Little Black Skirts

 A little black skirt, like a little black dress, is a classic, timeless and pretty piece to have in your wardrobe. 

MY STUDDED SKIRT

It's versatile allowing for any top pairing. Personally, I'll always grab a crisp white shirt first but blouses, denim and sweaters are just as nice. 

I have a solid black one already from many years ago and thought this studded one was such an interesting addition. Detailing is important in garments. It elevates a piece from simple to stylish. 

Here are some pretty little black skirts ...

SEAMED FLARE

BOUCLE RUFFLE

FAUX LEATHER WRAP

Style Tip: swap out the belt!

DRAPE WRAP

this is sleek and versatile all year!

RUFFLE

Dress Beautifully in a Little Black Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Day Sparkle

Let's talk sparkle shall we?! It's not just for the holidays or special occasions. In a subtle design and styling you can very much wear sparkles in the every day.  

This pastel floral mini sequin skirt is balanced paired with a soft cozy sweater. For even more texture and warmth add a brown suede boot.

For a polished and more dressy styling add a feminine blouse.  I also think a fur vest would top it off beautifully. 

Using the colors in the skirt you can easily compliment with sweaters, blouses and jackets. Get creative! Even denim would be great. 

SPARKLE SKIRT - CASHMERE SWEATER - FUR VEST

Dress Beautifully in Sparkles Day or Night

XOXO Sarah Louise

Minis

Greetings from the beach! I'm currently vacationing with my family and soaking up all the time together (Ryan was away for nearly a month). I've even been embracing a slower pace doing puzzles, reading and resting. One of the highlights was finding 46 shark teeth and some beautiful sea shells yesterday! 

YELLOW FLORAL MINI SKIRT

I've never been a mini skirt gal nor a short-shorts gal for that matter. I like my hem lines long. BUT in this heat less coverage is a matter of survival. I find that I fancy skirts in a light fabric with movement created by ruffles or an a-line design. 

This one has a flat front, fun yellow floral print, and two drop hem ruffled layers with an eyelet trim. This yellow is like a neutral and pairs beautifully with other colors like purple, blue and green. Denim is always nice too. 

Tip: Transition this one nicely into Fall with a sweater and/or bootie.

Mini skirts can be casual with a cotton tank/tee or dressy with a blouse and heels.

Dress Beautifully in a Mini

XOXO Sarah Louise

Minis

 It sounds a bit backwards to talk about mini skirts in the colder months but in rich textures paired with tights and boots I find them very stylish. 

Note: I'm uneasy wearing hem lines above the knee - however I'm working on squashing that insecurity! 

HOUNDSTOOTH TWEED MINI SKIRT

Tweed mini skirts create a classy look with a slight retro vibe. Think Jackie O. & Barbie. 

Houndstooth is timeless & traditional and especially in a contrasting black & white is very sharp - for these reasons it's always been one of my favorite patterns.

FAUX LEATHER WRAP MINI SKIRT

A faux leather skirt is a modern option for a mini skirt.  I particularly love the faux wrap design of this one as it's flattering. Pair with blouses, sweaters, colors and fun prints. 

Style Tip: Jewelry & layers (vest, jackets, scarf) add the finishing touches.

Pretty Mini Skirts ...

FAUX SUEDE

DENIM

PATCH POCKET

also in black

Dress Beautifully in a Mini Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Matching Set - Styled 7 Ways

Ruffled Crop Top - Mini Skirt

both come in multiple colors

I love matching sets! They're intentional in their purpose of two pieces made of the same fabric while at the same time giving way to so many style options split apart. This particular set is a cute one for Summer. 

*Disclaimer - I know crop tops aren't for everyone (I'm not wearing it to church for crying out loud) but styled tastefully with high waisted bottoms I'm sure your Mamma won't have a stroke... even if she doesn't quite approve.

A maxi skirt is my fav to pair with cropped tops. 

With a high waist and full length the proportions are balanced

High waisted wide leg pants are also a great option for a long sleek look and balance.

Note: I'm wearing my normal size but in petite in these pants

If you are going to opt for shorts, make them high waisted and a tad longer.

A structured pair adds sophistication to compensation for all the exposed skin.

I love a peplum top with A-line skirts. They add an extra layer of fun!

I think most gals assume you need to tuck in a top for waist definition - but the peplum already has that and it adds extra structure. 

You can't go wrong with a cotton tank on a hot Summer day!

A little loose tuck adds just the right shape.

I also wear petite in this tank.

Classic denim just goes great with everything!

Dress Beautifully in a Matching Set

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Mini Skirts

TGIF! Gals, Summer's heat and humidity is here! Give me all the AC on full blast. But since I want to spend my Summer under the sun not just looking at it through the window, my wardrobe has to be functionally cool and still aesthetically cute.

I've shared that shorts aren't my favorite because neither are my legs. I find that dresses and skirts, even minis, give me more coverage and better suit my girlie style. 

Until recently, you'd never ever see me in a hem line above my knees. Not because I didn't like them, but because of my insecurities. I'm overcoming them one day at a time.

Now, when I say mini, I mean mid thigh. Let's keep it classy shall we ladies. I don't care how thin, tall or young you are, if you wouldn't wear it in front of your Grandma, it's too darn short. Finger tip length is a good measurement.

Personally, I love an elastic waist tiered mini skirt as you can adjust the waist placement, it can hold a top tucked in and has sassy movement when you walk. It also flatters all body shapes and allows for a good breeze on a hot day.

Here are some of my favorite minis ...

 My Skirt (Last Year) : Misa Los Angeles Current Version

Embroidered Eyelet Skirt

Crisp Black Cotton Skirt

Orange Lace Skirt

Ruffled Mini Skirt

White Tiered Skirt

Floral Ruffled Skirt

Tie Waist Pocket Skirt

Orchid Floral Skirt

Navy Floral

Tiny Floral Skirt

Dress Beautifully in a Mini Skirt

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mini Matching Set

                                     

Gals, I'm home sweet home from the most magical week at the beach with my family! If you follow me on Instagram I recapped each day in the evenings sharing pictures & videos on my stories and posts. While I didn't go completely off the grid I limited myself to only using my phone as a camera during the day and caught up briefly online at night after Vivian was asleep. 

It felt so joyful to play on the beach and splash in the ocean with Vivian. It was also restorative to be present with the ones I love most, soaking up wonder & beauty of the seashore. The sunrise and sunset alone are the prettiest pictures you'll ever see!

We only got dressed and left our beach house once to get ice cream one evening after dinner. 

So this matching yellow eyelet top & mini skirt was the only 'outfit' I wore all week aside from swimsuits and a tank & shorts combo at the end of each day.

I love the look of mini dresses but in reality they tend to be too short for my comfort. And going up a size makes the bodice too big. A matching set gives you a monochromatic look but also allows you a variety of styling options by splitting the piece up. My favorite is the ability to select different sizes for a best fit.

My upper body is smaller than my lower so I ordered this top in an xxs (my true size) and chose to go up a size in the skirt to a small for a tad extra length.  Since the waist is elastic I knew I wouldn't have to worry about it being too big and can adjust from a high or lower placement on my waist. Praise for the flexibility of stretchy waistbands. 

If you choose to split these pieces up, the top will pair beautifully with shorts, skirts, and pants while the skirt would be super cute with a graphic tee and sneakers. The pastel yellow is soft and neutral so it coordinates nicely with just about anything!

Yellow Eyelet Top & Mini Skirt | Similar Set in White Floral Top & Skirt |

Dress Beautifully in an Eyelet Matching Set 

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Here There & Everywhere

I want it all when it comes to an outfit. Pretty, stylish, comfortable and versitile are essential elements. In the Summer function is high up on the priority list for keeping cool. Throw chasing a toddler around and easy of movement along with coverage climb up to the top too. Temperatures and motherhood doesn't mean you compromise style. I look for pieces made of light fabric, flow designs and fun details.

This top is one of my most favorite purchases for it's designer looking details and bargain price! Now, a mini skirt is rarely something I ever shop for but in a circle pattern and elastic waist I can adjust the waist position and actually feel more covered than in a pair of shorts. Its actually very flattering as it accentuates the waist and is elongating on the legs.

I adore the pattern on this skirt in a neutral palette because it allows for a ton of color pairing options in a top. Theres a panel of smocked elastic on the back waistband that in addition to the beaded sash adds shape and a fun feminine detail. 

My sandals are a most worn pair of the season. They're super comfortable and very on trend.  I tend to avoid shoes that add attention to my ankles since they're far from slender but the wrap style somewhat camouflages. To be honest I'm tired of letting my insecurities hold me back from wearing things I like.

Opt for a pair of wedges for a dressier look.

This is a outfit that can be worn here there and everywhere. 

Top | Skirt | Wrap Sandals |

Dress Beautifully in a Cool Stylish & Versitale Outfit

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