3 ways

Wednesday, March 18, 2013  
Some days, the weather makes it so I have to wear an outfit 2 or even 3 different ways.  Here is one of those days. I wore this outfit to Court, around the office and to hang out after lunch.

     The scarf has been particularly useful as it doubles as a blanket when I get cold in my office.  I recently "splurged" on it at World Market.  I now wish I had gotten its twin in lavender, gray and rose.  Maybe I'll "splurge" on them later this week.  (They're only $9.99 each!)

Sources:
Dress: Bravissimo
Heels: Nine West
Jacket: NY&Co
Scarf: World Market

Losing It

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

If you followed my blog before, you may have noticed that while I've worn this outfit before, it used to fit differently.  I've lost a bit of weight in the past year.  On one side, its fantastic.  I feel healthier and know I'm doing the right thing for my body.  On the other hand, it makes my clothes fit oddly.  This skirt, for example, used to fit in such a way that it was knee height, now its definitely below knee height.  For someone on the shorter side, that difference can mean the difference between a great outfit and an almost great outfit that just seems a smidge off.  

Nonetheless, there's a reason I keep going back to this combination.  I really love the look of this skirt, brown tights and my Tsubo booties.  Apparently everyone in the courthouse does too!  I got a bunch of compliments when I wore this last week.  

Sources:
Skirt and Blazer: NY&Co
Tights: Target
Booties: Tsubo
Top: Express

New Office

Friday, March 15, 2013

I know I mentioned it earlier, but I got a new job.  Ergo, I got a new office.   I've been taking my work outfit pics in my office, and let me just tell you, this gray-turquoise-y wallpaper is really soothing.  So is Doodle, the boxer whose rear you see in this pic.  She likes to hang out with me sometimes.

At the new job, the plan is that I won't be going in to the office on Fridays. That plan hasn't been executed so far because I've needed to go to court a the past few Fridays.  Its why I wore something kind of like a suit to work this past Friday.  I know its terribly cliche, but black dress pants always work in court.  Unfortunately, the thing I needed to go to court for fell through, so I dressed up for nothing.  Meh.  At least I felt cute.

Sources:
Pants and Blazer: New York & Co.
Blouse: Zara (via my mom)
Heels: Nine West (present from the Fiance) 

Nice Little Saturday

March 16, 2013

Seems kind of foolish of me to announce that I'm back to blogging and then don't blog for a whole week.  Oh well!  I guess this is what happens when I don't have a bunch of outfit pictures stashed away ready in case I have a day when I don't have time or chance to take a few pictures.  

Without realizing it, I wore this blouse yesterday when the whole rest of the world was also wearing green. Unfortunately, because I was rushed, I couldn't really tell that the green didn't come out in pictures until after I uploaded the pics this morning.  C'est la vie.  

I'm not sure where this shirt is from, my little sister gave it to me, but the pants are from Ann Taylor Loft.  Sometime last summer I went shopping on a mission to find some linen pants.  I found these from Loft and grabbed them up as they were on final clearance sale.  You can't tell in this pic, but the front panel has buttons that are reminiscent of a nautical theme.  Also, they're 100% lined which I was thrilled with when I got them.  

Mostly though, this outfit is about the wonderful feeling that Spring brings.  Linen pants + flip flops + sleeveless blouse = win!  I was both comfy and felt a stylish step above the go-to jeans and a shirt combo.  Do you ever feel like you want a more stylish version of your jean + top outfit?  What do you go with? 

Reason Number 1

You may be wondering why I'm back to blogging.  As mentioned here, the reasons are varied.  One reason, however, is that I enjoy being creative.  Part of that creativity is sharing it.  One way I'm creative is in my dress, so it felt only natural to once again share my outfit creativity here on the blog.  

In reality, this outfit isn't creative at all.  Its pretty basic in fact: shirt + pants + boots.  But that would mean that an outfit is only as good as its individual parts and their basic attributes.  What made me really enjoy this outfit had nothing to do with the basics and everything to do with the unusual. 

My first attempt at the outfit included regular jeans.  The shape of this shirt and loosey goosey fitting jeans just didn't work.  So instead I grabbed a pair of black skinny jeans, tucked them into my boots and this outfit was born.  The only addition I made to it throughout the day was to add a blazer when I had to run over to the courthouse for something and a scarf when we went out to eat for lunch.

I bought this top for my mom in 2005 when I was studying abroad.  I figured she would enjoy the flowiness and the cool pattern.  It sat in her closet until this past New Year's Eve with the tag still attached.  I took it out of her closet and brought it back with me to NC.  I hadn't given it a lot of thought recently, but considering that it was Friday and I wanted something work appropriate but a bit funky, I figured, why not?  The reasons I love it are the shape, the pattern and the sleeves.  Does anybody else ever feel the need to get a little funky at the end of the work week?

And so I'm back. . .

Hi.  I'm back.  Took a long time to get here, but it feels good.  So, how's the last year treated you?   Mine has been pretty good. Had several big cases, changed jobs, flirted with coming back to blogging a few times, Bella and Merlin had puppies, we sold 3 of 5 puppies and kept 2 ( yes, I'm crazy).  Some things haven't changed though, namely the Fiancé and I are still engaged. Meh. We'll get there at some point in time.

Anyway, so back to blogging.  I've decided to change the name of the blog.  I've been out of law school for almost 3 years and this blog is mostly about style, not fashion.  So instead of law school fashionista, this place is now Style Briefs.  So yea, hi.

Triple Threat

      As you can tell from my previous post, I don't always wear suits to work.  They are, however, really easy to wear.  I just decide whether I want a skirt or pantsuit, choose a top and shoes and I'm out the door.  Awesome, right?  Also kinda boring.  I combat the boring trend this in one of 2 ways: switching up the skirt and pantsuit options and not wearing suits at all.  Also, I try to not wear the same suit over and over again.  (Bonus: less wear on my suits that way).  Nonetheless, I do find myself wearing suits on a pretty regular basis.  I feel comfortable in them and enjoy the ease with which they allow me to get dressed.  I guess its a hazard of working in court.

    One thing I have learned from shopping for suits is that its imperative to find an ensemble for which I can get a skirt option and a pants option.  I have yet to find the elusive triple threat of skirt, pants and dress, but I'm always searching.  The pluses are pretty obvious, you get 2 suits for the price of 3 separates.  Add in the different combinations of tights, shoes and tops one can include and you end up with several different looks with the same basic pieces.  Hell, if you want to get incredibly creative, all you have to do is add a solid matching jacket or cardigan and now you've got even MORE combination possibilities.  The point is, that if its possible and you need it and its not going to financially bankrupt you, I totally recommend buying the skirt + pants + jacket trio for suits.