Incognito in Anne Klein

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Ever feel like you just wanna be someone else?  I woke up today and thought, “I think I’ll be incognito today”.  So, I slicked back my bangs, wore a light pink, neutral lip and dressed in a simple, but elegant Anne Klein woolen skirt.  I was…understated…and understated is never me.

The result was drastic!  But in a good way.

Several people told me I looked like a totally different person.

One friend didn’t recognize me at all even though I was standing near her and she was calling my name!  Funny how just changing a few things can have such an effect.

It’s been fun being someone else today.  I think I’ll do it more often.  Cortneybre….

Shirt: Champion Skirt: Ann Klein Shoes: Mossimo Bracelets: Bealles Necklace: Charming Charlies with added Chanel Pin Earrings: Kate Spade Sunglasses: Colehaan
Shirt: Champion
Skirt: Anne Klein
Shoes: Mossimo
Bracelets: Bealles
Necklace: Charming Charlies with added Chanel Pin
Earrings: Kate Spade
Sunglasses: Colehaan

Looking for a Valentine’s Day dress? Here ya go!

Dress: Xhilaration at Target Shoes: Mossimo Bracelet/Watch: Kate Spade
Dress: Xhilaration at Target
Shoes: Mossimo
Bracelet/Watch: Kate Spade

 

While you’re in Target checking out that Peter Pilotto collection, take a look around for this cute dress by Xhilaration!

Xhilaration at Target
Xhilaration at Target

I think the dress is beautiful although it fits snugly in the shoulders and bust area.  It is actually sized for juniors and I think it would even be worth paying for some additional tailoring if you sized up and tailored it down.

It is also a bit itchy as it isn’t lined but I quickly adjusted to the texture and I don’t think this is a deterrent unless you are very sensitive.

That being said, the dress looks like a $ million bucks $ and I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it today.  I think it’s a great find and very reasonably priced at $24.00!

In this post, I paired the dress with a gold cardigan.  I decided to keep my look neutral and wore minimal jewelry.  For Valentine’s Day I would suggest a pair of red shoes or gold accessories for a perfect date look!  XO  Cortneybre…

PS….as the weather continues to be horrid here, I’m forced to take my shots in bad lighting and the most inopportune of locations.  I’m hoping Spring will soon be upon us!

What Do You Think? Peter Pilotto for Target – a review….

Today was to be the first day of my Pre-Valentine’s Day inspired looks.  That was the plan until I visited Target yesterday and snatched up a couple of pieces from the newly displayed Peter Pilotto for Target collection.  So, Valentine’s Day will just have to wait until tomorrow!  Instead, here’s a little snippet about Peter Pilotto and my thoughts on the Peter Pilotto for Target collection.

I discovered Peter Pilotto a couple of years ago in W magazine and was intrigued by the design, structure, color and patterns of the clothing line.  It’s hard to describe the Peter Pilotto look although it makes me think of gazing through a kaleidoscope at an ever changing array of colors and shapes.  Throw in an ink blot or two and you have Peter Pilotto.

That doesn’t sound very attractive but the clothes are wearable works of art – visually stimulating and beautiful.  Also, I’ve long admired the cut of the collections with their geometric displays and sharp edges.  I read that the designers behind Peter Pilotto – Peter Pilotto himself and Christopher De Vos – are fascinated with a scientific view of nature.  This so perfectly describes their designs.  You feel as if some beautiful thing has been captured, sliced and sits pulsing on a glass slide as you peer wonderingly at it through a microscope.  Nature is beauty and beauty is Nature and so Peter Pilotto pulls you in with its designs.

Having been interested in Peter Pilotto but unable to really afford any of its pieces, I was excited to learn the brand was doing a line for Target.  I must admit, I wondered how Peter Pilotto would translate to an “everyday, soccer mom, big box store”.  Would offering the ability to buy milk, bread and designer-inspired clothing really mix?

Overall, I was impressed with the line for Target.  The display at my local Target was simple and only featured three racks with an array of blouses, shirts and dresses.  I spoke with a couple of fellow shoppers who were staring interestingly at the display.  (They had looked at me awkwardly as I was snapping shots of the display and I felt obligated to explain why I was doing so).

I asked both ladies what they thought of the line and did they have any prior knowledge of Peter Pilotto.  One was just interested in the colors and patterns.  She said the display caught her eye but she didn’t think she’d actually wear any of the items.  The other lady I spoke with stated she did know the brand and was extremely excited to see it at Target.  I asked if she was pleased with the line and she stated she was although she wasn’t sure about the fit and quality of the clothing.

After my conversation with my fellow shoppers I decided to grab a couple of pieces that interested me and try them on.  I selected a dress and blouse and was very pleasantly pleased with both!  I liked the patterns although I do wish the colors were more vibrant.  I recognize that since this was for Target, the line was probably toned down a bit to make it more wearable to the masses.  I was most impressed with the fit of both items.  The blouse was soft and tailored and the dress was cut perfectly for me and true to size.  I decided to buy both and I’m quite happy with my purchase!

I’m wearing the blouse today but I will wait until Spring to wear the dress as it’s a lighter material and short sleeved.

My overall impression of the Peter Pilotto collection for Target was a good one.  However, I was dismayed to read a lot of negative reviews of the collection on Target’s Facebook page.  People seem to be missing the point.  They complained that the collection wasn’t “wearable” and wasn’t something that someone shopping at Target would typically purchase.  Isn’t that the point?  Isn’t it nice to have access to a designer brand to which most people typically would not have access?  If you want sweats and t-shirts, keep pushing your buggy – Target has that too and in abundance.  What is so wrong with a three rack display of clothing which is unique and beautiful?  I hope Target doesn’t take the negative reviews of this line as a sign to stop partnering with more fashion forward designers.  Personally, I like being able to buy my groceries and a designer outfit or two at the same time!

What did you think of the Peter Pilotto for Target line?  I’d love to hear from you!

Cortneybre…

© Cortneybre and http://Cortneybre.com, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cortneybre and http://cortneybre.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Days in Pink Satin

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Happy Monday – if there is such a thing.  I’m sitting here, eating “a handful of nuts”, which is my daily allotment as I’m trying a 2 week toxic cleanse thing.   Think lots of lemon/cucumber water and NO food.  It’s so bad; I’m eating the nuts one at a time just to savor each and every one.

But this is a fashion blog, right?!  So enough about food and on to today’s post which is an eBay special.

Never underestimate the power of eBay.  I was in search of a satin skirt or dress and after all attempts at finding one in store failed I decided to try eBay.  I did a simple search for satin dresses and this wonderful, bright fuchsia dress popped up!  I think I paid $40 or so for it and couldn’t believe how beautiful the fabric and color was.

I’ve worn it to a few events and decided to wear it to work today paired with a black polka-dotted cardigan to dress it down.  I also separated the belt from the dress and tied it around the cardigan for a more polished look.

There’s something about wearing satin, perhaps its the rustle of the fabric…it just makes me feel special.  And that is much needed on a Monday!  Cortneybre…

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