/ StyleBella

I ordered the Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace as soon as it hit sale. I had the black colorway on my wishlist since it first arrived online but just couldn’t pull the trigger on such a high retail price. The sale price is pretty steep too, IMO, but I did use a 30% off sale promo. It runs TTS and the length is truly cropped on me. Yay! The lining is a blush color that peaks through the pretty cotton lace overlay. I wanted to share three different ways to style these pants, with items already in my closet, in case anyone is contemplating a purchase.

~ Short-Sleeve Popover Shirt in Irish Linen, Warm Emerald, size 8 ~
~ Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace, Black, size 8 ~
~ Elsie Pumps in Mixed Plaid, size 6 1/2 ~

The first look is for Summer, pairing the lace pants with a linen shirt and fun heels. When I first make a purchase I add it to my Stylebook and try to come up with at least three ways to wear it. Sometimes that doesn’t always happen but the pieces are too special to return and other times the items are returned. There are also times when the outfit looks good on Stylebook but not so much IRL. I think this outfit turned out well considering I was not sure if the shoes would work. It would probably look better with the Ivory pants but I was challenging myself to style black pants around lighter colors on top and bottom (shoes).

gazebooutfit_2

~ Short-Sleeve Popover, Olive, size 6 ~
~ Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace, Black, size 8 ~
~ Collection Lillian Calf-Hair Low Wedges, size 6 1/2 (one, two, Splurge) ~
~ Tortoise Flower Necklace (one, two, three) ~

I wore this next outfit to dinner while in Vegas last weekend. I was very comfortable and the wedge sandals are from a few years ago. I always forget I have these but they were perfect for this outfit. The short-sleeve popover is really flattering but this olive color is the only one I’ve purchased. I felt really chic in this outfit and can’t wait to wear it again.

gazebooutfit_1

~ Tippi Sweater in Embellished Bee, Medium ~
~ Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace, Black, size 8 ~
~ Simple 70 Pumps, Cranberry, Christian Louboutin (one, two, Splurge) ~

The last look is a “Winter” option with the lovely Tippi Sweater in Embellished Bee. I still have not been able to wear it but hope to do so as soon as there’s a chill in the air. Since we have so many mild days in Winter I know I can get away with wearing these pants through the season, albeit with heels or maybe booties instead of sandals. I am sure I can wear it with a sparkly top for a fun Christmas party too.

gazebooutfit_3

The Gazebo Pant in general has been one of my favorite items from Summer. I wish J.Crew would keep the style for Winter but it looks like they are just adding pleats to wide-leg crops instead. There’s also the Collection Sequin Gazebo Pant in a pretty mauve color. I would be afraid to sit down wearing those though. It was fun to style these pants for you and I hope you get some great ideas. I’ll be styling the Rosewood Lace Blouse for you next week!

/ Reviews

I mentioned during my review of the Patio Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool that I had ordered the Tux Stripe version. They finally arrived and I absolutely love them! They will be a great alternative to skirts or dresses for the Holiday events when the weather is colder.

 ~ Patio Pant with Leather Tux Stripe in Bi-Stretch Wool, Black, 8 Petite ~

I ordered the 8 Petite because I wanted them to be cropped like they are in the model image online. They hit just above the ankle in the Petite. The slacks fit great in the Petite through the waist, hips and thighs. I’ll keep the pockets closed for as long as I can as I like the sleek look and I rarely use my front pockets.
 
I came up with two different ways to wear these Patio Pants. First is with flats and what I would wear to the office.
~ Merino Cardigan, J Crew (J Crew, Loft) ~
~ Polka Dot Blythe Blouse, J Crew (J Crew, Bluefly) ~
~ Candy Studded Flats, Christian Louboutin (old) (Dillard’s, Kenneth Cole)
 
And here’s the second outfit with a solid Cashmere sweater and fun heels. Just add a favorite necklace and you’re ready for a nice dinner or casual Holiday party.
~ Cashmere Tee, J Crew (Nordstrom Rack, Macy’s) ~
~ Etta Printed Heels, J Crew (J Crew, Guess) ~
 
Have you tried the Patio Pant or seen the Patio Pant with Leather Tux Stripe in person? Our weather is starting to cool off at night so I’m hoping I can wear these on our next date night.

/ Que Bella

This was my going-to-the-dentist outfit yesterday. The Toothpick in Coated Denim are from last year and the coating has washed off. They are now just regular black jeans. I don’t wear a whole lot of black so this is the first time I’ve worn these since last January.

This Hugo Guinness sweater is really one of my favorites of the Hugo Guinness for J Crew. It just seems like the right sweater for layering anything under it. This and the Bliss Sweater are now 40% off with SHOPNOW. I finally ordered a few things today after filling up and watching what disappeared over the last few days.

Though it wasn’t on sale, I bought the Cotton Cable Sweater in Ivory. I’m planning on using it to transition to the Spring. I immediately imagined my Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot under the Cashmere Pinstripe Sweater in Grey/Black. I keep reaching for my Fair Isle Abstract Sweater that I decided to get the scarf.

If you missed my post from Sunday, I’m hosting a Give-away. If you haven’t entered, please do so in the comments of that post before this Sunday, at noon. I can’t wait to find out who the TWO lucky winners are!
Have a Great Day!

/ Uncategorized


I wanted to share my outfit from my neighborhood’s Christmas Party. As a board member, I’m expected to attend. Most everyone usually dresses in Christmas attire – red, green, Christmas sweaters, etc. I try to wear something fun when I attend Holiday and Christmas parties, especially if it’s an item that’s hard to style or is just meant for a party. The Origami Skirt in Elephant Parade is a great example of a unique party skirt. 
I originally had decided on a Navy Cashmere Tee but chose Black at the last minute instead. I still can’t tell if the background of the skirt is navy or black, not that I wanted to match it. I stuck to gold jewelry but had a little trouble finding shoes to wear with the skirt. I thought about my Bronson Booties but eventually went with a pop of red. 
I have two more parties this weekend, with one being pretty casual and the other not so I may wear this skirt again to one of those. I could probably casual this up in flat boots or black flats in general along with a Chambray shirt. 
What do you think? How else would you style this skirt?

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/ Uncategorized

Banana Republic currently has a 40% off, online only, promo through tomorrow 11/20. Use code BRSMILE40 for the discount. Exclusions apply, including BR Picks, BR Monogram, Cashmere, Leather, and blazers, to name a few.

This is the same style, but in a pattern, as the Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt I reviewed in late October. This plaid option showed up online just after my review and I knew I wanted it. I decided to order the 8 Tall to have a little more length in the skirt. At the time, this skirt was a BR Pick, and excluded from online promos, and it was on back-order. The skirt finally shipped last week but not before I also found it in one of the stores here in town.

The store did not have a size 8 for me to try so I grabbed the last size 10 on the rack. The size is perfect. The Gray Flannel Skirt was a little snug at the “fit” area, though not uncomfortable. But the 10 leaves me room to tuck in shirts and still not look like it’s too small or tight on me. I’m not necessarily saying to size up. I still think this skirt runs TTS but right now, the size 10 in this style is good for me.

It looks good with the Noir Sweatshirt I bought on sale last week but I think just ok with the Fringe Tank. I think a little pop of red on top will look great and bring this into the Holiday season.

  
Here are two other styling options I’ll try with this skirt. Both J Crew, the Masquerade Tee is from 2009 and the Harper Boots are from 2012, . They are so sleek and thankfully came in Extended Calf sizing. This tee is one of my all-time favorites.  

My booties are the Christian Louboutin Melisa that I splurged on last year. I have worn them quite a bit and will be wearing them frequently again soon. I’m normally a 37 in the CL Simple Pumps but sized to a 38 since these ran a little narrow. The necklace is the Radial Necklace from J Crew about a year ago. This may be my Christmas Eve or Day outfit. 

Being able to style this 3 different ways immediately is a good sign I’ll be keeping this skirt. As soon as I receive the 8 Tall I’ll be returning it. Especially since I paid full-price for it. Since it’s no longer a BR Pick you can get this skirt with the 40% off, BRSMILE40, promo.

Have a Great Evening!

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