Breaking Rules

You may have heard the saying, "You must know the rules to break them effectively." With my soft contrast cool coloring, I should not wear brown or warm animal prints... but I love both!

Last night for date night, I wore an animal print tunic from Chico's Travelers Collection. I layered it over a sleek, long sleeve tee with spandex and Lycra, also from Chico's last year. The slim black pants were from Stein-Mart last year. The high heeled booties are by Vince Camuto, and they are from Nordstrom. Despite their high heels, these booties are comfortable and easy to walk in.

The little evening purse is one of my favorites, but it might be fifteen years old. The silver and clear rhinestone hoops add a touch of cool tones next to my face.

The tunic is a little too large, but I would prefer anything that buttons, not fit too tight across my bust. I often go up a size in tops for that reason. I will also be able to wear this lightweight tunic over summer clothes with the sleeves turned up.

The key to this outfit is balance. I would never wear these slim leg pants with anything but a long tunic, and I would never wear this tunic with anything but slim leg pants or a pencil skirt. Never wear two pieces that visually add width together. Always balance flowing boxy pieces over slim-fitting pieces or vice versa. (An opposite example would be a slim tank top over a flowing maxi skirt.)