I’m always on the hunt for ways to dress casually, but still look put together. So far, my favorite way of accomplishing this is jeans + a button down shirt. A button down adds just enough crispness that I don’t feel completely sloppy, and I also don’t feel the need to layer. A bold piece of jewelry and interesting flats are usually all the embellishment the outfit really needs. The other nice thing about button downs is that they are easily dressed up as well, so they can pull double duty.
I found this military detail blouse recently at Express, it’s still available here. It also comes in a nice stripe that I was sorely tempted by, but I eventually settled on one in navy and the other in black. I wore the black one last week during the dress week challenge. I just got another coupon in the mail, so I may still go back for the white one too, hee.
On a side note, I’d really like to pick up a pair of bootcut jeans, since I wear my Citizens of Humanity straightleg “Elson” jeans so much, I’d like some variety. Citizens of Humanity makes a fabulous, high rise bootcut jean called the “Amber,” but I’m on a bit of a budget crunch right now. Anyone have suggestions for decent, higher rise, bootcut jeans around $50 while I save up for the Citizens?
The top is from Express, the jeans are Citizens of Humanity, shoes are Me Too and bracelet is J. Crew.
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Don’t you just love coupons?! BTW, I like this outfit. Since it’s cooler here in NJ, I would just throw on a nice scarf for added warmth
Sometimes I get so caught up in layering and different colors I can forget how great a well-fitted button down can look. Thanks for the reminder.
That bracelet is gorgeous! Is it this season, or older?
I have a pair of Banana Republic bootcuts that I got in 2005 and are still going strong. They often go on sale for around $50 or less.
You were right to go with navy. It looks fab (but as long as you have a coupon you may as well dupe in another color…)
That button-down fits perfectly on you. I think those shirts are actually on sale this week – I remember seeing something of the kind when I briefly popped into the store.
Thanks for the feedback, ladies!
Kristen, the bracelet is from last season, but J. Crew always carries something similar to it. I wear it a lot and it has held up well too.
Thanks for the jean suggestions, Maya! I will look into BR.
Great post this will really help me.