A Shorts Story // blazer + shorts & tights

It's time to give your skirts a break and opt for something a little fresher for winter. Shorts are an unexpected choice this time of year, making them ideal when you find yourself stuck in a style rut. Just add tights and a blazer for a streamlined, work-approved look! 

Drapey shorts - or as I like to call them, dressy shorts - are way more polished than your everyday summer short. These babies are flattering, versatile, and timeless, making them my go-to style for ANY time of year. Even better, this pair is high-waisted, which makes styling them a cinch! Adding opaque tights is my secret weapon when the temps drop. 

A sleek blazer never fails to upgrade any outfit. While any black blazer will do, this style is my personal favorite as it's a tad slouchy, has no buttons, and has some extra length. And voila - paired with black shorts you instantly have a makeshift shorts suit, how easy is THAT?

To break up all this black, I chose a top in a nude hue for a neutral pop of color. This cropped shell perfectly compliments my high-waisted shorts too, which made it a no-brainer. 

Taking your typical black bootie up a notch, this pair has fringe, which is a fun sassy detail to an otherwise simple pair of shoes. I also love the silver studs ;)

Echoing the studs on my booties, this black leather clutch adds some extra pizazz to a mostly-all-black ensemble. Even better, it's roomy enough to fit all of my essentials and then some. 

A bit exotic, a bit bold, this unique necklace never fails to elevate the simplest of looks. I love how it incorporates black in the chain, which makes it an ideal accessory for most dark-hued pieces. 

I couldn't resist matching my earrings with my necklace. This tiny bar stud seriously looks so chic with everything - it can even be worn horizontal! 

When your typical winter uniform of sweater + pants induces a yawn, you know it's time for a wardrobe switch-up. Throwing chic shorts into the mix is a super simple fix. Not only can winter shorts be styled in multiple ways, but they're also comfortable and unexpected - giving you major style cred.

Keeping my makeup neutral and subtle for a fresh-faced daytime look, I dusted my lids with bronze shimmer shadow, extended the wing of my eyeliner a tad, and painted my lips with whipped liquid lipstick from Buxom - bonus: the gloss actually feels like velvet! 

Photos by Dan Harper

[top: Ann Taylor (similar here) // blazer: LC Lauren Conrad (super similar style here) // shorts: Banana Republic (similar here) // tights: Express // booties: Sam Edelman (similar here) // clutch: Rebecca Minkoff // necklace: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // black earrings: fine jewelry (similar here) // gold earrings: Kevia (similar pair here) // tortoise shell bangle: Ann Taylor // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // watch: Daniel Wellington // lipstick: Buxom Whipped Liquid Lipstick in "Devious Dolly"] 

That's my little sister Sarah in the last pic! My dad took these photos for me while I was home for Christmas, and we had a blast running around town snapping pics. There seriously is no place like home. 

I wore this look to a work event in NYC where I had the opportunity to attend a Pentatonix Q&A panel and view the group's Christmas special WITH the actual members. I felt confident and comfortable in this ensemble, which is really all you can ask for!

 // SHOP //