Ever since I started working and had an income, I’ve been a big online shopper. Over the years, I’ve bought a few things I truly love and can keep season after season, but I’ve also bought so many clothes that I’ve only worn for one season or a handful of times. I sell most of the clothes I no longer want on Poshmark, but often at a fraction of the purchase price, which means, over the years, I have wasted so much money on clothes I don’t even wear / want / feel confident in.

In an effort to buy things that are truly missing from my closet or would enhance my wardrobe in some way, I’ve been making a list of the “holes” in my closet on my phone. Anything that I come across in my online shopping pursuits that’s not on the list, I pass on buying because it’s an impulse—not something I really want. (I don’t want to say need because I am lucky enough to be in a place where I can buy clothes for the fashion, not out necessity.)

One of the holes in my closet was a leopard coat. I realize that this is a pretty bold piece, and definitely not for everyone, but leopard has long been one of my favorite neutral patterns—it goes with way more than you think, and is a fun way to take a simple outfit up a notch. I’d been browsing around casually for a leopard coat now for a few years, but never found one with just the right pattern for what I was envisioning in my head. Fast forward to about a month ago, and I’m watching my Instagram Stories like I do wayyy too many times a day. A story flashes across my screen, and one of my best friends is wearing the most perfect leopard coat. I immediately text her to ask where she got it, and she told me she picked it up last year from Cupcakes & Cashmere. I hopped on Poshmark right away, and found one in my size that still had the tags on—it was meant to be!

So, while this exact coat is sold out, definitely check Poshmark—there’s a Medium available now!—or check out these similar leopard coats here, here, here, and here, all are under $200.

One of the other things I wanted to talk about today are work pants. Y’all know I love a good cropped black ankle pant. Several years ago, Ann Taylor offered a side-zip ponte ankle pant that were awesome and I really regret not stocking up on more than two pairs back then. Now, they still offer the same pant, but they’ve redesigned them to be more of a casual legging. I personally feel the new design is a bit too laid back for work, so last year when I was down to only one pair of the AT magic pants (I ripped one of the pairs not on the seam and they weren’t salvageable—tears!), I picked up the Old Navy Pixie Pants.

I’ve been wearing the Old Navy Pixie Pants in black for about a year to work, and also have them in the hunter green color as seen here. They really are great pants—the price is unbeatable and, unlike most work pants, you can throw them in the washer/dryer. That being said, you get what you pay for, and about a year in, I’ve noticed the black is starting to fade and they lose shape much faster during the day. So, I’ve been on the hunt for my next perfect pair of work pants. Before my Ann Taylor and Old Navy days, I used to be a J Crew Minnie gal (~RIP!), then moved onto the Banana Republic Sloan. I’ve been thinking about trying the latter out again, but also love Ann Taylor and think the quality is a bit better for the same price—so I was thinking about trying the Ann Taylor Chelsea Skinny Pants or the Ann Taylor Ankle Pant in Seasonless Stretch. I wear pants nearly every day in the winter (#outdoorcommuteprobs), and since the temps are dropping, I definitely want to find a good ankle pant soon—let me know if you have any favorites.

*** SHOP THE POST ***
Cupcakes & Cashmere Leopard Coat—found on Poshmark
Similar Leopard Coats here, here, here, and here
Old Navy Pixie Pants
ASOS New Look Pointed Buckle Heel
zeroUV Round Retro Oversized Sunglasses

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Photos by Kimberly Graydon