Sarah's Real Life

For as much as I shop at Loft, I hardly ever buy anything from their Lou & Grey line. Because it pretty much all looks like pajamas. I know, I know, it’s loungewear, but I don’t spend good money on clothes I sit around the house in. My “loungewear” consists of all my college and souvenir t-shirts and a couple pairs of sweatpants that I rotate. Try not to be intimidated by my round-the-clock fabulousness.

But I made an exception for this heather gray midi dress. It’s soft and comfy enough to be a nightgown, and you can easily style it casual for the weekend (like Kim did here), but it’s structured and thick enough to wear it to work, too. I’m a fan of anything that I can repurpose for any day and any time. It also looks good with a cropped blazer (I know because I wore one half the day in my chilly office). I can picture wearing it in the fall with a cozy cardigan and ankle boots, too. I’m thinking it’ll even work as a bathing suit coverup! Hmm…maybe I’m becoming a Lou & Grey convert?

Dress (on sale) // similar Shoes (on sale) // similar Bag (cheaper option) // similar Earrings // similar Bracelet // similar Sunglasses

Have I mentioned I’m really in to wearing bright colors? No? Because I kinda am. Warm weather really brings out the best in my brights habit (or the worst, if you’re offended by pink). But even I have to admit that classic black bags and shoes are must-have, go-with-everything, insert-more-cliches-here closet essentials in any season.

I went on the hunt for a classic black bag this month, and I realized why I didn’t already have one (I’m not counting my Forever 21 bucket bag because it’s more of a trendy item and not all that practical or well-made)…The details that usually make a bag stand out to me – like a texture or unique stitching – are harder to see on darker colors. Also, when I get a new bag, I’m usually drawn to – you guessed it – interesting colors and patterns. Finding a black bag I really liked was a challenge, but I found a winner in this Steve Madden bag at Nordstrom Rack. It’s no coincidence that the style is kind of reminiscent of Rebecca Minkoff, one of my favorite bag designers. But this baby was less than $40! I can’t find this exact one online, but I linked to similar options below.

As luck would have it, while I was on my way out of Nordstrom Rack, I casually and accidentally found myself in the shoe section. Yes, it’s on the complete opposite side of the store; don’t question my path in life or in shopping. On my detour, I spotted these flats on extra super clearance (under $25, originally $138)! I mean as long as I was on a classic black kick, why not? Bright idea, don’t you think? 😉

Dress (on sale) // similar Bag (other options below) // similar Shoes // Ring* // Bracelet (on sale) // similar Sunglasses

*Ring provided courtesy of Uncommon Goods.