Hmong Pa Dau Belt worn as an Obi Belt

BCBG Black Lace Dress

I love lace dresses, but this is one of my favorite.  The color, cut, and style makes it very versatile.  BCBG fits my body perfectly - even though my top and bottom are two different sizes.  I paired this beautiful dress with a Hmong Silver Necklace and silver NineWest Sandals.  Cinched in the waist with a black obi belt from The Limited.

Same ensemble, but I added a Hmong Leeg Men's Jacket.  Be sure to right-click to enlarge the photo to see the details of the necklace, earrings, and the jacket.  All the pieces are handmade.  

Here, I paired it with a green metallic leather blazer made by one of my all time favorite designer, Dana Buchman.  I really like this blazer because the color, cut, and styling makes it look like a evening jacket - but has the look and fit of a leather jacket.  This could definitely work for a semi-formal event.  I kept the black obi belt on to help define the waistline and add interest.

Here, I wore it with a mint green denim jacket from JCPenny.  I love how denim jackets can make a semi-formal dress like this one look casual enough for dinner out with the ladies... or out on a date.

Here, I wore the lace dress with my Hmong Chinese jacket (shown in an earlier post - breaking down a Hmong outfit).  I am not sure if I like this look, but my husband did.  He actually wanted to take this picture with me.

Calvin Klein Purple Sheath Dress - Sexiness Fully Contained

This is an extremely sexy dress.  And while some people would feel comfortable wearing this to work, it is not in my nature.  I would be very self- conscious.  So, I tamed it by adding a jacket (Jones New York evening purple blazer) and a belt to define my waist.  I wanted to wear a different shoes, but it up the sexy factor, so I decided to go with these born black sandals.

Red Leather Blazer with Black Jeans

Kat's Style Formula

It has taken me a long time to find a style that speaks to me and FOR me. In the last 6 months or so, I believe that I have found a style formula that works for me. 

Work: 3 pieces - 2 formal, 1 casual/edgy piece. Off 

Duty: 3 pieces - 1 formal, 2 casual edgy pieces.

This is a work outfit, so I break the dress down into "top" and "bottom." Since the top is very intricate, more fitting for evening wear... it serves as my edgy piece. The "skirt" portion fits like a pencil skirt, so it's business/formal, etc. If I pair it up with a leather jacket, there's too many edgy pieces and would not be appropriate for work. So, I chose a very basic suit jacket that can be worn in any boardroom. Dress is from JC Penny. The Jacket is Ann Taylor Loft. The shoes is the BORN sandals I wore with the pink leather jacket from yesterday's picture.

Here is a picture of the shoes.

Pink Leather Blazer with Black Dress

I love love love love leather jackets, but they tend to be more rock and roll or biker chic.  I wouldn't mind either one, but I love them so much that I want to be able to wear them to the office.  So begun my journey for color leather jackets.  Here is one in soft baby pink.  This one is from St John by Marie Gray (the brand that makes sweater suits).

Jones New York has been a favorite of mine for work clothes and this dress is no exception.  Beautiful on its own or as a base for showcasing my color entourage of jackets and blazers.  Icing on this cake is this beautiful BORN black leather sandals.  Finally found it in my price range and I grabbed it.

Calvin Klein Red Sheath Dress - Totally Kat's Style