Credit for these three looks that pair up leopard pants with a little black jacket doesn’t rest with me alone. My initial inspiration came by way of a post that Andrea of Living On Cloud Nine published a couple of weeks ago. In that post, Andrea had re-created a look much like the last one in this post from an image she had pinned on Pinterest. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then I sincerely hope that Andrea is flattered.
Andrea’s blog post couldn’t have been published at a more opportune time for me. On the day that I saw the post, I had worn a rather nondescript outfit to work that might have been a little bit on the frumpy side. At least that was how I felt when two women I know at work stepped into the elevator I was already on to ride up to our respective floors. My outfit of black pull-on pants, loose-fitting white blouse, and floral cardigan paled in comparison to their smartly tailored and neutral-toned ensembles. Fine, whatever.
In an upcoming post, I will share more about that day and the revelation brought about by Andrea’s look. Perhaps this is like putting the cart before the horse but today’s post will stick with just showcasing three looks based on the pairing of my leopard pants and a little black jacket.
Dressed Up For Work
In Up Down All-Around, I usually share my work look first so that is what you see below. As I’ve already indicated, the common thread (snicker) with all three looks is not just leopard pants but a black jacket as well. And while the inspiration look would be fine for the office as well, I think that pairing the duo with a black top and black shoes adds fierceness to the outfit that is sometimes a necessary armor in the workplace.
Black Jacket With Military Details – Loft Outlet, bought last Black Friday (similar look, another option)
Leopard Print Pants – Old Navy Harper style, bought last year (similar look, another option)
Peplum Top – Style & Co, bought last year (very similar)
Black Suede T-Strap Pumps – Franco Sarto, old (similar look, another option)
Tote – Sondra Roberts, Marshalls (similar look, another option)
Rounding out this look are my black suede t-strap pumps and my black work tote, both of which have appeared in previous posts. My necklace is a round medallion pendant with tassel and I repeated the circle motif with my bracelet.
Dressed Down For Play
Denim and chambray pair so beautifully with animal prints that it was a natural choice for me to opt for this combination in a look for knocking around on the weekend. I actually wore the pants, top, and shoes with a lightweight puffer jacket a couple of weeks ago when The Husband and I went to nighttime arts and music festival in Downtown LA.
Chambray Top – Marshalls (similar look, another option)
I did a single fold-up of the hem of the pants to make the look a bit more casual and to show off a bit more ankle. In keeping with the casual look, the sleeve cuffs of the top were left unbuttoned and rolled up over the rolled cuffs of the jacket.
Lug Sole Oxfords – Sophie17 (similar look, another option)
Necklace – Kenneth Cole, old
Dressed For Fun
For my spin on the inspiration look, I used an ivory tank with an embroidered edging and mocassin style red pumps that I’ve had for nearly 10 years. As soon as I saw the outfit in Andrea’s post, I knew I had all of the pieces I needed to re-create it and then the creative juices started to flow which led to the two other looks.
Ivory Top With Eyelet Edging – LC Lauren Conrad, old (similar look, another option)
Bracelet – Loft, old (pretty option, another choice)
As in the inspiration photo, I’ve rolled the hem of my pants twice so that the underside of the fabric is exposed which is in keeping with current trends. Like in the previous two looks, the top I’m wearing is longer than the jacket so the edging detail can be seen in the back as well as the front.
Moccasin Style Pumps – Michael Kors, old (option 1, option 2)
Drop Pendant Necklace – Chico’s, old (option 1, option 2)
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link up for this week. My featured contributor from last week’s post is coincidently another Andrea. This blogger is a long-time contributor to my link up and the creative force behind Andrea’s Wellness Notes. Look how beautifully Andrea has re-imagined her dark floral dress by adding a pull-over sweater and black leather jacket. Perhaps I’ve found another inspiration look to re-create.
Is there a word that describes a second-hand inspiration? Or is that the definition of a trend? When a topic or concept is trending, it’s said to be the subject of many posts on a social media website within a short period of time but is it the same with fashion? Where do your inspirations come from?
Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin, stumble … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to the link-up.
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44 Comments
It goes hand in hand doesn’t it? Grabbing inspo from blogging. And I have been so inspired from so many women! I don’t dress as timid as I used to, that I do know! This look was made for you Rena, it’s fab on. x
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
Thank you, Laurie. Following other bloggers does provide and promote a lot of inspiration.
It is fantastic to get inspired by other bloggers! If I wasn t, you would be seeing all black outfits on my blog! Lol!
You have a lovely fashion sense, Nancy. Thanks for stopping by.
I like all three outfits! Looking great! I remember Andrea’s post. How great that she got inspired by Pinterest and you by her.
Thanks for featuring me! I had seen sweaters worn over dresses on a number of other blogs and on Instagram for a while, and that was my inspiration. I had worn dresses with cardigans before but never with a pullover sweater.
Thanks for the link up & have a great week!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
You’re most welcome, Andrea, for the feature and I’m glad that you like the outfits I’ve shown in this post.
You do wonder how we got inspiration before blogging, right? I mean, I know some women are creative on their own (not me!!), and there were magazines, but maybe that’s also why there were so many rules??
Anyways, I love these pants, and I think they are perfect each way!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie, blogging certainly has opened up a whole new world of fashion options and inspirations. I’m glad that you like the pants and each of the looks.
These leopard pants have proven amazingly versatile under your creative styling Rena!
The chambray shirt is a really fun casual vibe and that necklace!!! I want one! It sort of replicates the feel of the animal print too!
I like the way an eyelet, feminine blouse plays off the leopard. This is very unexpected but it works well!! Showing the touch of white at the roll over hem is genius.
I so enjoyed meeting you in Arizona Rena.
You were a fun consignment (2nd opinion) shopping buddy my dear!!
Marilee, you are very kind and thank you for the lovely compliments. It was a pleasure for me to meet you as well and you are a wonderful shopping buddy.
That is one of the great things from blogging Rena, the inspiration! Trying things we maybe havinet tried. Love the leopard pants and you have put together 3 lovely outfits, all distinctive! Love the red shoes, the t-strap, love the denim shirt too. All great laying! I am also a fan of unique jewelry and you have some lovelu pieces here.
Enjoy the week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantldressedandstylish.com
Thank you, Jess for outfit love. I once read a post by a blogger who said that she never reads other blogs and I was completely confused by this notion. Why would someone deprive themselves of the opportunities for connections and inspirations? Needless to say, I don’t follow that blogger and I’m so happy to have found like minded bloggers such as yourself to follow.
love the pants that print is awesome!!! 🙂
I think that they are quite fantastic, too.
I love all three looks. The work outfit is a kick-butt look, but the red shoes are fab! I definitely get my inspiration from other bloggers.
Maggie
http://www.thriftshopfashionista.com
Thank you, Maggie. It’s great to get feedback like this.
love the leopard!!! I hope you’ll stop by and share your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo
Pinned!
Katherine, thank you for stopping by and commenting. I will indeed join up with you blog hop on Thursday.
My favorite is the outfit with red pumps. Love this! Thank you for sharing with My Red Carpet.
Anna xoxo
http://www.glamdventure.com
Anna, the third look with the red shoes and my favorite, too, and I could probably come up with another couple of looks as well.
The leopard pants are real stars! I like all three looks and esp love the denim shirt + oxfords. I am missing your company and conversation today! xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Patti, I miss your company, too, as well as the rest of the AZ group. I need that to happen every month. I’m delighted that you like the looks and I knew you would like the oxfords.
Those pants are FABULOUS!! A wardrobe staple!!! Look one is my FAVE and look 3 with the pop of red is PERFECT!!!
Thank you, Janae, and I’m with you on the pop of red. Can you believe that I was a bit timid about buying the pants and then wearing them? But now I find that they are so empowering. And I always get an interesting reaction from my husband when he sees me in them.
Rena! I love these looks and I absolutely love deriving inspiration from other bloggers, thus my Beautiful Blogger Bests column one Thursday a month (which will be tomorrow on the blog). There are just so many wonderful bloggers with so many great outfit ideas, yourself included. I’ve already started a folder with some of your looks in! Ha, ha. Those pants are so cute and what a great way to style them in three unique ways. I love them all. Great post! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Wow, Amy, thank you for the great compliments and letting me know about the folder. I just hope that the CIA doesn’t have one on me, too (LOL). I’ll be sure to stop by and read this week’s Blogger Bests post.
My kind of trousers, great how you’ve styled them – loving the red shoes. Perfect. Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
Thank you, Jacqui. I’m glad you like the pants and I appreciate the comment.
Oh you precious dear lady! I am beyond flattered and you look amazing! I love the cropped of your pants and really like it with the chambray too! I can’t believe I missed this, been a busy week but I’m so happy you were able to be inspired and I am with you sweetheart, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Love you and love your style!
Andrea, you are most welcome and thank you for letting me know that you do indeed feel flattered. I’ll be watching for more inspiring posts from you.
Cute pants and I love them with the red heels! Thanks for linking up at Fabulous Friday!
xo Mary
Mary, thank you and I’m so cheered that you like the looks.
Loving your 3 leopard looks! Leopard is a “neutral” in my book! It’s brown, right?
Anne, personally I think that leopard is more than just a neutral … it’s a force to be reckoned with, just as we are!
Rawr! ?
Love those pants and each pair of shoes you are wearing. Enjoy the weekend Rena!
Thank you, Ada. It’s lovely to hear from you and I hope that you, too, have an enjoyable weekend.
Cute outfits! Love the red shoes and the necklaces too! Thank you Rena for sharing this post at the #WednesdayAIM #LinkUp #BlogParty. I shared it on my social media sites.
oh wow, thank you Dee for sharing my post and for the compliments.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. I like the look with the black shoes the best.
Nicole, thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Rena, the red pumps with the leopard create such an edgy and sophisticated look. I love it so much! Red and leopard are two of my favorite things to combine! You really nailed this look! Those pants really are great, too! They are way more versatile than one would think of leopard pants and you have styled them beautifully every time. As for a frumpy outfit every now and then…we are all entitled to those days, no? It is all fine. Whatever! In fact, just yesterday, my outfit was cute, but it was so stinking cold that I had to layer a frumpy sweater on top (I took no photos of it with the sweater) but a girl needs to stay warm sometimes even at the expense of looking like a frump-monster!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you, Shelbee, for the great compliments and for letting me off the hook on the frumpiness. My frump-monster has been roaring around town lately and she definitely needs to go back in the cage.
Love these pants, and all the ways you styled them. You’re making me want a pair of red pumps!