Over the summer, I found an amazing orange mini skirt at a boutique in town. Originally, I saw it paired online with a cropped watercolor tank. This look was perfect for summer dates and outdoor get togethers, but I wasn’t sure how else to style the piece. Orange can be a tough color to match, and mini skirts can be hard to wear daily. Fortunately, Paul & Joe’s pre-fall 2015 line provided some incredibly appropriate inspiration. Perfect for college students looking to build preppy, colorful looks, the line features classic pairings, like sweaters over button-downs and jumpers with boots. A little mix of ’70s trends meeting Kate Middleton, the line might be my style dream. So, I set out to build an outfit with my orange skirt and preppy muse.
I found a great denim button-down in my roommate’s collection and paired it with a white cashmere sweater. The sweater works well with the outfit because it was crisp and bright, but still allows the orange skirt to take center stage. The denim shirt also added a little extra texture and could hold its own with or without the sweater. Sometimes I draped it over my shoulders for quick access, while others I simply pulled it over the button-down and let my sleeves and collar peek out, just as Paul & Joe intended.
Although some looks in the line featured riding boots, other’s featured tan ankle boots. I have a bit of an ankle boot addiction, so I chose to showcase my legs and picked preppy laced booties! This pair reminds me a bit of some professors’ footwear, as they look perfect for meandering around the library stacks. I used the long strap on my purse to wear it like a cross-body bag. Something about this variation reminded me of academic messenger bags. For an extra hint of fun, I accessorized with some of my favorite rings. They kept the look from getting too serious, as funky details always do.
Get My Look: 1. A bright mini skirt. 2. A sweater for layering. 3. The ultimate cross-body purse.
