One of my favorite seasonal transition items in my wardrobe is my pair (or more accurately pairs) of ankle pants. I have four pairs to be exact. They are all Mossimo from Target and were under $30. I got the … Continue reading
When statement necklaces came on the scene a few years ago, I was immediately opposed to them. They were bulky, obnoxious, and I had no idea with what to wear them. Wearing them forced you to pay attention to necklines … Continue reading
At the beginning of fall this year I began noticing that the color wine/burgundy/pinot noir/maroon/dark berry was everywhere. As a person who likes bright happy colors and pastels, this upset me. Wine was such a boring color. But because it … Continue reading
As an attorney, I have to always look ready to go to court or a meeting. This means I always have to have a blazer to magically turn my outfit from a dress and cardigan into a suit. In the summer, this can be especially challenging because the fabric from which most suit blazers are made is not at all breathable. As someone who sweats a lot, this can become quite unpleasant. Additionally, when wearing lighter (and sometimes more casual) fabrics and colors in the summer, sometimes the overly structured shape of a suit jacket just doesn’t go.
Enter the ponte blazer. Ponte is a fancy word for stretchy material (and is apparently pronounced pon-tee although I just pretend the “e” is silent). Most of my ponte blazers are a blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex. The material is light, stretchy, and most importantly–machine washable! I haven’t been to the drycleaners all summer! It’s been magical! Additionally, for a girl who never shed her swimmer shoulders, the stretchy material allows me to wear a jacket that actually fits me in the sleeves and body while allowing me to raise my arms above my head.
I’ve really jumped on this trend and have quite a few ponte blazers (8 to be exact). I’ve got some in the basic colors but have also tried to expand out into some fun colors for summer!
First- the traditional black blazer. This was one of the first ponte blazers I bought. I have two black blazers that go with suits, but sometimes they don’t hit in the right place with dresses. This blazer is also great to wear out with jeans because if someone spills on it, you don’t potentially ruin a $150 jacket and you can just throw it in the washing machine. The blazer is a bit more structured than my others–complete with shoulder pads–but still has the same stretchy material.
Target: Merona about $28.
Next up are more neutrals–grays. The blazer on the right was my first ponte blazer. Since then, it’s gotten a bit worn. It also cuts a bit high for some outfits. Therefore, when I saw the blazer on the left on sale online, I snatched it right up! The one on the left is a bit more structured, while the one on the right curves to really accentuate your curves.
Left: Target Merona $11 Right: Target Mossimo under $20
Up next are my discoveries from this summer thanks to my mom. My mom showed up at Easter with one of these blazers and I immediately loved them. Therefore, I went online and bought three! I like how tailored these blazers are. They are also very light, so perfect for summer. I love the orange color but unfortunately haven’t found much to wear that one with (unless I’ve dressing in UVA colors). The white one can be a bit see-through but as long as wear a light color underneath, it’s not noticeable.
All three: Sears $20 a piece.
My final two blazers are a bit untraditional. Unfortunately, the colors of these didn’t show up well on my camera. The first one is more of a mint and the second is a grass green. I bought the mint one on sale this fall and was a bit apprehensive about it at first. I don’t like the peplum trend at all and don’t think it looks flattering on me. But eventually the color won me over and I made the peplum work! The green blazer, as you can see, is collarless. I think this helps balance out the intensity of the color. It keeps the look minimal. Since both of the colors are bold, I usually pair them with black, navy, or gray for work. Occasionally though I get a little crazy and go for a colorful look!
Mint blazer: Target Mossimo less than $20 Grass green blazer: Target Merona $13
Ponte blazers offer a lightweight, cheap, easily washable alternative to a suit jacket. They come in fun colors too! As you may have noticed, Target has a lot of them so that’s a good place to start if you are looking to add one to your wardrobe!
Recently, I posted a Facebook status about wearing pink pants to work. A friend of mine (Randy Barr) commented that as long as I wasn’t wearing neon, I was probably ok. Well today I am here to say that you can wear neon in a professional setting! It has to be subtle and with the right items with it, but it can be done! As a UVA Law alum, it’s a basic requirement that I own neon. I think it’s fun to stand out and be bright so when I found these items while shopping, I couldn’t be more excited. Here are three outfits (one with an evening option) that show neon isn’t just for theme parties!
Outfit #1 Neon Yellow- this first outfit pairs a patterned shirt with a simple black suit. The shirt is a floral pattern of white, gray, black, green, and (wait for it) neon yellow! The infusion on neon is subtle and the rest of the shirt is a classic floral pattern. I paired it with my black suit and a small blingy (official term) necklace. If you need to button up, when you wear it under a suit jacket, the neon isn’t noticeable at all. This little infusion of neon is a great way to enjoy the trend while looking professional. There is also a fun ruffle on the left side of the shirt! The top is Worthington from JC Penny’s and was $20. The necklace was less than $5 from Forever 21.
Outfit #2: Pinky Peach- This next top isn’t quite as bold but just as fun. The black on the shirt really bring out the brightness of the pink/peach. The last time I wore this shirt, it transitioned well from my work day to a happy hour with a quick change of skirt and shoes. Shirt- $12 at Burlington Coat Factory, necklace- $2.80 at Forever 21, sandals- $20 at Target
Day look– My suit skirt and jacket (not pictured) with heels.
Evening look– stretchy skirt and sandals
Outfit #3- Pinky Peach all over– The third outfit is a structured dress that’s a similar peachy pink as the last shirt. This dress is a stiffer material which makes it a bit more conservative. Unfortunately, the downside to this dress is that it wrinkles really easily! I have to iron it constantly and by the end of the day it has folds in it from me sitting. I do love the color though so I wear it whenever I can make myself iron! I paired the dress with a great black and gold necklace and matching earrings. I also cinched it with a stretchy belt to give it more of a waist. The blazer is ponte but on the thicker side. I typically wear it with my black heels. Dress- under $30 from Target, blazer- $30 from Target, necklace and earrings- under $10 ABC Trading Co. in St. Louis.
Moral of the story: Embrace neon, but in moderation!
Cake, naps, and endorphins 