the color lab blog — casual outfits

Spring is here (insert happy face emoji) and I'm reminded that the season truly and completely owns one whole color in the spectrum. That color is GREEN. Inevitably, when the season rolls in, I see everything in those fresh shades as it’s a signal in nature that warmer weather is here.

I love the color so much because it signifies an abundant life in harmony, and supremely good health - all ways that I try to live my life every day. My adoration of the hue extends into my business with our company's foundational logo of four ombre green leaves, each representing a part of the foundation of our organization's core values: a passion for color, a love of design, respect for our community and a commitment to service to others.



I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

Shop My Sunglasses: top row, middle row, bottom row

Of course, my obsession with green wouldn't be a real thing if it didn't carry over to my wardrobe. I think it’s an incorrect assumption that this lively color can only be worn by a few. There’s a shade for everyone! It’s such a fun and energizing color for me that when I put it on, it's hard not to smile! And colorful accessories, like the 10 pairs of sunglasses I found are an easy way to wear the color to make a dynamic impact with any outfit. And adding almost any shade of green will take your OOTD to certainly not-at-all-boring levels. Find all of my fabulous eyewear finds below and happy shopping!

1.  Haskell Sunglasses in Aloe Crystal - Warby Parker

2.  EMPORIO ARMANI Women's Sunglasses, EA4162 55 - Macy's

3.  GloFX Color Therapy Glasses - Amazon

4.  Ada Sunglasses in Forest Green - Warby Parker

5.  Beale Sunglasses in Rosemary Crystal - Warby Parker

6.  BOTTEGA VENETA Women's Square Sunglasses - Bloomingdales

7.  OLIVER PEOPLES Melery Square Sunglasses, 54mm - Bloomingdales (out of stock but love these as well.)

8.  LifeArt Oversize Polarized Sunglasses - Amazon

9.  FEISEDY Classic Women Sunglasses - Amazon

10.  VERSACE Sunglasses, VE4361 53 - Macy's

Until next time, may you live a life filled with color!

I live in sweatshirts. Even before the pandemic, I'd perfected my work at home style and included a vast array of joggers and wide leg sweatpants plus coordinating sweatshirts in ALL the colors.

But as we have begun to come out from hiding a bit more, I figured I had to find some way to utilize the comfort and ease of sweatshirts for even the dressiest of occasions.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

Since I'm still on my hiatus from purchasing new clothes (it's so hard!), I've had to become a bit creative with what I do with what already exists in my closet. I've found that styling my sweatshirts is actually very easy!

If you look at these versatile tops just like you would any other blouse, sweater or cardigan, it makes putting together unique looks quite simple. I'll admit, you do have to change your view of what a sweatshirt actually is but since they now come in so many styles, prints and colors, it should be a smooth transitional shift to your fashion sensibilities.

For instance, here's a daytime look I styled using a very simple sweatshirt:

SHOP THE LOOK

1.  AMAZON ESSENTIALS Crewneck Sweatshirt

2.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Color Drop Earrings in Toffee Chalcedony and Carnelian

3.  PRADA Round Sunglasses - Bloomingdales

4.  COACH Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag - Bloomingdales

5.  LYSSE Textured Faux Leather Leggings - Bloomingdales

6.  TORY BURCH Jessa Loafer Flats

7.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Color Drop Choker Necklace in Tiger Eye and Sunset Yellow Chalcedony

Using the same sweatshirt in a different color, this is an outfit you might try for a not-so-dressy-not-too-casual Holiday party or date night look:

 SHOP THE LOOK

1.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Vishuddha Earrings

2.  AMAZON ESSENTIALS Crewneck Sweatshirt

3.  SAINT LAURENT Tweed Cap Toe Pumps - Bloomingdales

4.  THE DROP Maya Silky Slip Skirt - Amazon

5.  ETIENNE AIGNER Ella Small Woven Satchel - Bloomingdales

6.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Ella Cuff Bracelet in Black Smoke

I suggest pushing the sleeves up to elbow length and perhaps a casual tuck in to the waist of either of these looks gives them a fresh appeal.

You can also interject a little fun into your sweatshirt collection! Tie-dye, embroidery, blouson sleeves and fun quotes or sayings are all ways of expressing your individuality with this versatile top.

I've collected a few of my lively faves below for you to shop and get creative with to style your own looks:

SHOP THE STYLEBOARD

1.  POLO RALPH LAUREN Printed Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

2.  WHISTLES Joie Graphic Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

3.  BILLY T Stardust Embroidered Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

4.  SANDRO Sun Graphic Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

5.  STYLE & CO Animal Print Sweatshirt - Macy’s

6.  INC INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS Printed Off-The-Shoulder Sweatshirt - Macy’s

7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Essentials Fleece Sweatshirt - Macy’s

8.  RBX Fleece Pullover Sweatshirt - Amazon

9.  EYTINO Color-block Tie Dye Sweatshirt - Amazon

So there you have it - sweatshirt style that's fun, easy and ready for your action-packed life or the one where lounging is the primary activity!

Until next time, may your life be filled with COLOR!

Palazzo, pajama or bell bottom? It doesn't matter what you call them because wide leg pants are the answer to the comfort conundrum. I'm reluctant to stuff myself into anything called "skinny" or things that fit tight and snug anymore. Except leggings, but that's another blog post. I'm happiest when I'm loose and free and can bend down without my pants feeling like painful sausage casings. 

{Image above} Juliet is wearing: Leopard Sweater by J. Crew Merchantile and Pants by J. Crew Collection: (both no longer available but similar ones here and here | Shoes: Nine West (no longer available but love these | Earrings: Custom by JulRe Designs

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

{Image above} Juliet is wearing: Cropped Hoodie by Uniqlo (out of stock but similar style here | Pants: Lou & Grey | Sneakers: Keds | Hoop Earrings: (gifted but similar ones here) | Handbag: Gifted | Custom Earrings: JulRe Designs

A friend complained that fuller pants made her look larger. They might, in some cases but that's a small sacrifice when you no longer wish to be tied to trends that don't allow you to function as a movable human being. I'd rather look a bit fuller than to feel constricted and uncomfortable. Comfort first!

Image above: Juliet is wearing: Teddy Coat by Zara (no longer available but similar style here | Sweatshirt and Pants: Lou & Grey | Handbag: old but love this one | Boots: Nine West | Custom Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio

While I understand that the voluminous silhouette may not be everyone's fit choice at first, consider that the fashion world has made some very chic and polished versions along with styles that are in soft, creamy, loungy fabrics so your styling options are vast. 

So get loose, be free and check out some of my favorite wide leg pants below!

1.  Karen Kane Printed Wide Leg Pants - SOLD OUT. Love these!

2.  Coolibar Enclave Wide Leg Pants

3.  Lauren Ralph Lauren Wide-Leg Satin Pants - a different style here.

4.  AQUA Ribbed Wide Leg Slit Pants - This option is fab!

5.  Alice & Olivia Athena Printed Wide Leg Pants - This print is no longer being sold but I adore this style.

6.  DKNY Striped Pull On Pants - No longer available. These work wonderfully for Fall.

7.  AMiERY Comfy Casual Pajama Pants

8.  INC Tie-Dye Wide-Leg Sweatpants - SOLD OUT. These are fabulous too!

9.  Adidas Original Primeblue Wide Leg Pants

10.  standards & practices Sophi Cropped Palazzo Pants

11.  Alice & Olivia Dylan High Waist Wide Leg Pants

12.  CULPOS x INC Sequined Wide Leg Pants - No longer available but these are the perfect alternative

Until next time, may your life be filled with color!

I love a good slip dress. Whenever I see a really special one, I grab it. They are so easy to wear, figure flattering and widely size inclusive. Almost every womenswear brand has at least 1 or 2 in their offerings because they have become a classic fashion staple. I think designer Carly Cushnie did them the best so when I was late to the budget-priced and hyper colorful Cushnie x Target collab last Summer, I panicked. Fortunately, I was able to snag 2 lovely slip dresses, that have now become my absolute favorites, before they sold out. I wear both all year-long so instead of packing them away until the next warm weather season like you may be inclined to do, I work them into my wardrobe planning year-round. Scroll down to see all of the ways I make them work for almost every season!

I hope you love the products I recommend! This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer being sold but a similar dress here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Necklace: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West | Hair: Shakeria at NJnaturalstyles Hair Studio

right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (from a few years ago) | Boots: Nine West (available in black only, limited sizes)

left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer available but lots of great styles available here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio

right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (no longer available) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio 

left: Dress: Lou & Grey (gone but here's a goodie!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West

right: Hoodie: Uniqlo (currently not available but this one is fabulous!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Booties: Nine West

Here are a few more slip dresses I adore:

TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress

VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress - Nordstrom

BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress 

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress

Until next time, may your life be filled with an endless stream of COLOR!

Juliet in NIKE Swoosh Sports Bra (a newer version here), FILA SPORT High Waisted Leggings (similar ones here), RYKA Influence Cross Training Shoe (available here)

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

There isn't a color palette more exciting than Neon. Punchy, supersaturated hues never go out of style. From Brilliant Blue to Lime Punch to Super Pink, Neons were created to excite. I'm a child of the 70s and 80s who remembers having fluorescent neon posters and black lights that turned my outrageously loudly colored bedroom into my own personal disco complete with strobe lights and Donna Summer and Chic blasting on my record player. Back then, Neon was on trend and fashion statements in these megawatt colors were made daily. So are you already saying, "There's no way I can wear these hues"? I get it. Today, they get trotted out on the fashion runways every few seasons and as a lover of bright, bold colors, I appreciate that. But my commitment to this palette has been long lasting and I don't fear pushing the color envelope with all of that vibrance.

Pantone Neon Colors

If you dare, start with a little pop of neon with your basic neutrals for everyday. A belt or a purse. Maybe a cute sandal. Or better yet, go all in during your workouts like I do which is a great way to see that there is no need to fear the brightest of brights. There's a Neon shade(s) for everyone!

To help you dabble in the this pa-POW palette, I've assembled some of my favorite activewear that will not only help to elevate your heart rate, wearing Neons may even give you an extra boost of happiness to help you enjoy your workouts as you power through. Shop my 8 activewear finds in hot colors below!

1.  ALEADER Women's Running Shoes - Amazon

2.  GLOBAL BANK Slim Fit Workout Jacket - Amazon

3.  SWEATY BETTY Stamina Longline Sports Bra - Nordstrom (no longer available but here's another good one!

4.  EPIC MMA Gear Yoga Shorts - Amazon

5.  SPIRITUAL GANGSTER Self Love Leggings - Nordstrom (SOLD OUT but LOVE these!)

6.  247 VIZ The Reflective Vest - Amazon

7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Tinted Belt Bag - Amazon

8.  CHAMPION Women's Essential Double Dry V-Neck Tee

Until next time, may your life be filled with joy and color!