Just a few weeks ago I was completely committed to my winter wardrobe — dark colors and neutrals, scarves and boots — and was annoyed by all the brightly colored spring merchandise I was seeing in the stores and online. But after an unusual cold spell here in Arizona (really, it was cold … below freezing!), we’ve come out the other end with temps in the low 70s. All of a sudden, those bright colors and fun patterns have a lot more appeal. So after a tip from one our favorite Style Tutor friends Brandi, I thought I’d investigate some warmer-weather options that can still work during these transitional months when paired with a blazer or tights but will feel more appropriate for those of us whose sunny days are already beginning.

Style Notes: Free People Ombre Cropped Skinny Jeans via Piperlime $78 / Bauble Bar Pastel Triad Strand $26 / Ruche Miami Afternoon Floral Blazer $52.99 / Anthropologie Sun Medallion Pullover $88 / Anthropologie Megaflora Charlie Trousers $118 /  J. Crew Printed Case for iPhone 5 $25 / Anthropologie Textile Study Ballerinas $128 / Ruche Amazon Chevron Printed Dress $42.99 /  J. Crew Peter Pan Merino Sweater in Stripe $89.50

 For this month’s color we chose to go with a play on traditional Halloween colors to show you some great looks, not to mention deals, that can work for many areas of your life. These pieces also serve as a way to incorporate one of our favorite fall trends: pairings of black and gold. 

A traditional line of thought might be that black and gold should be reserved for more formal social events or holiday parties.  Here at Style Tutor we beg to differ.  Take, for instance,  the fun BCBG embellished top from local online retailer Klury.com:  how amazing would it look with a great pair of cuffed skinny jeans and the glitter heels?  The jeans would help to balance out the dressier tones of the top and shoes and would make for a great date night or girl’s night out look.

 Before you think I have gone daft, let me make a little clairification about that lovely Anthropologie coat.  No, I cannot afford a $500 coat.  If I spent that kind of money on a coat I would have to literally wear it day and night, no matter the weather.   By the way, I don’t suggest you drop $500 on a coat either, especially if you live in AZ.  But, oh my, it sure is pretty to look at!

Style Notes: Emerson Fry Noir Ring $125 /Ark & Co. Sequin Zig Zag Dress $89 (currently 20% off) /Tinley Road Art Deco Bangles $18 (currently 20% off) /Anthropologie Tracy Reese Collared Peplum Coat $498  / The Limited Cross-Strap Glitter Heel $98 (currently 40% off) / Bauble Bar Triple Tear Pendant $26 / BCBG Max Azria Embellished Blouse via Klury.com $85 /Aryn K. Metallic Ladylike Jacket $99 (currently 20% off) /Gap Suede Belt $24.95 (currently 30% off) / Anthropologie Sariah Birdsong Script Dress $188 /Kate Spade Paisley Park Bangle $89 (on sale!) / Zara Trousers With Gold Side Trim $79.90 / Seychelles Mulberry $120 (currently 20% off)

This outfit is nearly an exact replication of an outfit I originally posted here.  I’m guessing you do this, too, right? You love a look so much you either wear it repeatedly or attempt to recreate the look with a few minor changes here and there.  (Way to maximize your wardrobe and hard earned cash, ladies!)

Now that school is back in session, I am trying to rework some of my summer pieces and looks to suit a more professional environment.  This time around, I forwent the shorts (a big dress code no, no) and went with a tulip shaped skirt I picked up a few years back.  And because this is the time of year I stupidly start longing for fall and crisper weather (still a long way off here in AZ) I switched up the fuchsia accents for leopard ones.  My reasoning is that while it is still 113 out, I can glance at the beautiful brown tones in the belt and shoes and temporarily transport myself to a cooler, lovelier time of year…that and I just really love a good leopard print!  I’m also a huge fan of  the boldness of mint against the crispness of black and white  (check out this recent pairing!) and cannot imagine myself giving up that combo anytime soon!

Style Notes: Pleione blouse via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Gap skirt (fall 2008; similar style)/ Loft belt (summer 2012) / Halogen shoes via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Marc by Marc Jacobs bag via Last Chance (summer 2012) / Bauble Bar necklace (spring 2012) / Kate Spade bracelets (spring 2011, fall 2011, spring 2012)/ Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade (fall 2011; similar style) and Madewell rings (summer 2012; similar style) / Loft sunnies: (summer 2012; similar style)

Fuchsia, Magenta, Cerise, Rose. From neon to pastel, pink in any shade is a girl’s best friend. Whether you choose just a pop of color with an accessory or go all-out with a statement piece like a blazer, a little pink will give any outfit a feminine touch. Here are our pink picks for August’s Color of the Month.

Style Notes: Gap Piped Academy Blazer – $88 / Ruche Afternoon Lounging Loafers – $32.99 / Bauble Bar Colorful Cranium Wrap – $20 / Urban Outfitters South Of 5th Cat-Eye Sunglasses – $16 / J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Mini Gingham – $78 / Three Floor Sundae Dress – $187 / Anthropologie Striped Mesh Skirt – $68 / NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Baroque – $24 / Anthropologie Stitched Chevron Wedges – $130 / J. Crew Tippi Sweater – $89.50 / Bauble Bar Fuschia Geo Strands – $28 / Old Navy Rockstar Jeans – $30

I am a huge fan of accenting neutrals with fun pops of color, like the mint, fuschia, and red in this outfit. (Point in case, here is another example of how I’ve recently paired neutrals with pops of color!)  Remember, just because polka dots themselves seem anything but neutral, the colors- white and black in the case of this shirt- work to neutralize the full impact of the dots.  (Note: This shirt, when worn with a different pairing (black pencil skirt or a black suit), could suddenly become much more work friendly!  And if you are feeling a little daring you could throw a dash of color in with a skinny belt or a great shoe!)

Style Notes: Shirt: Chloe K via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Jeans: Gap (summer 2012) / Shoes: Madewell (summer 2012) / Belt: Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Necklace: Bauble Bar (spring 2012) / Bracelets: Kate Spade (spring 2011, fall 2011, spring 2012, spring 2012 / Rings: Kate Spade (fall 2011; similar style) and Madewell (summer 2012; similar style) / Watch: Michael Kors via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Sunnies: Last Chance (summer 2012; similar style)

Back in June, Kristy and I each determined our summer must-haves and set individual budgets for those items.  As a teacher, I don’t have an enormous clothing budget to begin with, but I really try to limit the amount of money I spend on summer clothing because I can rarely wear those items to work.  Typically, I tend to seek out a good summer shoe, a couple pair of cute shorts, and a summer dress or two that can transition to the fall when I return to work.

Thus, I set my budget at $150/month and determined that what I really wanted this summer was: 1) a few pairs of cute printed shorts, 2) cute summer dresses, 3) a nude flat, 4) a summer hat and 5) a maxi dress to wear to and from the pool, 6) and a fun statement necklace.

1) Printed Shorts: $24

• Gap Ikat Canvas Short: $0 My mom sent me these shorts as a little school’s out for summer celebratory gift!  (Thanks, Mom!)
• Old Navy Women’s Printed Twill Shorts: $17 (in store) The day after the polka dot items (shorts, pants, cardigan, sweater, and tank) showed up on Old Navy’s site I booked it to my local store.  Unfortunately, the location only had the shorts, but fortunately they fit well and are super fun to style. (According to an IG friend, the pants fit really well too, so I am thinking of ordering them for fall!) This is how I wore the shorts this weekend:

•  Target Merona® Women’s Classic Chino Short: $7 I found these on the sale rack at my local Target and have worn them with a striped tee and a neutral top as styled here.

 2) Summer Dresses: $14

• Dee & Ray Mona Day Dress: $7  This was a lucky find at Last Chance during a 40% off dresses sale!  When I compiled my summer must-haves inspiration board I chose this dress from Piperlime as an example, so I was beyond thrilled when I unearthed it off the racks at Last Chance.  It is feminine and light-weight, so it’s great for summer, and with a cute cardigan it will transition well when I return to work.  Here is how I have styled it recently:

•  Donna Morgan Colorblock Dress: $7 This was another lucky find at Last Chance during a 40% off dresses sale! So far, I’ve styled it with fuchsia heels and belt (similar style), but I have failed to take pictures when wearing this dress.  (Terrible fashion blogger, I know!)  One downside of this dress is that it wrinkles like crazy, so while it is the perfect length and style for work, the wrinkle factor does not make it very practical for a full day of teaching.  Normally, this would upset me and I would return the dress, but since it was such a bargain I am fine with it being a dress for events unrelated to work.

 3) Neutral Flat: $18

• Me Too flats (similar style): Again, I lucked out and found a pair of neutral flats on the cheap at Last Chance.  I spent the better part of the spring digging through the size sevens at Last Chance in hopes of finding a cute pair of Me Toos but had not had any luck.  I kid you not, I went to Last Chance within days of posting the inspiration board and found these shoes. (Come to think of it, the day I found these shoes is the same day I found the two dresses above.  Clearly, the fashion gods granted my summer-must have wishes!) The peep toe makes them the perfect summer shoe and the neutral color means I can pair them with nearly all my summer wares.  And, because summery weather lingers here in AZ I will be able to wear them long into the fall! Here is how I have styled them recently:

 4) A summer hat and 5) a maxi dress: $40

• Target Mossimo Supply Co. Tan Shine Floppy Hat: $15 This hat serves the exact purpose I intended for it: it protects my hair and face from the summer sun when we are at the pool and is something I can wear, and not feel a fool, in and out of places as I run errands before or after swimming.
• Target Mossimo® Womens V-Neck Maxi Dress: $25 (special price in store; normally $29.99) In another bad blogging move, I do not have a picture of me in this hat or dress, but trust me they are adorable! (stay tuned, I feel a future outfit post coming on!)  A pair of sunnies completes a rather glamorous poolside look!

6) Statement Necklace: $26

• Bauble Bar Spearmint Bauble Bib: I created an account with Bauble Bar and received $10 off this necklace (my first order)!  I am in love with the necklace: the color is perfect and the shape and size adds just the right amount of quirk to any outfit.  While this necklace pairs well with tons of summery outfits, it will carry over into all seasons as an extra punch of color!  Here is how I’ve styled it recently:

Grand Total: $122

I am super excited about all the fun summer wares and bargains I have found!  I have about three weeks before school starts up, so unless I come across summery goods at a great price I am now focusing my shopping and clothing dollars towards items that I can wear throughout the upcoming school year!

Stay tuned for Kristy’s recap on Thursday!