Today’s Outfit Idea: A Close-Knit Trio

All right, all you ladies who push your style aside because you’re too dang busy just trying to get your kids or your partner or yourself out the door in the morning – the Fastionista is here to ease your style fear.

I’m going to a casual function after work, so even though daytime temps are still on the warmer side, I’ll need something that can easily make the transition from day to cooler evening. Plus, layered knitwear is trending right now (no surprise for the winter: it’s warm, elastic, durable, and comes in just about any adorable style you can imagine), so taking all of this into consideration, here’s what’s in my closet today:

· Color Block Knit Dress: The really awesome thing about color blocking is that it can be super slimming. My long-sleeved sweater dress is blue with black, vertical color blocks on either side. Vertical lines always elongate the body, and having the darker shade outside of the lighter makes it look like I’m about half the width I actually am.

· Knit Sweater Stockings: I’m not usually a fan of stockings or leggings that have patterns going through them, especially for work—it just doesn’t feel as professional as I usually like to be. But these tights have a black-on-black pattern that’s super subtle, and the knit texture works perfectly with the dress I’m wearing (these tights may be too heavy in texture and style to work with anything but a sweater dress). They’ll keep my legs warm, but still fashionable when 5 o’clock hits.

· Black Knit Shrug: Matching my completer piece to my other pieces will really tip this outfit from office casual to office professional, because in matching these pieces I’m mimicking the feel of a fashion-forward suit. The shrug is a very simple way to pull an outfit together, and is a nice alternative to more standard completer pieces.

· Accessories: My midsection feels a little vulnerable right now because the knit dress adheres to my figure, and my cropped completer piece (unlike a structured cardigan, blazer, or belted trench) doesn’t cover anything at my waist. I don’t have a whole lot of bulgies, but I’m such a sucker for the streamlined look that it’ll bug me if I don’t do something about my belly. Enter a wide black belt with silver buckle. The belt has some elasticity to it so that it will stay in place over my dress even without belt loops, but it’s loose enough to do the job I need it to without squinching my midsection and creating even more bulgies. It meets the hem of my shrug perfectly, creating that silhouette I want. As far as my other accessories go, I’m going to use those only after quitting time (my tights are sort of an accessory in and of themselves). A gray chunky knit scarf and matching gloves will complete my knitwear extravaganza.

· Purse: I’ve got a whole lot of black and gray going on in this outfit; sometimes it just seems to work out that way. So I’ll use my purse as a way to complement the blue in my dress, and carry a bright red satchel with a blue fabric line of detail and gold fixtures.

· SHOES!: Ankle boots are the style to go with, because the heavier tights won’t work well with a delicate flat or pump, but I also don’t want a full boot to cover up my legs. So I’ll wear heeled faux suede ankle boots that match the blue in my dress.

Voila! There you have it: great fashion fast. And you, gorgeous lady, are ready to take on the world, Fastionista Style!

Be ahead of the trend and work these styles into your ensemble before they hit the mainstream.

Today’s Trend: What a Lovely Accent

Accent pieces are big this season, and I don’t just mean that metaphorically. Chunky, geometric jewelry, attention-grabbing hats, and high, bright-colored heels are warming up winter. If you haven’t jumped into this trend yet, I invite you to play around with it, but also work in a few pre-fall tidbits while you’re at it. Go for a smaller but sharp-angled handbag or clutch that has a horizontal line print or stripes running through it (the smaller, sharper bags are starting to come en vogue now; the lines are very much pre-fall). Or try on a pair of pumps in the pre-fall colors of rust red or shiny, deep gray. The right accents, from accessories to shoes to handbags, can transform a few separate garments into a bona fide outfit, so remember to treat the extras with as much attention as you do your main pieces.