10.20.2011

{ versioning } black skirt / white shirt

as i get a little older (and a LOT busier), my style seems to be getting more streamlined and defined. along the way, i've come to understand the value of truly great basics, and on mornings when i'm pressed for time, a black skirt + white shirt combo never fails me. i love that the look can be taken in so many different directions! here are a few iterations that i hope might inspire you to think of ways to elevate your own plain jane faves:

VERSION I // ruffled blouse + leather skirt
{ elizabeth + james sunnies, self-made necklace, theory blouse, h+m skirt (recently seen HERE), marc by marc jacobs clutch, stuart weitzman shoes }




VERSION II // man's shirt + fringed skirt
{ lanvin for h+m sunnies, american apparel shirt, (borrowed from the boys), vintage embroidery-turned-brooch, coach classics bag, primary skirt, banana republic socks, corello shoes }



VERSION III // polo shirt + knit skirt
{ vintage yves saint laurent sunnies from ebay, american apparel polo shirt (as above, it's from the men's department), zara skirt (i'm also lusting after THIS SIMILAR STYLE), vintage studio ferre belt, michael kors watch, banana republic socks, loeffler randall boots }



87 comments:

Joy said...

Love the different subtle variations.

Chic In Vancity said...

Absolutely fabulous! Love the outfits!! :)
Bella xo
http://www.chicinvancity.com/

Asia said...

Thanks for this post I have to adopt some of these variations into my own wardrobe. Very inspiring!!

jas said...

beautiful! the first look is my fave

http://jas-tidbits.blogspot.com/

Julie Khuu | Haute Khuuture said...

You look awesome!! Even when pared down, always so glam! Such easy combinations, seems so easy to pull off an entire week of b/w!...I may just be inspired for my next post :D Thx Kelly!

xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!

www.Hautekhuuture.com

SWK said...

The Theory blouse is my fav. Although the men's shirt (last pic) looks great on you!

Raspberry Jam said...

Love the skirts!

http://sweetraspberryjam.blogspot.com/

Bri said...

Love the different directions of each black and white outfit, but especially love the first version with the leather skirt which is unexpected but a super fun take on a classic black and white outfit!

thepinkmateproject said...

these are great inspirations! I've always been a fan of black & white outfits! so crisp and chic!

vanessa

http://thepinkmateproject.blogspot.com/

Sarah Newman said...

I love the black and white! Such simple colors and so beautiful!

-S

www.whitelikesage.com

Dani said...

Wow, love the details of the first blouse!!! <3

xxDani

www.mystylesmysmiles.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Love the black and white combinations!

xx Olga
La Petite Olga

Bridg said...

love all of these, great combinations! love the Zara skirt & ruffled blouse in particular :)

B xx

www.phoandchips.com

Anonymous said...

amazing combinations!
<3

Fashion Philosophy
www.fashionphilosophy.net

FairyFiligree said...

Basics were the first word of proper style advice I received. Love the combinations which are still so fun!

Kaya said...

Love all the looks you look gorgeous in all of them ^^

Gillian Uang said...

I love this post! :)

http://bydetails.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

loved that fringed skirt, gorgeous

http://www.vasilievablog.com/
x

Ophelia said...

Beautiful skirts!

http://cestlavieophelia.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I prefer the third look !!! U look gorgeous!
Flo
http://politicallyfashionable.com

Eleanor said...

Loving them all!

Deborah said...

I love the second outfit!

Malena said...

Great outfit :) Love each of them!

mariajustjernov said...

the shirt in the first pic is amazing! Love it :)

xoxo
Maria Jernov

www.mariajernov.blogspot.com

Jacqui. Y said...

ahhhhh love this post! Hits the nail right on the head when you talk about the value of great basics. You've put them together so well here! Love the Corello heels!

The Fancy Teacup said...

There's nothing like versatile and timeless closet staples. Such chic b&w attire!

www.TheFancyTeacup.com

Hija @ work said...

so chic and classic indeed. b&w forever!

Clara Turbay said...

Loving the whole outfit!

Sarah Hartley said...

Black and white is my favorite color combination. My favorite is when you mixed in the brown pieces. I love black and brown together. So elegant.
xo,
Sarah
http://comingunstitched.blogspot.com

Katarina Matijević said...

Love that third look!! Great belt!
Following you!
xxx

Closet Fashionista said...

I love all three versions! The first is my favorite :)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

ADJ said...

I am obsessed with the Corello shoes. WOW. amazing.

www.greeneggsandglam.blogspot.com

Shanelé said...

I need a new black skirt and love the first and last ones!

xo
http://shanelesheek.blogspot.com/

Jolie said...

That Zara skirt is supposed to arrive on my porch today!! So affordable and a closet staple!

Emily said...

Inspiring monochrome ideas. I am always a little worried I will look like a waiter - I see if I glam it up with luxe accessories and I won't!

http://ivefallenoutwithmyjeans.blogspot.com/

Jennifer King said...

Great variations, indeed. And while all these looks are just a black skirt and white shirt - to me they look completely different due to the styling, accessories, shoes, etc. It's amazing what we can do with such simple pieces in our closet.

- Jennifer
http://jenniferanneking.blogspot.com/

Lisa Griffin said...

I really love version 2! but this is a great example of elevating basics in funky ways!
www.indramaticfashion.com

Emijaa Jaaemil said...

Love the black and white looks - and I agree - lately i'm learning that the basics are much more important in a wardrobe than tons of items that have no real meaning!

Love your style! Always well put together!

Emijaa Jaaemil
www.emijaajaaemil.com

Anonymous said...

Whenever I'm lost for what to wear I always wear a black skirt and white blouse!

www.chevronsandeclairs.com

April said...

Love this post! The third look is my fav...love the brown accessories in the mix. I have this lovely ruffle black skirt...couldn't think of how to wear it, but now I do! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Love all these looks! The first one is my favorite.

♥ Gina Michele
CrochetClouds.com

Unknown said...

Very cute outfit!! Black & white is one of my favorite color combinations. It's easy but simple & chi at the same time.

stylish fox said...

Amazing and very stylish !

Anonymous said...

You know I was thinking of doing a similar post for my blog!!

Anna Louisa said...

I love this! First and third are my favorites...I'm going to buy a ruffled white blouse this weekend! :)

http://anna-gemutlichkeit.blogspot.com/

Leah said...

Nothing is more classically beautiful than black and white. Love these looks!

xo L.

One Favorite Thing said...

Love the different plays on white blouse with a black skirt. I think it's time I got myself a leather skirt. Thanks for the inspiration!

www.onefavoritething.blogspot.com

ClosetConfections said...

I love all of these, but especially the 1st and last pics. I've struggled with how to make a polo shirt look good for years, and now you've shown me the way, lol!

Closet Confections - A Sweet Little Personal Style Blog

Candice said...

Love em! Especially that last one, how chic! You look ready for a polo match! :)

Unknown said...

great combos! anything black & white is always a go in my book!

xxx
www.ladyalamode.com

signature mix said...

I love that when you stick to simple black and white the details really make the look. The ruffled shirt and the fringed skirt are really exceptional pieces.

Audrey B said...

Black and white is always so chic! I tend to wear that combo constantly! Love all of these! www.casualglamorous.com

Inhale | Fashion and Beauty said...

Love the outfits, you make them rock.
http://inhalefashionandbeauty.blogspot.com/
Inhale|FashionandBeauty

LeeLee said...

Fabulous combinations. Adore all the lovely looks.

Anonymous said...

Wicked and they are amazing garments very clean lines love it
www.rawfashionmagazine.com

Unknown said...

Love them all but the second one is my favorite =)

Raque

ourfavoritestyle.blogspot.com

Smitten4Style said...

fabulous outfits!!! funnily enough i just did a post about black and white...and gold! :)

http://littlethingsthatinspireme.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

you are seriously one of the most beautiful/stylish people i've ever seen! your blog is amazing!!!

Catherine said...

you are making me love black/brown combo, that I usually hate!!! AMAZING girl <3

fashion kats said...

Love the 3 outfits! You make everything looks glamourous!!

www.fashionkats.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Ok! You've inspired me to buy this leather skirt I've been eyeing lol :)

Nene said...

I really really love the first look!!!!

Nene (A princess in the making)

Daisy said...

always so inspiring!
http://vivaladaisy.blogspot.com

411114 said...

thank you for sharing those great and inspiring outfits with us!

lots of love 2 u from munich

cherrybee


http://live-life-cherrybee.blogspot.com/

Molliee said...

I just adore these looks! I think my fave is #2 with the boyfriend shirt!

xoxo
molliee
http://mstwirlyskirts.com

FashionFlirt said...

Yes it absolutely inspired me, thanks for sharing! Three perfect outfits with the same basics but still pretty different :)

Check out my blog:

http://fashionflirtblog.blogspot.com/

kisses from germany
Jasmin

Monroe Steele said...

i need all those shoes

xo Monroe

Fashion Steele NYC

Annie Chang said...

love the accessories!

Bises,
monkeyshines
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/

simone marques said...

Great pictures! So beautiful!
www.simonemarques.com

Unknown said...

Love this outfit - so elegant!
xx

http://ivanakolak.blogspot.com

Teresa said...

Such a great post! I love how you've made really different looks, out of essentially the same items. I also LOVE the shoes in the last outfit!

Unknown said...

Basics really are the key to every look.

I love all 3 of these outfits, all for different occasions, wouldn't be able to choose

www.tripsandtreasures.blogspot.com
fashion & lifestyle in Belgium

Unknown said...

Basics really are the key to every look.

I love all 3 of these outfits, all for different occasions, wouldn't be able to choose

www.tripsandtreasures.blogspot.com
fashion & lifestyle in Belgium

Aubrey and Melissa said...

Such a classic look but each of these is so interesting. Can't get over that first top, the ruffle is so pretty!

Anonymous said...

I can never get over how awesome the Lanvin for H&M sunglasses look on you! Love that Theory blouse.

Caitlin
www.my-grandmothers-gucci.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I like the third option! It's simple but chic, like me! :)

xx Elle from http://talonsetbonbons.blogspot.com/

cambridge satchel company said...

have to say, option 3 gets my heart

Rosa said...

I am dyyying for those boots!! *swoon*

Lauren said...

Really digging versions 2 and 3!
You have awesome style.

nightofbones.blogspot.com

Michelle and Kristina said...

These outfits you put together are perfect. I love them all but my favorite is the first one. I have been searching for a skirt like that. Each one is so classic and chic, love your blog!

MK Style Diaries

Audrey said...

oh I love your style! it is so elegant!

ROWE

Michelle Lee said...

love both!

www.pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

It looks like photoshop has been applied to your legs in some of the pics. I hope I am wrong.

relish said...

I love the variations and the way you make the classic black and white not so classic by adding your own edge...love your style

http://relisherr.blogpot.com

SymbioticLife said...

You know, I first came across your blog on Glamour.com and loved your style so much, I had to come follow you here. You always manage to put together such interesting pieces in really stylish ways. None of your outfits are ever boring or plain. It's fantastic.

Carolin said...

Your style have just become so weird. I loved your longer hair and your chic clothes, but now you look like a 40 years old lady who wants to be a school girl from time to time.
Please move back to your older fashion personality.

kristina@beancakes ★ said...

ah! i just LOVE your boots!!
xx ~ ks