MCLV Style: Workin’ That Tee
Last year I published a post called What NOT To Wear To Work where I discussed, among other things, whether or not a T-shirt could be considered appropriate office attire. Ultimately my conclusion was that while casual graphic and burn-out tees were out of the question unless you work in fashion-forward industries like fashion, music, or film, there were appropriate possibilities out there if you looked hard enough and styled them properly.
To make this type of look work you just need to keep the pieces clean and simple, and go for a thick, well-made shirt in an appropriate cut, color, and silhouette for the occasion.
In this case I went with a royal purple Zara Basics t-shirt with cap-sleeves paired with a basic black pencil skirt, round-toed pumps, and a vintage-inspired gold belt.
Tee - Zara Basics, Pencil Skirt - Zara, Pumps – Franco Sarto, Bracelets - JewelMint, Vintage, & Forever 21, Rings – Vintage, Multi-Strand Gold Necklace – Express, and Retro Gold Belt - BCBG
You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Style Finder, or click the hyperlinks above for some comparable pieces that you can buy.
And believe me, I’m not the only one who enjoys a good tee. Mixing high and low, like adding a basic shirt into a work or night out look, is an art form practiced by many.
A loosely fitted highlighter colored t-shirt can keep a slouchy black suit from being boring or too business-like.
Old-school denim overalls are perfect for a hot summer day and a little white tee is the perfect finishing touch.
If you’re going to work a layering look nothing beats a basic t-shirt. It’s the perfect building block!
You can even roll up the sleeves of your basic t-shirt to give it a more unique and one-of-a-kind feeling.
What better than a basic white tee to pair with denim cut-offs and a vintage style leopard print coat for a walk on the streets of New York City.
Even high-end designers like Oscar de la Renta can’t help but enjoy a good striped tee.
Are you creative when it comes to building new and fun looks using your favorite tees? What do you think about wearing a T-shirt to work – ya or nay?
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Want to take up running so that you can get outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather instead of wither away inside at the gym? Couldn’t agree more! Running Tips: How To Get Started – Women’s Health.
Need some quick workout inspiration to get you motivated for bathing suit season? Check out this video – Valerie Waters: I Want My Bikini Body Express.
Curious about trying another way of eating so that you can feel your best? Read Experience Life’s Paleo Vs. Vegan for some interesting information.
If you want to eat healthier and like the idea of a meal-sized salad for dinner try these 5 Fresh Main-Course Salads from Health.com. They’re packed with protein and hearty ingredients so you’ll be satiated and stay full afterwards. Not convinced? Read through Gena Hamshaw’s How To Fall In Love With Raw Food on Whole Living Daily. She’s the writer behind the wildly successful Choosing Raw website and one of the first blogs that I discovered when I took an interest in my personal health and eating better a few years ago. I highly recommend taking a look at what she has to say.
Over the years I’ve definitely been guilty of over-training. From twice-a-day workouts to skipping my rest days, I’ve gone through periods where I didn’t let soreness or exhaustion keep me out of the gym or off the trails. Not. Good. Are You Recovering, Or Are You Just Resting?
Are you a fan of eggs? Check out Fit Bottomed Girls’ piece on 5 Fun Ways To Eat Egg Whites. Or are you a fan of kale? Try Shockingly Delicious’s Better Than Trader Joe’s Kale and Edamame Bistro Salad.
Fashion:
If you’re in the market for some great new earrings to complement your warm weather looks this season, look no further! Heels & Sunkissed Curls has you covered with DIY: Silk Tassel Earrings that are too stylish for words!
New York City has been one of the world’s fashion capitals for years, check of what everyone’s wearing there this Spring - Refinery 29′s Street Style Video: What’s Fresh On 5th Avenue.
Nothing says Summertime quite like braids to me. Refinery 29 and Cup of Joe both agree with me wholeheartedly. Check out Refinery 29′s DIY Braids piece – Genius New (Promise!) Ways To Braid Your Hair and A Cup of Jo’s Holiday Hair Tutorials, which also contains links to all sorts of other hairstyles, from buns to braids to ponytails. I plan to try them all!
Summer Shorts Roundup – 16 Summer Shorts In Evert Length You’ll Ever Want and Elle’s 2012 Denim Guide.
Miss Olivia is becoming something of a staple around here – From her adorable wedding season-appropriate outfit on last week’s Looks of the Week post, to her closet-organizing tips in Links You’ll Love, to Style File breakdowns on her great personal style. So what do I have for you today? Well, if you’re liking interesting patterns and prints for Summer she’s got the goods for you – How To Rock: The Tribal Touch.
Hippie Chic
With the Coachella weekends swiftly approaching and people planning their trips out to Southern California, I thought that I’d show a little hippie love with some bohemian-inspired outfits to get you in inspired and in the mood.
Rule #1:
Don’t forget your boots! As the reigning queen of music festival-chic, Her Highness Kate Moss never forgets to bring her boots. They’re key for tramping around between sets, especially given the erratic weather patterns this time of year and the random, unannounced Spring showers.
And in honor of The Queen, here’s outfit suggestion numero un - You’ll need some flattering, tiny shorts, a loose tunic, low slung belt, Hunters, a cross-body bag and hippie accessories like feathers and chains
Rule #2:
Whether you’re a fan of aviators or Wayfarers, don’t forget to pack a couple of pairs of sunglasses for your trip. Choosing a pair of shades that suits your face can be a challenge, but once you settle on your favorite style you can spice up your look by trying out everything from black & white zebra prints to classic black to tortoiseshell.
The lovely Kate Bosworth is always at the top of the Best Dressed lists after a music festival weekend and here’s yet another example of just how she makes her hippilicious outfits work. This outfit illustrates just how important sunglasses are, both to complete your look and to keep your eyes healthy and safe in the sun!
To put together similar look you should keep it simple and try a summery romper that’s spiced up with lace-up sandals, hoop earrings, a saddle bag and your favorite sunglasses!
Rule #3:
The extras are incredibly important when you’re putting together a fun boho look – You can try adding anything from the handbags and jewelry to headbands and hats. So when in doubt, pile on the hippie accessories!
Celebrities really know how to do the hippie chic look right by complementing their outfits with colorful headscarves, floral headbands, fringed pieces, hobo bags, braids, draped vests, and oversized vintage sunglasses.
For this kind of outfit you can’t go wrong with faded or distressed skinnies, a basic tank, flat Peter Pan-inspired booties, and then pile on all the hippie accessories that you can get your hands on.
Rule #4:
Why not be an undercover stunner on this trip? Avoid sunburn and disastrous fading and bleaching of your hair by adding an oh-so-chic hat to your ensemble. A floppy, oversized felt hat like below goes really well with a floaty, low-key look like a maxi, while a brimmed fedora will complement a more structured separates look better.
Vanessa Hudgens {anyone seen Sucker Punch?} definitely knows how to stay cool in the summer heat. Believe me when I say that the Southern California sun can be pretty punishing, so please be sure to pack both your hat and sunglasses!
Try mixing up your hippie chic look by pairing a flowy, ethereal maxi dress or maxi skirt with strappy flat sandals, vintage gold chains, and a fedora or wide-brimmed hat.
Now run off and enjoy the music loves, and don’t forget your sunscreen!
