mixing styles with banana republic
the name of the game this week is mixing styles and fashion flexibility. yesterday, i featured lightweight summer cargo pants from Talbots that are easy and breezy to wear. today, i’m featuring another pair of cargo pants this time from Banana Republic. in this day and age, we want to get the most out of our wardrobe, and mixing styles is a great way to do it.
mixing styles and fashion flexibility with banana republic
way back in the 1990s and 2000s Banana Republic was the IT brand that always had the coolest and chicest items on hand. but somewhere along the line, they lost their footing and their focus and veered away from classic items with a twist. that’s when J.Crew stepped in with Jenna Lyons at the helm and wonder-boy CEO Mickey Drexler guiding her behind the scenes. for over a decade J.Crew could do no wrong and was regularly worn by the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama or the Duchess of Cambridge. one thing to remember from Jenna Lyons’s tenure at J.Crew was how adept she was at mixing styles. it became hip to wear sequins for day and a jean jacket for the evening. the concept flipped traditional style rules on their head and we’ve been going strong ever since. in all fairness, Sharon Stone led the way in 1998 when she donned that gorgeous Vera Wang lilac satin skirt and crisp white button-down from Gap for an outing to the Academy Awards.
pants | similar top | sandals | denim jacket | similar handbag | similar bracelets | earrings
cargo pants revisited
so in keeping with mixing styles, i decided to start with satin cargo pants and pair it with a simple leopard top (similar here and here). both are from Banana Republic. the top was purchased this past weekend at a Banana Republic store but i couldn’t find it online. not to worry as Banana has lots and lots of leopard tops to choose from. the pants are dressy without going over the top and can easily be dressed down for day. sizing on the pants run tight around the waist so consider sizing up. i am wearing my typical size 8 and they just fit.
pants | similar top | sandals | denim jacket | similar handbag | similar bracelets | earrings
can you believe Georgia started off Tuesday with temps in the low sixties? it was glorious. those are the days when a jacket is required. so why not choose a white denim jacket? it’s a great alternative to the traditional jean jacket.
Hi Beth! Love the leopard look, especially the smaller prints. This top is so chic for warmer weather, and with the Jean jacket too. Talbots has a beautiful leopard shirt for early Fall. Can’t wait to pair it with skinnier pants. Did you cut your hair short again?
the hair is back to a shorter ‘do’ and i’m loving it!
May I ask where your sunglasses are from ? They look fab on you!
thank you! i love these sunglasses that my son introduced me to. the company is Garret Leight. here’s a link:
https://bit.ly/31junqZ
How do you keep your arms so toned?
aren’t you sweet?! the arms are slowly getting toned again. i workout 4 to 5 times a week. and my arms get a workout with weights no matter if i’m at Pilates, on the Peloton or areobic weight training.
Oh, my! LOVE this look! I can relate! You’re gorgeous again from head to toe. Very inspiring. I own a very light soft blush-colored jean jacket that just might work for this look with a light animal print. Also want to share that your new haircut motivated me to get mine a bit shorter at yesterday’s visit. Looking fresh again! Thank you, Beth!~
I Love the new haircut and it has me fired up to go get mine cut. I tell myself I’m fine with hair longer but then I see you and think how fresh and moving forward it looks.
The thing about a pair of black pants you love is they always work. Chambray shirt, leopard, white silk, they just work.
What fun to realize all these pieces already are in my closet! I immediately re-created your chic look and have felt confident and pulled together all day. My sleeveless animal print is a Chico’s No-Iron Linen (love them!). White jean jacket, also Chico’s, is extraordinarily versatile. Black capris with slight flare and seamstress detailing at the bottom, from Soft Surroundings. Cole Haan strappy black patent sandals. Wide black bracelet, artisan made, and hoops. Viola’! Now for somewhere to go. Happy day! Thanks for sparking my lightbulb moment, Beth. ~