Just a sneak peek into fall fashion 2021! Lots of faux leather, pinafores, and windowpane skirts and dresses! These previews from LOFT and Ann Taylor are making me want a pumpkin spice late and a cozy blanket next to the fire place. What are you craving about the fall season? Drop your fall wish list in the comments below!
First up is a look into LOFT’s fall line.
Second up is Ann Taylor’s fall collection. I am loving all of their plaid pieces!
Who doesn’t love Spanx! They are so flattering while keeping you ever so stylish. I am sharing 3 ways to style Faux Leggings from Spanx for fall weather!
Before I discuss styling Faux Leather Leggings 3 ways, lets talk more about the product. These Spanx leggings retail for $98.00, so they aren’t cheap, but I compare them to a good pair of jeans. You will have them a long time if you care for them properly and you can style them in SO many ways. The leggings come in regular, petite (yay!), and tall sizes. I wear a small petite and I still found them a touch long and tucked the bottom under. Overall, they are a great pair of leggings and I look forward to wearing them on repeat!
Let’s head into the styling!
For my first look I paired the Spanx Leggings with a Softspun Pullover Hoodie from Gap and Cloudfoam sneakers in a black color. I love Adidas for tennis shoes and the Cloudfoams are great as more of a fashion shoe, as well as working out. I go with the rule that they are still a legging and you have to cover your butt! A top that’s longer is necessary (times have changed, but I still think your booty needs covering).
For my second look, I paired the Spanx leggings with the Dillion Utility Shirt from Banana Republic. I love the light chambray fabric and color paired with the darkness of the legging. The button up comes in both petite and non petite sizes (I wear small petite). I finished the look with a black bootie. I can’t share this exact boot because it’s a last year style, but I am sharing the Nadalie Pointed Toe Bootie from Nordstrom and the Vince Camuto Bibestie Bootie from DSW. Both are great and stylish black boot options!
Finally, I paired the Spanx leggings with a a long black open cardigan and a floppy felt hat. I have a basic black t-shirt underneath. My cardigan recommendations are the Open Front Cardigan from Nordstrom or the Open Stitch Cardigan, also a Nordy find! For the floppy hat, Target has a great option from New Day and Nordstrom Rack has the Wide Brim Wool & Leather Fedora. For the shoes, I wanted this look to be a little more edgy and paired the leggings with a lace up combat boot. This pair of Forget Yesterday Black Combat Boots from Red Dress are SO cute!
To shop all these looks in their entirety head to my page in the free Liketoknow.it app! I hope you liked this week’s post about Styling Faux Leather Leggings!
-xo
Darcy
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Bike shorts are in! What was once only favored by avid bikers on long rides across tough terrain, is now in style. Honestly, fashion is funny that way and I love its inability to be predicted. I am going to share with you three ways to style them so that you can rock the next big trend!
I have been skeptical of styling bicycle shorts because I’ve worried that I’m too old to rock what the young one’s wear. As a number three creeps close to the front of my age, I’ve questioned my ability to look good in a biker short. Biker shorts are also spandex and that’s all that needs to be said about that. BUT, if I can do it, you can too!
For each of my outfits, I will be using the Get Active Bicycle Shorts in Navy from the Mint Julep. I will link all the products that I can again at the end of this post!
Now onto the first look!
For my first look, I am wearing this Coco Graphic Tee from Alex Erinn that is so soft and comfy. If you haven’t looked at Alex Erinn’s shop, I highly suggest you do! All of their pieces are fun, feminine, and well priced! Use Darcy15 at checkout to get 15% off of your order.
I paired my first look with slider Havana Sandals by Steve Madden. It looks like DSW is largely sold out of the sandals in black, but they do have a bright yellow color, as well as an animal print pattern that would be perfect with a black biker short. I tied the t-shirt for a more structured look and if you don’t a lot of extra shirt to knot, I recommend using a skinny hair tie in the same color as the shirt to knot it.
Next look!
For my second biker short look, I paired the shorts with my trusty Travel Tans from Steve Madden, a white halter tank, and a Banana Repubic Utility Shirt in Chambray Blue. This look isn’t overdone in part because the loose fitting nature of the top counters the tightness of the short. Opposites DO attract!
And now my final look!
For my third and final look, I paired the bike shorts with a white t-shirt, and blue blazer in corduroy from J. Crew. The corduroy tends be a seasonal item, so I am linking other options at the end! I paired this look with Tommy Hilfiger Lightz Sneakers in red, white, and blue. I love mixing the formal nature of the blazer with the laid back vibe of the biker short. Think structured movement up top vs. fitted on bottom.
While styling bicycle shorts in different ways can seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy (and fun!) Fashion is all about pushing our boundaries and if it’s not challenging you, it’s not changing you.
Below are most of the featured items or similar options for this post.
If you are petite, you know the struggle of pants and sleeves being too long, tops that slide off of your shoulders, dresses that overwhelm your frame, and clothing that makes you feel like you are about two-feet tall. I am here to tell you that there is hope and there are tips & tricks to make your life as a petite woman easier! Below are my top five pieces of fashion advice for petites.
My first piece of fashion advice for petite women is to wear a monochromatic look. By picking something in a singular color palette, you are not breaking up your body at a midpoint, it’s all one smooth line! Monochromatic looks will make you appear visually longer than you are and that’s the name of the game! As short gals, we rely on visual tricks to make our bodies look taller and monochromatic looks are a great way to achieve that.
My second and third hacks for petites are both shoe related. When picking out a shoes, the best shape option is a pointy toe. Why a pointy toe? Pointy toe shoes make your legs appear elongated and who doesn’t love a good pointy-toe? Pointy toes are some of my favorite shoes in my closet and it’s another visual trick that helps petite women appear taller.
My third hack is to go for a neutral colored shoe vs. a colored or black shoe. Neutral shoes reflect natural skin toes and by wearing a cream, tan, or beige colored shoe, you’ll blend your skin color with the shoe and create the illusion of height that we all want. Along those lines, ankle strapped shoes visually break up the ankle from the foot. If you are looking to maximize your height, a non ankle strap shoe is the most visually pleasing on petites.
Nude color bag and nude heels are great options for petite women.
My fourth hack is a simple one, less is more! Use a small purse or clutch and not a large purse when picking a bag. Having a big back makes petites look heavy and off balance. Instead opt for a mid to small bag and you’ll look more proportionate. It’s easy for smaller frames to get weighed down and being aware of accessory sizes is important.
My fifth and final piece of fashion advice for petite women is to opt for v-necks type shirts and blouses over scooped or round neck shirts. V-necks make your neck appear longer and draws the eye upward. With a round neck, petites appear to have a shorter torso and midsection.
These are by no means all the petite hacks that are out there! It’s also important to note that you can wear a round toe shoe or scoop neck top. I absolutely do! I don’t want my readers to think that I’m saying to avoid certain looks entirely, I want to emphasize that! These are merely some hacks that I’ve learned and they don’t have to be followed daily. BUT if you do have a big interview or important event, give these hacks a try and let me know what you think!
Below is a representation of these hacks at work! I am wearing a white colored blazer, white jeans, and white v-neck style cami. This look is paired with a nude colored heel that is both strapless and has a pointed toe. I finished this look off with a small, neutral colored bag.
The pieces that I am wearing are linked below with a few extra options included!
Lounge-wear is slowly being retired to its original place in the dresser drawer as the working world slowly begins to resume after months of quarantine. Looking for some great work attire to impress the colleagues you haven’t seen in months? I’ve got you covered with my top picks.
I also want to start off by letting you know that I am now on LiketoKnowit! If you are wanting to shop my looks, I will be creating a page for my outfits and recommendations, so stay tuned! In the meantime, you can go to visit my profile here and follow me on LiketoKnow.it.
Now back to the blogging! Flutter dresses are some of my work attire favorites! They are versatile, professional, and I can throw a cardigan over the top to create a great work outfit. This lemon colored dress is from last year’s collection from Ann Taylor and the I love it for summer work-wear. Ann Taylor is also a great stop for cardigans and the V-neck Short Sleeve Cardigan is a great piece to wear atop a work dress. The cardigan comes in Night Sky, Fresh Mandarin, and Sensational Sand.
Also from Ann Taylor, I recommend the Ankle Pant in Crosshatch in neutral. The light crosshatch pattern is so classic and clean. It also adds texture to an outfit and would look great with a bright colored top.
Along with the pants, I recommend the Cameron Slim Crop Pant from J. Crew. This pant comes in SO many colors ranging from a vintage Kelly Green, Heather Graphite, Deep Fuchsia, and I personally love the Subtle Pink. It’s just a touch pink and almost resembles a peach ivory.
Ann Taylor also has a fabulous Flutter Sleeve Shirt Dress that I am currently oow-ing and aw-ing over. It comes in gorgeous Electric Cherry and I love the slight cutouts in the sleeves. It also has a tie-waist and would be great with a nude heel like this Low Block-Heel Slingback Pump from Banana Republic. These heels come in Natural & Black, Snakeskin, and Navy & Black Leather.
Transition to pencil skirts (there’s nothing more classic than a pencil skirt), this Petite No. 2 Pencil Skirt in bi-stretch cotton from J. Crew is a must. If you are in work-wear all day, you want to be comfy! The stretch on this skirt means it is less restrictive and it doesn’t ride up as much as a tradition pencil skirt. It hits knee length where is right where you want it to hit. It comes in Bitter Lemon, Soft Fuchsia, Ivory and Navy. The Bitter Lemon is near identical to the color of my flutter dress if you’re looking for something bright and summery.
Finally, this Bi-Stretch Blazer from Banana Republic comes in White & Navy Stripe. Similar to the skirt, this blazer is designed with stretch in mind. It moves with you, which is great for long days in the office. It has a single button for waist enhancement and a notched lapel. I love the classic feel of the Navy Stripe and the light color is great for hot days where you have to dress for work, but don’t want to be in a heavy, dark colored blazer.
Email me or comment below with your thoughts, or let me know your thoughts about what I’m missing on my list!
Flowy dresses with lots of movement are the best, especially in hot and heavy summer weather. I love dresses (that’s nothing new to anyone who has been reading my posts) and I would describe my style as feminine, leaning more towards classic looks. Bohemian style dresses are not something that I usually associate with my sense of style, but with the right dress, the sky is the limit. I am fully behind trying new styles and breaking into new trends, if it looks good. That’s how we grow and build our confidence. Clothing is a reflection of who you are and the way you dress mirrors how you feel about yourself. I’m here for the maxi dress and this is why.
This is the Shimmer Floral Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress and I LOVE IT. I was skeptical when I purchased it because the shimmer and ruffles do add a lot to the dress. It actually fits really well and doesn’t overwhelm my frame. It actually works because the bodice is fitted and the sleeves ruffles are drawing your upward and outward (it’s all about illusions). The shoulder ruffles are also smaller and that makes a big difference when dressing a smaller build. There are also some ruffles along the torso and they hug the body which makes the dress flattering.
Let’s also talk about fabric for little bit.
The other takeaway when looking at maxi dresses, and all clothing for that matter, is fabric. If you are petite, DON’T GO TOO HEAVY. Pick a lighter fabric like a linen, a silk (talking about silk midi skirts again), or polyester. A lot of women don’t look at fabrics and this is a huge no-no. Fabric content is important because fabrics can impact the way you look just as much as the style of dress. This AT dress is 98% polyester and there is a reason a lot of clothing like workout wear is polyester based. It’s breathable and wicks way better than cotton. Polyester is also considerably lighter than cotton and won’t look as heavy or dense on a petite frame. I really do love cotton, but if you’re looking to dress up, cotton just isn’t the best fabric to wear. You’ll also sweat less in polyester, big bonus! I paired my look with my Steve Madden Karolyn Sandals and opted for a small crown braid to pair with the boho style of this maxi dress.
The other maxi dresses that I recommend are this Petite Strappy Ruched Maxi Dress from Banana and the Eliza J Pleated Chiffon Maxi Dress. The Ruched Maxi is light and flowy with a spaghetti strap top. I love that it is ruched because it’s flattering to the tummy area and covers an area that a lot of women are self conscious about. It’s gorgeous in the White Floral, as well as in basic black. The Eliza J Dress is made of chiffon, so it goes back to the airy feel of summer dresses. It’s cinched at the waist with a gold belt for a little sparkle and structure. This dress has a halter style top which is flattering on petite frames and the floral pattern is perfect for summer days out and about.
I am a girl who loves a good blazer. Blazers are a rotating staple in my closet because they come in SO many cuts, colors, and fabric types. Blazers are like a good purse, they reflect your personality and you can wear them practically anywhere. I also love colorful blazers because they can enhance any outfit.
I just snagged the Ann Taylor The Hutton Blazer in Texture in Hot Pink Poppy. It hits me about about mid thigh in length and I can’t emphasize this enough. I LOVE this color. It is SO fun for spring. Leave the blacks behind and join me on the color train!
An alternative to the Hutton Blazer, ASOS has the ASOS DESIGN jersey wrap suit blazer-Purple retailing for $48.00. It comes in both petite and regular sizes and the soft lilac color is gorgeous! The tie is also perfect for cinching the waist and showing off your figure. Rock whatever curves you have, they are meant to be celebrated!
My next look is the Ann Taylor The Hutton Blazer in Texture paired with a ribbed black tank-top and Whit & Wisdom Ab-Solution Raw Hem Skinny Jeans in petite. Whit & Wisdom is a great petite/curvy brand and I find that they fit my frame well without comprising on comfort. Dark wash jeans make a bright color blazer pop even more and I paired it with a black strappy heel from BCBG. This BCBG Cairo Suede Stiletto Mule is a must have to add a little edge to my outfits.
My last look is a black jogger pant paired with the Hot Poppy Pink Blazer, black ribbed tank, and animal print loafers. My joggers are from Gap and they are currently not in stock, but Anthropologie has the Sydney Waisted Joggers in two colors, Washed Black and Sky. They don’t have petite in stock in the black, but they do have the black in standard fit, as well as the Sky color in both petite and regular. My loafers are Steve Madden and although they aren’t new, they have the Steve Madden Feather Loafers in Black & Tan Cheetah at DSW. Most sizes are in stock for $91.00. I’ve also got to mention that DSW has one of the best reward programs. It’s free to sign up and I feel like I am always getting $10.00 to $20.00 rewards. The dollar to reward system is great and they let you combine your rewards with most any sale going on. I’ve bought shoes for $60.00 and with my rewards and discounts, I’ve paid $5.00. I would be happy to go into more detail if you would like to know more about what reward programs I’m using!
Halter dresses are super flattering and they look great on so many different body types. They offer more coverage if you have a fuller bust and it draws your eyes upward rather than downward (that is what we all want, right?) If you have a smaller bust and wider shoulders, your top looks more in proportion to your bottom half.
This flowy Ann Taylor Halter Tie Waist Flare Dress is a great way to show off your shoulders and arms while having more cover from your neckline to your below your knees. My motto is that if you expose one area on your body, compensate by going with a little more coverage somewhere else, ie., if you wear something short, go for a cap sleeve and not strapless on your top half, or if you wear a deep v-neck dress, have the dress hem be a little longer. The tie on this dress also flatters the waistline and it covers up any midsection area that you might want to mask. The shimmer of this dress also makes it perfect as a day outfit that can be transformed for a date night (we can dream of the days before quarantine.)
I also love a straw clutch. It screams warm weather and has me dreaming of a beach vacation. This Ann Taylor Woven Straw Clutch is the perfect size to carry a travel small sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses!
And finally, add a pair of ankle strap sandals! The Ann Taylor Adley Suede Sandals in Spiced Chai adds the finishing touch to the dress and clutch. The gold inlay on the heel pulls in the gold accent on the clutch and it pairs well with the gold detailing on the earrings. I have mentioned this before, but I love gold details and think gold is a simple way to elevate an outfit to the next level.
Who doesn’t love a sweater you can curl up in, or ultra-soft sweat pants? During my college years, I worked the register at Gap in what was then, Gap Body. I restocked panties, lounge wear, and fitted women for bras. I saw some wild and crazy things over the years, but I learned a lot about styles and fabrics.
It was here that I was introduced to modal. Modal is a fabric made from Beech trees that’s blended with cotton. It is SO soft and it has been one of my great loves for many, many years. Every year I buy at least one pair of modal joggers from Gap’s Pure Body Collection. Once you go modal, you won’t go back! You seriously wont be disappointed. Gap also sells T-shirts in modal, as well as bras, and panties. It looks like Gap is currently sold out on a lot of their lounge/sleep wear, but they do have modal leggings on sale for $30.00.
Lou & Grey Sweatpants from Loft are also one of my must haves. They are cute and comfy, need I say more? I purchased their Signature Softblend Sweatpants for $69.50 in Deep Lavender and they are seriously SO very soft. Lou & Grey is another brand that I always turn to for quality and comfort. I’m a fan of Banana Republic’s basic linen t-shirts because they are available in petite sizes and they are great for a casual day in or out. If I’m out running errands, I’ll add a ball cap. The hat featured in the photo was a purchase I made in Madrid a few years ago and it’s distressed look works well for creating a relaxed look. A similar hat is the Canvas Dad Cap by Hat Attack. It’s wide brim gives it a casual feel that screams weekend vibes.
These Athleta Studio Joggers are great because they are a relaxed fit (we doesn’t like a good Aladdin pant?) and they are a great lounge pant to wear on the weekend or after a long day in a skirt and heels. They retail for $79.00. I’ve seen a lot of women use them while pregnant and as a postpartum pant. Pair them with a slider sandal, some oversized sunglasses, and you have a cute outfit made for brunching on a patio. Below, I paired the joggers with an oversized hooded sherpa sweater in white and the sweater makes the outfit oh so cozy!
Curl up with a book, work on a puzzle, or binge a good TV series (what are you watching during the pandemic? I am rewatching Downtown Abbey from the beginning – I still love sweet Matthew all these years later). Lounge in style and reach out with your questions & comments!
Gingham is in and I don’t know about you, but I’m loving it! It’s classy, fun, and always timeless. You can wear it on a shoe, a scarf, dresses, and hair accessories. Here are a few of my favorite gingham picks that I’ve found recently.
This dress from Ann Taylor is officially back in stock!
It has a subtle gingham pattern and the pleated front gives it a classic look. If you’re looking to be a bit more bold, they also carry the Ann Taylor Petite Gingham Midi Dress in bright purple verbena.
It comes to mid calf and both are available in petite and regular sizes. Both dresses are light and will be great for warm weather! If you’re digging the buttoned look on the front of my dress, check out the Ann Taylor Petite Cotton Linen Button Flare Dress in bright orange vermillion kiss. It is not gingham, but it’s a similar style with a v-neck front and short sleeve.
The dress has a relaxed feel with a button down front and a belted waist. It has a v-neck front and capped sleeves. It’s light for the warmer months and hits me about at knee level. I give it an 8/10 for comfort. I paired it with a top knot headband in black and strapped espadrille wedges from Loft (also – peep my parent’s front porch in the second image). The height is not too tall, making it great for everyday wear. Viscata has a similar pair in their Canet Linen Espadrille. Viscata is a Madrid based shoes company that is a favorite of Kate Middleton and I love the timelessness look of their espadrilles. Madewell has a similar dress to the Ann Taylor in the Gingham Tie-Front Swing Dress. Madewell also has a selection of gingham shorts and I am currently putting in an order for their Linen Pleated Shorts in the melange check earthen sand. Perfect for summer time weather!
I also recently purchased a Gingham headband from Ann Taylor and it is no longer in stock, but a great substitute is from Alice and Wonder for $18.00. Top knot headbands are great because you can create a super flirty and fun outfit, or you can add it to a basic t-shirt and jeans for a pop of fashion. Don’t be afraid to wear a pattern! A pattern doesn’t have to be loud or bold, a pattern like gingham is simple and can be worn in a variety of ways. As always, reach out to me with your questions or comments.
