Wednesday 29 April 2015

Monthly Purchases and Corporate Style: Marc By Marc Jacobs Lil Ukita Bag and Jackets. Striped Dress, Pencil Skirt

As well as sharing my monthly purchases for April, two more of my Fox Pack Style Dare themed outfits, and my cute little red Marc by Marc Jacobs Ukita bag. I've been enjoying this daily outfit challenge on instagram. I'm being a lot more flexible with my interpretations and having fun with what I wear instead of trying to nail the prompt exactly.


First up, my April Purchases:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine
Tai gold alphabet necklace
Zalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress
Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress (this is the checked one that I returned)
Thrifted Valleygirl blue knit jumper
Thrifted Cotton On yellow tank
Thrifted Dotti blue tee
Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Jeanswest khaki 'Cassey' cuffed skinny pants (returned)


What I wore:

Away From Blue print mixing with scarf striped dress blazer heels red bag for office

Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster - reddish pink
JacketWarehouse cropped zip detail jacket
Scarf: Nicole by Nicole Miller mixed print scarf (giveaway prize from Style of Sam)
DressJeanswest 'Rita' stripe jersey dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'Parisian' so I went for a very stereotypical outfit. Black, stripes and a touch of red with the bag and scarf. This is the first time I've worn the scarf. I won it last year actually, in a goodie bag giveaway on Sam's blog. I had wanted to wear it with stripes so this was perfect.

I really like the cropped blazer too - it's a very cosy piece. The autumn weather is setting in now in Brisbane so a jacket is needed on the early morning commute to work.

The dress I love, a great wardrobe basic that's worked well before, during and after pregnancy. This is the first time I've worn it without a belt though. I didn't want to add too much with the scarf and the zip detail on the blazer already.


Despite liking everything individually, when it's grouped together I just really don't like this outfit. I think the combination of the shorter jacket and the unbelted flared dress doesn't work....just not a very flattering outfit.


Last worn: Warehouse cropped blazer, striped dress, ankle strap heelsMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag. First time I've worn the scarf.

Other ways to wear: cropped blazer with printed dresses, striped dress with pink accessories and a baby bellyankle strap heels and a pencil skirt, red bag with more striped outfits and a third trimester baby bump.









What I wore:

Corporate style sequins for office wear coral tank pencil skirt, metallic jacquard jacket

Away From Blue Handbag Blogger Marc by Marc Jacobs Lil Ukita Rock Lobster
Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace (new purchase) layered with Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace
TankJeanswest 'Darcy' embellished top in Winter coral
SkirtAsos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Wittner 'Lumen' heel in patent leather
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster

Why I wore it:

The style prompt for the day was 'shiny sparkly', so just like I did last time this came up as a challenge, I wore my pretty sequin tank. This tank is one of the pieces I had to justify keeping during my wardrobe detox. I insisted it looked good on me and I wanted to keep it, ha! When I put it on to demonstrate this, the stylist was unimpressed as it looks terrible untucked on my petite frame. but ever since I tried tucking it in, I've loved wearing it. I've even used it to successfully disguise a second trimester baby bump in the office! The stylist relented and let me keep it in the end, and we threw out the next 3 tops she looked at instead. A good compromise!

As this is the second time I've worn my jacket since I bought it, and I'm reviewing all my new purchases on their second wear to see if they are winners, my purchase review:

I am glad I bought this jacket. I had wanted it for a while, but waited for a sale and then waited too long and it was sold out in my size. When I found it in the Jeanswest outlet I knew I had to take it home! It is really similar to some boucle jackets from Zara I owned...so I got rid of the blue and red tweed blazers to make room in my wardrobe for this, and I don't regret it.
The only downside is that it has got a zipper detail on the sleeves that makes it impossible to type with at work, as the large zipper pulls hit on the desk and keyboard and make so much noise! I remembered this from the first wear though and put a pashmina in my bag for when I got cold at the office without the jacket, and it worked out much better. As autumn draws to a close I'll be wearing scarves more often so it won't matter so much that I have to take the jacket off when I'm at my desk. So although it's not a perfect purchase, as I bought it intending to wear it often to work, I'm happy with it and happy to 'work around' the distracting noise it makes!


Last worn: Jeanswest jacquard jacket, sequin detail tank, Asos grey pencil skirt, nude heelsMarc By Marc Jacobs Ukita bag.

Other ways to wear: jacquard jacket with a printed dress, sequin tank with striped maxi skirtnude patent heels with a printed skirt, red bag with a black lace pencil skirt.




Linking up with What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday, Because Shanna Said So, Style Me WeeklyCappuccino and Fashion, Get Your Pretty On, Budgeting Bloggers, Style Me Wednesday, Oh hey girl, The Wednesday Pants, Trendy Wednesday, Brilliant Blog PostsFashion Files, Look What I GotThrowback Thursday, What I Wore to Work, Fun Fashion Friday today.


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43 comments:

  1. 2 wonderful and chic work looks. Love the red bag so much. I also love your blazers and fun top. =)

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    1. Obsessed with red lately too! Such a strong color! It looks absolutely fantastic with your Parisienne look, Mica! And your boucle jacket was wonderful catch, it reminds me a lot of Chanel! Beautiful, dear!!

      JOURNAL OF STYLE

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    2. thanks! it does have a very Chanel tweed blazer-ish look to it! :)

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  2. I love it both.
    Super pretty outfit.
    XO

    Check my new post.
    The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin

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  3. I love the first style! It is very Parisian. The crop jacket is just too cute.

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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  4. Hi Mica,
    This is my first ever visit to your blog. Love it!!! I agree about the striped dress and short blazer outfit. Nothing you wear matters when you are carrying THAT bag!!!! It is stunning! Please drop by www.flatbummum.com on Fridays to share your style posts in my Weekend Link up. Bron x

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  5. Great vid! I really do love to see what you put together you are always so stylish :) This dress is so stunning and looks amazing on you and I really like the texture of the cardi in the second look x

    Florals&Smiles
    Twitter

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  6. I agree with you Mica, the first look, all of the items are marvellous, just not together.
    If I had to remove anything from it - i'd be the jacket.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lorena! I really think a different jacket would have helped :)

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  7. I'm definitely getting a Parisian vibe from your first look! I love how you picked up the color of the bag with the scarf

    COOCOO FOR COCO

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  8. Love the first look and especially that crisp, polished blazer!

    Jen
    www.lifeunrefined.com

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  9. I love both outfits, although I believe that the bag goes better with the first one. It's such an amazing bag!

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  10. A huge part about why I like your blog so much is your ability to critique yourself. I love how honest you are and I'm sure no one would argue with that. When it comes to the first outfit, how about losing the scarf, adding a belt, and maybe two long stacked necklaces? I know you have a grabby baby right now, so that may not be the best idea. But for a day at the office, I think that would look lovely!

    That jacket in the second post is so cute. It doesn't look quite as boxy as most tweed. Dont get me wrong, I love the look, but every time I try on tweed it's just too stiff for my likely. I feel ya with the zippers. I rarely wear bracelets to work for the same reason. Oh and totally glad you kept that top. I too am finding baggy tops that I should have gotten rid of, are working nicely tucked in. (:

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    Replies
    1. thanks Kiki! :) I think I'll try it with some layered necklaces next time! You're right I should take advantage of all the extra accessorising I can do when I'm in the office and not spending time with a grabby baby haha. I'll just maybe skip the jangly bracelets ;)

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  11. I do like the idea of that stripped dress with a simple blazer but you are right. Perhaps a non cropped version and a different cut around the waist would look more flattering? But I do love a nice bright red bag!

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    Replies
    1. Yep, I definitely think a longer blazer would have worked better! :)

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  12. Love both looks!! You're making me want some new skirts! I hardly have ANY!!! XO~ Casey @ A Little Bit of Cheer

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  13. You got some adorable pieces this month! Great thrifted finds. What a valuable style session to help you notice what items you are lacking in your wardrobe. Those black jeans look perfect. It'll feel good to get rid of your ill-fitting ones I'm sure!

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    Replies
    1. It was a great session, I feel much better about my wardrobe now! :D

      I got rid of so many pairs of jeans already, I felt a little bad about buying more but I've donated so much!

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  14. lovely haul video...I'm thinking about what the stylist said to you...about the need for plain tips in different colours...I do agree with that. Great purchases btw...I really like that navy polka dot shirt dress...and the yellow tank top is really cute.

    Both outfit are fantastic, but the first one really stole my heart. I absolutely loved your interpretation of Parisian style...the scarf is so right on! Great heels, bag and dress...the cropped jacket really finishes the look nicely. You look very professional but still feminine...and very pretty, tres chic and dressed up but not over the top! (that was a lot of adjectives:) but I think they were appropriate...and it goes without saying that the colour combo is perfect- red, white and blue- that's always tres chic<3

    http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. thank you Ivana! I'm glad you liked the outfit, even if I thought the proportions were a little off :)

      I think most wardrobe needs lots of nice plain tops that can be worn with everything - but I didn't have many of them in my wardrobe, definitely a gap!

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  15. I really love that first outfit! Probably because I too have worn a striped dress with edgy blazer recently haha :)

    ~Sarah of Sarah's Real Life, fellow Budgeting Blogger

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  16. I love the rock lobster red Marc Jacobs bag! Paired with the stripey dress this outfit definitely looks Parisian chic! Love it!

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  17. Both outfits look nice. I love how you styled that bag in these 2 outfits. Great haul as well. Love those pieces!!!

    Have a great day!

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA
    www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

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  18. Really love that scarf on you! You're so good at curating an excellent wardrobe!

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    Replies
    1. haha thank you! I'm learning as I go :)

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  19. Such a great bag! I like the first look!
    Love Lynda
    http://fashion-petite.blogspot.com/

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  20. LOVE that red bag! Both outfits are cute but my favorite is the first one! That striped dress with the cropped jacket is fabulous!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  21. Love the striped dress, it's such a great piece! Of course the red bag is fabulous too!

    Brooke
    pumps and push-ups

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  22. Gorgeous bag, you look so chic. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts

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  23. I really enjoy watching the video, Mica! It's an interesting change compared to just seeing photos. Great job, dear! xoxo

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    1. Thanks Shirley! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

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  24. Love those pretty jackets, and the pop of color with that beautiful bag!

    God bless,
    XO, Claire
    Http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.blogspot.com

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  25. Your scarf looks great! And I love the choice of bag...looks so sweet. And shoes are lovely!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  26. I'm loving your jacket collection Mica. That jacket with the striped dress is just too cute. I love how it's cropped and the dress is longer. Very chic indeed! I can't wait to see that new polka dot dress. So cute! That red bag looks chic with both outfits.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kim! The jackets will be coming out to play more now as we start to head into winter!

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  27. I love your stripes and the colors incorporated! Stripes are probably one of my favorite staple items in my closet.

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  28. thank you all for your kind comments - and suggestions on different things to try with the first outfit :) Really appreciated! :)

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  29. You look stunning in those looks! I've got to head out to the gym to regain my pre-bany body if I'm to ever wear such stunning outfits again! Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. It takes a while to work off the baby weight, don't be too hard on yourself! :)

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  30. Both looks are great Mica! I always love a good stripe dress, they seem to go with everything.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

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