Ann Taylor – Making it Lovely

Style: August/September 2019

I went out last week specifically in search of a new skirt, and came home with two. I also tried on a shimmery metallic shirt on a whim and it’s the best! Soft like a tee, machine-washable, and comfy with some stretch, but able to go casual or dressy depending on the pairing. It also goes equally well with silver or gold tones. I don’t do a ton of OMG FALL WARDROBE SHOPPING (!!!), so it’s going to be these pieces, plus maybe a new sweater or two, but I feel like I have a lot of mix and match options here.

August 23, 2019

Summer Suits

A pink suit had been on my wish list. Well now I have one! It is here and it is wonderful. I’m so smitten with it, I want to add the white suit below too. I already have one in black, and my wardrobe will be pretty well covered between the three, keeping the matching pieces together or as separates.

I sometimes wear suits to client meetings, styling them on the casual side. Colorful shoes, a fun bag, glasses (or sunglasses), and interesting jewelry are part of my usual go-to for styling. Or red lipstick, but that’s a lot of look all at once!

OK, a quick try-on! Doing a little #housetwinning here (tassel sconce, tassel earrings; pink wallpaper, pink suit; white trim, white top). The pants just arrived and need to be hemmed, but I’m very into the high waist. These jeans too! They’re possibly my new favorite, which is saying a lot to edge out the Madewell jeans I’ve loved so much.

May 29, 2019

Well-Suited

We were invited to a performance of The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet here in Chicago, and we were able to go backstage. I took my oldest two and the show was beautiful! Also though? So many questions and comments on my suit. Thanks!

(Those bright stage lights are no joke.)

The suit was from LOFT a few years ago (I linked to the blazer when I dressed like Brad Majors for a RHPS Halloween showing). The scalloped silk shirt, I’ve had (in black and white, and in pink*) for even longer. I’m wearing suede round toe block heel pumps from Madewell; these look identical.

I found similar pieces for everything at about the same price points below.

OK, great. Cute. But do you know what I really want? Give me a suit in mustard yellow velvet. Give me pink floral jacquard. Give me all the colors and feminine details! How perfect would these be dressed up for holiday parties? Or with a cute tee and flats!?

* I found one secondhand scalloped silk shirt for sale in pink, $6!
** I spotted the pink floral suit on Jennifer Lake and it’s a total match for an outfit I dress my Sim in. Yep. I’m so sad that the pants are sold out in my size.

December 4, 2018

Packing for a Casual Vacation

Up north, we spend our time playing outside with the kids, walking through dirt and gravel, sitting on the dock, and taking the dogs along. As much as I love it, I’m not about to wear my floor-grazing Marimekko dress to tromp around in the woods.

I’m bad at posing for photos, clearly. I tried to make up for it with illustrations!

My ideal everyday look could probably be described as business casual meets art teacher. Gimme a quirky accessory and then I’ll choose blouses over tees and pointed flats every time over sneakers, but as much as I love my regular wardrobe in Chicago, it isn’t suited to the time we spend up north each summer. I’ve learned to add a few pieces to my closet that I would have otherwise passed over for being too casual so I’m not stuck with only workout clothes to pack. I do the t-shirt and jeans thing a lot more, and my wide-leg cropped pants were on heavy rotation this summer. I even bought sneakers this year! Look at me, branching out.

Wide Leg Marina Pant, Ann Taylor
I bought these in white too, to wear to Dîner en Blanc.
Curvy High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Lucille Wash, Madewell
My favorite jeans in the world got even better when they introduced the curvy fit.
4″ Pleated Shorts – A New Day, Target
How many times can I tell you about my favorite shorts? They have been restocked in almost every size, and they are now down to $6.88. Get some.
Slice of Stone Pendant, Kate Spade
I don’t have this one. YET. I wore a different pendant necklace that’s no longer available so I found this one, and now I must own it as well.
Mid-Rise Soft Pants, Old Navy
Pants that feel like pjs!
Lampshade Hat, Shopbop
The best shape.
Avianna Low Vamp Kitten Heeled Mules – Universal Thread, Target
All day, every day. A comfortable low heel, they stay on while walking (not all mules do so well), and the best light neutral. Love these!
Anniemae Woven Slide Sandal – Universal Thread, Target
A little pattern that still goes with just about everything else, printed or solid.
Triple Decker, Keds x Designlovefest
Cap-toe sneakers! They give a little height and bouncy cushion, too.
Northside Vintage Tee (Weathered Olive), Madewell
Ooh boy do I love this color. I’m so glad it’s popping up in home and fashion again.
Northside Vintage Tee (White Wash), Madewell
Yay, simple white tee.
Whisper Cotton Crewneck Tee in Creston Stripe, Madewell
Striped tees forever.
Monterey Hooded Pullover, Anthropologie
Far cuter than the mens’ hoodies I wore in my youth, eh? Just as comfy though.
Wide-Sleeve Pullover Hoodie in French Terry, Gap
The blousy shape I like, but in casual sweatshirt form.
Hallie Glasses (Lapis Crystal), Warby Parker
It’s hard to see here, but the finish is a lovely blue with a lot of depth to it.
Iridescent Square Sunglasses, LOFT
Flattering shape, large scale, and hi, only $12.
Shapes Statement Earrings, Madewell
Get these before they sell out! $28 and they are SO good. I almost bought them in more colors. (Still thinking about it.)

August 13, 2018

Five Easy Pieces: My Current Wardrobe Staples

These are the easy to reach for pieces. The tops look great dressed down with jeans (Madewell’s 10″ skinny high-rise styles are my favorites), or tucked into a pencil or midi skirt. The tunic dress is everything I want right now — loose but not shapeless, comfortable, understated chic. And thank you, fashion world, for making high-rise ‘in’ again! I feel my best in that proportion and when it’s currently trending, it’s so much easier to find clothes that work for me and my style.

Flutter Bar Back Top, LOFT – ~~$44.50~~ $40
Lantern Sleeve Blouse, Ann Taylor – $69.50
Cupro Tunic Dress, Universal Standard for J.Crew – $130
4″ Pleated Shorts, Target – ~~$23~~ $16 (so good!)
Melina Paperbag Pants, Boden – ~~$120~~ $84 (they also carry a few more paperbag waist pants and skirts)

I had high hopes of dressing in these and taking photos so you could see them on, but I have mostly been waking up, tiling the laundry room in grubby work clothes, taking a cold shower, and going to bed (but we finally got the hot water tank back in yesterday, woohoo!). Can I ask though, is it helpful to see the pieces I recommend actually on? Like those shorts. I called them out last week because they are my favorite find in forever. $16! Flattering! Cute! I want you all to have them and love them as I do! Are the brands’ product photos enough for you to get a sense of the fit, or do you like seeing them on a person (as opposed to model) too?

July 13, 2018

A Floral Culotte Jumpsuit!

Who else has a bunch of March snow outside right now? *raises hand* I have a ridiculous (in the best way) outfit I’m dying to wear, but the weather is not cooperating.

Want a peek?

I went to the store specifically to try this jumpsuit on, hesitated for a minute or two, then promptly rung it up. It’s a little in the realm of ‘the pattern is wearing you’ but I’m into it!

Wild Flower Culotte Jumpsuit, Ann Taylor
Psst: It comes in black too.
Fabienne Crossbody Bag, Clare V.
Simple, easy to wear, goes with everything. Add a tassel and change it up!
Marcella Low Block Heels, Target
I had been planning on adding a new pair of red sandals to my wardrobe, since I completely wore out my last ones. Grabbed these when I saw them at Target, but the other options I was considering are listed below.
Large Enamel Signet Ring (Coral), J. Crew
I’ve been big into rings lately, and this is a good one.
Befoep|Tech 3D Dot Studs (Large), Adorn\Milk
They stick straight out! Clever little things.
Dahl Glasses (Crystal), Warby Parker
My go-to black frames are feeling a little visually heavy these days. Time to switch to lighter frames.
Butter London Nail Polish (Steady On), Nordstrom
There is enough going on with this outfit, right? Polished but not bright nails will go nicely.

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— more red sandals with block heels —

Also? Ann Taylor seems to be having a moment right now with prints that look like dated wallpaper, which of course I love. I bought this shirt too, and here are a few more that I liked. You know, in case you’re not on board the culotte jumpsuit train but still want to wrap yourself in grandma prints.

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March 14, 2017

Tag: Ann Taylor