DD's Style File - Smack Dab in the Midi

With my love for peplum, swing dresses and midi skirts I sometimes feel I was born in the wrong era. Add pockets to skirts, dresses and jumpsuits and I'm in heaven.

Which makes this cobalt blue midi skirt from ASOS one of my fav pieces, unfortunately I haven't worn it as often as I'd probably like to. But I could easily see this skirt paired with a nice white tank this summer for errand running, amping things up a bit with some statement jewelry.

Magenta layered top - The Limited
Cobalt button front midi skirt - ASOS
Black sandals - Simply Vera for Kohl's
Black corset belt - old



Silver wave bracelet - JCpenney
Silver abstract ring - The Limited
Black bow ring - eBay
Wave ring - Stately Steel for HSN 

 

For whatever reason, I'm drawn to pieces that are midi length or hit right at the knee, even for pencil skirts. And prefer my pants to hit at the ankle - this way there's minimal alterations and I can wear them with flats and heels.

 

But a good tailor (and cobbler) are indispensable!

 

 

One final note before I go, about these shoes. In short, I hate them. I liked them at the store, for whatever reason, but they just did not work for me. I suppose they served their purpose for this outfit by adding a bit of a contemporary shape to the look, but I've hated them every other time I've put them on. They weren't very balanced on the bottom and I think they made me look like I had clubbed feet or something... Needless to say, out they go.

Solange Be Slaying 'Em

Beyoncé who??

Ok, I kid, I kid! I do have love for Queen Bey, I'll even admit that I'm a fan, but these days when it comes to the Knowles sisters, it's the baby sister, Ms. Solange that's ringing my fashion bell.

She rocks big hair and don't care all while serving us up a plate of fabulousness with a dash of quirkiness, let's take a style journey, shall we....


Here, Princess Solo rocks a contemporary mod look, in a little belted mini dress covered in large dots paired with a modern T-strap pump. And although I know that hair isn't all hers, it's everything! A+!

 

How about chic? Solange, seen here in a Stéphane Rolland number, a white jumpsuit with ruffled shoulders, is perfection!  A minimal nude strappy pump and zero jewelry adornment allows this jumpsuit to take center stage. I give this two snaps in a circle -werk!

So you say you dig regal, well Miss Solange gives us a lesson in regal with another showstopper by Stéphane Rolland Couture, a gown of sheer flowing nude fabric with a matching leotard underneath.

Now, this is what you call gone with the wind fabulous. Miss Kenya Moore, please take note.

DD's Style File - Out of Africa (Safari)

This outfit totally made me feel think "safari chic" with its zebra print and utility shirt, but it worked. I liked that the print wasn't the typical black and white, but navy instead.

Orange blouse - American Living
Navy & white skirt - JonesWear
Cognac gladiators - Call It Spring
(all JCPenney brands)
Cognac bag - Style & Co.
Brown stone necklace - The Limited
Cognac belt - (old)
Brown sunnies - Borrowed (semi-stolen) from my cousin

The majority of this outfit came from JCP, but it sounds like I'm in the minority of shoppers who really like their revamped pricing plan and getting pieces for a bargain price every day of the week instead of some "early bird sale." Check out this article over on the Budget Babe, who totally articulated my sentiments on the situation.

I actually think that since the refresh they offer much better and unique options for men's clothing. True, the quality is not off the charts, but I guys can certainly mix low and high end brands like we do too. I mean, I think running up on a seersucker jacket in JCP is a gem of a find for the fashion forward minded.

Do any of you bother to stop in JCP? I'd love to hear if you love their "old" or "new" ways?


I hope all you beauties have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

DD's Style File - The Basics

Well, hello darling divas! It certainly has been a while hasn't it?!

I'd mentioned in a few of my previous posts that I was going to be moving and heading back to school, but boy, I had no idea how busy and exhausted I would be!

It's been several months since my last post, so I obviously am finally all moved in to my new place, I just needed some time to work it all out. Y'know, I used to think I was SuperGirl, that I could handle it all....well, I'll be the first to tell you that I was more than mistaken!

I. Am. Worn. Out!!

So, I'm doing a quick drive by post to let you know that I haven't forgotten you all, and that I'm trying to get back to a regular blogging schedule as soon as possible. And thanks to all of you who checked back while I was M.I.A.

Somewhere in these blogging archives I must've mentioned how much I looooove peplum. And this was long, long, loooong before it became the "in" trend of the moment. It was very "1960's, ladies who dressed for the day" to me. The kind that got all dolled up just to go downtown to the bank. And peplum is a super flattering cut on all kinds of shapes - if you're thin, it creates curves and if you're curvier, it accentuates and a bonus is that the proper fabric can hide troubled areas (I especially like that part).

White peplum top - The Limited
Black back pleat skirt - Express
Polka dot clutch - ALDO
Leopard pumps - Guess
Red skinny belt - The Limited

Since it's so popular right now, it gives me ample room to stock up on the style. Since it's timeless, I plan to carry it on way after the magazine goddesses stop talking about it. And when I say stock up, let's just say that this white Limited top was the first of several peplum purchases I've made.

In this case, I think you can't go wrong with a fresh white, an essential black skirt, and the always powerful leopard pump. All topped off with a dash of red! I mean, since when do basic black and white have to be boring?!

Triangle necklace - Forever 21
Silver hoop earrings - The Limited



On another note, there have been some new and exciting things underway for Dazzling Diva that I plan to share with you all soon! So please stay posted!