Banana Republic – Oh So Fancy Francie

Three More Thanksgiving Outfits: Part 2

Thanksgiving is just days away. If you haven’t figured out what to wear, here are three additional possibilities that you can replicate fast or simply be inspired to style from your own closet.

Outfit 1

This Aritzia chiffon button-up blouse in a lavender taupe is beautiful for any occasion, but when paired with a pewter belt and taupe booties, it’s fit for a Thanksgiving table. I love the extra sheer puff sleeve and subtle watercolor print. This top can be easily elevated with black vegan leather pants and sparkly earrings.

The photo was taken in Virginia at a winery with polo fields, just outside of Charlottesville.

ohsofancyfrancie aritzia chiffon blouse standing — Oh-so-fall

aritzia chiffon blouse with cropped denim — Thanksgiving-ready!

For warmth, add a gray flannel double-breasted jacket:

ohsofancyfrancie aritzia top and gray jacket — Cute indoors or out.

Outfit 2

A white ruffle top dresses up any outfit whether it’s denim, faux leather pants or skirt. I like it with the oversized sherpa coat from Banana Republic. The top is Vince Camuto from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and sold out. Here is a link to a good substitute. I like the look with cropped, straight-leg jeans and taupe booties for a casual Thanksgiving.

ohsofancyfrancie sherpa and ruffle front — Cool from the back too.

Outfit 3

My Thanksgiving look, the slip skirt from Aritzia paired with the open edit floral top from Nordstrom. (Only the wrap style is available.) Both items have given me endless outfit possibilities, a worthwhile investment.

ohsofancyfrancie floral top and slip skirt sitting — Oh-so-pretty.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Four Staples For Fall

As I shopped for items I knew I wanted, I stumbled upon four items I had to have–needed. All of them will work into the winter months too.

The slip skirt is everywhere. I wanted one for fall last year and never got around to it. This year, it was a must! I have a summer version, baby blue, and i loved it. The shiny fabric doesn’t mean it’s a dress up piece only. It can be worn with all kinds of boots, sneaks and sandals if you wanted to take it up a notch.

Aritzia slip skirt paired here with studded booties from last year and with combat boots. The slip comes in several colors.

ohsofancyfrancie slip skirt, vince sweater, booties — Feminine and Cozy.

ohsofancyfrancie slip skirt combat boots — Feminine and Cool.

I love a good turtleneck and Anthropologie delivered. The quality is top-notch and the string of buttons at the cuff make it oh-so-fancy. I love it so much I got it black and cream. I paired it here with vintage jeans by AG. High-waisted can be tricky but the Alexxis is soft and oh-so-flattering!

Two staple items you must add to your closet!

ohsofancyfrancie button sleeve — Button embellishment make the top.

ohsofancyfrancie turtleneck vintage jeans — LOVE!!!!

Sherpa is the textile of the season! I went the rounds trying to select just one that was cool and pretty. Banana Republic had the one! It’s over-sized, as is everything right now, so size down. Versatile enough to wear for work, date night, or casual night around the fire pit–your own blanket!

ohsofancyfrancie sherpa coat — One giant bear hug!

All of the above will be on repeat, so expect to see them paired up with multiple looks.

Banana Republic: The Blue Edition

Banana Republic had a bunch to offer when I was researching their comeback. I had one rule, to avoid adding yet another black sweater to my closet. Hence breaking my posts into BR: The Lavender Edition and now BR: The Navy Edition.

I’m a sucker for anything hinting at a sixties silhouettes. I love the wide turtleneck and pronounced cuffs of this oversized merino-cashmere blend sweater. It’s ultra soft and cozy.

And that brings this post to the current trend of oversized sweaters. My preferred pairing for this look is with skinny or slim straight jeans. My rule of thumb, is balance. Flowy on top or on the bottom, not both.

Banana Republic Oversized Merino-Cashmere Sweater, link here. Paired with AG Farrah High-Waisted Skinny and All Saints Docita Combat Boot.

ohsofancyfrancie Banana Repulic Oversized sweater — Urban meets seaman.

Dress it up with booties and a scarf:

ohsofancyfrancie oversized sweater & scarf — Cool meets glam.

The last of my BR haul is the statement sleeve top, available in blue, black and ivory. Link here.

I paired this top with black, kick-boot flare denim by AG and Ron White bootie:

ohsofancyfrancie Banana Republic Statement Sleeve — Feeling oh-so-fancy.

And paired here with Mother denim’s The Weekender Flare and the killer booties by Silent D.

ohsofancyfrancie banana repubic statement sleeve blue denim — Oh-so-blue.

Banana Republic Is Back: The Lavender Edition

Surprising news is in this post. First, the Banana Republic we knew and loved is back! The brand is returning to its success years when cashmere was first introduced. A friend of mine worked at BR corporate in the 90s and recently popped into a store to see what changed—a whole new look and feel.

At her suggestion, I wandered into the store and found several very cute things to try on and walked out of the store with several things. I befriended a sales associate for advice on how to shop BR as it had been years since I shopped at one. I learned the Wednesday-Sunday 40% off sales are no longer. BR is going upscale in quality and design. She also told me the cashmere will almost never go on sale and is selling out fast!

The second surprise: Lavender is trending for fall! Seriously. It’s been all over the fashion runways in everything from tops, bottoms, bags and sneakers. BR is hopping on the lavender train and so am I.

Styled below are a couple of lavender items I loved. If lavender is not in your color palette, the sweater is offered in black. and the top in black, tan, and white.

Banana Republic Lavender Merino-Cashmere Cardigan Sweater can carry you into spring; to me, it’s worth the investment.

ohsofancyfrancie banana republic lavender cardi — Cozy color pairs well with distressed denim and white tee.

Banana Republic Lavender Poplin Bishop-Sleeve Top paired with Sam Edelman Teddy Coat from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, cropped straight denim by Agolde and taupe booties by Silent D