Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

Blazer, Bermuda Shorts, And Combat Boots

Last weekend, I had an amazing opportunity to partner with the St. Louis Boat & Sportshow. If you saw my cut-out swim trend post, you got a peek at the images I took for the Instagram end of that partnership. My other task was to chat about style with attendees who stopped by the Discover Boating Hub at the show. Today’s post shares a glimpse into that experience as well as the outfit I wore on day 2 of my presentations.

Bermuda shorts combat boots

What I’m wearing:

Blazer | Tank | Bermuda shorts (DIY)

Houndstooth tights | Combat boots (similar, option) | Earrings (similar) | Watch 

One of the things I love about style is the unlimited possibilities it offers to be creative. For my presentation, I chose a look that was part business with the blazer, part hip with denim Bermuda shorts, and part rebellious with the combat boots. The resulting look empowered me to present with confidence because I felt good.

Bermuda shorts Combat Boots

Location: St. Louis Boat & Sportshow

Bermuda shorts Combat Boots

Want to see more ways to style the must-ty Bermuda shorts trend this year? Get inspired here and here. Stay tuned to see the many ways I’ll be styling combat boots, another popular trend this year. I found my Stuart Weitzman pair for a steal at Saks Off 5th.

Cozy Up In Bright Colors This Cold Season

It’s easy to embrace neutrals when the temperature drops. I’ve been reaching for a lot of black, beige, and brown lately. This fall, though, I’ll also be reaching for bold, bright, cheerful colors. Fall brights are going to be a thing. Remember my sweater jacket in Burnished Rust (see it styled for work)? It works well as a pop of color in an outfit and a block of color in a bright ensemble too.

What I’m wearing:

Sweater jacket c/o | Top | Pants (similar) | Mules c/o

Bag (option, option, option) | Earrings (similar) | Necklace (similar, similar) | Anklet c/o

fall brights

To go all out, I paired my orange sweater jacket with bright pink pants (see the pants holding down a suit here). This color combo has been quite popular in fall runway collections, so I thought it’d be fun to recreate using items in my own wardrobe.

By the way, the sweater jacket is 50% off right now! It has an oversized fit, so I sized down to an XS. It also comes in 4 colors.

fall brights

To jazz up these fall brights even more, I dusted off my old Kate Spade brushstroke clutch. And, for shoes? I kept those neutral with my tan mules. These mules go with everything (see them in a plaid ensemble here).

Location: The Last Hotel, St. Louis

Make All Things Asymmetrical For Fall

From puffy sleeves to asymmetrical silhouettes, top trends this fall are celebrating exaggerated tailoring. I’m so here for it. I love pieces that are simple yet interesting because of structural details. No surprise, then, asymmetric tops are exciting all my style sensibilities. I found the perfect option, and I’m styling it today.

asymmetrical top

What I’m wearing:

Asymmetric top | Bermuda shorts (DIY’d this pair) | Sandals (sold out, new option)

Fendi Baguette (vintage) | Lip: Mac “Media”

Earrings c/o Diamonds Direct St. Louis (similar) | 14K gold anklet c/o

asymmetrical top

My asymmetrical top is from Zara. It has a long sleeve, gathered shoulders, and some ruching at the front. I’m wearing it in a size medium. I sized up at the recommendation of the site, but it’s so stretchy, I didn’t need to. I believe my usual size small would fit better.

In classic white, the top can be quite versatile. I wore it like this to brunch last Sunday. The look is a fashionable kind of casual with the denim shorts. I envision also wearing the top tucked into high-waisted pants, maybe a plush (faux) leather pair.

To add a pop of color, I added my red sandals from Zara (also see them styled here and here). I’ve been having the best luck finding shoes I love at Zara. This pair is sold out, but there are several new styles lurking in my shopping cart right now.

For more asymmetric top styling inspiration, go here.

Just Add A Belt To Elevate The Look

I have a few reliable styling tricks I can reach for when I need to step it up a bit. One of those is simply adding a belt to a look. I was wearing a white shorts suit during the day last week, and I needed to transition the look for a celebratory event at night. I threw on my Gucci web belt, and the rest is history.

gucci web belt

What I’m wearing:

Blazer (similar) | Tank | Shorts (similar) | Gucci belt | Sandals (similar, option)

It’s no secret. This Gucci belt is one of my favorites. You’ve seen it transform outfits here, here, and here. One of my favorite ways to wear it is over a blazer (kinda like this). This time around, though, I belted my shorts for a different styling option. The result was the same–it made the outfit better.

gucci web belt

To complete the look, I added some red sandals with round wooden heels. Aren’t you just loving the sculptural heels trend? My pair is from Zara (sorry, they sold out quickly during the summer sale). They remind of a few styles I’d been eying from Cult Gaia (see those sandals here).

Location: Mission Taco, Soulard, St. Louis

Find your fabulous belt:

How To Create A Faux Jumpsuit With Separates

I’ve been enjoying all the benefits of two piece outfits lately (see evidence here). I love how pulled together co-ords look. I’m also a huge fan of their versatility. As someone who loves to make a statement in a jumpsuit, I also appreciate that matching sets can create the look of a jumpsuit (the faux jumpsuit) without all the fuss of a jumpsuit.

To demonstrate, I’m pairing some white shorts with a top in the same color. Faux jumpsuit magic ensues.

faux jumpsuit

What I’m wearing:

Top (on sale) | Shorts | Sandals c/o | Bag (similar, similar, similar) | Sunglasses

faux jumpsuit

This was an outfit I wore on Memorial Day Weekend. What better way to celebrate the unofficial start to summer than in all white?

faux jumpsuit

Saw my post on fabulous, affordable shorts yesterday? This pair was featured in that round-up. These high-waist, paper bag style shorts are only $34.99. The construction and cotton/linen blend fabric make them look super expensive.

I knew immediately that I wanted the shorts and that I would wear them with a fitted top (tucked in). The top options were plentiful, from tube tops to off-the-shoulder tops. This criss cross neck top (now on sale) was a winner, though, because its color was a near perfect match for the shorts. And, the result? I get the look of a romper without the fuss of a romper.