Alicia- I think a full skirt with your suit jacket is a cute idea, butr I agree that one is not quite right. I think it's the dropped waist- waybe one that is gathered right from the waist would work better?
The first top looks a bit big on you, in general- length, sleeves, and shoulders. I would try that in a size down.
I *love* the next top- that's a keeper!
I like the animal print, and would keep that, too.
The colar of the last top seems to overwhelm your jacket.

Agree with Chewey, I think the first one is a little big. Gorgeous color though with the purples. LOVE the blue one also.

Don't pass over thinking about doing the suits though!! I wasn't even looking for one shopping this week & BR is having an AWESOME sale!! The jacket I got was $54 marked down from $150 & the trousers were $30 marked down from $90. Even with taking the trousers to the tailor for the length they will still be a GREAT price!

The animal print you have is fun too, that's one of my favorite's & an easy way to jazz things up that I have never tired of over the years. Prints will come & go for me but I have animal pieces in my wardrobe that are 10 yr's old easy that I consistently wear!

You look GORGEOUS in the watercolor blouse and pants. Words can't express how flattering that outfit is for you, Alecia.

The first skirt is not working for me. I really like the idea of that outfit -- and it's really close -- but the skirt is making you look wide, which you obviously are not.

I like the magenta floral top. A belt...I keep picturing a thin yellow...might be a nice touch, or perhaps a long necklace?

KEEP the animal print. The red shoes are a great accent.

I also really like the last suit -- very nice fit for you and classic in style. I'm undecided about the top. I like it, I think...but I'd like to see it without the jacket to be sure.

You look gorgeous in blues and greens!

My faves are the watercolor blouse and the one you are wearing with the clam diggers. I think they look fabulous on you and are great!

By the way, we have almost the exact same kitchen - you must have a 50's ranch?

I like the skirt best in its full glory. It looks too full under the suit jacket. Can you wear the skirt with a woven top belted? (I'm sure the tee is too casual for work.)

Love the watercolor top with the pants. That blouse style is fabulous. It's my favorite outfit of the lot (and I liked it so much I had to post!) The magenta v-neck is beautiful on you too! You look great in bright colors.

I think the suits look very professional. I particularly like the darker color suit on you!

Are you still powerlifting?

The skirt is LOVELY, but it doesn't work for me under the jacket. From the side it's fine but the front view widens you too much. Maybe a smaller jacket would work?

That blue banded watercolor top is KILLER TIMES 1000. Wow, did I inspire that? Dang, I did good! *g* The cut is so, so flattering to your waist and the color is tremendous. Keep or I will hunt you down and force you to wear it!

In comparison, the red patterned top is not even in the same league. I think the hem is too long for suits, and the shape is too boxy. The animal print is very you, and I'm not sure about the last one. What does it look like without a jacket?

For me, I have been looking at Target of all places for interesting under-suit tops. In the summer I like sleeveless since I don't take the jacket off in the office. This one is cute with an interesting pattern, and it's $15:
http://www.target.com/gp/detai.....38T7YXB528

This navy one might be nice with your lighter suits:
http://www.target.com/gp/detai.....38T7YXB528

This red-and-purple watercolor is close to what you have on in the first pic, but it looks like it will be shorter and less boxy:
http://www.target.com/gp/detai.....38T7YXB528

The best part about Target online is that orders over $50 have free shipping, and if you don't like it, you return it to a Target store. Sooooo easy!

Alecia love most of the outfits. Agree about the skirt. I like the top over the clams even though it might be a tad more casual - it's YOU and fits you like a glove. There's something about the last top that doesn't work for me as well. It doesn't seem to sit on your body as well - or might be just the photo angle - if you look at the bottom hemline. Also the collar might be too overwhelming. Nice finds overall!

Alicia, I love (matching) suits. because I always take them apart and wear them as separates unless I need a formal suit. To change the look (more business casual), you can add non marching jackets, cardigans or sweater. I think you get a lot of outfits that way.

I love the water color top and pink top! I think the light suit would look great with the red and purple target top that Kristen linked (I will have to look for that one). Express also has nice basic top in bright summer colors to add to your suit pants. Over those I pop on a jacket or (printed or solid) cardigan.

Would like to see the animal print with the black pants with the red shoes (because I like to see the contrasting colors. For that reason, I would also like to see some bolder colors with the light suit.

I like the skirt, but I think it is the turquoise side of waistband that makes it wider. What if you wear a black or turquoise shell with it? It would show off your small waist.

I think the last top might be too short for the pants. What does it look like belted with a skirt?

Thank you all for your help. It's so appreciated. I'm going to return the skirt but I'm determined to make that look work with another one. I'm keeping the watercolor. You've been heard loud and clear. I'll keep the animal print. And I'll post another picture of the last top sans jacket after I'm presentable for taking pictures. :-)

I'm inclined to keep the magenta floral top. I actually got if for casual wear and wouldn't wear it under a suit. But I realized when taking pictures that it might go with dress pants for a more casual business look. Kyle, I thought about the belt and I even have a fun vintage yellow belt. The only question I have is that the shirt has a ruffle that runs all the way down the front of the top. You can't really tell in the picture because it all looks like pattern. Can you belt over a ruffle?

Julie, our house was built in the late 20s, but the kitchen was redone in the 50s. Someday we're going to redo it. But that's probably not going to be for a while. So for now, we have to enjoy the retro feel of harvest gold.

Hi Kelly! So good to hear from you. How are you? I'm still working out but I'm not planning to train for another competition until October. Working out has taken a backseat to working for the moment. I'm also trying to lower my percentage body fat right now, which is both a workout and diet goal. And it's hard to make gains in lifting when your doing that. So I guess you could say I'm working on a different kind of goal temporarily.

Kristen, you deserve all the credit for the watercolor top. Thank you. And thanks for the target links. I haven't been over there for a while so should check it out. I like that most of their clothes are machine washable. I really don't like having to dry clean everything.

Oh, Eva! We must have been posting at the same time. I'm going to post another picture of the last top. But I'm going to be ruthless with these purchases. I need tops that work with pants. I've got tons of tops that work with skirts so no more skirt tops for a bit until I get the pant top sorted.

Just chiming in on the full skirt/jacket trial. Did you wear your suit jacket to try on the skirts with? Just wondering because I sometimes forget to do that and then I have to return and it is a pain. Maybe a patterned pencil skirt might go better with length of the jacket you show?

Love the watercolor blouse - looks so great on you and the color makes your face light up!

Apologies in advance. Warning: Thread Hijack!

Hi Alecia! It's been fun watching your style evolve. We share a similar body shape so it's nice to be able to see how you put together outfits--especially the casual ones. I haven't been posting much (if at all) because life keeps getting in the way but I do check in and scan the forums when I have time. I was also in a fashion funk and sick of my winter wardrobe so I took a break and probably have been guilty of committing a ton of fashion don'ts.

Glad to hear that you're still competing--I share your goal of lowering bf but haven't been overly successful. I was planning on gaining mass over the summer but a couple of last minute summer weddings threw me for a loop and now I need to reduce in order to fit in my evening wear.

Hope to check in and post more often!

OMG you dogs are adorable!!

I agree about the skirt....Although I like it...not working
Everything else I think looks wonderful on you...Color WORKS so well for you, it is fun to watch your ever evolving style...looking very good these days!!

Thanks, Taylor. We agree that the dogs are adorable. They're our babies.

So here's a picture of the last top sans jacket: http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....0_9354.jpg

Is it a keeper?

Hmm. I think no; you can do better. This one washes you out, in the complete opposite way the watercolor print brings you to life.

Keep everything! Love them all!

I always follow your posts and let me say that you are never frumpy!! Love your style! It's very put together and never boring!

Alecia, given your comment on the need to pant tops, not skirt tops, I would look for something longer. You will then have the flexibility to belt it or tuck it in or just leave it untucked.

KILLER watercolour blouse. You have found just about the best top style I have seen on you! Everything about this top is BRILLIANT. Duplicate.

Ok. i'm going to return the last top, too. So that leaves me with the watercolor, animal print, and posy tunic.

Angie, the watercolor top comments are interesting for me. I've tried and tried different tops with that kind of sleeve (cropped kimono?) And I swear they didn't look right on me with my strong shoulders. This was the first one that I thought would pass muster. Do you think I was delusional with the others or just that I found the one that works?

Alecia, very late to this thread but I had to stop by to tell you the watercolour top looks fantastic on you. It is funny you mention it works well for your strong shoulder line, because I have been lamenting being unable to find anything trendy that doesn't make me look like a linebacker or as Angie says "liable to topple over". I am going to have to check this out!

Actually Alecia, that type of grown-on sleeve does wonders to soften an overly strong shoulder line when the fabric is soft and collapsible. Also, the boat neck is very flattering too. And the colours are just heavenly. I’m sure you weren’t delusional! But all the elements of this top work. Perhaps that’s why?