Black and White for Spring

A classic spring color combination is black and white.

It all started with the shoes I wanted to wear for the first time. My goal was to put together a look that worked with my body proportions and complemented their edgy style.

The Vince Camuto shoes had me at hello. The stud details are gold, so for this look, I wanted to complement that detail but not compete with it in my choices for other items. I decided on this old jacket with cream faux leather trim and fun gold zipper details. I found the jacket on the sale rack at Stein Mart last year. The pull-on slim-fitting dressy pants are old from Chico's, as is the tank.

The long tank with sheer details at the neckline and the hem allow the waistline to disappear beneath the jacket—the wide waistband pants with no other details allowed for a smooth foundation to build upon. The faux leather trim and zippers' placement and angles on the jacket are very feminine and figure-flattering.

I wore this look to dinner with friends on Wednesday date night. The evening temperatures are still a bit cool here, allowing me to wear a third piece. 

As the weather heats up during the summer, I will show you how I use sheer details in jackets and cardigans to add my much loved third piece without overheating.

I kept my accessories very minimal with sunglasses and two bold blingy rings. A bag didn't work with this, so Mr. Mickey was the lip color keeper for the evening.

I am often asked how I decide which accessories to add to the look. Accessories are like makeup; they should accentuate, not camouflage. With this in mind, I look at the outfit's style and accessories; they should all come from the same tribe. Think about a linen tunic over a pair of jeans with sandals. A bold, earthy necklace would work well to fill in the neckline, whereas a gold and pearl choker might not relate to the material or the attitude of the look nearly as well.