Crop Top Layering

Hi, friends! How’s your week going? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the weekend. Is it Friday yet?! 😉

When it comes to transitioning from work to the weekend, I like to keep things simple. That way I can focus all of my remaining energy on having fun and enjoying my time off with friends and family.

Most Friday evenings, I end up just relaxing at home with Allen, but this week I’m ready to get out of the house and go to a nice dinner and movie. We went to see Deadpool on Valentine’s day and both really enjoyed it. Have you seen it yet? I’m thinking we’ll go see Eddie the Eagle next. Any other recommendations?

At any rate, like I was saying…I like to keep things simple when transitioning from work to the weekend. As a graduate research assistant, I wouldn’t say that my job requires me to be in strictly business attire all week, but I generally try to dress nice and leave jeans for casual Fridays. There’s something to be said about dressing to impress, and I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my daily productivity when I’m wearing something that makes me feel put together.

But when Friday rolls around, you can most likely find me in a pair of skinny jeans and flats with a nice button up on (something like this). So for me, when transitioning to weekend-mode, all it takes are a few extra pieces and some strategic layering to go from work to play.

In this case, I layered a faux leather crop top over  a classic white button up to add extra dimension and edge to my outfit. I’m not one to usually wear crop tops by themselves (except when paired with high-waisted trousers), but I especially love how they look when layered over other tops. It adds yet another angle of versatility to their utility, no? And I’m a huge fan of how this one is super textured and almost looks like leather.

As for the blouse, I particularly love this infinity length button up as a modern take on a classic staple. The crop top could be paired just as easily with a button up of standard length of course, but I especially love how the longer length of this one contrasts to the chopped vibes of the crop top. It’s a fun way to play with proportions. And the longer length makes it a bit easier to wear on its own, while still looking fashion-forward. For example, I wore it with jeans to see a musical with girlfriends (as seen in this post). And I love how Jessica styled it here for work with a belt around the waist. Don’t you love it when something so simple becomes casually chic and almost effortless to put together for a variety of events? Sign me up!

To glitz up the outfit for date night, I threw on my sparkly pumps (last seen here) and grabbed a sequin clutch to add a little more color to the black-white-and red (lips) ensemble. I also love pairing longer necklaces with outfits that already play on proportions, like this one. I recently picked this necklace up from Francesca’s on clearance (major score). You just never know what treasures you’ll find on sale when you go looking!

I also added a few details of turquoise in my jewelry to tie together the blues and greens of the outfit. And that’s it! By simply layering on a few more pieces to an outfit I’m already wearing, I can take my casual work wear to date night chic in a matter of minutes. And then the rest of the time can be spent enjoying whatever else I’ve got planned for the evening. It’s almost too simple, no?

What about you? How do you transition from work to the weekend?

Photos by Outside Ourselves

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Get the Look…

Button Up: J. Crew Factory (similar) | Crop Top: Banana Republic (similar here, here, here) | Jeans: Gap | Heels: Banana Republic (similar here, here) | Purse: Francesca’s (similar) | Necklace: Francesca’s (similar here, here, here) | Watch: Movado (from Switerzerland, similar) | Bracelet: Francesca’s (similar) | Rings: Aggie Ring, KD Ring gifted | Lips: Revlon (certainly red)