Saturday Style Files

After a few different requests, I’m trying something different on the blog today.  Welcome to the Saturday Style Files. My plan is to come back every Saturday and post a few outfit ideas that are perfect for the classroom…or anywhere else you like to wear clothes :).   You won’t just find the outfit details, but I’ll also include similar options at different price points, too. Hopefully this helps answer some questions I’ve been getting and gives you a few ideas, too.

***This post contains affiliate links***

One of the easiest outfits to throw on…for me anyway…is a short sleeve or tank dress & a kimono with a pair of wedges or sandals.  This combo is a navy tank dress from Old Navy I bought about 5 years ago and can’t quite part with just yet.  I prefer to wear this with a kimono and this one is one of my favorites.  I love the trim detail and the colors.  The blue in the kimono ties in perfectly with the dress & I added this tiered tassel necklace to finish it all off.  Because this dress isn’t available anymore, I linked a couple of swing dress options.  I think swing dresses are perfect for the classroom because they’re flowy and comfortable, can be dressed up or dressed down, and can be worn for many different occasions.

When I’m wearing a “big” necklace, I like to keep my earrings simple, so my staple pair of gold hoops fit the bill.  These wedges are such a great compliment to the outfit and the perfect size…not too tall at all.  I found these for a steal.  They’re currently on clearance at Dillard’s for less than $30 and this color (cafe) pretty much goes with everything.  They are comfy as all get out making it a perfect teacher shoe :).

Kimono: Amazon (here’s another one that’s similar)
Dress: Old Navy ( A kimono would also be great paired with a t-shirt swing dress and THIS ONE is under $11!  Old Navy also has THIS swing dress under $20)
Shoes:  Lucky Brand Keela Wedge Sandals (currently on clearance & under $30…several different color options.  I’m pictured in the color “cafe”)
Necklace: Pomp & Circumstance/sold out (HERE is a similar-ish option)
Earrings:  Amazon (you can pretty much find gold hoops anywhere!)

This has been the perfect summer dress and I’ve pretty much worn it out as often as possible.  It’s lightweight and can be dressed up or down.  Also….POCKETS!  I found this for less than $20 at Marshall’s back in April, so unfortunately I’m not able to give you a link to this exact dress.  However, I’ve linked a couple of cute options at two different price points.  I tried on a few necklaces with this, but didn’t love any of them with the dress so I put on a pair of statement earrings instead.  I get a lot of questions about this pair.  They’re from Amazon and they’re WONDERFUL!  And less than $12.

I paired this dress with my most favorite pair of shoes.Disclaimer:  these shoes are NOT cheap. They rang in right around $100, but let me explain.  When I’m buying clothes/shoes/accessories, I’m typically a bargain shopper in every sense of the word.  I’ve always liked to find things that are inexpensive because I find that a lot of stuff I like is on the “trendy” side and if I don’t think I’ll wear it for more than a season or two, I don’t want to invest a lot of money in it.  However, if I find something I know I’ll wear the heck out of, I’m all about making that investment (within reason, lol).  I had my eyes on these shoes for months.  I finally decided to buy them because I knew I’d wear them all the time.  There were a couple of other colors in this style that I loved, but I knew I’d get the most wear out of something neutral.  I’m not kidding when I say that I wear these almost every day.  They go with EVERYTHING.

What I love about this outfit is that I can take this into the fall by pairing it with an oversize, chunky knit cardigan and booties so it will last me more than a few weeks past the summer weather.

Chambray Shirt Dress:  Marshall’s (THIS ONE from Old Navy is similar & under $40;  THIS is a cute chambray dress option and under $20)
Shoes: 1.State Celvin d’Orsay Open Toe Flats (I’m wearing Caramel).  THESE are similar and under $30. Target carries THIS PAIR right at $25)
Earrings: Amazon  (Similar option HERE.)
Bracelets:  local boutique (Similar option HERE; another option HERE)

Although this outfit is a bit more on the casual side, it’s great for wear in the classroom…especially if you find yourself on the floor a large portion of your day (primary teachers, I’m looking at you 😉   I paired a lightweight chambray button down with a flowy camo tank & gray pants and my favorite shoes…again.  This would be great with booties, too.  The pants were an Old Navy clearance deal and I can’t find this style online.  These are “curvy profile” and I absolutely love them.  I’m thicker on the bottom in my thighs & rear and these pants fit so well.  Anybody else like that?!  When I gain weight, that’s the first place it resides.  I’ve learned to embrace that the older I’ve gotten.  It is what it is.
I like wearing chambray shirts like this more often than I like wearing denim jackets because they’re not as heavy.  Especially this time of the year.  My staple pair of gold hoops made an appearance again and this time my hair was held up by a topknot, dry shampoo, and prayers.

Chambray button down: H&M/last season (HERE is a similar option less than $30; THIS LIGHT WASH option from Old Navy is less than $30 and perfect, too)
Camo shirt: Express One Eleven London Camo Tank – currently less than $15  (THIS is a similar option less than $18, THIS ONE is under $12)
Pants: Old Navy Rockstar Jeans
Shoes: 1.State Celvin d’Orsay Open Toe Flats (I’m wearing Caramel).  THESE are similar and under $30. Target carries THIS PAIR right at $25)