Tunics and Leggings Part II

I’m talking with Nordstrom today about some more tunics to wear with my favorite leggings! Every single fall I get tons of e-mails (and when I say tons, I mean TONS!) about this exact topic because people LOVE them some leggings, but it’s hard to find leggings appropriate tops!  What makes a top leggings appropriate, you ask?  WELL.  That’s easy.  It must cover your crotchal area because LEGGINGS AREN’T PANTS.  I mean, they are…….as long as you are appropriately covered.  And let’s just all act like “crotchal” is a word, because it totally should be.

 Remember the meme my friend Andrea made for me to mark the occasion back in November of 2013 when I named these leggings a MUST HAVE?  3 years later, and it still applies.  #anditalwayswill #foreverandeveramen

So in an effort to help all of you nice ladies cover your crotchal areas ;), I always try to dedicate at least a couple of posts each year to leggings appropriate tops.  Click HERE for a dress/tunic I featured a couple of weeks ago.  I’ve got two more great options for you today that I’m super excited about!  I’ve had trouble finding leggings appropriate tops this year, but these are good ones.  And I have three more on the way, so fingers crossed for those.  And I have to say, Andrea outdid herself on this next one.

I mean, ADORABLE HINEY makes me laugh every. single. time.

And listen, even if you don’t think you are a leggings person, I feel strongly that you need to at least give these a try. They are under $40, and ordering a pair is NO RISK with FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS…so you have nothing to lose!  And if you ARE a leggings person, even if you already have a pair you like, I still think you need to try these babies for yourself.  Unless you don’t like to look super cute yet feel like you are wearing pajamas.  😉

One thing:  I’ve had some reports from readers that my MUST HAVE leggings aren’t the same as they used to be a couple of years ago.  Some say they are thinner.  NO!  SAY IT AIN’T SO!  I’ve heard that THESE blackout leggings (also from Hue) are great (and they also have fantastic reviews).  It sounds like they are thicker than the new version of the ultra wide waistband version, but I wish they came in grey.  They do come in navy, which is fun.  Might have to get those for myself!

OKAY!  Let’s get to the outfits.

LOOK #1

I could go on AND ON AND ON about this sweater.  So I will.  First of all, the cowl neck is perfection.  It’s big, but not overwhelming, and the neck doesn’t make me claustrophobic (like some turtlenecks do).  The sweater is so soft (I absolutely hate sweaters that are itchy!), and it kind of feels a bit cashmere-ish!  The fit is great (it’s kind of fitted, but not clingy), and it drapes so nicely because it’s not bulky at all.  I’m wearing the regular small (at almost 5’4″), so I think it’s true to size.  It also comes in petite for you shorter gals (or for those that only want to wear with jeans). It maybe runs a bit big, so if you are just going to wear with jeans and not leggings, I might consider sizing down a size.  I definitely wanted the room and the length that the regular small provided since I knew I would be wearing it with leggings.

sweater tunic (plus size version HERE)/  leggings /over the knee suede boots / earrings / necklace / cross body

Here’s the sweater without the bag over it.  It’s a great staple piece, and I feel like it can easily be dressed up or down. This is definitely my new favorite sweater.  I haven’t worn it out of the house yet (so I haven’t had to launder it) because it’s been too dang hot, but I read two different reviews from people that say they wash theirs with great results.  I will probably dry clean mine, just because that’s what I do.  My color is the “burgundy stem”.  It was a very overcast day and the lighting was off, which I guess is why it looks a bit different on me than it does on the website.

And here’s a close up of the bag!  I’m continuing to love the bag.  It’s very well made for a reasonable price.  Click HERE to see other bags from this same maker!

Get The Look For Yourself Here:

And don’t forget, the sweater comes in several colors (I love every single color..and there’s a new purple one as well)…as well as black in plus-size.  Caslon actually has lots of great plus size options HERE (including a great military jacket).

LOOK #2

This is a very similar look to the dress from a couple of weeks ago (see it again below), but it’s women’s sizing instead of juniors (which several readers requested).  I had to size down in this dress and am wearing an x-small.  The x-small still had the nice drapey effect, and the small just looked kind of sloppy….so definitely consider sizing down.The material is thin, so there is no way that I would wear this without leggings, but I do love it when paired with leggings.  Oh, and it has pockets.  So there’s that.  😉

dress / leggings /over the knee suede boots / earrings / necklace /  similar cognac cross body

I’m telling you, it’s like wearing pajamas.   And it comes in 3 other other colorways/patterns.

Get The Look For Yourself Here:

And remember when the last special mama winner also layered the same with a military jacket and wore flats!   See the original post HERE.  Looking good, Jamie!

similar military jacket (size down at least 1 size…maybe 2!)/ dress / MUST HAVE leggings / tassel necklace / leather tote / similar flats

If you would prefer a boot that’s not over the knee, I would suggest THESE (also available in wide calf HERE).  They’ve been around for several years, they are a great quality, and tons of readers have them and love them.  And they also come in a wide calf version.

And I’ll go ahead show the other look from Part 1, because I’ve received many e-mails from readers declaring their love for this dress!  BUT WARNING:  DO NOT WASH THIS DRESS.  I plan on dry cleaning mine, but I received 2 e-mails from readers saying it shrunk up to nothing!  So, even though other LUSH tops wash okay, this is not one of them.  Consider yourself warned.  😉

bell sleeve shift dress / MUST HAVE leggings / necklace / earrings / similar cognac boots / bracelet / square faced watch

And a couple more oldies but goodies THAT ARE STILL AVAILABLE!  This tunic (named a MUST HAVE two years ago), NOW ON SALE!  I’m wearing a small.

And the baby blardigan (and original blardigan) were both pretty much made for leggings.  Exact tee now sold out.  If you are traveling by airplane, train, or car….a leggings and blardigan combo needs to be your travel outfit.  Period.  I’m wearing the x-small/small.

Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!  Remember, I’m in Round Top with friends this weekend, and I hope to be posting to instagram, so make sure you follow me there!

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