Cute, simple, fun and flirty…

At Alloy for $28.90, 18 inches long. Thanks for the links Jess!

Love this sweater vest! It looks so comfy! Paired with some skinny jeans and Uggs… I think this would be my favorite thing to wear!

Cable Sweater Vest at Alloy for $29.90

I love this top paired with jeans… but it would also look superb with a pencil skirt!

Marren Chiffon Blouse at Alloy for $29.50

I really like the big buttons!

Button Hoodie at Alloy for $44.50

Our reader Jill S. wrote:

Hi girls!  I have a serious fashion problem for you.  I have 2 boys, ages 1 and 3, that I’m home with but I also work part time with developmentally delayed infants and toddlers.  So I spend the majority of my time on the floor playing with toys, either with my own kids or someone else’s.  Problem #1, I’m cheap.  Problem #2, I have no style.  Problem #3, I’m not tiny.  I am 5’8″ and wear size 10-12.  My hips aren’t small but my boobies are.  :) Problem #4, I live in Mesa, AZ (suburb of Phoenix) and it’s 113 today.  It’s over 100 degrees pretty much all the time.  It’s too hot to layer, it’s too hot for cute little cardigans (even with short sleeves) and it’s too hot for jeans (at least until October).  So I beseech you, hook me up with cheap, modest, comfortable, very stylish and grown-up looking outfits that wont make me sweat anymore than I already do on a daily basis!  I want to look good when I take my kids to the museum.  I want to look professional when I go to client’s homes, even if I’m going to just play with their kids.  I have got to get out of my shorts and t-shirt mode.  (And dont even get me started on accessories…  Do flip flops count as accessories?)
I know you’ll do me proud, so I thank you in advance!

Alright Jill!

Well I do not live in Arizona and don’t have multiple children to care for, but I do understand where your coming from! I have a 14 month old and am constantly chasing him around. I love to take him on bike rides, walks and trips to the park.. and yes even here in Vancouver it gets hot and sweaty! Yes, layering can be cute, but it is just not practical during the hot weather! Everything I posted is light and airy and requires NO LAYERING!  I tried to keep the prices low, and I made sure to make selections that are available in your size!

I tried to choose tops that are simple but not boring. I too have a small chest, so I love (and own!) the sophomore top from DownEast. It emphasizes the chest area… and we need all the emphasis we can get! I also chose the poplin shirt at old navy because the drawstring right below the chest also helps us out. Placing a belt there does the same thing as well on any top.

Now I don’t know about you but I’m not a big fan of wearing necklaces in the summer. They look great, but when it is already hot and sweaty I don’t love having anything extra against my skin. (That’s just me, some people may not mind.) For this reason, I posted a few pairs of darling earrings that will add style to any outfit!  I recommend pairing the tops with the skirts or a pair of khaki shorts. The skirts are nice and airy so they will be your best option.  As for the shorts, the pair that I used from J CREW are called the ‘stretch summerweight burmuda shorts’ that sounds good doesn’t it? Stretch is a must when your chasing around kids! The khaki will dress up your outfits a bit (without overdoing it.) The sandals are super cute and practical since they are brown and go with just about anything. They will add much more to your wardrobe then any pair of  flip flops would. Hope this helps.. and have fun shopping!!!

Love, Ashley

Tops:

Ruffled Slub Top at Old Navy for $14.50.

Poplin Empire Top at Old Navy for $14.99.

Sophomore Top at DownEast Basics for $19.99.

Sonnet Top at DownEast Basics for $24.99.

Ruched Scoop-Neck Top at Old Navy for $14.50.

Bottoms:

Embroidered Skirt at Old Navy for $26.50.

Cabana Skirt at DownEast Basics for $24.99.

Stretch Summerweight Bermuda Shorts ON SALE at J Crew for $29.99.

Shoes:

Mossimo Wanda Flat Sandals at Target for $14.99.

Accessories:

Wild Daisy Disc Earrings at Forever 21 for $5.80.

Mia Dangling Bead Earrings at Forever 21 for $4.80.

Cicely Earrings at Alloy for $12.90.

Woven Jean Belt at Wetseal for $7.50. (Shown in brown and white.)

Nice khaki shorts.

Charleston Stretch Twill 11″ Short at Alloy on sale for $19.50.

This is a really cute dress. Would be even cuter with a brown belt at the empire waist.

Swiss-Dot Shirt Dress at Alloy for $44.50, 35 inches long.

From our reader Katie G.

Alright, my friend Alisa just emailed you and asked for help with an outfit for her 10 year reunion. I’m in the same boat, can’t figure out what to wear.  After seeing those great outfits I thought I’d contact you ladies.  I’ll be going with Alisa so I’ve got to look just as good as her  I’m thinking dark trouser jeans (I’ve got a pair from Banana Republic) but don’t know what else to wear.  PLEASE HELP!!!

Hi Katie! Alright, I’ve made two outfits for you… the one on the left is less expensive, but super cute. And the one on the right, I wasn’t being price conscious at all! (I know, there are still sale items, but I don’t think I can really not be price conscious at all!) I couldn’t find any trouser jeans at Banana Republic or I would have put those in here! Both outfits can definitely be worn with heels. But  I don’t know if any one has noticed… if it’s not specified, I always go with flats. I love flats! Have fun at your reunion and you and Alisa are going to look amazing! You should definitely send us a picture afterward!

Peace, Natalie

Outfit on the Left:

V-neck Cardigan at Alloy on sale for $9.99

Charleston Trouser Twill at Alloy on sale for $19.99

Ruffle Blouse at Charlotte Russe for $16.99

Clevverr from Steve Madden on sale for $24.98

Motif from Steve Madden on sale for $29.95

Brass Cuff at Alloy for $14.90

Cicley Earring at Alloy for $12.90

Outfit on the Right:

Rinse Flare Jean at Calvin Klein on sale for $59.99

Tuxedo-front Solid Cotton Cami at JCrew on sale for $49.99

Cotton Cadeau Cardigan at JCrew on sale for $79.99

Crunchh from Steve Madden on sale for $29.98

Butterfly Floral Filigree Earrings at Charlotte Russe for $4.00

Filigree Rhinestone Bracelet at Charlotte Russe for $4.00

Top: Aeropostale ‘Solid Ruffle Top’ ON SALE $19.99

Skirt: Forever 21 ‘Floral Stroke Woven Skirt’ $22.80

Shoes: Delias Blowfish Tie-Dye Skimmer $44.50

Bracelet: Alloy ‘Charm Bracelet’ $14.90

Earrings: Alloy ‘Cicely Earring’ $12.90

Bag: Roxy ‘Orange Coast Bag’ $38.00

I love this dress, but I see myself wearing it as a top with some cute dark wash jeans underneath.  Ashley beat me to posting about them, but I love Vintage Hem, too.  Well, I can’t quite take credit anyway since Natalie was the one who told me about them.

Wouldn’t this dress be so cute with Neenie’s Cup of Tea in Black Licorice underneath?

Two looks in one!  Either with jeans, or with a cute slip underneath.

Then, of course, you could always add a wide belt for a whole different look!

Floral Belted Dress, Alloy, on sale for $36.50, 34″ long

This dress is trendy and oh-so stinkin’ cute. The only problem is, it is only 34 1/2 inches long. That’s just a few inches shorter then I’d like! That’s where Vintage Hem, and Shabby Apple come in. Check out their slips! Not only do they add extra length to your dresses and skirts (obviously) but they also add some extra girlyness to your look. (Love that!)

I think this black slip from Shabby Apple would look great with the Plaid Party dress!

Find the dress at Alloy for $44.90, and the slip at Shabby Apple for $32.00.

This dress is available in sizes S-XXXL!