Two Ways: Joie White Lace Top
Jul 24, 2012
Blouse: Joie Fanny Lace Top ($174)
From Left, Earrings: Gorjana Hoops ($50) Bracelet: Square Links Bracelet ($65) Bracelet: Kate Spade Hinge Bangle ($128) Bag: Edie Attache ($290) Pumps: Orra Pumps ($60) Tank: Splendid 1×1 Tank ($39) Pants: Linen Cafe Trouser ($80)
From Right, Earrings: Single Stud Earring ($7) Bracelet: Tinley Road Bandle ($22 + 20% Off Code: ME) Bag: Slot Through Clutch ($33) Shoes: Madden Mala Pumps ($71) Dress: Raquel Cotton Cady Dress ($235)
For a Casual Friday. Why bright yellow pants? So that one day in your memoirs, you’ll describe me as inscrutable. (First to name the TV show wins a prize.) But seriously, I’ve been craving a pair of crazy, bright yellow (or maybe cobalt) trousers. Sadly, these are linen, and I’m allergic to a linen. At least, my sense of style is.
Need an alternative? A navy trouser with a wider leg (or a skinny leg, if you prefer) would be lovely.
I could have used a nude-to-you cami under this blouse, but I liked the idea of a white tank better. It felt better suited to the office.
Sometimes a blouse just screams out for a bracelet, and this one does. I love these two bracelets together, it’s a substantial amount of jewelry but not so much jewelry that your wrist might snap. I’d probably add some small gold rings as well.
For the hair, I’d style my hair in not-so-perfect waves using two different sizes of curling iron. For the makeup, I’d wear a red lip and red nails. I’d also wear more eyeliner than usual.
For a Cocktail Party. This outfit was inspired by a photo on my Pinterest page of a woman wearing a black strapless corset bra under a white lace blouse. The look has style for miles. And since I can’t be the only one with strapless bridesmaids dresses stored under my bed, this might be a good way to recycle them for other uses.
This is one of those outfits where you don’t want to mess with the neckline, so there’s no necklace. This cuff isn’t fussy or too pretty, and it provides a nice contrast to the blouse. But I love the blush-colored resin stripe running down the middle, it plays well with a simple, blush-colored clutch.
For the hair, a slightly-right-of-center part, teased at the crown, styled wavy, then pulled into a middle-of-the-head ponytail. For the makeup, I’d choose a true pink nail color like Dior Pink Icing ($23). I’d also wear pink blush, a gold shimmer eye with a bit of black liner and a pinky-nude lip color, not a gloss.
Veronica Mars. <3
Kelsey wins. Send me your contact info the capitolhillstyle @ gmail address and I'll send your prize.
Would you tuck in the lace blouse in the pants outfit? As someone who always has these issues, I'd like to see you address them on the blog (pretty please). And when you put belts in the posts, I'd like to know exactly where you intend to place them. Sometimes you do a belt, shirt, and skirt, and I wonder if you'd tuck the shirt in and put the belt on the skirt (even though it doesn't have belt loops – how do you get it to stay?) or if you'd leave the shirt untucked and put the belt on the shirt.
Long, rambling comment, but I'd appreciate some help on this!
I'm a little confused how the top over the dress would look? I saw the pinterest inspiration but since those were pants the top could be tucked in. I think I'm missing something here… help!
For the cocktail party would you keep the lace blouse over the dress like the picture or would you wear it under the dress?
I especially love the strapless sweetheart neckline under the lace. Risque meets sweet. Very cool, Belle!
Bethany: Over.
K: Think of it as an alternative to wearing a jacket. A bit like these OdlR red carpet look. https://pinterest.com/pin/19351473368389294/
b23: No. This blouse is too boxy and too short to be tucked in. And a belt should go where ever it is most flattering on you. Some women look good with it at the natural waist, others lower or higher.
Would seriously love a post on what to do with the $230 bridesmaid dress I have. I wouldn't spend that much on a dress I could wear 10 times let alone once. Can I wear it again? Probably not. (Although don't all brides seem to think the dresses they chose can be worn again?)
Thanks for the image, Belle. Totally get it now! And I love it!
Belle, a quick question:
So often, I love the bags you post, only to be disappointed when I click through that they're not leather (or rather, that they're polyurethane or a faux leather — not talking about obviously-not-meant-to-be-leather bags, like straw or canvas). I used to have some of those when I was first starting out, but they seemed to wear so poorly that I made a rule that I'd only get leather. Now, I've had some leather bags that haven't worn super well (particularly with fraying around the handle), so I'm wondering, are you agnostic when it comes to leather vs. faux leather or have you not found wear issues to be problematic, or are you just posting whatever works style-wise, without regard to weather you'd actually buy that item?
Thanks!!
JD: If I pay less than $150 for a bag, I don't expect it to be leather. And I don't really care either way, if I like it, I like it.