Shades of Grey

These Shades of Grey are Far more Conservative than the Popular Book - which Probably Came to Mind.  

A Monochromatic Look is Refreshing, Sharp and Clean.  

And there's nothing Dull and Gloomy about the Color Grey.  I find Grey to be Cool and Crisp. 

These Gold Zippers on this Moto Jacket Do Add a Pop of Shine and Since it's Made of Thick Wool it Wears as a Part of Your Look or as Outerwear. 

I prefer a Charcoal Grey Over Black in this Sheath Dress.  It's Softer and Grey Fabrics Tends to have Texture to them. 

I Paired these Grey Hues with a Black Heeled Mule but a Nude or Navy Pump would also be Great and Still Keeping in the Neutral Palette. 

Jacket: Ann Taylor || Charcoal Dress: Similar || Mules: Nine West || 

Sunglasses: Ray Ban || Earrings: Honora || Polish: Butter London || 

Dress Beautifully in Shades of Grey 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Box Top

Boxy Tops have been a Huge Trend this Year.  To me they are reminiscent of the mod era of the 1960's. The trick to styling is keeping your waist defined.

Skinny Pants, Pencil Skirts or Wearing a Crop Style with a High Waisted Skirt/Pant are Key. 

Where Your Boxy Top Hem Hits Your Frame, the Pair Piece Should Be Fitted.

I used to resist tops that were not fitted because I wanted to showcase my petite upper body and felt that paired with my larger lower half a loose top would make me appear bigger than I am. However, the extreme contrast can sometimes accentuate the proportion difference.  

Choose a Boxy Top that is fitted on your shoulders and chest and one that is made of stiff fabric to prevent too much volume and slouchiness. Again, keep your bottom pairing piece fitted to show shape. 

I Love this Top in a Faux Leather Front Fabric and the Back in a Knit (allows for comfortable movement).  I also have a love of the light colors so the Dove Grey adds softness to the Leather Texture.  I paired it with a flippy mini skirt in a poppy red color (it is Holiday time and nothing screams Christmas like the color red).  The Skirt works because it's a flat front with a subtle flip at the hem.  It's also a shorter length so you're not drowning in fabric.  

For a casual look I plan to style this leather grey boxy top with skinny jeans and layered with a crisp white shirt underneath. 

Leather Boxy Top: Loft || Flippy Skirt: J Crew Similar || Grey Booties: J Crew || 

Dress Beautifully in a Boxy Top

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Leather & Lace

I Love to Create my Looks with Contrast.  

Whether it's Texture, Color or Style (Feminine, Edgy, Casual, Fancy) Combining Opposites is a Great Way to Mix it Up.

It Gives Unexpected Interest and Makes for Versatility and Countless Outfits.

It Doesn't get More Contrasting than Leather & Lace.  The Ultra Delicate Feminine vs Rough Durable & Edgy.

The Colors also Contrast but Remain in the Same Tone.  Blush and Burgundy are both in the 'Red' Family but on Opposite Ends of the Spectrum of Light & Dark. 

This Skirt I've had for Years.  Found it in one of my Favorite Thrift Shops and all it needed was a Little Alteration.  I call it 'Treasure Hunting' when I go out Searching Consignment and Thrift Shops for Gems!  And I've Found Some of my Most Favorite & Unique Pieces! 

Blush Lace Blouse: Loft || Leather Skirt: Thrifted Similar & Here || Pumps: Nine West ||

Nude Cami: Similar || Polish: Essie ||

Dress Beautifully in Leather & Lace

XOXO Sarah Louise

Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits are everywhere and everything! This beautiful union of pant and shirt has the one-piece convenience of dress but with the added comfort of a pair of trousers. 

The jumpsuit definitely added sparks to my Love of 70's fashion.

Something about the Chic long lines and the not-so-everyday wearability makes it a unique statement.  

I find that the things I love aren't always the most common, but it's embracing them that has helped develop my style.  (broaches, silk scarves, gold, white, fur collars, and vintage anything, makes me excited to get dressed) 

Jumpsuits are great for parties and this Holiday season a must! 

This jumpsuit in classic black has ladylike lace sleeves, a cinched waist and open back giving you a modern and unexpected look sure to be admired.

Maybe you’re going for comfort or trying to be a little daring with a new trend. Maybe you just need to satisfy your inner Astronaut/Nascar driver/Elvis impersonator/(insert other awesome profession that requires jumpsuits).  Whatever your reason, Jump in!!

Jumpsuit: Loft || Slingback Pumps: Similar || Earrings: Kate Spade Similar ||

More Jumpsuits: Here Here & Here || 

Dress Beautifully in a Jumpsuit

XOXO Sarah Louise

Wrapped

Last month when I was home visiting my Mamma, the temps dropped unexpectedly and naturally I didn't pack a coat.  It was early November in the South who would have thought?!

Normally I would just borrow from my littlest sissy's closet but as hard as it is to believe she's grown up to be 20!! and isn't at home anymore ... so it was straight to my Mamma's Closet.  We are both petite little red heads but her coats were just a tad too long for my taste. 

And then I remembered this oversized scarf I gifted her a couple of years ago.  It's a warm caramel color made of cashmere and oh so warm.  It's like being wrapped in a blanket.  
What I did pack was my favorite vintage belt and my go to crisp white shirt.  Paired with jeans, I was styled and read to step out into the cold.

I wrapped the oversized scarf around and secured it with my belt.  It was the perfect touch, adding warmth, shine and creating shape.

I felt so classy wearing my Mamma's scarf ... I mean she is the muse behind my classic style!!

Add some warmth without the coat with an oversized scarf turned caplet with an added belt. 

Oversized Scarf: Ralph Lauren Similar & Here & Here || Dress: Ann Taylor ||

Crisp White Shirt: Brooks Brothers ||  Belt: Vintage Similar || 

Pumps: Nine West || Handbag: Prada || 

Dress Beautifully Wrapped in an Oversized Scarf 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Cozy + Fancy

'Tis the Season for Holiday Parties where you can get All Gussied up in Satin & Sparkles.

'Tis the Season to also Cozy Up in Soft and Comfy Plaids.

So Naturally Combine the Two!

Mixing Prints, Textures and Styles is Totally ok! 

My Mamma would Disagree and Often Calls me when I've posted a Look that 'Breaks' the Traditional Rules but She Quickly reassures me by Telling me that she see people doing it all the time on Pinterest.  Bless her Heart! 

Holiday Style is all about the Shine!  Satins, Sequins, & Metallics all add Fancy Touches to a Look.  For a more Modern Twist try Softening those Snazzy Pieces with a Touch of Causal, like a Flannel Plaid Button Up.  It's still Party Perfect but more Comfortable.

Emerald Green is my Color, well it's Every Red Head's Color but Seriously who doesn't Love Jewel Tones?!!

Confession: I'd Wear these Gold Pumps Everyday if I Could!

Plaid Shirt: J Crew now at Factory || Satin Skirt: Talbots (old) Similar || 

Gold Pumps: Nine West ||  Calf Hair Leopard Clutch: Similar & Here || Polish: Essie || 

Dress Beautifully Mixing Cozy & Fancy

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fair Isle

I'm Totally Feeling Fair Isle this Season.  It's Pretty, Preppy and Keeps You Warm.

This One Caught my Eye because not Only is it Ivory (Fav Color) but it has Subtle Embellishment with Scattered Beading throughout the Pattern. It's Neutral so it would be Beautiful with Colored Skinnies or Skirts.

I Paired it with Black Jeans to Stick with a Neutral Palette and Pull Out the Touches of Black in the Pattern along with a Pair of Grey Suede Low Heeled Booties for a Comfy Look.

Tip: If you are like me and have OCD tendencies, black jeans are totally not the best for this sweater! I had fuzzy lent all over my legs that drove me Crazy!  I'll be pairing with regular blue jeans and wool pencil skirts/pants for the future! ...  I went through lots of layers of sticky tape from my lint roller!

Fair Isle Sweater: Loft || Black Skinny Jeans: Loft || 

Grey Suede Booties: Sam Edelman ||

More Fair Isle Sweaters Here Here & Here 

Dress Beautifully in Fair Isle

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Tartan

Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors - Otherwise known as Plaid.  Traditionally 'Tartan' Plaid consists of navy, dark green and a signature woven red.

For the Scottish, Tartan plaid is worn all year long in their kilts. For me, and I'm going to assume most americans, I associate tartan plaid with the Winter months as it's typically constructed in wool fabrics.  I particularly love to incorporate Tartan plaid at Christmas time.

I found these festive pants a couple of years ago and loved their straight leg design. 

I styled this look encompassing all the basic elements: color, pattern, texture & shine.

Who doesn't love to add (faux) leather and gold in their outfits??!! 

Ot

Faux Leather Top: Loft || Tartan Pants: J Crew (old) Similar & Here & Here || 

Gold Pumps: Nine West Love These & this pair of Flats || 

Dress Beautifully in Tartan Plaid

XOXO Sarah Louise

Camel & Pinot

Let's Go Outside the 'Neutral' Box.  
Not to Confuse You but Branching Outside the World of Black, White, Grey, Brown, and Navy Opens a Door to Fresh Style Options. 

The Key for a Color to Behave as a Neutral is it's Soft Hue - Nothing too Bright and it Falls in the Shade Spectrum of a Common Neutral.  For Example, Light Blue is a Lighter Shade of Navy, Camel is a Lighter Shade of Brown etc....  Pairing these Lighter Shades with a Darker Hue will Ground Your Color Palette like this Burgundy Sheath Dress.

I Styled this Look Outside the 'Neutral' Box. I added a Pop of Bright with a Royal Blue Pump, a Play off of the Light Blue Button Down. 

Tip: Sheath Dresses can be Utilized in the Colder Months by Simply Layering them with Dress Shirts & Blouses Underneath and /or Blazers and Cardigans Over Top.

Camel Blazer: J Crew Now at Factory Similar in a One Button Style || 

Burgundy Sheath Dress: Similar || Light Blue Dress Shirt: Brooks Brothers || 

Blue D'Orsay Pumps: Nine West Similar || Tassel Necklace: TJ Maxx Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in Camel & Pinot

XOXO Sarah Louise