How many ways can one really accessorize a black sweater and a leopard skirt? Apparently 3 and counting (see prior looks: one, two)! I know, I really need to venture out of this combo. Every time I think about doing so, I'm reminded that classics are classics for a reason.

Instead I decided to have some fun with the faux fur scarf, beauty pageant style.

On second thought, I'm better off leaving that for the beauty queens.

Skinny jeans will always be a staple in my wardrobe. However, for this spring season, I'm all about thinner, drapey materials in varying styles. Wide legged, ankle lengths, and cropped versions are just a few examples that I've already tried, currently trying, and excited to try. As temperatures rise, so do hemlines.

A neutral outfit doesn't have to be boring. I love mixing in textures (calf hair pumps), prints (when in doubt, leopard), varying metals (see closeup shot of jewelry below), proportions (short trench, longer peplum top), and finally, a subtle pop of color that is bottle green. There are so many details to draw the eye, but yet, the overall effect is quite cohesive.

Today's outfit -- backpack and all, has been an appropriate reflection of my work life as of late. Long hours (for me), working on multiple projects, fixing production issues, etc. I've been quite the studious worker bee lately, if I do say so myself. I see light at the end of the tunnel though, so here's to getting through the remainder of this week relatively unscathed!

When I saw the forecast calling for spring temperatures this week, I knew I wanted to wear these pleated wide-leg cropped pants (the rest of the outfit TBD until the night before). The months-long wait was worth it! Unfortunately BR released the pants over the winter, so they are now sold out. Fingers crossed they will re-release in other colors.

The pants move like a dream. I was literally sashay-ing down the long hallway at work (just like the second photo below) when a coworker approaching from the other end stopped to say how she loved the movement and look of the pleated fabric. I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly agreed.

The pants aren't a perfect fit on me though. I hacked together this look by creating a paperbag effect with a belt to tighten the waist by a couple of inches -- all done without belt loops! I'm still undecided on whether I should ask my tailor to shorten the hem by one inch and also add in belt loops? Or simply add belt loops only? I keep waffling between the two depending on my mood. Feel free to leave me a comment if you have thoughts.

Today's outfit is a contradiction. The weather was freezing, hence the reason I'm wearing an oversized down parka (and gloves to boot). But what's with the bare ankles?! There's no logical explanation other than fashion over function.

Today's one of those days where the top priority was to be comfortable first and foremost, then way behind was not looking too schlubby. I had a couple yikes moments as I added on the layers. Beige scarf with a camel coat? Navy purse with black jeans? Ehh... schlub test passed. This will have to do. Out the door I went.

My initial reaction upon seeing myself in the mirror was, "Whoa, I look frumpier than what I had envisioned." (It's the pants! So used to wearing skinny jeans that trousers + flats throw me off)

But now after seeing the photos? I'm amending my earlier word choice to conservative. There's a time and place for looking prim and proper -- presentations, interviews, and endless meetings. Needless to say, this outfit won't make it into my regular rotation, but will definitely be pulled out when the occasion calls for me to be presentable.

What's your one piece of clothing that instantly elevates an outfit from drab to chic? For me, hands down, is a leather jacket. Leather jackets have that way of upping the coolness factor for an outfit (do I sound like a dork right now?) and it works in almost every situation. When I'm unsure of an outfit -- too sloppy? too matronly-looking? too anything, I grab a leather jacket of choice, and voila, I'm ready to head out the door.

When it comes to wearing statement pieces, I typically alternate between two options: 1) with head-to-toe neutrals, 2) go matchy-matchy on the colors. For today's outfit, I went with the latter to center around these eye-catching preppy silk tie print loafers. I didn't think they were that much of a departure from my norm (or maybe I'm known as the "shoe girl" at work?), but caught multiple co-workers staring and fielded a couple conversational starter-type comments. I'm thinking there is only one way to tell -- an experiment by pitting the loafers against a bold-colored outfit. One has to win out, right?

I've now worn this pink dress + pink jacket combo for the third time this season on this blog (see previous two outfits here) -- and even more often in real life! When an outfit works, why mess with a good thing? As always, I switched up the accessories for a different look. Today's features two companions, piglets named Rosa and Scarlett drawn by the talented Catherine Rayner in a collaboration with Strathberry for Chinese New Year. Absolutely. Adorable. When not in use, I display the purse like a piece of art -- it's the first thing I see when I walk into my closet. For those who celebrate, Happy New Year!

I re-discovered this plaid jacket a few weeks back when I moved into the new closet. It had been hidden in a garment bag for... years?! months!? Sad to say, it was one of those out of sight, out of mind situations. I think one of the reasons this jacket slips the mind is because of the pattern. Solid colors are so much easier to mix and match with outfits, whereas patterned items often end up needing to be the statement piece.

See past outfits with this jacket: 1) with a fur stole, 2) with a chambray shirt, 3) with ankle boots, 4) pattern mixing, and 5) soft pastels (my favorite of them all!)

Just like how sports writers make bold predictions before an upcoming season (or even the playoffs), I'd like to make one myself as we're starting 2019. Today's outfit will be my favorite of the year. There's so much to this look that I love -- from the soft faux fur to the silhouette to the color palette... this entire look defines my style down to a T.