Casual Archives | Page 3 of 19

Coated Skinny Jeans: Professionally and Casually

January 28, 2019 by Virginia 20 Comments

Ever since I saw Emily Gemma wearing faux leather pants years ago, I’ve been on the lookout for pair of my own. I love how sleek and stylish they look. However, I have frequently struggled with the question: Can you wear leather pants to work? Since I believe in building a wardrobe that can work for both the weekend and the work week, it didn’t make sense to buy a pair of faux leather pants if I couldn’t wear them to work. Would they be too uncomfortable? Are they too “sexy” for a high school teacher to wear to work? I continued to struggle with these questions until I discovered coated skinny jeans.

black over-the-knee boots_white tunic_black coated skinny jeans_faux leather pants_night out_date night look

The high school I worked at least year had a “no jeans” policy and I found myself looking for other ways to be comfortable and professional without wearing jeans. One solution was leggings that looked like jeans (you can read about those here) and another solution was coated skinny jeans.

faux leather jacket_coated skinny jeans_faux leather pants_white tunic_black over the knee boots_otk boots

This post contains affiliate links, so if you click and/or make a purchase through those links, I will make a small commission. For more information, please see my privacy policy.

Why I Love Coated Skinny Jeans

I love coated skinny jeans because they:

have the look of leather
are more comfortable than leather
are versatile – wear for a night out with a leather jacket like I did in the images above, or dress up for work like the images below.

coated skinny jeans_faux leather pants_black otk boots_teacher style

They are comfortable like jeans/leggings but they have a more sophisticated look that made me feel they were appropriate for me to wear to work. However, I do believe there are some tips to wearing coated skinny jeans in a work environment . I intend to show you a few different ways to style them in the coming months.

black biker jacket_coated skinny jeans_faux leather pants_teacher style fashion_affordable white tunic_rhode island blogger

Coated Skinny Jeans for Date Night

Though I personally wouldn’t wear an all-leather look to work, there’s something fun about an all-leather look for a night on the town with the girls or running errands!

leather biker jacket_coated skinny jeans_faux leather pants_affordable white tunic_black otk boots

As I shared in the last outfit post, I’ve been pretty obsessed lately with H&M. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that both of these faux leather pieces are from H&M. I’ve been pulling this faux leather jacket out more this winter because I’ve been so into neutrals. I wore it first HERE and though it’s from a few seasons ago, H&M has a new version that is almost exactly alike. These coated skinny jeans are the perfect affordable option for a leather look. They’re very stretchy and I find them quite comfortable.

Pair with OTK Boots and Long Tunic for Work

You’ll have to excuse the pictures of this next outfit. I realized I forgot to shoot examples of how I would wear these coated skinny jeans to work. Our downstairs unit was just vacated (and nice and bright) so I popped in real quick to shoot this “wear to work” version of the outfit.

Coated Skinny Jeans_teacher fashion_wear to work_faux leather pants_white tunic

For work, I tend to dress down the leather look. Rather than pairing it with more leather, I paired it with a longer white tunic to cover the back and added my new black over-the-knee-boots.

After the success of wearing my taupe over the knee boots to work, I decided that I would look for some black over-the-knee boots. I tried a few pairs and finally ended up with these beauties. The block heel makes them more comfortable for work and I love the fact that the top of the boot is both stretchy AND has a tie. I find that they stay up better than most of the OTK boots I’ve tried. Keep in mind however, that I have a wider-calf. So, I can’t guarantee the staying power for those of you who can easily fit in skinnier versions. Right now OTK boots are on sale all over the place so I’ve linked a few places to buy these in the widget below. Hopefully you can snag them when they’re on sale.

coated skinny jeans_faux leather pants_wear to work_teacher style_teacher fashion_white affordable tunic_black OTK boots for school

I love pairing black over-the-knee boots with the coated skinny jeans. The OTK boots cover so much of the leg that the leather isn’t as overwhelmingly obvious.

Get the Look

White Tunic, Shein.
Coated Skinny Jeans, H&M.
Leather Moto Jacket, H&M.
Black Over the Knee Boots, Nordstrom.
Blushing Rose Liquid Lipstick, Target.
Beaded Hoop Earrings, Target.
Similar Sequin Y Necklace, Forever21.
Baublebar Mason Ring, Nordstrom. Similar in widget.
Faux Hermes Bracelet, Amazon.
Leopard Clutch, Amazon. Old. Similar in widget.

Coated Skinny Jeans

So, what do you think? I know everyone has a different comfort level with leather and different expectations for dress at work. Would you try a faux leather look at work or stick to girls night out? Let me know in the comments below!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by! It’s fun to play dress up but it’s way more fun to share ideas with you!

~Virginia

Grey Skinny Jeans and a Boyfriend Blazer

January 14, 2019 by Virginia 16 Comments

grey skinny jeans_teacher outfit_black boyfriend blazer_work outfit

Usually my style is bright and colorful, but lately I’ve been drawn to blacks and greys. I don’t know if it has to do with the winter weather, but I do know that a lot of it probably has to do with my new-found obsession (yes, obsession) with these perfect grey skinny jeans and this amazing boyfriend blazer from H&M.

H&M Black Boyfriend Blazer

work outfit_grey skinny jeans_striped top_ black boyfriend blazer_teacher fashion

H&M has always been a favorite of mine for work outfit fashion. They have affordable office staples like blouses and blazers and lots of great on-trend items as well. I’ve found myself returning more and more lately because I keep finding great stuff! (By the way, I keep track of a lot of these items on my Highlights on Instagram.) When I was shopping on Black Friday I noticed H&M was having a sale and since I had had my eye on these two items for awhile, I couldn’t resist getting them on sale! Shortly thereafter, the boyfriend blazer sold out. But, I’m happy to say that it is back in stock and now comes in more colors!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on/make a purchase through those links, I will make a small commission that helps with running this blog. For more information, please see my privacy policy.

teacher outfit_striped top_black boyfriend blazer_work outfit

You will see me styling this boyfriend blazer in all kinds of ways in the coming months. I hope it doesn’t become boyfriend blazer overkill, but I really believe in getting your wear out of the pieces in your closet. And if I recommend an item as strongly as this one, then I want to show you different ways to wear it. I’ve already worn it so many different ways. The beautiful gold buttons and long length draw me in over and over. #sorrynotsorry

H&M Grey Skinny Jeans

And, not to be outdone, these grey skinny jeans are the bomb. They can be worn to work and casually. I wore them in THIS post already, though I haven’t talked about them in-depth.

grey skinny jeans_teacher outfit_office style_striped tee_black boyfriend blazer_black pumps

This particular pair of skinny jeans is nothing fancy. But, they are so comfortable. They have the perfect level of light distressing (ok to dress up and wear to work) and lightly faded color. The fabric is soft and stretches just the right amount. I’ve been looking for gray skinny jeans for awhile because 1) I think they go with a lot of looks and 2) I think they’re another way to get away with wearing jeans to work without it looking like jeans! This is my secret to dressing professionally without being uncomfortable!

grey skinny jeans_work outfit_black boyfriend blazer_teacher style_striped top_black pumps

They are almost completely sold out. However, if you click the heart button on the widget below, you can get an alert when they’re back in stock. Hopefully they will be restocked like the blazer. In the meantime, check out this pair (slightly more distressed). Oh, and I was drooling over this skirt, which I just realized already sold out! If you’re into snakeskin, you have to check out the rest of the snakeskin items in the new arrivals. They’re going fast and I’m going crazy over them! One of them just might be my next H&M purchase!

black boyfriend blazer_grey skinny jeans_teacher outfit for work_striped top_black pumps_wear to work

Have you tried H&M recently? What is your favorite item? I want to check it out next time I’m in the store!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Virginia

Favorite Outfits of 2018

January 7, 2019 by Virginia 18 Comments

favorite outftis of 2018_casual style_work style_teacher style

As a blogger, I find looking back over the past year of outfits a very encouraging thing. It’s fun to see how my style has evolved and to remember how excited I was when I came up with an outfit combo or to realize, in looking back, how often I now copy the same outfit formula. It’s helpful for me to look back over my favorite outfits of 2018 and I hope it will also be helpful for you.

As I shared in my last post, 2018 was a year of big changes for me. (Thank you so much for all the kind comments on that post…it’s hard to be vulnerable that way but you all met my feelings of failure and struggle with compassion and understanding, for which I’m truly grateful.) In April 2018 I succumbed to my teaching over-exhaustion and gave up on the blog. At that time I wasn’t sure if I would ever pick it back up again. I continually tell new teachers to make time for the other things you love because a happy, balanced teacher is a better teacher. But, we all get into situations where it seems like there is no way out. I ignored my own advice about keeping balance because I was so darn exhausted. Ultimately, my way out was to leave teaching and finally, in August 2018 I had the head-space and desire to pick up blogging again.

The crazy thing in looking back is that what I remember about last winter and spring is how my exhaustion killed my creativity, but many of my favorite outfits from 2018 came during that time! I still re-wear many of them!

And so, without further ado…here are my six favorite outfits from 2018.

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Number 6: Leopard Shirt dress and Leather

cute teacher outfit_leopard print dress and leather_Leopard shirt dress_studded mid-heels_valentino dupe_statement necklace_work outfit — Leopard Shirt dress | Similar Leather Moto Jacket | Similar Studded Pumps

I was so excited to find this leopard shirt dress at such an affordable price and loved how it paired with my leather moto jacket!

Original post HERE

Number 5: Black, White and Orange

shein fall favorites-orange-coat-with-gold-buttons-tie-neck-striped-top-work-outfit-inspiration — Orange Coat | Bow Blouse | Leopard Pumps

This was my absolute favorite work outfit of the year. I love how the white edged blouse pairs with the white ankle pants. The orange coat is the perfect affordable pop of color and my leopard pumps make every outfit fab!

Original post HERE

Number 4: Over-the-knee Boots at Work

Spring Floral top_white skinny jeans_over-the-knee boots for work_Steve Madden Osana Boot_teacher fashion_teacher outfits — Similar Floral Blouse | Similar Taupe Over-the-knee Boots

Ah yes, this was when I finally found my perfect pair of OTK boots and was bold enough to wear them to school! You too can wear OTK boots to work!

Original post HERE

Number 3: Crop Top for Work

Layer Crop top for work_stripe trumpet sleeve_teacher style_orange pencil skirt

…when I learned that layering a crop top over a longer top can make it appropriate for work!

Original post HERE

Number 2: Layering a Blouse Over a Dress

creative valentine's day outfit_pink bow top chicwish_lace dress — Lace Dress | Pink Bow Top

…When I found one MORE way to wear my favorite lace dress by turning it into a skirt for Valentine’s Day!

Original post HERE

Number 1: White Skinny Jeans for Work

white skinny jean teacher outfit_long caridan_leopard pumps_teacher style blogger_cute teacher outfits — Similar Olive Cardigan |Similar Leopard Pump

This has got to be my absolute favorite, most-copied work outfit ever. It’s amazing how easy it is to change up this outfit combo.

The monotone white base allows for infinite outfit combinations. Change out the heels or the cardigan and you have a slightly different outfit. It makes sense that this is also my most popular post from last year.

Original post HERE

Reflecting on my favorite outfits of 2018

Here is what I realized when I looked back at my 2018 favorites:

My obsession with leopard print is no joke, lol! Half of the outfits above include some form of leopard print.
Layering pieces gives them new life! (I layered the crop top over a collared shirt and the pink bow top over a lace dress and totally expanded the ways I could wear those pieces!)
Shein has become one of my favorite retailers. Four of the six outfits above include pieces from Shein and many of the outfits that didn’t make the cut also included Shein pieces. Their shipping has gotten quicker, exchanges easier and products better quality.
I really like a white base, either skinny jeans or a white skirt.

It was so fun for me to look back over at my 2018 style! As you reflect back over your style this year, what do you see? Is there an item (like my leopard pumps) that you just wanted to wear over and over again? Do you notice that you’re drawn to certain colors? I’d love for you to share your own style reflections from 2018 below!

(And if you’re interested in last year’s top five outfits, go HERE!)

Thanks for stopping by!

-Virginia