Saturday, March 9, 2013

Peek-a-Boo

It's starting to get warmer, the sun is shining, and the flowers are beginning to bloom, and for those of us who love fashion, it means that we are going to start showing a little bit more skin. I feel like there is a fine line that we gals need to walk in order to keep it cute and classy when showing more skin. This season, cut-outs, peek-a-boos, and sheer panels are popping up everywhere. It's important to think about how much skin you are showing, and where the cut-outs and peek-a-boos are placed when purchasing these items. If you feel uncomfortable, don't buy it, because if you aren't confident in your clothes, it shows. Also, if you aren't ready to show your midrift or obliques, there are alternatives that you can sport. I am going to give you a bunch of options for this trend, showing a little back, tummy, and chest.

Let's start with the chest. The first top I have picked is a peek-a-boo and sheer combo. It's also a peplum style top which is thankfully still trending. This can go great with a pair of skinnies or vamp it up with a skirt. Its from Alloy for $29.90. The next one exposes the shoulder and the chest, and I really love the faux-leather detailing. Its from Boston Proper for $59. I have included a sheer panel peplum and pencil dress from Alloy for $36.90. It's sleek and sexy, but still classy. Another tip with these styles is fit. If something is too loose, you run the risk of having one of your "girls" slip out or become over exposed. Find the right fit for you.

 
 
Next up: the midrift and oblique cut-outs. I'm not crazy about anything that exposes more than a handful or sliver of my tummy. The pieces I have chosen are sexy and classy and show just a little bit of skin. First up I have chosen this simple striped spaghetti strap dress with oblique cut-outs. It's from UrbanOurfitters for $59. The next one also has oblique cut-outs. It is a sporty racer back dress from Express for $49.90. I really think the third option is adorable. I love the attached striped skirt, and the subtle oblique peek-a-boos. It's from Forever21 for $32.80. The last three are from Urban Outfitters. The top is again, a peplum style top with small oblique cut-outs and a black panel in the middle retailing at $39. If you don't want to show leg and tummy, the maxi is a great option to get a feel for this trend. The cut-outs are barely there and it runs for $79. Last but not least, is this super girly seafoam green dress with lace overlays and a thin cutout over the belly; it's $69.
 



 
If you aren't feeling any of these styles, and not comfortable with showing the belly, there are so many cute tops and dresses that have cut-outs in the back. The first dress looks completely normal from the front and has four fun cut-outs in the back. I adore it! It's from Alloy for $39.90. The next one is a sweet lace dress with a small medium sized cutout in the lower back from Dillards for $64. And the last one is from Forever21. It's fun and adorable with five heart cut-outs across the top of the back, and it's only $22.80.
 


 
The last group of items I have chosen are all pretty conservative but still manage to have cute cut-outs and peek-a-boos. I love all of these and can see them being worn with everything from shorts to pencil skirts to maxi skirts to skinny jeans. The orange peplum shirt with triangle cut-outs is from Alloy for $29.90. The black three-quarter sleeve blouse with triangle cut-outs at the neckline is from Forever21 for $17.80. The color blocked shoulder peek-a-boo top is from Boston Proper for $49. The black tee with shape cut-outs over the right shoulder is from UrbanOutfitters for $34. The red tank with tiny cut-outs in the chest area is also from UrbanOutfitters for $29.99. And finally, the last piece is a cheetah print button-up blouse with shoulder cut-outs for $22.80.
 




 There are a ton of different cut-out and peek-a-boo styles to try this spring. If you aren't comfortable showing the tummy or chest, there are a number of styles that are conservative, with a touch of sexy. Just remember that fit goes a long way with these styles and if it feels uncomfortable, it probably looks a little off too. Hopefully you can find a fun cut-out piece and add it to your wardrobe to keep your spring casually charming.
 












Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I'm Sprung for Spring Fashion

Heeeellllooooooooooooo! It has been a while since I wrote a post. My man finally returned from deployment, and I am rejuvenated and refreshed and it's back to business. Let's get to it. I am sooo inspired by the spring fashion it's ridiculous. I pretty much want everything. Literally. The spring season is bringing awesome colors, funky prints, and unexpected details that make my toes curl. Like I said, I pretty much want all of it, but I'm going to display some fun and versatile pieces...that I'm craving for spring. OK starting with BCBGeneration....they have me wishing for cooler weather and sunny days with their line.

This dress is a fresh silver color, very fluid, and has a cute cut-out in the back that wraps slightly around the upper oblique area, and it's only $88. I cannot get enough of the orange and clear, silver cap-toes pumps to go along with this dress, they are only $89. I am a big mixer of metallic tones, so I have no problem mixing gold with silver or any other tones. So to add the finishing touches to this outfit I chose a resin bowed gold cuff for $39 and these art deco teal and gold danglers for $34. Seriously, I need this outfit!
Next up: some of my favs from Victoria's Secret. If I could I would paste the entire catalog to include their amazing shoe collection here, but that wouldn't be fair. So, here are my must-haves.
Below I have shown two adorable maxis in great eye-popping colors. The lemon colored is a little sassy with the lace overlay and the thigh high slit in the middle and goes for $108. The blue one is so my-style with the button up and collar details. I also love the attache belt to cinch the waist. The only thing I would change is the color, I would get it in teal. It goes for $88. You could pair either one of these dresses with some cute T-strap sandals. Victoria's Secret has about 100 styles and colors you can choose from, but the ones below run for $68.




For a little something less casual but still spring fresh I chose a fun and sophisticated yet relaxed look below. The yellow skirt is too cute and so versatile and goes for $59.50, the white tank keeps this outfit simple but it is not your traditional white tank. It goes for $48. Lastly, I chose a simple strapped shoe for $79, but you can add some flair by picking one of the colored versions shown below. Really, any of them would look fabulous, but I would probably go with the green and brown version.



 One of my favorite stores for nearly everything has not failed me for spring! Target has some super adorable and affordable pieces like the sheer printed blouse below and the zipper pencil skirt, both going for $22.99. If you are on a budget like me, you really need to check out Target's spring collection.



To pair with the outfit above, and with almost any other outfit you can imagine, are the amazing, unexpected, and oh so perfect Vince Camuto platforms below. They are #1 on my list of must haves. However, they are not budget friendly at $129, but I promise you can wear with almost everything. They are also sold at Dillards. I MUST HAVE THEM!
 
Finally, we move to one of mine and my man's favorite stores: Express. They really do have a lot of fun colors and prints in their collection this year. I am in love with their peplum tanks, and for only $24.90, why wouldn't I be? I actually have this in a seafoam green color that is to die for! These printed ankle pants are so cool and the black and white color scheme makes it easy to pair them with solid tops...or you can get funky and pair it with a print! They run for $69.90. To add a little quirk to this outfit or any outfit that is lacking in detail, throw on this creative old-school shoe string and bauble necklace. I think it is so cute and fun and different, especially at $24.90.





 
There are so many fun and affordable looks out for the spring season. I tried to keep most of the items on this blog under $100 so we can all look great and fresh on a budget. Explore the stores and find fun pieces that you can add to your wardrobe and keep your spring casually charming!