How to Wear a Cobalt Blouse

I recently fell in love with and subsequently purchased a loose fitting cobalt blue, button-up blouse at the Nordstrom Rack. Cobalt blue is definitely trending right now and it's not hard to pull off. To keep the blouse the main focus and show off the bright blue color, I like to wear it with a neutral toned outfit and a cool necklace.

1. Silk Button Down Blouse by Greylin, from Piperlime
The one I bought is not available online but this one is a really close match – loose fitting but still professional and a little sexy (hello! open neckline).

2. Sam Edelman Maddox booties from Zappos
Neutral with a little bit of heel makes for a sophisticated and chic silhouette.

3. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant in Always Naked 200
I bought this exact nail polish last week and it's totally my new favorite. It's very neutral and almost blends in so you can hardly see it's there except for a little shiny gleam. And bonus! it really lasts. I applied two coats (no topcoat) on Saturday and it's still holding strong 4 days later. My next plan for this polish is to use it with a pale lavender in a messy french manicure style like this.

4. Phard Casual Pants from Yoox
A slim pair of beige or gray pants perfectly balance the loose fit of the top and set off the bright color.

5. Necklace No. 12 by Iacoli & MCallister from Of A Kind
The solid, bright color blouse calls for a neutral colored necklace in a contemporary, geometric design. Whereas silver would blend in, gold looks especially bold with cobalt. 

6. Helmut Lang Rolled Sleeve Blazer from ShopBop
A delicately detailed beige jacket or sweater completes the outfit with polish.

Related:
Outfit Posts
Pretty Clothes pinboard

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How to Wear a Really Big Scarf

It doesn't get cold very often in Los Angeles but this last week has been as cold as it gets. I like to wear scarves all year long but winter is the only time I can wear the really big thick ones. I've been inspired by street style photos like this one of really big scarves layered over coats and skinny jeans.

Here are the essentials for how to create your own really big scarf look:

1. Vancouver Colorblocked Scarf from Ruche
First off (obviously) you need big scarf that you can wrap and wrap until it's a big bundle of cozy.

2. Striped Easy Tee from Madewell
Layering is key to staying to warm in the cold days of winter. So, get out those long sleeve t-shirts and sweaters. If you can find a casual, cool t-shirt like this one you are sure to look chic whether you are all bundled for the wind or sans a few layers in front of the fire. The little hint of red on the pocket plays nicely with the red lipstick and gives this neutral outfit a touch of excitement.

3. Steve Madden Troopa boots from Piperlime
Boots are essential for keeping those little toes warm. Boots with feminine details like these lace up ones will keep your look pretty, refined and functional.

4. Twig High-Rise Jeans from Urban Outfitters
Dark skinny jeans create a foundation for the outfit – when combined with a thick coat and really big scarf, you'll have a silhouette that's top-heavy in just the right way.

5. Smashbox Red Lipstick from Sephora
Keep this casual look chic and your confidence high with a seriously red lip.

6. Black and White Boyfriend Coat from TopShop
This oversized coat is sure to keep you warm and cozy. The wider on top shape will keep support your really big scarf and emphasize your gorgeous skinny gams.

What are your go to items of clothing for the winter months? See more of my outfit posts here and check out more fashion picks on my Pretty Clothes Pinterest board.

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Cozy Grey Outfit

It's finally gotten kind of cold in Los Angeles (I do realize that "cold" is relative) and all I want to do is wear big cardigans, sweat pants and slippers. It's the perfect outfit for weekend lounging and catching up on Downton Abbey with a cup of tea.

1. Cold Weather Hat with Fur Pom from Target
2. Maybelline Color Show nail polish in #400 Pedal to the Metal
3. Monrow Granite Jersey Vintage Sweatpants from Shopbop
4. Cotton Henley Long Sleeve T-shirt from Uniqlo
5. UGG Dakota Slippers from Zappos
6. Jack by BB Dakota Grey Northern Hotel Cardigan from ModCloth

See more of my fashion picks on my Pretty Clothes pinterest board.

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How To Wear Brown Leather Accessories

My favorite accessories are made of brown leather. I love how they look paired together. They have a way of pulling an outfit together with sophisticated no-fuss style. The best way to highlight your accessories is with a simple dark colored blouse/pant combo.

Here are my picks clockwise from top left:

1. Tubular Skinny Braid Belt from Lands' End Canvas
2. Silk Henley Blouse from L'Agence
3. Moto Vintage Skinny Jeans from TopShop
4. Transport Tote from Madewell
5. Enzo Angiolini 'Saylem' Riding Boot from Nordstrom
6. Wishbone Necklace from etsy seller lilabelledesign

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How to Make a Plaid Shirt Chic

The 90's gave plaid shirts a bad rap. But this photo proves that plaid can be utterly chic. (Just a little side note, I found the photo on pinterest and sadly can't find the original source. UPDATE: I found the source of the photo here on Happily Grey.) The photo is so gorgeous; it just slays me. If we could see the rest of her outfit, I think it would be dark, close fitting jeans and a leather handbag.

How to do it:

1. Get thee a plaid shirt. This men's shirt (by Gant Rugger at Barney's New York) matches our photo quite nicely. You should probably wash it about 50 times and get it nice and faded.

2. Put a chunky gold watch on that wrist.

3. Then add some femininity with a sweet little gold bracelet like this one by etsy shop fildee.

4. Finally, shade those eyes with dramatic, tortoise shell sunglasses like these by Steve Madden.

For more fall inspiration check out my Falling Into Autumn pinterest board.

Sunday Summer Outfit

Inspired by this photo (above left) from Lucky magazine, I made this outfit last Sunday. For the skirt, I used a medium weight pinstripe cotton fabric that I purchased at the Michael Levine bulk store in downtown LA and Vogue pattern V1247. The pattern was relatively easy to put together. The one big change I made was to do an exposed zipper.To make an exposed zipper, I first basted the center back seam. Next I stitched a facing to the center back seam (on the right side of the fabric), stitching 1/8 inch on either side of the seam (see above).
After stitching, I cut the facing down the center and removed the basting stitches.
Next, I turned the facing to the wrong side and pressed flat (see above). The skirt was ready for the zipper.
The skirt is very comfortable and fits well (I cut a size 14). Instead of encasing the seams with binding, I serged the raw edges, saving a lot of time. I really love this skirt, especially the pockets, and would make it again.
For the blouse I used a lightweight sheer fabric that I bought as a remnant from the regular Michael Levine store. For the pattern, I used Simplicity 2892, view C without the bottom band. I've used this pattern a couple times before with success (View C, dress length and View D, dress length). I narrowed the shoulders and eliminated the facings. I finished the arm and neckholes with folded bias strips and a serger. I didn't do the best job on the edges because I was trying to hurry but I'm satisfied with the blouse.

Casual Afternoon Summer Outfit

Last weekend I decided to give myself the challenge of sewing an entire outfit each day of the three day weekend. Conveniently, I did not need to do any shopping for supplies. First up, I found the above photo in a Lands End Canvas catalog and went to work to recreate the outfit.
I used chambray for the skirt and a white and grey striped knit for the tank top. For the skirt I used an old Very Easy Very Vogue skirt pattern that I bought in high school. The pattern is Vogue 9291 and I used view B with the waistband from View C. The pattern uses a lining instead of a button placket, so I extended the front edge to make one.
The skirt was very easy to put together. I used a light grey thread for the top stitching and buttonholes because I've found the light grey blends very well on denim.

At the end of the night, I decided the skirt was looking kind of boring and added patch pockets with decorative buttons.

For the tank top I used the pattern from Wendy Mullin's Sew U Home Stretch. I had planned to use a stretch denim bias tape to finish the edges but the bias tape felt too bulky for the weight of the fabric. I tried a piping and bias strips and settled on the bias strips to finish. I made a size large for the tank top and it is a little too wide at the shoulders and loose fitting. If I make it again, I went to reduce the size at the center seam.

To finish off the outfit, I found (in my stash!) a white braid and a wooden belt buckle and fashioned them into a belt.