Outfit of the Day: Sweet Nothings

Yesterday I donned a new-crowned favorite dress of mine! It's a silk-blend all over-print Lilly dress that works great in fall to winter! I love that I can wear this dress with tights and boots but also flats or nude heels too once it gets warmer.

It has the best v-neck neckline and is a false wrap-dress. It's a professional looking as a wrap-dress but you don't have to worry about sitting the 100% correct way like you do in a true wrap. My mom and I agreed that a wrap dress is an ideal work dress because it's almost always appropriate. I've worn this dress with a blazer on top (with nude heels) and it's been great.

To casual-ize this dress, I added a cream colored scarf to bring out the creamy base color and added the black tights and my two-tone boots. I wore my hair down regular and plain so that the dress could do the talking! The print name is "Sweet Nothings" which I just LOVE as we approach Valentine's!

With this kind of bold print, you can really tie in so many of the colors! We had a woman come into the store and bought a pair of blue trousers that really popped with the top she had in this print and made the bits of blue really stand out. Did you even see the blue in it?!

I'm glad I can still get some use out of my dressy boots before the weather turns to Jacks and McKims weather!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Double Ruffles

I'm all about the ruffles these days! On Sunday, I wore a double ruffles outfit with ruffles on my jacket and ruffles on my skirt!

I got this skirt over the summer from 6pm but it's Lilly from spring!

My new ruffle coat from Old Navy is about my favorite newest purchase! I got it in-store, but online similar options are here and here! Check out your store as well to see if they have any Black Friday/holiday sales going on! I got mine for 40% off!

My boots are Corso Como and I am OBSESSED with them. They are so comfy, not too snug and they stay up! What more could you ask for in riding boots?! They are the Richmond design and I've already worn them a bunch since I bought them! I think I've got my mom hooked on them too!

I wore this ensemble to Church, but a bright, colorful, skirt and a black turtleneck and tights is absolutely a go-to outfit for me. If we're out shopping and I see a skirt I like, my mom and I will almost simultaneously say to each other, "Black turtleneck and tights?" in agreement! It's a good classic look and you know you look put-together.

Do you have a go-to look like this?

xxKatie

College Clothing Alternatives

Just yesterday a facebook friend of mine posted a list of "Alternatives" to VERY collegiate looks (you know, "Norts", Uggs, Vera Bradley...) and I didn't really like their items. I thought they were too much of a departure from the original looks! Here are my choices to eliminate all the repeats walking around on campus:

Go from Uggs to Riding Boots

Any time it's appropriate to wear Uggs, I promise it will be equally appropriate to wear riding boots. You can tuck them into jeans, wear jeans over them and they'll keep you warm!

Switch it up from a North Face Denali Fleece to a Pea Coat

Pea coats come in just as many colors as North Face Denali Fleeces do and some are even insulated for extra warmth! You can find wool ones that will be even warmer than just a simple fleece.

I beg you to swap Norts for Anything Else

You can wear skirts, printed shorts, jeans, ANYTHING ELSE! I don't hate Norts at all, I'm actually wearing them now, as I type. But I'm getting ready to go to bed. I wear Norts as PJ's, not to class. I don't understand the Norts-to-class phenomenon! It is just as easy to put on real clothes as it is to put on Norts!!

Try instead of a Vera Bradley Wristlet going for a heartier Leather Wristlet

Both my roommate and I freshman year had Vera Bradley wristlets, everyone did! It was so easy to pop your Carolina Card out of the plastic pocket and store everything we needed in them. However, they show dirt like CRAZY! And everyone has one, so while you might be the only one with your pattern, everyone has the same style! Try a leather wristlet that will last longer, stay nicer looking, and has the same ease of use that the VB one has!

Do people on your campuses have all these things? Do you see them everywhere? I sure do!!!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Cognac Inspired

October 28 by letsbepreppy featuring travel tote bags

I don't mean the drink silly!

I mean the shade of leather! Duh.

I love this shade of brown for boots and belts! It's so versatile and works great with navy, black, white, pink, khaki, and everything else. I love to pair cognac with gold accessories and pieces. I got my boots from Bandolino a few years ago, but they come out with an updated riding boot every fall/winter season! I LOVE mine since they have a no-skid rubber  bottom and really have molded to my feet. Part of the bottom is starting to peel off of mine, so I might have to get it re-soled over Christmas break depending on how much more I wear them. (I'm guessing I'll have to go do that since I wear them a few times per week...)

What kind of brown do you wear in the fall and winter? Do you transition to a darker shade when it gets colder? Do you mostly just stick to black? Do you just have different colors for different outfits? Let me know!!

xxKatie

Need a Knockoff?

Frye Melissa Button Boots

Beautiful boots right? Yes, and they look great on and match everything. Naturally, they are great quality and I can speak to that directly now. But, their $328 price tag can shy people away. Until now:

Target Kasia Tall Leather Boots in Black

These are by far the best Frye Melissa Button knockoffs I've ever seen! Not only do they look good in black, but I think they look best in the Cognac color:

Now compare again to the same color in the Frye:

CRAZY RIGHT?! Need a new pair of riding boots? Be sure to check them out at Target!!

People often ask, how can I get your style on a budget. This is a PERFECT example! It is rare that I buy anything for full price. I do my homework, I get stuff on Amazon with my student discount, I get things on sale, and I wait to see if prices get lower. Knockoffs like these, that are almost SPOT ON, are a perfect way to get this upscale style of boot on a budget!

xxKatie