Today’s Outfit Idea: The Cute & Cozy Cowl Neck

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 love cowl-neck sweaters. They’re feminine and visually interesting, but the added material on the neck and chest can keep you oh-so-toasty. It’s always a struggle to balance feminine styles with practical comfort, but cowl-neck sweaters are usually soft, form-fitting blessings from the Goddess of All That Is Warm. So here’s what’s in my closet today:

· Cowl-neck Sweater: Mine is a rich eggplant purple, with full sleeves (the better to cozy up in). There’s an extremely subtle pattern going on in the stitching: the hem, cuffs, and neckline are ribbed, which not only translates into a feminine silhouette-hugging fit, but the vertical nature of the ribbing elongates my torso.

· Denim Pencil Skirt: My dark-wash skirt has a classic pencil cut, hitting right at my knee. A denim skirt is a great way to do professional chic, especially for those who may be forced to adhere to the “no jeans” rule in many a workplace. And, besides being versatile (I mean, what can’t you wear with denim?) it’s another fabulous way to wear a feminine look in the winter, since it’s a relatively warm material.

· Accessories: All right, between my dark sweater and my dark skirt, my color palette’s looking a gloomy here, so I’m going to brighten things up a bit. Enter a teal color-and-pattern-blocked scarf. I’ll tuck it under the material of my cowl so that the pieces complement one another (if I were going to cover up the cowl neckline, what would be the point of wearing this sweater?) I’ll add a couple of plastic bangle bracelets that will bring a touch of teal over to my wrist. For a soupçon of shine I’ll finish with a thin, patent leather belt.

· Purse: Soo . . . wow, this scarf really livens things up. OK, I’ll tone things back down with a simple black shoulder-strap handbag. Otherwise people will think I’ve joined the circus.

· SHOES!: I have these great pumps I refer to as my deconstructed saddle shoes. They have a black toe, with white along the sides. They’re subtle, but give one last kick of visual interest.

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

Dressing for work is one thing, but at the end of the day it’s time to play!

Stepping Out Tonight In: Feathers

I’ve always been a fan of feathers in fashion (as a little Fastionista I remember once seeing a feather boa and telling my mom, the Fastionista’s Mamacita, that she should wear it. She gently told me she didn’t think it would work for her). Of course, feathers don’t usually have a big place in office attire, except maybe as part of an accessory or small embellishment. But they certainly can work during cocktail hour! So, maybe boas aren’t so much what you want to wear to the bar/restaurant/nightclub, but something like this skirt from Urban Outfitters would be a great piece (inspired by Dolce & Gabbana’s skirt, possibly?) Because it is a rather bold statement, it’s best paired with monochromatic, understated pieces, like a black sweater or white blouse, and simple accessories. If you like the idea of incorporating feathers, but the skirt’s a little much in your opinion, accessories are the way to go: earrings, headbands, even purses. Have a great night!