Jacket + Shorts

Blazers & jackets are my thing.  I maybe own 2 cardigans as I prefer the structure and sophistication of a jacket.    The construction of a blazer/jacket provides shape on the body and is more durable for many years of wear.  Jackets also give a more polished look to any outfit.

Blazers/jackets have come a long way over the years and I'm loving all the fun details in the modern designs with unique fabrics, prints, asymmetric hems, and zippers.  The zippered mid-closure and functional cuff zippers bring a hint of edgy to this jacket.

It can be hard to think of putting a jacket on in this summer heat so opt for a light shades and fabrics in linen/cotton as well as for your foundation pieces.

Pairing a jacket with shorts is a chic way to be casual and cool. The geometric print on this jacket is trending but also interesting because when your really take a close look, the woven pattern is tiny little hearts!  Since I rarely wear black, blues are my go-to neutrals.  This jacket's color palette is primarily ivory and blue but with hints of black threads throughout and on the zippers you can carry it through all seasons.

Jacket: J Crew Factory || Silk Tank: J Crew || Shorts: J Crew Similar & Here || 

Pumps: Nine West || Pearl Necklace: Kate Spade || 

Dress Beautifully Pairing a Jacket with Shorts

XOXO Sarah Louise

Soft Neutrals

This Jacket!!  It Encompasses my Favorite Color Palette - Shades of Light Neutrals (If You Know Me or Follow this Blog then You know my Love of White/Ivory)

This Jacket is a Moto Design with Lots of Texture in Boucle Fabric.  This Boucle is a Mix of Intertwined Colors - Gray, Ivory, Tan, Bronze and Gold.

Gold is Another Big Love of Mine - I once had a Gal Pal say to me in all Sincerity "You'd Paint Yourself Gold if You Could" - There is a Hint of Truth in the Laughter that Followed :)

Usually Before I Hit the Storefront , I Pre-Shop Online.  I Get a Feel for What's New & On Sale.  Often the Store is so Full of Pieces it can be a Challenge to Sift Through it All, Especially if You are in a Hurry or With Company.  You can also Overlook a Must Have -

 'Nothing Haunts Us Like the Things We Didn't Buy'  

This Jacket However Didn't Catch my Eye Online, but in Store My Eyes Got Wide, my Jaw Dropped and I Snatched it Off the Rack.

Those Gold Zippers are Shiny!  The Bronze of the Boucle Fabric Shimmers! The Soft Woven Fabric is Warm! The Sleeves are Bracelet Length - Perfect for Showcasing Shirt Cuffs & Bracelets!

I Knew it was Coming Home. (Especially at a Special Sale of 40% Off) Before I Take Items to the Register, Usually when Still in the Dressing Room When I've Decided I Love a Garment, I Think of Where, How and Frequency I will Wear it.

For this Jacket the Answers Came Easy:

Where: Office, Weekend, Church, Date/Evening - Everywhere!

How: Trousers, Sheath & A-Line Dresses (Avoid Shift - Too Boxy), Jeans & Coated Pants, Leather Skirt ... Color Pairings: Burgundy, Navy, Ivory, Black, Red, Purple - ALL Colors (I'd Avoid Gray - Too Monochromatic and would Mask the Pops in the Jacket)

Frequency:  It's Apparent that I can Pair this Jacket with a Plethora of Pieces & Colors so it's Going to Make a Regular Appearance.

I Styled this Piece for the Office in Pairing with Ivory and Nude Creating a Soft & Shiny Neutral Palette. Since it's Fall I Opted for Booties Over Pumps and Rolled my Trouser Cuffs. 

Tip: When Wearing Booties You Want to See a Break Between the Pant & Shoe - Rolling the Cuff to Show a Sliver of Skin is Key.

This Weekend I Plan to Pair with a Basic White or Black Tee, Jeans & Flats.  For Evening, I'll Swap Out the Jeans for Coated Black Skinnies and Heeled Booties.  

Bonus:  This Jacket is Offered with a Matching Skirt. 

Boucle Moto Jacket: Ann Taylor || Ivory Trousers: Old Similar || 

Nude Cami: Similar || Booties: Louise Et Cie || Mrs Necklace: Kate Spade ||

Earrings: Kate Spade Similar || Ring: Similar || Sunglasses: Target || Polish: Fingers & Toes || 

Dress Beautifully in Soft Neutrals

XOXO Sarah Louise

Cape Trench Coat

This Thursday it's Scandal Style!  #TGIT Means it's TV Night with Grey's, Scandal & Project Runway (My Sewing Inspiration).

I've Always had an OP (Olivia Pope) Style so it was Validating to See my Fashion Favs on Screen.  So Imagine my Excitement when The Limited launched their Scandal Line!  I Immediately Called my Local Store and had a Sales Associate Hold Pieces for Me.

I Tried on Almost Every Piece in the Collection and Loved it All.  Construction is of Great Quality and Sure to Bring Confidence with Each Wear.  Since I Can't have it All, I Narrowed it Down to the 'Must-Haves'.  Some are being Put Away for Christmas (Torture!) and I'm Hitting the Streets with a Couple Pieces ASAP.

Here are my Try-Ons (I Opted Out of the Pink Coat, Waiting til Christmas for the Cape, Gloves, the Dress in Green (not pictured) and Blouse, and Will Dish on this Amazing Long Cardigan Next Week!)

Shop my Must-Have Picks: 

Pink Coat || Grey Cape || Gloves || Blouse || Trousers || Long Cardigan || Tulip Dress (Not Pictured) 

This Jacket wasn't in the Store but it was my at the Top of my 'Must-Have' List so I Ordered it and Have been Stalking my Mailman All Week.

It's a Cape Trench Coat in Ivory. What a Unique Piece!  I haven't seen Anything like it.  I Love that it's Ivory (My Favorite Color to Wear), that the Cape Sleeves are Short (Allowing for Movement), and that it's Belted (Creating a Great Shape against the Voluminous Sleeves).

I've Paired it with Flare Legged Trousers for a Business Look, but Plan to Also Top Sheath Dresses, Pencil Skirts, Skinny Pants and Even Jeans for a Causal Look.  I Even have Plans to Change Out the Belt! 

Cape Trench Coat: The Limited || Trousers: old Similar || Handbag: Prada ||

Dress Beautifully in a Scandal Style Cape Trench Coat 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Scallops & Stripes

Stripes have been the #1 Print Trend the Past Few Seasons and They are Still Strong on the Scene.

Stripes have Clean Lines adding Sharpness to a Look.  They can also Give a Nautical Feel for Spring/Summer.

Scalloped Hemlines are Popping Up in Dresses, Skirts, Shorts and Jackets. 
To Me, a Scalloped Hem is Feminine and Softer on a Gal's Curvy Body.  

This Jacket Incorporates Several Details that Made it a Must Have:

• Large Bold Stripes
• Scalloped Center Trim
• Industrial Zipper
• Medialian Embossed Texture
• Classic Collarless Silhouette 

I Paired it with a Bright Pink Dress to Contrast the Black & White... I'd Love to Pair it With Floral for Some Print Mixing
For a More Casual Look, Pair with a Tee and Jeans.

Scalloped Parisian Jacket on Sale Banana Republic Pink Sheath Dress J Crew Similar

Earrings Kate Spade Handbag Prada Black Pumps Nine West

Scallop Trimmed Dresses at J Crew & Factory

Scallop Trimmed Shorts, Skirts & Dresses at Lilly Pulitzer

Trim Your Look in Scallops!

XOXO Sarah Louise