Cup of Jo's 9 Spring Fashion Trends: Where to Find Them

Cup of Jo's 9 Spring Fashion Trends: Where to Find Them

UO via Cup of Jo

Recently, Joanna of Cup of Jo posted 9 spring fashion trends (will you wear them?). It got me thinking about whether I think we should all try them out (or not) and, if so, where we might find them for more reasonable price points. First I talked about her first trend: flares. You may have gathered that I love that trend because it's extremely flattering on most women.

Next up for Joanna? Maxi dresses. Joanna says:

2. Maxi dresses. This year, they go ALL the way to your feet (no ankles allowed!), but have slits or bare backs that feel irresistibly sexy. Picks: This, this and this.

Her examples (gorgeous! gorgeous! and a little too much sideboob, respectively!) are $105, $268, and $59. So there's a range, but it's a steep incline up to a pretty high price point for a statement-making dress. My thought on these dresses is this: anytime you wear a dress with a slit uptohere or an open back, it's going to get noticed. That might make it worth the money for you, or it might make you less likely to wear the dress as a staple, in which case you might not want to splurge on it. If you want a video on how to make a double slit skirt at home (and mental notes on how high you want to go-or not!) find one here.

I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of the slit leg on a casual dress. If you're going formal, maybe, but the slit is really awkward to wear on a dress with a flowy skirt in my experience. The bare backs are more doable. Here's a much cheaper white open back maxi dress from Wet Seal.

This one is less open and slightly more sophisticated.

My overall feeling? If you love this trend, you're going to either get a cheap version and wear it a few times, or you're going to need to spend on it. Why not find a gorgeous maxi skirt (there are so many) and pair it with this season's plethora of open back shirts? That way, you can wear the top with shorts or jeans, too.

I'll be talking about open back tops for women who wear bras tomorrow so don't fret.

Next up for Joanna (and for us)? Spring's swing tops. Tune in next Wednesday!

Spring Outfit Inspiration from Old Navy

Spring Outfit Inspiration from Old Navy

I love a good Old Navy bargain, especially at the change of season. I'm never 100% committed to what I'll want to be wearing when the weather first changes, and so I don't usually want to spend a lot of money on things that I might not want to wear by July. I often think of Old Navy as a standby for simple pieces that will last a season.

But, guys? This season Old Navy has some downright inspirational styling for spring and early summer, too! And some cute poses for a Facebook profile or Instagram pic!

Stay Warm in the Spring Chill-or Cover Up in the Summer Sun

 

What I love above is that they've chosen to cover something up (3/4 length sleeves, knee length dress, camo jacket, denim vest) and reveal something (wrists and ankles, shoulders and feet, arms and ankles, legs and wrists) in the same outfit. It's grown up spring style done well. Of course, you know I love a straw fedora, too.

Pack Easily for a Weekend Trip to the Beach

Below are four outfits that would be perfect for a weekend trip: the red skirt for an evening out (worn directly from work if need be), the ripped jeans and stripes for the farmer's market in the morning, the jean skirt for a glass of wine at a restaurant on the coast, and the shorts for brunch and a few last hours at the beach on Sunday. You could easily do this with two pairs of shoes since the ripped jean sneakers would love to be friends with those jean shorts.  Throw in a swimsuit and the perfect sleeping slip and you are set! Quick tip: buy a more expensive bikini top that offers the right amount of support (hard to find in a cheap one) and an inexpensive bottom that's from the same color family or matches one of the colors in a patterned top.

Keep it Simple

For summer, is there anything better than a sweet maxi dress that you can wear from sun up to sundown? Not in my book! I love a denim top for summer, too, since you can take a dress and turn it into what looks like a skirt and top-or wear it tied over cropped pants on a cooler day.

I'd also wear all of these to one special beach rainy day spot: the outlets! It makes it so much easier to try things on when all you have to do is slip off a dress or remove a top or bottom to try something on.

Old Navy's not a sponsor. Not getting paid. Just liked it.

How to Style a Maxi Dress or Skirt for Business Casual

How to Style a Maxi Dress or Skirt for Business Casual

I have to admit that this post is a bit of a lie. I'm going to write about how to hypothetically style a floor-length skirt or dress to wear to the office, but I have never actually done it. I see women wear floor length to work now and then, but I don't personally do it. I have a bit of a complex around not looking too young in my conservative office setting because I am often the youngest person in every meeting-by an average of 30 years. I often think a maxi would make me look shorter and younger so I just avoid them at work. But, after writing this maybe (just maybe, on a Friday?) I'll change my tune.

If you work in an office that's heavier on the casual part of business casual, we could talk for days. Once summer hits, let's maxi it up with sandals and bare feet, Toms, or little slip on shoes and little else aside from a straw hat. But for business casual in an office that's hard on the conservative dressing? It's tricky!

Pick a solid color or a classic print

There are a lot of wild maxi dresses out there that would be perfect for the beach-this is not the time for that, I don't think. Leave the paisley or tie dye at home and choose something in a solid print or a classic pattern like a stripe.

Asos

This is a beautiful option. Yes, I'd add a tank underneath to calm down that deep V neck and likely a cardigan or blazer on top, too. 

Balance out the length with covered up arms

This isn't full length (but a gorgeous length on her that would work for all ages/shapes/sizes!), but I love how the 3/4 sleeves balance out the skirt on the bottom, which is quite full. This same concept would be great with a maxi skirt. You could also put a button down shirt over a maxi dress and belt it for a similar effect.

Via

Another gorgeous look is to add a jacket or blazer over a longer length skirt. Again, not maxi length here, but a great look to copy!

Asos

Keep the shoes professional

Ok, so I've just figured out the number one reason why I don't wear maxi dresses to work: the shoes! I love to wear a long dress with boots, but I don't feel that it's the most professional look. And I still haven't mastered the whole walking in a long dress with heels on thing. What are the alternatives?

I'd go with a flat shoe that won't show much but will look professional when it does.

Sole Society

 I'm kind of partial to a pointier toe, actually, so that you don't look like you're wearing sandals. I think the footless look that happens with a maxi length can read as overly casual for the office.

Asos

Beware high slits, low necklines, almost-nightgowns, and peep show legs

Anthropologie

Maxis are tricky ones! This Anthro number above seems great-classic print, nice modest neckline, not too tight...but look at that slit. Even with tights underneath, it's too beachy for my liking. This can also happen with white, pink, or other light colors in a maxi dress or skirt; beware of anything that reads at all like a nightgown.

Another common issue? Spot it here.

Via

If she buttoned the blouse more, the whole concept is perfect for work: solid color, covered arms, not tight. But, the see through gauze is too much information for the office, I'm afraid. She could add a slip, but I find a long flowing skirt to be very uncomfortable with a slip.

That's my two cents! I would be really interested in seeing pictures if anyone wears a maxi length to a business casual office. I'd love to feature you!

Want more work wear ideas? I've got a Pinterest board full of them!

Wear it Now/Wear it Later: Maxi Skirt

Wear it Now/Wear it Later

My approach to personal styling is this: you likely already have some great clothing, but you also could likely wear it differently. Even those who love every piece of clothing in their closets get into routines, which can become ruts. I love discovering what my clients and friends already have in their closets and figuring out how to wear it differently, more creatively, or even more often!

When I'm shopping (for myself or for a client), I keep my eye out for pieces that I can wear now and later. For example, Garnet Hill is having a spring sale of 25% off until February 18th. For most of us, we're not thinking a lot about spring before February 18th! But, a few items stood out to me as things I'd love to buy now and not just hold on to until the weather warms up but to wear now, too!  Here is one.

Ankle-length, front pockets, optional folding down waistband, modal/cotton blend, five stars on four reviews...could this skirt get any better? But, spring feels like a long time. Here's how I'd recommend you save the 25% off by ordering it now and how to wear it-both now and later.

Now

A maxi skirt can be your best friend in the winter because there's so much room to layer underneath! Add tights or even leggings and boots. I love the way boots feel under a long skirt-very pioneer-churning-my-own-butter. Try cowboy boots, ankle boots, or even snow boots. If you don't love that look, just do a flat shoe like a ballerina flat.

On top, try a big cable-knit sweater (I'd love an emerald green with this gorgeous blue skirt), a crisp white button down (try tucking it in), or a graphic tshirt with a soft blazer over it, like this one, which looks less shiny on the model.

For accessories, I love a long necklace with a long skirt because it draws the eye down the whole body, leaving you looking tall and narrow. Can't you just picture a long necklace there in the middle of the blazer? Bing!

Later

Once the weather warms up, you've reached maxi skirt glory. You can always pair it with a basic t-shirt and sandals, but you could also try something more polished like a silkier tank top or cowl neck shirt. Experiment with leaving the front tucked and the back untucked or with a light sweater over the shirt or consider knotting your tshirt. I'm never comfortable with a cropped top usually, but if the waist of this skirt folds up, I could easily knot it and have plenty of fabric underneath!

Via

If you're not ready for sandals or don't wear them in general, your trusty flats will work in the spring/summer, too. I tend to avoid heels with maxi skirts because I'm afraid that I'll trip, but I love when women wear wedges with maxi skirts.

I'm not buying this particular one, but I'm going upstairs to pull out some of my maxi dresses and skirts that I've relegated to the "summer only" section of my closet. How about you?


And nope, GH isn't a sponsor. I just like their stuff-and their sale!