Outfits Of Some Days (A Color Combustion)

The weather here in Colorado is beginning to cool off, with warm sunny days now quickly fading into crisp nights and the threat of fall (and then winter) lingering in the air. Ohhh god damnit, ew.

I often get asked to list what I think are closet "must-haves".  While I generally try to avoid this, since most of my "must-haves" will be completely inane for the majority of the world (I don't work in an office, I don't have kids, I talk to my chihuahuas as if they are little humans, and I'm totally cool with falling on my ass while wearing heels in the middle of Red Robin) (umtruestory), there are two key items that I think would work for any wardrobe especially this fall and winter: bright pumps and leopard print.

The fashion world declared leopard print a "classic" last year, and while I'm still a little hesitant to make such a bold statement myself, man do I love leopard. It's so versatile (it matches black!  it matches brown!) and adds a bit of feistiness to any outfit.  If I'm feeling saucy, I rock a leopard print dress or leopard print cardigan. And if I'm feeling mild, a skinny leopard print belt, pair of shoes, or spotty handbag can still give any outfit some texture without being too cheap-polyester-clad-lady-of-the-night-ish.  We prefer silk-clad-lady-of-the-night-ish in this house, thanks.

Bright pumps, in my opinion, are another must. We went through a bit of a lazy period over the past few years in footwear, with everyone embracing nude pumps due to their magical "leg-lengthening" powers, and don't get me wrong--as someone with freakishly short legs, I definitely enjoy a good nude heel. 

But enough is enough! Bright pumps are really fun to wear and look great paired with anything from neutrals (think camels, blushes, and even black) to equally-bright outfits. 

And now leopard + bright pumps, two different ways:

Blouse: Urban Outfitters (similar style here for under $100) (and here at Madewell) (and here by DVF, on sale!)
Skirt: Forever 21 (buy it here) (similar style here for $17) (similar style here + take 25% off with code "SAVE25", pin "1231")
Pumps: J Crew Valentina Pumps (buy them here) (similar style here, on sale + under $100!) (similar style here for under $100) (and here for $50)
Bag: ASOS Slot Through Porfolio Clutch (buy it here!) (similar style here) (and by the lovely Rebecca Minkoff here)
Bracelet: Gorjana (buy it here)
Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Coco in Peregrina - Limited Edition (buy it here)

Sweater: Forever 21 (buy it here) (similar style in a cardigan here) (and here in a dress at LOFT!)
Shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar style here) (and here for under $100) (and here for $60)
Pumps: J Crew Valentina Pumps (buy them here) (similar style here, on sale + under $100!) (similar style here for under $100) (and here for $50)

Bag: ASOS Slot Through Porfolio Clutch (buy it here!) (similar style here) (and by the lovely Rebecca Minkoff here)