Ribbons & Lace

Lace used to be for those special dress up occasions.  Today, you can find lace in all types of garments. It adds texture, detail and lots of femininity!

While lace hasn't lost any of its fanciness, you can tone it down with simple styling.
This dress has casual elements with its piped collar and pockets.

I styled this black lace dress with layers, because it's finally getting cold down here in the South.  With added coverage it creates a more modest look that is appropriate for day/office.  I kept it extra classy with pearls and a patent clutch.

Note: I went up a size.  I wanted to be able to layer easily and I find that shift dresses really shorten with sitting. Since that's a necessary aspect of life a little more room & length is a good thing. Pay attention to the arm holes when sizing up, often they become too big and it is NOT classy to expose undergarments!

To take it to the weekend, try brown boots/booties and a denim jacket.  I believe that shoes and a jacket have big power to completely change your look.

I wanted to amp up the girly and nothing says girly like a bow.  But because I'm in my thirties (seriously where does the time go?!!) it needed to be small and understated.  I recently purchased a velvet choker necklace with my youngest sister (#flashback - everything that was cool when I was young is back!) and decided it's perfect to repurpose in my mane.

This dress is not only great for the holiday season but because it's sleeveless and light weight you can ditch the layers and pair with sandals come Spring.

Tip: Pairing tights with heels can be a slippery mess, a Mary Jane style holds down your feet for easy walking.

Lace Dress || Silk Blouse || Mary Jane Pumps || Similar Clutch || Chocker Ribbon || 

Dress Beautifully in Layered Lace & Ribbons

XOXO Sarah Louise

Pink & Plaid

Til the season for layers which is great because more is more right?! Well, it depends, but when it comes to style I love that cooler weather allows for endless combinations of textures and colors.
This time of year in the South can be a struggle.  Down right cold in the mornings but by lunch you're breaking a sweat. And then it's cold again come supper time.  #SMH

Yes it can be annoying but use this indecisive weather as a styling opportunity to pile on the pieces.

Take this look for example, it's has all the elements of chic style: color, pattern, texture and shine.

Let's break it down ...

Color: Pink is all year pretty ladies and it's fun to add lighter shades to the season of darks

Pattern:  Plaid Plaid Plaid is everywhere come September, this patterned plaid is called 'Glen plaid' and it's my favorite.  It's more sophisticated than your typical lumberjack check

Texture:  This jacket in a structured warm wool contrasted with the delicate ruffled blouse adds interest and depth to the look.  Not to mention these soft suede boots!

Shine: Those gold block heels are strut worthy! You can always use jewelry for this element.

Layer on Ladies!

Blouse || Jacket || Skirt & Similar || Boots 

Dress Beautifully in Plaid & Pink

XOXO Sarah Louise

Well Suited

You're always sure to look sharp in a suit but what I've noticed is that the suit has diminished in the work place. Business casual is the 'new' standard for work place dress code. While it's so nice to mix and match bringing more color, prints and designs to the office there's something empowering about tailored wool and crisp dress shirts.

But a suit doesn't have to be boring, and no gal wants to look masculine either.  For this look I went lighter with a soft grey and bright white dress shirt.  Rather than the typical matching jacket I opted for shell vest.  My favorite element is that this blouse comes with a detachable neck tie that's adds the right touch of femininity tied in a bow.  But you can always keep it classic and skip the sash,

These 3 pieces are timeless foundation garments.  You can wear theses grey trousers with blouses and sweaters of all colors and patterns.  The shell can be worn alone, over blouses or under jackets and cardigans.  And it's not just for trousers or pencil skirts, it's super chic with jeans.  This crisp dress shirt literally goes with everything! These are the garments that are the building blocks for a classic wardrobe.

Bow Blouse || Shell || Trousers || Pumps || Handbag & Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in Suiting

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Separate Split

Earlier this week I shared with you my maiden voyage in styling a cardigan.  I decided to go all out and purchase the twinset (coordinating shell).  I find that most closets, including my own, are full of separates but I believe it's essential to incorporate matching sets when possible.  It's an effortless way of looking put together.  And if you're afraid of looking too monochromatic a printed scarf, skirt or statement necklace are great ways to add some interest.

While I respect and embrace matchy matchey ensembles I feel that it's important to take advantage of their styling options and utilize them separately.  Optimizing the functionality of your wardrobe is key.  I find that you'd be surprised at just how many looks you can create with a moderate amount of pieces.  Ask yourself, what good is a piece that can only be worn in a single capacity?

I showed you how I styled the cardigan earlier this week.  Today I'm taking this amber shell and pairing it with ivory trousers for a lighter brighter palette and a printed scarf to break up the color block. I love the mix of light and rich neutrals - goes to show you don't have to have bright colors to make a statement.

I'm going to assume none of you are new to these pieces but if you're looking to add to your closet I do recommend this twinset as it's constructed out of light weight wool which is durable and resistant to stretching and fading.

 I must admit I'm pretty enthused about this new-to-me cardigan thing.  My gal pals shake their heads as it's an over worn piece for just about all women and as a collector of classics it's just surprising I haven't taken part.

I have brunch with the gals tomorrow and I'm thinking of wearing the coordinating twin set with a pair of jeans and bright red flats for a pop of color.  Swapping out your trousers or skirts for jeans and flats is the perfect way to transition a week day look to the weekend and still look polished while being comfortable.

Shell: J Crew || Coordinating Cardigan: J Crew || Trousers: Similar ||

Scarf: Ann Taylor || Pumps: Tory Burch || Handbag: Prada || 

Dress Beautifully in Separates 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tunic Turtleneck

I gravitate to sleeveless garments.  For me, it's functional.  Sleeveless dresses and tops allow for layering under with dress shirts/blouses or over with blazers or jackets without having the hassle of stuffing sleeves.

For fall, when the temperatures can vary sometimes a span of 30 degrees in a day, layering pieces are key.  This sleeveless sweater is warm and cozy yet your arms are free and as the day warms with sunshine you won't melt. You can easily add a long sleeve tee as we get closer to winter weather.
Note:  You will need to wear a camisole/tank underneath as the side arm holes are long.

I originally styled this with a pair of jeans and suede booties - but that's just so typical, although I have worn it that way on the weekend. But you gals know that dressing for the office is more my inspirational mission.

I paired this with one of my favorite skirts - I call it the 'Flippy Mini'
Confession: I have it in 3 colors

Add a pair of dress boots and not only are you office appropriate but with the high/low hem design of the sweater you're right on trend.
I kept this look neutral but the heather gray would pop next to dark neutrals or bright colors - think burgundy,  hunter green, cobalt blue and pink.
Perfect for a pair of skinny trousers too.

P.S. Life is better when you're laughing :)

Sleeveless Turtleneck: Banana Republic || Skirt: J Crew & Similar  ||

Boots: Nine West || Camisole: Target (the adjustable straps are essential) || 

Dress Beautifully in a Sleeveless Turtleneck

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