Brocade Without Going Broke

Elizabeth and James Yumi Brocade Top, $363

Fall 2012 is the season for rich textures and the peplum silhouette, which this Elizabeth and James Yumi Brocade Top has both so effortlessly!  The price tag on Elizabeth and James isn’t for the faint of heart, however, this piece with its timeless color, rich fabric and elegant silhouette makes it a great investment piece.

Ways to style this gorgeous top:

1. Classic Business / Day Look: pair with cigarette pants, point-toed flats, and moto-jacket to wear during the day, at a business meeting

2. Happy Hour Look: cigarette pants, killer pumps, statement cuff, and fur (faux for the PETA folks!) stole to wear after the long day at work, while sipping on a martini

3. For the skirt lover: a pencil skirt, pumps, and long trench for a fancy business dinner or stylish interview

Elizabeth and James can be found at most high-end department stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstroms.  However, there are a lot of great online sites where one can find yummy E&J pieces for possibly less than retail: Shopbop.com, Net-A-Porter.com and Piperlime.com (Rachel Bilson pick!).