Ready to Shop Ann Taylor…with the Friends & Family Discount

Ann Taylor, one of my favorite stores for petites, tall and plus (up to XXL and size 18) on select items, is having a 30% off regular priced items from 4/20 – 4/25. They are also offering free shipping on orders of $100 or more.

Here are outfits assembled with a few of my favorites from their current line. If you like what you see, think fast. This is a huge sale and they do not restock items.

Prices shown below are BEFORE the 30% discount.

THE EMBELLISHED TOP

This work outfit centers around the Sequin Collar Type by Wyeth and Sharkskin Lined Trousers.

Add a Cotton Sateen Blazer in crisp white, a pretty Pearl and Ribbon Chain Link Necklace, a Perfect Exotic Pump in navy and the In Bloom Tote to complete this look.

For variations, try any of the following:

• Exchange the trousers with a lightweight wool or linen pencil skirt and the pump with a peep-toe pump for a different take on this work-appropriate look
• Swap the jacket with a cardigan, the trousers with a denim skirt or pants and the pumps with a metallic flat or sandal for a casual take
• Pair the top, shoes and jewelry with a suit for a business professional take

THE MODERN JACKET

The Cotton Shantung Jacket is a versatile piece for work or a night out.  Pair it with a pair of Cotton Twill Capris in white for a warm-weather day.

Add a pop of color on top with the Pleated Sleeveless Shell and a shoe in a coordinating color like the Perfect Dahlia Flat.  Top off the outfit with a Long Pearl and Tulle Necklace and the In Bloom Tote.

For variations, try any of the following:

• Exchange the capris with a long short for an even warmer-weather look (not for the office)
• Swap the peach and red colored themed items with another color theme like blues or yellows
• Glam up this look with a sequined top, metallic shoes and a beaded clutch

THE RUFFLED SWEATER

The Scalloped Ruffled Cardigan is a great example of how Ann Taylor adds pretty details to a classic item.  Pair the sweater with a Denim Pencil Skirt for an outfit you can wear to brunch, shopping or casual Friday.

Add color to this look with a Perfect V-Neck Tee, the Elodie T-Strap Sandal in a coordinating teal and a pretty Glass and Grosgrain Necklace.  The Woven Leather Clutch adds a sophisticated touch to this casual look.

For variations, try any of the following:

• Exchange the white skirt with a navy cotton skirt or a pair of jeans to dress the look down for the weekend
• Try a pink or melon color scheme in place of the teals to enhance your complexion
• Pair the cardigan with a sleeveless cotton dress and strappy sandal for date night

THE DECORATIVE SKIRT

The Heavy Lace Pencil Skirt is one of Ann Taylor’s longer skirts, perfect for special summer events like weddings. The Tie Neck Shell, available in several muted colors, is pretty without competing for attention.

Pair it with a basic cardigan like the Rolled Hem Cardigan in hyacinth (note: I have not seen this cardigan and it may be a touch too casual for this skirt; proceed with common sense), a Pearl and Ribbon Bracelet, the Perfect Patent Pump and Knotted Mini Tote for an elegant occasion.

For variations, try any of the following:

• Go with a monochromatic top for a very chic dress-like look
• Swap the tote out with a sequined clutch and the pump with a strappy sandal for an evening party
• Exchange the cardigan with a jacket for a dressed up work look

THE FLORAL SHELL

I love the Silk Georgette Shell with Crystal and Lace Front for making an understatement with over-the-top details.  I also love the idea of pairing it with a feminine take on pinstripes – the Modern Tropical Wool Pinstripe Trouser.

Add a simple layer with the Cotton Sateen Blazer and show off a 3-Strand Faceted Glass Stretch Bracelet and Piper Embellished Sandal.  The Knotted Mini Tote pairs well with this look.

For variations, try any of the following:

• Swap the jacket for an ivory cardigan and the trousers with a white or ivory pant for a very elegant take appropriate for a wedding or fundraising event
• Dress the top down with dark denim jeans for a more relaxed day
• Add color with a bright top layer, colored shoe and/or colorful jewelry for a confident, bold look

Ready to shop but in need of a professional opinion?  Have a budget but no time to shop?  Fabuliss can help!  Learn more at Fabuliss.com or email me at hello@fabuliss.com.

This huge sale starts Tuesday and ends Sunday.  Don’t miss out!

Fabuliss Helps Marcie Get Comfy for Spring & Summer… Featuring Land’s End

This post is dedicated to a very good friend of mine, who is about to welcome a new family member! With #2 due in about 4 weeks, she is preparing for what she’ll wear when her body is in a non-pregnant state.

She recently emailed me, pondering what store to live by when she’s ready to shop.  Ironically, I got a catalog for her store of choice the same week she inquired about it…and I have something different in mind.

Enter, Land’s End.  In my experience, most everything has been comfortable, well-made and they have been adding bits and pieces of design to compete “up.”  They also cater nicely to a wide variety of sizes (some categories have more items than others) – regular, petite, petite plus, plus and tall.  The value (quality for price) is strong and they offer most items in a number of different colors.

Most importantly, however, I believe this line of clothing will help her meet key objectives:

1. Comfort
2. A range of items for different needs
3. A little style and a lot of color (for clarification purposes, this is my addition to her list)

The following outfits – all put together with products being sold right now at Land’s End – are my recommendations based on what she told me her wardrobe needs are.

And in case you’re wondering, I am not conducting an infomercial or being paid for this post…

1) ERRANDS

The items above, including a simple color palette, can be mixed and matched to create countless outfits.  The jeans and sweaters are for cooler days and evenings and the scarf adds some texture, color and interest.

Yes – I would pair the brown flats or blue sandals with any of the bottoms or tops shown, and, yes, I would pair the navy or coral sweater with nay of the tops or bottoms!

These outfits are great for:

• The grocery store, library, post office and Target
• Doctor appointments
• School pick-up and drop-off
• Morning coffee with the neighborhood girls

Left: scoop layering tee, boyfriend jeans, ruffle cardigan, cotton knit scarf, ballet flat

Middle: ruffle collar polo, poplin cargo pants

Right: stripe t-shirt, 7″ chino shorts, cotton cardigan, cotton knit scarf, medium terrain sandals

2) OCCASIONS

These outfits use some of the same pieces from the Errands category and are slightly dressier.  The pants on the left are striped and would work with any of the top combos shown.

A white denim on top or bottom is a dressier take on denim and the structured lightweight denim capris are a more dressy take on a capri.

The metallic gold flip-flop and/or knit scarf dress these outfits down while the patent yellow croc flats with the beaded necklace dress them up.

These outfits can take my friend to any of the following:

• Volunteering at school
• Church
• Bunco
• Book club
• Dinner club
• Brunch

Left: cotton cardigan, wide leg pincord pants, silk cotton ruffle shell, cotton knit scarf, faux croc flats

Middle: ruffle cardigan, scoop layering tee, boot cut jeans

Right: jean jacket, lightweight denim capris,  ruffle collar polo, 36″ beaded necklace, leather flip-flops

3) EVENTS

Living in a smaller city is less demanding in terms of style…but that does not mean all sense of style should be sacrificed or ignored.

A white dress for summer is crisp, refreshing and breezy and can be paired with the navy sweater and patent yellow flats to dress it up or the coral sweater and brown flats for a slightly more casual take.

The patterned skirt (I believe it’s a chrysanthemum pattern) is navy and can be paired with either sweater or shoe as well.  Personally, I might adjust the hem slightly to be at the knee instead of right below the knee for a more flattering silhouette.

Lastly, the navy wrap dress pairs well with the coral sweater and brown flats with a nice horn necklace to break up the solids.

These pieces work for date nights.  They could also be worn for any of the occasions listed under #2.

Left: cotton dress, ruffle cardigan, 36″ beaded necklace, faux croc flats

Middle: ruffle cardigan, scoop layering tee, pattern skirt

Right: modal wrap dress, cotton cardigan, horn link necklace, ballet flat

4) MISCELLANEOUS

To address a few additional needs, and to showcase how comprehensive Land’s End is, I wanted to include several items that were not specifically on the list, but should be considered.

First, an outfit I KNOW will get a lot of use, a casual athletic ensemble.  The blue shoes and the coral top definitely coordinate.

I really like this rain jacket because of the cinched waist and the bright color – perfect for every day and dressier events.

The reusable tote bag is on here to a) remind you to reuse and b) because it has a cute color/pattern combo.

Lastly, my friend needs a new bathing suit.  For anyone looking to hide a little something, I definitely believe a one-piece is more flattering than a skirted two-piece.  I have tried on so many tankinis with skirts and they never do me justice.  This swimsuit, in purple, has a great strap design on the back and a skirted/ruched front to minimize attention at the midsection and I’ve selected a straw hat for an elegant way to protect light skin.

Shop these items: half-zip pullover, sport pants, terrain ballet shoes, rain jacket, market tote, all-over control tunic swimsuit, straw hat

Thirty-something items later, this is an extensive spring-to-summer wardrobe to help inspire what pieces to consider and how to coordinate colors and pieces into outfits.

If you need help getting your closet ready for spring to summer, Fabuliss specializes in putting outfits together – from your closet or from the store.  Contact me at hello@fabuliss.com for more information!

P.S. Land’s End also has a specialty line – Land’s End Canvas – that showcases taking style a step further while maintaining a classic, simple approach.  My only bias against this line is that it is currently offered in regular sizes.

Fabuliss Helps Mary Refine Her Style…From Day to Night

Meet one of my clients, Mary.  She was kind enough to let me use her photos so I can help demonstrate what I do and, in the process, help her put several outfits together.  Mary is in management consulting at an executive level.  She’s athletic, 5′ 10″ and always on the go.  I have gone shopping with her twice to help her add to her closet, which mostly consists of classic basics in neutral colors.

One of Mary’s challenges is mixing colors.  In the left photo above, we used the white sweater to make her jacket and necklace pop, as well as to showcase the ruffles on the deep v-neck of the jacket.  The pencil skirt dresses the jacket up, as do a pair of grey suede pumps with black leather detailing.  If she was in a situation where she needed to cover her legs, I would recommend sheer nude hose.  If Mary were more petite, I would recommend a sheer hose in a darker shade like grey or navy.

The overall effect of the outfit on the left is professional, feminine and demands attention with the details of her outfit.  And believe it or not, she is not repeating any color in this head-to-toe look!

In the example above on the right, we mixed a pair of grey trousers with a black 3/4 sleeve jacket and a pink top underneath.  She could put just about any color underneath the jacket…except navy, black, grey or white.  The pop of color brightens up her face and makes her much more approachable and interesting.  We selected a necklace that is dressy and fun and went very daring with a dark red shoe.  Overall, this is a great outfit for a corporate setting.  It’s professional with a touch of fun and feminine.

Keep reading for casual outfits!

The photo above and left has Mary in a long green sweater pulls together gold-toned accents in her necklace, belt and leopard-print shoes.  The belt did not come with the sweater but it works great to show off her waist and add the visual interest with the decorative clasp.  This is a sassy, casual outfit that could work for casual Friday, brunch and/or a date night.

On the right, she is wearing a beautiful grey skirt from Kokoon with a shade of blue that looks amazing on her skin.  We went with a simple necklace and a shiny set of bracelets that are not visible in this photo.  Fish net tights and the tall, heeled boots make this a great outfit for happy hour and some dancing with the girls.  She could dress it up even more with a long necklace or layered necklaces that contrast with the blue top or she could make it work appropriate with a jacket and more opaque tights.

These last two outfits show a sweater worn two different ways.  On the left, it’s a very monochromatic look with a pop of red shoes and a red necklace.  It is an elegant, simple look for casual Friday at work or a movie date.

The photo on the right is another way to wear the sweater with a completely different look, made fun with the red suede belt.  Mary could wear this to have dinner with friends or to a party at a co-worker’s home.

With observation of what others are doing, practice trying on different outfits and input from people you trust, you’ll build your confidence trying different combinations.

I would love to hear any questions or specific problems you might be having pulling your outfits together!

In closing, thanks to Mary for coming up with some great poses and being open to trying on a bunch of outfits!  And I’ll be working on my photography skills for my upcoming client photo shoot so stay tuned.