November style ideas with Lafayette’s new boutique

We have two fashion choices when the weather cools…

1) We can hibernate (e.g., grab a sweatshirt and/or parka and call it a day) or… 2) We can continue to have fun with our clothing by putting some thought into November style ideas and transitional dressing. Have you heard this term thrown around by fashionistas? The concept is pretty simple. Best of all, it’s designed to stretch your budget!

You buy a few new items, mix them in with your current wardrobe, restyle those looks in various ways and voilà! You’re ready to seamlessly transition into cooler temps, while looking like you have an entirely new closet. Need inspiration? I teamed up with Boutique LoriAnn, Lafayette, Indiana’s newest shopping option, to offer a few suggestions to get you started.

The 101 N. Sixth Street shop opened in September. It brings a more personalized and sophisticated shopping experience to Greater Lafayette, in addition to handpicked fashions from Los Angeles, New York and beyond.

November Styles to Try

1) A Faux Fur Vest

To begin, let’s take a look at my personal favorite, the faux fur vest. I’ve never worn anything like this before and find it so luxurious. It keeps you warm and adds a bit of “wow factor” to any outfit. I styled this piece casually with jeans and Western-inspired boots, but it looks equally striking with a dress or skirt. Furthermore, it has pockets for extra comfort and looks great open or belted. You won’t regret adding this beauty to your closet!

Note: Boutique LoriAnn doesn’t sell online just yet. However, if you live outside the Lafayette area, owner Lori Schlaifer is happy to ship any of the items you see in this post. Just call 765-588-0955 or email [email protected].

Fur Vest |  Sweater (similar) | Western Boots | Skinny Jeans (my favorite) | Earrings (similar) 

Before we dive into the rest of our November style ideas, I want to tell you a bit about Lori Schlaifer and her shop. I am a huge believer in local small business and left Boutique LoriAnn truly inspired, both on the fashion front and on a personal level. Like me, Schlaifer sees style as a confidence-booster. She wants women of all ages, sizes and shapes to feel empowered and beautiful in their own skin. She is also invested in her community.

“There is a real sense of momentum in Lafayette right now and it’s exciting to be part of that revitalization,” Schlaifer said. “Our downtown is growing and vibrant, it just needed a boutique.”

With a bit of a nudge from her gal pals, Schlaifer stepped up to fill that void. She and her friends felt quality shopping was limited in Greater Lafayette. In fact, they were driving all the way to Indianapolis to find the sophisticated, on-trend fashions they craved. Schlaifer always had a knack for style, so they suggested she explore the possibility of boutique ownership.

As a Lafayette resident, I’m sure glad she did!

First of all, the space itself is beautiful. Open and airy, with a statement chandelier, it makes shopping feel like an event. You can clearly tell where Schlaifer draws her inspiration.

“I love Audrey Hepburn and classic styles,” she explained. “Less is definitely more. I wanted to create a boutique that is elegant, cozy and welcoming.”

In fact, the Boutique LoriAnn experience is more like shopping with a close friend than visiting a store. Schlaifer and her expert team offer personal styling for customers. They can help you develop and articulate your own fashion identify, as well as point you toward items that will be most flattering for your body type.  Make sure to pop in! Boutique LoriAnn is open Monday-Friday 11-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10-4 p.m. There is always plenty of parking.

2) Statement Sweater Dress

There’s a reason you hear the term “sweater weather” so much! Nothing beats the comfort of a great knit. So why not elevate the style a bit, by opting for a real statement piece? This is a November style idea guaranteed to draw compliments. The tiered bell sleeves are a show-stopper. You can wear it with heels in warmer weather, or layer with tights and boots for winter.

Ruffle Sleeve Sweater Dress | Heels | Tights

3) Black and White Motifs

Think black and white is boring? Think again! Explore this dynamic duo by pairing an eye-catching sweater with this super versatile high waisted vegan leather skirt. I fell in love with these pieces immediately because of the contrast. They feel edgy, yet classy.

4) Wide Leg Pants

Last up… wide leg pants. I’ll admit… This November style was way outside my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I tried it. If you think you’re (too short, too curvy, etc.) to try this, I urge you to reconsider. With the proper fit, a wide leg pant can be flattering. I worried these would make me look short. In contrast, they elongated my leg line and felt cozier than my pajamas. I love this dark and moody floral, as well as this smocked-detail top. It makes me think of Victorian-era lace.

[Thank you to Boutique Loriann for sponsoring this post!]