A Mannequin Mirage

Sunnies & Bar Ring: Downtown Threads, Necklace: Nassau Straw Market, Crop Top & Maxi Skirt: H&M, Bag: TJ Maxx, Sandals: UO

I saw this cropped sweatshirt tee and maxi skirt combo on a mannequin in H&M almost three years. We were on vacation and had been walking around Philly all afternoon. I was hot, sticky, and so uncomfortable and as I rode the escalator to the second floor this outfit slowly came into view like a mirage in the desert. I bought both pieces on the spot without bothering to trying them on. And I would do it again without hesitation.

The clothes may have come off a mannequin but the accessories and details are mine, and style is all about the details.

Have you ever bought an outfit “off” a mannequin before?

Vaca Recap: hometown tourist

The longer I’m away from my hometown the more I find myself wanting to do the more kitschy, touristy things when I’m back. So when clouds forced us off the beach D and I headed to the Wiggly Bridge and Steedman Woods for a woodland jaunt. It is a beautiful place to visit, pet friendly, and the perfect place to take a pre or post dinner stroll.Sunglasses: Downtown Threads, Blouse: Gap (via Goodwill), Crop Top: UO, Skirt & Bag: H&M, Mermaid Bracelet: Alex and Ani, Sandals: PaylessGrowing up baring your belly was a big no no so cropped tops are a whole new world for me. While I wont be sporting a bandeau top anytime soon I’m loving the little slice of skin that this bustier style top leaves exposed when paired with this gauzy white maxi skirt. The Gap by way of Goodwill button up was perfect for the light, early evening breeze that was coming off the water and lent a conservative, albeit casual feel to this beachy boho look.

Where do you stand on exposed abdominals and the like?

A Little Something Special

Blazer: Anne Klein (gifted), Sunglasses & Mullet Top: Downtown Threads Necklace & Faux Fur Snood: Gifted, Jeans: Target, Boots: Old NavyI love that it’s the first week of March and it’s 55 degrees and sunny. Life in the Green Mountain State is good and it’s starting to smell like spring. After all the excitement of vacation I’ve found myself more concerned with the comfort and ease of an outfit rather than trying out new trends or silhouettes.

My jeans and light blazer were perfect for the warm afternoon sun and the faux fur snood kept the chill away. I don’t usually mix black and white but I liked how the black jeans and off white blazer met at the feather print top. It looked like the two solid color pieces collided and the print top was the result. The faux fur snood added the perfect touch of texture and gave this look the little something extra is was missing.

What’s your go to accessory when it comes to giving an outfit that little something special?

A Cold & Cropped Casual Friday

Blazer: Vintage via my Mom, Cropped Sweater Top: Old Navy, High-Waisted Jeans: H&M, Oxford Booties & Owl Ring: Forever 21, Two Finger Bar Ring: Downtown ThreadsIt was in the teens when I snapped these photos so please excuse the overly red nose, stiff posing and rushed feel of these images. I was cold and it was windy.

Had I not been concerned about hypothermia I would have loved to show you how this top is perfectly cropped in the front and slightly longer in the back, making it the perfect subtle mullet shirt, but like I said I was cold and it was windy so the blazer stayed on.

While my office has a pretty laid back dress code I thought a cropped top might be pushing it so I paired the subtle mullet shirt with high-waisted flares. While covering my midsection was my biggest concern I also wanted to balance out the boxy shape of the top with a more form fitting pant/bottom. I was concerned that the flares would mess with the proportions but I think they actually gave it a great 70’s feel.

What pieces do you use to balance out boxy tops? How have you styled crop tops in the past?

Birds of a Feather

Sunnies: Tom Ford (gifted), Top: Target, Assorted Bracelets: Gifted, Skirt: Downtown Threads, Heels: ALDO

While cropped tops have been one of the hottest trends this season I’m still warming up to them. The idea of an exposed midsection (no matter how small the area exposed) is a bit foreign to me but when I found this adorable silk crop top I couldn’t help myself. I snapped it up and hoped that its chic but simple feather pattern would turn me into a belly baring fool!

When the shopping high wore off and I got my new purchase home I tried it with a variety of bottoms and realized I wasn’t quite ready to bare my belly. Instead I opted for a classic silhouette and treated it like a billowy blouse; tucking it into my favorite vintage skirt from Downtown Threads. Sometimes old favorites sparkly even more when paired with newer on trend pieces.

How do you mix new pieces into your wardrobe? How have you styled cropped tops this season?

Wore Out’s Look of the Week

Monday was all about switching shoes,Tuesday had me in two different tops, Wednesday brought good and bad news, Thursday I showed you how I like to share and now finally it’s FRIDAY! *woot woot*

I am excited to announce that Wore Out’s Look of the Week is…

Sydney of The Daybook This outfit is perfection!

Sydney’s got layering down to a science and her hot pink lipstick keeps this look fun and fresh. Up to this point I’ve been a little wary of the resurgence of cropped tops but I can definitely get behind this look. In fact I’m already plotting a copy cat look!

I am loving how the cropped top’s cutouts look over the stripped button up. Two of the season’s hottest trends rolled into one perfectly styled package. Sydney manages to always be on top of the latest trends while maintaining the bubbly personality and sense of humor that cracks me up and keeps me coming back from more.

Oh yeah and she’s got a little one on the way!

The Daybook is the perfect mix of the hottest trends and down to earth style. Stop by and check out all of the amazing looks that Sydney continually puts together and don’t miss her Awesome and Awkward post each Thursday. They’re always hilarious.

Would you rock a crop top over a button up? What blogs inspiration you?