Looking Back Looking Forward Archives

economyofstyle June 25, 2014

Red, White, and Blue

Remember the Jason Wu for Target collaboration? That designer collab remains one of my favorites to ever hit Target stores. For some reason, though, I put my navy poplin dress by Jason Wu in a donation pile after a recent closet cleanse. What was I thinking? Luckily, I saw the dress sitting on the top of my donation pile, tried it on, and fell in love with it again.

I probably decided to give away the dress because I thought I had exhausted its styling possibilities. A white beaded necklace and geometric print pumps, though, bring new life to this red, white, and blue dress.

Dress—Jason Wu for Target

Shoes—Joe’s Jeans (on sale)

Bag—Michael Kors | similar

Earrings—Kate Spade (on sale)

Necklace—J.Crew

Watch—Michael Kors | similar

Sunglasses—Kate Spade

Lip—Mac ‘Red Balloon’ lipstick, Mac “Beet” lip pencil

economyofstyle July 24, 2013

Stripes on Sale

I implemented a soft ban on purchasing new stripes this spring and summer. You probably didn’t notice since I bought lots of stripes this spring and summer. Ha. I’m convinced, though, that I would’ve puchased even more in the absence of the ban.

Anyway, I’ve been eying the Anthropologie striped day dress since it first appeared online. Stripes meet my favorite silhouette. I tried the dress on a couple months ago, but my size was already sold out in store and online. When I discovered recently that the dress had been marked down to $49.95 (originally priced at $78), though, I launched a nationwide search for my size again. Luckily, I located the dress in a store in Jersey, called the store, and placed an order with free shipping and no taxes.

Side door to Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis’s Grand Center arts district.

Dress—Anthropologie
Clutch—Aldo
Shoes—DV by Dolce Vita via Gilt (run a 1/2 size small)
Earrings—Kate Spade via TJ Maxx | similar, similar
Necklace—Vince Camuto via TJ Maxx | similar, similar
Watch—Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack
Bracelets—Vince Camuto, Stella & Dot
Sunglasses—DVF via Marshalls | similar

I’m linking with Mix and Match Fashion for the Summer Style challenge this week.

economyofstyle July 3, 2013

The Little White Dress

The July issue of Instyle magazine calls white the “(non) color of the moment.” That comes as no surprise because summer styles always look great in white. So, little black dress, move over. This summer, the little white dress (LWD) is taking all the shine.

Today’s post features a makeshift LWD. The look actually comprises a tank paired with a full skirt. Summer whites provide the perfect canvas for styling. In this outfit, I infused blues, greens, and lots of gold to add interest.

How will you be sporting this (non) color of the moment?

Have a happy 4th of July!

Photographs by PetalSnap

economyofstyle April 17, 2013

A Modern Print for the Office

Sheath dress were signature items in my work wardrobe for several years. I’ve been shifting away from that look, though, and started donating many of my basic sheath dresses to Rung boutique, a local resale shop that sells affordable work clothing in support of the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis.

I’ve kept a basic black sheath for meetings and a few others with interesting details. The sheath featured today was definitely a keeper because of its modern print. The dress was a clearance buy from Ann Taylor back in 2011.

I’m linking with Mix and Match Fashion for the What I Wore to Work challenge.

Mod print on Ann Taylor muse print dress

I couldn’t find the right shoes, so I went with leopard 🙂

Dress—Ann Taylor | option, option
Cardigan—Zara | similar
Bag—Michael Kors
Shoes—Ivanka Trump
Watch—Michael Kors via TJ Maxx | similar
Bracelets—Amrita Singh via Beyond the Rack & J.Crew

economyofstyle March 27, 2013

Saint Louis Fashion Week: London Times

Several years ago when I started building my work wardrobe for teaching days, I quickly accumulated several London Times sheaths (see a couple in The Fabulous Sheath and Sheath by London Times). London Times sheaths are stylish, professional, and affordable. After wearing them frequently for years, I discovered that they’re durable too.

During Saint Louis Fashion Week, I was gifted a London Times dress of my choice. A colorblock pintuck sheath immediately stood out to me from the retailer’s current selections. The dress is fresh and modern with details like textured fabric and an exposed back zipper. Did I also mention that it’s a beautiful combination of soft white, turquoise, and black?

The combination of a stretch fabric and black side details
make this dress quite curve friendly and flattering.

Colorblock panels and textured detail.

These handcut fabric earrings by Domestic Vixen perfectly complement this look.

Dress—c/o London Times
Cardigan—J.Crew
Tights—H&M | similar
Boots—b.o.c. Born Concepts via DSW | similar b.o.c. boot
Sunglasses—Cole Haan via TJ Maxx | similar
Watch—Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack
Earrings—c/o Domestic Vixen

Disclosure: London Times provided the dress free of charge in support of the VIP blogger getaway during Saint Louis Fashion Week (STLFW). Domestic Vixen provided the earrings for free for STLFW bloggers as well. No monetary compensation was received for writing this post. As always, all the ideas and opinions expressed are my own.

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