PFC #9: Heat Wave Appropriate

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Hosted by Elle @ Fast Food & Fast Fashion, Petite Fashion Challenge #9: Heat Wave Appropriate has us creating a work outfit that accounts for the various environmental factors that plague us in the summer. How do you dress when it's 90 degrees outside and 65 degrees inside?

I had an extremely hard time with this challenge. Since my work place is very casual, I try to wear my most comfortable clothes (usually the bummiest) when there's a heat wave. To meet the requirements for this challenge, I picked dressier but still light-weight items that are machine washable because the worst is sweating through dry-clean only clothes in the heat. The choice was between light-colored fabric vs. dark-colored fabric. With lighter colors, sweat stains are more visible. But with darker colors, you tend to sweat more. So... it came down to grossing others out or dealing with periodic waves of hot flashes? (Ok, I exaggerate, it's mostly not that bad) I chose the former.

For the commute: A tee, pencil skirt, and flats.

For work: Don a blazer and swap out the flats for a pair of pumps.
sunglasses: Old Navy (currently sold here)
blazer: theory (similar; similar)
necklaces: Forever 21 (currently sold here); Forever 21 (similar; similar)
tee: American Eagle (currently sold here; similar; similar)
ring: Spotted Moth via Kendi's giveaway (similar)
skirt: LOFT (similar; similar)
shoes: [left] Nine West (currently sold here); [right] Old Navy (currently sold here)

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31 comments

  1. Very pretty!! These are great colors for the warm months! Lol! about the sweat stains! I try to stay away from items with arms around the pits, unless they are inexpensive! :p

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  2. I love how you belnd colors, textures, and materials. As always you look very put together and elegant.

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  3. Pretty colours & patterned skirt! I think the necklace looks way better on you than in that stock photo. It looks rather boring there.

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  4. Great necklace, great skirt, and overall AWESOME ensemble! I prefer super light colors/whites away from the pits so the sweat doesn't show, but it's always a compromise when hot weather is involved. =P

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  5. perfect, Cee! i've been loving your colored ensembles recently! this whole look is beautiful, and makes me think i need some floral...

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  6. Yours is my fave Cee! I love all the colors!

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  7. So very pretty, Cee! The bright colors are gorgeous and go together so nicely! Beautiful job as always :)

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  8. Oh Cee you can do no wrong. This bright ensemble is so perfect, I love that you paired that pencil skirt with a casual T but made it dressier with the necklace blazer and heels. Perfection.

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  9. I think you NAILED the challenge! I'm loving the bright colors on you, btw (they show off your gorgeous skin tone!)

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  11. That skirt is absolutely fabulous. I love how you styled it!

    *Erin

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  12. Your tee is the perfect pink color! Love this with the skirt!

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  13. i love all the ways you're styling this skirt!! the pink is so pretty and offsetting it with the darker blazer really brings out the gold colors in the necklace.

    cute & little

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  14. When you bought your blazer, did it fit, as is (I'm assuming a size 0 or smaller), or did you have to have it tailored? I only own one blazer, that I was lucky enough to find that actually fits right - they are so hard to find. But I'm nervous about tailoring a jacket - if I'm going to spend $$$ to buy a jacket, how could I risk the tailor making it worse? Anyone have any experience on that?

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  15. Love the splash of fun colors you have here.

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  16. my workplace is pretty casual too, so it's great to dress like a bum! and I do love anything tee-shirt material for the summer :) and yes! haha, I sit cross-legged at my cubicle too (even with no shoes) when it gets too chilly for the bare legs. I have not gotten caught by anyone of importance going by my desk in that position yet, thank goodness...haha! and your new flat-iron hair looks nice and sleek!

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  17. I seriously love that hot pink on you. You look fantastic, as always :)

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  18. Gorgeous colors! You always look amazing!!!

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  19. I think my fav colors on you are red and pink! I love this outfit Cee...love all the colors/layering! Great job!

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  20. Yay! Your hair is beautiful Cee, I've been so looking forward to seeing it!!

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  21. Thank you all for your kind words :)

    @Michelle, @Stylepint - Haha, is it weird that I'd rather have arm pit stains on my tee rather than wear a sleeveless top and stain my blazer?!

    @Bethany - The theory blazer I have on is actually a size 4. The shoulders fit great, but the chest area is a bit loose, so I like to wear it unbuttoned. I don't have too much trouble buying blazers because of my wider shoulders. But that's the one part that I make sure fits well, because I would imagine that would be a pain to get tailored. I haven't had to get any tailored, but Jean has and she documented a pretty drastic alteration job here. I would probably not recommend it unless you find a jacket on a super sale, but if you do, making sure you go to a trusted tailor is a must. Hope that helps a bit. Do let me know how it goes!

    @Olyvia - Haha, I'm a shoeless wearer too! It makes sitting so much more comfortable :)

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  22. Wow I loooove it! Your skirt is so much fun...you also used pink! Pink must be soo in. Hahah The flip flop touch was the best!

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  23. I adore this outfit (I say that a lot in your comments)...drooling all over the floral skirt, every time you wear it I beat myself up for leaving it behind.

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  24. I always enjoy the pictures when you show your face! ;D Pink is definitely your power color and I never thought to layer the statement necklace with another necklace. They look great together!

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  25. Yeah, so...this outfit is kind of perfect. I love the t-shirt/pencil skirt combination, and in general, that bright pink is gorgeous. And I'm such a fan of adding the blazer to the mix to 'professionalize' (ha! I totally love making up words) the look.

    And to protect you from over-eager air conditioners, of course :)

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  26. great outfit for the challenge!!! loooove t-shirts w/ pencil skirts, hehe. the blazer for the office gives it a professional touch but the t-shirt keeps the outfit from looking stuffy/stiff. love it!

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  27. You look great - this outfit is so cute and summery! I love how you layered your necklaces!

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  28. I think you did a great job putting this outfit together to accommodate 30 degree difference between outside and inside the office. My office allows jeans 5 days a week....but trust me, on days where it is 90+degree full humidity in Chicago, that's the last thing I'd wear. I'd probably go with something similar to what you are wearing, or a dress w/a large pashmina so I can easily fold it and put it into my Speedy ;)

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  29. You look great! I say you managed the challenge very well. The skirt is fantastic!

    Heather

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  30. i really love this pink look on you. it's girly but yet sassy with blazer on. I normally bring a cardigan with me to work but normally wear the same shoes. I have flats at work in case I want to walk around downtown.

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I'd love to hear from you. Constructive criticisms welcome!

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