Tiers of Joy.

The last few seasons have been full of over-the-top femininity — frills, pleats, dramatic sleeves, ruffles, bows — but one way to nod to the trend without looking too frou frou is through an artfully tiered sleeve or hemline.  I’ve been finding lots of tiered pieces with just the right amount of interest lately, gathering inspiration from the likes of these street style babes (and, OK, the lovely snap above is admittedly a little over the top, but a lot of the time, the tiered detailing is just enough without going insane):

My Top Picks for Tiered Pieces:

+In love (!!!) with this ice-blue statement jacket.  The detailing on the sleeve adds just the right amount of femininity.  (Mom, I could totally see you in this!)

+This tiered Rebecca Taylor dress (on sale for $169!) is so easy-breezy-chic.  No thought required.

+I can’t quite figure out where I’d wear this Alice McCall sweater dress — too bare for winter, but in that heavier-wait knit material?! — but I love it in the marigold color.  Such a fun pop of color.

+Love this tiered-sleeved sweater.

+Speaking of marigold, loving this tiered wool skirt from J. Crew in the “bronzed topaz” color.  Wear with a white blouse (love this one) and BOOM.

+Speaking of J. Crew: this.

+Now THIS girl knows how to party.  EPIC evening dress for around $150!

+Turn up the volume a bit at work with this tiered-sleeved poplin top in crisp white.

+This Red Valentino confection of a tiered dress is oh-so-sweet — I pretty much love everything they do (ahhh see pick no. 4 here), but you can get the look for less with this ($108), the dress version of that shirt I have been obsessing over.

+OHMYGOD, part one.  OHMYGOD, part two.

+One of my favorite affordable tiered finds this fall.  That pearl detail!

+SO PRETTY in that lavender hue...and so on sale!  Maybe buy for a wedding next summer?!

+UGH, this is so chic in that bordeau color.