A Stylish Outfit With Zero Accessories

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Sometimes less is more on point.

I walked out the door dressed for church a couple weeks ago without a single accessory.

I tried to accessorize, even put on a necklace, it just seemed odd not to. I think sometimes we wear things because it’s “what you’re supposed to wear” or it’s our little routine – “I always wear a ____”. But I want to change that. When you box yourself in to what you think you’re supposed to wear, you begin to stop wearing things because you feel good in them and do it out of obligation or habit. Let’s only wear things that make us feel like our best, wearing only things we love and feel beautiful in.

It’s not always the case, (and don’t tell Dolly I said this) but sometimes an outfit doesn’t need embellishing.

So how do you know when an outfit doesn’t need embellishing? The best answer is, when jewelry doesn’t highlight anything.

Now if you could see my ears better, I would have added some studs (probably pink ones), but you can’t really see my ears through all my hair.

So if you don’t have this going on, remember even the smallest of earrings can make an impact, add polish and make you look purposeful. That’s always the goal – looking purposeful. Like you put time and effort into your look (without having to put lots of time/effort into your look), and it doesn’t require a pile of jewelry!

A bold patterned anything – sweater, jacket, top – help to give life and visual impact which means you can minimize the jewelry.

Remember you’re adding highlights with accessories, and a page that’s fully highlighted isn’t easy on the eyes.

Sweater is from J Crew (exact sweater link! Ha, that never happens) | jacket and jeans Express | shoes Target (all of which I’ve owned for years)

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Watch How to Wear One Simple Outfit (you own) 4 Different Ways

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Oh, oh it’s magic! Or just accessories…

Walking into Charming Charlie in West Town Mall for this segment makes my mouth water in excitement.

I get so excited putting different looks together because I believe it will help you next time you get stumped with what to wear. It’s amazing how different a basic outfit of a white shirt and jeans can look with a few simple switches of accessories!

 

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Styling Help: Maxi Skirt & Jacket

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{Skirt} dreams really do come true.
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For years I’ve tried to pull off a tulle skirt (as evidenced by this failed attempt in 2014). The thing with these skirts? You don’t want to look too young, too costume-y, too much like a ballerina or too little of a girl playing dress up (let’s be real, there’s a little bit of that look going on).

When I found this beautiful leather jacket, I knew I could balance out it’s short/tight look with a big ole’ skirt. Amazon for the win: Wedding Planning WDPL Women’s Long Tutu Tulle Skirt A Line Floor Length Skirts 

But what about accessories?

The neckline of this jacket rules out a necklace – it would be too hard/awkward looking to try to work one with the way the lapels fall. And since I was wearing my hair up and am currently obsessed with all things earrings – I knew I wanted something sparkly hanging off my lobes.

Enter: New York & Company in West Town Mall.

They really have fantastic accessories and they’re ALWAYS on sale. On the day I went shopping it was a buy one get TWO free sale. So I got these gorgeous earrings, the bracelet (pictured) and other gold bracelets for later use – all for right under $30. That’s a deal.

I’m proud of myself for venturing out of what could have been my comfort zone of silver jewelry and instead going for some rose gold. It was hard, and I almost changed it at the last minute, but that pop of pink against the navy and gray, really added something special to the whole look. And surprisingly I’ve already wanted to reach for all my jewelry a second time so I know it won’t go unused this spring/summer.

Thanks for hanging in the blog over the past week and a half – I was having behind the scenes technical hiccups that prevented me from being able to get in and add new posts. But we’re up and running again, so check back tomorrow for more content!

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Two Quick Tricks to Help You Get Dressed This Spring

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*Bear hugs Winter goodbye.

Two quick tricks to help you get dressed this spring.

Okay so I’ve got to come to terms with the fact that winter is over this week (OR DO I??)… Actually, I consider winter fully and completely over – as in stop reaching for winter colors/textures – by Easter. So if you want to join my “Still Celebrating Winter Over Here” party, feel free to do so until April 1st. And that’s no joke.

For the rest of you, keep reading…

Spring isn’t as drastic as a shift in seasons as thinking about summer can be. But the good news is if you master these two tricks I’m about to give you, then you’ll seamlessly transition into that season as well. So what’s the first trick?

Think of one look you want to rock this spring. Just one.

Example: for me, this spring I want to rock a graphic tee, jacket, jeans and jewelry. Whether it’s a necklace or bold earrings, I want to rock them with a jacket, tee and jeans. The good news is, I can vary that look in a multitude of ways – swap out the jeans for a maxi skirt, change out jackets, do a plain t-shirt with a patterned jacket and so on and so forth.

What that one look as done, if you’ll notice, is it’s created a myriad of looks for me to choose from. It’s also directed my focus to what I’m going to buy to start prepping for spring looks. Right now, I’m on the hunt for fun earrings to jazz up my collection. I’m also tracking down great graphic tees because the rest of the ensemble I’ve got in stock.

See how that works? Once you’re finished you have a whole collection of looks to swap out and wear in different ways – but all of it translates you and your style in varying degrees of dressiness. Which means you’ll ALWAYS have something to wear.

Give yourself a style challenge.

A couple weeks ago I pulled out the pieces I wanted to wear before the season ended and forced myself to choose from that group. I wanted to be sure to get use out of all my favorites. But what it did was made outfit decisions way easier.

The good news about doing this with your spring wardrobe, is that you can pull out pieces you might not have touched in a while. Making it feel like you went out and bought some new clothes. And even if your style doesn’t lend itself to definitive” spring-like clothing (IE: florals, light pinks, etc.) then pull out pieces that are lighter weight or just a bit flowy-er and make a capsule wardrobe out of them.

Still need some help? Check out my spring post from last year. I just re-read it and was reminded about how genius I am (AND SO HUMBLE).

Let’s make this our spiffiest spring yet!

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Spiffy Spring Jackets

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A great way to wean yourself off of winter clothes.

Maybe you’re ready for tank tops, but everyone in my life knows I’m going to wring every minute out of winter clothes. Meaning the only reason I enjoy spring is because I get to still wear winter-type clothes (jackets, boots, scarves) just in a lighter/newer way.

In fact, I’m currently on the hunt to replace the jacket I’m wearing in the picture above. I bought it at Forever21 years and years ago and it’s age is starting to show. I’ve got my eye on this J. Crew version (below), I just need them to pretend like they’re Forever21 for a day so I can get the jacket for $24.99 – Okay? Okay.

If you don’t own a green “field jacket” then you don’t know that they make a white shirt, graphic tee, patterned tank, patterned maxi, jeans, white pants and a striped pencil skirt look effortlessly cool (not all at the same time, that would be quite the feat).

The reason I’m in love with this J. Crew version is the hardware. Hardware can truly make or break a jacket. This hardware MAKES jacket for sure…

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Purple will be voted prom queen of spring, no doubt. So why not get in on the action with this sweet jacket from Altar’d State?! The peplum detailing takes it to a whole new level of sweet, and if you’re a pencil shape this will give you some curves. Some pear shapes can pull this look off as well, because the peplum ruffle will make your hips look small in comparison.

 

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Before you go thinking you just “can’t with this next jacket” let me sell you on a metallic piece like this super cool jacket from Express… The details of the jacket are minimal which means it’s not going to look too busy, it’s just…Oh I don’t know…going to take anything you pair it with up a thousand notches in the cool factor NO BIG DEAL. Wear it with a simple t-shirt and jeans to simply pick up your child from school and you’ll look so pulled together. Or wear it with an all black outfit, a gray shirt and white jeans and some sneakers!

In other words…I need to go get this jacket…

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 Denim Options…

I came close to changing this whole post to be about unique denim jackets because I kept bumping into them, so that might be coming at you in the future. Love this laid back version of a denim jacket. It’s a bomber so it’s got that cool, breezy shape to it and the denim will go for miles in your closet. Pick up this one at New York and Co.

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Again if you’re firmly in the peplum camp – here’s a sweet peplum staple for you to wear on repeat. It’s going to lend shape and instant style to anything you wear it with. Snag yours at Francesca’s!

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Did you notice a theme with each jacket? I wanted to say (and just about did) that each jacket can add something to a simple t-shirt and jeans look, which is exactly why I like them. Leaving the house I want to maintain my style, but be comfortable and not looking like I took forever to get ready. That’s what a jacket does – besides giving you warmth it allows you to translate more of your taste without having to layer on or “create” a bunch of looks.

So try one of these out this spring and let me know what you think!

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