No hair news. I’m still rocking the same Chinese bun from Monday, so looks like I’ll be able to stretch wash day to this weekend. So, dun dun dun!!!! Lucky you, you get another OOTD post ;)! *lol*

Today on, “From Shelli’s Closet,” we’re talking layers! So, I’m a big fan of layering. I think it adds personality and interest to otherwise standard office fare and classic pieces. Yesterday, I started with a floral print, button-top jersey knit dress that I picked up from H&M several years ago.

The dress is fine solo and I could have stopped here. But, I love the look of a short sleeve over a longer sleeve, especially with the contrast of a solid against a print. That was the look I was going for here, so I layered a simple and basic short sleeve, scoop neck black sweater (old from Marshall’s) over the floral print dress, allowing the slightly longer sleeves of the under layer to remain exposed.

The two-strand necklace. which I actually looped to make it appear shorter in the pic without the sweater, …

… is allowed to hang at its full length. I then added a second coordinating beaded-strand and the matching earrings (all of which I purchased from Burlington Coat Factory a little over two years ago) to complete the top half of the look.

I debated about wearing my wide patent leather belt with no necklaces, …

… but decided to use the self-belt from the dress over the sweater this time instead.Finally, I added pink round-toe, ankle strap pumps from Parade (awwww, I miss Parade of Shoes terribly … Payless just isn’t cuting it :(.). The pink in shoes picked up on the pink accents in the dress.

However, to tell you the truth, what I really would have loved for this outfit are a pair of camel-colored, round-toe, platform pumps something like these!!

I need to add this basic to my shoe wardrobe! I have a low loafer, high loafer, two pairs of peep-toes and pointy toes in this nude (for browner folk;), camel color. However, no round-toe or round-toe platform. So, I’ll definitely be trying to make this addition to my closets. In case you are wondering why I would wear this color shoe with an essentially black and white outfit, a shoe that closely matches your complexion makes the legs look longer and leaner as they eye doesn’t “break.” The shoe “reads” as a neutral and creates a long line down your exposed leg to your toes due to the skin-tone matching color. I also think it adds a layer of sophistication as it moves a look away from being “matchy matchy.”

On another note, I snagged my last pair of Hue “Rich Pecan” nude* pantyhose with my necklace as I was bending down to set up the mirror for these photos!! I’m mad that Hue doesn’t seem to make these for “us” anymore and I live in an area where they must not think brown folk live!! I can’t find a pair of coffee, pecan, walnut, cinnamon … and whatever else food they call our skin-tones … pantyhose for anything!!

Any suggestions for where I can buy reasonably priced, won’t-run-on-the-first-wear pantyhose in our colors?!?

*Funny side story: I had to explain to a few Caucasian friends that “nude” hose are only nude for THEM. I advised that,
“Nude is not ‘clear.’ So, until it is, if someone of color wears nude hose, we’ll be looking ashy.” It was funny to see the lightbulbs go on!!

Wardrobe Building Tips:
So, I’ll finish this little post with a few tips that I think might be helpful, if you’re trying to figure out how to expand your wardrobe in a way that allows you to mix and match and also add interest to your outfits.

• Shop when you aren’t looking for anything in particular. I almost NEVER find what I want when I want it on “targeted” shopping expeditions. However, when I’m there, just browsing with no goal in mind, I almost always end up with great finds and a cart full of stuff.
• Look for/buy quality, classic and basic pieces that go with many things (i.e., black trousers, A-line skirt and pencil skirt, neutral blazers, solid tanks, short sleeve and long sleeve sweaters and button down shirts/blouses, black, brown and tan/camel pumps, skinny and wide black belts, etc.).
• Look for unique, stand-out pieces that will add interest to your basic pieces (i.e., patterned shoes, non-traditional vests, patterned blazers, items with prints, embroidery, sequins, etc.).
• Try things on in the store before discounting them! There is something to be said for “hanger appeal,” but you may miss out on some great items if you never try anything on and judge everything by how it looks on the hanger.

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Do you like to layer? What are your favorite layered looks?