Tag Archives: The Gap

Tee Time!

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I’m a sucker for dresses, cardigans, & big jewelry. There’s no question about it. There are some staple pieces that I love to have en masse, including cardigans, ankle pants, & blouses. However, one wardrobe must-have that I haven’t embraced so much is the classic t-shirt!

(gasp)

…Perhaps this is because I always relied on the cozy ease of a t-shirt for my sleepwear & not so much to mix with my day pieces. T-shirts are an easy way to play off of busy patterns, bold textures, & trendy companions, which is why I’m featuring some great deals on colorful, classic, & trendy t-shirts.

SHOP: navy crewneck Hampton tee @New York & Company (available in 4 colors in size XS – XXL), blue pocket tee @LOFT (available in 4 colors in size XS – XXL), coral square-neck trim tee @dressbarn (available in six colors in size XS – XL, shop 1X – 3X here, pale blue v-neck tee @Gap (available in 17 colors in size XS – XXL), A New Day white crewneck tee @Target (available in 4 colors in size XS – XXL), & green jersey tee @H&M (available in 7 colors in size XXS – XXL).

No matter what your favorite neckline is, t-shirts really are for everyone. There are so many styles to consider from crewneck to v-neck to square-neck to split-neck, which is what makes t-shirts so versatile & compatible to offset a busy look to keep in minimal with all solids. Any of these tees could be worn with jeans, tucked into a skirt, with printed pants, or under a sleeveless dress, creating a new layer of possibilities in outfit building. Consider coordinating any of these items to build your next comfy t-shirt chic look:

SHOP: beaded flower necklace @dressbarn, gold chain choker @Forever 21, blue paisley Audrey ankle pant @New York & Company, Match Made midi skirt @ModCloth, green gingham sandals @GOjane, & leopard Pixie pant @Old Navy.

How do you like to style t-shirts? Where do you shop for a variety of colors when it comes to t-shirts? What is your favorite style t-shirt? For more stylish posts, check out Betsey Johnson’s butterfly adorned heels, stylish summer totes from T.J. Maxx & Windsor, pretty pendant necklaces for any outfit from Kohl’s & Francesca’s, & Victoria Beckham’s bold neon heels! Happy Styling!

Stylish Spring Skirts!

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Skirts! Skirts! Skirts! Why wear them? Well, there are so many versatile skirt styles & inspiration galore to be had. For spring, don’t just think about mini or denim skirts, there’s plenty of style opportunity when it comes to midi and maxi length skirts, especially when looking to transition your pieces from season-to-season. Skirts can instantly dress up a t-shirt, or turn a menswear-inspired look into something evening-appropriate. Check out the many ways to wear skirts on Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, singer-actress Janelle Monae, Tokien star Lily Collins, Mrs. Nick Jonas herself Priyanka Chopra, Crazy Rich Asians breakout Gemma Chan, British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, & designer extraordinaire Victoria Beckham (in her own design!).

Skirts in cotton, linen, or denim even make a great companion for dressier pieces to wear for the day. Spring is all about color & movement when it comes to what to wear. Now is the perfect time to embrace bold statement pieces & take a style risk! Experimenting with separates is a great way to find out how to get the most out of your wardrobe. Some of the affordable options featured below make for great contrast pieces to try with printed tops, classic button downs, as well as neutral staples for your glitzier wardrobe favorites!

floral smocked skirt @LOFT

slub tie-waist skirt @The Gap (available in sizes 0-20)

ruffle pencil skirt @New York & Company (available in sizes 0-20)

belted cargo skirt @New York & Company

wrap skirt by Gabrielle Union @New York & Company

Simone flare skirt @Fashion to Figure (available in sizes 0x-3x)

How do you like to style your spring skirts? Where are you shopping for your favorite feminine pieces? Where are you finding the best spring deals? For more shopping inspiration, check out previous posts, including cute watermelon accessories, Kate Spade’s latest spring collection, & Meghan Markle’s maternity LBD! Happy Styling!

The Stylish Five: The Gap’s Go-To Affordable Sale Items ($15 & Under)!

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After recently hitting up The Gap to get an incredible deal on my new favorite striped dress, I’ve been checking back regularly with their website sale items, happy to find more stylish items to add to my Labor Day countdown series of The Stylish Five.  While some of these pieces are on the minimalist side, they each serve a multi-function purpose for a variety of other pieces in your wardrobe.  For example, the canvas shorts ($12.99) in khaki are a chic & casual way to dress down embellished items like a jeweled tank or beaded blouse.  Even pair this with some sequins & a denim jacket & you’re ready for an elegant day date with your beau.

Next, the luxe jersey piped tank ($14.99) in gem stone in perfect for feeling light & breezy during these last few weeks of summer, but also this can be worn with leggings, boots, & a cardigan.  Add a splash of print with a fringe scarf & you’ll be ahead of the game with a fall-friendly layered look! Also, I’m quite obsessed with belts, which is why I picked the striped woven nylon belt ($9.99) in pink.  Aside from the fact that the price is perfect for any budget, you can swap out a fabric belt on a shirtdress & add this for a flirtier look.  Of course, it’s also great to achieve that modern preppy look when wearing an argyle cardigan & skinny jeans.

In the summer, I can’t get enough of cotton since it’s so comfortable & lets my body breathe on the hotter days.  I love the smocked blouson top ($12.99) in white for its romantic & feminine details that are fun are wear with colored jeans, printed cropped pants, or a dark denim mini & your favorite wedges.  Speaking of skirts… the cargo mini skirt ($14.99) in coral is a must-have b/c it’ll look polished against the most basic tanks, but also pairs well with the latest fall neutral- merlot. Keep this skirt around for your opaque tights & knee boots! Happy Styling!

Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet / Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: New Striped Dress From The Gap For Under $14!

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I was strolling through the mall the other day to get out of the heat & do a little walking when I was struck to hit up The Gap to see if there were any to-die-for bargains waiting for me to take them home. Alas, this asymmetrical striped dress ($49.99) is my newest friend that I almost didn’t buy, but this is one of those too-good-to-be-true stories, but I wouldn’t lie to my Style Darlings about affordable fashion!

Now you might look at the price & think that $49.99 is not a bargain… well, in the store, I found this marked down from its original $64.95 price to $16.99.  Since it was Tuesday, I was able to earn another 10% off & b/c I opened a Gap card on top of that, the store granted me an additional 15% off. I paid under $14.00 for a dress that was originally marked up $50 more!

I don’t usually find myself attracted to stripes, but there’s something a little nautical, something a little Parisian about this very flattering dress (which I bought in a smaller size since I’ve dropped a dress size this year!), that makes me want to layer it with pearls & wedges to feel feminine or add a chunky belt & ankle boots for a transition-to-fall look.  However, I already know that I’m saving it for a special family gathering when I go on a little road trip with my boyfriend next week b/c that’s the perfect occasion to break out this new bargain.

The lesson here is to always check both the store & online price before you commit to buying something, b/c if you’re lucky enough to have access to both, you could really be serving your budget wisely, especially since the styling never stops! Happy Styling!

The $100 Challenge: A Casual, Comfortable Chic Look for Fall (Dedicated to Erin)!

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My friend, Erin, recently told me that she was troubled with finding a balance of comfort in her clothing, while still looking chic & casual.  Sometimes the fuss of too many accessories or a constricting belt & tight pants may make a casual look appear super stylish, but for the Style Darling wearing it, it probably doesn’t feel like the comfy sweatpants we all love to slip into after a long day working.  So, my goal for this edition of The $100 Challenge is to put together a look that could be described as comfy chic, dedicated to my favorite Mid-West dwelling Style Darling, Erin.

Since the seasons are changing & Erin is in Minnesota, she needs some layers to keep her warm, but at the same time, she’s a busy independent woman who needs to look stylish at all times. Some people look at ponchos are glorified snuggies, but this stylish poncho from H&M for $19.95 is adjustable, so you can show your figure, while taking advantage of the luxe, neutral shade to go with your jeggings or wide leg jeans.  If you’re not an earth-tone gal, the poncho also comes in black, available in sizes extra small to large. You can just throw it on when you’re feeling a chill, rather than trying to coordinate a jacket with a scarf & then adding a belt to cinch in your waist. Underneath the heavy knit is a draped sleeveless top from The Gap, which serves as a flattering base to any outfit with a blazer & pencil for a job interview, or with striaght leg jeans & suedewedges. The top is currently on sale for $18.99 from $29.95.

To me, when I think of comfy, I think of elastic. I mean, who wants to fuss with buttons, clasps, & snaps to fit into something, especially if you’re doing a lot of moving around?  Not I.  I’m not sure if Erin is a leggings girl (I am not, but I think they look really good with a tunic top of appropriate booty-covering length).  You can find leggings just about anywhere, but these black leggings from Forever 21 are only $4.50 & come in 8 other colors, including royal blue, navy, dark gray, & eggplant for your choosing. That’s a bargain & talk about variety!

I selected two different pairs of shoes, ballet flats & boots, b/c this look can instantly switch from minimalist preppy to polished urban depending one which shoe you go with.  The metallic flats cost $12.50, also available in all black, pewter, or navy. The patent adds a surprise pop of shine to the outfit, but also the delicate bow makes the look much more feminine & glamorous.  As for the plaid cuff boots from Payless, we’re heading into Sienna Miller / Alexa Chung style territory, for $39.99. You can tie them all the way up to cover the end of the leggings or fold them down to show off the plaid details.  Sometimes it’s all in the smallest details!

With so many big pieces going on here, I picked out two simple pieces of jewelry.  Since the poncho has some bulk to it & clearly doesn’t allow for a necklace, I picked out pearl studs with a rhinestone casing.  If you’re busy & on-the-go with your hair tied back, these soft studs will frame your face perfectly!  Also, the cutout flower ring adds some more detail & can be worn as a go-to cocktail ring for a variety of affairs.  Not to mention that both of these pieces only cost $3.80 each!

Part of what I love about the ring is how it’ll bring out the pattern in the CALYPSO St. Barth for Target tote.  It’s currently on sale for $6.98 (WOW!), marked down from $19.99, also available in turquoise. I thought that the brown looked a little more fall-appropriate & not so much like a beach bag.  The bag looks to be in proportion to the rest of the look.  Sometimes I hate seeing the skinny girls in their super tight jeans & tops carrying an oversized handbag, which looks to be weighing them down.

Of course the bag can also carry either pair of shoes that you choose, in case you need to switch, but I’ve done the math & if you only pick one pair of shoes for the outfit, your total will cost either $70.52 or $98.01, before whatever taxes exist wherever you are, of course.

Do you think this outfit is comfy chic?  What items of apparel do you own that you love to wear when you’re out & about & don’t want the fuss of heels & something form-fitting?  How much would spend on pieces like these?  What’s your fall go-to piece? Happy Styling!

9/5/11 Darling of the Day: Miranda Kerr is Parisian Casual Chic with Louis Vuitton!

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This is the time of year when you have to start integrating some of your summer pieces with the fall ones & here we have Miranda Kerr showing off nautical stripes in a fashion forward way for fall! The Victoria’s Secret model left Sydney, Australia in style, wearing a striped tee, jeans by Nobody, while carrying a Louis Vuitton tote.

I’ve put together this look in women’s & plus sizes b/c it’s just so easy for anyone to wear.  You can find the plus size stripe top  & the plus size skinny jeans both @Forever 21 for $15.80 & $24.80 respectively.  Also, the stripe top is from The Gap, on sale for $15.00.  Also, @Old Navy, the ankle crop jeans are marked down to $24.50 from $29.50.

What makes this outfit look a little Parisian chic is the effortless way that Miranda adds a pop of color with red peep toe pumps, which can be found for $10.95 @GOjane! The simplicity behind the additional accessories makes this look all the more complete, especially if you check out the sunglasses for $5.80, hat from Payless for $14.99, & Nine West crossbody tote for $31.60. 

Last but not least, just some simple touches of jewelry show how really glamorous you can be, even on your busy, jet-setting travel days.  I found this quirky spider ring for $15.00 from Kohl’s & the Anne Klein bangle from Macy’s for $28.00.  When it’s just a ring & bangle, don’t be afraid to mix gold & silver, or you can wear the bracelet on one hand & the ring on the other.

Would you wear heels when you’re traveling from coast to coast?  Do you like Miranda’s look?  How do you like to wear stripes?  Check out our previous Darling of the Day posts, featuring Jordana Brewster, Pippa Middleton, Leighton Meester, & many more!