Two Ways to Wear the J.Crew Factory Velvet Skinny Jean

From Phillip Lim to Diane von Furstenberg, several designers sent luxe-looking, velvet creations down the fall 2013 runways, signaling a revival of the velvet trend.

I’m excited, then, to partner with my blogger friend, Yasmin of Bangles and Bungalows, to share and style one of our favorite velvet finds—the navy J.Crew Factory Velvet Skinny Jean.  Move over basic denim and cords, these velvet skinnies are the must-have pants of the season.  These jeans are as plush as they are comfortable, boasting J.Crew Factory’s newest rise, the midrise waist.

In today’s post, we’re demonstrating how incredibly versatile these jeans are.  Yasmin is sporting a cozy chic styling of the velvet skinny jean while I jazz mine up for a holiday party.  Be sure to swing by Bangles and Bungalows for details on Yasmin’s chic look.

Two Ways to Wear JCrew Factory Velvet Skinny Jean collage

To get holiday-party ready, I paired my velvet skinny jeans with a sequin top.  Tis the season for sequins, right?  This top, by the way, was a thrifted French Connection dress that I refashioned.  A white tuxedo blazer stands out against the blues while adding a polished touch to the party look.  

JCrew Factory Velvet Skinny Pants 1c
Sizing?  The pants fit true-to-size.  I’m wearing my usual size 28.

JCrew Factory Velvet Skinny Pants, forever 21 crepe woven blazer 1

JCrew Factory Velvet Skinny Pants 2c

Pants—J.Crew Factory
Top—c/o Savers | similar, similar
Jacket—Forever 21 | similar
Shoes—c/o Luichiny
Earrings—Kate Spade | similarsimilar
Bracelet—J.Crew | similar
Watch—Michael Kors | similar
Lip—Mac “Heroine”| optionMac “Currant” lip pencil

*Exclusive Discount:  From November 19 to 24, mention “Economy of Style” at the J.Crew Factory Store at Taubman Prestige Outlets to receive an additional 15% off your purchase or an additional 20% off when you spend $125 or more.

Coupled with the current in-store promotion of 40% off everything, this exclusive discount is a sweet deal!  Happy shopping!

Inexpensive Summer Shirt Purchases Suitable for Fall

Although it doesn’t quite feel like it, we are fast approaching the end of the summer, which means that fall fashion everywhere, from the magazines to the stores.  Today’s Looking Back, Looking Forward, then, spotlights a key summer item that’ll be useful during the fall as well—summer camp shirts.

You’ve seen me wear a yellow plaid camp shirt by Old Navy several times this summer (see Looking Back, Looking Forward, Road Trip Style, and Layering Light).  Well, I have plans to sport this shirt throughout the fall.  See how easy this shirt becomes fall-ready in the image below.

Left:  See Layering Light

Right: Shirt—ON, Sweater—ON, Trousers—c/o jcpenney, Shoes—Michael Kors

Below are close-ups of two Old Navy camp shirts I purchased this summer.  They both retailed for $24.94 each, but I got them for less by combining store promotions with Viggle gift cards.  As seen above (using the yellow top), these shirts will be perfect for layering under sweaters this fall.

Didn’t catch these shirts in Old Navy this summer?  Check out these newer styles available in stores now.


Old Navy

Longsleeve Tops

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Fashion Thesaurus: One Shirt, Three Looks

When it’s nice, sometimes you’ve gotta do it twice.

I’m talking about purchasing a second Dalia Collection button-down shirt.  I first purchased a pink one in TJ Maxx and it has been such a crucial building block for many of my spring looks (see Pink & Red and Eye Spy Eyelet).  So, when I spotted its aqua twin in Marshalls, also for $14.99, I bought it.

Today’s Fashion Thesaurus assesses the real value of this second Dalia Collection shirt.  Is it just another top or will it expand my wardrobe styling possibilities?  Let’s find out.

Casual:

Shirt—Dalia Collection via Marshalls (similar, similaralternative)
Skirt—J.Crew city mini
Camisole—The Limited
Shoes—BCBG Paris via DSW (similar)
Earrings—Kendra Scott Danielle
Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton via Macy’s
Watch—Two-tone MK watch (similar)

Office:

Shirt—Dalia Collection via Marshalls (similarsimilaralternative)
Dress—Kay Unger New York via Marshalls
Shoes—Jessica Simpson via Marshalls (similar, similar)
Pearls—Overstock
Bag—Marina Rinaldi via family
Watch—Two-tone MK watch (similar)

Night Out:

Shirt—Dalia Collection via Marshalls (similarsimilaralternative)
Skirt—c/o Loft (similar)
Shoes—Max Studio via Marshalls (similar, alternative)
Bag—Vintage via Rag-O-Rama (similar)
Watch—Two-tone MK watch (similar)

Review: Six Ways of Styling a Fresh Produce Skirt

I was recently invited to review an item from Fresh Produce, a lifestyle brand of clothing for women and children most known for its vibrant color, comfort, and durability.  When I saw the line’s spring clothing collection, I was immediately drawn to the Forget-Me-Not skirt.  

The Forget-Me-Not skirt is a double-lined, cotton voile skirt with pockets!  Who doesn’t love pockets?  It comes in several perfect-for-spring colors and retails for $59.  I chose the color, cool breeze, a very soft blue because a cool breeze is just the color my wardrobe needed.

Fresh Produce is known for its travel skirts.  When I travel this summer, I’ll surely be packing my Fresh Produce skirt because it’s so versatile!

How versatile is the Fresh Produce Forget-Me-Not skirt?

1.  Forget-Me-Not skirt in the city:

Top—Loft, Belt—BR Factory Store, Shoes—Tahari via Nordstrom
Clutch—Vintage via Rag-O-Rama

2.  Forget-Me-Not skirt at the office

Shirt—Dalia Collection via TJ Maxx, Belt—Marshalls
Shoes—Tahari,  Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton tote

3.  Brunch date in the Forget-Me-Not skirt 

Top—Loft, Belt—J.Crew, Bag—Missoni for Target,
Sandals—Kanna via Marshalls

4.  Movie date in Forget-Me-Not skirt

Top—Loft, Belt—Gap Outlet, Clutch—Aldo,
Shoes—Kanna via Marshalls,
Necklace—Amrita Singh Heidi necklace

5.  Country chic in the Forget-Me-Not skirt

Shirt—Old Navy, Belt—Uniqlo
Bag—Linea Pelle, Loafers—LAUREN Ralph Lauren via Macy’s

6.  Beach bound in the Forget-Me-Not skirt

Swimsuit—Jantzen via Marshalls,
Sandals—Michael Kors via Marshalls

No matter what your summer wardrobe needs are, I think a Fresh Produce skirt can meet them.  Tis the season of the skirt, and the Forget-Me-Not skirt, in its fresh colors and flattering silhouette, will certainly be unforgettable.

Forget-Me-Not skirt in cool breeze.
Available in 14 colors.
Photo credit

Disclosure:  I received the Fresh Produce skirt free of charge for review purposes.  No monetary compensation was received for writing this post.  As always, all the ideas and opinions expressed are my own.

Fashion Thesaurus: Five Ways of Styling a Tunic

I was instantly attracted to the Gap pintucked print dress when I saw it in-store.  It has three-quarter blouson sleeves, a banded round neckline, a button-down henley placket, and an allover chevron style print.

When I spotted the dress, I immediately started visualizing outfit possibilities.  It looks good on its own, but with minor styling, the dress easily transforms into the perfect look for many summer occasions.  This dress, then, is the center of today’s Fashion Thesaurus.

1.  Outdoor festival or summer by the sea


Hat—Walmart (similar), Belt—The Limited (similar)
Sandals—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls,
Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via eBay,
Earrings—Kendra Scott “Nyla”,
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx
Sunglasses—Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom Rack



2.  Stylish summer at the office


Cardigan—Old Navy, Scarf—The Limited, Belt—Talbots Outlet,
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx,
Earrings—Kendra Scott ‘Danielle’,
Bag—Philip Lawrence via Imperfect Concepts,
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx

3.  Movie night

Jeans—Elle via Kohls, Scarf—Marshalls, Belt—Marshalls,
Clutch—Aldo, Shoes—Max Studio via Marshalls,
Earrings—Kendra Scott ‘Danielle’,
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx



4.  Casual Friday



Scarf—The Limited, Belt—Banana Republic Factory Store,
Shoes—Coach via Marshalls, Earrings—Kendra Scott “Nyla”,
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx



5.  Running errands (wear the dress as is)



Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom (similar),
Shoes—Kanna via Marshalls, Earrings—Kendra Scott ‘Danielle’,
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx

This Gap pintucked print dress also comes in orange.  Both colors are currently sold out online, but are still available in-store.

Gap Dresses

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