Leather Tops & Printed Skirts

It's FemmeLuxe week!  This is one of my very favorite times of each month when I get to collaborate with FemmeLuxe on some amazing outfits.  Yesterday we talked about some holiday tips and I'll be bringing you more of those later in the week, but for now I thought we'd press pause on the holiday talk for a day, because it's a little early for holiday overload.  So, today's post features one of my favorite and most used items from FemmeLuxe, corset tops and crop tops!

 

You've heard me sing the praises of crop tops before and I've been writing love posts to animal prints for months now.  I thought it was time I combine my two latest fashion loves into one dynamic outfit, and I'm so excited to show you the results.

I've styled Pu tops in black, burgundy, and snake print, but this Black PU Hook And Eye Scoop Neck Crop Top - Mariah is my first PU top that has a hook front and sleeves.  It's unique from the rest in that way, but it still brings that classic vixen edge to any outfit, which is why I love it so.  For today's post, I'm keeping that diva vibe by pairing this top with a snakeskin print pencil skirt. 

Now, I know what you're thinking, December is typically the time of bulky layers of wool and acrylic not form fitting vinyl crop tops and and pencil skirts.  Hello, Shapewear!  I promised to make a mention of it in the outfits that I used shapewear, so may I present the first.  While the snake print does a wonderful job of hiding some of my trouble zones, the shapewear does the rest.  A little tummy slimming and bummy smoothing never hurt anyone, and if it makes you feel better about yourself then I'm all for it.

 

The Mariah Top looks great right out of the packaging.  No wrinkles to iron, it's just ready to wear.  The front hooks run all the way down, so there's no wiggling to get into it, which is nice since I tend to do my hair and make-up before getting dressed for the day, and I've ruined more than a few meticulously styled hair-dos by not planning to put on a tight pullover afterwards. 

 

The Mariah Top is a crop top, so for the next few outfits  I put together with it, including today's, I'll be wearing it with midi skirts, but I would also recommend high waist jeans.  Maybe I'll try that next, because I also love FemmeLuxe's high waist jeans.  I would also recommend a balconette bra for this top.  A balconette is perfectly hidden with this scoop neck, whereas any other type will probably show at the sides, and you don't want that.  This top is making quite a statement on its own and you want part of that statement to turn into hey, look at how wrong my bra is for this outfit.

There's a reason we shy away from form fitting apparel at this time of year, and I'm not exception to that rule.  Typically I like to stay bikini ready year round rather than perpetually be in a state of “trying to get back into shape,” but this year, the workouts just aren't happening, but the invitations to places where they'll be serving delicious meals seem to be pouring in.  That's ok, I'm not one to shy away from rich home cooked food.  I'm going to enjoy my curvier body this winter and show off my shape a little.  That's why I love FemmeLuxe.  With their Satin Dresses and Co-Ords I always feel confident, not matter what the numbers on the scale say.

For accents, I've really been sticking with my pearl strands lately.  I just love the classic elegance they bring to any outfit.  Pearls are the LBD of jewelry, you can never go wrong wearing them.  Ankle strap heels however, aren't for every outfit,  They work best with taller girls and shorter hemlines as they can tend to make short girls look even shorter, so wear them with a touch of caution, but I do think they bring a classic elegance to this particular style.

Next week I'll be bringing you pics of this Mariah top with a different printed skirt and it promises to much more comical.  (hint, hint)  I can't wait for you to see, so join me right back here next week for that outfit.

 

Shopping Info: Top from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, Skirt from: SHEIN, heels are old