Skirting the Issue: 4 Ways to Wear a Maxiskirt

Maxiskirts have become a wardrobe staple for me, so I was inspired to share some tips on how to wear them. Consider what type of silhouette you want (slim-fit versus billowy) when styling the skirt. Choosing the right shoes is also key. Petite gals may need to wear heels or wedges to accommodate the length of the skirt, where taller chicas may need flats to avoid a high-water look (unless that's the intention). Here are 4 fresh ways you can wear your favorite maxiskirts. Which way is your fave?

1. Streamlined: If you have a slim-fitting maxiskirt, pairing it with a fitted top creates a cool, sleek look. You may want to leave the top untucked to avoid disturbing the overall flow.

2. Bottoms up: With a billowy maxiskirt, a slim top creates a stylish contrast. This time, tucking in the shirt may look really cute. Tees, sweaters, and sleeveless button-up blouses all work for this silhouette.

3. Top down: Another idea is to go top down - pair a slouchy shirt or blouse to balance out a sleeker maxiskirt. Try a relaxed sweatshirt and printed sneakers for a sporty, girlie look.

4. Crop out: Maxiskirts are surprisingly very cute with now-trending crop tops. The long skirt provides a sweet balance to the spiciness of the exposed tummy.

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Hippie Chick

In the midst of life's chaos, sometimes you need an outfit that lets you feel carefree. This embroidered peasant blouse invites my inner free spirit to come out and play for awhile. (She's having so much fun, she may not go back in!) With the top's retro winglike sleeves and my fringe handbag, I feel free as a bird!

Top: Jessica Simpson Maternity, Fringe Bag: Steve Madden, Jeans: Joe's from Sprung Boutique

All photos courtesy of Erin B. Photography

Missouri Fashion Week

For the first Gateway Gem feature, I'm giving you the scoop on the inaugural Missouri Fashion Week! (Not to be confused with St. Louis Fashion Week, which I will be attending next month. Yes, St. Louis is sparkling with so much style that we now have another major fashion week!) The 4-day extravaganza featured hip hop performances, 20 talented designers, and several local vendors. MOFW was held at The Moto Museum, an ultra-cool space surrounded by motorcycles and biker-inspired outfit creations. For my first official "VIP experience," I was treated to a swag bag of coupons, chocolate, and cute flip-flops.

Night 1: Pronto!

The first evening of was a tribute to St. Louis' long-running Pronto Fashion Show. The show started with an explosive dance performance by "choreographer to the stars" Wizdom Truth. Next, looks from 7 designers graced the runway. My personal fave was RFD by Rachel Frank's line showcasing feathers, leather and animal-themed headdresses. Wearable? No. Innovative and showstopping? Absolutely!

For my outfit, I selected a spicy satin minidress from Women's Closet Exchange. Not only did I score it for a ridiculous price ($29.99, marked down from $220), I love how it tastefully covers my baby bump and is still short and sassy. I also donned my sparkly stilettos. Cute before comfort!
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Night 4: Biker Chic

I missed Thursday and Friday nights due to other obligations, but was amped for the MOFW finale. After another energetic Wizdom Truth dance performance, the "Biker Chic" themed-show featured 4 designers. I appreciate the inherent coolness and versatility of anything leather, but am not much of a sporty spice. So, my favorite pieces of the night were more glam. Daniel Jolivette showed an amazing white leather dress. I was also blown away by a black coat from Haus by Sierra Moses that had sparkly puffed sleeves. My overall verdict of the event? A resounding, fashionable success!

Saturday's outfit went through a few revisions before I decided to nix my original plan of wearing a sparkly tube top and black pants. Instead, I wore the tube top as a skirt and topped it with a studded white blouse. Gold flats and purse provided finishing touches.

Me & my haute husband!

Daft Punky Boeser

Daft Punk's beats always make me want to dance! This summer's infectious "Get Lucky" collab with Pharrell inspired me to wear the Daft Punk tee I bought last year. Its bright neon colors call for equally upbeat accents, so I donned my white plastic specs. And, after a recent post by The Wicked Wallflower featuring the happiest backpack ever, I've been determined to resurrect my favorite backpack: a neon pink Beverly Hills, 90210 bag signed by Jason Priestly himself! (At least that's what the ebay seller claimed, and who am I to question it?) The bag is more fun than functional, but I'll wear anything promoting my all-time fave show with pride. Backpacks are a hot trend for fall - have you bought (or found) yours yet?

Tee: Hot Topic; Jeans: Sprung Boutique; Eyewear: gifted

Cute backpack + back to school season = I swing my beats at the playground!

Yep. I'm one of the cool kids. LOL

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Animalistic Print Mixing

Plaids and polka dots, stripes and paisley, florals and checks. These are perfectly acceptable (and applauded) print-mixing tricks used by scores of fashionistas. But what about mixing leopard print with zebra print? My sister bought me a zany sundress from Puerto Rico with both zebra stripes and cheetah spots. The striking, coordinated chaos of this dress is like a jungle party! The key to kingdom harmony is to follow the usual pattern-mixing rules: stay in the same color family. Mixing animal prints has a define risk of looking untamed, but can look ferocious. What do you think?

Dress and necklace: from Puerto Rico; Boots: Steve Madden

The zebra-leopard combo works because both prints have purple and white in common.

The handkerchief hem is perfect for summer! I wore black boots with the dress to balance out the girliness.
All photos c/o Erin B. Photography

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Jumpsuit for Joy

I love jumpsuits but for reasons unknown, they are typically under-appreciated by retailers and can be tough to find. I was thrilled to find this one from Janet's Vintage Planet at the Green Shag Market! It's retro 80s, a gorgeous yellow, and clearly one-of-a-kind, so I said a quick prayer that I could wiggle my bump into it. (Luckily, she fit.) The cool $22 price tag was another thing that made me smile. Do you jump for joy when wearing a jumpsuit or romper, or do you like to keep things a little more grounded?

Jumpsuit: from Green Shag Market; Shoes: Forever 21; Necklace: Stella & Dot

I just love the pockets!

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Purr-ocious Muscle Tee

During a recent trip to Marshall's looking for baby items, my sister and I decided to do a quick "walk-through" of the clothing section. Of course, that turned into trying on countless items since we "needed" something to wear to work. While she found a couple of classy, guaranteed-to-look-chic-in-the-office striped tops, a muscle tee featuring a silver cat caught my eye. (True office attire is my least favorite thing to shop for, but if I wear this tee while working on the blog, it's technically "work wear." Right?) My beloved cat Silver could have been the inspiration for the tee, so I figured it was a must-buy. For an unexpected combo, I paired the muscle tee with a khaki pencil skirt and chunky platform sandals. I also wore my new retro-inspired, cat-eye specs! Do you have a feline friend who has inspired one of your outfits?

Eyewear: Miu Miu; Muscle tee: Marshall's; Skirt: Goodwill; Wedges: Mia from Macy's

I wear my heart on my sleeve and my cat on my tee. See the resemblance?

Wearing these wedges always makes me feel cooler. . .even though they're not the easiest to walk in!

This post was selected as a winner in the IFB Project #111: Get Fancy with Feline Inspired Fashion! See the all winning feline looks here!

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Emerald City

When I found this green vintage jacket at a resale store, Rung Boutique, I knew I had to have it! (No matter that it was technically out of season and sold in a set with a matching sheath dress that can't possibly accommodate my baby bump.) The incredibly detailed buttons, emerald and white print, and 60s collar made it a must-buy. To summerize it for a night out with friends, I paired it with a flowy white top, dark wash jeans, a silver clutch and sparkly heels. The jacket provides just enough warmth to combat working-overtime ACs. I'm totally mad for this mod jacket!

Polka dots are always classic!

Blazer: Rung Boutique; Blouse: Target; Jeans: Sprung Boutique; Shoes: Burlington Coat Factory

Pregnant in stiletto heels!

Silver clutch: Thrifted vintage

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Easy, Breezy Maxiskirt

There's something so easy and breezy about a white maxiskirt in the summer. For a leisurely afternoon of antique mall shopping with my husband, I paired the skirt with a whimsical tie-front tee, a mini leather cross-body bag, and strappy sandals. (I had to smile when another girl walked into the store wearing a nearly identical white broomstick skirt.) The coolest thing about this skirt is its versatility - simply changing the top and jewelry gives it a distinct new look. I went for an artsy vibe. Click here for even more ideas on what to wear with a maxiskirt. How would you style a white maxiskirt?

Tie-front top: Macy's; White skirt: Motherhood Maternity

Cross-body bag: from Mexico (bought on my honeymoon!)

Twirly girl!

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Fringe Benefits

I love the boho swagger of my fringe handbag! It's suede and has short and long straps. I paired it with my trusty dark wash maternity jeans and a bedazzled tribal-print blouse for an evening of BBQ with friends. (Sadly, I was too stuffed to sample the bacon-bit ice cream, although I plan to do so when my next craving hits!) This has bag has become the go-to purse for an extra swing in my step. I'd love to hear your ideas - what would you wear with this purse?