Banana Republic

May you have a Merry Merry

The holidays are here…. specifically Christmas…

I was convinced that it’s too early for Christmas. I’m pretty sure that I still have loads of Halloween candy in my house. Yet, everywhere I go, every department store, supermarket, even every retail website I visit is exploding Christmas. Even my coffee cup is wishing me a Merry Holiday!

So now that I’m full aware of what season we’re in, it’s time to get ready for those holiday parties. They come fast and furious and I’m willing to bet that your calendar is already filling up with parties and get-togethers with friends and loved ones. So have you thought about what you’ll wear? Too early for that? You’ll pick something an hour before? And then be a complete wreck when you can’t find anything to wear in that closet full of clothes? Sound familiar?? You’re not alone!

Enter me! This is why I’m here. To remind you that you have time to find something great to wear this holiday season to all those events and that your planning should start now. Oh , and I’ll have a few suggestions here too. You’re welcome.

So where to start? Chances are that you’ll have more than one event over the next few holidays to attend. And chances are also that the dress code for all these events won’t be the same. You might have a work Christmas party, a family dinner and a cocktail party to attend… does this mean you have to plan three separate outfits and break your bank account before you’ve even started Christmas shopping? Not necessarily!

There are plenty of options that could be versatile choices for your holiday wardrobe that could be dressed up or down for the occasion. To get the most out of your wardrobe try to find pieces that you love… that you’ll want to wear again. That’s key to maximizing your wardrobe!

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This off white blouse with black ribbon detail was a piece that I picked up at Zara a couple years back. I love the versatility and timelessness of this piece. It’s perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans or complementing a flirty back skirt. This is a great option for the upcoming holiday season, and lucky for you, a similar version is not available at the Loft!

These velvet pants from J. Crew might be the answer to your holiday closet concerns. These pants are not only velvety soft but feature an elastic waist. Thanksgiving here we come! Dress these up with fancy heels and a blouse or dress them down with mules and a sweater. Versatility can be comfy and cozy! (Oh… AND if you didn’t know.. J. Crew is currently having a Friends and Family sale that you might want to check out!

These Holiday plaid tops also from J. Crew are another way to make your festive wardrobe a little more versatile. Pair these with a pair of statement earrings and a sequins skirt (yes, you read that right) for a dressed up option. Pair with pumps and jeans for a house party. Either of these blouses would pair well with gray or gold bottoms for a neutral option. Pick a pop of color bottom to shine a little brighter!

This sequin skirt is more versatile than you might think. The dress up options are obvious. But what about dressing down? A tee shirt comes to mind. A very casual one. A sweater could work too with flats. Pair this skirt with a subtle neutral or a bright pop of color… whatever complements your personal style best!

Finally the classic LBD is a timeless favorite. Chances are you have at least one if not two hanging in your closet already. The key to the perfect LBD is finding the fit that flatters you most. Whether you look best in a shift, sheath, wrap or fit & flare style, there is certainly an option available to suit your style. This wrap dress pictured above is a simple and fit flattering option from Banana Republic. The one that fits you best will go the furthest in your wardrobe. And when it comes to versatility, the options are endless.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your next shopping trip. It’s always good to think about what you might need in advance so you’re not scrambling for an outfit at the last minute and settling to purchase something that you may never wear again. I want you to make the most out of your wardrobe choices and that means being thoughtful about your purchases.

The only thing missing now are your accessories…. but one thing at a time, we’ll get to those a little later.

Factory Summer Sales

This past weekend I was on the Cape with my family. We drove by the Bass outlet and I was flooded by memories of trips to the outlet as a kid to buy new shoes for school. I told this story to my husband who agreed - he remembered doing the same thing. Going to the outlets use to be a big deal. It was a trip you planned in advance. The whole family would go and there were plenty of steals to be had. Now, the outlets (along with everything else) are all online!

With that said, I forget about the outlets sometimes. Outlet stores are still in abundance but not really near me geographically. So as a result, I do need to plan if I want to make a trip to the outlets. And while having many outlets online is convenient, I don’t always think to go to their websites. But occasionally I remember to check the outlet inventory for something different at a steal. This season does not disappoint. From Banana Republic to the Gap and J.Crew, the outlets are full of cute styles at super low discounts. If you’re looking to add a little extra to your summer wardrobe at a fraction of the cost, these sales are for you!

Check out just a few of the highlights below!

BR Stripe Strappy Flounce Midi Sundress

BR Stripe Strappy Flounce Midi Sundress

BR Stripe Tie Shoulder Tank

BR Stripe Tie Shoulder Tank

BR Off-Shoulder Flounce Seersucker Shift Dress

BR Off-Shoulder Flounce Seersucker Shift Dress

Gap Fit & Flare Cami Dress

Gap Fit & Flare Cami Dress

Gap Roll-Sleeve Shirtdress

Gap Roll-Sleeve Shirtdress

Gap Kimono Maxi Dress

Gap Kimono Maxi Dress

J. Crew Shirtdress in Linen-Cotton

J. Crew Shirtdress in Linen-Cotton

J. Crew Tie-Front Jumpsuit

J. Crew Tie-Front Jumpsuit

J. Crew Printed Tie-Front Button Up Shirt

J. Crew Printed Tie-Front Button Up Shirt

J. Crew 4 Inch Linen-Cotton Scalloped Hem Short

J. Crew 4 Inch Linen-Cotton Scalloped Hem Short

And the Holidays are Here...

Just like that, it’s holiday season. Many of us are running around trying to keep up with the demands of the holidays. Food prep, gift buying, holiday cars, holiday parties, trips to see Santa or maybe the Grinch… these tasks are filling our calendar throughout the month of December. From one weekend to the next, I have any number of holiday events scheduled. Some of these are very casual (breakfast with Santa) and others are a bit more formal (holiday cocktail party). And the very last thing you have time to do is figure out what to wear.

When you’re trying to fit in multiple events in one day, you most definitely don't have time to sit in front of your closet and attempt to pick an outfit. TIP: pick out 2-3 different outfits that might work well for your events. So if you have more casual type events on your plate, look to plan for 3 different outfits that could satisfy your needs and have those on deck. They don’t have to be totally separate outfits. For example, you can use the same pair of jeans in all 3 outfits.

What about when things get a little more formal? A holiday cocktail party, a new year’s eve soiree or even a holiday wedding could be in your calendar this month. Well, then it’s worth digging through what you already have to see if anything can satisfy the current need. Is it still stylish? Does it still fit? What if you find that your current wardrobe isn’t going to cut it, time to go shopping. So what are the current trends in formal/cocktail wear this season? Like most holiday seasons, shimmer and shine are in style. We’re also seeing a fair amount of velvet this year. Sequins and lace have been spotted this season as well. And don’t forget the jumpsuit! Jumpsuits are still everywhere in any and every style. These jumpsuits can be extremely versatile - dressed up or down for a trip to the nutcracker, dinner with friends, or that office holiday party.

Need a little inspiration? What’s out there in retail stores this season? Look no further, get a feeling for this season’s holiday styles, right here!

BR Velvet Cropped Jumpsuit

BR Velvet Cropped Jumpsuit

BR Sequin Mini Skirt

BR Sequin Mini Skirt

Anthropologie: Loreley Dress

Anthropologie: Loreley Dress

Anthropologie: Arrowhead Dress

Anthropologie: Arrowhead Dress

J.Crew Collection spaghetti strap pleated midi dress

J.Crew Collection spaghetti strap pleated midi dress

Ann Taylor Ankle Pant in Golden Shimmer

Ann Taylor Ankle Pant in Golden Shimmer