casual style


Flares for winter into spring 2016

bay area style bloggertransition from winter into spring in the bay areasan francisco bay area fashion and style blogsan francisco fashion blogger bay area fashionista cathy obrien chloe faye

Pictured: Sunglasses: Chanel / Earrings: Ippolita / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rosa / Blouse: Express / Tank Top: Mossimo / Jeans: Gap (on sale!) / Handbag: Chloe / Bracelet: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Dior Bleuette / Booties: Sam Edelman

Spring 2016 is coming! The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the Magnolia trees are blossoming, and flowering trees around the Bay Area are displaying their wares. It is such a beautiful time of year!

In addition to natural beauty, spring in the Bay Area also means implementing some serious layering skills when it comes to get dressed in the morning. The fog will roll in and out, and the temperatures will swing thirty degrees.

Transitioning a wardrobe from winter into spring in the Bay Area is fairly easy. We don’t have to worry about snow, or any sort of crazy weather; just the occasional spring shower. The main thing to think about is staying warm in the morning, and early evening, when fog is present on the bay, and rolling in from the ocean.

The high temperature tends to hover between 65-75, and the lows hover around 45-55, during the spring months in the San Francisco Bay Area. This means warm afternoons, and cool mornings and evenings. The easiest way to combat these temperatures is to wear layers.

On casual days, jeans are a great bottom to wear since they are comfortable in both warm, and cool weather. This means layering your top is the only thing you have to do in spring weather. Placing a tank top under a spring blouse, and then topping with a light jacket, is the perfect way to warm up, or cool down, on a Bay Area spring day.

I wore a tank top underneath this spring blouse in order to add a little bit of warmth to the blouse. We took these pictures in the early afternoon hours, so my jacket was already off. In the morning I wore a jacket to keep warm, and I put it back on in the early evening hours. It was the perfect layering piece to combat the fog.

Other ways to layer for spring include cardigan sweaters, flannel shirts or denim shirts (both of which can be tied around your waist or stuffed in a purse for easy transport), blanket scarf, or a long sleeve tee underneath a blouse; although with a long sleeve tee you will need to find a way to remove it during the day, and then put it back on in the evening.

What are some ways you layer in order to transition from winter into spring in the Bay Area?


Studs on studs for spring

casual winter into spring outfit idea studs on studs for winter banana republic studded topchloe inez handbag in black leather san francisco bay area style blogger

Pictured: Sunglasses: Chanel / Earrings: Stephen Dweck / Lipstick: Chanel Mighty / Top: Banana Republic / Cuff: Compass Rose Design / Leather wrap bracelet: Tory Burch / Jeans: COH (petite)/ Handbag: Chloe / Nail Polish: Chanel Sunrise Trip / Booties: Sam Edelman

There is something a little bit rock and roll about studs. When I spotted this top at Banana Republic with tiny little studs, I thought it would be fun to wear with my Chloe Inez bag; after all, who doesn’t love studs on studs for the spring season!

A few years ago, studs were all the rage. Then, they disappeared for a hot minute from the fashion scene. It appears no-one really wanted studs to go away! They have quietly been on the runways, and store shelves, ever since. Since I love me some rock and roll, it is only natural that I love studs!

This little pouchette from Chloe is a fun bag to wear casually, or for a night out on the town. I love it as an alternative to a clutch for dinner, or an evening show. With the strap adjusted as a single shoulder strap, the bag has a more casual feel. When I adjust the straps into a double shoulder strap, it has a dressier, evening feel. Love that!

I love how the handbag looks with this studded top. The studs on the bag are large, and vary in size. The studs on the top are small and evenly distributed. I feel like the two pieces compliment each other, and add a little dimension to a casual look. Of course, this top could be paired with leather legging or pants for a chic, evening look. Oh! New outfit idea!

The combination of studs on studs in this outfit makes me smile; and makes a few AC/DC songs roll through my head. What do you think of mixing studs this spring? Are you up for a little rock and roll in your wardrobe?


Classic casual outfit and pop of turquoise

classic black turtleneck sweater outfit classic casual winter outfit idea pop of color with black turtleneck sweater proenza schouler medium tote in turquoise proenza schouler tote and turtleneck sweater proenza schouler tote with casual outfit

Pictured: Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: Chanel Melancholie / Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sweater: Banana Republic / Scarf: Monki / Ring: Beau Bijou / Nail Polish: Nars Night Creature / Handbag: Proenza Schouler / Jeans: Gap / Booties: Rag & Bone

The weather this winter has been on the cool side. It has been so refreshing, after all the drought weather we had experienced here in the San Francisco Bay Area over the past few years. I look back at last January, and I was already wearing some spring pieces! There were even a few days when I wore short sleeves, a skirt, and sandals! Yikes! Not very wintery 😉

Since we have been enjoying cold weather, and rain (yes!!!), I have been reveling in the chance to actually wear warm clothing! In our long, lost winter, I have found a turtleneck sweater, jeans, booties, and a blanket scarf, make the perfect go-to outfit on a casual day. The classic casual outfit above, has been getting quite a bit of a workout lately!

Although I love having the chance to bundle up this winter, sometimes the constant cloudy weather can be a bit dreary. In order to combat the grey days, I have been wearing this Proenza Schouler tote from their resort 2016 collection quite often. The bright turquoise really pops against the dark colors in my winter wardrobe. I love being able to wear a little bit of sunshine on a grey day. That is the great thing about accessories, you can wear the next season without sacrificing comfort. Love that!

I am the type of person who will purchase something in multiple colors if I love it; a shopping trick my Mom taught me when I was a child. This turtleneck sweater from Banana Republic is comfortable, classic, cozy, and comes in a ton of colors! So, I splurged and purchased it in the pale pink, black, cobalt, and light blue. You can see the light blue styled here. If you are looking for a classic turtleneck sweater at a fabulous price, I highly recommend this one!

The jeans I am wearing are Gap’s skinny jeans. I own a pair in regular, medium wash, and also black. They are comfortable, offer a great fit, and are great quality. If you are looking for go-to skinny jeans for your closet, this is the pair! I love that they are priced waaaaaaaay under $100. It is hard to find great quality jeans, that fit well, under $100. I hope they come out with more color washes for spring!

Lastly, these booties are so comfortable! Rag & Bone makes this pair of booties every fall. They have classic colors, and variations of neutrals which are fresh and interesting. My pair is from fall 2014, and is a dark charcoal with a vintage wash. You can invest in these booties knowing they are in style every year, since they are a classic style. I love owning classic pieces I can find on store shelves every year; it makes them feel new every season! If you order a pair, order a half size up from your usual size. I ordered my pointy toe shoe size, which is 9.5. I usually wear a 9.

What are some of your favorite classic casual outfit pieces for cold weather?