Monochromatic Gray

Good afternoon! I know a few of you, hopefully many, had today off! Thankfully, today was warmer than this weekend. New England finally came out of the negative degree (Fahrenheit) weather and hit a "warm" 10 degrees today! When you live in colder cities, you take what ever you can get. 

After being shut indoors all weekend due to the cold, I decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air. With all the gray clouds and light flurries, I became inspired to wear one of my favorite chic looks: head to toe in gray. I know that, for many Bostonians, blacks and grays are a "go-to" when it comes to fashion. However, for those of you who may be a little weary of wearing such dark tones, I have a few suggestions. 

When making a certain color the focal point of an outfit, I would not wear all the same shade, but rather take a monochromatic approach. Monochromatic colors are all the colors (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue. Here I wore a monochromatic gray cape, and then played on the various gray shading by layering with a gray turtle neck and gray wedged booties.

I also chose to break up my gray outfit by mixing in some shades of black, and mixing prints. I personally am a huge fan of pattern play (mixing of prints), and try to do so as frequently and as smoothly as possible. Here I broke up my color block cape with a striped turtle neck, making my outfit less monotone. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Color Block Cape: Express. This cape has since gone on clearance, and can only be found in select stores. Similar clearance capes at Express: Reversible Southwestern Print Blanket Cover-Up, Gray Southwestern Stripe Blanket Cover Up, and Southwestern Fringe Blanket Cover Up. Teresa Stripe Turtleneck: G.H. Bass & Co. (Factory Outlet). THIS TURTLENECK IS CURRENTLY ON SALE FOR UNDER $10! Black Mid Rise Jean Legging: Express. THESE JEANS ARE CURRENTLY ON SALE FOR 40% OFF! Icon Charcoal Suede Bootie: White Mountain. Studded Clutch: Forever 21. Similar studded clutches: Studded Envelope Clutch (CURRENTLY ON SALE), Gaslusol (CURRENTLY ON SALE), and 'Gloria' Studded Faux Leather Foldover Clutch. Bangles: Lia Sophia. LIA SOPHIA IS CURRENTLY HAVING A BLOW OUT SALE. EVERYTHING IS 45% OFF! Lia Sophia bracelets can be found here.

As always, thank you for reading!

3 Simple Steps to Layering an Outfit

Happy Hump Day!  I hope you all had a great  start to your week!  Tonight I will be be sharing a simple "how to" for laying an outfit.  Throughout the week I have heard such comments as "nice weather we're having" and "what a beautiful November week".  It's true!  This week has been gorgeous and I have made sure that the boys and I take advantage of the nice weather by going to the park as much as possible.

With this great weather, I have also heard many people mention how they do not know how to dress for it.  In New England, during the fall, it is cold in the the mornings, hot during the days, and freezing once the sun sets.  Which, thanks to Day Light Savings, is much earlier now.  As I've mentioned in previous posts, the weather plays a big part in what a nanny does during the day.  Every morning I check the weather, and try to be outside as much as possible.  As a nanny, my work days begin at 8 AM and end at 6 PM.  I need to be ready for any temperature.  Layers always help.

At Express, they encourage the team to wear three layers.  I try to follow this rule at my nannying job as well.  If you are not used to layering an outfit, don't worry!  Here are three simple steps that will help.

1.  Choose a base.

It is easier to form an outfit if you start with a simple base.  This can be a romper or dress in a solid color or simple pattern.  Your base can also be a simple t-shirt and jeans.  Once you have that core item, you can work from there.

For the fall time, I tend to wear light tees and cotton dresses as my base item.  This is a good idea for when you're running in between sporting events, swim classes, parks, and errands at the house.  That lighter layer is important for when you are feeling warm.  If you only wear warm layers, you wont be able to enjoy the 60 and 70 degree weather that the fall days have to offer.  

Here I chose dark wash jeans with a black basic tee, as the base to my outfit.  Here are a few other pieces that I love, and would use as a base for an outfit.  

Gray Plush Jersey T-Shirt Dress from EXPRESS 

Metallic Snakeskin Jacquard Sweater Dress from EXPRESS

Mock Neck Sweater Dress from EXPRESS

2. Add an accent piece.

This is where the outfit starts to get fun!  You may have loved your base item, but this is when you make the outfit pop!  An accent item can be a sweater, a vest, a cardigan, a scarf, and many other things.  This item is going to have a different, maybe bolder, color or pattern than your base item.

My accent item was my red, plaid flannel.  The red brightened my outfit.  However, there were darker tones that kept my outfit looking pulled together.  If you are wearing a flannel or collared shirt underneath a sweater, make sure to make the collar neat and cuff the sleeves.  Here are various accent items that I love.

Fuzzy Textured Cover-Up from EXPRESS

'Autumn' Plaid Scarf from NORDSTROM

Factory Fair Isle Sweater from J. CREW FACTORY OUTLET

Crêpe Jacket from H&M

3. Accessorize.

The final step in layering an outfit is accessorizing.  This is my favorite step to layering an outfit!  I have always loved jewelry.  However, when accessorizing a look it does not always have to mean jewelry.  You can add a watch, a belt, or a pretty headband as well or instead.  It is all based on your likes and dislikes.  I tend to wear less earrings and more necklaces and belts to complete my look.

Here I wore one of my Nigerian necklaces as a statement piece.  I also wore a bright brown, leather belt to break up the darkness of my black top and dark wash jeans.  Here are a few of my favorite accessories.

Tulipa Ring from LIA SOPHIA OUTLET

Cadilassi Necklace from ALDO

Taupe Knot Headwrap from ALDO

When layering an outfit, it is important to keep your sense of style in mind.  This will help make a cohesive look that will better portray who you are as an individual and as a fashionista!  I hope this helped! 

My look...

Flannel: Chaps.  Similar flannel: Here.  Jeans: Express.  V-Neck Jersey Top: H&M.  Moccasins: Minnetonka

Thanks for stopping by, Cute Teachings!