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      the color lab blog — colorful closet series

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      Colorful Closets: Beyond the Lounge - Sweatshirt Style

      Colorful Closets: Beyond the Lounge - Sweatshirt Style

      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.

      Colorful Tops

      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:

       

       Colorful Closets - Sweatshirt Styleboard 1

      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

       

      The Color Lab Shop

       

      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:

      Colorful Closets: Sweatshirt Styleboard 2

       

       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:

      Colorful Closets - Sweatshirt Collage

      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!

      Love, Juliet

       

       

       

       

      Bloomingdale's

      Colorful Closet: Why Wide Leg Pants Should Be A Staple in Your Fall Wardrobe

      Colorful Closet: Why Wide Leg Pants Should Be A Staple in Your Fall Wardrobe

       

      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

       

      Juliet in Wide Leg Pants | The Color Lab Blog

       

      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!

       

      Juliet in Lou and Gray Wide Leg Pants

      {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!

       

      JulIet in Lou and Gray Wide Leg Pants Set

      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

       

      Macys.com

       

      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!

       

      Wide Leg Pants Product Board | The Color Lab Blog

       

      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!

      Love, Juliet

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Bloomingdale's

      Colorful Closet: Why I'll Be Wearing Lots Of Colorful Dresses This Summer

      Colorful Closet: Why I'll Be Wearing Lots Of Colorful Dresses This Summer

      I'll be wearing lots of dresses this Summer. It's not a fashion statement or a trend alert, my dear friends.

      Let me explain.

      One unseasonably warm day a couple of months ago, I was inspired to get a head start on changing over my thick, loungy, Lou & Gray sweatpant set-heavy wardrobe to my lighter, J. Crew t-shirt, shorts and Old Navy swing dress outfits. I went deep into my closet abyss and what I found was unsettling.

      image above: Juliet in J. Crew Brocade Sheath Dress (no longer available but adore this similar one) Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

      Way in the back on a long forgotten rack were tons of brightly colored dresses. From dressy to casual, it was all there. Dresses I'd bought years ago, some dated back to 2010. And there was one thing they all had in common.

      The price tags were still attached.

      Juliet's Spring Dresses with Price Tags

      Finding one or two items each season may be acceptable but the haul I found could fill a small boutique. These "vintage" (my definition = items older than 10 years) finds were still in fantastic shape - no fading or moth holes. They were all in the same condition they were when I bought them.

      I toyed with the idea of actually opening a virtual dress shop (Atelier Juliet?) but what I quickly realized is that I still loved almost every dress I found, they were all quite wearable and remarkably, most were still in very much in style.

      Since we seem to be headed in the direction of our lives returning to some sort of normalcy, as vaccines for COVID become more available and some restrictions are being eased, my hope is that as the weather gets warmer, I will be more comfortable getting back to doing the types of activities that used to mean dressing up for the occasion. Or just dressing.

      Juliet in vintage Spring dresses from her closet

      (left) Juliet in Polka Dot Tunic Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer available but here's a style I LOVE, Bag: Gifted (similar style here), Shoes: vintage Nine West (no longer sold), (right) Sweater Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer being sold but I love with the print on this one), Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

      So while I won't be shopping for new clothes anytime soon, perhaps you will be. Maybe you already have weddings to attend, in-person meetings or dinner parties on your calendar. Or perhaps you'll be like me and take any opportunity I can find to put on something other than the wide leg pants I've come to adore and the long sleeve stretch t-shirts that have become my daily uniform.

       

      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!

       

      Elizabeth Arden Free 6 Piece Gift with any $37.50 Arden Purchase! $91 Value! Valid 6/16-7/6

       

      I've collected some of the prettiest, brightly colored dresses (available in lots of sizes and price points) in vibrant solids and fabulous prints that I could find to give you some options for whatever chance you may have, casual or formal, to show a little or a lot leg! Shop my finds below!

       

       

       

       

      1.  Kobi Halperin Sophie Printed A Line Dress

      2.  Johnny Was Cabot Mixed Print Silk Dress - out of stock but this one and this one are lovely as well

      3.  MICHAEL Michael Kors Chain-Print Fit & Flare Dress - sold out but here's a cute one.

      4.  Lauren Ralph Laren Ruffled Georgette Dress

      5.  Ramy Brook Olsen Rainbow Cable Knit Maxi Dress

      6.  Tadashi Shoji Cap Sleeve Lace Gown

      7.  Tommy Hilfiger Cotton Polo Dress - almost sold out of most sizes. Here's an alternative.

      8.  Kasper Sleeveless Sheath Dress - sold out but this one's a goodie! 

      9.  Calvin Klein Cotton Chambray Maxi Dress - no longer available but I love this one too.

      10.  A.L.C. Mischa Cotton Printed Midi Dress

       

      I hope you have fun shopping for Summer looks this year and until next time....

      May your life be filled with COLOR!

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

        

       

        

       

      Hanes.com

      Colorful Closet: Seasonless Slip Dresses

      Color Craze: Seasonless Slip Dresses - JulRe Designs LLC

      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!

      Cushnie x Target Slip Dress | The Color Lab Blog

      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)

       

      The MET

       

      Cushnie x Target Slip Dress | The Color Lab Blog

      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 

       

      Lou and Gray Slip Dress, Uniqlo Cropped Hoodie, Nine West Booties | The Color Lab Blog

      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

       

      Mother's Day Sale! Extra 25% Off With Code MOM! Shop now at Macys.com! Valid 5/4 through 5/9

       

       

      Here are a few more slip dresses I adore:

      TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

       

      TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

       

       

      TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress 

      TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress

       

      VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress 

      VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress - Nordstrom

       

      BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress - Macy's

       

      BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress 

       

      MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress - Macy's

       

      MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress

       

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

      Love, Juliet

       

       

      Bloomingdale's

      Color Collective: 10 Links to News & Hues, Vol. 9

      Color Collective: 10 Links to News & Hues, Vol. 9

      I missed posting your links last week but I'm trying to make up for it with this week's really special ones. Enjoy!

      • Which major fashion brand do you think is at the forefront of using plant-based materials for some of its products? The answer may surprise you. (DesignTaxi)
      • These exercises DO help strengthen your core and if a flatter tummy is a side benefit, I'll take it! (Prime Women)
      • I recently did some Spring dress shopping - in my closet! I'm just a bit embarrassed by what I found. (The Color Lab Blog)
      • As a Marvel fan, this interview with the creator and showrunner for the newest Avengers action series on Disney+, was revealing and very relevant in our current times. (Polygon)
      • Reading glasses are a necessity for many of us and the search for colorful and fashionable ones is over. I'm head-over-heels in LOVE with these. (CADDIS)
      • A toast to these 10 Black women who are successfully distilling spirits in the male dominated industry. (Thrillist)
      • Get 20% OFF my favorite glow-inducing body oil with code 'GLOWROSE' until 3/21/2021! (Gem Luxe Beauty)

       

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

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

       

       FROM OUR PARTNERS

      CADDIS: Reading glasses that don't suck. For people who own their age. FREE U.S. shipping. Get older. Own it. See stuff. caddislife.com

       

       

      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!