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

Shift Skirt

This skirt is the perfect piece to shift on into the Fall season. The soft wool fabric and warm caramel color are the ideal fall essentials.

My favorite part is it's mod design.  High waisted, front pockets and straight, slightly mini design are a modern take on the midcentury icon.  I have so many pencil skirts it's nice to add some variety.

Wear it in the office with a secretary blouse, blue striped dress shirt or jewel toned sweater with heeled boots/booties.

For a casual look pair with a denim shirt and riding boots or if your blessed with long enough legs over the knee boots would be fabulous.
Tip:  There should be a couple of inches between the hem of your skirt and the top of your boots.

Shift Skirt: Loft || Sweater: Similar & Here & Here ||

Booties: Similar & Here || Necklace: Similar || Polish: Butter ||

Dress Beautifully in a Shift Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Findings: Fall Hats

Just driving around the Queen City in this Blush Beauty

For this edition of Friday Findings I'm sharing my love of hats!  They top off a look with style and personality.  My Mamma loves hats too and always tells me about how my great-grandma used to always wear a hat on Sundays.  I know I refer to my Mamma when it comes to the origin of my style, but who better to emulate?!

Every time I'm out and about in a hat I am stopped with a compliment or two.  They're not hard to find yet I rarely see gals wearing them.  Don't be afraid!  Find a hat you like, one that makes you feel good and strut in confidence.  I often hear 'I can't wear hats', 'Hats don't look good on me', 'I wish I looked cute in hats'.

Pity party over! You can wear them and there is a style that looks good on you.

For the spring/summer or when I'm outside running or working in my yard I'm ball cap all the way or a straw/sun hat.

Come fall/winter I bring out my favorites in wool and felt.  I adore the deep colors, texture and styles.  They can also keep you warm - although Mr says with as much hair as I have it's like wearing a permanent hat - tell me about it!  In the summer I have urges to just cut it all off.

Hat's do serve a practical purpose as they conceal those bad hair days.

Now, hats are not appropriate in an office setting. So I wouldn't invest too much into hats as you'd only be wearing them on the weekend.  It's taken several years for me to build my inventory.  Start small, one hat at a time and wear it on a Saturday out running errands or lunching with the ladies.
And since it's Fall you should be outside enjoying the rainbow of leaves and crisp cool leaves under a hat.

Here are some of my favorites ....

Floppy Wool || Felt Hat with Leather Band || Navy Wool || 

Maroon Wide Brim ||Green Felt || Bow Band || Colorblock || Red Downbrim ||

Dress Beautifully in a Wool Hat

XOXO Sarah Louise

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