Closet Remix: Lady Lawyer

Hello friends!

It’s been a little over two months since I retired my business suits.  I even moved them into our office closet!  My bedroom closet {let’s be real, it’s not “ours”} is now filled with bright colors, patterns, and casual{ish} pieces that make me happy.  And I’m slowly but surely finding my new non-lady lawyer style, thanks in large part to Instagram style challenges.

I’ve had a few kind women mention that they miss seeing my work posts on Instagram, so I thought I’d share a few remixes with my favorite suits.  J.Crew suiting was the backbone of my professional wardrobe, especially the super 120s wool.  But I must note that the pricing has skyrocketed since I first started buying suits, while the quality has declined.  {Read more about this here.}  That said, J.Crew is offering 30% off through April 26th with the code “TIMETOSHOP,” so if you’re in the market for suiting, this is the time to stock up!

Personally, I’m not a fan of pants suits.  I’ve tried a few different styles and they just don’t work for me.  And after spending many hours in court watching fellow lady lawyers stand and argue, I’ve come to the conclusion that pants suits don’t work for a lot of women.  My two cents: if you want to rock a pants suit, you must get them tailored.  And be sure to look at your pants from all angles {take a selfie if you can’t get to a three way mirror!}.  Unstructured wool can be very unkind to even the most fabulous derriere. 😉

I prefer to buy three piece suits: dress, jacket, and pencil skirt.  I like having options, and this combo is fantastic for business travel.  I’m wearing the Emmaleigh and Bridget dresses in the pictures below, which are sadly no longer available, but I’m swooning over this bow-shoulder dress.  J.Crew Factory also has great suiting options at more affordable prices, including a dead-ringer for my beloved Emmaleigh dress (1, 2, 3). Both J.Crew and J.Crew Factory sell pinstripe options as well (1, 2, 3, 4).

I’ve shared a few different ways I styled my suits in the past: hope you enjoy!  {Need more inspiration?  Click here.}  Since all of my suiting is neutral, I add a pop of color or a fun pattern in my shoes or tops {and lipstick, of course}, and almost always wear tights to combat courtroom air conditioning.  And even though I’m no longer wearing them on a regular basis, I’m still dreaming about that perfectly tailored red suit…

Thank you very much for stopping by!

xoxo,
Jenn

J.Crew Emmaleigh dress + 1035 two-button jacket in black
The Limited Pintuck Bow Blouse
Chinese Laundry Kristin Cavallari Copertina Heels {buy other colors}

J.Crew 1035 two-button jacket + pencil skirt in light heather gray
J.Crew tie-neck silk top
Steven by Steve Madden Ravesh pump in green

J.Crew 1035 two-button jacket + Emmaleigh dress in charcoal pinstripe
J.Crew refined silk-cashmere wrap in blush {buy}
Steven by Steve Madden Ravesh pump in blush
Kate Spade New York Litchfield Joelle leather tote

J.Crew Bridget Dress + Sidney jacket {similar} in heather flannel
J.Crew beaded necklace + quilted bag
Chinese Laundry Kristin Cavallari Copertina Heels

J.Crew three button jacket + pencil skirt in navy pinstripe
J.Crew silk boy shirt in French Hen {similar}
J.Crew Mona patent pumps in warm bisque {similarish}
Kate Spade New York Harrison Street Adelle bag in sunshine

J.Crew 1035 two-button jacket + Emmaleigh dress in black
Pearl necklace {gift from my dad}
Kate Spade New York double bow studs {similar}
Kiel James Patrick Scarlett O’Hara Vickers Bow bracelet {buy}
J.Crew Factory Isabelle houndstooth pumps {similar}

J.Crew 1035 two-button jacket + pencil skirt in navy
Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Fitted Double Stripe Dress Shirt {similar, on sale!}
Oroblu Tricot Sable Fishnet Tights {on sale!}
Chinese Laundry Kristin Cavallari Copertina Heels
J.Crew bag

J.Crew 1035 two-button jacket + pencil skirt in black
J.Crew Factory printed shirt {love this one!}
J.Crew Factory Isabelle houndstooth pumps
Chanel earrings

J.Crew Bridget Dress + Sidney jacket in heather flannel
Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Tailored Fit Thin Stripe Dress Shirt {similar}
J.Crew Factory polka-dot tights
Ivanka Trump Janna Mary Jane Pump
Kate Spade New York bag

J.Crew 1035 two-button jacket + pencil skirt in black
J.Crew collection cashmere turtleneck sweater in pine {buy}
Kate Spade New York Hudson Street leopard calf half bag {similar}
Kate Spade NY Gigantic Swiss Dot Tights
Stuart Weitzman Platswoon Pump {buy}

J.Crew 1035 three-button jacket + Emmaleigh dress in navy pinstripe
J.Crew opera length pearl necklace {buy}
Nordstrom Sheer Back Seam Stockings {similar}
Stuart Weitzman Platswoon Pump {buy}

Suit Up

I’ve been reaching more for separates than suits lately but here are a few business looks from the past few months.  I do love how easy and professional suits are (very extra helpful for early mornings).  J.Crew remains my favorite store for suits (and J.Crew Factory has been a close second lately!).  I tried a few new brands this year but everything went straight back to the store (issues with quality, fit, or both).  If you’re starting your business dress collection, I recommend subscribing to J.Crew’s email list and stocking up during sales.  And I try to wear a fun color or shoe whenever I’m in a suit, which (hopefully) makes it a bit less stuffy and boring.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
Blondie, Esq.

~ J.Crew charcoal 1035 jacket (buy) and 1035 trousers (buy) in pinstripe Super 120s
~  J.Crew silk sweater ~ J.Crew Factory printed tissue scarf (seen) ~
~ Vince Camuto Kain pumps (buy) ~

~ J.Crew Factory lightweight wool jacket (buy) and pencil skirt (buy) ~
~ J.Crew Blythe blouse in retro jade (buy) ~ J.Crew Trixie heels in warm ivory ~

~ J.Crew navy jacket (love this) & pencil skirt in pinstripe Super 120s (buy) ~
~J.Crew Jackie shell (buy) ~ Banana Republic scarf ~
~ J.Crew fleur patterned peep-toe heels in deep atlantic ~

~ t+j Designs Luxe Turquoise Flower Petal Necklace (on sale!) ~
~ J.Crew cool graphite Serengeti peep toes ~

~ Banana Republic sweater ~
~  J.Crew charcoal 1035 jacket (buy) & in-box pencil skirt in super 120s ~

~ J.Crew charcoal 1035 jacket (buy) & Emmaleigh dress in pinstripe super 120s (buy) ~
~ Steven by Steve Madden green Ravesh pump (buy) (one of my favorite pairs) ~
~ Bauble Bar monogram necklace ~

~ Brooks Brothers non-iron shirt (similar) ~
~ J.Crew black jacket & pencil skirt in super 120s ~
~ Chanel earrings ~ J.Crew Factory big dot tights (buy) ~

~ J.Crew light heather graphite jacket (similar) & pencil skirt (similar) in super 120s  ~
~ Zara navy court shoe (buy) ~ J.Crew Factory printed gathered tank ~
~  J.Crew collection lady four-strand pearl necklace (buy) ~

~ J.Crew navy jacket & Emmaleigh dress in pinstripe super 120s (buy) ~
~ Banana Republic Mad Men collection geo silk scarf in shamrock ~

Etta and Eiffel

I’m so glad I snapped these shoes up—love the bows–but I’ve drooling over their sisters, especially the sequins!  Etta is a very comfortable shoe.  The chunky heels make them easy to walk in for hours, despite the higher height.  Hope to add another pair sooner than later…

Happy shopping.  😉

xoxo,
Blondie, Esq.

Brooks Brothers non-iron striped shirt // J.Crew navy pencil skirt in pinstripe Super 120s (buy) // Kate Spade Parisian lights Eiffel tower earrings // J.Crew saltwater grey Etta bow pumps

What I Wore 3.0 (More May Looks)

Here are my outfits from the rest of May.  More wacky weather, lots of dresses and skirts, and a few pictures from my husband.

Over Memorial Day weekend, my mom, three of her (seven!) brothers, and I went up to Sonoma to clean out my grandma’s storage unit.  It’s hard to believe she’s been gone for a year.  The unit was full of all kinds of crap (i.e., my grandma was a borderline hoarder) but a few of her things came home with me, including the rose pin I’m wearing below and an amazing vintage Christian Dior scarf!!  I never knew that my grandma loved scarves and pins.  It’s bittersweet to find out we had another thing in common only after she’s gone, but I’m so glad I’ll get to wear some of her favorite things!  She also had a framed picture of us with my mom from my law school graduation.  ❤

I’m sorry for flooding your inbox/feed with posts—I have so much catching up to do.  I am going to try to post on a regular basis once I get caught up.  We’ll see.  🙂

Thank you so much for reading!

xoxo,
Blondie, Esq.

J.Crew Factory Charlie sweater in stripe (buy) // J.Crew three-quarter sleeve stretch shirt (similar) // J.Crew bootcut jeans // J.Crew Lulu leather peep toes in honey glaze // Chanel earrings

J.Crew pacific blue marina-stripe three-button jacket // Lauren by Ralph Lauren floral dress // Kate Spade bag // J.Crew silver Everly mirror metallic pump (buy)

J.Crew perfect shirt in chambray polka dot // J.Crew No. 2 pencil skirt in medallion paisley // J.Crew collection Contessa snakeskin-bow pumps // J.Crew hand-knotted pearl necklace

Brooks Brothers shirt // J.Crew black Gallerist dress in Super 120s // Lauren by Ralph Lauren peep toe mary jane pumps

J.Crew navy three-button jacket (love this one) and city-fit classic trouser (similar) in pinstripe super 120s // J.Crew silk boy shirt in french hen // J.Crew French hen sweater // Vince Camuto platform peep-toe pumps

J.Crew Factory classic trench // Gap 1969 printed always skinny skimmer jeans (other prints) // Chanel sunglasses

spirit fingers

J.Crew Factory long-sleeve lace-front tee // J.Crew silver Everly mirror metallic pump (buy) // Kate Spade mount perry rumor bag // t&j designs & Banana Republic bracelets

J.Crew gray cashmere crewneck sweater // J.Crew Tilda oxford rhinestone top (buy) // J.Crew 4″ denim short (similar) // J.Crew leather capri sandals (buy) // Chanel sunglasses // Kate Spade bag

J.Crew 1035 jacket in superfine cotton (buy) // J.Crew silk bow cami in kelly green  // J.Crew ankle toothpick jeans (similar) // J.Crew cool graphite Serengeti peep toes 

J.Crew black cashmere tee dress // Old Navy men’s oxford shirt – buy // J.Crew tights // Kelsi Dagger Tiffany suede pumps

J.Crew Factory classic blazer in maraschino cherry (buy) // J.Crew navy Emmaleigh dress in Super 120s (buy) // Paolo bow pumps // Oroblu ‘Tricot’ Fishnet Tights (buy) // my grandmother’s rose pin ❤

J.Crew 1035 jacket & origami sheath dress (buy) in wool crepe // J.Crew Mona printed pumps

What I Wore (in April)

Playing catch up, as usual!  Here are a few looks, starting where we left off in April (time flies!).  On the plus side, maybe some of the things I’m wearing are now on sale.  🙂

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
Blondie, Esq.

J.Crew 1035 jacket in superfine cotton (buy) // Banana Republic short-sleeve plaid dress // Nordstrom back seam stockings in black (buy) // Vince Camuto Kain pumps (buy)

American Eagle maxi dress // J.Crew cardigan // J.Crew leather belt (similar) // J.Crew sandals // Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses (loving these)

J.Crew pleated cotton dress // Gap checked scarf // Kate Spade bag // Chanel sunglasses // Cole Haan Air Monica ballet flat (buy) // Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine in 19 (Fuchsia in Rage) (buy)

J.Crew solid embossed beach dress in bright seaside (find it on eBay!) // Banana Republic cardigan // Guess peep toe bow pumps // Bauble Bar monogram necklace // J.Crew anchor earrings and ring

My awesome shoe guy in San Diego fixed these puppies for me a few years ago – just love them too much to let a few rips get in the way!  And the patches have held up great.  🙂

J.Crew black 1035 jacket (buy) and in-box pencil skirt in super 120s // J.Crew floral ruffled top (similar) // J.Crew Joley tortoise peep toes // J.Crew Factory earrings // Oroblu ‘Tricot’ Fishnet Tights (buy)

Banana Republic pants (similar) // Brooks Brothers striped shirt // J.Crew Jackie cardigan (buy // similar) // J.Crew collection Contessa snakeskin-bow pumps

J.Crew cashmere tee dress // Nordstrom back seam stockings in light beige (buy) // J.Crew bubble necklace  // Cole Haan Air Monica ballet flat

Christian Louboutin Love Me pump // J.Crew collection lady four-strand pearl necklace (buy)

J.Crew french terry popover // J.Crew embellished tank // Old Navy hirise flare jeans // t&j Designs light blue pyramid bracelet