Transitional Inspiration

Transitional Inspiration by ccnoordsy
Top L to R: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Whenever the seasons start to change I get that itch to go shopping, to update my wardrobe just a bit for the new weather and new trends. Here are a few fun items I've come across on my window shopping rounds recently that stood out as fun and stylish pieces for the transitional period between winter and spring that we are experiencing now. With the official first day of spring a few weeks away on March 20th we may still see some cool temps and even a bit more snow here in NYC, and I'm sure many other regions are expecting the same! So while florals and tees are enticing, we have to dress realistically in traditional pieces for the time being - which means a great balance of colorful shades and thick textured fabrics.

Cozy faux furs, sturdy booties and long sleeve tops keep your style seasonal while pastel shades, elegant floral prints and playful accessories ensure that spring is on the mind as the days start to get a little longer and sunnier. The playful pastels are balanced by deep shades of black, teal and mauve. Wintery chenille and brocade are balanced out by summery tassels, pops of pink, and floral prints. A good mix of spring-ready pastel colors and luxe wintery fabrics is a great way to transverse the two seasons in the transitional months like March.
Any of these items spark your shopping interest? Take a guess at which ones I'm adding to my wardrobe!

xoxo, CC

Spring Outfit Essentials

Spring means a chance to step up your color game and show off fun styles and silhouettes. That's just what I plan to do with this fun outfit ensemble. I wanted to highlight this outfit since it touches on all of my favorite spring essentials: flirty styles, blush pink, denim, and cute flats.

Classic nautical stripes are a great transitional print and a fun ruffle sleeve on this top I bought last year adds a flirty spring vibe. A pop of pastel pink is my go to for spring outfits, and this blush colored satchel is the perfect piece to add to a casual outfit. I tend to add touches of pink into any spring outfit when I can, it's just the perfect time of year to go overboard with pastels. I am also all about denim, no matter the season, but this time of year it starts to creep into our outfits in more unexpected ways, like these denim flats (which I am obsessed with currently!). Flats come back into play once the snow is gone for good but it might be too soon for sandals, so a pair like these is invaluable! They are super comfy and I just know I'll be pairing them with my everyday outfits all summer long for a classy touch.

Throw a few classic yet trendy pieces like these together with fun accessories like round shades and a soft pink lip and your outfit is made! I love that a look like this can be transformed by pairing it with jeans or a skirt, or even denim shorts! This look makes a statement yet remains classy and chic with a pairing of my favorite color combo: pink and blue. Seriously, how many of my outfits have incorporated this color dynamic? Quite a lot I might say!

 What are your springtime outfit favorites?

Top: J. Crew (also cute/and ruffled). Bag: French Connection (love this or this). Shoes: Aldo. Sunglasses: Anthropologie.

xoxo, CC

Midnight Gingham

Last weekend was warm and beautiful and I wore this fun gingham dress for a full day of activities in the city. Starting with a breakfast run where I discovered this fun wing mural, then on to running errands, a street fair with tons of yummy food, followed by an impressive apartment rooftop party and then dinner out with my girls. I was comfy all through this fun-packed day in an off the shoulder dress and ankle strap flats. I had been on the hunt for a cute piece in a gingham print, and this adorable off the shoulder dress was exactly what I needed.

Gingham is a perfectly summery print that is casual yet chic, and I love the texture to this cotton & linen fabric and the girly ruffle along the neckline. To compliment the simple black and white pattern I added denim blue flats and a blue stone bracelet. Since the print is so bold I kept to a simple chunky bracelet and subdued color scheme. The loose shift fit was comfy to wear all day long on a hot humid day, and the shoulders stayed exactly in place the entire time. Plus, this dress has pockets. Enough said.

On our walk back from dinner we had fun snapping a few photos in the moody lighting of New York City at midnight.

Dress: Anthropologie. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Aldo. Sunglasses: AJ Morgan. Bracelet: J. Crew (love this one).

xoxo, CC

Transitional

Happy April! Who else is pumped that it's finally officially spring!

After the teasingly warm weather we had back in February, it finally warmed up above 55º again this past weekend. I took the opportunity to wear this flowy peasant dress that I added to my spring wardrobe recently. I love the drop waist and peasant style tiers that make this dress ideal for early spring. The loose oversized fit is counterbalanced by the sheer fabric allowing your shape to show through despite the voluminous draping. I paired it with over the knee boots for a transitional look (and to hide my pale legs!), and added a faux leather jacket that was only barely necessary in the sunshine. Altogether the look is a little bit edgy yet still soft and romantic.

I spent the afternoon browsing the Affordable Art Fair in NYC and strolling in the sunshine along the highline in the sun. The wind just about blew me away when we were up on the highline getting the breeze straight off the Hudson, but in the sunshine the weather was impeccable. Perfect dress weather! The all black and white vibes of this ensemble are very city chic, but the tiered flounce and loose fit keep the look feminine and casual. The simplicity of a monotone look and comfy dress is just what I've been waiting to wear now that it's beginning to warm up! 

Dress: Scotch and Soda (similar). Jacket: Zara. Boots: Sam Edelman. Sunglasses: Anthropologie. Lip: MAC. Bracelet: similar.

xoxo, CC

Out With the Old // In With the New

Warm spring weather has started creeping in and teasing us here in New York lately, and while the official start of spring is still a few weeks away, these recent warm days have me thinking ahead towards a spring wardrobe. Each year when we hit spring I get really excited about bringing out my skirts and dresses, yet in early spring it still feels too soon to reach for the bright sundresses and floaty mini skirts. This leaves a time when it can be hard to know what to wear, when spring is in the air, yet it is not quite warm enough to turn to full-blown summer styles. It can get frustrating trying to create transitional outfits and it can make me feel sick of everything in my closet, nudging me to do a wardrobe refresh. I start to realize which pieces in my closet aren't very useful and which essentials I am lacking.

There is something about the season of spring sparks the frenzy of spring cleaning. The start of a new year, new life breathing into the earth, makes us want to mimic that and start fresh ourselves. Out with the old and in with the new, so to speak. Each year I find myself wanting to go through my closet and cleanse it of items I don't see myself wearing in the future, making room for things I still need. So, not only does a change of season mark a shift in wardrobe but it's a great time to evaluate what you have, what you need, what you don't wear, and what can be put away until next year. 

I have also noticed shifts in my style over time, whether due to age, changes in larger fashion trends, or influences from where I live and who I'm around, there are noticeable differences in my style preferences as they shift over time. These shifts also call for a change of wardrobe and a re-evaluation of what's in my closet. While I tend to be nostalgic and not want to let things go, ever hopeful that it will come in handy later on, there is a time when one must get realistic and let go of the things that are no longer useful. Clearing out the old and unused makes room in your closet for new finds and necessary essentials. It's sad to say goodbye to once loved pieces that no longer fit my needs, but I like to think that they will make someone else very happy, whether I donate or sell them, someone else will find good use for these pieces that are no longer "me".

Sometimes I hold on to items that just aren't quite right since they serve some style purpose that is deemed necessary in my wardrobe. They tend to sit around mostly unused until I am able to find a replacement that better suits my style needs and fills the necessary niche. Then, I am able to let go of the older piece knowing that it is not leaving a void in my wardrobe, that something newer and better is replacing that spot.

At this point in my style journey I am finding myself gravitating towards looser silhouettes and easy, non-fussy pieces that still have something special to them. A good mix of color and neutrals, prints and solids is essential and has been at the front of my mind as I add items to my shopping list lately. I'm finding myself becoming pickier about what I like and don't like, steering away from fussy statement pieces in favor of still unique styles that I can wear on repeat. I find that I am not wearing the shorter skirts as much as I used to, and favoring work-appropriate lengths instead -- they are just more comfortable to move around in. Pieces I can style dressier and also casually get the most use, especially if they are acceptable in the office. 

Before I buy anything I check myself to make sure that the piece meets some basic requirements to ensure that it is a good investment. I look for pieces that are easy to wear without having to fuss too much with styling them to make them work, both casually and a touch dressier. Also essential is having pieces I can feel comfortable in no matter where the day takes me. This time of year I am particularly attuned to finding transitional styles for all types of weather that don't limit me to summer (like gauzy fabrics and bright summery prints) or winter (like thick knit dresses, and dark moody colors). Finding in-between styles can be tricker than it sounds, but recently I found a few transitional spring items that I am really excited about, once the weather gets above 50 again. 

My recent purchases include a loose flowy dress in a subtle black and white print, a simple chambray skirt with practical pockets and a trendy frayed hem, and a loose cozy sweater in a fresh shade of pink. All of these finds were under $45 (two were on sale) and I know that they will get lots of wear this season. With a few new pieces like this to freshen up my wardrobe for spring I also feel better about letting go of some of the items I'd only kept around to fill the gaps in my wardrobe needs. On my wish list still are casual tops with a touch of class to them, like a subtly printed bell sleeve top in a structured fabric. These new items are all on trend without being fussy, with only subtle details that make them unique so that they are special and truly "me" and yet can still be worn regularly and comfortably in new ways. What could be better than that.

Check out my poshmark page (user name ccnoordsy) to see what I'm getting rid of with this spring closet evaluation! Whether it's because a piece doesn't fit me how I'd like, has outgrown my needs, or simply doesn't work with my style anymore, there are over 50 mint-condition available listings to shop! 

xoxo, CC

Rompin' Around

I think I've found the perfect romper for every occasion.....  how awesome is this navy and white printed piece? I first shared this find a few months back when I first discovered and ordered it and let me tell you, after struggling with the sizing and fit for a while, in the end I love it just as much as I anticipated! The shorts are the perfect length, not too short, and the style and print make it super easy to dress up or dress down. I've already worn this one a few times, to work with sandals and minimal jewelry, and out for celebratory drinks paired with cute wedges and a mini crossbody. 

This time I am accessorizing with a shiny gold belt to define the waist, lace up sandals and pretty pink accents. I love the way the navy is offset by a pop of blush pink. The overall look is somewhere between girly and laid back, and it's simply perfect for summer. I like how a romper is such a no-fuss and versatile outfit that requires little matching and styling, only a few easy accessories to switch up the look for any occasion. 

While I really love this romper and have gotten so many compliments on it, it was a struggle to get the right size and fit since it runs really big in the top. The top section is meant to blouse over the waistband but I found that it was just too baggy and unflattering on me to achieve the desired look. Since I am tall and have a long torso I usually go up a size in rompers, so originally I ordered a size 8 (when I normally wear a 6 at J. Crew). Well, it was enormous, so I exchanged it for a 6.... which was still way too much fabric in the upper section. The shorts on the 6 fit me perfectly (they were a little longer than on the 4) but I had to go down another size because of the baggy top. So, long story short, I ended up with a size 4 and even still the top is really baggy. I love the romper so much I decided to make it work, so I stitched it down a bit on the inside to get the look I wanted. I also found that wearing a belt with it helps it look more proportional. Anyway, all that to say that it runs big and is a lot of fabric in the top, but I just love the print and the style so much that I made it work anyway. What do you think?

Romper: J. Crew Factory (similar 1/2). Bag: French Connection. Shoes: Steve Madden via DSW. Sunnglasses: Funoc. Belt: Target. Bracelet: similar here. Rings: H&M.

xoxo, CC

Vintage Printed

Happy Memorial Day!

I have been searching for months for the perfect pair of brown lace-up sandals that are simultaneously cute, comfortable, with a low heel and an affordable price tag. Well, I think I finally found them. These Steve Madden beauties will go with so many outfits this summer, but primarily I had them in mind to match with this dress. This fun printed midi dress is a vintage piece of my mom's from the 80's. Because of the longer skirt length it requires a heel, but I also wanted a shoe that was comfortable for regular use, so the low block heel on these sandals is perfect.

I like the way the cognac brown accessories modernize the look and really let the print and kimono-style sleeves do most of the talking. From afar it looks more like a checkered print, but up close the squares are a red zebra stripe which gives it an exotic and vibrant feel. A soft red lip really completes the look for a fun and sophisticated ensemble.
We have been having insanely hot weather in NYC all week so it felt nice to take a stroll through the shade in the park in a breezy dress and comfy sandals.

Dress: Vintage. Shoes: Steve Madden. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar). Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters.

xoxo, CC

Latest Obsession

You know when you do a wardrobe refresh and there are one or two items that suddenly you can't stop wearing? For me it's been the peplum tank I featured here, and also this blush pink faux leather skirt... on repeat. The skirt is the perfect balance of urban meets girly and it goes with practically everything, plus I've been totally obsessed with blush pink everything lately. I am planning to shoot an outfit or two showing how I wear it soon, but in the meantime I snapped a few pics of some outfit planning I laid out the other day. The style of the skirt looks great with a crop top, and trendy lace-up flats echo the urban/girly vibe. A light jacket and coordinated necklace are all that's necessary to pull the look together. 

Top: Zara. Skirt: Zara. Denim jacket: Gap. Flats: ZIGIny. Sunglasses: AJ Morgan. 

xoxo, CC

Double Peplum

I love the combo of a peplum top with a complimentary peplum jacket over it. Something about the layered structural shapes really works for me. I've often layered my favorite striped peplum tank with this marled jacket (like I did here), and now I've added a new ruffled peplum top to the rotation! This off-white piece is my new favorite for summer since it is fun and flirty but also bohemian chic and so easy to wear. I like how the front detail with the cut-outs and the lace overlay make it a little more sophisticated and unique. 

The architectural details of this outfit are what really draw the eye, but a few subtle pops of color in the pastel bag and jewelry keep it from being entirely neutral. With ripped jeans the look is easy, but the fitted jacket brings it all together and adds a bit of a dressier touch. I wore this look to work at the store, but it is equally up for a brunch outing or an afternoon of shopping in the city. 

What's your take on doubling up?

Top: Zara. Jacket: H&M. Jeans: H&M. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Necklace: Dogeared. Bracelets: J. Crew and H&M. Belt: J. Crew. Shoes: J. Crew. 

xoxo, CC