Spring Trench + Stripes

J. Crew is on point with their spring jackets; and I'm completely on board (I also love this field jacket that I featured on the blog yesterday)! 

As I get older, I'm starting to realize the phrase "quality over quantity" is truer and truer (you were right after all, mom).  While I still love buying fun trendy pieces, I've come to realize that I need to be smarter in spending my money, and that the bulk of my money spent on my wardrobe should be dedicated to well-fitting, quality pieces that are classic and can be worn for many, many more years.

Enter, this beauty, the J. Crew Factory trench jacket.

Even though April just ended, the weather has been very unpredictable with many cooler and rainier days.  That being said, jackets are still a must even though summer is right around the corner.  I love this timelessness of the trench, and that I can throw it over any outfit (good or lazy...) and still look put together!

Trench: J. Crew (on sale!) || Tee: J. Crew || Jeggings: American Eagle || 

Sneakers: Puma || Crossbody: Banana Republic || Sunnies: aerie || 

Watch: c/o Fossil || Bracelet: J. Crew, clearance find (similar)

The trench is a classic wardrobe staple, that looks awesome thrown over a fun sailor stripe tee and jeans for a chic casual look.  It was perfect for a day of shopping and lunch with my mom!

Speaking of classic investment pieces, how gorge is this Banana Republic cross body (also comes in a nude color) I scored at their sale yesterday (40% off!)?  Every girl needs at least one good leather bag in her style arsenal for a quick polished look.

What are your classic wardrobe staples?  :)

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Weekend Chic

Yesterday I talked about how at the end of the week, I like to dress down, but still remain chic; however, that feeling usually only lasts one day, lol.  About 98% of the time I prefer to be dressed up, no matter what, but that doesn't mean that I'm uncomfortable.  Since I started really getting into fashion because of my Insta and this blog, I've been able to figure out how to be dressed up without feeling uncomfortable and restricted.

One happy medium is through denim.  Jeans are created in such a wide variety of styles that it's super easy to dress up and down a single pair of jeans without breaking your budget.  I practically live in these American Eagle ripped jeans, because they look expensive, but are perfect, under $60, and are super comfortable.

Blazer Cape: Romwe || Bow Tie top: Banana Republic (similar for $35 here) || 

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters || Flats: Charlotte Russe, old (similar here) || 

Bag: Marshalls (this BP. bag has a similar vibe!) || Hat: aerie || 

Sunnies: Wish app (free to download the app!; similar here) || Watch: c/o Fossil || 

Bracelet: gorjana; c/o Rocksbox subscription (use code classicallycaitxoxo to get your first month FREE!)

This Romwe blazer cape (see how I styled it with my fave stripe tee, here; it's under $30!) is perfect for a casual chic vibe; the sleeveless, cape gives you the nonchalant blazer-thrown-over-the-shoulder look, without the effort of trying to keep your jacket on your shoulders without it slipping off every two minutes.  Definitely a classic piece that's a must-have for any fashionista's closet!

And paired with this Banana Republic neck-tie top, it's the perfect blend of menswear inspired weekend wear.  AKA: cool girl chic (and yes I've come to realize I use the term "cool girl chic" a lot; but seriously, isn't that what any fashionista strives for?) *high five*.

What's your favorite way to dress up your weekend wear? :)

WIWW Link-Up: Safari Meets City Girl

The last couple of days have been pretty icky with all the rain, and today it was just plain chilly. Isn't it almost summer?  Shouldn't it be sunny and warm?

Since it was colder than it's been lately, I decided to layer up.  It seems like a lot of times I'll go into work dressed for one type of weather, and then when I leave, the weather is changed completely!

Yesterday I picked up this safari shirt from Banana Republic (on sale, right meow!).  I didn't plan on buying anything at the mall, but when I saw this shirt (on sale, 40% off!) I just knew it would be an awesome staple piece (gotta give my chambray a break sometime, right?) and I knew I could style it so many different ways.

I don't know why, but whenever I buy something, I feel the need to wear it right away.  It's the same feeling I get when I order something online, and then the impatience that follows until whatever I ordered comes in the mail.  So I decided pair it with another new staple that I just added to my wardrobe.

I don't dress too fancy for work because I work at a library, and I'm constantly running around, shelving books, cleaning up, etc; but I still like dressing up instead of going into work in jeans, a tee and sneakers.  Most of the time I'm dressing up a cute pair of pants simply because it's more practical.  But every once in a while I'll break out a skirt or a dress that I really love.

I just bought this J. Crew scallop dress during the Memorial Day weekend sales for an engagement party that Richie and I will be attending later in the month.  But I love the color and shape (um, the scallops?  So cute!) so much that I wanted to wear it before the party.

I love layering statement necklaces with more dainty ones.  It's not so overwhelming or heavy, which is great for the summertime (heat+anything heavy around your neck= straight up misery).

*Get my sweetheart necklace, here, at BipAndBop, an awesome Etsy shop!*

And no outfit is complete without a little arm candy, am I right?  A "chunky" watch and bracelet is just enough of a statement without filling up your whole arm with bracelets (which is a big ol' pain in the butt if you work at a library)!

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Gracefully Made