I come from the school of thought that leopard is a neutral. It pairs with every color, can carry and entire look or is a perfect accent piece. Now, I absolutely understand that not everyone feels this way. It can often be seen as a go-to for tacky-themed Halloween costume. I never let this get me down. I love it and I own it and I own a lot of it. 

I have just about every variation of leopard you can imagine: pants, dresses, tops, scarves, bags, jackets, shoes, etc. If you can wear it, I probably have one in leopard. 

This week, I needed to step up my “fierce” mentality and this was the perfect way to do it. This print is perfect when you want to make a statement of confidence, but want to wear something that isn’t too “out there”. 

Today’s lesson is to pair it with black. If you’re wanting to find more ways to wear leopard or want to invest in more of these pieces, black complimentary items will ensure the look stays grounded.

This leopard jumpsuit – from the target clearance rack – is a LOT when worn by itself. Add a black blazer and some neutral pumps and this could easily pass for a great Friday at the office outfit or a dinner date look.

Similar Jumpsuits can be found here: Asos $26, IVRose $30, SelfieLeslie $76

This is an easy one. A leopard scarf goes with any color. I especially love to pair them with bright-colored coats to add some additional texture. You’d be amazed at how leopard can actually TONE DOWN a brightly colored look.

Leopard Scarves here: Walmart $12, Amazon $13

If you don’t have leopard shoes in your closet, HOW ARE YOU EVEN LIVING?! If you put an outfit together with all solid colors this is when a patterned shoe can elevate a look. Here are a few of my favorites: Old Navy $20, Target $25

I have been obsessed with these leopard joggers since the moment I laid eyes on them. I’ve dressed them up with a gauzy black button down shirt and heels and dressed them down as you see here. A perfect travel item and always brings a million compliments. This pair is Zara from a while back, but here are a few similar options. Labeye $48, Amazon $18

The key to a great leopard item is to make sure the print doesn’t feel oversized or cartoon-like. Too-big spots can come across feeling “cheap” and for a pattern that is already perceived from some of the population as tacky, you want to be cautious.

This top is a great example of more two dimensional interpretation of leopard. The high-low is dramatic, so I kept the bottom-half simple. Faux Leather leggings and black pumps help put an exclamation point on this edgy outfit without being too far out in left field.

Here are a few leopard tops to add to your wardrobe. Venus $44, Amazon $17, Amazon $20 (plus sizes!)

Moral of the story…..

Can you be more dramatic with your leopard outfits than I was? ABSOLUTELY. I hope this week’s article reminds you, though, that leopard can work with just about any item in your wardrobe. Have fun with it and remember… Leopard is a neutral!

It’s hard to think of a wardrobe item that could be considered more classic than a white button down shirt. And before we dive in, let’s address a quick debate. Is it button down shirt? Or button up shirt? 

I would also consider a classic white shirt to be the only clothing item that can stand alone as a Halloween costume. Think Tom Cruise in Risky Business – a white dress shirt plus tube socks and sunglasses and you are good to go!

I’ve owned a lot of white dress shirts over the years. For the longest time I struggled to find one that was tapered properly for my narrow frame. I just felt like it would swallow me whole. Then I did find some that were more feminine cut, but then it felt like it lost its chrispness.

So, thanks to my trial and error I have finally determined that the ideal white button down shirt for women is one that is proportional but not fitted. This way it’s still feels and looks classic but isn’t completely unflattering.

The one I am wearing here is from the company UNTUCKit (UNTUCKit $78). I want to say I first saw them on Shark Tank and kind of guffawed at what a simple concept the brand was – same old shirts the perfect length for not tucking in. Someone gave me a gift card to the site and I treated Kevin to a few men’s shirts and snagged this “Jackie” style for myself. I will say they are in-fact the perfect length to wear without tucking in. I guess they nailed it!

It is also wrinkle-resistant and MACHINE WASHABLE which is a huge adult win. Nothing is more demoralizing than steaming or ironing a garment and then sitting down for two seconds only to undo all of that effort. I don’t think the shirt is perfect in that sense, but it does take a lot more to be so wrinkly it is unwearable.

Side note – your white shirt should also be thick enough that you cannot see a bra or undershirt underneath. That alone will make your vibe look way sloppier and less quality.

Here’s Four Ways To Wear… plus, a bonus look!

This is the easiest way to wear as far as number of pieces involved. Wear your white button down shirt as it’s meant to be worn and pair it with leggings and boots or booties. Because there is very little structure in the top half of this outfit, I went with sock booties to keep my bottom half tight for balance.

I would suggest pairing with a structured purse to, again, add shape where there is none.

A little less dressy than the previous option, but still chic all the same. This time grab skinny jeans and your favorite knee-high boots for the bottom half. Coordinate that with a long line chunky sweater of your choosing. I didn’t happen to have a chunky enough sweater in a bright color or a pattern but I would highly recommend going that direction instead of a neutral.

I am only suggesting that because that is a lot of neutrals for one outfit and you know I can’t be too basic for too long.

OMG This is my favorite one! As you know, I’m already obsessed with these $30 jeans from Target. I did a whole article about how to wear them here if you need a refresher. I tucked in the front of the shirt and let the back hang out so it didn’t feel too stuffy.

I wore nude pumps here, but quite literally ANY shoe will do. Even some slim-line sneakers would work here and still feel appropriate with this top.

And now for something totally different! I saw a cast member from one of my favorite Bravo shows (Summer House – hey, Amanda!) wear a button down shirt like this once and I’ve not forgotten it. Hers was leopard, but still the same effect.

Unbutton the shirt enough to be able to drape it over your shoulders. This will mean the front will be way shorter than normal, so you absolutely MUST pair it with something high waist. Otherwise it will be all weird and baggy where you don’t want it to be.

This is my wildcard look – what do you think? Does it work or does it flop?

BONUS LOOK: Remember this look from my crew neck sweater ideas for game day? Layer your dress shirt with a sweatshirt for a cute and casual style!

Which of these looks would you wear?

The first few weeks of the fall season is my absolute favorite. Your closet should be its absolute fullest right now. We are halfway between putting away our summer seasonal garments and pulling out the heavier items. Open toe shoes are still fair game, but so are sweaters! It’s a great place to be.

Especially if you live in a cold weather climate, you live for days where you don’t need to bundle up in a coat. So a sweater dress is a great option for this in-between. In the winter I layer these with tights or leggings – but in the fall, I can still take advantage of showing off what tan I have left before my legs go into hiding until June.

Everyone should have a great sweater dress in their repertoire. My personal favorite sweater dresses have the following features: full-length sleeves (for those of us who are always cold), just a tad oversized for versatility and thin enough to layer, but not thin enough that you can see through it.

Mine was a hand me down from my friend, Thea. (Did you read my article about how to get a deal?) Here’s two that fit the bill:
Lulus $43
Forever 21

Let your sweater dress hang loose and pair it with over the knee boots. I love these shoes and I always struggle to find ways to wear them when I’m not on a night out. They can very easily teeter into “lady of the night” territory. The slightly oversized sweater dress prevents this from happening here.

Plus, since this is a transitional outfit between the seasons, it’s just enough skin to be comfortable in that walk to the car as you run from place to place.

Okay, I thought long and hard about posting this because I knew people would ask me about this trench coat. It’s from 2014, my favorite item and I’ve never been able to find anything like it. So, I’m SO SORRY in advance for showing this off without providing you with a link to shop it. It’s from New York & Co and is easily the most feminine trench coat I’ve ever worn. Ugh, I’m sorry again.

ANYWAY – a thinner coat, like a trench is how you MUST layer on a sweater dress. Going bare legged may require an extra layer. A long-line trench will keep you warm without adding a ton of bulk. Bonus points if it is a contrast to your dress itself.

I love a popped collar, I don’t care how Dick Tracy it looks. Say what you will.

A fall special – cognac tones and black – is always a perfect match. It feels earthy and brightens up the wintry black. I don’t know about you, but I always thought black and brown was a no-no. However, turns out, you just need the right shade of brown to make this combination work.

I paired a skinny belt to cinch my waist with ankle booties. Be warned that booties this height tend to shorten your legs, so you’ll either want to come to terms with this (me!) and rock this cute look anyway, or go with a higher heel for the boost.

I am so excited to share with all of you the pants I wear more than any other pair of pants in my entire closet. Black joggers have become my go to for just about every occasion.

When I first got them, I thought they would be limited to only athleisure type outfits or more loungewear focused because they are so out of this world comfy. Then, I stopped ignoring the fact that they had a killer flattering high waist line that was muffin top slayer. Most joggers are either elastic waist or drawstring so you have the ability to customize the fit to your perfect liking.

I thought about starting with my go-to outfit with these joggers – a tank top with sneakers – but, that look is a no brainer. I wanted to show you three different ways you can style joggers that maybe you hadn’t considered before.

Here are some of my favorites on the web right now:

Old Navy $35
Amazon $24
Express $70

Workplace Casual

First is an outfit you can wear in a professional setting. Joggers are a great transition piece as we go from summer office wear to the winter. Pair joggers with a loose-fitting thin sweater and tuck in the front to maintain some structure. Because the top and pants don’t have a lot of shape on their own, I pair of them with these overly designed booties to elevate the overall style.

Still not feeling business enough for your style? Add a blazer and leave it open can you put together a comfortable and stylish look for any meeting.

Night Out

As I mentioned before, joggers are so flattering on the waist line that it feels like they were meant for a crop top opportunity. Just about any crop top will do from a fitted, casual knit, or a ruffle style that is not quite fitted – either will work.

I wanted to show these joggers as a night out of style with a dramatic flair. Trust me, wearing these is like wearing SWEATPANTS in the club. You will never want to go back to tight fitting clothing again after giving them a try.

The Everyday

I have a ton of satin camis in my closet that are perfect for layering. At first, I wasn’t sure how a slouchy pant would do with a slouchy top. However, the satin paired with the light material of the joggers is just the right amount of dressy.

I opted for some two-strap mini wedges in order to elongate the line of sight from top to bottom. The gathered ankles hide the strap here, but I could easily pull the legs up to emphasize that detail.

Do you have joggers in your wardrobe? If not, what’s holding you back?

I remember when I exclusively wore boot cut jeans. I used to swear up and down, and I quote, “I will NEVER wear skinny jeans”. LOL! Now, skinny jeans are my UNIFORM. 

I also said I would never wear colored skinny jeans either and I owned them in every color in 2013. Oh, and once upon a time I would say the same thing about jumpsuits and rompers. So, you know what they say – never say never!

I have seen a lot of women wearing adorable, loose-fitting jeans. “Boyfriend jeans” if you will. Now, every time I try this I don’t feel like it really fits my body type to have pants that have to be made big enough to be loose around my thighs without overtaking the rest of my frame. 

I was scrolling on Instagram and a fabulous Canadian gal @cbstyled posted some jeans from Target. Now, I’ve bought my fair share of clothing from Target, but I usually don’t bother shopping for denim. Probably because I know what works for my figure (skinny jeans) and I have a zillion pairs already. 

I didn’t go to buy them, but I did a snappy little double take since I had been influenced by an influencer! 

You can’t try on clothing right now, so I had to guess my size (fun.) and hope for the best. Lucky for me, I crushed it! And oh my gosh I LOVE these jeans! They are a little more fitted than I had in mind through the leg, but the mid-rise is super flattering. 

I’m also a sucker for a destroyed denim – both effortless and stylish. I haven’t been this excited about a staple purchase in a long time and I have been wearing these CONSTANTLY. Honestly, three ways to wear isn’t even close enough to do these justice.

Oh yeah, did I mention they are THIRTY FREAKING DOLLARS?! Click here to make the best purchase ever.

Un-Basic Basic

Some outfits are just made to be accessorized and this is it. A baggy and basic black tee with a front tuck is all you need to lay a foundation for an easy, but eye catching look. 

I love wearing heels with distressed denim as we learned with our white tee article. These are no exception. In fact, since they are a lighter wash AND relaxed fit, I like the contrast even more.

Throw on a wide brim hat of your choosing and I promise every other gal at brunch will be envying your style.

Give Me The Blues

Did you ever think ripped jeans could look romantic?! Kevin LOVED this outfit. I think there are a few key things at play. First, the whole look is essentially monochromatic. 

Blue has a calming impact that many people are drawn too. Pale blue especially looks great on a tan and feels feminine. I love that I’m using adjectives I would never use to describe the jeans themselves to describe this outfit. That is TRANSFORMATION, PEOPLE! 

Slouchy Chic

Honestly, I might stop blogging after this post because I love each outfit even more than the next. How can I possibly love an outfit article more than this one? Ugh. It’s too good.

I got this button down from H&M forever ago and I love the pattern tucked into the front of these jeans. These in particular would look AMAZING with shorter tops since the rise on the waist is higher than most pants. 

This laid back look with a structured top and flats helps you look polished, but I can promise you, you’ll be comfy as heck. 

Y’all (and I’m from New York and never say that so you know I’m serious). You need these jeans. You will wear them to death in the first week you have them. I am speaking from experience. I never want to take them off and have reached for them constantly since the day I bought them.

Remember a few years ago when LuLaRoe came on the scene with its buttery soft leggings and wild patterns? I’ll be honest, it’s been a while since it was on my radar. However, my longtime friend, Christina, has been cheering on the TTT blog since the beginning and reached out to say how happy she was that she felt like all of the current LuLaRoe trends seemed to be right on.

To which I thought to myself, “oh yeah, remember LuLaRoe?”. So I started peeking around and was pretty impressed at what I was seeing. So in the spirit of women supporting women, Christina and I worked out a deal for me to feature one of the new items, the “Poppy” maxi skirt. Like what you see? You can visit her site and use my code for 15% off to snag your own. 

Since we are into mid-August, a maxi skirt is a must for transitional wear and it has the uncanny ability to go from boho to elegant in a snap.  This skirt is THICK so you can tell it will survive a ton of washes and feels so soft, which, I’m not surprised since comfort is very much their staple.

Maxi Skirt: LuLaRoe $46 ($39 with code Jesse15) For reference, I’m wearing a size XS and have room.

Classy and Fabulous

Losing it over this elegant style. Really any fitted top will do to make this come together, but the long sleeve makes me feel like a dang Disney princess. The waistline of this skirt is about two inches wide so this thick belt makes the contrast look seamless. 

I went with a neutral texture and color, but a solid black would work too. For all of you who are holding out hope that your wide belts are going to come back into style, I’m not going to make any promises to you, but this one DEFINITELY works! 

I paired with heels to keep the overall look dressy as opposed to dressed down. 

Side note: this belt doesn’t have any loops so I took a paperclip and strategically weaved it into the pattern to hold it down so it wasn’t flopping all over the place. One of my quickest and easiest fixes. Last post, we used a paperclip to pull my hair back. Who would have known it was so versatile. 

Skirt Sorcery

Why haven’t I thought of this before with my maxi skirts? I have no idea, but I’m ecstatic over this transformation. Honestly, I actually LOVED it without a belt at all. So swingy and comfortable. The tiers help to add volume while keeping a bit of shape without looking like a giant piece of fabric I just hiked up.

Even this way, it is still below the knee so I wouldn’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions or wind gusts, even on an active day. 

I belted it at one of the seam lines so it didn’t fight with the natural construction which feels like it was made to be worn this way and not a second-thought. No one needs to know!

Nip and Tuck

I said before that this is a thick fabric. If you want to wear your maxi, but the outside temp takes you by surprise, this is a really quick and easy trick to keep it from feeling too heavy.

Grab your maxi skirt from the knee on one side, pull it up, tuck it inside your waistband and secure it with a safety pin. You’ll need a big one given the weight of the garment. Don’t worry about harming the skirt, the fabric can definitely take it. Especially if you go for a pattern version. You’ll never know the difference.

If you don’t like the cascade look that I have here, you can do the same trick, but pull it UNDER and pin versus over. You’ll get the same high-low, Angelina Jolie effect this way too! 

The Verdict

I love love love this LuLaRoe Poppy Maxi Skirt. The quality is excellent, the shape is classic and this print is ah-mazing. Don’t see a print you love on Christina’s site? Just send her a message and she can hook you up.

Which of these styles do you like best?

Culottes, especially culotte jumpsuits, are EVERYWHERE right now. I personally thought I was scarred by culottes for life after the early 2000s. Turns out, time does heal all wounds because I’m back in a big way.

I’m not going to say I was an early adopter or anything, but I did grab this black culotte jumpsuit three years ago. It was secondhand, but originally from target. Shoe choice is critical with these styles. Because the length of the pant cuts us off already, go with a nude shoe or something that doesn’t cut off at the ankle.

The flow-y pants are made for hot summer days and is worry-free as far as riding up or any flash risks that come with lighter clothing.

Want to snag one of these for your own closet?

Lulus $49
Pretty Little Thing $20
Express $60

The Hero

This particular culotte jumpsuit is a VERY thin crinkle material so it basically never wrinkles and features an open back with gold button accents.

HELLOOOO, pockets. Thinking about it now, I think every culotte jumpsuit I own has pockets. That’s another part of the beauty of the flow-y pants – no need to worry about adding bulk since it has a natural a-line silhouette.

The riskiest shoe of the whole article is up first. A lace up is basically a no-go in outfits that hit below the knee because it can really shorten you. So, why did I break the the line of sight with a lace up heel? Easy – a nude heel is a natural elongator. Had I had these in black, it really would have been a no-go. 

Date Night Outfit

You guys, do not be scared of a fabulous duster. I love a long, flowy duster for the summer. My friend, Kathleen, says I look like a pianist about to toss my cape over the bench. I like to think of it more of a wind-blown elegance. Tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to. 

Honestly, I should do a whole article on this duster because even though it’s intimidating at first, it really is a show stopper and could be worn with a ton. Ok, that’s it… I’m doing one.

A pump is a great choice for culottes because it makes you look crazy tall. Look at me. 5 foot 4 inches and definitely looking more like Yao Ming. (I work in sports and he’s the tallest person I could think of, okay?)

Floral Duster:
SteinMart $30
Forever 21 $23
Walmart $14

The Everyday

You know what’s crazy? I used to think layering was only for cardigans, zip ups and button front tops. What a foolish mistake! Don’t limit your options to just these when it comes to switching things up.

A lot of culotte jumpsuits have a natural waist (my absolute fav) so a shorter top or one that can be tied up, really accentuate your waistline and make sure the bagginess of your pants don’t overtake your shape.

I couldn’t decide on the shoes. Frankly, I would go for these neutral snakeskin pumps, but I realize it’s a little elvish for most people. A lifetime of thick skin has taught me to wear whatever I darn well please. However, the actual more practical option would be to go with these strappy sandals.

Both cute, can’t go wrong!

Which outfit would you wear most often?

This week’s hero is subject to one very silly rule: “you can only wear white between Memorial Day and Labor Day”. Well, 1) lucky for us that this is the case and 2) also, this rule stinks. As I’ve gotten more comfortable in my own style and care a lot less about what people think, I’ve stretched these white jeans far beyond the constraints of these dates.

White jeans can be AMAZING paired with rich autumn tones for the fall and blacks and grays before spring officially hits. I’ve already made a note to do a white jeans for fall post as I write this. 

Why are white jeans so great? The word “crisp” comes to mind. They always look put-together which makes them perfect for summer dinners out, casual Friday, etc. Consider them your summer “safety net”.  They are a great balance so that you won’t feel overdressed nor underdressed when you make this call even if you’re not sure what the dress code actually is for an upcoming event.

The trick is making sure they are fitted (best case if they have at least 2% spandex for stretch) and substantial enough so you can’t see through them. My favorite pair (linked below) is from Old Navy in the “rockstar” style. This means mid-rise and plenty of stretch. 

These EXACT jeans are on-sale right now for $25 at Old Navy. However, if you miss the sale, they are regularly priced at $34.99. Either way, a STEAL. 

Clean and Simple

What’s more classic than black and white? Literally nothing. Imagine pairing this look with a bold red lip? OMG. Yes x100.

One of the biggest concerns I hear about white jeans is “I’m a slob so I can’t wear white jeans”, or “I’m scared I’m going to sit in something”. Which, I totally hear you, but I think about the amount of times in my life that I actually have sat in something. Less than ten at most. You can wear white jeans.

Regardless, this top is longer in the back (a mullet shirt, if you will) so it gives great coverage of my behind. You can sit in confidence knowing you will not look like you’ve soiled yourself. 

I used black to dress up the rest of the look as well. I’ve had these Steve Madden tassel heels in my closet for a few years (purchased secondhand) and always forget about them, but they definitely add some fun to a simple outfit.

Paired with a black woven clutch and a black dangle earring to really tie everything together. Side note, I looked everywhere for the second earring before taking these photos. Couldn’t find it so I took it with just one. Found it the next day and put them “somewhere safe”. Went to wear them the other day and have forgotten where “somewhere safe” is. So, story of my life. 

High-Low Top: Amazon $19.99, Amazon $17.99, Walmart $15.99
Black Clutch: DSW $24.99
Tassel Heels: Amazon $15.96, Amazon
Black Dangle Earrings: Kohl’s $11.70, JCPenney $10.08

Soft and Romantic

Already loving how sugar, spice and everything nice this next outfit is. Even though this coral color is still bright, it is still in the pastel family. I almost never wear pastels, which looking at this is a huge mistake. Something to be said for a muted tone paired with the stark white that feels so soft and feminine. Plus, the off the shoulder top shows some skin in contrast to covered legs without having to be overtly sexy.

I like that this top is on the flowier side and could be tucked in or left out. Honestly, it’s a toss-up. I did a little of both and half tucked the front and pulled the rest out. This makes your legs look longer, but still relaxed overall.

I went with neutral accessories of a tan and gold purse, nude two-strap heels from Express and long coral earrings to bring it all together. 

Coral Off The Shoulder Top: NY&CO $29.9
Tan Heels: Lulus $31, Nine West $89
Tan Crossbody: Target $15, Kohl’s $19.50, Urban Outfitters $24.99
Coral Drop Earrings: NY&CO $13.77

Smart and Chic

One of my favorites of all time, truly. Someone I work with (hey, Ashley!) inspired this look and it was nearly identical: White jeans, white based button-up and some tan details. I remember seeing her and thinking, “I have all the pieces of this outfit!”. So sure enough the following week I gave it a try and told her just how much I love her style! 

Is it weird that I feel smart in this outfit? Is it also weird that I feel like someone who owns a 60 ft. yacht in this outfit? It’s sooooooooooo cool and clean and effortless. The top is a linen blend so it maintains some good structure, but still less than a standard oxford. Plus, it’s a little sheer so it feels airy and appropriate for summer temperatures. 

There’s that cognac braided belt again that I recently raved about. If I want to dress this up, I could make a few changes. First, I could tie up the shirt so it appears even more fitted. Second, I could swap my flat slide sandals for heels. Boom! This look is instantly ready for a day to night transformation. 

Striped Button Down: EXACT top Old Navy $15.00
Cognac Belt: Article and options here
Tan Sandals: EXACT pair: Target $15.99, Target $19.99

There are so many ways to make a white pair of jeans the staple of your summer. Pair it with bright colors or patterns for some extra cheer. However, I would definitely recommend bringing along a tide pen and SOMETHING to cover up with if you do happen to grab something messy to eat. Overall, don’t sike yourself out of this classic.