Sunday, February 2, 2014

Stepping Out for the Evening







     I've been noticing athletic inspired pieces in the fashion magazines this month. I remember this influence in the 90's, all the zip up jackets and minimal design. I wore it then and it feels interesting again.  Keeping this knit dress basic, then looking for a bag and shoes that are trendy was the general theme of this outfit. 

     Because the dress is solid black, I decided to keep the accessories stark but in a primary color. This clutch is one of BCBG's unique pieces that always excites my eye for the unusual in handbags. Finishing the outfit with a retro inspired wool houndstooth coat feels like I'm ready to greet an evening out on the town.

clutch--bcbg (here)
dress--joie (here)
coat--calvin klein (here) (petite)
shoes--bcbgeneration
bracelet--forever twenty-one

location--entry stairs at our studio

links
monday bloom
mingle monday
style elixer
the pleated poppy
three-fer thursday
working girl with style
look what i got
lulu's love list
passion for fashion
not dead yet style

57 comments:

  1. That settles it.... I need to come and raid your coat closet :) Fabulous coat Ann, I have a real soft spot for houndstooth and have a gorgeous vintage houndstooth sleeveless dress about to go on Ebay :( Cobalt blue is the only colour that figures strongly in my wardrobe and works so beautifully on blonde and with black and white. This outfit is interesting and elegant. You look stunning.

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  2. Thanks Deborah, trying to keep it interesting so changing up my styling. I like this coat, again kinda unfitted yet not baggy. I'm wearing a petite size and it fits good. I think you would look great in this outfit. This choice is inspired by your style!

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  3. Another great coat and love the clutch!! I really love how the shoes pop against the black - so vibrant!

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  4. My goodness Ann, this is stunning. The blue just adds a special spark to the classic black. I have a question...just how many coats do you have? I dont think I have seen a repeat yet!

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    1. I do have a lot of coats. It's very cold here, in fact we had to do these pictures inside last week because it was below zero all week. I have repeated some coats from when I started blogging last year. I have to admit, coats and bags are my favorites.

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  5. I think this is one of my favorite outfits. I love pop of bright cobalt blue against the black and white. You've done it again!!

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    1. Oh thanks Rebecca. I've been looking at the new things for spring this week. Wow so much to like this next season. I love all the color, especially pastels and graphic prints. What are you liking?

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  6. I love these photos - so dynamic! Blue and orange are good friends. :) Did you just have a haircut, Ann? I love the sparkle in your eye! :) And you have a fantastic collection of coats!! Great philosophy - you must have many coats to keep your long cold winters on a friendlier side! I think I'll probably borrow this idea from you, even though winters here are very mild. :)

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    1. Thanks Natalia, it's been so cold again. I had to try something different just didn't have it in me to get out in the cold this week. I cut my hair shorter and colored it blonder, almost platinum. May go even shorter, have not decided yet!

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  7. You are SO PRETTY Ann! I think you could model a paper bag and we'd all swoon! Expertly styled...graphic black and white, with the bold cobalt...and can't forget the orange on the wall and the stool! Genius!

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  8. Fantastic photos! I love the pop of color, it's just incredible. You look so beautiful Ann and I that clutch, I am serious.
    xo
    Carelia

    "Neutral Territory" Blog post on:
    Mysmallwardrobe.com

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  9. Stunning tweet coat, beautiful pop of cobalt and flattering dress! You are absolutely one fabulous fashionista, Ann!

    Mrs Jack Of All Trades
    Dubai, UAE

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  10. You look extremely elegant and chic, the addition of Cobalt Blue accents is magnificent. I adore the hounds tooth coat!
    FF

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  11. I don't suppose you'd want to carry that red-accented chair around with you as an accessory because it sure looks good in that photo. Love this. And I like your photo angle on the stairs, looking down. The bag may be tiny but it has no trouble holding its own the way you've paired it with everything, and with its stunning design of course.

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  12. That's stunning and perfectly styled, Ann! The blue colour dash is awesome.
    I have a similar skater dress but it is longer, you inspired me to have it shortened a bit.

    Annette | Lady of Style

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    1. Fun to wear shorter every once in a while. I like the ruffle with the length of this coat.

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  13. lovely coat, I really like your look and the location for the photos! :-)

    kisses!

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  14. This little clutch looks like one I had on one of my Polyvore sets a while back. LOVE it!

    Great contrast with the vivid blue and orange.

    I don't know if it is the colours or the shoes but something here is whispering 1980's to me.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Yes, I see this too, the 1980's. I think it's also the style of these pictures with the flash. I remember wearing colors in this way then, this was a good time!

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  15. Love all of the blue with your wonderful jacket, Ann! That clutch is really cool! Have a great week!

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  16. What an interesting bag! You always find such unusual accessories, Ann. The shoes too are so interesting with this neon-blue popping against the black of the tights.

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  17. You have many coats and one is more beautiful than the other, my favorite is this one.
    Beautiful combination with the royal blue, i like very much :-)
    Hope you had a nice evening...

    Have a nice Day!
    xoxo Kira

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  18. Those spots of color are so eye-catching! I just love that pop of blue against black and white, and that clutch is a work of art. Gorgeous coat, too. I don't really think of anything to do with sports when I see that outfit, it's just stylish!

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  19. A you a so pretty, a really nice outfit for an evening out. I like the blue touch with the bag and shoes to the black dress. And the retro jacket is perfect for these minmal look.
    And again your pictures are fantastic. How do you find always so amazing places for the pictures?

    http://glamupyourlifestyle.blogspot.de/

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    1. Thanks Cla, everywhere we take pictures is near my home or studio. This set shows the stairs of the studio building. Half the fun of blogging for me is to think of the locations.

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  20. what a perfect place for a photo shoot! LOVE the jacket!
    kelseybang.com

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  21. Orange backdrop to black and a pop of blue, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    Beautifulllllllllllllllllllllllll
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  22. Another beautiful outfit … with perfectly composed photos! Always such a visual treat to visit your blog my dear!

    xoxo
    Tamera

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  23. This coat is lovely. I love love love the pop of blue with the black and white!

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  24. Love everything about this blog! (hair, outfit, colors, shoes, handbag, etc)

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  25. Wow, these pictures are AMAZING! Love the bright and bold colors, the mix of camera angles, the backdrop, the coat, everything!

    Jen @ Librarian for Life & Style

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  26. Lovely outfit and great location. I wanted to purchase this great blue bag, but unfortunately could not find any one who would ship it to Israel. well, I will have to comeback and look at you every time I will miss it.... Sara

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  27. Classy, classy, classy, oh did I mention this ensemble is classy? There is nothing better than keeping the LBD simple and then accenting with style. This is just stunning, every little detail from your perfect choice of shoes to that amazing clutch. And, of course, the artistic photo's.

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  28. Beautiful look, I love this combination of black and klein. The dress and shoes are two cuties. The clutch is a gem and the jacket is elegant and pretty. A superb outfit.

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  29. I don't know which I love more, your jacket or shoes.
    Both are just absolutely fabulous!

    Caitlin
    www.atgatsbys.blogspot.com

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  30. Great coat! Your minimal outlfit is very sophisticated and the bright accessories add the touch of your artistic personality! I also like very much the modern location of your post!
    p.s.
    Still cold weather over there? Stay warm...there will be time to post outside in spring!

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  31. Love your use of color, Ann (as always!). The blue/orange contrast just works.

    Catherine

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  32. You have the perfect eye for wonderful pictures dear Ann! These black, blue and red combination is awesome!
    The coat is my favorite! Love also the dress and this cute clutch!
    Great post :)

    greetings from Germany
    Dana :)
    http://danalovesfashionandmusic.blogspot.de/

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  33. I love the graphic play going on here. The bold Orange, Cobalt, Black and the mashup with the Houndstooth! Perfection.
    I just recently wore my Houndstooth coat and got tons of oohs and ahhs!

    Lovely job Ann.

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  34. Just in love with these bright and beautiful photos! Looking lovely. I am a forever fan of houndstooth.

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  35. Beautiful mix of colors, including your background. Blue is my favorite color, so your ensemble delights me. I love the unusual clutch! You must have turned many heads on your evening out!

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  36. Maaaaavelous, dahling! Serious glamour in a mimialist way ... Love it. I swing back and forth like a pendulum about whether I can pull off colored shoes and tights. Maybe the key is tone ... same or similar tones always fall back a little, and perhaps won't cut me up as much.
    You always inspire, but you can wear things that the rest of us just dream about. Really sophisticated.
    BTW ... I went out to our fairgrounds to look for sites as you have suggested. Chain link fence, locked up tighter than Dick's hatband, everything sad and gray and inaccessible. You guys have better public spaces than ours! I'll keep looking.

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  37. Gorgeous outfit Ann! Minimalistic and fashion forward! Block colour looks great on you and the coat is divine!! Hugs, Beata xxx

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  38. Oh Ann! Lovely! Those shoes are exactly perfect for this entire ensemble. I love how they have just the toe blue = PERFECTION. I love how you styled this but what I glean the most inspiration on from you, is your locations. This one? OMYGOSH • treeeemmmendooous! yes!

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    1. Yowsah, I did get my hair cut. It is a bit too short, but heck, it grows {well until the chemo makes it fall out, but I will deal with that when the time comes }. It is weaved again because the last gal that did it didn't know what she was doing, and when I went back there I asked to not have her and yup, she isn't there no mores. ooops. lol So this new stylist did the color right but the length is a bit shorter than I had planned. But heck, it grows. { I initially cut it but I can't do the back right once it needs to be shorter}. Chemo won't be affecting it until about May, actually. Hey, I'll have a cool head for hot summer, ...I guess. lol Thanks for all of your sweet and caring comments. I sooooo appreciate them. (hug)

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    2. Sometime with haircuts you don't get what you want and you just have to go with it. This is the good thing about hair, it grows! Have a good weekend Renae.

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  39. you look adorable! I love the mix of cobalt and black.
    ~Ellen
    www.everydayfancy.com

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  40. Those color blocked pumps are stunning. The cobalt accessories with the simple black could not be more spot on...love it!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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  41. I love those shoes, they are adorable!!! Plus that jacket is amazing! Love it!

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  42. This whole look is just perfect! I love that clutch.

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  43. Oh gosh, this is so beautiful!! Those splashes of bright blue on the black canvas and the black and white coat.... magnificent. If you were a painting I would buy you. Your husband must be very proud to have you as his wife (I can see him laughing now).
    Greetje

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  44. I love all the black and then...POW the cobalt blue on your shoes! awesome!
    stopping by from alyssabarnettbeauty.com

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  45. You are in my post today.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  46. Following you on BLOGLOVIN now. I thought I was, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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  47. hello,ciao...this's a great ensemble of colours...lovely outfit!

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  48. Your houndstooth jacket reminds me of a real Harris tweed that I had. It was so fab and I could wear it with absolutely everything. It was lost/stolen somewhere....so sad. Great to see yours as a reminder!

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