One Maxi Dress for Four Seasons

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

I received great responses from my lace dress roundup post, so I figured why not continue? Perhaps this ways to wear series will become a semi-regular feature. Thank you Elle for letting me copy your way it five ways idea. Sometimes it's just easier to see how versatile an item can be when outfit images are placed side by side.

Today's featured item is a maxi dress worn four ways, suitable for every season in a year. That's not to say that the spring outfit can't be worn in the summer for example, or the winter outfit will work for everyone's climates. I just thought One Maxi Dress for Four Seasons sounds more interesting than 4 Ways to Wear a Maxi Dress.


Spring: After a drab winter, accessorizing with bright colors only seem appropriate. But just in case there's still a chill in the air, it's nice to have a sweater handy.

Summer: This is the time to wear maxi dresses as is, with no extra layers. I felt the dress was too plain by itself, so adding statement jewelry solved that issue.

Fall: With the weather still fluctuating as summer transitions to fall, a light cardigan is easily removable for warmer days or worn for cooler nights.

Winter: Scarves and sweaters are essential cold weather accessories. Flats might not be the most appropriate footwear, but anything closed-toe that's half-hidden under the dress should do.

Stripe It Twice

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Today's post features the last warm weather outfit from the past few days. Shift dresses and I have a love/hate relationship. They're either figure skimming (but somehow accentuates the tummy area) or too loose, therefore resembling a potato sack. I took a chance on this dress (a size up from what I normally wear) because I loved the colors and stripes. I like the current length on me, so if I had went with my normal size, it probably would've been too short. The fit is looser on me than on the model, so for now I'll be cheating with a belt.

sunglasses: Old Navy (similar)
lips: Revlon ColorBurst in rosepearl 014 (sold here)
necklace: gift from aunt (similar)
dress: J.Crew Jules dress in stripe silk twill (may still be in stores)
belt: J.Crew (this season's sold here)
bracelets: Forever 21 swirled pearlescent bead cuff (similar);

Fall in Line

Friday, October 26, 2012

East Coasters, please stay safe this weekend. Have a good weekend, everyone!

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
necklaces: gift from aunt (similar); Forever 21 oval chain (sold here)
belt: H&M (similar)
ring: Forever 21 textured horse shoe (similar)
cuffs: Madewell tree-twig (sold here); Madewell nautical knot (similar)

One Last Time

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

On this summer-like day, I pulled out my linen pants for perhaps the last time this year. I copied AnnaLynne McCord's knotted blue shirt with white pants look, all the while daydreaming of a tropical vacation.

...and now snapping back to reality. Hope you had a great Wednesday!

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
lips: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in coral crush (sold here)
necklace: J.Crew (similar)
bracelets: Forever 21 swirled pearlescent bead cuff (similar); 
pants: LOFT Julie linen trousers (similar)
shoes: Old Navy faux-leather capri sandals (this season's sold here)

Salmon Colored

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Good riddance. It's late October and the weather was in the high 70s today, with the same forecast for tomorrow. I, for one, can not wait to enjoy it.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

sunglasses: Old Navy (similar)
necklace: gift from aunt (similar)
belt: J.Crew (similar)
cuffs: Madewell tree-twig (sold here); Madewell nautical knot (similar)
rings: Forever 21 braid & chain stack ring set (similar)
dress as skirt: Bensoni (similar)
shoes: Via Spiga Missy (similar)

Compare and Contrast

Monday, October 22, 2012

There are two styles I favor, tomboy or girly girl. Sometimes it'd be a mix, once in awhile it'd be neither and completely random, but most often you'll find me oscillating between the two. Regardless of the style du jour, the common denominator among my outfits is repetition. Wearing the same items over and over again? Have to get my money's worth. Repeating color schemes? If it looked good once, it'll look good again.

Below left is a tomboyish outfit in burgundy/blue/gray [details here]. Below right is a girlier version using some of the same pieces in the same general color scheme. The two outfits are different enough but still stays true to my style.

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
sweater: H&M (may still be in stores)
cuffs: Madewell tree-twig (sold here); Madewell nautical knot (similar)
bag: Marc Jacobs large Single - gift from aunt (sold here)

Wine Me

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Over the summer, I wore these bright pink pants with a pink top that's several shades lighter. I used the same concept for today's outfit, pairing light with dark while staying in the same general color family. I swapped out summer accessories for neutrals in brown and leopard (fast becoming one of my go-to favorites for fall).

necklace: J.Crew (similar)
sweater: H&M (may still be in stores)
ring: Forever 21 textured horse shoe (similar)
cuff: Forever 21 swirled pearlescent bead cuff (similar; similar)
pants: Ann Taylor Chelsea cropped (similar)
clutch: H&M (similar)
shoes: Jones New York Harlem (sold here)

Blogger Profile Q&A

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I'm the featured blogger over at SewPetiteGal's blog today, talking about my favorite topic: myself. Just kidding. Check it out here.

Seeing Red

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Of all colors, I think red is the most intimidating color to wear. There's just no way to blend in. I ventured into this color slowly, first with bright lipstick, next with a small cross-body, then a dark red sweater, and finally, the brightest of them all, a red blazer. That's it! The craving for red has been satisfied.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
scarf: American Eagle (similar)
blazer: H&M (may still be in stores)
necklace: Forever 21 oval chain (sold here)
top: Uniqlo heattech tee (sold in stores)
belt: J.Crew (similar)
cuffs: Madewell tree-twig (sold here); Madewell nautical knot (similar)
rings: Forever 21 braid & chain stack ring set (similar)
bag: H&M (similar)
shoes: Jones New York Harlem (sold here)

Checkered

Thursday, October 11, 2012

I saw this Banana Republic ad in my inbox and loved the model's dark red cowl sweater paired with a gray blazer. I kept the same color scheme, but added hints of blue and leopard to create a casual version of her business attire. Ideally I would've swapped my gray blazer for one in brown/taupe, complete with elbow patches. Time to add that to my wishlist perhaps?

Happy Thursday, everyone!

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
lips: Revlon Colorburst Lipcolor in soft nude 070 (sold here)
blazer: Express (this season's sold here)
sweater: H&M (may still be in stores)
belt: J.Crew (similar)
rings: Forever 21 braid & chain stack ring set (similar)
bag: Marc Jacobs large Single - gift from aunt (sold here)
shoes: Jones New York Harlem (sold here)

Cozy In a Maxi

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

I've been wearing my maxi dress in warmer weather, but wanted to see if I could transition the piece into something more suitable for the cold. I stuck to a growing favorite color combination of mine, navy and red, added a chunky scarf, then... got stuck on what shoes to wear. Black flats? Flip flops? Nude flats? Flat boots? I figured most of my foot would be hidden underneath the hem, so nude flats would blend in better with surroundings. Nope, of course the way I was standing made them the most visible. I think I should've went with plain old black flats. What are your thoughts on shoe pairings with maxis?

sunglasses: Old Navy (similar)
scarf: gift from SewPetiteGal (custom order from her Etsy shop)
rings: Forever 21 braid & chain stack ring set (similar)
sweater: H&M (may still be in stores)
belt: J.Crew (similar)
bag: H&M (similar)

Fall on My Mind

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Now that fall is in the air, I'm looking forward to... the heat being turned on at work, gaining an hour of sleep when daylight savings time ends, a new season of TV shows, and getting a haircut (doesn't really have anything to do with fall, just I'm long overdue). But most of all, watching the leaves change color is the best part about fall.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
necklace: crewcuts (similar)
top: Saint James Galathee tee (sold here)
cuff: Madewell tree-twig (sold here)
rings: Forever 21 braid & chain stack ring set (similar)
pants: Express Editor (this season's sold here)

Spots in Black & White

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

I'm not very adventurous when it comes to color pairings. There's the everything goes with black and white, or red/white/blue, or as of late, adding red accents to every outfit. I do hope that with time, I'll start to expand out of my comfort zone and not be so predictable.

Have a good Wednesday!

sunglasses: Old Navy (similar)
necklace: gift from aunt (similar)
sweater: H&M (may still be in stores)
dress as top: H&M (recent - sold in stores)
ring: Forever 21 pearlescent cluster (similar)
pants: Zara TRF cargo trousers (similar)
shoes: Mossimo Desta ballet flats (similar)

Black & Gray

Monday, October 01, 2012

Today's look is a departure from the norm. I own a pair of leggings, bought during my feeling-like-trying-new-things phase. It hasn't seen the outside of my closet much, so I figured it's time to remedy that before it gets too cold.

I think the root of my issues with leggings is that I never feel "covered up" enough. Is my bottom hanging out? Is the material too thin? But oh, are they comfortable. Paired with a long tee and the addition of a boyfriend blazer for that extra longer layer, I left the house without the usual leggings worries.

Happy Monday, everyone!

lips: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in coral crush (sold here
blazer: H&M boyfriend (similar)
necklace: Forever 21 (similar)
bracelets: Forever 21 swirled pearlescent bead cuff (similar; similar);
Forever 21 mixed bangles (this season's sold here)
top: Gap Pure longline tunic (sold here)
leggings: H&M
shoes: Mossimo Desta ballet flats (similar)

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