Haha, I’m not sure that’s an appropriate use of literary allusion (read the poem here), but hey…I’m a little tired today. lol. I was on a skirt and sweater kick last week, and my friend Wendy and I snapped these pics during a lunchtime walk. It’s a pretty basic outfit, but I tried to jazz up a basic skirt/sweater combo with some pops of color.

Both the purple cowl-neck sweater and the black skirt with colorful paisley embroidery are from Dressbarn Woman. (So sad that that store went out of business in downtown Chicago!)

(Sweater/skirt: Dressbarn Woman, Boots: violette shoe salon, Earrings: Love and Pieces, Belt: Asos Curve)

This sweater originally came with a floppy fabric sweater belt…but I switched it out for a structured teal skinny belt…which picked up the teal in the skirt and popped my earrings too. A finished, buckled belt looks more polished than the tie belts, in my opinion. And I feel that the belt, earrings, and boots take this from a mediocre outfit into a stylish everyday work ensemble.

And of course, I had to go with purple nails!!

Even though this is a pretty standard, winter work outfit, I was warm, comfortable and stylish…so it’s a win in my book!

Steamy AND modest! Sexy AND coy. Sultry AND Ladylike. This Kiyonna top walks the line perfectly between the two. The deep V in the Loretta Lace Top is saved from being too revealing by the demure black lace boatneck overlay.

This top doesn’t need many accessories, since you don’t want to overshadow its form (ahem, or YOURS). I paired it with some Lane Bryant Jeggings, and adorable leopard print flats from violette shoe salon.

Loretta Lace Top: c/o Kiyonna, Leopard flats: violette, Feathered  brooch: gifted, Drop rhinestone earrings: gifted,  Sparkly bracelet: Art Effects, Ring: Forever 21.

I went for a vintage-y hairstyle and added a feathered brooch that my friend Michelle gave me. It’s from the 80s, and I LOVE it!

Here’s a closer view of the feather brooch that I re-purposed as a hairpiece.

This top has already made several appearances in my social life…and I’m so thankful to Kiyonna for sending it to me!!

It would be perfect for Valentines, don’t you think? You can dress it up with a pencil skirt and heels, or if you’re doing something more casual, wear it with jeans and flats like I did here. Like I said…you can’t really go wrong with lace and cleavage. lol

Something about the crisp, cool air made me want to go for an old school office glamour look this week. So, I pulled out a sweater set, a pencil skirt, fishnets and pearls, and took myself to work.

The black pencil skirt, amazing dotted fishnets, and flower belt are all from Lane Bryant! The perfect black cardigan with sparkly buttons is from Kiyonna (I wear this about 4 times a week!!). And the pink scoop neck sweater is from Old Navy about 8 years ago!! (I rescued it from my giveaway bag at the last minute!)

This incredible strand of pearls is vintage 1950s, and I got it at the Ravenswood Antique Market from a remarkable woman named Phyllis. Go see her, she’s one of the most unique individuals I’ve ever met!!

I discovered this look when I once again dared to tuck my sweater into my pencil skirt. Cover the waistband up with a belt, and you’ve got the perfect old school curvy silhouette!

Fishnets always take some adjusting!

When I take the time to really put an outfit together and pick out every little detail, I feel like a queen! All day, I felt attractive and sassy…and ladylike! I’m pretty sure I even had better posture! lol.

Who says big girls can’t wear mini skirts??? Not me! I rocked this bright orange mini from H&M (size L) in the office last week. Paired with some black leggings from Lane Bryant, awesome low-heeled slouchy boots from violette shoe salon, and a black and white striped top via TJ Maxx, this somewhat daring mini was transformed into a sassy, yet work-appropriate outfit.

This is one of those two-in-one tops that includes the little tank top…but what I love about it is that the stripes are so strategically placed, that they create the optical illusion of a cinched waist. And the tie belt ties inside/under the long lapels of the shirt, creating more depth to the outfit.

 
Did you notice that my nails matched my mini skirt perfectly???? lol. That was not planned, I swear!

Do you wear minis? How do you make them look work appropriate? This was probably the best outfit I can come up with featuring this bright orange mini skirt…but maybe I can try to wear it as a tube top next!

Who knew that a feather cape looks right at home with some skinny jeans and a black T?! This cape transforms a totally casual outfit into something ridiculously cool and funky.

Feather Cape: Forever 21, Skinny Jeans: Lane Bryant, Black V-neck T: Old Navy, Zebra Skinny Belt: Dressbarn Woman; Red High Heels: Me Too via Nordstrom Rack, Jewelry: Francesca’s.

Hahahaha. I look like something out of a horror film called “Raven” or something, but I kind of like it. 🙂

So…this concludes our Feather Cape series. We each came up with 3 different ways of wearing it…which just goes to show you that an impulse buy can actually be a unique and unexpected addition to your wardrobe!

Which look did you like the best? Which was the most unexpected?