Seeing Spots.

I’ve never met a polka-dot print I didn’t like.  I realized this just the other day when I realized I have 3 different gauzey white-on-black polka dot blouses hanging in my closet, and that they’ve been in heavy rotation the past few weeks.  Is it bad that if I came across the polka dot blouse I just spotted (hehe) on my newest love of life, Giovanna Battaglia (former editor to various European Vogues, current creative designer for W magazine — yep!  she’s stateside!), I would totes mcgotes snap it up and hang it alongside the other 3 polka dot companions currently in my wardrobe?

{PS — I’ve been stockpiling images of Ms. G, a favorite of TheSartorialist and other street style blogleteers, for some time now, and currently feel inspired to run a “Dress Like G” post…if you’d like to get a sneak peek of her stylish amazingness, check out this post from ThePlace2BSeen.}  But back to the dots: I’ve been pairing this balloon-sleeve BARGAIN of a blouse I found at H&M ($19, H&M — I bought it in multiples, including the pink and black print, which looks slick with anything from black skinnies to a trim white pencil skirt; need the shirt pronto and not willing to locate an H&M?  Check out this nearly identical $64 version from PiperLime) with a wider-gauge polka dot scarf ($150, Net-A-Porter) and white skinnies on dress-down Fridays at work:

I’d finish with glossy black sunnies (Gucci, $275, Net-A-Porter), a serious watch (haha, I almost laugh at imagining myself wearing this bad boy, which costs a cool $8,300…thanks, Tiffany) and a fierce leopard ring ($60, Max&Chloe):

As for shoes?  I’d probably wear some neutral flats to work, and these elegant Reed Krakoffs are just my cup of tea ($375, Net-A-Porter) — but I must say that I’ve been swooning over those geek chic slipper/loafer (sloafer) hybrids that are cropping up left and right (i.e., here and here and here and here and here…the list goes on…)

Work requires a big, slouchy, roomy bag capable of carrying my bajillion and 1 particulars (Macbook Air, iPad, iPhone, unspillable coffee mug, power chargers, legal pads, 34 LePens, bobby pins and hair ties, makeup bag, snackeroos, oversized wallet, sunnies, etc, etc, etc), and I’ve got my eyes on this roomy but chic textured tote ($545, PourLaVictoire):

Alternately, how about this Equipment-style blouse (Gold Hawk, $150, LesPommettes) with skinnies and some cheery flats (on sale for $248, Giuseppe Zanotti)

I like the idea of mixing in a bold leopard print against the polka dot, and how CHIC (ugh) is this Jimmy Choo style ($1,300, Net-A-Porter)?!  UGH.

Perfect with some juged up bracelets ($95, StefaniBags for top; $200, CCSkye for bottom):

Now, I realize how fall-focused this post is beginning to get (jeans? flats? long-sleeved blouses?), but I can’t help it…wahhh!  The shopping gods are pushing me to think fall even though it’s a cool 99 degrees and humid as all hell outside.  So I’ll just play victim to their devious marketing ploys and admit that I am daydreaming about sweater weather — something like this M. Missoni duster sweater ($990, Net-A-Porter)

I’d wear it over an LRR (lather-rinse-repeat) black shift ($128, Ann Taylor) with a statement necklace (do you LOVE AND LIVE FOR this style, made of a knotted vintage Givenchy scarf?! — $175, CrumleyStore):

Some serious footwear is in order to sort of spruce the whole look up — I’ve been really falling in love with the latest from Azzedine Alaia (saw a pair of fierce Alaia tootsies similar to the ones shown below in Intermix and d.i.e.d. over them) and Giuseppe Zanotti, who have been featuring similar lace-up bootie styles, like these Zanotti  sandals ($995, Net-A-Porter):

(Too fierce?  Check out these classic Givenchy pumps, which I’ve drooled over about 34 times this week alone.)  Round out the look with a ladylike bag (how darling is this?! — Z by Zac Posen, $525, Scoop NY) — also HUGE for fall.  (See ya slouchy — everyone’s going for the structure these days.)

For jewels?  I’m thinking some classic gold enorma-studs ($55, BingBang), a ladylike watch (lovelovelove the shape of the face — very Hermes! — $51, ASOS), and a monogrammed cuff bracelet ($2,000, JenniferFisher):

For a low-key weekend of shopping, how about a pair of eye-catching earrings ($125, SuzannaDai), this sleeveless Marni top (on sale for $195, Marni) with some cropped jeans (I love J. Brand’s “Gigi” style — $165, Shopbop)?

Finish with flats.  I like the idea of a pair of flame red ones, but I’m also into pairing different sized polka dots with one another, and you know my recent obsession with those sloafers….sooo how about these puppies (a special collab between Sigerson Morrison and Madewell — $235, Madewell) in pony hair?

I’d finish with this snake-embossed carry-all ($550, ScoopNYC):

Anyone else on the polka dot train?

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