Thanks for the comments, everyone! I have to say that like Shiny, I never would have thought of putting together an outfit like that before I came to this site, so it's helped me immensely. Maybe I'll post some "Before" pictures on Halloween and give you all a good scare.

Nicole, I wish those were ballet flats! Alas, no. Heels really are the best look for me, because it just makes me seem more proportional. These shoes are actually really comfortable, despite the heel.

Angie, you were right, this shirt is AWESOME! I think I will order another one. It is so comfortable, and I really feel confident in it because it sort of covers my little tummy I have. I hate to go with black because I'm sort of "Anti-black," but the blue is a dusty blue and I'm worried it would wash me out.

The Boden jacket is great! The sleeves are a little bigger around than I am used to, but I chalk this up to it being a more casual cut rather than a true, tailored blazer, and that's okay with me. The only complaint I could possibly have with it is that the buttons are plastic. This doesn't bother me too much (I could always change them if I really wanted to) but if I had my druthers I'd want something more substantial.

Shiny, this is the first item I've ordered from Boden. The measurements on my particular jacket (it's a US size 8) are 23" on the sleeves from the tip of the shoulder to the end of the sleeve, and 24.5" from the the top of the jacket in the center back under the collar to the bottom hem. I'm short, but I generally don't take a petite for jackets because only my legs are short, my torso is "regular." I do have a problem with sleeves being too long on many jackets, but this one is not the case. I thought it would be due to the measurements on the website (it said the sleeve length was 24") but the sleeves are shorter than listed. It might work for you.

Very nice! I love your jeans...are they bootcuts or flares? My jeans are never wide enough at the bottom to spill over my my shoes like that...either it's my skinny legs and "long" feet or I need to try a different style.

HannahMichelle, I would describe these denim as a very casual "trouser" style. I got them at Express and they are called the "Eva Full Leg," which isn't quite flare, but is more than a bootcut. They are more fitted on my thighs, but not tight. They are on sale for $29.50 right now because they will shortly not be carrying the style anymore.

Ah, thanks! I was thinking maybe they were more in the trouser category.

Ana, you're outfit is superb! You look amazing! The jacket is perfect on you! Love the top as well, I might go ahead and try it myself. Btw, there's extra 10% off bluefly today, so for other gals thinking off getting it, this would be the moment!
Shiny, thanks for the compliment, I would prefer to have yours, I am not a huge fan of my hips/thighs.

Thanks for the compliment, Tanya. I say go for it with the bluefly top. It's great! It seems to run true to size, even a little on the loose side due to the styling (drapey), but still fitted and flattering. It's pima cotton, so it's very light weight and soft.

Super outfit, Ana, kudos! And I totally dig those shoes, oh my god, they are so cute!

Antje, thank you! You're going to have to post a picture of you in the shirt dress! It's a magical shirtdress, you have to show everyone how you adapt it with camis and belts. Plus I want to see it with yellow flats.

Will do! I feel a little shy about posting pictures, but I decided to just do it anyway, and actually had my partner take the first picture of me today. I'll collect a few from this week and will post them all on Friday. Not sure the shirt dress will be amongst this week's collection, though. After we had a wonderful Saturday with temperature in the low 70s (quite an occasion for Seattle in April!), today we're back to rain, wind, and wearing jackets

(When I wore it Saturday, I actually wore it with red patent flats, not the new yellow ones. I wore a lime green cami underneath the dress, big red earrings, and a yellow bag.)

Okay, this is the shirtdress from The Loft that Antje and I have. Mine is not spruced up at all, I just put on a citron cami and some white shoes. I am not sure if I like the white shoes with it, but I don't really have many other choices that would look that good with the dress. I'm thinking what I'd really like to do is buy a pair of red ballet flats and a red belt (it definitely needs a brighter belt, doesn't it?) and wear a white cami underneath with a red necklace I have. Anyone have any other ideas for the citron cami? I'm thinking maybe a white patent belt, and white shoes (maybe not these, but some others). What do you all think?

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....005-13.jpg

I was thinking you'd wear the red flats and the red belt with the citron cami. If the only a small amount of citron is visable (as it appears in your photo), then I think that might look kinda cool. Or maybe various shades of citron in the shoe and belt?

BTW, I like that necklace with the dress.

This dress looks great, Ana. YOu found your right knee length. All your ideas will work. Don’t match more than two colours though - too matchy-matchy. I like the idea of white shoes, but ballet flats will look better. Or slightly wedged sandals/ballet flats. Peep-toes if you can wear them. One inch. I know that you like a bit of a heel.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I will put them into use and give you an update when I manage to get my hands on some colorful belts and flats. I actually had the dress hemmed up 3 inches, but I think it was worth it. I call it my magical dress because I think my legs look really long in it.

Nicole, thanks for the compliment on the necklace. It's my favorite necklace! It seems like it goes with everything and I won it a charity auction for a Greyhound rescue group I volunteer for, so whenever I wear it I think of the hounds.

Angie, I actually have a pair of white ballet flats but they have embroidered flowers on the sides in different colors. It actually might be a nice contrast to the structure of the dress--I'd need to try them on. They need to be re-soled though. Is this possible at a shoe repair place? I love the shoes so it would be worth it even if it were expensive. I am thinking of getting some of those AK Impress flats you recommended. The red ones would go with a lot of other things I have as well. I tried a few other AK flats at Macy's (they didn't have the Impress) and they didn't seem too narrow, so I thought I would give them a go. I can't decide between the two shades of red they come in though--the "Relish Patent" or the brighter "Medium Red Patent":

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7387118/c/64997.html

If they worked out well, I would probably buy them in a lot of other colors (I love to wear either ballet flats with skirts and dresses).

When you say "don't match more than 2 colors" do you mean, don't wear more than 2 accessories that are the same color (like belt and shoes), or don't wear more than 2 colors? I am confused.

The length of the dress is super. Try your white ballet flats and you’ll definitely be able to have them resoled. Sounds lovely!

Right. Not more than two accessories and that includes shoes, handbags, belts and camisoles and necklaces. Sometimes you’ll get way with three, like with the colour red, black or white. But it’s tricky.

Gotcha. Thanks for the response.

I just posted a new look, what I wore today - my new Ann Taylor blouse, that I mentioned elsewhere here.

Really loving this new blouse - it will also go great with black dress pants, or my white dress pants, or a black pencil skirt (if I find one).

http://teamsugar.com/look/1557169

The shoes I've had forever and I was particularly pleased how well they go with this blouse!

P.s. Blame my hubby for this pose - he made me do it.

That blouse looks awesome on you! Great outfit!

Ana, I adore your outfit! Makes me want that dress too. This forum is becoming dangerous for me, I see all of you guys and varuois cute looking items and starting wanting the same. Ana, another idea for colors to add to your dress would be one cream item, one bright yellow and one bright green, sort of like colors BR had earlier in the season. I saw all of these colors on this skirt and I would have gotten it, but they're out of all sizes other than 14:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....6&P=1

Shiny, that shirt looks great on you! The shoes go great with! I also like a lot when I buy something new and then it turns out taht something I have and haven't thought of in ages goes great with it.

Awesome outfits, ladies!! Ana, I love that dress on you, and you have such great legs to show off with it.

Thanks Antje! Now it's your turn!

I so wish. Winter has returned to Seattle. This week it's back to fall-ish outfits like skirts and boots or skinnies and long sleeved tops for me, almost every day so far. It's even supposed to snow this weekend (?!?!)
I'm glad I got to take it out last weekend, though

I'm not so sure about this getup. I liked it at first but now I think I might just be too short to pull off all that volume and print, though I do love the top. Maybe there's a way to wear it that doesn't look as overwhelming?

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_0946.jpg

I don't think the top is overwhelming, I think you have the coloring and personality/lifestyle to pull it off. I think the only issue with it is that it is blousy (which is fine) but it tents out near the bottom, which seems to emphasize your hips in a way that isn't very flattering. I think the problem could be solved by wearing a belt over the top.

By the way, I love those jeans on you--you wear skinnies very well!

You're wearing your skinnies, Maya. Bravo! They scrunch. Are they new, or are these the ones we saw a while ago? Love them. Have you tried this top with your bootcuts? If not, please do so and report back soonest. I’m very curious.

The colour and print of the top are brilliant. Love the way it fits. Belt might look great, or awful. You’ll have to experiment. I have a feeling that this top was meant to moo moo freely, but I could be wrong. It might be too short for skinnies, which is why I’m trying to get you into your bootcuts. Make sense?

Angie's suggestion is good. It might seem moomoo-ier because of the skinny jeans. Bootcuts might be better. Post some more pics when you get a chance to try it.

Hmm, I don't have any good bootcut jeans right now. I have the kind that narrow at the knee, but maybe since the top is slightly longer it won't be as noticeable. I will give it a try and see how I like it.

I am wearing my H&M skinnies, but I'm thinking of getting a nicer pair of skinnies that are longer so they scrunch even a bit more (that's what I love about skinnies--no hemming!). I chose to wear them with this outfit because of the volume-on-volume rule, but I guess bootcut jeans aren't really "voluminous." I hadn't even thought about it.

Maya, What is your reason for disliking the narrowing at the knees? I know you've said you don't like your thighs (they look fine to me though), do you feel that narrower knees make your thighs look larger?

Your skinnies have plenty of scrunch. Mine have less scrunch and I consider them "scrunchy". You look really good in skinnies and ballet flats.

I know that you don’t have boot cuts that you are happy with at the moment, but try the top with the ones you have. Quite right, boot cuts are not voluminous. But thanks for thinking about the rule!

Nicole, it has less to do with my thighs and more to do with the fact that it breaks up the line of the leg. That's why I tend to prefer straight legs. Remember a long time ago I posted pictures of myself in various cuts of jeans and the straight ones got the highest rating? I think that's why. I would like a jean that's pretty straight through the hip and thigh and then has a gentle bootcut opening. Still working on finding it.

Angie, I saw this picture and loved the scrunchiness here. I guess mine isn't too far off the mark: http://www.zafu.com/roller/res.....crunch.jpg

But I would still like to get a higher quality pair. I end up wearing them a lot so they'll need to hold up to all my abuse.

Oddly enough, those brightly colored skinnies are growing on me. I thought they looked ridiculous at first, but when I got a long B&W print top yesterday I thought nothing would look better than a pair of bright crayon red stilts peeking out from under it!

I hear you, Maya. The skinnies in the picture are very tight and extra long to achieve that look. Yours are vitally there. I am a strong believer in straight legs. For some people, straight legs are THEIR skinnies. Does that make sense?

I was strangely attracted to bright skinnies and blogged so. But for us older gals, it’s blast from the past. They’d look great under that top.