Challenge Day 1: Spring Has Sprung: What I Wore

Spring is almost here (in my mind at least). The last few days the temperature has been 40 degrees or higher. Since New England has skipped right over any semblance of Spring or Fall temperatures for the last few years, I'm assuming that by the end of March, it's going to be around 85 degrees. That means technically spring is right around the corner (and yes, I am ignoring tomorrow's weather forecast which is snow...lots of it)

For Challenge Day 1, I busted out my Forever Garden Tee which I snagged on sale at Anthropologie. It was actually part of my first Anthro purchase ever a few weeks ago. So right there, I've successfully picked out a pattern to wear today.

Issue #1 - What to wear on the bottom?

Initially I thought perhaps I'd wear my Scalloped Dots Skirt with the Forever Garden Tee, but after holding them up together, that seemed like a mistake. The color pallate of the Tee is much more neutral and muted than the stark contrast of the black/white polka dots on the skirt. Fear not, though readers, the Scalloped Dots Skirt will be making an appearance later in the week!

I really wanted to wear a skirt (because ya know, it's spring and all and because the never-ending trial was on again and if I'm not wearing a suit I like to wear a skirt to seem more trial appropriate). I remembered my newly purchased Ann Taylor pencil skirt in a steel grey color. Perfect!

Issue #2: What to wear over the Forever Garden Tee?

So as much as I love my Forever Garden Tee, it is slightly big and the arm holes sit slightly low. Totally fine for regular summer wear but not so much for work. Now here is where I would typically get overwhelmed. What color cardigan or blazer do I layer here? Another pattern is just to crazy for Challenge Day 1 (and remember I only have one patterned cardigan) so I pulled out a Loft cardigan from last summer which is a different color than the skirt, but reflected in the pattern of the Tee.

Did I just pull two different colors out of a pattern to make an outfit?

Holy crap!

Tee, Forever Garden Tee from Anthropologie (on sale in stores - no longer online)

Cardigan, Ann Taylor Loft, size Medium (from summer 2009)

Skirt, Ann Taylor Pencil Skirt, size 14 (from earlier this year)

Stockings, Donna Karan in B2 (available here - these things are great and last many wears without a run)

Shoes, AK Anne Klein, size 9

Bracelets, Kohls (20 for $11)

Necklaces, one from Kohls and one purchased in India by a friend

Earrings, Kohls

I was a little lost when it came to choosing stockings and shoes. In my imagination, I would wear something saucy like Berry Bush Tights, but since I don't own them and this is only Day 1 of the challenge, I decided to play it safe.

The top half of this outfit will also play double duty tonight when I pair it with jeans to wear to the college basketball game that Husband and I are going to. I think that deserves bonus points!

Game on!