Save & Splurge – Cropped Flare Pants with Silk Top

I have a confession to make. When I get the opportunity to save a bundle I sometimes turn my good fortune into a reason to splurge a little, too. And when I found these ultra modern Gianni Bini Meghan striped cropped flare pants reduced by 66% at Dillard’s I just had to find the perfect top to wear with them. Even if the top was a little on the expensive side.

Now I wouldn’t wear just any cropped flare pants. But these are made of a wonderful polyester/elastane blend that feels amazing. I’d tried on striped cropped pants in denim before and jerked those babies off before the mirror could even get a good look! But these pants by Gianni Bini really feel soft on and don’t hug or pinch.

Please excuse the bra strap showing in the photo above. More on that later. But focus right now on these amazing pants. This trend is really in right now, but it’s been hard to find a pair I could really live in. I like these. They are permanently marked down at Dillard’s from $79 to $28. The website says there is limited availability, but right now they are shown to be available in sizes 2-12. For reference, I’m wearing an 8.

Now for the splurge. This Antonio Melani Julian tie-front silk blouse feels amazing on and flatters the figure. I do think it could use a form fitting camisole underneath, and I neglected to put one on this day. I think a flesh toned one like this Halogen two-way seamless camisole at Nordstrom would work well.

Also, I needed a smaller size in this shirt. It’s a medium, which I often buy because I have wide shoulders and I cannot stand my shirts or blouses pulling at the shoulders. But this one is gaping around the arms. When I tried the small, sure enough it felt tight across the shoulders. So I’ll confess I ended up returning this blouse. (And my bank account said, “Hallelujah!”) But it is gorgeous and if you’re looking for a beautiful blouse to wear with a suit or just a pair of slacks, I suggest you give it a try. That is, if you’re up to the splurge. Remember save a little, splurge a little! Ha! Ha!

Now that’s a serious expression! Again, ignore the bra strap (because shirt too big, yada, yada, yada) and focus on the jewelry. I didn’t want to detract from the tie in the front of the blouse, so I chose a shorter necklace and complementing earrings. These are actually Premier Jewelry pieces I bought years ago, but I still enjoy wearing them. I checked out Premier Designs online and found a few similar pieces you might want to check out. I didn’t know they were still around, but they have some lovely jewelry to choose from. There is this Pearlicious necklace, this soft hammered silver necklace called Contempo, this Nod to Mod, and this limited edition Paradise. These are really worth a look.

I’ve been wearing these gray snakeskin pumps from Banana Republic for years, too. I have to say, these are the most comfortable heels I have ever owned. No exaggeration. And I think they look smart, especially with these gray and white striped crop pants. When you wear any kind of cropped pants it’s all the more important to wear stylish, well-maintained shoes. I haven’t bought other shoes from Banana Republic, but I have truly enjoyed these, so you may want to consider them if you’re shopping for shoes right now.

So in the end I only have half of this outfit in my closet…the SAVE half! And that’s the thing about a splurge. If you’re going to splurge on something, it needs to fit really well so that you’ll wear it often enough to get your money’s worth. Don’t you agree?

Do you save and splurge? Or do you just save? Or just splurge?! Ha! I’d love to know.

By the way, if you missed yesterday’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide post, why not check it out now? Mother’s Day is May13th. It will be here before you know it!

I’m linking up with Jo-Lynne Shane and all the wonderful style bloggers at her Fashion Friday Linkup. Be sure to check them out. And I’m connecting with the fabulous ladies at Style Wise, too.

Blessed for My Day

Do you know someone who is going through a difficult time right now? Sure you do. We all do. I’m trying to think beyond my own woes and frustrations today to think about others who are hurting, struggling or feeling a little lost. What if we all thought of just one person who could use some encouragement…and we were the ones to give it to them? A phone call, a text, a card in the mail, an invitation to coffee or lunch. Just asking someone about their kids, their job, their summer plans, letting them know that you are interested. A little encouragement could go a long ways today.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11