It's been a long time we shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to

It's been a while since we posted about our favorite girl, Alexa. See how she wears her colored bag with army green and black. We also think it'd look great with tans, whites and beige-khaki. Check out our version of the hand/shoulder bag by Vanessa Bruno in the same color family here. Have a spectacular weekend everyone!

Photo: mrnewton

Update your denim shirt

Loving this look by Amanda who's guest blogging on Anywho. Check out our version of the denim shirt by Paul & Joe Sister (139). It has side pockets. Really great!

Photo: anywho

Carine's progeny

Sorry the updates have been sparse. We've been in our cave doing taxes, but now that we've filed accordingly it's time to enjoy the sunny CA weather! Hope you have a good one.

Pastels for Spring

Here's a little Friday wardrobe inspiration. We love the pastels with the black and slate grey. The next time you're having trouble deciding what to wear, think pastels and weigh the outfit down with grey or black. Have a great weekend!

For your shoe owies

Thanks T for sharing! Can't wait to try this. Watch Stretch Your Shoes with Ice here.

Shoe makeover for Spring

Shoes make the outfit. There's a whole lot of truth to that old saying. So I'm thinking instead of overhauling your entire Spring wardrobe, overhaul your shoes for the season. I have plans for at least two new pairs that will take me through Summer.
The first pair will be a new pair of black flats, as my current ones have holes through the leather. The second pair will be flat sandals - all leather, preferably in black too. So, with these new shoes I can transform a my Spring dresses from last year into fresh new outfits. Also, it's always thrilling to put on brand new shoes with my old jeans.

Photo: jakandjill

Glamour's Party Dress Fit Guide

A Miraculous Full-Body Sleek-Over

Ashley learned fitted frocks can be chic on larger frames; they just shouldn’t be second-skin tight. She's wearing a sexy wrapdress.

Little-Girl Body No Longer

Malathip wanted more: more height, more curves, more body. The fix? This strapless style and a pair of seriously high heels!

Hip-Flattering Magic Tricks

Tina-Gaye wanted to balance her upper and lower body. Best on her classic pear shape: a swingy skirt that doesn’t cling anywhere.

No-Surgery Chest Reduction

Amanda was tired of major cleavage. For a more covered-up fit, she went with supportive straps—a must if you’re more than a C-cup.

Short skirts and defined waists

Break out your short skirts and dresses! We heart Alexa in an AA jersey skirt, tucked-in tee and sweater. She makes the outfit Fall-ready by adding socks to her ankle boots and carrying a winter coat. To get even closer to the look, define your waist by adding a medium to thin belt to your outfit. Enjoy your day!

Photo: contactmusic.com

Shoe wardrobe

We're completely inspired by this street style photo. For Fall we vow to wear only black high heeled shoes. It's going to be a challenge being on our feet for most of the day, but what an effect. Heels with blue jeans, black jeans, dresses, skirts and even black tights -- if you're going to buy one pair of shoes for Fall, consider black heels!

Photo: Tommy Ton/style.com

Loving this look

We came across the Face Hunter blog while looking for jewelry display photos on flickr this morning. It reminds us of the Sartorialist. Both of which we could read for hours on end. Enjoy and Happy Friday!

Photo: facehunter.blogspot.com

Mini skirts and cardigans

Mini skirts and cardigans have been our uniform lately. The combo is easy to wear and it's so comfy. We think Stephanie over at Anywho has the right idea. Happy Thursday!

Photo: anywho.cover.dk

Matching vs. going

Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel by Goethe

There's quite a bit of difference between matching your clothes and accessories and having things go together. Matching is easy to explain by example: wearing a purple top with navy jeans and then matching purple flats. Going together takes a little more effort and creativity. Picking things out that go together means working with complementary colors. For example, wearing a burgundy blouse, navy jeans and gold flats is going. Going together makes a little more sense for those who want to build a more refined, sophisticated wardrobe. Although matching is easy and works on some occasions, we urge you to go instead of match!

Photo: en.wikipedia.org

Staying cool

It's a hot one here today. Happy Monday everyone!

Photo: luckymag.com

Freshen up that black tee

We found a great way to freshen up your basic black tee. For the rest of Summer and beginning of Fall try wearing your boyfriend's black tee tucked into a cute little mini skirt like Ingrid (above). It's a casual, yet sophisticated look and we love the bootie sandals she's wearing. So next time you're having a rough time putting together an outfit, go for this look!

Photo: anywho.cover.dk

Finding inspiration in nature

Our friend took this picture over the 4th of July Holiday while on vacation at California's Lost Coast. The colors in this photo are spectacular, and the combination is perfect for Autumn. If you're looking ahead to a Fall wardrobe, use this picture for color inspiration. We love how black, charcoal grey, white, dove grey, seafoam green, and cream all go together. The darker colors can be worn as bottoms, so black and charcoal pants or skirts. The lighter colors can be worn on top -- cream, dove grey and seafoam green blouses, sweaters and coats. Have a great day everyone!

Photo by kewl_katman1

Loving these looks

Highwaist Shorts and Leopard Print Bag

Keds Champion CVO Canvas Chukka

Foley + Corinna Dyed Mid City Tote

Top photo by Hanneli Mustaparta

Bringing casual to Josef

B.Line a-line pocket tank (48)

B.Line boxy v-neck (57)

Today we're bringing you 2 new pieces from San Francisco-based Rebecca Beeson. The company has created a relaxed line with a boyfriend feel called B.Line. Both the tank and the v-neck are made from luxurious tissue weight cotton and in the USA. We're introducing the line with all white in the shop because we think both tops will sizzle with your summer skinny jeans and gladiator sandals. For fall wear the tees with your black denim skinny jeans and leather bomber jacket with booties. So for now, on extremely hot days wear either top with denim cutoffs and layer on the delicate gold necklaces. Enjoy!

Pieces that will get you through Summer

Now that summer is upon us, we're finding that we're reaching for some pieces more than others. First on our list is a pair of distressed jeans. These are perfect for adding a bit of edge to your look. However, keep the look clean by pairing them with a silk tank or cotton blouse.
Light-weight cotton tops have been great for us in the warm weather. We've been living in the Steven Alan and Paul & Joe Sister cotton tops offered at the shop.
Another staple we've been going back to is a pair of navy blue cotton-linen shorts by Wren. Although we've sold out on them, investing in a high-quality, dressy pair of shorts is a good idea. We've been able to wear them with t-shirts, cotton sweaters and blouses, and they look great with leather flats or sandals.
To balance out the summer separates, a couple of summer dresses are good to have on hand. Dresses are great because they're one-piece outfits and can be worn dressy or casual. Our favorites are the Yoana Baraschi Hippie Slip dress and the Twinkle Hour by Hour dress.
Have a wonderful day everyone!

Golden yellow for all

Joy Bryant

Michelle Williams

Model: Molliee

Bai Ling

Summer is the perfect time to wear beautifully flattering colors. This season our color pick is golden yellow as seen on the women above. As it turns out, we have a number of golden yellow pieces in the shop. We have the:

• Boho Luxe Caftan Dress
  
• Cassie Dress
• Origami Camie
  
• Poppy Field Dress
• Boho Nomad Lounge Dress

Showcase your summer tan or porcelain skin in any of these pieces. We're sure you'll love how you look!

What they're wearing in Vegas

We stole away to Vegas for a little rest and relaxation. While there, we made it a point to take note of what women were wearing. The most popular outfits consisted of a maxi dress and flat sandals. The maxi dresses ranged from solid black to vibrant green to printed. Some were strapless or halter, others had spaghetti straps. There was something very distinctive about the flat sandals. A lot of them had a gold chain or buckle detail across the top like the ones pictured above. As for the bags, many women carried big slouchy bags. They came in all materials - fabric, plastic and leather. We thought outfits similar to this one were brilliant for the hot dry weather. So next time you're in an extremely hot climate, dress cool and comfortably in a maxi dress and embellished sandals.

In search of the perfect wedge sandal

As the weather gets warmer, we think your late spring and summer go-to shoes should be wedge sandals. They go with jeans, leggings, skirts, shorts, dresses, and even those pleated trousers you've been seeing a lot of lately. We can't seem to find our perfect pair yet, but have narrowed it down to the choices pictured above. However, we're still looking...

How to wear bold prints

Here at Josef we love bold prints and color because they set us apart in a sea of neutrals and solids. For beginners we suggest a printed accessory such as a scarf, headband, or small clutch. Try only one print at a time. To work wear a silk or cotton scarf around your neck with jeans or trousers and a solid top. Something like the Paul & Joe Sister Zeph Sweater is very easy to accessorize with print.

If you'd like to take prints one step further, we suggest wearing a printed blouse. Prints are more effortless than you think. Wear the printed blouse with your favorite pair of jeans or tucked in or out of a skirt or pair of pants. If it's a little bit chilly, throw on a thin knit cardigan in a complimentary color or pick a color from the print itself. One of our favorite printed blouses that we're obsessing over is the Anna Sui Butterfly Tunic.

The next step to wearing prints is putting together an entire printed outfit. Impossible? Never. It's actually the easiest way to wear prints if you think about a dress as an outfit. It's true. A printed dress can be paired with flats, sandals, pumps, and boots. In the winter wear a cardigan and jacket over the dress and in the summer wear the dress with a leather jacket or fine knit sweater. Like we said before, we're all about the prints here and we're loving the Yoana Baraschi Poppy Field dress. So try a little print in tomorrow's outfit. We're sure it'll add a little spring to your step. Happy Monday everyone!

Photo: emiliopucci.com

Hot to Cold

Spring is a confusing time for the weather. One minute it's sunny and warm, and the next minute it's breezy and chilly. We recommend building your spring wardrobe with layers. Start with fine knits in cashmere, cotton or silk. We recommend just a couple of long and short sleeve tees and tanks in those materials. After the knits, you can start looking for the pretty Spring/Summer blouses. We suggest getting at least 2 special blouses in a pretty floral or bold graphic print. The third layer will be your outerwear. We love cotton coats for Spring and your options are endless. Try a cotton blazer, short belted jacket, short or full length trench, or anorak.
As for bottoms, shorts, jeans and skirts are the obvious choices for springtime bottoms. When you shop for tops, make sure they look great with all three options. If you can mix and match your Spring purchases, you'll have an easy time getting dressed in the morning.
Add punch to your outfits with accessories. Spring accessories are a great way to experiment with color, texture and pattern. Bags, shoes, and jewelry seem like less of a commitment to the unknown. They also help your ease into a color you've always wanted to try, but never brave enough to buy in a dress or top. The most well dressed women always have an appropriate, chic outfit for the weather conditions and their age. Hope you enjoy these easy springtime dressing tips!

On Molliee: Steven Alan Cabana Jacket, Wren Inkblot Tee, Wren Navy Shorts. All available at Josef Boutique, San Mateo.

Dressing for warm weather

Anna Sui Spotted Horses Dress available at Josef Boutique, San Mateo

With the warm weather in full effect, we wanted to share some summer dressing tips to keep you cool and looking stylish. If you're in an office, a summery skirt made of linen or cotton in khaki or navy will do the trick. We like full minis and straight pencil cuts for skirts. To complement your skirt, invest in an embroidered or floral tunic blouse and wear it tucked in or out. For more casual occasions try a sleek pair of skinny jeans and a perfectly relaxed fitting t-shirt. Embellish the casual outfit with a stack of bracelets, thread or metal, your favorite pair of sunglasses, and studded or metallic sandals. On those really hot days, your best bet is a knee skimming, thin-strap sundress or a mini sheath style dress. You can wear either dress with ankle wrap platform espadrilles - they're our latest obsession. The outfits in this post would also make a very good mini wardrobe for a spring or summer excursion to a destination of your choice. (We're thinking Barcelona!)

Photo: style.com

The thinking girl's guide to fit and size

The most important thing to remember is ignore the size on the tag. Knowing your size only provides a frame of reference. The size units you need to know for yourself are the letters (XS-L), the numbers (0-12), and waist (24-32). Tops, dresses, and bottoms are sized using letters and numbers. Jeans are sized using the waist measurement. I haven't mentioned odd sizes (1, 3, 5, 7....) because those are Juniors sizes. Try to stay away from Juniors because the cuts and sizes will get you down.

There's a correlation between the letters and numbers. Remember this and you'll have a great idea of where to start when you try something on in a store.
XS = 0, 2
S = 4, 6
M = 8, 10
L = 12, 14

Knowing your jeans size is straightforward. Stand up straight and while relaxed measure your natural waist with a measuring tape. On average your natural waist should range in inches from 24 to 32 and up. So next time you're at the store, start with the pair that matches your waist measurement. Shopping for jeans won't be fit at first try. Depending on how comfortable you are, size up or down. It's very possible that you may be a different size across several denim brands. This happens because they don't use the same fit models. Same is true for tops, dresses and bottoms.

For tops and dresses your bust measurement will be a good indication of where to start. Here's the breakdown. Bust measurement in inches:
32 - 33 1/2 = XS = 0, 2
34 - 35 1/2 = S = 4, 6
36 - 37 1/2 = M = 8, 10
38 - 39 1/2 = L = 12, 14

For the same reason as jeans, you may be different number/letter sizes across different brands. You'll know when something is too small by administering a simple test. Cross your arms in front of your body. Do the armholes cut into your skin? If so, size up. You'll know when when something is too big if the shoulders of the garment extend past your own shoulders. Also, if there's too much fabric under the armholes of the garment, it is also too big for you.

Knowing a few tricks like these will help you have a better time trying on clothes. Remember, the size you choose should be comfortable and tailored looking. With an open mind, shopping can be fun, therapeutic, and satisfying!

Shorts and relaxed tops

The other day in the San Francisco we spotted an enviously chic girl wearing navy blue relaxed shorts and a taupe colored tunic blouse with black suede moccasins. For many, shorts may seem like a challenge to wear, but with the popularity of mini dresses ever increasing, shorts can be integrated into any stylish girl's wardrobe seamlessly. To keep the look sophisticated choose cotton twill, linen and even suiting fabric for your shorts and pair with blouses, not t-shirts. For shoes we recommend leather flats or booties. Our Twinkle by Wenlan With Ease Shorts are perfect for daytime outfits. We love them paired with a number of our tops that we have in the shop. On cooler days you can even wear a merino wool or cashmere cardigan to keep the chill away. Shorts are coming back big time, start looking for a pair for summer now!

Photo: luckymag.com

Spring basics

As the weather gets warmer, the prospect of new spring clothes comes to mind. All you'll need are a few pieces to freshen up your wardrobe. Being in California, I've already put away my winter wool coats. To combat the chill I suggest a cotton trench coat or anorak. Look for ones that are three-fourths in length. Khaki and navy blue are your best bet for colors.

The next item to transform your wardrobe is a pair shoes. Every year at the very beginning of spring, I buy one pair of new sandals intending to wear them through fall. Last year's pick for me was a pair of brown Old Navy gladiator sandals. I wore them into October and really got my money's worth out of them. This year I chose the black rubber Givenchy lace up sandals, and have been wearing them ever since they arrived.

Lastly, a little mini dress will do wonders for your morning outfit woes. Choose one that's just above the knees and has full coverage in the front and shoulder areas. Wear the dress to work with a jacket or cardigan and closed-toe heels or flats. Then wear it around town with your new sandals lots of bracelets and your favorite slouchy bag.

Three items will last you a while. No need for a full closet overhaul. We'll talk again about more pieces late in June.

One of Spring's new silhouettes

Josef strives to keep you current and remain on the cutting edge of fashion. One of the newest bodies that we love and have in the shop is the Chameau Blouse by Paul & Joe Sister. It's like the one pictured above, but in a slate/brown color. We love how it's styled with the paperbag-waist pants and strappy wedge boots. For Spring, choose relaxed pieces at the same time keeping them refined.
If the tie-waist pants aren't something you'd normally wear, try the blouse tucked out with dark jeans and gladiator flats. Accessorize the outfit with a luxuriously big bag, gold bangles and a men's-size watch. Along with the great cut, the Chameau Blouse has a must-have price, it's $88.00 and made of a Lyocell and Cotton blend. The weather seems to be warming up, so treat yourself to a little bit of luxury for a basic price! Have a great afternoon.

happy monday, picture's up!

We had a great weekend in the shop running our Shopping Benefit for the Family Service Agency of San Mateo Country. Thank you to those who shopped and enjoyed Mini Cakes from Sweet Breams! Your support means so much to us.

We're still loving the Inkblot Tee from Wren. It looks very cute with either of the Dorothy Lee Cardigans and the Wren Anorak. Next week Josef will be closed on Tuesday, 3/24. We'll be on the road shopping for Fall, exciting!

What major pieces you are planning to buy for Fall? Will it be a great coat, a wonderfully chunky knit sweater, or more fabulous jeans to add to your growing collection of designer denim?

To be chic in Paris

The first thing I think of when I see a striped t-shirt not unlike the one pictured above is a very chic French woman. Cliche? Perhaps, but isn't it true. Over the years I've read books and articles about the way French women dress, live and eat. It's been somewhat of a fascination for me for a long time. Probably since I was in college. The key to their sartorial success is quality over quantity. I think I've touched on this topic in some of my past posts, so that really means I'm a firm believer.
The following items are what I think are essentials for a French inspired wardrobe. First, a stripe t-shirt. This is actually a very versatile piece. When paired with slim jeans and black ballet flats, it is the perfect choice to show a flair for pattern and ease. When worn with a black tulip skirt and whimsical heels, it is transformed into a dressy work staple.
The second item is a classic khaki trench coat. The most important feature to pay attention to when selecting a trench coat is the fit. It must be perfect in the shoulders and body width. You can always have the sleeves tailored. Hold out for the best fit in the shoulders, and it'll be with you for many years.
The third item is a white, cream or ivory blouse. It doesn't have to be a button down oxford style. Find a style that you like with one special detail. It could be a tie at the neck or a scalloped button placket. Once you find a blouse that suits you, pairing it with jeans and a pencil skirt will be so effortless.
I've noticed that coats and shoes are high on a French woman's priority list. To see pictures of French fashion, check out Lucky Magazine's Street Style. Their latest Paris edition is full of ideas and modern interpretations of classic French style. Enjoy and have a pleasant weekend!

The season's hottest trend in accessories

There's something very luxurious about snakeskin. Whether genuine or stamped, snakeskin in accessories has been redone for Spring and Summer. If you're like us, you buy one great high quality accessory each season. It can be a bag, wallet, watch, or shoes. So when you look, keep snakeskin in mind.
Once you've found the perfect snakeskin accessory, let it stand out in your outfit. Pair flats with a t-shirt and jeans. Wear a belt with a navy blue pencil skirt and milk-colored blouse. A snakeskin watch band, similar to the one pictured above, in a neutal color will go with both a dressy and casual outfit. We've been obsessing about pairing snakeskin gladiator sandals with our Paul & Joe Sister Paisley Sundress.
The best part about snakeskin is it brings texture to your look, and texture adds richness. Remember, wear just 1 snakeskin piece at a time!

3 spring clothing essentials

If you're like us, you probably have a budget in mind when buying clothes for a new season. Spring clothes are arriving and there will be a lot of choices. We have a few suggestions for you to freshen up your wardrobe. If you're spending money on clothes, make sure they're pieces that will carry you throughout Spring and Summer. You'd be surprised at how certain pieces can update your current collection of clothing from past seasons.

1. Buy 1 new pair of jeans. Whether they are skinny or straight leg, bootcut or trouser style, a new pair of jeans can change the look of your current t-shirts and blouses. We suggest our Found Symone and Agatha jeans. Do you have an old graphic tee that you still love to wear? Wear it with one of the Found jeans, brown leather sandals, gold bracelets and your favorite pair of sunglasses. This outfit can be your go-to outfit for the season.
2. To stay current, buy a top from the newest collection of your favorite designer. Every season designers have a new theme for their collections. Treat yourself to one of their signature pieces by getting a top. Tops are easy because your can wear them with the jeans, shorts, and skirts you already have. We suggest our Twinkle by Wenlan Ariel tank. Wear this cute little cami blouse with a khaki cargo miniskirt, heeled peeptoe booties and a long gold chain charm necklace for an easy date outfit.
   
3. 1 cute sundress will get your through the more dressy occasions of Spring and Summer. Wear it to bridal and baby showers, weddings, special dinners, religious celebrations and birthdays. Our Paul & Joe Sister Vienne Empire Waist sundress will work for all of these events. For chilly evenings wear a fitted cream cardigan. The dress works with both heels and flats!
   

We hope this helps you the next time you're out and about shopping. Remember, less is more!

Valentine's celebration: what to wear

Have you picked your outfit for your Valentine's Day celebration yet? The cold weather is going to limit your choices, unless you can brave the freezing cold air and rain. We'd like to offer up some suggestions on how to stay warm during your night out with your loved one.

1. Wear jeans with a fancy top. If your plans allow, wear dressy jeans to dinner instead of a dress. We like the dark rinse Found Symone skinny jeans. Be sure to stay festive by wearing a killer pair of heels. We have these in mind. As for your top, choose something with embellishments. Maybe with a little beading or how about lace!
2. Cover your head. It's a well-known fact that a significant percentage of our body heat is lost through our head. We here really like those chunky knit berets and think that clipping your bangs to the side and then showing a little bit of the clip looks pretty cute with them. Try it!
3. Ladies, please wear a coat or jacket. Don't be a hero. Wear a coat. Lined leather jackets are surprisingly warm because they keep the wind out. 3/4 length wool coats are fantastic for this kind of weather. Cashmere blends are a no-brainer. If the thought of a coat bums you out because you'll be covering up your special top, add a colorful scarf or a pin.
4. Add more pizazz to your outfit with your bag. Choose vibrant colored clutch or a big statement bag. Perhaps one with chain handles or a patent leather body in an unusual color.

We hope this helps you! Stay warm and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Keeping order in your unruly closet

As a boutique owner one might think I have an enormous wardrobe and very large closet. The opposite is true, in fact. In reality I share a 16 square foot closet with my husband. I have 5 pairs of jeans and only 1 pair of black pants, which lately I've been thinking of donating. Living simply with less has become a way of life for me, and has allowed me to edit my wardrobe into a perfect little collection of quality and unique pieces. When I buy something for myself, I gravitate to the unusual yet beautiful items. If you've visited my boutique, then this should all make sense to you. Try following these guidelines when you shop, and soon you will have built an amazing wardrobe.

1. The secret to a well edited and svelte wardrobe is keeping things simple. I like to follow the one-in-one-out rule. This means for every new item, take out 1 old piece. Following this rule, especially for jeans, helps me feel like I'm keeping my wardrobe current.
2. Quality really does last a long time. Ladies, it's true - cheap looks cheap. Opt for high quality fabrics and cuts. If you take care of your clothes, they can be with you for up to 10+ years. One great example from my closet is my Gaultier wool peacoat. I've had that beauty since 1999. It's made in italy and the cut is so elegant that it's lasted the test of time. Don't get sticker-shocked when you fall in love with a designer piece. Think about the money as price per wear. As I sit here writing this post, I've calculated the price per wear on my Gaultier coat to be 30 cents!
3. Buy 1 special piece each season. For winter, the special piece could be a fantastic sweater or a one of a kind looking coat. Spring's special piece could be a sundress or flirty blouse. Summer's special piece could be a wow bag. My sister and I like to refer to them as a big guns bag. By acquiring a special piece each season, you're slowly but surely building an enviable wardrobe.
   

I truly believe that these guidelines will help you get the wardrobe you've always dreamed of, and it doesn't entail buying an entirely new wardrobe each season! As I've done to my own closet, I've manage to fill my boutique with unique and special pieces. Just the other day, I had a road visit from a lovely woman who represents one of my designers. When she walked into the shop, she immediately recognized that I carry special pieces. So if you want color or prints that are out of the ordinary, Josef is the perfect place for you to start!

Dressing up for a party or special event

Do you ever have trouble getting dressed for a special occasion? How about those daytime special events? I think those are the most difficult because you still want to be business like, but also want to add something a little fun to dress up the everyday blahs. Let's start by naming some possible events. I think they can be anything from an in-office office party to a daytime charity event. Dressing in separates is probably the best way to go. Sounds overwhelming doesn't it. OK, let's break it down into steps.

1. Choose a special piece. This can be a top or a jacket. Let's choose a top for this example. Keep in mind that we're going to add a jacket or a sweater over it. Since the top is our special piece, choose one with detailing. Detailing can be anything from a ruffle to a sparkly trim. It can also be a pretty pattern.

2. Now bottoms. The bottoms should be a wardrobe staple that you should already have. A pencil skirt is a good basic. If you don't have one, try nice charcoal gray trouser pants. I emphasize charcoal gray because I want to get you away from black pants. They're so early nineties.

3. The next step is choosing the outwear. A well-fitting blazer is a great start. Not a blazer person? How about a cashmere cardigan sweater. All gals should have one.

4. Color is key to putting together your outfits. For the bottoms, I would stick to neutrals - those would be brown, camel, gray, navy blue, and black if you must. If the top has a pattern, I'd choose one of the accent colors for the outerwear.

5. Choose a nice pair of shoes. Dressy flats or flashy heels.

Dorothy Lee grey slouchy heart tee (on sale $75).