Cool Little Number

Dressing in this hot weather is a challenge for me. We don't usually have temperatures in the 90's for more than a few days. However, this summer has been very different.

Thankfully, I bought a few pairs of Clara Sunwoo palazzo pants from ShopMyFairLady.com earlier this year. They have gotten a lot of wear this summer. These are the coolest and most comfortable pants I own. I always go down in size because they do run large. These are extra-small.

This Covered Perfectly top with a square neckline is the right proportion to wear with palazzo pants. I have tried many other tops with them, but this one is cool and comfortable and slimming simultaneously. I am wearing a size medium.

The sunglasses are old from T.J.Maxx. The sandals were from DSW earlier this year. The bag is old from Express.

Comfy?

I enjoy discovering new lines to share with you.

I had never worn pieces from the Comfy line until Purple Poppy recently sent me this top. The tunic is very much in keeping with my style. The striped knit fabric is designed to flatter the waistline and flow softly across your curves.

I am wearing the tunic with Renaur cigarette leg ankle pants, which are also from Purple Poppy.

The sandals are old by Ralph Lauren. The bag is old by Nine West. The sunglasses are by Balmain via Saks Off 5th.

When I wear these long tunics, I pair them with pants that pull on, which means there are no loops, buttons, or zippers to create lumps and bumps under the smooth fabric. A great foundation is also imperative with smooth-fitting tops like this one. The Ultimate Shapeez bra is the coolest and most comfortable option I have found, and it gives you a nice smooth line under your clothes.

This type of look can be worn for business casual, out to lunch with friends, or anytime you want to look appropriate but not too dressed up. Accessories can be used to change the look and attitude to something more dressy. You could also wear this top with sleek black trousers and black heels. Add a turquoise necklace and bag to create an entirely different look. I love the versatility of neutral pieces!

Accessories Change The Basics

You have likely noticed that I often wear a similar base, including a tunic or tank with narrow leg pants in one color.

This silhouette flatters my shape and height and fits my personality, so I often rely on this basic combination when getting dressed. 

Today I want to show you how I change the attitude and set the tone for different looks by changing my accessories. The same top and pants are worn in each of the examples shown here.

This fabulously comfortable tunic top was a gift from Covered Perfectly. This style is Fit and Flare. The flattering wide waistband pull-on dressy black pants are by Tribal, and they were a gift from Copper Penny.

For this around-town look, I added a black and silver and gold necklace, flat sandals by DV Dolce Vita last year, and a picnic-style wicker bag from J.McLaughlin to achieve a classic look that is appropriate for almost any event.

This top is very soft and comfortable for traveling. Just wash it out and hang it to dry. If you pack it, hang it up when you arrive and when you get up the following day, the wrinkles will be gone. 

For a comfortable travel look, I added flat loafer style shoes from BCBGeneration via Saks Off 5th. The scarf can be draped around my neck if I get cold on the plane. It is several years old.

I draped a Michael Kors chain detail silk scarf around my neck for a more uptown look and switched to a gold chain bag from Express. The cork and gold detail wedge sandals were by VANELi via Marmi Shoes last year.

I added a bold medallion necklace and an old cropped moto-style white jacket from White House Black Market old reptile embossed booties to achieve a more downtown urban vibe. I always use a jacket as an "accessory" to set the tone for looks. Also, the Calvin Klein bag is old from T.J.Maxx.

I hope these examples help you see how you can change your basic looks by wearing different accessories. A follower once commented that she could never put together a look when she shopped at a particular store that I often visit. I never think of putting together a specific look when I am shopping. Instead, I think only of adding elements that appeal to me and can be worn in different ways with what I already have to build appropriate looks for any event.

Take A Scarf

A couple of weekends ago, we stayed at the Inn at Biltmore Estate.

I took a few basic pieces to mix and match, as I always do when we travel. This packing formula serves me well, and I can fit everything into a small carry-on bag.

A scarf can make all the difference when you dress in solid basics. It adds texture, pattern, and colors to pull the whole look together.

The white Evan Picone trench coat is old from Stein Mart. I wore it over a large square silk scarf by Versace from Saks Off 5th last year. The scarf adds the punch of a pattern to tie the white tank and dark wash Klaveli ankle jeans together.

When we went down to breakfast on the second morning, I wore a black Clara Sunwoo mesh sleeve tunic over white pull-on pants by Tribal. I tied the scarf onto my BCBG bag (old) from T.J.Maxx. The shoes are by Vince Camuto from last year.

As we were having breakfast, I became too cold, as I often do in the air conditioning. The scarf served me well as an additional layer. Large square silk scarves are so versatile.

Tribal Favorites

Warm weather casual looks have always been a challenge for me.

I am much more comfortable in my jacket and jeans with a tank combo, but I must create a cooler look to work with my figure challenges when the temperatures climb.

The perfect fit for my personal styling formula includes looks like this one.

The kick pleat detail on the back of the leg is so creative.

Wearing these wedge sandals from Dillard's a couple of years ago helped to visually elongate the chopped-off look that crop pants sometimes give my short lower legs. These stop at the point that my leg starts to get slimmer rather than on the widest part of my calf. That detail is always important to me when I wear any dress or cropped pants.

This look would also be great for a woman who has a pear shape. The zipper pocket details of the shirt lift the eye up and, if tucked in, would define the smaller waist of the pear shape. In addition, the black pants with simple lines are very flattering, and the dark color on the bottom formula is perfect for the pear shape.

Because I have an inverted triangle shape with a wide waistline, I rarely tuck in a top. This hemline is slightly lower in the back, which makes it very flattering for me. The fabric is whisper lightweight, so I can wear it even when our hot weather arrives.

The old clutch bag I found years ago at T.J.Maxx brought in the fun pop of red I really like with black and white.

To Necklace or Not

My friends at ShopMyFairLady have discovered a new casual line for us.

They sent me this navy blue crinkle cardigan by Focus recently. I am wearing a size medium over a size medium Clara Sunwoo mid-length tank top. The ankle skimmer jeans are old from Chico's. The BCBG bag is old from T.J.Maxx, as are the Kenneth Cole Reaction sunglasses. The Jessica Simpson sandals are old from Nordstrom (I think).

I wore a short necklace rather than a long necklace because this look needed a more structured lift to counterbalance the length, texture, and form of the jacket and the longer hip-length of the smooth tank. 

Many people ask me about the rules for wearing a necklace. What length? When to wear a necklace and when to not? What style? I base that decision upon the item I am wearing near my face. If the jacket is structured and dramatic like the jacket I wore in the post for yesterday, I let it stand alone. I wore a simple pair of small wide crystal hoops paired with bracelets and a bold watch to finish the look because a necklace would have detracted from the jacket. Accessories should complement, not clutter, your look.

I wore this necklace, which is structured and bold, for the same reason I didn't wear a necklace yesterday. It complements the texture and flowing nature of the cardigan. The same flowing shape and length in a necklace would have been too much flowing in one look. It would have visually pulled down my face, whereas this short more structural necklace lifts the eyes to my face.

I got dressed in minutes right after my morning run because I had to be at my warehouse on concise notice, thanks to my adorable accountant. I am wearing practically no makeup, and my hair is still wet from the shower. You will likely never see a more unplanned photoshoot! I got out of my car, handed Mr. Mickey the camera, and said, "Quick, take some pictures!" We were both super busy. (Conveniently, our warehouses are side by side, and we share a back parking lot.)

This Focus cardigan is light as a whisper! I love that it can be worn with any of my jeans and a tank top to look polished and put together while remaining cool and comfortable. It will become a summer staple for me this year.

Later in the day, I went to my favorite sushi place for a quick lunch after all the urgent tasks. There is a beautiful young Japanese girl who is often our server there. She barely speaks any English at all, and yet she told me, "You look so elegant!" I hugged her and almost cried. I certainly did not feel elegant, but her sweet comment made my whole day.

Page 700

We spent a lovely weekend away at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.

On one of the evenings, I wore a black Clara Sunwoo tunic with Lior Paris straight-leg pants to dinner.

The Clara Sunwoo tunic has a sheer mesh panel down each sleeve.

I carried the white trench coat by Evan Picone via Stein Mart because I inevitably will be cold before the evening is over.

The suede fringe sandals are by BCBGeneration via Saks Off 5th. The reptile texture box clutch is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island.

Mr. Mickey purchased a new friendship ring for me while we were shopping in the village.

I am always captivated by the fresh flowers and plants in the lobby of the Inn.

The blog now includes seven hundred pages. It has been a pleasure sharing with you what I have learned over the past five years.

Denim Jacket

If I never try anything new, you might start to yawn.

This week on the blog, I am breaking all my personal styling rules. So today, it's never close a double-breasted blazer.

This White House Black Market denim trophy jacket looked OK, even buttoned because of the closure angles and the buttons' placement. (I didn't keep it fastened all day.)

I am not a fan of denim trucker-style jackets because they just don't suit my body shape. In addition, boxy jackets are challenging to carry off when you are busty. This blazer, however, is right up my style alley. The angled lines and tailored style are flattering for my body shape.

I paired it with a slate gray tank and white So Slimming jeans from Chico's. The bag by Zac Posen and the Balmain sunglasses are both from Saks Off 5th. 

The shoes are old by Sam Edelman. Keep in mind that animal print is considered neutral. I wore these mostly tan ones with white pants. If they were primarily black with brown, I would have treated them as a dark neutral and paired them only with darker pants to extend my short legs' line.