What I Wore: Bonjour!
This is what I wore yesterday when I was the guest speaker at a class on blogging and marketing at Howard University. When I got home, Karl snapped a few photos. I wanted to look accessible but not too try-hard, polished but not stuffy. My friend who is the professor of the class offered a campus tour beforehand so I wanted to wear comfortable shoes for walking. I think it was a pretty perfect look for the situation; I was comfortable but felt pulled together. It helped that everything I was wearing was stretchy!
Blazer: Banana Republic (14P; similar; plus size alternative) | T-Shirt: 1901 (L) | Jeans: Slim Ankle Jean – Shadow Stripe c/o Talbots (14p; on sale!) | Booties: Naturalizer (similar) | Bag: ALLSAINTS | Earrings: Cristabelle | Lipstick: L'Oreal in Matte-Traction Red
I bought this blazer and the matching pants from Banana Republic back in 2016. You can see the set in this blog post. The pants got a lot more wear than the blazer as I gained weight and the jacket didn't fit (see the pants in this post). This year I again fit into the blazer (here's a post where I'm wearing it this past March). The fabric is a heavyweight stretch so it's comfortable as well as adding a bit of polish.
I shared on Instagram Stories that I ordered a trunk from Trunk Club and it arrived earlier this morning. This t-shirt was in the box. In these photos I look a bit disheveled (I seriously just got out of the car, threw the blazer back on and Karl captured the photos, I didn't even get to go inside to primp) but this shirt is actually a great fit, a nice weight that isn't too clingy but not stiff, and a super flattering sleeve length. Graphic t-shirts can skew too youthful and often cheesy; I collected a few t-shirts in a range of sizes that I think like this one can be stylish without looking try-hard. As a heads up; J. Crew is one of my favorite places for chic graphic tees and they are now up to a 3X in most of their t-shirt styles! Graphic t-shirts like striped t-shirts are a nice way to break up solids and add interest to a wardrobe of staples. Wear under a blazer or a cardigan, tuck into a skirt and pair with sneakers, wear with leather or faux leather leggings and a denim jacket. Just please don't get any that claim how you're just okay, meh, hungover, grumpy, unshowered, or not human without coffee, tacos, or wine. You're better than that.
The jeans you saw before in this blog post and they continue to be a favorite. Considering this was the second time wearing them and I spent most of the day in a car, they held up nicely. The bag was a staple last fall through spring; it's not cheap but it looks what it costs and it has held up beautifully. It's been shoved under airplane seats, squshed between bags on a closet shelf all summer, has been stuffed to the gills and still looks great. The booties I got last year and they're an unexpected color that adds a nice touch to many outfits. Even better, they're from Naturalizer so they're relatively comfortable! While these specific booties from Naturalizer are no longer available, above I linked to a dupe from ELOQUII and Naturalizer's 2018 option for a white bootie.
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long time reader, 1st time commentator. But just wanted to say that i think this is my favorite of all the outfits i’ve seen. you’re right, it strikes the perfect balance- put together and structured, but not to stuffy and formal. and i love the contrasting stripe on the jeans, and the pop of white from the boots completes the outfit, will be using this outfit as an inspiration!
and how great that you had the oppurtunity to speak to a college class about blogging and marketing. would be interested in what a questions class of college students had for you, maybe a follow up post?
Thank you so much!
I focused primarily on monetization, how to make money blogging. I went into sponsored posts and how to manage being part of a campaign. I know a lot of people think blogging is easy and anyone can become Insta-famous so I got into the nitty gritty and how much work it is. They had great questions about using images from the Internet (don’t do it), royalty-free music for videos, non-competes (if I work with Soma can I also work with Aerie), the craziest thing that brands have tried to hide in contracts. It was fun!
I always love a good navy blazer, but for some reason I struggle wearing it with jeans. Maybe because the colors are too similar? I like what you did here with the jeans and the stripe. Maybe I’ll give it another try!
I do think it works best when the jeans are a lighter color or have some sort of distressing/whiskering.
Love the whole outfit and especially that graphic t-shirt! I’ve picked up a few myself and enjoyed wearing them this summer. Great rules on what types “not” to wear too! How exciting that you spoke to a college class about blogging!!
Thanks Lee!
I love this outfit! The monochrome blue with the white accents is great. And the white booties really add the wow. White booties are something I initially thought “no way” to myself but the more I see them, the more I like them! I’m worrried about whether they’ll be a one season wonder though. What do you think Alison?
While white booties are trendy now, if it’s something that works with your wardrobe they can still look great beyond this season. White pumps were the thing a few seasons ago and they’re still going strong. I know Angie at YouLookFab has worn white boots for years and it always looks smart.
Love the look. This is the first time I have *gotten* the graphic tee trend. I especially the jacket but it is not offered in my size and the alternative is far too trendy for my taste. *sigh* Tres sad.
I struggled to find “similar” with this jacket. The trend this season is plaid jackets, which would also work quite nicely. But yeah, I spent like half an hour trying to find someone, anyone who made a navy pinstriped blazer that wasn’t cropped with peplums and ruffles and a tie at the waist and only available up to a size 4 LOL.
Of course! It’s a Large Regular. 🙂
Love the shirt! Mind sharing what size you got it in? Thanks!