I am excited that over the next few days I will be showing 3 outfits that I created with these Ann Taylor trousers as the foundation, as part of my Teacher Capsule Wardrobe (round 2, see the full recap of my first go here).
I have struggled for YEARS to find appropriate work pants that could stand up to all of the rigors of teaching middle school everyday. These Ann Taylor trousers passed every trial - don't gap at the waist, stay put when I raise my hands, perfect length with my go-to teaching wedges, flattering cut with lay flat pockets, & a nice all-season weight. If you are curious to know all the trousers that I tried out before settling on these, check out this post where I reviewed 15 pairs of work pants & these were my hands down favorite!
While my husband might judge, there is always room in my closet for another striped shirt. I adore the boxy cut of this one from J.Crew, & I am super impressed with the heavy, luxurious weight of the fabric.
Also - this is one of my favorite mural walls along my favorite street. If you are in town, you have to hit up Larimer Street in RiNo to see the best street art! The art is always changing, so I'm hopeful that I will always have a fresh stock of murals for my photo backgrounds. #BloggerBliss
Happy August! Today is back to work for me - after 2 months off, I am excited to meet my new Denver co-workers & return a daily routine. While my Summer break has ended, I am prolonging my Summer style with my favorite warm-weather beauty secrets including these easy waves & my easy tan touring (contouring with sunless tanner) tutorial that I posted on the blog last week.
At the end of last school year, I pledged to find the perfect work pants (something that has eluded me for years!) & I'm excited to share that my search is FINALLY over! During the Summer, I tried on over 15 pairs of work pants, & found 5 great options. Scroll down for the pair I got for myself & a review of 4 other pairs.
pants: Ann Taylor "Ann" Trousers - many of the styles are now on sale! I feel like a total GIRL BOSS in this pants!
Pants are notoriously hard to shop for & work pants are a special type of fashion unicorn. In my search, I was looking for a pair that was fitted at the waist, had pockets, & was the right length for my go-to work shoes. I had already found this cropped style (now only $35) to wear with my work flats, & this search was focused on finding a flattering pair of full length trousers.
Try on tips: Take the shoes you want to wear with the pants with you to test length, & wear the type of shirt that you will typically wear with the pants. In each pair of pants, I tucked in the shirt and tested out how they felt while seated and with my hands raised, as I wanted to make sure that my shirt remained tucked while doing my normal activities.
Shopping tips: Work trousers can be pretty pricey, running $50 - $100+, but they often go on sale. In fact, all of my top 5 favorites are currently on sale - time to pounce!
My top pick was the Ann Taylor "Ann" Trousers. They fit the bill when it came to length, flat pockets, & they were fitted at the waist with a straight line of the leg that was the most flattering on me. I appreciate that this cut comes in many weights of fabric, as well as "season-less" material that is a mid-weight and appropriate for many climates.
Ann Taylor:Ann Trousers (shop now to get $25 off your order of $75+)
Coming in 2nd place was the Banana Republic "Logan" Trousers. They were more fitted at the bottom of the leg - not quite a "skinny" fit, but more tailored than a traditional trouser. The pants cut a clean line and I felt as if they made me look leaner than some of the other pairs I tried.
The most affordable pair I tried on & loved was the "Marisa" Trousers from LOFT. These had a very flattering fit, but they were not in my top 2 because they lacked pockets. Other than the missing pockets, these were almost identical to the Ann Taylor options I tried.
When I started on my work pant search, the Express "Editor" Pant was recommended to me by multiple people & I can see why these are crowd favorites. These pants had the largest amount of stretch, & definitely felt like they would be extremely comfortable for all day wear. The cut of this pair was fitted through the knee, & then flared out to more of a boot cut. However, I did find that the inseam was several inches too long - even when wearing heels.
Express:Editor Pant (buy one, get a second pair for $39.50 - lots of great colors!)
I really wanted to like the J.Crew "Campbell" Trousers, but the cut was not for me. These were the most fitted pair, skinny in the thighs and pretty straight down from the knee, however the fabric was very luxe and the construction felt to be of high quality.
After a week off from work thanks to one epic ice storm that hit Nashville, I am ready to get back in front of my class! We have quite the stretch of work to make it to Science Fair (T-minus 20 days!) & Spring Break (Just 26 more days). Bring it on!
Shop The Look
My favorite accessories (boots + bag) & some sweater/pencil skirt combos I would love to rock soon!
1. I seriously hope this is the last time I have to wear tights solely for function until at least September.
2. Another wrap dress (yay!) - can't wait to show you how I transitioned this "teacher" look for weekend fun time.
3. Today I am attending my first real live fashion show (I don't think the prom dress collection at my hometown mall counts) as part of Nashville Fashion Week. I can't wait so share all the shows with you - I have a fancy "media pass" & everything! Be sure to follow along on my Instagram account & the Nashville Style CollectiveInstagram account as well!
I'm experiencing a little bit of style identity crisis. I look at my closet & see what I want it to be, but it isn't there yet, & I'm finding myself freezing up over every decision. As a budget shopper, I don't have unlimited funds to play around with, & I want every purchase to be amazing. Not just a one hit wonder, but a major player in my dream closet - a functional, mix-and-match love fest.
So I've found myself over thinking every decision. Paralyzed by indecision.
I wasn't on a shopping ban this month, but I didn't purchase anything. Nothing stuck out to me. There are things on my "wardrobe completers" list, but I couldn't find the exact right items. Going shopping & being unable to find anything to bring home is a special type of torture.
While I waffle in the purgatory of an overactive "what if" trigger, my Le Tote subscription is an extra awesome treat for me. I love the freedom of enjoying a stylist-selected tote of clothing for a week or so, & then sending it back. Without having to weigh the decision of whether of not the piece belongs in my forever closet. Seriously, it's the best!
After I received this gorgeous leopard printed faux wrap dress in my latest Le Tote bag, I remembered that a DVF wrap dress should really be topping the list of my next purchases. I love the classic wrap silhouette & the flattering jersey of her famous dresses. Now, to decide on a color!
Gah, a think wedding planning has officially zapped my ability to decide!
Has anyone else been suffering style paralysis?
How did you get out of it!?
P.S. Today is the last day to enter to win a $500 shopping spree from Boden.
For the first time in my life I have a reason to get "dressed up" for work, just that extra step of polish that was never needed while in grad school (but seriously, if I dressed this way as a grad student people would have looked at me like I had 3 heads).
So with a new chapter starting in my life, I am really excited about adding some super functional "work wear" pieces to my closet, starting with the pants! I have heard really great things about the Express "Editor" style dress pants & have been looking to try out some of the Banana Republic options as well. Where do your favorite work pants hail from?
Regardless of my new found desire to sport more "professional" clothes, I still want to convey a little bit of me into my outfits. Right now I am really digging a bit of wrist bling & a slightly unexpected blouse. Polka dots anyone?
Funny enough - I wore this ensemble to the school I will be interning at this Spring, & all three women who I met with that day were wearing polka dots too. Looks like I am going to be in good company!
If you are looking to add some work wear items to your closet, it is worth mentioning that J.Crew Factory is an extra 30% off right now + free shipping (code XOXO) - I am saving up for a serious "teacher style" shopping trip there! And J.Crew sale is now 50% off - both of my winter jackets, including this green one, were a result of a late Winter super sale score. You never know!
I'm excited to share another brand with you that is making gorgeous products & giving back - Half United. Today I'm proudly wearing the "Jude" fighting hunger necklace made of 3 recycled bullet casings.
In fact, wearing any of the Half United products is a symbol of the ongoing fight against global hunger. Half United donates 1/2 of all profits to help children in need around the world. The bullet represents the fight against hunger, taking a "negative symbol & turning it into something positive, something that transforms lives & provides a hope for a better future".
And it's a pretty dang good looking necklace too, no?
And, Jeweler's Wife & Half United have joined forces to spread the love to you too today!
