Texture & Shine

Tweed is one of my favorite textured fabrics.  It's soft, warm and adds depth to a garment with its blend of threads.  This peplum top is a perfect transition piece for Fall.  The fabric adds just the right amount of warmth and with elbow length sleeves just the right amount of coverage.

What sold me on this top was the structure and tailoring.  Everything about its construction is flattering!  The straight elbow sleeves slim the arm, the front pleats cinch the waist and the peplum hem creates curves. #winner

I used the threads of the tweed in the top to create the palate for this look.  A shorter ivory skirt to compliment these AMAZING black over the knee boots creates a cohesive pairing to the top.

These boots!  I love the suede over the knee boots that have stormed the scene for the past few years but I've found it to be a challenge as I prefer a low/mid heel, the price needs to be right (no offense Stuart Weitzman but you are too rich for my feet!) and I struggle finding boots that fit my legs. When I saw the shiny gold block heel on this pair, I said a great big prayer that they would fit my legs. Amen! they fit beautifully! I often have to go up in size for the extra room in the shaft and have to wear extra thick socks.  Not this time gals, they hug my legs like a glove and the back tie secures them in place.

These will be on epic repeat all season long! Obsessed with the gold heel!!!

Tip:  When wearing over the knee boots, your dress/skirt hem should be slightly above the top of the boot; but not too short #keepitclassy

Tweed Peplum Top || Skirt || Boots 

Dress Beautifully in Tweed 

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Pinstripe

A pinstripe is a very narrow stripe typically found in suiting.  Sometimes the stripe is subtle and sometimes, like in this dress shirt, it's nice a bold.  This high contrasting stripe makes a sharp statement , but balanced with the femininity of a bow.

I'm all about dressing polished for the office and staying true to yourself as a woman.  There's no reason that professional has to be boring.  This isn't my only dress shirt with a bow tie neck sash.  I featured this same dress shirt in white on this post.  The great thing about these tailored crisp dress shirts, is that the sash is buttoned underneath the collar allowing you to have style options with or without it.  Sometimes you may want to embrace the secretary vibe and others you may want to play it cool. Either way the stripe will steal attention!

I paired this navy dress shirt with ivory trousers, complimenting the stripe and a camel blazer to warm it up.  This time of year the excitement of cooler temps and changing colors of the leaves has me craving rich warm tones and textures.

And if the bow wasn't enough for your girlish liking, I added a pop of color with a pair of magenta suede heels.

Tip:  Don't limit your dress shirts to the work week, go open collar and pair with jeans for a casual chic look.  Also, if you're one of those gals that struggles pairing navy with blue jeans, try with grey or black denim.

Pinstripe Bow Shirt & Similar || Trousers & Similar || Blazer || Shoes || 

Dress Beautifully in Pinstripes

XOXO Sarah Louise

Paisley

Paisley is a print I've had an off and on relationship with.  It can be very reminiscent of the 80's and 90's and let's be honest that's not my favorite era to embrace stylistically.  But in the right colors and pattern it can be very pretty.  

I have to giggle a little because Mr says paisley prints look like amebas; it's not his favorite.

This blouse is a bit on the boho side of style, but I like branching outside my typical ladylike box.  Although, it does have lace detailing and pastel coloring mixed with the rust so I'm not totally abandoning my girly preferences.

I paired with skinny jeans, over the knee suede boots and a long necklace handmade of natural beads by a local NC designer for a casual weekend look.

Paisley Blouse: Anthropologie - Similar ||  Jeans: AG - Similar || 

Over the Knee Boots: Tory Burch || Beaded Necklace: Allie Beads || 

Dress Beautifully in Paisley

XOXO Sarah Louise

Over It

Let's go high. Up high on the leg. I'm talking over the knee high.  Not too high.
This is not the part of 'Pretty Woman' we want to imitate.  Boots gals, buttery leather goodness all the way.

Over the knee boots have really been trending for the past few seasons. But in a tasteful way.  In rich leathers and suedes and modest heels, these OTK boots are appropriate for day and evening.
Like a lot of designs, boots have improved over the seasons.  The struggle to find boots that accommodate wider calves is not as difficult.

It's no secret I'm petite. Whether it's the stool in my kitchen or the constant up on my tippy toes there's no hiding it.  But I'm ok with it - you can always hem and honestly it's the way God made me. I don't let it hold me back. Especially when it comes to fashion.  Yes, shorter gals can wear OTK boots.

How to wear OTK boots:
- With a dress/skirt the hem of the garment should hit above the top of the boot showing an inch or two of leg (not too much let's keep it classy) Opt for tights for warmth and modesty

- With pants they should be form fitting skinny pants.  Your top garment should not hit below your hip as that would create too much volume and your body would be lost.

- When it comes to heel height I'm more of a flat/low heel for comfort kind of gal however if you do opt for a dressy boot, thicker heels are more supportive than a stiletto.

- Some boots have the option to fold over the front giving you a knee high boot

Here are some OTK boots I've scouted for you ...

Most of these come in additional colors

Suede Block Heel  ||  Fitted Suede Boot   ||  Heeled Pump Boot   ||  Grey Suede  ||

Block Heel with Lace Up  ||  Camel Boot  ||  Riding Boot  ||  Brown Suede

Dress Beautifully in Over the Knee Boots

XOXO Sarah Louise