Friday 5: Houndstooth

Gals, so yesterday I shared with you this silk houndstooth drop waist dress with a ruffle hem.  I also shared the importance of investing in quality, timeless and versatile pieces.

So, as promised, here are 5 different ways I plan to style this dress for the Winter season.
Now, come Spring/Summer I'll be ditching the jackets and boots for sandals and maybe a fun silk scarf and/or bright colored jewelry.

Cheers to TGIF!

Houndstooth Dress

Casual:  Denim Jacket  -  Saddle Bag  -  Boots

Girls Night Out:  Leather Moto Jacket & Here  -  Red Handbag  -  Booties

Church:  Coat  -  Quilted Handbag  -  Mary Jane Pumps

Holiday:  Red Coat  - Velvet Clutch  -  Heels

Office:  Blazer  -  Dress Shirt  -  Handbag  -  Pump
(Try layering under with a crisp white shirt)

Dress Beautifully in Houndstooth Wherever You Are

XOXO Sarah Louise

Houndstooth

The weekend is just a hop, skip and a jump away!  I know we just had a big long Thanksgiving holiday ... about that, sorry for the blog break but a timeout was just what I needed and besides I'm hoping you were like me, soaking up moments with the ones you love and focusing on all there is to be grateful for!

When it comes to the holiday season, tis the time to dress beautifully for all those festive fetes. As much as I love sparkle, lace and shine I don't find it wise to invest in cocktail dresses that get worn once maaaaybe twice.  I believe in owning pieces that are versatile and that means investing in classic, quality pieces that fit for multiple occasions and this dress fits the bill.

This dress is not only fun with it's flirty hem ruffles but it's in a brushstroke houndstooth print, my Most Favorite print EVER! Houndstooth has been my favorite since my college days.  It's timeless and not overly anything.  What I mean is isn't not too feminine/masculine, not too graphic/abstract, not too warm weather/cold, not color/neutral specific and perfect in any home designed in drapes/upholstery.

You can wear this beauty to the office, date night, holiday party, church, basically anywhere you want. The silk fabric gives it a luxurious sheen and all season wear.

Stay tuned - Five ways to style this houndstooth number on tomorrow's Friday 5 post!

Oh and I finally jumped on the tassel earring trend!  I went with black as I knew they weren't an everyday kind of bauble and black goes perfectly for dressy occasions. I must say, I wish I had jumped on board sooner.  Despite their slightly heavy weight they're fun, elongating on the face and show off nicely with a pulled back hairdo.

Houndstooth Dress || Over the Knee Boots || Tassel Earrings || 

Dress Beautifully in Houndstooth

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Velvet Touch

Velvet is everywhere this season! From clothing to shoes, the soft warm fabric with it's eye catching sheen adds elements of luxe to any look.  See some of my velvet favorites from this post a few weeks ago.

P.S.  I'm stalking my front door for this pair of velvet shoes to arrive.

This blouse blends classic and modern components with an embellishment of a velvet medallion.

The design incorporated the foundation of a poplin dress shirt and reworked the construction with a shorter hem and oversized elbow sleeves.

I feel that this top is one of those pieces that you can wear all year long for so many occasions.  For the office, ditch the boring solids and pair it with a pencil skirt or trousers.  For casual days you can't go wrong with denim and come spring white will make it pop!

If the shorter hem line has you concerned, wear it on top of a sheath dress or with a higher waisted a line skirt.  Personally, I'm a tucker but I like adding variations to my wardrobe - keeps things fresh.

Velvet Embellished Top || Pencil Skirt || Pumps || Earrings || 

Dress Beautifully in Velvet

XOXO Sarah Louise

Suede

With cooler temps comes cozy rich textures.  Heavier textiles are not only warm, they give you the 'feels'.  Besides making you 'feel' the snuggle of Fall they actually make you want to feel them with your hands.  To run your fingers over the soft fabric.

I'm 100% natural when it comes to my fabric fibers and for the cold it's all about wool, fur, cashmere and leather.  I'm not opposed to wearing animal because I eat it every day with every meal and believe that the purpose of some is for our utilization.  Before you get twisted let me be clear I'm not wearing a panda, I'm talking cow, lamb, goat, mink, beaver; animals that are in abundance.  Leather specifically is strong, durable, water resistant and provides a protective barrier against the elements whether it's on your body or feet.

As with the 70's vibe of fashion that's roaring, suede is a key element.  Suede with fringe, well that's just too hippie retro for this gal, but I'm all about it in a polished shoe, skirt or jacket.

This suede skirt in a gorgeous carmel color screams fall.  It's everywhere in nature with the falling of the leaves and compliments beautifully as a neutral in your wardrobe.  I paired it with a bright white crisp dress shirt to dress it up but plan to style it also with a striped tee, denim & black sweater.  It will go with any color really.

I am wearing 'real' suede and because of it's weight it is a tad stiffer and doesn't move as say a faux polyester fabric would.  But it has great structure and holds it's shape enhancing the design.  The inverted box pleat gives an a-line shape allowing for room and as always makes your waistline small.  I adore the functional gold side zippered pockets! Details are everything.  The seaming also adds to the amazing design.  Now with all things real or natural often comes a higher price tag.

But I believe in quality over quantity and buying forever pieces.

You're in luck if you'd rather go faux, I've link several options for you below :)

Bow Dress Shirt - Similar || Suede Skirt - Similar - Here & Here || Booties & Here || 

Dress Beautifully in Suede

XOXO Sarah Louise

Plaid & Pinot

Plaid is quite possibly the most prevalent print for the Fall/Winter season. It's warm, rich and timeless.  Whether it's in a flannel shirt, wool coat or a festive silk dress for the holidays, plaid blends colors in a grid line pattern that everyone, gals and gents alike, can incorporate into what ever style suits them.

This jacket contrasts the oversized plaid print with a cropped design perfectly.  The ivory base is bright and light against the boucle wool. The shorter sleeve length is a favorite of mine as I find it cumbersome being petite to have the sleeves cover my hand and get in the way of daily function.  It's also impossible to avoid soiling when they're too long.

I paired this jacket with a burgundy sheath dress to compliment the hint of color in the plaid.  The shorter hem line of the jacket highlights the waist creating a feminine shape.  This look has somewhat of a retro vibe back to the 60's, which is nice and sophisticated for the office but paired with my grey jeans and black over the knee boots it's right on time for after hours.

I recently discovered the Emerson Rose line at Nordstrom and I must say it's divine! Quality, classic and just perfectly chic.

How ever you style it, wear plaid beautifully!

Plaid Jacket || Burgundy Dress || Pumps || Handbag ||  

Dress Beautifully in Plaid

XOXO Sarah Louise