It took all season to find the silk tee that was on my warm weather shopping list. I was looking for a pattern that tickled my fancy and a fluid fit. Diane von Furstenberg’s Becky print top made of stretch silk with blush toned leopard printed front panel fit the bill. I like the high neckline, tailored fit around the shoulders, and tight short sleeves. The straight cut that drapes back onto my torso was the next selling feature. Dressy, yet relaxed. It’s fun to sport a new-to-me silhouette because I generally stick to wearing a variation of three styles of top.  

The silk tee is a Summer item, but also a great layering piece that I can wear into early Autumn. And because Autumn is warmer than Spring, it earned a place in my wardrobe so late in the season. It effortlessly fits into my blush, black and cream business casual capsule, and looks as good with a faded pair of boyfriend jeans. I’m showing some of that capsule here by wearing it with a black Summer suit, blush moto, black pencil skirt, cream satchel and pony print pumps.   

This silk tee is best worn untucked, and since I usually bat for Team Tucked, this is a nice change for me. It’s a no-brainer matched with a pair of sleek black bottoms because of the roomy torso fit. My black suit provides a good support act for the upscale tee because of the cropped length of the pants. I can leave off the jacket when it’s hot, and pop it right back on for an air conditioned indoors.

I thought of my blush moto and its matchy-matchy potential as soon as I saw the pattern of the silk tee. I can mix up the suit by wearing the moto instead of the black jacket to lighten things up. It might seem odd to wear a leather jacket in Summer but it makes sense for always-cold me. First, this is a lightweight leather jacket, which makes it a perfect “indoor jacket”. Second, Summer mornings and evenings are cool, which makes a topper essential. And then there is my constant battle with arctic air conditioning when I’m shopping with clients or at a restaurant. I would be uncomfortably cold at some point during the day without a jacket over this breezy silk tee.  

It’s fluid tops like this one that have rekindled my love for tight skirts. My black pencil skirt has gone unworn for years, but because it’s a quality modern classic piece that fits well, I held on to it. I like the skirt paired with the tee because it de-bombshells the outfit. The pairing also looks a little like a two-piece dress because of the vertical flow of black from top to bottom. Bonus. I got a frock out the deal too. The black jacket that belongs to the suit and the blush moto both work just as well layered over the skirt and silk tee as they do layered over the cropped pants rendition.

In each case, I finished off the look with the same pair of pointy toe ankle strap pumps. The pony pattern lightens up the palette of the outfit and adds some pattern mixing interest. I’ve been wearing my new gold watch with black face non-stop since I bought it at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It’s huge, and looks more like a bracelet than a watch. I fancy its masculine juxtaposition against a pretty and feminine outfit. I chose a cream satchel instead of a clutch, and wore my old retro black specs. No jewellery other than a gold wedding ring to match the watch.

I like the skirt and trouser outfits equally but for different reasons. The cropped pants outfit is practical because I can walk faster than when I wear a pencil skirt. The combination is also more on trend than the pencil skirt. I like the pencil skirt outfit because there is less black covering my legs, which suits me because I’m not that into showcasing black from head to toe. It’s also fun to wear “a dress” instead of pants. 

As I get older, it is as important to me to feel comfortable as it is to look modern and fashionable. If we were going to fashion week in September, a very tiring experience, I’d have worn the practical trouser suit rendition on the first day. Sufficiently breezy for the New York heat sans jacket. A topper option for cold tents. And shoes that go the distance for my fussy feet. All sorted.

The sheen on these booties is a lot more subtle than the ultra mirror-shiny sparkle of the sci-fi trend. And they make a nice change to the black footwear that will be trending strongly for Fall and Winter 2013. 

1. Seychelles Lucky Penny Boot: A casual metallic boot is hard to find, and this one fits the bill. Not overly pointy, but not all that round either. Appropriately distressed for team “rough around the edges” who have the magpie gene. A nice update for Autumn and Winter Mums and gals on the go. Fab cushioning footbed and runs true to size. I vote pewter or gold. 
2. Donald J Pliner Turk Bootie: On trend, dressy, sleek and great for the office. 
3. Softspots Sherry Boot: A subtle bronze for those who like earth tones. 
4. Anyi Lu Audra Boot: Divinely comfortable, good arch support, and impeccable quality. A rugged yet refined biker boot.
5. Chio Vieri Bootie: This shootie-bootie hybrid isn’t shiny, although the graphite silver colour option has depth and some sheen. 
6. Cole Haan Allen Bootie: A brushed gold Beatle bootie complete with comfortable Nike Air technology. A good shoe for travel. 
7. Dolce Vita Nimbus Boot: A shiny heel is one way to go if metallic booties are too much sparkle. This zebra darling reminds me of Nicholas Kirkwood’s footwear, but at a much more affordable price. Quite the eye catching ped.

It might be hard to think of booties in the middle of Summer, but for some, bootie wearing season is just around the corner. Because Fall and Winter are my dominant seasons, I find it fun to have a new pair of boots or booties waiting in my closet ready for action.

Lexington-based Beth Parker (34) has been documenting her outfits since April of last year over at seersucker + saddles. She describes her style as “Classic Feminine Tomboy with a dose of Glam”, and has developed a more practical approach to dressing stylishly after becoming a Mum: 

“I would say as I’ve gotten older and become a mom, I have finally understood that I cannot (and should not) try every trend. Whether it’s just not practical for my lifestyle or not age appropriate, I understand that I will love many trends that come and go, but that doesn’t mean I need to try every trend. I also understand the importance of fit and wearing things that are flattering for my figure. High waisted — I LOVE it, but not necessarily my best fit. Also, as much as I love high heels, you will NEVER see my wearing them with my girls unless it’s for an occasion or I’m dropping them off at school and heading to work — practicality just seems to have a more important role in my looks than it did in my 20s.”

For anyone wondering how Beth came up with the quirky name of her blog, she adds:

“While it sounds trite, I truly have loved fashion ever since I was quite young. I also was a pretty creative kid and that has only continued to grow as I’ve gotten older.  S + S was the perfect outlet for me to exercise that creative need I desire in my life.  I knew right out of the gate I wanted to pay homage to both geographies in my life that have played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Florida is where I was born and raised and where my family still resides today. “Seersucker” equates to South Florida and all things preppy that I grew up loving in my little beach town of Jupiter, FL. Lexington, KY is the horse capital of the world and where I currently reside and raise my two little girls. Kentucky also has a very special place in my heart as it’s where my girls were born. You can’t drive through Lexington and not feel that the town centers around all things equestrian and therefore, “Saddles” seemed like the obvious partner!”

Lighter colours and soft pastels play an important role in Beth’s wardrobe. At the same time, our blogger has a refined rocker streak that she likes to express through the use of tougher looking footwear and jewellery. This girly rocker tomboy look marries the two opposing elements seamlessly. The rocker vibe of the camo print skinnies and studded ballet flats is toned down by adding a sweet eyelet blouse with Peter Pan collar. Then the arm candy amps up the tough again: a leather wrap-around bracelet with small studs and a brown animal print cuff on one arm, chunky gold chain link bracelet and black watch on the other. The rich cognac hue of the tote and belt look fab against the camo green. And notice how they both have white stitching, which subtly emphasizes the crispness of the top.

As a busy Mum on the go of two little girls, Beth has a few tricks up her sleeve to dress stylishly every day:

“Choose a go-to look. Mine is a button down and either jeans, be it colored or printed, or shorts — tucked in with a belt and flats of some kind. I try to do variations on it, but I know when all else fails and time is not on my side, I can snag those items and I will feel pulled together. Also, I cannot stress enough, the importance of purging your closet at least twice a year. I swear, the less you have in your closet and the more organized it is, the easier it is to pull together a look!”

Beth is living proof that a Mum on the go uniform doesn’t need to be boring. She has a real knack for tweaking her go-to looks by mixing it up with different colours, patterns, interesting footwear and accessories. Case in point, this happy explosion of bright colours! From pale blush to candy pink and neon fuchsia, Beth loves all shades of pink and she wears them often. Here she’s sporting a schoolboy blazer in a saturated bright pink. Pairing this vivid hue with equally bright orange shorts is a bold choice, one that our blogger pulls off with aplomb. The happy turquoise gingham shirt livens up this playfully preppy look even further, while the oversized tangerine bib necklace and colourful assortment of bracelets tie it all together. Choosing earthy browns for the belt, small satchel and oxfords is a somewhat unexpected choice, but it works splendidly. It grounds the outfit, and the hot pink sole on the animal print oxfords — fun pattern mixing with the shirt – is a clever nod back to the blazer.

 

 

As a fervent stripes fan, I’m high-fiving Beth who proudly claims that “essentially half of her wardrobe consists of stripes”. This is a great example of Angie’s striped tops with unexpected bottoms formula. The streamlined leather pencil skirt look exemplifies Beth’s love for strong, simple outfits with clean lines. Beth rocks a midi, and the proportions with the hip length striped blazer are exactly right here. The soft tucked tee adds a casual, nonchalant touch and forms a nice contrast against the more severe black leather. Eye-catching croc ankle strap heels and bare legs also create great textural contrast. The black and white theme is continued with the fun clutch, that simultaneously yet subtly adds another pattern to the mix. From her impressive jewellery collection, full of statement pieces, Beth has picked a chunky black and silver necklace and striking cuff bracelet that have her signature rocker twist written all over them. While the soft pink lipstick, tortoise sunnies and Beth’s always polished short do — a key accessory in all her outfits — keep the ensemble feminine and sophisticated.

 

  

Colourful Modern Classic with a hint of British countryside, an equestrian-inspired outfit after my own heart. The over-the-knee boots, argyle pattern and rich orange-y red tones makes this look for me. They make me long for the beautiful Fall foliage and brisk walks with hot chocolate waiting at home. The sleek silhouette shows off Beth’s fit physique. Flat riding style boots are a chic and practical option for business casual offices, running errands with the kids in tow or enjoying family activities on the weekend. Baby wale cords can be a fun alternative for skinny jeans or ponte knit leggings. The open-at-the-collar button-down shirt layered under the V-neck sweater feels relaxed, the sharp-shouldered blazer provides structure and polish. As always, Beth has carefully selected accessories to complement her look. Gold-rimmed Ray-Bans and a super chunky link bracelet echo both the gold of the boot zippers and hardware on the Louis Vuitton bag.

 

 

There’s no question that Beth adores sneakers, just browse her blog to check out all the lovely outfits she has created with them. I especially adore this one because it’s such a fun take on the romantic lace skirt. Sporty spunk with a dash of quirky. It’s also a sweet way to wear red, white and blue together. Beth dresses down the lace by semi-tucking a casual lightweight sweater. The slub knit adds extra textural interest, the animal print Converse are a brilliant spot of pattern mixing. I love how this look, at first glance, consists of a mishmash of different elements — stripes, animal print, lace, five colours — that don’t necessarily go together, but Beth makes it work in a cohesive and stylish way. She also has a penchant for good-quality classic handbags in neutral colours that fit her Modern Classic style to a tee. This oversized navy blue number picks up the colour of the skirt, effectively tying together the entire outfit. And notice how the chain strap echoes the large links in the neon yellow acrylic necklace? That’s what I call a good eye for detail.

 

 

 

This is my favourite! I love how the slim fit of the drape front faux leather jacket contrasts with the flowy silhouette of the dress. It reins in the volume and provides a bit of edge, but the dress on its own is just as lovely. Such a gorgeous shade of green and delightful in motion! The neckline emphasizes Beth’s toned shoulders, the trapeze style is breezy and loose without overwhelming her frame. The high-low skirt, revealing part of the ankle, has the effect of a midi with a dipped back, which I find flattering and elegant. The big minimalist metal cuff, gold-tone men’s size watch and arty necklace — in the same colour as her bag — take this outfit to the next level. High-vamped animal print sandals and an oversized minty blue clutch finish off this fashion-forward look.

 

Which element of Beth’s fab Mum on the go style appeals to you the most? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out the rest of her outfits and our blogger’s pinboards too.

 

Beth’s photos were taken by Kristin Tatem.

Knee-high and over-the-knee boots were never out of style, but booties and mid-calf boots have been the more on trend and fashionable choice for at least three years. In fact, booties have become a year-round shoe, and are being shown with just about everything. 

We’re not saying goodbye to booties and mid-calf boots this year either. Not at all! But knee-high boots are also trending for Fall and Winter 2013, which is quite the change. As a general trend, footwear is becoming more refined and less chunky. Most of the tall boots are dressy and with a low or high heel. I pinned some outfits during the Fall 2013 designer shows in February so take a peek: 

• Gucci: Patent crocodile with round shoulders and shades of textured black. 
• J. Mendel: Tan boots with flowing midi skirts. 
• Jil Sander Navy: School girl fun with grey pointy toe boots.
• Reed Krakoff: Flat over-the-knee boots with shorter skirts.
• Victoria Beckham: Pointy toe boots over faded jeans.
• Tommy Hilfiger: Colour-blocked boots with graphic black and white.
• VPL: Light-coloured boots with a sack dress.
• Louise Golding: Patent boots with a two-piece dress.  

I’ve been favouring booties and mid-calf boots for the last few years as my tall boots gathered dust. That’s going to change this season because I feel like wearing my taller boots again. I am covered in the casual tall boot department but will be on the lookout for more dressy options.