Outfit Of The Yesterday: Black + White + Tan (& The Linea Pelle Dylan Shoulder Bag)

♫: Devils – Say Hi To Your Mom

As much as I love mixing fun colors and patterns into my outfits, I have been gravitating more towards a muted, neutral palette to kick off 2013. Part of it has to do with recent real life events; part of it also, I’m sure, has to do with growing up and adapting my wardrobe into being appropriate for being in my thirties. Which is also one of the things Iove most about fashion and cultivating personal style–to always grow, find inspiration, and occasionally try new things. Why not?

Speaking of trying new things–while I usually reach for structured satchels, sometimes slouchy hobos are a nice change of pace. I fell in love with the Linea Pelle Dylan bag (it’s incredibly roomy, soft, and smooshy), and I like that it is a departure from what I normally wear. I also like hobos best for traveling, since you can stuff so many things inside, and this bag has lots of pockets and places to tuck things. It sits comfortably on my shoulder without sliding, and it also has a zipper that wraps around the entire bottom of the bag that expands the bag outward when unzipped (in case you ever need more room). Love!

{dylan shoulder bag – lineapelle.com}

And on to the rest of the outfit! I think a lot of people equate a neutral palette with being boring and bland–but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. When wearing a simple-hued ensemble, I like to focus more on mixing textures in order to bring some visual interest and depth to the outfit.

I had fun pairing the vertical lace stripes of the blouse with the horizontal pleating on the sleeves of my trench, and one of my old Lulu Frost necklaces just so happened to also mimic the diagonal pleating slashed across the coat’s shoulders: