Wednesday Wishlist: Cozy Tunics

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, holiday lights are going up, red cups are brimming with peppermint lattes and cocoa.  It's the perfect time for cozy knits -- specifically, a great knit tunic. Sweater dresses can be tricky. If they're too thick, or too clingy, or too bunchy you're going to feel lumpy and bumpy and spend all day fidgeting. But a looser tunic style is kind of perfect -- all of the coziness, much better fit. And great news: there are a slew of them in stores right now. Too bad it has been 90 degrees in Orlando for days.

But! Cooler temperatures must be on their way (please tell me that's true), so here are the snuggly knit dresses that I'll be wearing as soon as we're back to those chilly 70 degree temps.

Anthropologie Sparrow Cowled Sweater Dress ($158) -- there's something quite angelic about this one. I would wear it with black tights and flat black boots for a great chilly weekend look.

Shoshanna Lee Ombre Cable-Knit Sweater Dress ($395) -- it's hard to find a sweater dress with much color, so the little pop of mermaid-y blue and green is nice and quite flattering around the face.

Zara Long Sweater ($50) -- "What's wrong with being/what's wrong with being/what's wrong with being confident?" This model is feeling this sweater. It's styled to perfection with these leather leggings, and I can only assume that wearing it will make me look as effortlessly fabulous.

SET Turtleneck Sweater Dress ($425) -- a great shape in a very wearable color. It's an investment piece, but it's so classic you'll wear it for a decade or more.

Steven Alan Delevan Sweater Dress ($285) -- the short sleeves on this dress are interesting. It's counterintuitive for a cold-weather dress, but most of the offices I've worked in have been absolute saunas (NYC steam heat is no joke) so a little ventilation can be nice.

Gap Cable Knit Sweater Dress ($70) -- this looks like a nice little dress for the price. Reviews are mixed, but mostly because it seems like the original product photo included a zipper detail that isn't actually part of the dress.

Colorblock Tunic Dress ($138) -- an easy and chic work look. The colorblocking isn't too dramatic but still creates a nice shape.

Fall Uniform

I've always loved the idea of a uniform. If I'd had my way, I would have been a NYC private school kid -- Brooklyn, not Upper East Side -- wearing a preppy jacket and a plaid skirt (hiked up just a little too high) every day. It didn't happen, but I today I definitely rely on a few favorite wardrobe formulas to make dressing easier.

My summer uniform was pretty easy and unfussy, as summer dressing should be. Fall is a little more complicated. I like an outfit that has dimension and looks a bit more intentional. Since I work from home, my weekday look is not at all blog worthy. But occasionally I do get dressed! This is my go-to look for evening and weekend plans: a mix of masculine and feminine details, easy layers and a flattering silhouette.

Jackets are a major wardrobe staple for me, particularly perfect in the fall, so I usually start with a structured jacket. Something with nice clean lines that creates a great shape -- a tough moto jacket, a relaxed boyfriend jacket, or a nipped in blazer are perfect.

Next, a soft, flowy top -- something with a little ruffle, a little lace, a pretty detail. I love this ruffled collar blouse (especially with the tough leather jacket). This blousy tunic with lace trim can be tucked in or left loose. And I can't decide what I love best about this jade green top, the delicate ruffled sleeves or the deep rich color. So pretty (and on sale!).

Skinny jeans are definitely not my favorite denim shape but here, they're perfect. You just want to create a nice sleek silhouette and draw attention to the more interesting parts of your look. Pick a pair that's flattering and comfortable -- maybe distressed grays, a relaxed boyfriend cut, or a sleek straight leg option.

I love an opportunity to show off my shoes and a great heel is definitely called for -- these round-toe black patent leather pumps are super versatile, these classic Jimmy Choo pointy-toe heels are on a wish list that I've buried deep, deep in my heart, and these tortoise shell beauties are fun.

Since this is a pretty relaxed look, I like to have an easy hands-free bag with me. Maybe the bar will be crowded, maybe we'll change locations a couple of times, maybe I'll need both hands for snacks (let's be real, that's the most likely scenario)...regardless, it's nice to not be the girl always fussing with her purse. I've been dying for this adorable little metallic crossbody bag to go on sale -- perfectly tiny and fancy. My python obsession lives to see another season, and this flat clutch is so easy to tuck under your arm. And this little envelope bag is versatile, great for day or night.

Finally, a few accessories to pull everything together. These little studs and pretty stack of rings are perfect for a black and white look. I will never get sick of this watch (super bargain version here) -- so perfect here, right? This cuff bracelet is simple but interesting.

There you have it, an easy formula for weekend dressing...just add shenanigans!

Three Ways: Statement Shoes

Love, thy name is Roxie Iridescent Foil Pumps. I stumbled across these a few days ago and I can't stop thinking about them...why I need them, how I would wear them. Of course, they are sold out in my size. Hear that, J. Crew? I would happily fork over $300 (blowing my monthly budget to smithereens) if you stocked more pair of the larger sizes. Think of the supermodels, think of the drag queens!

While I'm waiting for my size to come in, I've been dreaming up ways to justify this splurge...

These are shoes that want to be taken out dancing. They also want to be the center of attention, so an unfussy black dress (sorry if you are sick of hearing about this one but...too bad, it is perfection) is just right. I'd keep everything else pretty simple -- sparkly earrings that will catch the light when you twirl and just the right pop of color in a pretty clutch.

One of my first reactions to seeing Roxie was "those are birthday shoes!" My next birthday is still a few months away, but I already know what I want to wear to a fun dinner with friends. My night out uniform is pretty simple -- a pretty blouse, a good blazer, and boyfriend jeans. It's perfect because it never feels too dressy or too casual, and the overall effect is like an arrow drawing the eye right down to your shoes. I still love a great chunky gold watch with a black dial, and one more eye-catching piece of jewelry feels right. This clutch seems really versatile and I can't get enough snakeskin these days -- maybe I'll treat myself to an early birthday present?

I tried to come up with a way to wear these to work -- my office doesn't really have a dress code so I'm sure I could throw them on with a blazer and jeans, but I don't think I would. These party shoes just don't want to see the inside of an office, so let's take them somewhere fun. For a fab little summer get together, I'd go light and neutral -- a crisp camp shirt, leg-lengthening flare jeans, and a classic bucket bag. For just a touch of fun, I'd add a thin gold belt and big "look at me" sunglasses.