SYC Challenge: Casual & Smart Casual - YouLookFab Forum

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SYC Challenge: Casual & Smart Casual

Jonesy

Veteran

Here's my attempt at the third SYC challenge!

Casual look (following Angie's MOTG formula for skirts, I believe):

Black cotton pencil skirt: J. Crew
Denim jacket: Old Navy
Gray studded tank top: Target
Leopard-print scarf: Ann Taylor
Cross-body bag: Fossil
Studded gladiators: Apepazza

http://i892.photobucket.com/al.....casual.jpg

This is my attempt at smart casual, using the same pencil skirt. This look is not as jazzy; it's what I'm wearing for my first day of class, so it needs to be somewhat understated and professorial, but "smart."

Skirt: J. Crew
Feather-print empire waist tank: Urban Outfitters (was a baby doll dress--shortened by me)
Linen-blend jacket: Banana Republic (sleeves shortened to 3/4 length by me)
Sandals: Gentle Souls
Handbag: Banana Republic (5+ years old)
Silver cuff: Tiffany
Silver brooch: Vintage, from local antique store

http://i892.photobucket.com/al.....casual.jpg

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Queen Mum

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Nice job, Jonesy! I like them both, but I love that scarf.

Queen Mum

Veteran

love them both Jonesy! those gladiator sandals are killer.... in fact that whole outfit is killer

bella

(website)

Veteran

I love both outfits! I have the same denim jacket, isn't it very versatile? I also like your accessories, you have nice bracelets, brooches, bags, etc. - right up my alley!

kellygirl

Veteran

Great outfits, Jonesy! Changing the jacket and the shoes really elevates the look to smart! Of course, the first outfit is plenty smart for me. You look beautiful! I love your accessories and shoes too!

AJ

Veteran

Casual: I likey! Edgy and put together at the same time. It's amazing what a scarf and sandals can do to an outfit!

Smart casual: It's the attention to details that makes this outfit a winner! The empire waist on the blazer, the pin, the tassels on the bag and the sexy sandals all make it interesting and not at all scholastic stuffy.

Both outfits get an A+ from me. Nicely styled!

crwilson

Veteran

I really love both outfits, but I am especially impressed with your first teaching day outfit, especially given our past conversation about dressing for academia. It's a great mix of being appropriate while still showing your personality and a bit of edginess.

I also like that you took the stuffiness-potential out of the pencil skirt. (Not that the pencil skirt you have looks stuffy - just that I think that pencil skirts inherently have that tendency.)

Sparky

Veteran

Well done with both outfits! I like them a lot on you!

Donna

Both outfits are lovely! Your attention to detail is fantastic. The first is perfectly casual and fun. The second one is elegant but with a bit of spunk. Great job with the challenge.

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks so much, everyone!

The scarf is new (one of my purchases I've sneaked in under the wire, since my shopping ban starts tomorrow!)--I'm really loving the whole leopard trend this fall.

I love the gladiators, but I was wondering if people here would find the ankle strap too leg-shortening :).

I don't wear the denim jacket too often--I've had this hang-up about wearing it to work, but maybe I should get over it.

Thanks for the comments about the accessories, and for reassuring me that I've avoided looking stuffy-professor-ish...Certainly "stuffy" is not one of my style goals!

MNsara

Veteran

I didn't get to read everyone else first, in case I sound redundant.

Anyway, you look pretty smart both ways I really like the first look and it's slight boho feel (animal print, crossbody, denim, glads). The second look has the tonal elegance I adore - very sophisticated without being stuffy at all - wonderful going from the silvers thru greys to black!

I think I am going on a Gentle Soul sandal search (for next year, of course, if any SYC enforcers wonder

taylor

Veteran

Jonesy, I LOVE your style. I would love to shop your closet myself!!

Carole

Veteran

Both outfits, AMAZING! What a great style you have. Love that scarf, and the shoes, oh my, I'm jealous!

Vix

Veteran

I too love both looks (and second Taylor's desire to shop YOUR closet!). The scarf was a good before-the-ban purchase, for sure.

[And with a more sedate shoe -- or hosiery + boots -- I think that 2nd outfit would be appropriate for even a business not-so-casual/semi-professional office. I just love it.]

MsMaven

Veteran

Both outfits are great, but I love the first one. You have raised the bar for smart casual. I'm wondering how it would turn out if I tried to copy your outfit--not as great, but I think I will give it a try one of these days. What is the saying? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Something like that.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like both, nice job.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER. Both outfits. LOVE!!!

You score a big fat 10+ for this challenge, Jonesy.

Lisa

Veteran

Great transition, love both looks!

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

WOW - fabulous, both of them!

Jonesy

Veteran

Re. the casual outfit being somewhat "smart": Believe me, I can get waaay more casual than this! For example, when walking my dog (let's just say that a baseball cap is sometimes involved), or working from home :).

So, I just finished my first class, wearing outfit #2, and I actually had a student follow me out into the hallway to ask me where I got my shoes! This was a first for me, on the first day of class. The power of the Gentle Souls brand...

Thanks for all of your comments, everyone.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I don't see any stuffy professors on my monitor... looks like a pretty hot one if you ask me.