Top - Express | Pants - Express (run big, size down) | Shoes - Villa Rouge | Bag - Gucci | Sunglasses - Le Specs
I've really been enjoying wearing different pants styles instead of jeans recently and came across this pair and loved the silhouette. I wasn't sure they would look as good on as they do online but was so happy to see that they were so flattering! High waisted and super stretchy, they feel like you are wearing pajama pants. Ha! There are no buttons or zippers so they just pull on. The style runs quite big so I sized down and ended up going with the petite length which worked perfectly for my height (5'4"). If you are in the market for a new pair of work pants, these are such a great option!
Halogen Faux Fur Coat: This coat is so much more flattering in person than it is online. It's runs true to size and allows for a sweater underneath. I am wearing an XS. (Sale price: $118.90, after sale $179)
KUT from the Kloth Donna Jeans: These surprised me so much because they fit like a glove! I was looking for more distressed pairs so I ended up skipping these, but I highly recommend them if you want a dark denim high waisted style. They run true to size and I am wearing a 2. (Sale price: $59.90, after sale $89.50)
Vince Camuto Gigietta Booties: Everyone was raving about these so I had to try them on. They are very cute but I have something very similar so I skipped them as well. However, if you want a ankle boot to go with dresses or jeans, these are a great option. They ran true to size for me. (Sale price: $99.90, after sale $149.95)
Halogen Raw Edge Tweed Jacket: I have the tweed one from last year so I decided to skip this but it's a gorgeous jacket. Fits true to size, I am wearing an XS. (Sale price: $98.90, after sale $149.00)
BP Lace Trim Camisole: These lace camisoles are everything. For the price, you cannot beat them. I bought a black and white. I find they fit true to size and I am wearing an XS. (Sale price: $25.90, after sale $39.00)
Marc Fisher Pointy Toe Loafers: These were an instant hit for me and SO comfortable. They run very big so I had to go down 1/2 a size. These would be my number one recommendation for a great flat for fall. (Sale price: $99.90, after sale $149.95)
BB Dakota Wade Drape Front Jacket: The neckline draping on this jacket is so flattering. The sleeves fit perfectly and overall it's a gorgeous jacket. This one came home with me! It runs true to size and I am wearing an XS. (Sale price: $64.90, after sale $98.00)
Sam Edelman Riza Flats: I debated getting these but they weren't as comfortable as I would have liked so I skipped them. They felt a bit too tight and the next size up was too big. (Sale price: $79.90, after sale $129.95)
Leith Wide Strap Sleeveless Dress: This tank dress is a great staple but I would recommend going up 1-2 sizes. It's not super see through but it will show lumps and bumps if too tight. I decided to go with a small. (Sale price $45.90, $69.00)
Topshop Crop Faux Leather Moto Jacket: I already have a black moto jacket but was curious what this Topshop one looked like and it is a really good style! The fit is true to size and I am wearing an US 2. (Sale price: $62.90, after sale $95.00)
Astr the Label Tiger Stripe Sweater: I liked this sweater on the website and on the hanger, but on me it was awful. I think it is the nude band around the waist and wrists that I don't like. This was not a hit. It does run true to size and I am wearing an XS. (Sale price $58.90, after sale $89.00)
Madewell 9-Inch Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans: I was looking for a pair of black jeans and liked these but didn't love them. They were a bit too long for my taste. They run quite big so I went down a size and am wearing a 25. (Sale price: $84.90, after sale $128.00)
Topshop Supersoft Crewneck Stripe Sweater: Sorry this sweater is a monstrosity. It looked cute online but the fit is HUGE and drowned me. Size down if you are thinking about it but frankly I would not recommend. (Sale price: $44.90, after sale $68.00)
Caslon Turtleneck Sweater: I liked this sweater but didn't love it. The fit is cute but I wanted the neck to be a bit bigger and more dramatic. It runs big so size down. I am wearing an XS. (Sale price: $45.90, after sale $69.00)
BB Dakota Up to Speed Faux Leather Jacket: This is the leather version of the brown suede one I wore above. The color is beautiful but the fit of the suede one is so much better. It lies flatter on the body and drapes beautifully. This felt a bit too bulky. It runs true to size and I am wearing an XS. (Sale price: $64.90, after sale $98.00)
Halogen Skivvy Fine Rib Crewneck Tee: I had already ordered this long sleeved tee online but wanted to pair it with this leopard skirt. It's such a great basic and isn't see through. It runs true to size and I am wearing an XS. (Sale price $24.90, after sale $39)
Halogen Pleated Leopard Skirt: I was curious how this skirt would fit but I have something very similar so I didn't end up getting it. I liked it but it was a bit too puffy around my hips and made me look much bigger in that area. I think that this would look much better on someone taller or with a shorter torso (I have a very long torso so it hit me in a funny spot on my waist). It runs true to size and I am wearing an XS. (Sale price $78.90, after sale $119)
Halogen Rowen Bootie: I was curious how these would look on but I thought they were absolutely awful. Not flattering in the slightest. They run true to size but don't even waste your time with them. Much better black bootie options in this sale. (Sale price $59.90, after sale $99.95)
Frame Ali Leopard Print High Waist Crop Jeans: I had mixed feeling about these jeans because they fit like a glove. Absolute perfection. And I love the print. But they felt a bit too much for my own personal style. Which seems weird because I wear a ton of leopard. That being said, I have seen other women wearing them and they look amazing. These are definitely a pair of jeans that you have to try on for yourself and decide. They do run very big and I went down two sizes and am wearing a 24. (Sale price: $149.90, after sale $225)
I popped into a Nordstrom store near me yesterday because I wanted to see some things in person and took some pictures of the things I tried on. Sadly the store I went to didn't have a huge selection and I was more successful with my online order (stay tuned for that!), but there were a few gems in the bunch. There were also a few items that were too similar to things I already had but I would still recommend because they fit great and looked so flattering. I'll be sharing my online order in a YouTube video and styling the pieces in the coming weeks on my blog. If you have any questions about the above items, leave me a comment below.
Blazer - Ann Taylor (runs true to size) | Camisole - Express | Skirt - Ann Taylor (runs true to size) | Shoes - Sergio Rossi (old but similar here and here) | Bag - Gucci | Sunglasses - Le Specs | Necklace - Nashelle
Summer is right around the corner and a white pencil skirt is essential for a summer workwear wardrobe. I've always loved Ann Taylor for pencil skirts as they seem to fit me the best. They are bit more high waisted and the petite length is what I typically buy. This particular one also comes in black and the slit detail in the front makes it much easier to walk in than a traditional pencil skirt. For the office, I love mixing it up with a striped blazer but this would also be a great piece for a night out worn with a delicate camisole, statement earrings, strappy sandals and a clutch. I think many people keep their work and play wardrobes separate but I personally have always liked to mix the two. The blazer would be great with shorts or jeans and adding some colorful accessories would complete the look.
Though I want to put away all my black clothes now that winter is over, a simple black wrap dress is great for every season. I thought the kimono sleeves would be too dramatic but surprisingly they work well with the belted waist and deep v-neck. Sandals would be great with this dress but I love how the leopard pumps look even more. I try to find skirts above the knee most of the time because I am only 5'4", but the slim fit of the dress actually made me look taller which is a bonus!
I've had a ton of great feedback on my recent workwear looks on the my blog (see them here), so I will definitely be adding them in from time to time. I personally never worked in a formal business environment so most of my experiences back in my corporate days allowed for dressy sandals, sleeveless blouses, etc since I always worked in the beauty industry. This outfit is the exact type of look that I would wear regularly years ago and I still love it. Most of my pants or skirts were simple styles and colors and I would make the outfit more interesting with a printed blouse or one with an interesting fit. I could also then wear my blouses with ripped jeans and fancy heels for a night out, so I always found they served multiple purposes in my wardrobe. These cropped pants could also work for an off duty look with flats/sneakers and a tee, tank or chunky sweater. Though I've always had certain outfits for work and others just for weekends, I found that buying pieces which could be interchangeable for both times was the best investment.
Paperbag pants sound awful but they are one of my favorite silhouettes. Anything that accentuates the waist is usually a winner for me. The key is making sure the leg is still slim and tapers at the ankle. I found these at H&M and was instantly impressed with their fit and look! A perfect workwear option but they would be great with flats, a tank and a denim jacket for the weekends. Because the pants are so voluminous, I like a fitted sweater or blouse to wear with it and this v-neck is a great staple for under $20.
Another bonus with paperbag pants is they tend to make you look taller because they are so high-waisted. I'm only 5'4" and have a long torso with short legs. So I am constantly trying to find ways to elongate my legs in outfits. This look is a perfect example of how I do that. Here are a few of my tips to make yourself look taller:
Choose high-waisted pants over low or mid rise as they create a much longer silhouette.
Wear nude shoes. Find shoes that are close to your skin tone as they will give the illusion that your legs are longer.
Tuck things in. I rarely will ever leave the front of my shirt untucked because it helps to show off the high waist of my pants/jeans. This helps to continue the long line that a high waist pant will give.
Choose slim fits and cuts. I do love voluminous pieces here and there, but for the most part I like to stick with a slimmer silhouette, especially when it comes to pants/jeans. A slim cut that hits high on the waist does wonders for helping make me appear taller and my legs longer.
It took me many years of buying the wrong types of clothes and testing out different looks and styles for me to finally find what worked for my frame and body type. I will occasionally try a new fit or style because I love fashion, and sometimes it will work. But other times, I have to admit to myself I can't wear certain things and I've learned to be ok with that.
What style of clothing or fits look best on you? What do you gravitate towards?
