This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine says it best, "You know, that thing you bought because you love it and you keep pulling it out and then putting it away without wearing it?"Please share your J.Crew item (either that you own or are thinking about getting) that you would love help creating an outfit with.
Also, please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel free to include links to your blog (where you incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance! :)
Love this idea, can't wait to read some of the posts. I'll have to check my closet to see what I need styled.
ReplyDeleteAccessible, everyday style that shines: http://magpiestyle.net
great idea! can't wait to read some and be inspired!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone advise on colors that pair well with the natural/blush ciel etoile cardi? I have worn only white beneath it thus far and would like to try something else but I haven't been able to come up with anything that really looks great. This has been such a popular cardi, surely one of you creative JCAs has found another color it complements.
ReplyDeleteTIA
Can someone suggest how to style the Langford 2-tone high heeled oxfords? I don't want to return them, but if I can't figure out how to make them shine, they're going back! TIA.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, but I went to the Tyson's Galleria store last night and they were having a 30% off of everything sale. The SAs told me it was just announced 3 hours prior to my arrival (I got there around 8). They didn't know if it would continue into today.
ReplyDeletelangford heels- with a herringbone tight, or any lightish grey tight, even a fishnet (think british school marm, but prepsexy)- if you go black it might look like it's trying to match. pencil skirt, but also a minnie pant and trouser socks? If you treat them as a neutral shoe and not something that needs to be matched, you could even wear w/ a cuffed/rolled boyfriend jean or toothpick jean. Those are fabulous and are dying to be worn dressed down!What an unexpected twist on a casual -ish outfit!
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ReplyDeleteHello all and thank you and Happy Holidays in advance. I'm hoping no question is too silly here...all of you have such great fashion sense unlike myself. Just wondering what you pair your Minnies (bi-stretch zip) with to dress them up? I have an Annelise blouse in Ivory from last year and I also bought the Blackwatch Blazer from Talbots..not sure if that is a little too preppy for me.This will be my Christmas Eve church/evening outfit.
ReplyDeleteAlso..I live in the Northeast and it is cold. Are folks wearing knee hi's with ballet flats or socks? Help!!
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I have specific things I need help with, but today I have a more general question.
I'm a Florida girl who will be spending New Year's Eve in NYC. I am going out with friends to a bar and some parties that night. Nothing too fancy (no black tie here) and won't be outside for an extended period of time.
Any suggestions for outfits? What are some of you Northern ladies wearing for NYE?
For JRuby: Do you have the Langfords in black/taupe or the wool/tan version? For the black ones, I'd pair them with black tights and a bold dress on top in burgundy or red. If you have the wool ones, you could wear them dressed down with rolled up jeans and a striped tee, or dress them up with grey tights and a light colored dress or skirt. They would look great with anything olive green, too. I would wear them with one of my ivory lace dresses cinched with a tan belt.
ReplyDeleteFor Catrina: NYE in NYC. Since you're hitting up a variety of places, you can choose something comfortable but versatile for walking or riding in cabs. My idea would be skinny black pants, a sparkly or pretty blouse, a cozy wool scarf, big earrings, and ballet flats (or heels if you're not walking too much). Instead of a coat, you can also wear a big shawl (it's easier to keep track of, and you can put it into a purse if needed).
Hope this helps! I LOVE this post, Alexis! You are the best girl! xo
YAY! The cavalry has arrived! :)
ReplyDeleteI need serious help with my contrast-stitch perfect shirt. I love it. LOVE IT. But I can't get it to look right with anything. I wore it only once with a pair of tan overdyed matchstick crops (BO-RING) and that's it. :-/
I also need some new ideas for my beloved double-serge pencil skirts, esp. the bright blue one. Something other than a black turtleneck. I love the skirt, I just don't ever wear it.
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Catrina, be forewarned, it is soooo COLD in New York in January! Like your face will freeze and fall off! If you're going to a bar that has a coat check, you're golden. Simply bundle up well for the ride over, stuff your hat/scarf/gloves into the sleeve of your coat [you MUST wear them, it can be tough to get a cab on NYE!] and after you remove your coat, move AWAY from the door, lol!
Anything black is always in style in NY -- year-round, all day and night. That's a safe choice and it won't show any spillage that may happen in the course of the evening.
The outfits will really run the gamut though, and what you wear depends on how dressed-up you want to be. If you can elaborate some, I can try to help!
And some may disagree, but I never wear my favorite coat out on a night like NYE, especially if it's a ubiquitous black coat. Just too likely that it will get mixed up in the coat check or wherever you happen to leave it. Just my 2 cents.
I'd like some help with my double serge pencil skirt in Nightfall Blue. It's such a unique color. So far all I can come up with (besides basic black) is warm yellow/gold. Any other ideas?
ReplyDeleteFor Elaine: You're so lucky to own the blue double-serge skirt! I love that color and wish I had picked it up. I would wear it with a blouse tucked in and belted. I'm picturing the striped ruffle Frances blouse; the blues would compliment each other. You can go for a bold look and pair it with a neutral top and a kelly green cardigan-- That would be amazing!
ReplyDeleteThere's also nothing wrong with keeping it simple. Since you've been wearing it with black, try pairing it with a fitted black tee/sweater tucked in with a pretty necklace, or grey with silver accessories.
P.S. I agree with you-- Don't wear your favorite coat on NYE, unless you are going to trusted family/friends' houses, apartments, etc., or you are willing to hold it yourself (which I shamelessly do in some situations, "No, I don't want you to take my coat."). There is usually an accidental spill or a coat mix-up.
Elaine... I like the bright blue pencil with something like "bronzed olive". I have a merino turtleneck in that color and... tt looks awesome! Also, for shoes, I wear butterscotch colored shoes with it and it looks good.
ReplyDeleteRe: NYE in NYC - smallest cross-body bag you can manage. No clutches, no diaper bags (sorry, that's what I always think of). And don't take it off and don't hang it on a chair. And have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteElaine,
ReplyDeleteI wear my bright blue pencil skirt with the guava and nude Maya cardis, orange Ellora print shirt, Farrow bow top in both the ivory and taupe, last year's paisley perfect shirt, warm burgundy stretch shirt, various white blouses and a grey or black Jackie twinset. I like to wear it with grey or taupe tights, depending on what I wear with it on top.
AppGal,
ReplyDeleteI have worn the Farrow bow tops in ivory and taupe with the nightfall blue skirt. I like the bling-button cardis over these tops since the v-neck let's the bow show. I've also paired it with a turquoise tissue turtleneck, deep purple, bright plum and red sweaters as well as white and ivory blouses. I think guava would also look good with the nightfall blue. I believe it was silver_lining who said she treated it like a navy.
Lauren ~ I just posted some photos on my blog that you my find inspiring for the Zip Minnies!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://dtdiaries.blogspot.com/2010/12/raincoats-and-elbow-pads.html
THIS IS A GREAT IDEA JCA!!!
Thanks for the input, ladies!
ReplyDeleteGreat call on not wearing your favorite coat - I'd hate for mine to get ruined or lost (even if I never have a chance to wear it here in Florida).
Happy holidays!
Alexis, this is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteElaine, I was lucky to get the contrast stitch from another JCA. I've worn it with the cinnamon pencil skirt from last year and a light gold/pumpkin color scarf. Too cold now for it, but I'm looking forward to wearing it in spring/summer with a floral skirt, to tone down the flowers. I'm also planning on wearing it with an ivory pencil skirt and leopard heels. Hope that helps!
Anyone with the buffalo jacket, do you think you can get away with wearing it belted over a black skirt?
Aha! Thank you for your suggestions, all! A blue skirt with the Ellora shirt, now there is something that never would have occurred to me. I will have to try that -- and the bronzed olive suggestion too.
ReplyDeleteMy other usual with my double-serge pencil skirts is my black and white python-print silk blouse/cami (the one with the little knot at the bust) under a black Melanie cardi (the one with the little domed ceramic 'buttons' set in goldtone hardware). It's one of my all-time favorite outfits -- everytime I wear it people compliment me, even my husband (a rare styling win for me, lol).
I also totally cheesed off of a catalog shot and with both the persimmon and bronzed ochre skirts, I wear a navy haberdashery (button-down) shirt tucked in with a long strand of turquoise beads. It kills every single time, and it makes me feel like a million bucks. :)
I need help with the herringbone bell skirt... its the peach herringbone and really lovely, but I cannot figure out how to wear a top with it for the life of me. I am a size 4-6 and not teeny tiny so I was looking for suggestions that won't make me look bigger than I am... I love this skirt it is just so difficult to pair a top with! TIA!
ReplyDeleteKris...that is a FANTASTIC suggestion. I can see those colors together in my head, and I love it! I wasn't lucky enough to grab that skirt, so I'm going to keep looking. And maybe it would pair well with matchstick/toothpick cords in a similar color, like Acorn. Hmm... Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea as well! Thanks Alexis!
ReplyDeleteAppGal, I bet that nightfall blue skirt would be gorgeous with camel. But I'm not the best stylist, so take that with a grain of salt, lol.
ReplyDeleteHello ladies!
ReplyDeleteI gor the collection hammered silk skirt in Bronzed twig-item 29322, that has some extra draping in the front.
I went for it instead of the felted wool or double serge. thinking that it could be 4-season skirt in Dallas.
I'm thinking abour returning and getting the double serge skirt in Bronzed ocher. The sheen and the texture is too much "dressed up" look.
Any suggestions? It's a beautiful skirt that was priced at $278. I got it for $49.
Also got the Novo striped cami, and besides black cardi, how do you winterize it? Turtleneck under?
TIA
And thanks Alexis! This is great!
ReplyDeletexoxo, I bought that cardi and I wanted that color because I didn't have an embellished cardi in that pinkish/blush, but I tend to mix patterns and wear a lot of dresses. I know you post here a lot but what sort of pieces do you have and colors do you like to wear? I got it knowing it would look great with some of my dresses eg my Anna Sui "Cascading Foliage" dress from Anthropologie and it does - this is a silk chiffon in pinks, nudes, beige. It also looks beautiful with another silk dress that is similar in the colorways, pinks, purples that is a painted silk. But this is my style. I would also put it with a skirt I have that is black and cream circle print. I have lots of J.Crew pieces. So...sorry to ramble but I didn't want to suggest until I knew if you liked to mix patterns. Overall though the tones of those dresses and the cardigan really work but I think there are outfits of solids that could work too. I just don't wear jeans or pants (they don't fit and flatter me).
ReplyDeleteSorry for long post.
For Catrina, I agree with what others have said - in NYC on NYE, it is so tempting to wear amazing shoes, but remember that so many cabs in NYC (and other northeast cities) have a permanent puddle on the floor at this time of year so save your gorgeous shoes. Also in bars people only see your top half. I love heels/platforms but save your most fabulous pair for parties at friends houses where you can change/protect your shoes. I would also not risk my best coat and I wear tights as part of my outfit, you'll die of cold if your legs are bare.
ReplyDeleteJi, the ochre double-serge pencil skirt is a true must-have. It pays for itself a million times over. I don't have the skirt you bought, but the hammered silk tanks I have from past years haven't held up too well. The fabric is very easily damaged just by normal everyday activity. It gets microscopic pulls that over time make it look almost fuzzy. I can't even wear mine anymore. :-/
ReplyDeleteAs with everything, YMMV, but this was my experience.
Hi everyone! I recently bought the sequin mesh bell skirt and I'm trying to figure out tops (or layers) to wear with it as well as shoes. In terms of tops, any other suggestions besides pairing it with a chambray button-up and sweater for a more understated look?
ReplyDeletePlanning on making the most of my purchase by wearing it for Christmas Eve mass as well as NYE in the city. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
TIA :)
Sydneygirl, I dress quite conservatively, especially for my age - I recently turned 25. I don't know that I could mix patterns with confidence but I do wear quite a few patterned blouses as well as plaid, houndstooth, herringbone, pinstriped and tweed bottoms. I'm really comfortable with just one pattern though, unless the other is really small in scale. I wear a lot of colors, mostly cool tones. I don't wear yellow but I do have bronzed ochre skirts in solid and plaid.
ReplyDeleteThe ciel etoile looks great with patterned skirts and pants but the only patterned top I found that would work is last year's terra paisley. I really like it with the blush tweed skirt and a white silk tee underneath. Very luxe-looking. I am not really partial to sequins and probably will put it away until next year, after the holidays.
All this rambling and I am probably no help at all. Any suggestions are welcome though, you never know where they may lead.
AppGal,
ReplyDeleteI think the nightfall blue skirt looks great with the tartan boy shirt. The greens are not the same but they are just close enough to be complementary. It's great with a cranberry red sweater as well, very festive.
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ReplyDeletesub!
ReplyDeletexoxo - I have the sequin peekaboo cardi and wore a striped top underneath. Try that w/the ciel etoile. I'm finding that stripes go w/everything. Stripes under the sequin peekaboo cardigan in this post. There are less sequins on the peekaboo than on your etoile, but you'll get the idea.
ReplyDeleteElaine - If gold doesn't work for you w/the blue pencil skirt, try something in a pink or purple as suggested. Grey, too.
Ji - JC had a pencil skirt that was in the same sheen & color in 09. I still haven't worn mine because I always feel it looks too dressy for daytime. I wish my 3-outfit rule had been in effect before I decided to keep it.
AppGal - The plaid tartan would also work w/the stretch double serge pencil skirt in abyss blue. I thought I saw you in that skirt. It's a greyish blue.
Kris - I think the buffalo check jacket looks more jacket than shirt. However, if you're taller, it could look more like a shirt. If you belt it, consider some tall boots (as oppose to ankle) to balance out the thickness of the jacket. I don't own that coat and so I'm guessing, but I've seen it a number of times and tried it on.
wow, loving this thread. Thanks JCAs!
ReplyDeletesubbing :)
I have the Donegal tweed schoolboy blazer in Moss, and I can only find one shirt that truly looks good with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a style diva but I think I may have gotten a blazer color that doesn't go with a majority of colors that I wear.
Should I just return it or keep trying? I like the cut, but I do have to admit that it's a mostly boring blazer and the color is just okay.
TIA
Okay so, I found exactly 3 shirts this blazer in Moss goes with. That's not very many, since I own a lot of clothes.
ReplyDeleteGoes w/ a Raisin, Dark Blue, & a Floral shirt that I own. Is this enough to justify keeping the thing?
Does anyone have ideas for styling the Sunnie pencil skirt in gold? I've had it for weeks, but I haven't worn because I can't figure out works with it.
ReplyDeleteThere have been some good sets w/the sunnie pencil on Polyvore. click here to check them out.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys for the suggestions for the 2 tone Langfords! I have them in the black/beige combo btw. I was at the store earlier this week and was able to pick up the herringbone tights for less than $10, so I'm going to see how it looks. I really appreciate the comments!
ReplyDeleteI too have the novo top and really dont know what to pair it with. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine and Gigi.
ReplyDeleteI returned the hammered silk skirt.
My dry cuticles would pull the silk all the time.
Gigi, I know which skirt you are talking about and I agree. It's just too dressy for my lifestyle too.
I love this thread!
gigiofca, thank you so much for the link to the Polyvore site for the Sunnie pencil skirt! It's exactly what I needed.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm a little late to the party on this thread, but any New Year's Eve styling suggestiongs for the Falling Beads cami? I got this for $20 the other week and am having trouble styling such a full top. Polyvore was kind of a bust for me unfortunately...
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