A dressed-up-dressed-down look for going out to lunch
We may be getting out and dressing up a bit more, but I still want to be comfortable and look put-together without a lot of fuss. Here’s a casual blazer outfit that I think hit that target.
blazer (similar) | necklace | necklace | tee | bracelet | jeans | sneakers
I love mixing levels of refinement within an outfit. The jeans, tee, and sneakers skew casual. And the blazer and jewelry add structure and polish without looking too “done.”
Earlier this week, I met up for lunch with my friend Kande, owner and designer of French Kande jewelry. I’ve known her and been a big fan of her designs for close to a decade now, and am just amazed at how she keeps coming up with such cool new designs. All of the pieces are designed and produced here in Southern California.
The white bead necklace and bracelet are from the new “Os Blanc” collection. They’re made from upcycled bone and horn material by Nepalese artisans. So not only are they sustainable, but very lightweight and comfortable to wear! French Kande makes each piece to order, so you can customize many of their styles. (I had the bracelet made smaller to accommodate my small wrists.)
Another thing I love about French Kande is that the pieces look great on their own or layered. Here I’ve layered with a “Miel” (honey) bee pendant necklace from a prior collection. On the Os Blanc necklace, the vintage Paris pendant is from a coffee roaster, and the Pointu pendant was originally a page marker from Notre Dame cathedral. I let the necklaces be the focal point, and skipped earrings.
I’ve had these slip-on sneakers for a few seasons and still wear them often. They’re one of the most comfortable pairs I own!
Budget-friendlier options for a casual blazer outfit: blazer | tee | jeans | sneakers
(This was not sponsored, nor was I gifted any of these pieces. I just love the designs! I may earn an affiliate commission if you click through my links and make a purchase.)
The best of the long weekend sales…
Brian + MW – 35% off everything (skincare & makeup!)
Nordstrom – Half Yearly Sale, up to 60% off
Madewell – 25% off everything, code LONGWEEKEND
Net-a-Porter – 30% off shopping event
J.Jill – 25% off select full-price styles
Jenni Kayne – Memorial Day Event, 20% off all apparel, code MDW20
Talbot’s – Summer Style Event, 30% off purchase
Saks Fifth Avenue – designer sale, up to 50% off
J.Crew – extra 60% off sale styles, 30% off (almost) everything else, code SUMMER
Aquatalia – 25% off sitewide, code WKND25
Chico’s – warm weather styles, starting at $29
Lands’ End – up to 75% off with code PARADE
Anthropologie – extra 40% off sale items
Bon week-end!
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Hi Susan,
Do you know a source where you can purchase a color sample booklet in your season with the actual fabric samples? I had my colors done remotely by Annie and her service provides a printed paper pamphlet which is more difficult for me to use for comparison.
Hi Lois, I don’t, sorry! Almost all of the color services I’ve seen lately provide printed color palettes. It’s my understanding that getting fabric dyed to specific colors can be quite difficult and expensive.
Hi, Lois. John Kitchener in Atlanta works only with fabric swatches. In this video he displays a palette of fabric swatches and explains his process for a virtual (remote) color analysis: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/custom-color-analysis-with-john-kitchener–437552920044441957/
(Disclaimer: John did my own color analysis when he was based in California. I still have the swatches!)
Just a note for Lois, John K. works with a different color system than the seasonal palettes. There are many different systems out there for color analysis. The system I was trained in uses a seasonal palette that’s personalized for each client. It’s important to find one that feels right for you so you have confidence in the results.
I recently had color analysis with a House of Colour consultant and they have color fans with real fabric swatches. I know if I lose mine I can buy a replacement, so perhaps you can buy one even though you have not had color analysis with them. Check their website, or find a consultant who can help you.
Thanks to all for the information
Beautiful outfit! Your long necklace with its Notre Dame page marker reminds me of an amazing exhibit at the Chrysler Museum (Norfolk, VA) on Torah pointers — yads.
https://chrysler.org/exhibition/the-guiding-hand-the-barr-foundation-collection-of-torah-pointers/
Bette, thanks for this link. We often visit that area and love the museum.
A fun combination of casual and dressed up. And, sigh, a white blazer.
Thanks, Peggy!
FYI – You can easily find actresses/celebrities categorized by their color season on line. This can be helpful too.
Further to the portable fabric swatches… I find the little Red Leopard booklet from my in-house colour analysis easy to carry, and the colour matches true. Manina , at Red Leopard , mentioned that the fabric swatches are extremely difficult to replicate. I also have my “Colour Me Beautiful “ (?) pages from the late ‘80’s book… retained both Spring and Autumn… and these tend to be pretty useful too, as a comparison… Autumn page is so close to my mini swatch book !
I am taking good quality garments, that were not doing me any favours, off to consignment.
Room to clean and reorganize the closet to make clothing choices easier.
As you know I love French Kande jewellery as well. It so happens I am wearing my set as I type this. Coincidence. Like you, I let the necklaces and the bracelet (thank you again for that gift) get all the attention and wear only small earrings.
Greetje
I know Iris A. says “more is more,” but it’s a real skill to be able to wear as many pieces as she does without having them compete.