After living in Maine with the same twelve garments for six months, I’m all about versatility. Once you learn to style a sweater six different ways out of necessity, you no longer feel the need to buy six different sweaters to create an identical number of outfits. This same logic applies to tops– in fact, probably even more so now that I’m back in Florida and the sweater analogy isn’t practical. When I’m considering investing in a classic top with a price tag over $50, it better look great with shorts in the summer, jeans in the fall/winter, and a pencil skirt for the office. This wild lavender popover blouse from Banana Republic fits all those requirements seamlessly. It’s the perfect versatile work top that can be dressed up for meetings and down for both casual and dressy casual affairs. 

I packed this very versatile work top on my trip to the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando (full trip recap to come), since I was really sure what the weekend was going to entail, and I needed clothing that could work for multiple occasions. First, I met up with Ashley Brooke and Mash Elle for one of our routine digital strategy meetings, so I styled their Piped Edge Vee top with white shorts and the cutest pair of brown ballet flats with a pointed toe. If you’re looking for a quality pair of flats for work or leisure, I highly recommend these beauties. The neutral brown color goes with everything, and they’re 98% leather, so they’re definitely worth the $98 price tag. 

Shop the Look: Versatile Work Top: Banana Republic, $78 | Shorts: Caslon, $49 (similar) | Ballet Flats: Banana Republic, $98 | Belt: Halogen, $29 (similar) | Bag: Vera Bradley, $155 (currently 50% off) | Earrings: Kendra Scott, $80 (currently on clearance in gold, silver, and rose gold) | Sunglasses: BP, $12
 

 

Our whole group had a dinner reservation at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at CityWalk (if ever get the chance to go, order a Chocolate X5 milkshake– you’ll regret nothing). Since it got a surprisingly chilly, I dressed up the same versatile work top with my favorite pair of dark wash flare jeans and cognac booties– and I brought my black blazer along, too. 

Shop the Look: Versatile Work Top: Banana Republic, $78 | Flare Jeans: J Brand, $158 (currently 20% off) | Booties: BP, $75 (similar and currently 25% off) | Belt: Halogen, $29 (similar) | Bag: Vera Bradley, $155 (currently 50% off) | Earrings: Kendra Scott, $80 (currently on clearance in gold, silver, and rose gold) | Sunglasses: BP, $12
 

 
Hurray for versatility, right?! Maybe it’s my newfound frugality burning inside of me (which is definitely from Kyle), but there are too many quality brands and quality garments out there to justify paying for poorly-made, over-priced garbage that won’t pass the test of time and can only be worn once or twice– wedding dresses and Black Tie gowns excluded. Have a great weekend, y’all! 

Thank you, Banana Republic, for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own!