they wouldn't work with anything.
I think they worked. What about you?
(P.S. I am still going to look for flat oxfords. C'mon, this is me talking!)
I love that you wore navy pants with the turquoise and black and white. It's a nice twist. Also, the shoes are way fun! I bought some metallic flats not long ago, but had to give them away because they pinched. I'm jealous that yours are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI totally love jackets with 3/4 sleeves. The pushed-up sleeves never looked realistic to me. The color is terrific on you.
ReplyDeleteI love that ruffly black and white top with the bright jacket. Great outfit!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute - I have been eyeballing that ruffle tiered blouse at LOFT and love how you paired it with the bright turquoise!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! And I love the new shoes.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a turquoise blazer! I would have never thought of that--not that I have a turquoise blazer to even consider. Kristen, for someone fairly new to fashion, you have an amazing sense of adventure! I have to laugh because I ended up buying the ruffled top after seeing yours and scoured the racks for that mustard cardi (which I could not find) and decided every other cardi combo was "meh" except for yours. I guess I'm going to have to be brave and try something on my own now. You look fab!
ReplyDeleteI love them -- loafers are so in right now, too! And also, I feel like you can't go wrong with an American classic, right? So pretty with the bright turquoise, which looks divine on you, if I may say so :)
ReplyDeletexo
Navy and turquoise? Genius! Looks great together. Kristen in flat shoes. Whoa! I need to sit down :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I've seen your chalenge sooner, but maybe I'll do one or two days still.
ReplyDeleteI've heard what you were telling in another post about wearing things you used to but in a more current way.You're totally doing it.
Just found your blog love it...
ReplyDeletehttp://iwannaknowbelle.blogspot.com
I like the metallic loafers. They are a cool neutral go-with.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I recommend oxfords. I have some I bought, because I deplore heels and they're easy to walk in flats.
But they're hard to style with things. They come up high on the foot with an undelicate lace/tie. They're flat, which doesn't elongate anything. Mine are fairly heavy leather and actually need soxes to be comfy on my public-transit commute walking. Soxes plus tie shoes and a skirt? I don't want to be looking like an old lady, or a school girl. I'm just not sure how they fit into my professional woman wardrobe.
They do OK with pants, but I really was looking for flat shoes to wear with skirts.
So try the oxfords on but give them some thought. I don't think they're ever going to be as great looking as these loafers, or those fab clogs you had on the other day.
Love the challenge idea, Kristen!
ReplyDeleteYou have some great new items - I very much like the loafers in a metallic color, and the polka-dot top looks great on you. I've seen two women besides yourself who have a similar-sized frame and bustline to me who wear this top beautifully, but I really hated it on me when I tried it on in the store, so I ended up with different pretty items from the Loft.
I love the idea of your challenge - such a great way to get use out of the full spectrum of your wardrobe.
You look AMAZING in this! I loveth the blazer's structure and color, especially with that lovely polka dot cami.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the loafers, THANK YOU for posting this. It's so funny because I saw a pair of wedge loafers at LLBEan and thought, oh GREAT, my tastes must be officially "maturing," LOL, and pictured myself in terrible pleated khaki tapered pants by the age of 35. But this completely confirms that, yes Virginia, loafers can be adorable. I really like them in that fun silvery color.