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J.Crew Fall Fashion for Less!

August 19, 2015 by Virginia Evans Leave a Comment

I can feel fall coming! Can you? Last week when I was window shopping at my local outlet mall for back to school items I kept seeing the SAME items: similar colors, similar styles… J.Crew Factory, Old Navy, Ann Taylor Outlet, LOFT and H&M are all in the same little section so I went around to all of them scoping out the availability for last week’s post. Seeing the patterns between each store gave me a heads up to what colors and styles are going to be popular this fall. Since J.Crew and J.Crew Factory tend to particularly set the trends for fall and winter style, it wasn’t surprising to me that what I found there was replicated in the other stores I went to. Here’s my guide to fall fashion and where to go to get it for less!

Cargo Pants/Skinnies

Cargo Pants were a big deal last year and they are popular in stores right now. However, because they’re so popular, if you want them, buy now! Last year I waited and all the affordable pairs in my style were out of stock. So, this year when I found a pair I liked (these from H&M) I snatched them up! I do recommending trying on a few to get a feel for what style of ankle and back you like. I included the pictures of the pockets for each pair (though the colors may not match the ones I featured) because some people prefer certain pocket styles over others.

J.Crew for less fall for less Cargo Pants

J.Crew // H&M may have to find in store (also have these, though I found them a little less comfortable)

J.Crew (limited quantities online and on sale!) // J.Crew (also in Tall and Petite!) // Old Navy // LOFT

Cargo Jacket

These were one of my biggest surprises in stores. First of all, the Old Navy and H&M options in the second column look so great in person and are SO similar to their more expensive options. The Old Navy one ran a little big on me and the H&M option at the bottom (and the one I’m going to buy) I found in store but the only link I could find for it online was through H&M Canada and not able to be ordered online. Still, if you have an H&M nearby you should definitely check it out!

J.Crew (on sale!) // H&M

J.Crew // Old Navy (in coniferous)

J.Crew Factory (on sale!) // H&M for picture only ($50 in store only)

Maroon Ankle Pants

I saw these in J.Crew and then walked across the way and saw them in Old Navy! Maroon has been a popular fall color for the last few years.

J.Crew Factory (sale) // Old Navy // H&M

Plum Ankle Pants

Now, plum is a color I haven’t seen a lot. I bought a pair from J.C.Penney (still on sale!) a few weeks ago for work and then saw the color all over. Below are a few options.

J.Crew Factory // LOFT // LOFT // Old Navy (SO similar to J.Crew Factory version and on sale!)

From left to right below, H&M Cargo Jacket, Old Navy Cargo Jacket and Pixie Pants, and finally, another pattern I saw in a few stores, this great skirt! (LOFT option here)

That’s my first rundown of the season for fall fashion and I definitely didn’t cover every store that has affordable alternatives. But now you know what to look for! So let me know! Where did you find a great J.Crew Cargo or colored pant look-alike?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Back to School Shopping for Teachers!

August 12, 2015 by Virginia Evans Leave a Comment

I can NOT believe that the school year is just around the corner! Though I would like to continue to believe that my wonderful summer of freedom will last forever, reality says I better start getting ready for school!

When I was a kid, the excitement of the school year started with back to school shopping! New notebooks! New backpacks and pens! Ultimately though, the best part was new clothes for that first day of school! Back to school shopping excitement never ended for me! I love getting new pens, markers, and Post-it notes (any other Post-it note fiends out there?!) for my classroom but it’s the wardrobe that is the most important part.

Wardrobe is important for a teacher. As a 21-year-old first year teacher, I learned that dressing professionally helped my students take me more seriously. It visually set me above students whose age was so close to mine. Now that I’m older, I find I can dress more casually. However, wardrobe, particularly on the first day, sets a tone of professionalism in my classroom.

The following are what I believe are important staple pieces for a professional wardrobe. Each year during back to school shopping I buy one or two investment pieces that will not lose their shape or get worn thin as easily.

Blue Blazer

Blue blazers can be worn so many different ways (look it up on pinterest!) and a quality one will last for years. My absolute favorite place to shop for quality blazers is the Clearance section of my local Ann Taylor Outlet store. They are still going to be more expensive than Forever21 but not much more (if you get them on sale) and the quality will far surpass what you can find other places.

Back to School Teachers First Day Outfit Blue Navy Blazer

1 // 2 – Updated Style // 3 // 4 – Similar // 5 – Similar

White Blazer

I bought a white blazer after some Pinterest inspiration and have found that I wear it ALL THE TIME (see one here)! Here are some great options.

1 – SIMILAR // 2 // 3 – SIMILAR

Pencil Skirt

The Pencil skirt is a staple of a professional wardrobe. If you have never invested in a good quality pencil skirt, Ann Taylor Outlet is where I bought the best pencil skirt I have ever worn. It’s cut to fit curves (so it doesn’t looked too stretched) and it is long enough for me to wear at school. Since the Outlet items are not online I can’t attach a link for you, but the following options would be good alternatives. Always keep an eye out for sales at Ann Taylor!

1 // 2 // 3

Since I already have a good quality black pencil skirt, I will be buying this one (in the pattern) this year!

Ankle Pants

Though I don’t wear “work pants” as often as I used to, there are certain basics that I still periodically wear. I wear my white skinny jeans often (see here and here), and will frequently pull out my gray or black ankle pants for a quick professional look. They show off a good pair of shoes and feel more comfortable to me than longer pants. I love the Signature Ankle Length Trouser at Ann Taylor Outlet, but for those of you shopping online, here are some recommendations:

Pumps

An important wardrobe piece to invest in is a good pair of comfortable pumps. My first year of teaching I finally found a pair of comfortable black heels and almost choked when I forked over $90 for them!! But they lasted me 5 years and only then started hurting my feet. That’s when I became a believer in buying a good pair of shoes. Keep searching until you find a pair that work for you. I often find mine at Ross, TJMaxx or Nordstrom Rack.

(I find some of the most comfortable heels are mid-heels. Many of the options above were chosen with that in mind, though not all are mid-heels.)

Tops

The three types of tops below are great for many different kinds of layering. They can all be worn alone or layered under blazers, cardigans, sweaters and vests.

Back to School Teacher Wardrobe Dress Professionally Blue Oxford White Tunic Striped Tunic shirt

Blue Oxford (this one has such a great fit and has long sleeves to fold over the top of a sweater) // White Tunic (from the Nsale – it IS dry clean only and will need to be worn with a tank underneath) // Striped Tunic

Next week, we’ll look at fall trends for less! In the meantime, happy back to school shopping!

What’s on your back to school shopping list?

If you liked this post, you may also like my mega-list of the best places to shop for teacher clothes! Click the image below to get it now!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Virginia

J.Crew Factory Faves

July 28, 2015 by Virginia Evans Leave a Comment

Fedora J.Crew Factory Pleated Shorts J.Crew Factory Denim Jacket Crossbody Bag

Fedora Striped shorts Gold Crossbody Bag

J.Crew Factory Denim Jacket Gold Crossbody Bag Fedora Striped Shorts

Striped Shorts Fedora Gold Crossbody Bag

J. Crew Factory Pleated Striped Shorts J.Crew Factory Denim Jacket Gold Cross Body Bag Gold Gladiator Tstrap Sandals

Outfit Details

Top: Target, Mossimo Stretch V-Neck old. Similar, similar, and more in widget.
Shorts: J.Crew Factory 3″ Pleated Ivory Haven Short. Here (as of when I’m writing this, these are $16.49 with code EXTRA50) Similar here in charcoal.
Denim Jacket: J.Crew Factory Denim Jacket, here.
Sandals: Steve Madden from TJMaxx and Marshalls (version pictured). Check your local Marshalls or see some similar options below in the widget.
Purse: Franco Sardo from Ross. Online here.
Fedora: New Orleans Hat shop on Honeymoon. Almost exact here. More linked in widget below.
Necklace: Ebay for J.Crew Crystal Cluster necklace knockoff such as here or here.
Watch: Charming Charlie, no longer carrying.
Bracelets: Kendra Scott cuff here // Large Rhinestone stretch bracelet from Charming Charlie. Similar here and here// Charming Charlie Gold Bead Bracelet from set. Similar here.
Lip: Colourpop Lippie Stix in Bound (only $5!!!)

I’ve been thinking of doing a summer short post for awhile. All summer I found myself searching for shorts with the proper fit. Let me tell you, I have ordered and sent back my fair share of shorts this summer and so when I find a pair that I like and that fit, it’s a big deal. Though I’d like to think I can still wear shorts from the juniors section, reality says differently, especially as the junior section shorts get shorter and shorter!

J.Crew Factory is now my go-to place for shorts. I love how you can search by short length and the materials are always so comfortable and classy. The first J.Crew Factory pair I bought were the Oxford 5″ shorts in Light Pond (on sale for $15!!!). Not only is the color perfect for accenting my light tan, but they are the most comfortable shorts I’ve ever owned. The material is soft and the 5″ length keeps me from being self-conscious about them riding up.

J.Crew Factory items are more expensive than I’d like but they have sales ALL THE TIME! The shorts and jacket I’m wearing in this post were bought on Memorial Day sales and are on sale again. Some sales are better than others. The shorts will only be around for summer but you should be able to wait a little longer to get the jacket at a great price.

A jean jacket is such a great closet staple that I never knew I needed. I bought this one and seem to wear it everywhere. It’s great in the summer for air-conditioned theaters or restaurants and in the fall it will be just the right thickness for keeping out the brisk fall air.

Striped shorts are so fun to accessorize because they’re a step above a jean short. Pair them with a nice bright, solid top and fun sparkly accessories. Then, step out into the sun with a great cross-body bag. I almost always check TJ Maxx and Ross first for bags and purses and right now they have a GREAT stock of cross-body bags perfect for running about town.

What is your favorite place to find shorts?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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